The peregrine falcon is a large and powerful bird of prey that is found across much of the world. Known for its speed and aerial acrobatics, the peregrine has made a remarkable recovery in the UK and other countries after its population crashed due to the effects of organochlorine pesticides in the mid 20th century. Many peregrines have now taken up residence in urban and suburban environments, nesting on tall buildings and church spires that resemble their traditional cliff nest sites. Salisbury Cathedral, with its soaring medieval spire rising to 123 meters (404 ft), appears to provide ideal nesting opportunities for peregrines. But do peregrines actually nest there currently? In this article, we will examine the history of peregrines on Salisbury Cathedral, look at evidence for their presence, and try to determine if they are still found there today.
The History of Peregrines on Salisbury Cathedral
Peregrines first took up residence on Salisbury Cathedral in the 1930s, when a pair was recorded nesting on a buttress on the southwest side of the spire. At the time, peregrine populations in Britain were still relatively healthy, though they would soon crash after World War II due to the accumulating toxic effects of pesticides like DDT and dieldrin. As peregrine numbers dwindled across their British range, the Salisbury Cathedral birds disappeared by the 1950s or early 1960s.
With the banning of organochlorine pesticides in the 1960s and 1970s, peregrine populations slowly began to recover. By the 1980s, peregrines were again being regularly seen around Salisbury Cathedral. Several pairs took up residence intermittently on the spire through the 1980s and early 1990s, though successful breeding during this period was sporadic. By the mid-1990s, a pair had firmly established a territory, nesting in crevices high on the northwest side of the spire. They fledged chicks nearly every year for over a decade. Their presence became a popular tourist attraction, with visitors able to view the falcons and chicks on live “Peregrine Cams” set up by the cathedral.
Timeline of Peregrines on Salisbury Cathedral
1930s | First recorded nesting of peregrines on Salisbury Cathedral |
1950s-60s | Peregrines disappear as populations crash from pesticide use |
1980s | Peregrines return to the area as populations recover post-pesticide ban |
1990s | A pair establishes consistent nest site on northwest side of spire |
2000s | Successful breeding most years; peregrine cams set up for viewing |
Current Status of Peregrines at Salisbury
Throughout the 2000s and into the early 2010s, the resident pair of peregrines continued to occupy their spire-top eyrie and fledge chicks fairly consistently. Viewing via the cathedral’s webcams offered fascinating glimpses into their world; from eggs being laid in spring to feeding of chicks in summer to the fledglings’ first flights from the spire in midsummer. But in 2018, watchers noted that the usual spring nesting activities did not occur. For the first time in over 15 years, the spire site was vacant. Some hopeful reports in 2019 suggested a new pair might be scoping out locations, but no definitive nesting occurred. The resident falcons, it seems, had disappeared.
This sudden abandonment after so many years of reliable tenancy sparked much speculation as to why the peregrines had left. Had one or both of the longtime pair died over the winter? Had they succumbed to illness or injuries? Or had they simply relocated to a new nest site in the wider landscape around Salisbury? While the reason for their departure remains unknown, the result was the same: for the first time in decades, Salisbury Cathedral was bereft of its famous falcons.
Possible Reasons for the Peregrines’ Disappearance
Natural mortality | One or both adults died over winter |
Illness/injury | Sick or injured birds forced to abandon the site |
Relocation | The pair moved to a new nest site in the area |
Disturbance | Too much activity near the nest forced them out |
Prey availability | Decline in preferred prey like pigeons or starlings |
Evidence for Current Peregrine Presence
Despite the lack of falcons nesting on the cathedral itself in recent years, there have been periodic reports of peregrine activity in the greater Salisbury area which suggest a presence, if not on the spire itself, then nearby in the city landscape. Some key examples:
– 2020 sightings of a peregrine flying over the cathedral grounds, hinting a pair may be scoping out potential nest sites in the vicinity.
– 2021 footage of a peregrine swooping by the spire, perhaps a sign of territorial displays by a new pair.
– 2022 reports by local birders of peregrines frequenting the skies downtown and perching on other tall structures like office buildings and towers.
– Ongoing sightings of lone peregrines or pairs around the city posted on citizen science sites like eBird, showing usage of urban habitat.
Additionally, surveys of potential nest sites on other structures near the cathedral have not revealed an active peregrine eyrie elsewhere in Salisbury. However, the dense concentration of ledges, crevices and architectural nooks across building facades in the old Medieval town still offers ample options for nest sites that may have gone undetected.
Recent Peregrine Sightings Near Salisbury Cathedral
2020 | Peregrine seen flying over cathedral grounds |
2021 | Footage of peregrine near spire during territorial display |
2022 | Frequent peregrine sightings downtown perching on buildings |
2022 | Ongoing reports near Salisbury on citizen science sites |
While no peregrine eyrie has been confirmed on a downtown building besides the cathedral, the number of sightings in the area suggests one or more pairs appear to still be present in the city landscape. Whether they will eventually return to the cathedral spire remains to be seen.
Conclusion
For over 15 years, Salisbury Cathedral hosted a beloved pair of resident peregrines that became local celebrities. Their sudden departure in 2018 remains unexplained but may have been due to natural mortality, disturbance, or relocation to alternative nest sites nearby. While no falcons have returned to the cathedral spire since, regular sightings continue to be reported from the streets and roofs of downtown Salisbury. These suggest that one or more pairs of peregrines still inhabit the urban habitat around the cathedral, though their actual nest sites are yet unverified. Only time will tell if the iconic raptors will once again take up residence on the lofty spire that towers over Salisbury. For now, visitors to the cathedral can still hope to catch sight of a peregrine sailing above the city, a sign that these captivating birds of prey remain very much present in the area.
Here are the key points in summary:
- Peregrines first nested on Salisbury Cathedral in the 1930s before disappearing by the 1960s due to pesticide use
- After a population recovery, a new pair established a territory in the 1990s and bred until 2018
- The falcons abruptly abandoned their spire nest site in 2018 for unknown reasons
- There have been periodic peregrine sightings around downtown Salisbury in recent years
- No new eyrie has been found, but the sightings indicate peregrines still frequent the city landscape
- It remains to be seen if peregrines will nest on the cathedral again in the future