Winchester Cathedral peregrine Winnie found dead

Winnie had been a familiar sight in the skies over Winchester since 2011

A peregrine falcon that nested on Winchester Cathedral has been found dead.

Known as Winnie and thought to be at least 15-years-old, the falcon was a familiar sight over the city for more than a decade and starred on the cathedral's rooftop webcams.

Hampshire Ornithological Society (HOS) said it was likely she died after an encounter with a newly-arrived female.

The society said she was a "wonderful mother" who reared at least 27 chicks.

She first nested on the roof of Winchester's former police HQ building in 2011 before moving to the cathedral in 2017.

'Scuffle'

She had recently returned to nest at the cathedral with her partner William.

HOS chairman Keith Betton said the presence of a new "unattached" female at the cathedral had been suspected when people saw three birds in the air and a "scuffle" last week.

Winnie was found dead the next day.

In a statement on social media, Mr Betton said: "I know so many of you will be upset about this but it is the natural course of events, and it is how nature ensures that healthy young adults replace the older ones."

Winnie was regularly seen on the Winchester Cathedral rooftop webcam

The peregrines are monitored by webcams on the cathedral roof which attract viewers from around the world.

Mr Betton said Winnie had been an "ambassador for her species".

"Peregrines have bounced back from the dark days when they were super rare but they are still special birds and we are so lucky to have them in our city," he said.

He added the new peregrine was likely to stay as a new partner for William.

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