Latest news on the peregrine falcons

One peregrine falcon chick is currently being cared for by its parents on the Cathedral spire.

Norwich Cathedral’s spire has been home to peregrine falcons for many years and the Hawk and Owl Trust do a great job of keeping people up to date with the latest peregrine news, including running a live stream of the peregrines from their nesting box on the spire.

You can also find out more about the peregrine falcons by visiting the Hawk and Owl Trust watchpoint which is open three days a week in the Cathedral Close.

The days will vary each week and the latest information about the dates you can visit the watchpoint will be posted on the Hawk and Owl Trust’s social media.

Four eggs were laid on the spire this year.

The first egg was laid on 22 March, closely followed by the second on 25 March, the third on 28 March and the fourth and final egg on 30 March.

As the picture below shows, on the evening of 1 May cracks could be clearly seen on two of the four eggs ahead of the first two chicks hatching.

All four chicks hatched but unfortunately not all of the chicks have survived.

The first of the chicks hatched at about 6pm on Wednesday 1 May, closely followed by the second chick at about 8pm.

The third chick hatched in the early hours of Friday 3 May but unfortunately died on Friday 9 May.

The fourth chick hatched on Saturday 4 May but did not survive its first night.

The Hawk and Owl Trust has reported that one of the chicks which hatched on Wednesday 1 May sadly appears to have died overnight on Saturday 11 May.

The Hawk and Owl Trust posted the following update on their Facebook page on Sunday 12 May:

"In the latest update from Norwich on the monitoring of the Peregrine falcons, it is with regret that we must inform the community of a disheartening development.

"As of Sunday, 12th May, observations have led us to conclude that, sadly, a third chick has been lost overnight.

"This event marks a significant moment in the ongoing study and conservation efforts surrounding these magnificent birds of prey, which have captured the interest and affection of many.

"The Norwich Peregrines project, dedicated to the protection and observation of these falcons, has been a source of fascination and education for the public for many years. It allows an intimate glimpse into the lives of these creatures, highlighting not only their beauty and majesty but also the challenges they face in the natural world.

"The loss of a chick is a stark reminder of the fragility of wildlife and the importance of continued support for conservation efforts.

"The team behind the monitoring project is currently gathering more information to understand the circumstances leading to this unfortunate outcome. An update will be issued as soon as additional details are available. In the meantime, we remain committed to continuing our work to safeguard the future of Norwich's Peregrine falcons."

Pictures: Hawk and Owl Trust