STAFF at Salisbury Cathedral witnessed a fierce territorial battle between two rival peregrine falcons on Monday.

For the last few weeks they have been observing at least three peregrines including last year’s female, Sally, flying around the tower with a new, un-ringed male and female.

At 8pm a turf war broke out that lasted almost an hour. When the new female approached the nest, Sally attacked. Talon-to-talon wrestling and pecking ensued as the hour-long battle ran the length of the tower balcony.

Sally eventually won and the defeated rival fled. Exhausted, she guarded the nest into the early hours of Tuesday.

Peregrines are loyal to their nest site, especially if they have successfully raised young there, and are generally monogamous.

But last year’s male, Sebastian, has been absent this year and Sally has been left to defend her territory and find a new mate. In territorial challenges, two birds will lock talons and fight beak-to-beak, sometimes to the death.

Phil Sheldrake, RSPB conservation officer, said: “The footage is extraordinary. I have never seen a territorial fight like this on camera. It shows how strong the drive to reproduce is at this time of year and how fiercely fought over territory is. The next few weeks will be extremely interesting.”