THE fourth, and perhaps final, peregrine egg has been laid at Salisbury Cathedral.
The egg-citing news was revealed earlier today by the cathedral team, who said that this could be the final egg this year to make up the clutch.
The egg count is now up to four! Since peregrines normally lay three or four eggs in a clutch this might be the final one.
— Salisbury Cathedral (@SalisburyCath) March 30, 2020
Eggs are usually incubated for 29 to 32 days, so we can expect chicks at the end of April. #SalisburyPeregrineshttps://t.co/sL0a3TfW0e pic.twitter.com/8aZu9K3u9E
The unringed peregrine, that has been regularly visiting the nest located on the cathedral tower, has been leaving special deliveries at the site all week, with the first egg laid on Mothering Sunday, the second on Tuesday, and the third during the early hours on Friday.
The cathedral team cannot identify the mothering bird as it is unringed, but say it could be the same female as last year that they nicknamed Fiona.
Once the final egg is laid, eggs are usually incubated for 29 to 32 days, so chicks are to be expected from the end of April.
Phil Sheldrake, Salisbury Cathedral nature conservation adviser said: “Peregrines do sometimes lay five, or more rarely six eggs.
"We are hoping it’ll only be four just for the sake of the female. Incubating more than four can be a challenge and often an egg can be left uncovered.
"It’s also a lot of mouths to feed if they eventually hatch. Once the female settles to incubate the male will do most of the hunting and assist with egg sitting.”
Click here to watch the live peregrine webcam.
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