20 Apr – the female takes a short flight before returning to the eggs at 00:35. The male flies in for the first changeover is at 5:30. He leaves at 8:35 and the female returns 15 minutes later. The male is not back until 14:35, almost six hours later. He takes a short flight at 15:30 then returns to the eggs. The female takes over at 17:05 remaining until midnight.

20 Apr – the female takes a short flight before returning to the eggs at 00:35. The male flies in for the first changeover is at 5:30. He leaves at 8:35 and the female returns 15 minutes later. The male is not back until 14:35, almost six hours later. He takes a short flight at 15:30 then returns to the eggs. The female takes over at 17:05 remaining until midnight.

19 Apr – the male arrives at 5:25 for the first changeover. He flies out at 7:35 and the female arrives a few moments later. She leaves at 9:40 and the male takes over until 11:05. He is back at 14:15 and the female flies out. She lands briefly at 17:05 and again at 17:15 and resumes incubation ten minutes later and remains until midnight.

18 Apr – it is a slightly earlier first changeover of the day, at 4:30. The female returns at 6:45 until 10:05. She lands very briefly at 10:35. The male flies out at 12:05 and the female replaces him. There are changeovers at 14:20 and 17:35. The female flies out at 19:25 and the male takes over. She is back at 21:00 and the male leaves whilst she remains until midnight.

17 Apr – the first changeover is at 5:15. The male flies out at 7:35 and the female replaces him. The male does not return until 15:10, over seven and a half hours later. He checks for the female after four hours, then returns to the eggs. She returns at 19:40 and he leaves. She remains incubating until midnight.

16 Apr – the first changeover is at 5:10. The male takes a short flight at 6:15 and the female takes over at 6:25. She flies out at 7:55 as the male returns; these are very short incubation periods and may suggest an intruder in the area. The female takes over again at 9:10 showing a full crop. The male lands at 11:45, checks the sky and flies out immediately. He is back to take over at 13:00 until 14:40. He lands at 16:20 and goes into the box 20 minutes later but the female remains on the eggs, so he leaves. he returns at 18:25 and there is a changeover. The female is back at 20:30 for the last swap of the day.

15 Apr – the first changeover is at 5:30. The male flies out at 7:00 as the female returns. He is back at 7:50 carrying a Feral Pigeon meal for the female who takes it and flies off whilst he covers the eggs. The female flies in at 9:20 and he leaves until he takes over again at 12:30. The female returns over four hours later at 16:40 and remains until midnight.

14 Apr – the first changeover is at 5:20. The female returns at 6:55. She flies out at 7:35 but is soon back on the eggs. The male takes over at 8:00 when he arrives with an unidentified meal for the female which she drops and tries to dive and retrieve it but apparently fails as she lands briefly a few minutes later. He flies off at 9:20 and the female does not take over until 10:15. She flies out at 13:05 and the male returns five minutes later. He is replaced at 16:05 and the female remains incubating until midnight.

13 Apr – the first changeover is at 5:00. The female is back at 6:30 and flies out at 7:45 when the male takes over but he flies off after ten minutes before quickly returning to the eggs. He is replaced at 9:35 and resumes at 12:40. He flies out at 14:50 for the female to take over. The male lands briefly at 15:20 and is back at 17:50 remaining until 20:45. The female incubates until midnight.

12 Apr – there was an unexpected visitor just after midnight; XRF landed on the ledge, the first sighting of the juvenile on camera since 22 March. Initially, the female ignored her offspring, but after 20 minutes he walked into the box, and she mantled her eggs protectively. She then ran at XRF with open wings and forced him from the platform. He flew off but immediately tried to land again and so she jumped at him. She remains tight on the eggs until the male arrives at 5:35 to take over. He leaves two hours later, and she flies in until the next changeover at 8:50. The male flies out at 11:40 and the female takes over. The male returns at 14:55 for another change but is replaced by the female after only 15 minutes; he is back at 17:35. He looks out for the female at 18:50 for five minutes then returns to the eggs. He moves to the ledge at 19:40 but is soon back on the eggs. He checks again at 20:20 and 20:30 but continues incubating. The female eventually arrives five minutes later to take over and remains until midnight.

UPDATE on juvenile XRF: the long-staying juvenile that had caused so many issues with the start of the breeding season this year was last seen on camera at the Cathedral on 22 March. A photograph was shown to me at the Watch Day on Tuesday 8 April of a juvenile Peregrine seen in Bradgate Park on 5 April. From the coloured ring on its leg, I was able to identify it as our bird XRF.

11 Apr – the female walks to the ledge at 6:00 and looks for the male. He arrives a few moments later and takes over as she flies out. She returns at 7:30 and resumes incubation. She leaves at 8:15 and he covers the eggs ten minutes later. He flies out at 11:00 but is back on the eggs five minutes later. The female takes over again at 11:10. She flies out at 14:45 and the male takes over a few minutes later until the next changeover at 15:10. She looks out over the city at 16:20 then goes back to the eggs until the male returns at 17:15. He looks for the female at 19:05, then returns to the eggs. He looks out again an hour later, and at 20:15 and again at 20:30. She returns at 20:40 to incubate for the rest of the evening.

10 Apr – the female flies out at 5:30 and is quickly replaced by the male. He leaves at 8:05 but is soon back on the eggs. He is eventually relieved at 9:35 and is back again at 11:50. He flies off three hours later and is soon replaced by the female. She checks the skies looking for the male at 17:20, then returns to the eggs. She flies out an hour later but is soon back but male replaces her five minutes later. The male sits on the ledge for five minutes at 20:15 the returns to the eggs. She returns at 20:45 and remains incubating until midnight.

