Cathedral's peregrine falcons lay first egg of the year
DERBY's famous peregrine falcons have laid an egg at the city's cathedral for the fourth consecutive year.
The news thousands of bird fanatics had been waiting for arrived at 9.27pm last night when a webcam showed a glimpse of the egg.
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Peregrine falcon
Since January, more than 50,000 people have visited a website showing live images of the two lovebirds, including bird fanatic Jennie Mak in Hong Kong.
Nick Brown, education manager for Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, last night posted details on the website.
He said: "Our female peregrine has been leading many of us a merry dance today. This morning we were convinced she was about to lay her first egg. But, after standing in the scrape for an hour or so, she moved away to reveal . . .nothing.
"At 8:30pm, she was once again on the nest scrape in darkness, lit only by a faint wash from the tower floodlights, and by our own infra-red illuminators.
"It did look like she might lay tonight, and sure enough exactly an hour later at 9:27pm we caught a glimpse of her first egg."
Peregrine Falcons first nested on Derby's Cathedral in 2006, aided by a partnership between Derby Museum and Art Gallery, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and Derby Cathedral.
The pair raised three chicks in 2006, two in 2007 and four last year.
Comments
by Martin Milner, NJ, USA
Tuesday, March 24 2009, 2:08PM
“It's nice that someone is focusing on other than economic news. Care for wildlife and respect for all animals in general is the hallmark of a civilised society. Like the ravens in the "Tower" I hope that Derby continues to hold on to its peregrine falcons and that they will have many young and continue to create an interesting spectacle for visitors and residents alike in the centre of the city.”