New additions to Aylesbury peregrine family

A family of peregrine falcons which are currently nesting on top of the highest tower block in Aylesbury have laid four new eggs.
A family of new peregrine falcons nesting on top of a tower block in AylesburyA family of new peregrine falcons nesting on top of a tower block in Aylesbury
A family of new peregrine falcons nesting on top of a tower block in Aylesbury

Biodiversity expert Paul Holton said: “For the last seven years, together with Bucks Bird Club, we’ve been monitoring several families of peregrine falcons, one of which has made a nest on top of the highest tower block in Aylesbury.

“Last year, we installed new webcams which have been broadcasting live footage of these wonderful birds to ‘twitchers’ all around the world.

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“To everyone’s great delight, the peregrines recently laid not just one, but four new eggs – just in time for Easter! “Webcam viewers everywhere have since been able to join us in watching the proud parents as they get ready to nurture their new arrivals.”

Although live pictures of Aylesbury’s peregrine falcons have been captured on webcams since 2011, the newly installed system provides footage which is of a much higher quality.

The webcams have allowed wildlife enthusiasts from as far afield as Japan and Australia to study the birds behaviour in much greater detail than ever before.

During the Easter holidays, live pictures from the upgraded webcams allowed the team to record the exact dates that each egg was laid, with the first one appearing in the early hours of Good Friday March 25.

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The next one was produced on Easter Sunday, with a further two eggs completing the clutch on Wednesday March 30 and Friday April 1.

Birdwatcher Mike Wallen, who’s been involved in monitoring the falcons since the start of the project and who helped to set up the weblinks said: “This is the largest clutch of eggs which these breeding pairs have ever produced, and we’re all really thrilled to be able to observe their progress.

“It’s always an absolute privilege to watch these magnificent birds, and it’ll be heart-warming to see their chicks take flight when they’re fully fledged.”

In partnership with various local wildlife organisations including Bucks Bird Club, Aylesbury Vale District Council is now organising a series of ‘watch events’, at which eagle-eyed attendees may get a glimpse of the world-famous peregrine falcons for themselves, from a vantage point in Market Square, Aylesbury.

These events are scheduled for Saturday May 28, Thursday June 2 and Saturday June 6.