9 Apr – the first changeover of the day is at 5:35. The female is back on the eggs at 6:40 until the male arrives at 11:00 with the remains of a Feral Pigeon meal. She takes it from him and drags it into the box as he flies off. She then leaves and the male takes over incubation. She is back to resume at 12:35 until the next change at 15:20. The male takes a short flight at 17:55 but quickly returns to the eggs. The female lands briefly a few minutes later. The male flies out at 19:05 and the female takes over until she rushes out at 20:10. She is back ten minutes later remaining until midnight.

8 Apr – the female remains on the eggs until the first changeover at 5:45. The female is back at 8:35. She flies out at 9:45 but is back after ten minutes. There is another swap at 12:35. The male flies out three hours later and the female resumes at 15:45 but leaves at 16:35 and the male takes over five minutes later. She is back at 17:55 until midnight. WATCH DAY: the pair were present during the morning with both seen on the spire on occasions. One observer saw the male dive-bomb a passing Buzzard just to the north of the city. There was little activity otherwise.

7 Apr – the male lands on the ledge at 4:25 and falls asleep until the first changeover of the day at 5:35. The female returns to resume incubation at 7:15 until 10:25 when the male lands with fresh Feral Pigeon prey. The male flies out at 13:25 and she returns to the eggs. She leaves at 16:10 and the male takes over. She is back on the ledge at 18:40 and takes over from the male ten minutes later and remains until midnight.

6 Apr – the female remains on the eggs until the first changeover at 5:55. She is back at 8:05 and remains in the scrape. At 12:10, she changes her position and lays the FOURTH EGG of the season. She quickly resumes incubation until the male arrives at 13:40 to take over until 14:50 when he leaves, and she resumes. She looks out for the male at 17:55, then returns to the eggs. He eventually arrives at 19:00 and is replaced by the female with a full crop at 20:20.

5 Apr – the female remains on the eggs until the first changeover at 5:50. The male flies out at 8:05 but is back after ten minutes. The female takes over again at 8:30. The male is back at 14:10, over five hours later. The female takes over 16:35. The male lands for five minutes at 20:00 but she incubates the eggs until midnight.

4 Apr – the female remains on the eggs until 2:25 when her position changes and she delivers her THIRD EGG. She flies out at 6:00 and is replaced by the male after a few minutes, but she resumes incubation 30 minutes later. She is off again at 7:10 and the male takes over at 7:35. She returns to the ledge five minutes later, but the male does not relinquish until 8:00. The male lands briefly at 10:00 but the next changeover is at 10:40. The male flies out at 12:55 and the female returns five minutes later. He is back incubating at 14:55 until 18:45. They change again at 19:35 until the female returns at 20:10 and remains for the rest of the evening.

3 Apr – the first exchange of the day was at 6:05. The female is back to take over at 9:55 until 11:35. The male is replaced at 13:10. He is back two hours later to resume incubation but only until the female returns after 35 minutes. She looks out from the platform 16:40, then flies off at 16:55; the male takes over. The female is back at 19:00 but leaves after 45 minutes and the male resumes. The female is back on the ledge at 19:50 and resumes incubation at 20:15 remaining until midnight.

2 Apr – the female remains on the eggs until being replaced by the male at 4:30. He flies off three hours later and the female resumes incubation at 7:50. There is another changeover at 9:20 but the male leaves quickly just ten minutes later, returning after five minutes. The female lands at 9:40 but the male stays tight. She sits adjacent to him in the box until he flies out at 11:10 and she follows. She is back on the eggs at 12:00, flies out at 16:35 but is back after five minutes. The male eventually takes over at 17:05 until the female returns at 19:25 and remains until midnight.

1 Apr – the female remains with the eggs from the previous evening. She walks to the platform at 2:15 and takes a very short flight then returns to the eggs at 2:50. The male replaces her at 5:45. She lands on the ledge ten minutes later. He flies out at 6:15 from the scrape and the female follows five minutes later. He returns at 7:35 and is replaced by the female at 11:45. She flies out at 12:20 but is back after 15 minutes. The male lands briefly at 14:20 and she walks to the ledge and looks out, then returns to the eggs. She flies out at 15:05 and the male takes over until she returns at 17:10. There is another change at 19:05 and the female is back at 20:25 for the rest of the evening.

MARCH 2025

31 Mar – the female remains by the egg from the previous evening. She moves to the ledge at 2:05 and returns to the egg at 3:00. At 5:40, she surprises us by laying her SECOND EGG. This would explain her reluctance to incubate the first egg, as Peregrines do not usually start full incubation until the second or generally the third egg is laid. The time between the two eggs is 10 (ten) days, 14 hours and 45 minutes. Without doubt, the disruption that the over-staying juvenile caused was a factor in this delay. It is probably relevant that XRF has not been see on the platform since the 22nd. She flies out 6:25 and returns 30 minutes later and immediately incubates the eggs. The male flies in carrying Feral Pigeon prey at 7:40 and the female takes it from him and leaves. He follows her, but returns ten minutes later and goes into the box to cover both eggs. He is replaced by the female at 9:55. She flies out at 11:00 and the male resumes incubation at 11:20 for an hour. She is back at 12:45 until 14:10 when the male lands briefly and she follows him. He returns at 16:10 until 18:50. The female arrives five minutes later to incubate. At 20:00, she walks to the platform and looks out over the city then returns to the eggs after 15 minutes.

30 Mar – the male takes a short flight at 4:10 and 4:40. He goes to incubate the egg at 4:45. The female arrives at 4:50 and replaces him at 5:05. She leaves at 6:10 and returns at 8:20 but does not incubate. She is back by the egg at 10:10 until 11:25. The male incubates from 11:40 until 12:05. He is back at 14:00 until 15:20. The female returns at 15:35 and leaves at 17:50. The male flies in with Feral Pigeon prey at 17:50 looking for the female so quickly leaves with it. He is back a few minutes later to resume incubation. He flies out at 19:35 and the female takes over 20 minutes later and remains by the egg until midnight.

