Norwich Peregrine Watchpoint Week 2
This week we have seen a lot more activity both on the camera and around the Cathedral, as the Peregrine Falcons have been looking after their three chicks!
Both the male (tiercel), and female (falcon) have been taking it in turns to guard the nest platform and look after the three chicks. They seem to have gotten into quite the routine, with one of them bringing in prey, feeding the other adult and the three chicks and then the adults swapping over. They have been feeding the chicks several times a day and even through the night. One of the chicks does seem to be smaller than the other two and getting less food. Unfortunately, there is usually a more dominant chick in the brood that gets more food, but hopefully the smaller chick will continue to get enough food and grow, even if it is at a slower rate than the other two.
While there was a fourth egg laid, unfortunately it looks like it will not hatch. There are several reasons this could happen. Sometimes the egg may not be fertilised or the embryo did not develop properly. There could also be damage to the egg (cannot see signs of this in this case). It could also be that the egg was not incubated and regularly turned by the adults. A possible scenario is that it was the first egg to be laid and because there was a large gap of ten days between egg one and four the egg was no longer viable once incubation started. While four eggs hatching would have been the preferred outcome, three chicks is fantastic and something to celebrate.
Both the male and female have been flying around the spire a lot this week, which has been fantastic to see from the grounds of the Cathedral. We have had a third adult Peregrine turn up twice this week. While the first time it only caused the adults to become vocal, the second time both Peregrines chased the intruder off. Other birds we have seen flying over include Buzzard, Red Kite and Cormorant.
Next week we are open Tuesday 13th, Wednesday 14th and Saturday 17th. Come and say hello and use the scopes and binoculars to see the Peregrines for yourself!
Liberty Wells Outreach and Conservation Ranger
(09/05/25)
