Improved cameras for peregrine falcon live stream

A cathedral has turned on new higher quality cameras to live stream a pair of peregrine falcons living in its roof.

The birds of prey have nested on the roof at St Albans Cathedral since 2022.

Last year more than half a million people watched the falcons, which are one of five breeding pairs in Hertfordshire, via a webcam available on the cathedral's website.

A spokesperson said the "enhanced" cameras were bought by the cathedral after sponsorship from Luton-based company Opticron.

The shingle nesting tray replicates the bird's natural clifftop nesting habitat.

As peregrine falcons remain loyal to their nest site, the cathedral is now an established breeding ground.

For four years viewers of the online video feed have witnessed the birds lay and hatch peregrine chicks.

Lea Ellis, engagement manager at Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust said: "The webcam give us all an opportunity to marvel at the wonder of nature first-hand and enjoy the wellbeing benefits that come with that.

"I'm hopeful that we'll see more chicks successfully hatching this year."

St Albans Cathedral dates back 1700 years and is the oldest site of continuous Christian worship in Britain.

Canon Will Gibbs added: "This is wonderful news and yet another expression of our core commitment to the environment and all creation and to the cathedral and its grounds being a place of welcome for humans and animals alike."

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