Three Peregrine Falcon Eggs at St Albans Cathedral

21st April 2026

The peregrine falcon that had her eggs destroyed last year has laid three more at St Albans Cathedral this year.

Three peregrine eggs at St Albans Cathedral

The first appeared at St Albans Cathedral just after 00:00 BST on 1 April, a second followed on Good Friday before the third egg could be seen on the rooftop nest site on Easter Monday.

The birds, Alban and Boudica, first nested there in 2022 and a popular online peregrine webcam was launched the following year.

Lea Ellis, engagement manager at the Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust, said:

“The peregrines have provided us with some joyful moments over the weekend. We can now expect to see more activity on the webcam, as incubation typically begins once the third egg is laid.”

Ellis expected this latest batch of chicks to hatch in about a month’s time.

“The female will do most of the sitting, but the male plays an important role too —taking turns on the nest and bringing in food,” she said.

“While there may be times when the eggs are unattended, the pair will remain close by, guarding the nest.”

Last year, a BBC Three Counties Radio listener named Beverley told presenter Roberto Perrone that she “felt sick” as she watched Alban and Boudica’s eggs being destroyed on the live stream.

An investigation by Hertfordshire Constabulary into the incident remains ongoing.

In a statement the force said:

“The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) have requested some further information from Hertfordshire Constabulary. Officers from the Rural Operational Support Team (ROST) are currently in the process of gathering this information and will respond accordingly to the CPS.”

In the last four years, the breeding pair have successfully raised 10 chicks, with sightings of their offspring in Norfolk, Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire and Hampshire – and most recently in London Colney, just outside St Albans.

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