VIDEO: Chichester peregrines are to be parents again
FOR the ninth year in a row Chichester Cathedral's famous peregrines are going to be parents again.
The female peregrine has laid four eggs in a nest box on top of the cathedral and incubation is now under way.
The first egg was laid on Tuesday, March 17, and the female peregrine produced the final egg on Monday, March 23.
Chris Woolner from RSPB South East said: "You know spring has sprung when the Chichester peregrines start nesting.
"Watching their relationship develop over time is one of the most satisfying things. Regular visitors just can't believe how much the female will let the male peregrine do now in terms of rearing young.
"In the beginning, she wouldn't even let him near the nest. Last year, she let him feed the chicks and I wouldn't be surprised if we see him doing some incubating this year to give her a break. I can't help thinking of them like an old married couple."
The chicks are due to hatch on April 24 after a 30-day incubation period. It is predicted the chicks will fledge between June 18 to 20.
Last year, more than 10,000 people visited the cathedral and 27,000 people logged on to the internet to watch the famous pair hatch eggs, feed chicks and teach their young how to fly.
As part of the RSPB's Date With Nature programme, live footage will be beamed from the peregrines' nest to the cathedral's grounds between April 25 to June 21.
To watch a video of the female peregrine looking after her eggs click on the green button.
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Weather for Chichester
Monday 28 May 2012
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Temperature: 13 C to 22 C
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