Cathedral launches peregrine falcon live stream

Last year four eggs were laid in total and despite a few falls and rescues all four chicks fledged

Worcester Cathedral has launched its peregrine falcon livestream on YouTube as the birds return to the nest.

The adult birds, named Peter and Peggy, have been nesting in the cathedral's nest box for a few weeks.

Peregrine falcon experts expect the first eggs to be laid in late March and hope that the chicks will hatch in late April or early May.

Last year's live stream received nearly 400,000 views from across the globe after staff installed a live hi-res camera.

This year, the action will also be livestreamed on a screen inside the cathedral.

Chris Dobbs, Biodiversity Advisor for the Cathedral, said: "Although peregrines are still relatively rare, they are recovering well in the UK, at least partly due to the new habitats they take up in cities, of which Worcester is a great example.

"The birds love cathedral towers because they are similar in some ways to their natural habitat nesting sites."

Peregrine falcons have been in and around Worcester for hundreds of years.

They are depicted in the cathedral’s great west window and parts of the stonework too.

Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: [e-mail]