29 Mar – the female remained in the box standing next to the egg. The male lands at 4:20 and replaces the female when she flies out at 5:00. He does full incubation but leaves after just 15 minutes but is back incubating at 6:20 for 15 minutes. The female is back at 6:55 for ten minutes, during which time she manages to stand on the egg. She returns at 7:55 but again only sits by the egg. The male arrives at 8:55 with fresh Feral Pigeon prey. He leaves quickly and she soon follows. The male is back on the egg at 9:15 until 10:20. The female arrives ten minutes later with a full crop but continues to refuse to fully incubate. She moves to the platform at 11:50 and returns to the box 20 minutes later. She flies off at 14:00 and the male arrives an hour later. He remains on the egg until the female arrives at 15:15. She leaves at 17:35 and he returns. He moves to the ledge at 18:45 then resumes incubation at 19:10 until 19:45, when he moves back to the ledge and falls asleep until midnight.

28 Mar – the male remains on the ledge from the previous evening until 00:10 when he goes to incubate the egg. He returns to the ledge after 15 minutes and is back on the egg at 5:40 for 20 minutes, then sits on the ledge until returning to the egg at 6:15. He is replaced by the female ten minutes later, but she only partially incubates. The male brings in Blue Tit prey at 6:55 and she flies out; he follows. She is back at 7:35 but again stands by the egg rather than incubate it, then leaves at 8:50. The male is back on the egg at 9:15 for 15 minutes. The female returns at 10:30 to protect, but does not incubate the egg and leaves at 12:10. The male is back incubating at 13:00 until 14:15. The female flies in at 15:10 and stands by the egg for five minutes. The male returns briefly at 15:25, and is back on the egg an hour later. He flies out at 18:00 and the female goes into the box ten minutes later and stands over the egg until flying out at 18:50. She is back standing by the egg at 19:10 remaining until midnight.

27 Mar – the male lands at 4:10 and incubates the egg a few minutes later, then moves to the ledge after 15 minutes and flies off at 5:30. There is no further activity on camera until 13:55 when the pair arrive in the box. The male quickly leaves whilst the female stands over the egg for ten minutes, then flies off at 14:05. The male returns to the ledge with a full crop at 15:15 but leaves five minutes later. The female is back at 15:55, also with a full crop, and goes into the box. She tends to the scrape but does not incubate and leaves at 16:25. The male lands briefly at 17:05. The pair are back at 17:50 and the male incubates the egg for ten minutes. She then stands by the egg but does not fully incubate it. She moves to the ledge at 22:20 and looks out, then returns to the egg when the male lands. She leaves at 22:50 whilst he remains on the ledge until midnight.

26 Mar – the male arrives on the ledge at 2:35 and remains until 5:15. He is back at 7:10 and incubates the egg until 8:05. He returns to the ledge briefly at 9:10 and 10:50. He is back on the egg at 13:25 for 20 minutes. The male lands at 16:15 carrying Redwing prey and the female flies in and takes it from him, then leaves. He remains on the ledge for five minutes. The female flies in at 16:25 and sits beside the egg for ten minutes, then moves to the platform before returning to the egg at 16:55, although she does not actually incubate. She flies out at 17:25 and returns at 19:00 and partially covers the egg until flying out at 23:20.

25 Mar – the male remains sleeping on the ledge from the previous evening. The female arrives at 3:25 and sits on the platform. The male leaves at 5:05 and returns a few moments later with some scraps of food for the female which she takes. He flies off and she follows with her meal. He returns to cover the egg from 7:25 until 8:20 when he moves to the ledge and flies off after ten minutes. He is back at 11:20 for 30 minutes. The female returns five minutes later and incubates until 12:15. The male lands briefly at 13:30 looking dishevelled and calling into the sky – no doubt some form of conflict. He is back to incubate the egg at 17:20, leaving at 18:00.  

24 Mar – the female leaves the egg and walks to the ledge at 00:50 then flies off five minutes later. The male arrives at 5:15 and incubates until 5:40 when he flies out. The female is back briefly at 6:55. He returns to the egg at 7:45 for five minutes and is back at 8:30 for ten minutes. The female is on the egg at 9:15 until 10:00 and is back briefly at 11:35. She flies in carrying fresh Feral Pigeon prey at 17:25 and takes her meal into the box to feed. The male sits on the ledge at 17:45. She finishes feeding at 17:50, then checks the egg as the male grabs the meal and flies out; she follows. He is back on the ledge with a full crop at 19:45 and remains on the ledge until midnight.

23 Mar – the female flies into the box at 3:15 and partially incubates the egg. The male lands on the ledge at 4:35. He flies off at 5:25 and she follows. She is back incubating at 7:00 for 20 minutes, then moves to the ledge before leaving at 7:30. She is back on the egg at 7:45 until 8:05 when she moves to the platform, then flies off at 8:45 and returning at 9:20. The male flies in with fresh Feral Pigeon prey at 10:20 but leaves with it a few minutes later and the female follows. The male lands on the ledge at 11:50 and incubates the egg. He flies out at 12:35 and the female takes over ten minutes later; she leaves at 13:50. The male is back carrying another fresh Feral pigeon for the female. He quickly leaves as she is not in the box. He returns a few minutes later to incubate the egg. She lands briefly at 15:35 with a full crop. He flies out at 16:25 and is replaced by the female five minutes later. The male arrives at 16:55 with one of the stashed pigeons. The female takes it and flies off and he sits on the ledge until 17:05. The female returns to incubate at 17:35 and moves to the ledge at 20:45. She returns to the egg at 21:40 remaining until midnight.

