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Four falcon chicks hatch at St Albans Cathedral

Matthew LockwoodBedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire
Peregrine chicks have hatched at their nesting area at St Albans Cathedral

Four peregrine falcon chicks have hatched at a cathedral - three at the weekend and a fourth arriving on Monday.

The Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust said the first three were born on the roof of St Albans Cathedral at about 02:00 BST on Saturday.

The four eggs are a record number for parents Boudica and Alban, with three having been laid each year since 2023.

Last month it was revealed that no further action would be taken against a man who had been seen destroying the eggs last year.

St Albans Cathedral A close-up of the fluffy, white chicks sitting on a nest covered in pebbles. Their parents are guarding the eggs nearby.St Albans Cathedral
Three chicks hatched on the roof of the cathedral on Saturday - with a fourth escaping its egg on Monday

Lea Ellis, engagement manager at the wildlife trust, said after the first three hatched he had expected there to be "many people like me who will be glued to the [webcam]... with the hope of seeing a further sibling join them on the nest tray".

Ellis said people should not worry if they do not see Boudica and Alban, as "they will be close by to protect the chicks".

Barry Trevis A close-up of Boudica's face with her big black eyes and pointed beak. She has distinctive black and white markings.Barry Trevis
Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust said Boudica laid a record-breaking four eggs this year

Two eggs were laid in the first year of breeding in 2022 and one failed to hatch.

A live webcam was installed in their nest tray the following year, and curiosity in the birds and their growing family has grown ever since, the wildlife trust said.

The webcam received more than 500,000 views last year.

Ellis added: "[As] the chicks develop and begin to move around more, they may disappear from the view of the webcam from time to time, but in all probability they are just exploring the rest of the nest tray."

The Very Reverend Jo Kelly-Moore, dean of the cathedral, said: "These remarkable birds have become much-loved members of our cathedral community, and it is a joy to see their family continue to grow year after year."

Patrick Wainwright A peregrine falcon in flight. Its claws look like they are ready to catch prey. Patrick Wainwright
The birds were "much-loved members" of the community, said the cathedral's dean

In a post on Facebook, the cathedral said the newest chick was "noticeably smaller than its older siblings already, and will have some catching up to do over the coming days".

"For now, all four chicks are being well fed by their busy parents. A very full and fluffy nest," it added.

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