The Peregrine Falcons at St Albans Cathedral

31st January 2026

End of January now so time to check up on the St Albans Peregrine Falcons. Very little on the main lake but in the heronry was a Cormorant and three Herons. The Cormorant was probably roosting having been fishing on the lake.

As far as the Herons were concerned they too could be roosting, or alternatively establishing their territories with the breeding season just round the corner.

In fact one of the birds was trying its luck at breaking off some willow for its nest without any success, so perhaps its first attempt.

So now for the climb up the hill to see how the Peregrines are getting on. In the two hours I was there I only saw the female. I am aware the male is still around so had probably left the site to go hunting and was perched up somewhere. On my last visit one of the youngsters was still here but now has probably been "encouraged" to find its own territory.

The female was perched on top of the nave roof and remained there for most of the time, the only exceptions being two excursions over the surrounding area for less than a minute each time. The female can be separated from the male by the speckling on the upper breast which is pure white on the male.

Should only be a month or so now before their thoughts turn to the breeding season.