The peregrine nesting in the cathedral tower has laid a fourth egg. The cathedral’s nature adviser thinks she may be sitting now if this is the last egg laid. A normal clutch is three to four, so it is highly likely she has started. Incubating takes around 29-30 days, which would mean chicks in early May.
Phil Sheldrake, Salisbury Cathedral Nature Conservation Adviser said: “Peregrines do sometimes lay five, or more rarely six eggs. We are hoping it’ll be only 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.”