Chichester Peregrine Blog

Shot this am on the second day of our five weeks of open days at the Cathedral and boy is it busy as the flower festival is on as well .The peregrines were featured on Good Morning Britain yesterday and I spoke to Sky News today so we will see what happens with that. It’s a joy to talk to so many supporters of the Peregrines in person we are all really enjoying it. Mum has been sitting on her egg for 16 days now and we are growing in hope and confidence that it will hatch….!!

Chichester Peregrines

Open days start on Wednesday 5th June and we are very excited to be doing it all over again. Mum and Dad are incubating their one egg and although it may not be viable as it’s more than 40 days later than we’ve ever had an egg ,they seem to still think it’s all systems go.Time will tell . For us with open days it’s completely different to normal as we will have live views onto the nest of Mum or Dad sitting on their egg .We very much look forward to seeing you at the Cathedral if you can possibly make it….we will have the new pin badges available as well. See you there….!!!

Chichester Peregrines

Well who would have thought it some 40 days later than the latest ever egg we have an egg it was laid at 10.53 …..the pigmentation looked a little odd and maybe a little small so we will wait and see what happens….its still very feasible that its game on. Last night was the fire exercise at the Cathedral involving all emergency services and the Peregrines watched with interest and were not disturbed by it. Interesting times it remains to be seen what will happen…..the next few days will show whether we get a full clutch or not it is possible the egg is not viable. We are sure they have already laid eggs in the north east turret and were flooded out in the storm three weeks ago. So it is unprecedented times but also very interesting the next few days should give us some answers….!!

Chichester Peregrines

Extraordinary stuff well worth a look at the webcam…..!!

Chichester Peregrines

The horrendous storm of Wednesday night Thursday morning, has put an end to any chance they had of raising a family in the north east turret. I am sure they had eggs but they have been off them too long now….I guess they got completely flooded out. It was never a good idea. Both birds are now showing a lot of interest in the south east turret. We will continue to watch and keep you informed…..with fingers crossed and toes…… never say never!!! The drama continues ..an old naturalist friend of mine once said to me after several unexpected turns in a seasons events, “This is wildlife it’s not a zoo “
Never could his words have rung a truer note…..!!!

Chichester Peregrines

For the first time in the 23 year history of the peregrine nest at Chichester Cathrdral, the birds have decided to nest off camera. They have chosen the north east turret. We do not really know why and can only surmise that maybe weather and water lying in the south east turret influenced them. This would be their normal site.

They are wild birds and as such will make their own decisions as to what is best. It has taken a lot of watching and time to ascertain what is actually happening as regard to nesting this year.  We think they are two to two and a half weeks behind their normal schedule. We are as certain as we can be that they now have eggs, behaviour patterns strongly suggest this.

The decision to shut down the cameras has been taken as this year unfortunately they show us nothing.

We will be monitoring and keeping you informed as best we can on the progress of this new nest site from the ground . Please bear in mind this will all be observations from the ground with no help from nest cams.

Open days will go ahead as they have a good chance of raising the family in this new site. We look forward to welcoming this new peregrine family to the Cathedral and showing the visitors who come to see them during the open day season of June and July.

Open days run each day from 5th June until the 7th July inclusive but not Mondays and Tuesdays.

Chichester Peregrines

So just for info …..with good information from our spotters on the ground they appear to be using N/E turret…no idea why but it still could be very much on ….This is the turret below the old ravens nest which they appear to be using as a food larder whether they can raise a family without a proper scrape with this odd weather and all the rain remains to be seen ….meanwhile we will leave both cameras running as it still could be early days as they have been seen mating over the last four days .
Will update if anything appears to change.
Photo courtesy of Ian Dunlin .Thank you Ian .

Chichester Peregrines 2024 season

So a little update….
Everything appears to be going on normally apart from the one fact at this moment they are not interested in their nest box. They are mating,talking with each other visiting other turrets and the old Ravens nest. We don’t know why…but it could be down to the terrible weather, there have been intruder Peregrines…..which is a big factor in unsettling our pair. I am very sure it’s the same female….she will be 11/12 years old so age could be a factor but the mating on a regular and sometimes several times in a day would point to all being well and normal with her. I am 90% certain the male is the same bird. We are still very hopeful we will have a family but it is unusual behaviour for the Chichester pair. The latest in the last 22 years that a first egg was laid is the 9th April so let’s stay positive and we will keep you informed as best we can….!!

Chichester Peregrines New Season

Might be slow going at the moment but we have had several intruders and all the bad weather must have had an effect on their lives……but ….Love is in the Air…..!!

Chichester Peregrines New Season….!!

Mum and Dad both around yesterday evening…..sitting quite close to each other….

Chichester Peregrines new season