Falcon chick hatches on Cambridge building

Harriet HeywoodBBC News, Cambridgeshire
News imageCambridge Peregrines A falcon and a chickCambridge Peregrines
The chicks can slip out of the nest and fall to the street, so a group of bird watchers try to be around to rescue them

At least one peregrine falcon chick has successfully hatched in a rooftop nest.

Falcons have nested on an undisclosed building in Cambridge city centre for the last nine years, but this year a new female falcon has hatched an egg.

Bird watchers said this was because the female that used to nest there had been killed by another falcon.

Cambridge Peregrines said it believed the chick was almost three weeks old.

News imageORLA MOORE/BBC Saimon Clark in 2023ORLA MOORE/BBC
Saimon Clark said peregrines have increased in numbers in last few decades but were still relatively rare

Saimon Clark said a female falcon who fledged in Wakefield had found a home in the city and had eventually laid the eggs.

"This is probably her first year breeding and she initially spent lots of time on university library," said Mr Clark.

"There is at least one chick, but my guess is maybe two. Last year it took a long time to work out there were four because you have to see them all at once."

He added that once the chicks learned to they would have a good chance of survival.

Mr Clark said he expected they would stay in the city for a few months before dispersing.

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