22 Mar – the male remains sleeping on the ledge until 5:45 but returns ten minutes later before leaving at 6:00. The female flies in at 6:35 and briefly incubates the egg before flying out. She is back briefly at 8:05 and the male briefly incubates a few moments later. She is back with the egg at 8:45 for ten minutes, then returns an hour later for intermittent incubation and eventually flies out at 11:45. The pair fly in at 12:40, the female checks the egg, but they look to be defending the skies around the platform. The male is back at 14:45 for ten minutes. XRF flies in at 16:10 and feeds on the scraps of the Snipe. The female lands a few moments later. She goes into the box to incubate the egg whilst the juvenile defends its meal; the female seems tolerant of XRF’s presence. XRF flies out at 17:05 and the female at 18:00. The male, wet and bedraggled from the torrential rain, lands briefly at 18:10 and the female flies into the box ten minutes later and remains incubating until 21:35.

21 Mar – XRF remains on the ledge until the female arrives at 00:45. He then goes into the box before returning to the opposite side. At 1:55 the juvenile feeds on the stashed Snipe. The female goes into the box at 2:35 and incubates the egg. The female flies out at 5:20 and XRF checks the egg then returns to the ledge and flies out at 5:35. The male returns at 6:25 and is immediately followed by XRF. They lock talons and fight in the box, then tumble off the platform. The female arrives and XRF returns and goes into the box. The female flies off and he follows. The juvenile is back in the box at 7:25, then feeds on the remains of the Snipe. It flies off at 7:40 when the female returns. She goes into the box until leaving at 8:00. XRF flies on and off the platform four times in quick succession at 12:25 – most probably being pursued by the resident pair. He is back three times at 13:45 and twice again at 14:15. The female is back in the box at 16:45, checks the egg and moves to the ledge ten minutes later. She flies off at 17:05 and is replaced by the male who incubates the egg until flying out at 17:50. He returns a few minutes later, sits on the platform, then moves to the ledge at 19:10 remaining until midnight.

20 Mar – XRF lands at 2:30 and the female tries to force it from the ledge at 3:00 but he moves sides. She chases him four times until eventually he leaves at 4:55. The male lands at 5:30 quickly followed by XRF who goes into the box. It then jumps at the male and forces him from the ledge. The juvenile is back a few moments later but quickly flies out and the female follows. XRF returns at 9:45 and picks at scraps of the plover. The female lands a few minutes later and goes into the box. The juvenile leaves at 9:50 and the female at 10:05. XRF is back five minutes later and flies out at 10:35. It returns at 13:00 and picks at scraps in the box, then moves to the ledge after 20 minutes and flies off. The male returns at 14:00 quickly followed by XRF and then the female. The juvenile attacks the male and then tries to bond with the female whilst the male sits on the ledge. The juvenile then runs at the male and knocks him from the ledge. The female picks at scraps and XRF returns but soon leaves and she sits in the scrape. At 14:55, she lays the FIRST EGG of the season. She flies out at 15:10 and returns ten minutes later quickly followed by XRF. She soon leaves and he follows. She returns at 17:25 and sits on the ledge whilst XRF flies into the box. The juvenile twice checks the egg in the scrape before flying out at 18:40. The female stands over the egg at 18:50 and is back on the ledge at 19:30. XRF is back at 21:55 and they go into the box. They female flies off a few moments later and XRF soon after. The juvenile is back at 23:30 carrying fresh Snipe prey which it stashes by a column. It sits on the ledge until midnight.

19 Mar – the female remains on the ledge until 00:55 when she goes into the box. The male lands at 1:00 and falls asleep. She flies out at 3:30 and he takes a short flight at 5:20 and again at 5:45. In the light of the morning it can be seen that the male has ruffled feathers around his neck, and signs of blood – he has obviously been in a fight. He flies off at 6:05 and XRF flies into the box five minutes later and tends to the scrape, then flies out. The male returns at 7:10, showing more blood, and is followed by the female and then XRF. The male flies off and is followed by the female after facing up to the juvenile, who also quickly flies out. The female is back at 7:55 for five minutes as XRF does a flypast. The juvenile is back in the box briefly at 8:25. The female returns at 8:40 and she too is now showing blood on her chest and displaced feathers. XRF flies into the box and walks about calling loudly to the female, then leaves after a few minutes. She remains in the box. XRF returns at 9:50 followed by the male who has fresh blood on the neck. The female tries to ignore the juvenile who siddles up to her. The male sits on the ledge and the juvenile addresses him aggressively; there is a standoff. He flies out at 10:00 and the female follows with XRF in pursuit. The juvenile quickly returns and the male soon after. The male sits on the ledge and the juvenile postures aggressively but the male will not move. This happens four times until XRF flies off at 10:30 but is soon back. The male goes into the scrape at 10:34 but is forced out by XRF – the juvenile is obviously making a claim for the nest and territory despite being less than a year old! The female returns at 10:35 and the juvenile tries to bond with her by ‘beak-clicking’. It then jumps at the male knocking him from the ledge. It returns to the female a few minutes later but suddenly takes flight – no doubt trying to chase off the male and is back briefly at 10:55, makes numerous sorties in and out of the box until the male lands at 11:30 pursued by XRF. The juvenile arrives 15 minutes later and there is an almighty fight between father and son. They lock talons and the pair quickly fall from the platform. The juvenile is soon back in the box, then flies out. The female leaves at 11:50 and is back in the box at 14:00 for 30 minutes. The male is back at 16:15 quickly followed by the female and XRF. The juvenile forces the male out of the box and chases after him; the female follows. XRF lands briefly a few moments later and then the female returns. She is showing blood on the face and breast. The juvenile is back at 17:55 and feeds on the plover remains and leaves at 18:05. The female remains and goes into the box at 19:05 and falls asleep in the scrape. XRF lands on the ledge at 20:40 but leaves when confronted by the female at 21:15. She feeds on the scraps of the plover but remains in the box until midnight.

