We’re delighted to announce that the Derby Cathedral Peregrines have laid two eggs – the earliest eggs yet.

Peregrines have been nesting on the cathedral tower since 2006, with March 23^rd being the earliest date for eggs before now.

Nick Brown, who set up the peregrine project for Derbyshire Wildlife Trust said, “We are delighted to have eggs already. Our previous female peregrine, who was replaced last year, never laid an egg before 23rd March. Our new female seems to be a much earlier layer. Peregrines usually lay clutches of four eggs in roughly two day intervals so we are hoping for a third in the next 24 hours.”

Not only is the timing unusual this year, but also the colour of the eggs. Peregrines usually lay red-brick coloured eggs but this year one of the eggs is much paler. This shouldn’t make any difference to the precious chick inside but it is certainly an unusual year for Derby’s peregrines.

Peregrine falcons are the world’s fastest animal, reaching unbelievable speeds of up to 390kph. They love to nest in high places such as towers and cliff edges, anywhere where they can have a great vantage point for spotting and swopping down on prey. The famous Derby peregrine webcams will be live once again this weekend, following two years off air. All thanks to Nick Moyes, Nick Brown and Derby City Council. You can watch live at www.derbyshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/derby-cathedral-peregrine-project.

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