Three peregrine falcon chicks have hatched, bringing joy to thousands watching a livestream, a year after the nest on St Albans Cathedral was allegedly trampled. The tiny birds were seen chirping next to a fourth, unhatched egg over the weekend, with the first sighting of two chicks at around 2am on Saturday, and the third hatching later that day.
Background of the Incident
Last April, widespread outrage followed 'sickening' footage of the falcon's nest on the roof of St Albans Cathedral in Hertfordshire, where three eggs were crushed. The birds, named Alban and Boudica, began nesting there in 2022, using a special shingle tray replicating their natural clifftop habitat. A livestream set up to observe them captured the moment a human stepped on the eggs, leading to a temporary shutdown.
One woman described on social media how she 'felt physically sick' after witnessing the incident live. Others reacted with similar dismay, calling it 'disgraceful' and 'sickening.' A police investigation was launched, but Hertfordshire Constabulary recently confirmed the Crown Prosecution Service concluded no prosecution would follow.
New Measures and Resilience
Following the crushed eggs, measures were introduced to 'support the safety and wellbeing of the peregrines.' A BBC Three Counties Radio listener, Beverley, recounted hearing a noise like a door opening, which appeared to spook the female bird, then seeing a man's leg enter the frame and step on the eggs. The Very Revd Jo Kelly Moore, Dean of St Albans, expressed deep sadness at the harm done. The live cam website, run by the cathedral in partnership with Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, confirmed the news and kept the stream offline temporarily.
Alban and Boudica have successfully hatched three eggs in 2023 and again in 2024, the year livestreaming began. A total of 519,882 people viewed the feed in its first year, with a peak of 12,598 on May 9. Despite initial expectations that no more eggs would be laid, the birds produced a further two eggs, delighting bird-lovers.
Record Number of Eggs
This year, four eggs were laid, a record for St Albans Cathedral, which had seen three eggs each year since 2023. The fourth egg may still hatch, but some eggs can be infertile. Chloe Edwards, director of nature recovery at the trust, noted the resilience of nature, saying, 'Given the right habitat and conditions, species will continue to thrive.'
Peregrines are the fastest diving birds, reaching speeds over 200mph. They nest in high, secluded spots like cliffs, making cathedrals ideal alternatives. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, damaging or destroying wild bird eggs carries a maximum £5,000 fine and up to six months in jail.