18 Mar – the female leaves the scrape at 00:40 and sits on the ledge. She returns to the box at 3:30 when the male arrives with fresh Snipe prey. He flies off with it a few minutes later and she remains in the scrape and falls asleep. The male returns at 5:30 and the female leaves. He goes into the box until moving to the ledge a few minutes later, then flying off at 5:50, returning at 6:00 for 15 minutes. He is back at 8:20 quickly followed by XRF who flies into the box. The male leaves and the juvenile moves to the ledge, then flies off. The female lands at 8:40 and goes into the box. The male is back briefly at 11:15 and the XRF lands a few minutes later. The female forces the juvenile from the platform and flies off. She returns briefly at 14:45 and the male likewise a few moments later followed by XRF at 14:55. The female is back in the box with a full crop at 16:30. She flies off at 18:40 for five minutes, then goes into the box as the male arrives. He flies off at 19:45. She moves to the ledge at 21:00 until midnight.

17 Mar – the male arrives at 5:35 and is joined by the female 15 minutes later. He soon flies off and she goes into the box, then moves back to the ledge at 6:05 and flies off. The male is back at 7:15 for ten minutes. XRF flies in followed by the female at 7:30. It sits on the ledge whilst she goes into the box. The juvenile leaves at 7:45 and the female soon after. The male is back at 9:20 followed by XRF. The juvenile forces the male from the ledge and flies off ten minutes later. It is back briefly at 14:25. The female lands at 16:05 and goes into the box. She is joined by the male who falls asleep on the ledge at 18:30 until flying off at 22:45. She remains sleeping in the box until midnight.

16 Mar – the female lands at 1:55 and goes into the box at 2:35 and sits in the scrape until 5:45 when she picks the stashed pigeon and flies out at 6:00. The male arrives at 6:10, checks the box and flies off a few minutes later. XRF flies in at 6:35, goes into the box then moves to the ledge and flies off after five minutes, returning briefly at 8:40. The adults are back at 9:50. The male goes into the box whilst the female feeds on scraps on the platform. He flies off at 10:00 and she goes into the box. XRF flies in at 10:35 and sits on the ledge for five minutes. The male is back at 11:40 for ten minutes. XRF is back briefly at 15:20 and the female likewise at 15:55. She returns at 17:50 quickly followed by XRF. She goes into the box whilst the juvenile sits on the ledge. The male arrives at 18:05 with fresh Golden Plover prey which he gives to the female, then leaves. XRF flies off and the female flies out with her meal.

15 Mar – the adult pair arrive at 5:50 followed by XRF who goes into the box. The male quickly leaves and is followed by the juvenile; the female flies off at 6:20. The male flies into the box at 9:10 then sits on the ledge with a full crop until 9:55 when he flies off to quickly return with the female. He soon leaves and she goes into the box and tends to the scrape then moves to the platform 25 minutes later. XRF flies into the box at 11:25, but quickly flies off; the female follows after few minutes. XRF is back at 12:40 and sits on the ledge until 14:15. The female is back at 16:45 then sits on the ledge with a full crop, then goes into the box tending the scrape. XRF lands at 18:15 carrying fresh Feral Pigeon prey. The female takes the meal from the juvenile who moves to the ledge and flies off ten minutes later. The female feeds on the pigeon and leaves at 18:30.

14 Mar – the adults arrive together at 4:55. The male falls asleep on the ledge whilst the female goes into the box until they leave together at 5:45. XRF arrives at 6:05, checks the box, then leaves. The male flies in at 7:20 carrying Feral Pigeon prey which the arriving female snatches from him; they both leave. The male is back at 9:35, checks the box then sits on the ledge for 20 minutes. He is back briefly at 12:05. XRF lands for a few moments at 13:50 after being pursued by the male. The male returns at 14:30 and XRF soon after. The male flies out and the juvenile remains on the ledge for five minutes. The female is back at 15:35. She goes into the box when XRF lands 20 minutes later, but the juvenile does not stay long. The female moves back to the ledge at 16:50 then flies off. The male lands briefly at 18:05.

13 Mar – the male flies into the box at 4:55 and moves to the ledge at 5:30 before leaving at 6:00 to be replaced by XRF. The juvenile checks the box and tends the scrape before he flies out at 6:10. The male is back for ten minutes at 6:25 and again briefly at 9:05. The female lands with a full crop at 13:55 for five minutes. The male immediately returns and is quickly followed by the female. He goes into the box whilst she sits on the ledge calling, then flies out followed by the male. The female returns at 15:55 and goes into the box. She is joined by the male at 17:45 but he leaves after a quick bout of bonding. The female flies out at 18:00.

12 Mar – the male remains on the ledge from the previous evening and is joined by XRF at 5:30. The juvenile goes into the box, then walks to the ledge and pushes the male from the platform and takes his place! The female arrives at 5:55 minutes later and XRF flies out. The male is back bonding with the female at 6:15 and they both leave a few minutes later. She returns briefly at 8:40. The male is back at 13:05, checks the box, then leaves. The female lands at 13:35, goes into the box and tends to the scrape. She moves to the ledge an hour later, then flies out. The male flies into the box at 15:50 but leaves after five minutes. The pair arrive at 17:20 but the male quickly leaves and the female tends the scrape, then flies out a few minutes later.

