As part of our commitment to the local community and environment, Ashgrove Health Clinic in Higham Ferrers proudly sponsors a livestream from inside the Peregrine Falcon nesting box in St. Mary's Church spire.
Enjoy a real-time view of these incredible birds as they raise their young.
2026 - A Perfect Year
In late winter we cleaned the box out, installed some handy doors and wiped the cameras down. We soon had 4 eggs which all hatched, two girls and two boys! All of the young were fed well and grew up very fast. They were named after the Greek wind Gods, and then ringed in mid-May by Andy and Rich from the Rockingham Forest Ringing Group.
TFT - Notus - Female
TCT - Eurus - Female
THT - Boreas - Male
TJT - Zephyrus - Male
All four fledged successfully, despite some busy moments when they were on the floor. Luckily numerous wildlife photographers were on hand to lift them up onto walls away from any potential predators. Peregrines can take off from the ground, but fledglings will struggle due to under-developed muscles. They received plenty of coverage from the local BBC and are currently undergoing flight training and hunting instruction from their parents. We wait for reports of spottings to come through as they move away to establish their own territories. Of course, we'll share any reports with you right here.
We'll keep the streams running as well, so you might see very brave (or crazy) pigeons attempt to nest in a peregrine scrape! Mum and Dad, while now becoming solitary birds again, will usually be in and out throughout the year. We'll clean up in there over the winter, after the pigeons have finished trying to nest.
Let us know if you see anything, and please do share any photos and tag The Ashgrove Clinic on Facebook!
A Difficult Beginning
Newly installed cameras revealed a long-standing breeding pair. They successfully hatched four young chicks, but tragically, bird-flu claimed all four young, the father, and presumably the mother.
A New Pair Arrives
Two new falcons moved into the area but chose to nest in a water spout elsewhere on the spire and heavy rain washed the eggs away. Encouragingly, the pair continued to visit and maintain the scrape box throughout the year.
A Successful Return
The new, adult pair produced 4 eggs, of which 3 hatched. We failed to get the chicks ringed in time before they were too active. All three eyasses fledged, but unfortunately one was found dead close to the church. The surviving two moved on to establish their own territories.
The Strongest Season So Far
Four eggs, four healthy eyasses, two females and two males. All ringed, and all fledged successfully. Notus and Eurus (females), Boreas and Zephyrus (males). The birds moved away over the summer, and we wait for reports of sightings to come through.
Andy and Rich from the Rockingham Forest Ringing Group join us for the long climb up the spire to ring the young falcons. The chicks are carefully handled, checked and fitted with small identity rings, which help conservationists track their movements, survival and future breeding. It is a calm, informative look at an important wildlife-monitoring process carried out by trained, licensed ringers. Enjoy a rare close-up of young peregrines at a vulnerable stage before they fledge and begin life beyond the nest.
The Peregrine is a large, powerful falcon and the worlds' fastest animal. They are highly adaptable birds and can be found in a wide range of habitats, including coastal cliffs, upland moors, and urban areas. Peregrine Falcons are known for their incredible agility and speed, reaching in excess of 200mph in a dive, which makes them very effective hunters.
They feed on a variety of prey, including pigeons, ducks, and other birds, which they capture in mid-air. In recent years, the Peregrine Falcon population in the UK has experienced a remarkable recovery, following a period of decline in the 20th century due to pesticide use. Today, there are around 1,400 breeding pairs of Peregrine Falcons in the UK, more than there have ever been, and they are a common sight in many areas. The species is protected by law in the UK, and efforts are being made to maintain and enhance their habitat, which includes providing nesting sites on buildings and other man-made structures. This has contributed to the continued success of the Peregrine Falcon population in the UK, and they are now considered to be one of the country's most iconic bird species. However, they are still persecuted - birds are illegally killed to prevent predation on game birds and racing pigeons.
They also have eggs and chicks taken for collections and falconry. Peregrines are a Schedule 1 listed species of The Wildlife and Countryside Act.
Peregrine falcons breed from late February to mid-April, and return to the same nesting site year after year.
They produce one or two broods a year.
Courtship - Jan-Feb-early March
Egg-laying - mid March-early April
Hatching - late April-early May
Fledging - early June