08/06/20 - York Minster Peregrines

Since 2018 we’ve been fortunate to accompany Jean on her visit to York Minster to ring the Peregrine brood that nest on there each year, with four chicks ringed in both 18/19. Due to Covid-19 restrictions and social distancing requirements, we weren’t expecting to be able to visit the site this spring, however, last week Jean received a phone call to say that one of the chicks had fledged prematurely. After being found down on the ground, the young male was swiftly recovered by Minster staff and checked over by Jean, and after being deemed fit and ready to return to the nest, Jean fitted a metal and colour-ring, and sent it on its way back up the tower to its calling parents.

Later in the week its siblings, two young females, repeated the same ‘false start’ and were quickly gathered up. Jean was on hand once again to help, checking both birds over, before ringing and returning them to the top of the Minster - many thanks to Jean and Steve, and everyone at the Minster for their help in ensuring the birds safe return, and for sharing their photographs with us.