11 Mar – PEREGRINE WATCH DAY: the female lands at 4:25 and is quickly followed by XRF. The adult goes into the box and then forces the juvenile from the platform. She sits on the ledge until 5:45 when the male lands. He goes into the box and the scrape, and she returns to the ledge. He leaves at 5:55 and she follows at 6:15. The male lands briefly at 10:00 and the female likewise at 17:00. The male returns at 18:45, checks the box and tends the scrape, then sits on the ledge with a full crop until midnight. During the morning watch day, the pair were seen for long periods sitting on crosses of the spire until 11:50 when they left and returned at 13:00 with full crops.

10 Mar – the male remains sleeping on the ledge from the previous evening and is joined by the female at 3:05. She goes into the box, then moves to the ledge. He flies off at 4:00 and she leaves at 5:40. The male returns carrying fresh Snipe prey, looks for the female, then flies out with his meal. XRF lands a few moments later remaining until 6:00. The male flies in with his meal a few moments later followed by the female. She takes the meal and leaves; he flies off at 6:20. The female is back briefly at 7:50. The male flies in at 10:00 quickly followed by XRF; they both soon leave. He lands briefly at 10:25. The adult pair are back in the box at 11:45. The male leaves after a few minutes and she leaves at 12:10. He is back at 13:15 but is quickly replaced by the female sporting a full crop. She goes into the box until flying out at 14:45. The male immediately returns and goes into the box until leaving at 15:10. He is back at 15:55 for five minutes. The female returns for five minutes at 18:00 and again briefly 15 minutes later.

9 Mar – the male lands at 5:40 until 6:05. He is back at 7:40, checks the box then leaves. He returns at 9:05 with the female and they go into the box. He soon moves to the ledge and flies off whilst she remains in the box tending the scrape until leaving at 9:20. He is back briefly at 9:45 and 10:15. He is back on the ledge at 18:40 and is followed by XRF who goes into the box and the scrape. The juvenile leaves a few minutes later but the male remains until midnight.

8 Mar – the male remains on the ledge from the previous evening until 6:00 when he takes a short flight, then leaves and is back briefly an hour later. He returns at 9:50 quickly followed by the female. He goes into the box whilst she picks at scraps on the platform. He flies off a few minutes later and she goes into the scrape, then dozes in the box until flying out at 11:10. The female lands briefly at 15:50. The male is back at 16:55 and goes into the box, then sits on the ledge looking out until flying off at 17:05. The female returns to the box an hour later remaining until 23:35. The male lands a few minutes later carrying a small item of freshly plucked prey. He leaves with it a few minutes later.

7 Mar – XRF flies in at 00:55. It leaves on the arrival of the female at 3:45. She falls asleep on the ledge until moving into the box when the male lands at 5:25. She flies off at 6:05 and the male follows five minutes later. He returns briefly at 9:20, is back at 10:50 for a few minutes and again at 11:35. The male returns at 13:45 with a part-eaten meal and the female snatches it from him and leaves. He goes into the box and tends the scrape, then sits on the ledge and flies off at 13:55. The pair are back briefly at 15:45, the male calling loudly into the sky suggests activity above him. He is back for a few moments at 16:25. The female lands at 17:55 and goes into the box to tend the scrape and the male lands on the ledge at 18:40. She moves to the ledge at 19:20 and flies off at 22:55, whilst the male remains until midnight.

6 Mar – XRF remains on the ledge from the previous evening until both adults land at 6:05, and it flies off. The pair go into the box. The juvenile quickly returns and goes into the box with the adults. The male soon leaves and the female forces XRF from the platform and then flies off at 6:15. The adults are back at 8:20 but the female quickly leaves but the male sits on the ledge until 9:15. The female lands briefly a few minutes later and the male likewise at 11:00. The male returns briefly at 14:15 carrying the remains of a well-eaten meal. The female lands with a full crop a few minutes later but quickly leaves. The male is back at 17:00 with a full crop. He flies off 20 minutes later but quickly returns with the female in tow. He leaves and she goes into the box tending the scrape until 18:00. The male lands five minutes later with another meal for the female but he soon leaves.

5 Mar – the female arrives at 00:30 but leaves after 35 minutes. The male lands at 3:15 for three hours. The pair fly in at 7:15 but she quickly leaves. The male moves to the ledge and flies off at 7:50. He is back briefly a few minutes later. The female is back at 10:05 but soon leaves. The male lands briefly at 10:20. The pair return at 10:55 but the male quickly leaves, and the female soon follows, after tending to the scrape. The male is back for five minutes at 14:45. The pair fly in at 15:30, the male carrying fresh Blackbird prey. The female takes it from him and goes into the box. He flies off and she follows with her meal. The male returns at 20:00 until 21:30. XRF arrives at 22:20 and remains until midnight.

4 Mar – the male remains on the ledge from the previous evening and is joined by XRF at 6:05. He flies of five minutes later and the juvenile leaves at 6:20 when the male briefly returns. The adults fly into the box at 9:55. The male then moves to the ledge before flying off whilst the female remains until 10:10. The male is back at 11:40 carrying fresh Feral Pigeon prey, looking for the female. He checks the box then leaves with the meal. He returns briefly at 14:10. The pair are back at 17:50 but the male soon leaves whilst the female remains in the box. XFR lands at 18:05 but suddenly sees the female in the box and quickly leaves. The female flies out at 18:20 and the male returns at 19:30. He checks the box then moves to the ledge where he remains until 23:30.

3 Mar – XRF arrives at 00:30 and falls asleep on the ledge until the male lands briefly at 2:05. The juvenile goes into the box but soon forces the adult from the ledge by biting him on the neck! The juvenile sleeps again until the male returns at 5:10 and sits on the opposite ledge. They both fall asleep. The male flies out of its own accord at 6:15 and XRF five minutes later. The female lands briefly at 7:15 and quickly returns with the male who goes into the box, but she does not land. He then moves to the ledge before flying off. The female lands briefly again at 10:10. The pair are in the box at 10:50 and the male soon moves to the ledge, then flies off. The female remains tending the scrape until 12:35. She quickly returns with the male and they go into the box. She soon leaves and he follows. He is back at 19:30 remaining until midnight.

