We are thrilled to announce that the Derby Cathedral peregrine female has laid her first egg. Peregrines have been nesting on the cathedral tower since 2006, a new record has been made with this year’s first egg coming in at nine days earlier than last year’s (17^th March).

After delays due to poor weather, Nick Moyes (co-founder of the project) was able to abseil down the tower to clean the platform and cameras. Shortly after leaving the platform, the female had returned and laid her first egg of 2022.

The mild winter may explain why urban peregrines across the UK seem to be laying earlier this year.

Nick Brown, who set up the Derby Cathedral Peregrine Project said “This is the earliest that we have ever had an egg laid at the Cathedral and nine days earlier than last year. The mild winter may explain why urban peregrines across the UK seem to be laying earlier this year. Once an egg is laid, the site becomes an ‘active nest’ and it is illegal to disturb it, so we just got there in time! With luck, she will lay three more eggs with two day gaps between each one making a complete clutch of four.”

Peregrine falcons are the world’s fastest animal, reaching speeds of up to 200mph when diving down onto prey. They nest in high places such as towers and cliff edges, and have excellent binocular vision allowing them to see prey from more than 3km away. The famous Derby peregrine webcams are now live. All thanks to Nick Moyes, Nick Brown and Derby City Council. You can watch live at Derby Cathedral Peregrine Project - 2022: Our Webcams (derbyperegrines.blogspot.com)

The project is a partnership between Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, which manages the project, Derby Cathedral, Cathedral Quarter and Derby City Council.