Falcons unlikely to lay more eggs after vandalism

It was "extremely unlikely" that two peregrine falcons would produce more eggs this year after their nest was targeted by a vandal, a wildlife trust said.

Eggs belonging to the birds of prey were deliberately smashed at St Albans Cathedral in Hertfordshire on Monday.

A live stream of the birds' nest, which has been running since 2023, was shut down moments after the incident at about 10:30 BST.

Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust said its staff remained "extremely saddened" by what happened.

The birds, Alban and Boudica, had been expecting chicks from three eggs that were laid.

Hertfordshire Police said it was investigating after someone was captured on video walking across the nest and destroying the eggs.

Peregrine falcons remain loyal to their nest site, which means the cathedral is now an established breeding ground.

The wildlife trust said it remained optimistic the pair would remain in the area, despite the damage.

"The peregrine pair are very likely to remain at the cathedral this year," a statement read, adding the birds were seen mating on Tuesday.

"We hope to see a more fruitful attempt to breed again next year. However, they are wild birds and in nature things can change."

The trust said despite the birds mating, it was "extremely unlikely that they will lay another clutch of eggs this year".

A total of 519,882 people viewed the live feed in 2024, with the most popular day falling on 9 May when 12,598 tuned in to see three newly hatched chicks.

The feed was due to remain offline while police investigated, the cathedral said.

The Very Reverend Jo Kelly Moore, the Dean of St Albans, added: "We are so desperately sad at the harm done to eggs in our peregrine falcon nest."

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