2 Mar – the female arrives at 6:20 and goes into the box quickly followed by the juvenile from the ledge. The adult notices the stashed Teal but ignores it and flies off as the male lands. He sees the Teal and drags it to the edge but XRF scampers from the box and snatches it from him. The male flies off and the juvenile feeds on its meal then re-stashes it at 6:45 and leaves. The male is back briefly at 8:30. He returns with a full crop at 11:00 and sits on the ledge for ten minutes. He is back again at 13:45, checks the box then flies out. The adult pair fly in at 14:45 and the male goes into the box whilst the female grabs the stashed Teal and flies out with it; he follows five minutes later. The pair are back at 17:55, the female goes into the box to tend the scrape, but the male quickly leaves. XRF lands at 18:05 but the female forces it off the ledge, then quickly leaves.

1 Mar – XRF flies in at 1:30 and is joined by the male at 5:10; they sits on the opposite ledges. They both fall asleep until the male flies off at 6:10 and the juvenile ten minutes later. The male returns with the female at 6:55 and they go into the box for a brief period of bonding. She is first to leave after a few minutes and he moves to the ledge, then quickly leaves. He is back at 8:30 carrying Feral Pigeon prey. The female is right behind him and takes the meal and flies off. He leaves after ten minutes and returns briefly at 10:45 and 17:20. XRF flies in at 21:15 carrying very fresh Teal prey. He plucks and feeds until 21:40 when he stashes the remains by a column and sits on the ledge with a full crop until midnight.

FEBRUARY 2025

28 Feb – the male arrives at 4:25 and falls asleep. He wakens at 6:55 and checks the box before flying off at 7:10. He is back at 7:50 and leaves at 9:00. He returns with the female ten minutes later and they go into the box. He flies off after a few minutes and she leaves at 9:30 after tending to the scrape and preening. The male is back two hours later for ten minutes and briefly at 13:25. At 21:55, he flies in carrying fresh Starling prey but soon leaves with it.  

27 Feb – the male arrives at 4:20 and falls asleep. He is joined by XRF at 6:25 and then quickly leaves; the juvenile flies off ten minutes later. The male is back briefly at 10:45, 13:25 and 13:55. The adult pair fly in at 15:55 and go into the box. The male leaves a few minutes later whilst the female tends to the scrape. The male is back in the box with the female at 17:35 but he does not stay long. The female follows and the male immediately returns to the ledge. XRF then flies in with a full crop and goes into the box, then forces the male to fly off. At 17:40, the female almost lands on the juvenile and forces it from the ledge; she then leaves.

26 Feb – the male arrives at 1:40 and falls asleep. He flies off at 6:40 and returns a few minutes later followed by XRF who goes into the box. The male soon flies off and the juvenile follows. The male is back quickly with the female and she goes into the box. He flies off at 6:50 and she moves to the ledge and leaves ten minutes later. The pair are back at 8:05 and go into the box. The male leaves after ten minutes whilst the female tends the scrape and remains until 8:25. The male is back at 17:00, checks the scrape then moves to the ledge and leaves ten minutes later.

25 Feb – the male remains on the ledge until 6:35 when he goes into the box on the arrival of XRF. The juvenile follows him and forces him from the platform, then flies off a few minutes later. The male returns at 7:40 carrying fresh Feral Pigeon prey and is pursued by both the female and XRF. The female takes it from him and he flies off. She takes her meal into the box and feeds whilst the juvenile sits on the ledge watching. XRF flies off after five minutes and the female leaves with the remains of her meal at 7:55. The male is back briefly at 10:55. He returns at 15:00 and visits the scrape before moving to the ledge and flying off after ten minutes. He is back with the female a few minutes later and they go into the box. He quickly leaves and she tends the scrape then flies out at 15:30. The male is back at 17:15 for five minutes. The pair return at 18:00 and the female goes into the box, then leaves ten minutes later. He takes his chance to tend the scrape before returning to the ledge then fly off at 20:00.

24 Feb – the male flies in at 00:45 and falls asleep until 6:45 when he leaves. He returns at 7:10 for ten minutes and briefly at 8:00 when he was expecting the female. He lands again at 11:05 for five minutes and at 11:55 for 15 minutes. He is back at 16:30 until 17:40, then returns with the female a few moments later. He goes into the box with the female, then moves to the ledge and flies off. She leaves at 18:05 after tending to the scrape. The male returns at 22:55 with a full crop and remains until midnight.

23 Feb – the male arrives at 3:35. The female flies in at 6:45 and is quickly followed by XRF who forces the male from the ledge. The female pushed the juvenile away and leaves a few minutes later. The male lands briefly at 8:50. The adults are back at 10:25 and go into the box. The male then moves to the ledge and flies out, and the female follows after a few minutes. They return to the box at 11:35 but the he soon leaves. She walks to the ledge at 11:45 and flies off at 12:00. They are back at 13:20 but the male quickly leaves; the female remains in the box until 14:10. The male returns five minutes later and is joined by the female for ten minutes. She leaves at 16:40 but immediately returns with the male. He flies off after ten minutes and she quickly follows. XRF lands with a full crop at 16:55. It goes into the box when the male lands after 15 minutes. The juvenile then forces the male from the ledge and flies off at 17:30.

