Falcon eggs smashed during cathedral live stream

A live stream of a peregrine falcon nest on top of a cathedral has been taken offline after reports the birds' eggs were deliberately smashed.

The birds, Alban and Boudica, first nested on the roof of St Albans Cathedral in 2022 and a popular online video stream was launched the following year.

At about 10:30 BST the feed was shut down after an individual was seen walking across the nest destroying the eggs.

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

Hertfordshire Police said it was investigating the incident.

The live camera feed is a project run by St Albans Cathedral in partnership with Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust.

In a post on Facebook the cathedral said: "We are currently working with the Rural Operational Support Team at Hertfordshire Constabulary, and a person is assisting the police with their inquiries.

"The live cam will remain offline until further notice."

Last year 519,882 people viewed the live feed, the most popular day was 9 May when 12,598 tuned in to see three newly hatched chicks.

A BBC Three Counties Radio listener named Beverley told presenter Roberto Perrone that she "felt sick" as she watched the incident happen on the live stream.

She recalled: "The female bird was sitting on the egg and all of a sudden there was a noise that spooked her, it sounded like a door opening.

"Then I saw a man's leg enter in front of the camera. He stood there for 30 or 40 seconds before literally walking across - he didn't stamp but he stepped on the eggs and just kept walking."

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

This year the pair had laid three eggs in the shingle nesting tray which replicates their natural clifftop nesting habitat.

The Very Revd Jo Kelly Moore said: "We are very grateful for the support offered at this time to resolve what has taken place."

Chloë Edwards, the director of nature recovery at Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, said the charity was "saddened" by the news.

She added: "Peregrine falcons have full legal protection under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 and we welcome the efforts of all those involved in thoroughly investigating this incident to uphold the law and safeguard these remarkable birds."

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