07 Apr 2025
All three Peregrine falcon eggs at St Albans Cathedral have been broken, and police are investigating.
A Facebook post from the Cathedral said: “Today a very sad incident occurred at our Peregrine falcon nest, where the eggs were damaged.
“We are currently working with the Rural Operational Support team at Hertfordshire Constabulary, and a person is assisting the police with their enquiries.
“The live cam will remain offline until further notice.”
According to posts on the Cathedral’s Facebook page, a man was seen walking over the eggs and crushing them.
Dean Jo Kelly-More 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. We are very grateful for the support offered at this time to resolve what has taken place.
“As a Cathedral community we are committed to our responsibility to care for God’s creation, and it has been our joy to welcome our peregrine parents Alban and Boudica back to their home at the Cathedral for a fourth year.
“Our thanks to the Middlesex and Hertfordshire Wildlife Trust, and to the thousands of people watching our livecam who have continued to support our peregrine parents and their chicks over that time.
Hertfordshire Constabulary said: “We are aware of livestream footage circulating involving peregrine falcon eggs at St Albans Cathedral and we are working with partners at St Albans Cathedral and the National Wildlife Crime Unit to look into the incident. We are also in contact with Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust. Officers from the Rural Operational Support Team are speaking with a man to assist with their enquiries”.
Chloe Edwards, director of nature recovery at HMWT added: “All of us at Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust are saddened by today’s news of the damage to the Peregrine falcons’ eggs. Along with thousands of other wildlife spectators, we have been avidly following the breeding antics of the Peregrine falcon pair, one of only five breeding pairs in Hertfordshire.
“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.”