22 Feb – the male arrives at 1:55 and falls asleep on the ledge. He wakens at 6:10 and feeds on the stashed pigeon. He flies off with the remains at 6:35 and returns a few minutes later. The female lands briefly at 7:45 and he flies off five minutes later. The female is back for a few minutes at 8:30. The male returns at 10:20 and the female flies into the box five minutes later. He soon leaves and she follows. The pair are back at 12:55 and go into the box but both quickly leave. The male checks out the box at 16:55 then moves to the ledge for ten minutes. He is back at 20:45 watching the skies until flying off at 23:05.

21 Feb – XRF lands briefly at 00:45. The male flies in at 4:45 and sits on the ledge until XRF lands at 7:00. He goes into the box before quickly flying out and the juvenile flies off ten minutes later. The male lands briefly at 9:20. The juvenile returns carrying a Feral Pigeon meal at 10:15 and goes into the box. The pair fly in together a few minutes later, but neither stay long as XRF is feeding in the box. The juvenile flies out at 10:55. The male is back for a few minutes at 11:35. The pair return at 12:55 but the male quickly flies out then returns to sit on the ledge. He leaves at 13:05 but is back 15 minutes later. The female remains until 15:30. XRF flies in at 15:45 and sits on the ledge with a full crop until 17:40. The male is back at 17:45 followed by the juvenile carrying fresh Feral Pigeon prey. It feeds on its meal and forces the male from the ledge at 18:10. XRF leaves five minutes later but is back briefly at 23:20.

20 Feb – the male lands on the ledge at 5:45. He goes into the box when XRF arrives at 6:50, then flies out. He returns a few moments later with the female and the pair go into the box bonding whilst the juvenile sits on the ledge calling. The male flies out at 6:55 and the juvenile leaves at 7:15. The female follows a few minutes later. The female returns at 10:20 but quickly leaves. The male lands a few moments later but also quickly leaves. The pair is back bonding in the box at 13:55, the male soon leaves but the female remains until 15:50, preening and tending to the scrape. The male is back on the ledge at 16:40. The male takes a short flight at 21:00 and after less than 90 seconds returns with freshly caught Redwing prey. He then flies off with it and returns to the ledge 20 minutes later. He is joined by XRF at 22:25. The juvenile forces the male from the ledge a few minutes later and it leaves at 22:55.

19 Feb – the female flies in a 1:30 carrying fresh Feral Pigeon prey item which it stashes by a column, then falls asleep on the ledge. The male arrives at 6:45 and the female goes into the box. He snatches the meal and flies off. The female follows a few minutes later. XRF lands at 6:55 for ten minutes. The male returns at 7:15 for five minutes and again briefly at 11:05. The adults fly into the box at 13:35 but the male soon leaves and the female 15 minutes later. They are back at 16:05 but the female quickly leaves, and the male soon follows. XRF lands at 17:20 and goes into the box then sits on the ledge before leaving at 17:30.

18 Feb – the male lands at 16:35 and is soon joined by XRF. The juvenile sidles up to the adult and forces him from the ledge, then flies off at 6:45. The female arrives at 7:05 for five minutes. The adults fly in together at 9:45 and go into the box. The male leaves after a few minutes and the female tends to the scrape before flying out at 10:00. The male is back briefly at 14:35.

17 Feb – the male lands at 6:45 for ten minutes and again briefly at 10:20. He is back at 17:05 and sits with a full crop for 15 minutes.

16 Feb – the pair fly in at 7:00 but the female immediately leaves. The male sits on the ledge until 7:20 and is back at 12:20 for ten minutes. The pair fly into the box two hours later. The male moves to the ledge after a few minutes, then flies off and the female follows. He is back on the ledge at 17:40 but leaves after ten minutes.

15 Feb – XRF lands briefly at 7:05. The adults fly into the box together at 9:15. The male quickly leaves, and the female moves to the ledge until flying off at 9:30. The male flies in at 15:50 with part-eaten Feral Pigeon and is quickly followed by the female who takes the meal from him. She feeds in the box whilst he sits on the ledge. She has finished eating at 16:10 and tidies the scrape before resting in the box. He flies off at 17:05 and she follows.

14 Feb – the female lands at 9:35 and goes into the box but quickly flies out. The male flies in at 11:50 and is soon followed by the female. They go into the box, but both leave soon after. The male is back briefly at 16:20.

13 Feb – the male flies into the box at 7:00 quickly followed by the female and then XRF who sits on the ledge calling. The male knocks the juvenile from the ledge as he exits the box, but XRF soon recovers. It goes into the box and forces the female onto the platform. The juvenile soon flies out quickly followed by the female. She returns at 8:35 and goes into the box briefly then flies out. The male lands with a full crop at 13:30 but quickly leaves.

12 Feb – after not seeing juvenile XRF on camera since the 6th, it lands on the ledge at 6:30 but leaves soon after. There was no activity thereafter.

11 Feb – Peregrine Watch Day: the male flies into the box at 7:45 and sits in the scrape. He is quickly joined by the female and there is a short period of bonding before he leaves. She tends the scrape, then moves to the ledge before flying off. When we arrived for the Watch Day at about 9:30, the male was sitting on a north-facing cross. The female soon landed on a south-facing cross. At 10:20, the pair flew off together going north and returned together five minutes later. The female left at 10:40 but the male remained until flying off at 11:10. He returned with the female five minutes later. He when on a hunting dive at 11:30 but returned without a meal a few minutes later. The pair left at 12:05 and the female was back at 12:15. She then went on a number of hunting sorties, mainly to the north and was last seen at 12:55, a few minutes before we left for the day. There was no sign of XRF in the area during our time in St Martins Square.

10 Feb – No activity on camera today.

9 Feb – the male arrives at 16:10 and goes into the box but leaves five minutes later.

8 Feb – the female is on the ledge at 7:30 for 25 minutes. The pair arrive together at 16:35 and go into the box for a bout of bonding. The male soon leaves and the female shortly after.

7 Feb – No activity on camera today.