Peregrine Falcons breed at York Minster
TWO unexpected guests have taken up residence at York Minster.
Enthusiasts have been watching two Peregrine Falcons nesting on the gothic cathedral during recent months and believe they may now be about to extend their family.
The peregrines, which are a protected species, have been seen mating and nest scraping - behaviour which experts suggest means they are about to lay eggs.
“While peregrines don’t physically build a nest, they do construct a scrape – a shallow depression deep enough to prevent eggs from rolling away,” explained Mark Thomas, Senior Investigations Officer at the RSPB. “They normally choose raised locations – for example cliff edges - but tall buildings are increasingly being used, so York Minster will seem like a perfect home to them.
“Their breeding season is in late March or April and this, along with the behaviour observed over recent weeks, suggests the female is about to lay eggs. In the British Isles peregrines do not migrate and the majority stay within 100km of their birthplace, so any offspring may well stay within the Yorkshire area.”
The female peregrine normally lays three to four eggs with both birds sharing incubation, which normally takes around 29-32 days per egg. The birds are renowned for their speed and can reach up to 180km per hour when catching prey.
Rebecca Thompson, Superintendent of Works at York Minster, said: “We’re excited the peregrines have chosen this iconic building to nest and look forward to following their story. We’re taking advice from experts to ensure we protect the birds from any disturbance as we continue our ongoing restoration and conservation work on the building’s 800 year old fabric, and hope to have news of new arrivals soon.”
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Photo caption: Peregrine falcons breed at York Minster – photograph courtesy of Jack Ashton-Booth
For more information about York Minster please contact:
Sharon Atkinson – Director of Communications – t: 01904 557248 m: 07785 615457
Leanne Woodhurst – Communications Manager – t: 01904 559534 m: 07824 017585
