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Chichester Cathedral Falcons guard eggs against intruders...19 April 2011
A pair of Peregrine Falcons whose eggs are due to start hatching this week have been unusually busy defending their nest on Chichester Cathedral against intruders.
In seven incidents over the last two weeks, the celebrity pair have had to fend off other Peregrines that have approached the Cathedral, including one that dared enter the nest site.
They are believed to be competing for territory with the resident pair, who have been breeding there successfully for 11 years.
Visitors to the Cathedral have been able to witness the drama live via a nest camera, binoculars and telescopes, provided free as part of the RSPB’s Date with Nature event at the Cathedral.
Pete Harrison, of the RSPB South East, said, “In the last 11 years, we’ve never seen so many attempts by other Peregrines to take over the nest site. Now we’re seeing something happen every other day.
“Last week one invader tried his luck when the female was alone in the nest. She was looking around nervously as she sat on the eggs and bristling with her feathers puffed up. Then, the intruder flew right into the nest site and tried to approach her.”
“She attacked him and he flew off, swooping down low to fly away across the Cathedral Green.
"That tactic might have saved him from further assault. It would have been hard for her to dive down towards him without slamming into the ground and seriously injuring herself. These birds can move at over 200 miles per hour.”
The nesting pair were also threatened last year when a potential suitor from Brighton entered the territory. Visitors witnessed a spectacular aerial battle between the two males, with the intruding male finally being driven off.
Pete said, “These are probably all younger birds trying to take over the territory.
“Although some fans will be concerned for the resident pair, it’s normal for wild Peregrines to compete like this.
“It’s also good to see them in greater numbers. Illegal killing by people, and poisoning from pesticides such as DDT, caused the population to crash in the 20th Century, and they were threatened with extinction.
“Since then, protection measures have meant that their numbers have risen again. The more Peregrines we see across the UK, the more we can be sure that conservation efforts for this species are working.”
So far the celebrity pair have raised 34 chicks together, a stunning record for wild Peregrines. They have been incubating four new eggs since late March and are due to become parents again towards the end of this week.
They will need to spend all their energy on keeping the eggs warm and safe, and then guarding, feeding and teaching the chicks until they are able to fly and hunt alone.
The RSPB will be based at the Cathedral until 10 July, offering people a rare chance to watch the birds at close range without disturbing them. Entrance to the Cathedral and use of the viewing equipment are free of charge.
At first, the project will be based at the Cathedral’s Cloisters Café. At the end of May, when the young start to learn to fly, the RSPB will move out onto the Cathedral Green.
Live footage from the nest camera is now being broadcast at: http://www.rspb.org.uk/datewithnature/1 ... peregrines. Online viewers can also read updates and see new photos and footage at the project’s Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/chi.peregrines and on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ChiPeregrines.
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ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL, THE LORD GOD MADE THEM ALL
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