{"id":34388,"date":"2021-03-25T10:26:52","date_gmt":"2021-03-25T10:26:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shefnews.co.uk\/?p=34388"},"modified":"2021-03-25T10:26:52","modified_gmt":"2021-03-25T10:26:52","slug":"sheffield-peregrines-lay-first-eggs-of-the-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shefnews.co.uk\/index.php\/2021\/03\/25\/sheffield-peregrines-lay-first-eggs-of-the-year\/","title":{"rendered":"Sheffield peregrines lay first eggs of the year"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Sheffield peregrines laid their first eggs of the year last Thursday at St. George\u2019s Church, setting a new record in the city.<\/p>\n

The falcons have laid three eggs, with the first being laid on 18 March. This was the earliest recorded egg to have been laid since the Sheffield Peregrines blog was established in 2012.<\/p>\n

The eggs were spotted by a CCTV camera that overlooks the bird\u2019s platform at St George\u2019s with the purpose of live-streaming their activity and giving us egg updates.<\/p>\n

Chris Greenwood, writer for the Sheffield Peregrines blog and trustee of the Sheffield Bird Study Group (SBSG), said: \u201cLast year there were only two eggs but both hatched and both chicks fledged. We have three eggs so far this year. I think there\u2019s a good chance we\u2019ll get a fourth.\u201d<\/p>\n

The nest platform was installed on the tower at St. George\u2019s Church in 2012, after a pair of peregrines had been seen around the tower in 2011 and observed by birders and many university staff who worked in the area.<\/p>\n

From the platform, they have a great vantage point to look out over the city and find their next meal. They almost exclusively feast on other birds, from sparrows to waterfowl and pigeons.<\/p>\n

Mr Greenwood said: \u201cIt is a privilege to have them living and thriving amongst us in the concrete jungle, especially when you consider that the UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

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A family of peregrines flying<\/p><\/div>\n

Peregrines typically lay 3-5 eggs in a clutch. According to Mr Greenwood, there\u2019s a chance there will be a fourth.\u00a0 If there is no fourth egg by Saturday morning, it is likely that there will be no more.<\/p>\n

Sheffield has a thriving and longstanding birdwatching community and SBSG will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2022. Since the year 2000, there has been a significant growth in urban nesting peregrines across the UK, with pairs in many towns and cities, which has been sparking more interest in Sheffield over the years.<\/p>\n

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It won’t be long now – our Peregrines usually lay their first egg between 19 and 29 March, so keep watching… pic.twitter.com\/UNQ4CQ6Hym<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Sheffield Peregrines (@SheffPeregrines) March 15, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n