Ex-cathedral peregrines successfully rear chicks

A pair of peregrine falcons who failed to raise chicks while nesting on Winchester Cathedral last year appear to have successfully bred close by.

William and Mel had not returned to the cathedral earlier in the spring, leaving ornithologists wondering what had happened to them.

But Keith Betton, of the Hampshire Ornithological Society, revealed on social media that William had been seen on occasion last month on the former St Thomas' Church building in Southgate Street.

He said three fledglings, thought to be about five weeks old, had also now been sighted, describing it as "great news".

Mel took up residence at the cathedral in March 2024, after the previous bird Winnie was found dead, most likely following an encounter with Mel.

Winnie was a familiar sight over Winchester, having first nested on the old police headquarters building in 2011, before moving to the cathedral nesting site in 2017.

Mel, named after 19th Century writer Melesina Trench, who is buried in the cathedral, mated with Winnie's former partner William last year.

It was hoped Mel would raise chicks with William, but two eggs laid on the nesting platform on Winchester Cathedral were scattered and later eaten by Mel.

Mr Betton said he had reports in May that William had been seen on the former church in Southgate Street, now converted into flats, a few hundred metres from the Cathedral.

"Mel was obviously nesting close by," he said.

Mr Betton confirmed three fledglings had so far been seen.

"It's really good news we still have peregrines in Winchester."

Although he has not been able to "100% confirm" the pair is William and Mel, he said there was "no way" a new pair would have entered the territory.

"There's a really good chance they'll return next year, or go back to the cathedral - they are birds of habit," he added.

The peregrine falcon is the fastest flying bird and can regularly reach speeds of more than 100mph.

Numbers of the birds of prey have been increasing in recent years, although Mr Betton said it had "not been the best year" for peregrines more widely in Hampshire, due to the impact of bird flu.

However, four chicks hatched in a nest on the roof of Romsey Abbey in May - the first time the birds have been recorded at the church.

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