Worcester Cathedral Peregrine Chicks Confirmed Poisoned
Post-mortems reveal all three chicks from the cathedral’s famous peregrine nest died after ingesting poison – though how it happened remains a mystery
Shock at one of Britain’s most watched nests
The deaths of three Peregrine Falcon chicks from Worcester Cathedral earlier this year have been confirmed as poisonings, according to post-mortem results shared this week. The news has devastated the cathedral’s peregrine team and the thousands of viewers who followed the breeding pair, Peter and Peggy, via the cathedral’s 24-hour live webcam.
The pair laid four eggs in spring 2025, but one failed to hatch. The three chicks that did hatch died suddenly between 6 and 15 May, leading to the livestream being shut down. Two of the chicks were retrieved from the nest and sent for laboratory testing, where toxicology results confirmed they had died from ingesting poison. The specific substance has not been made public.
No sign of deliberate tampering – but unanswered questions remain
The cause of the poisoning remains unknown. The cathedral’s biodiversity adviser, Chris Dobbs, said there was no evidence that the nest itself had been interfered with. “It’s terribly sad after three years when all four chicks had successfully hatched and fledged,” he said. “Because the nest has been under the microscope, you see the good and the bad. It’s not a good thing to happen, but it does happen – hopefully it won’t again, and we’ll have a nice normal year next time.”
Both adult falcons have since remained at the cathedral and appear healthy, returning regularly to the same nesting box that has been their home since 2022. Their continued presence offers hope that the pair may breed again next spring.
Police investigation closed due to ‘evidential difficulties’
West Mercia Police confirmed that the matter was reported to them on 20 October and that they liaised with the RSPB’s Investigations Unit. However, the force said the investigation has since been closed because of “evidential difficulties.” The findings of the toxicology tests have also been shared with the British Trust for Ornithology and West Mercia Police’s wildlife crime officers.
While there is no suggestion of deliberate persecution, poison-related deaths in raptors are always treated seriously under UK law. The RSPB has long campaigned against the misuse of toxic substances that can kill birds of prey through direct poisoning or secondary exposure from contaminated prey.
Raptor persecution concerns reignited
Writing about the incident, the conservation blog Raptor Persecution UK called the news “deeply worrying” and questioned how urban peregrines, living under close observation, could have come into contact with poison. The blog highlighted that accidental poisoning – through prey contaminated by rodenticides or other toxins – is an increasingly recognised issue for urban raptors across Britain.
“It’s entirely possible that the Worcester chicks died from secondary poisoning,” the blog noted, “after being fed prey that had themselves eaten poisoned bait intended for rodents. But until the type of poison is confirmed, we won’t know for certain.”
Earlier this year, the RSPB’s annual Birdcrime report recorded several suspected poisoning incidents involving Peregrine Falcons across England. While most confirmed cases occur in rural settings linked to illegal persecution, urban peregrines are not immune to accidental exposure through pest-control chemicals used on rooftops and in nearby buildings.
Hope for better news in 2026
The Worcester Cathedral peregrines have become local celebrities since they first nested on the tower three years ago, fledging a total of 12 chicks before this year’s tragedy. The livestream, run by the Peregrine Falcons in Worcester team, attracted tens of thousands of viewers worldwide and offered a rare window into the life of these powerful urban raptors.
Despite this year’s loss, the cathedral team says they are determined to continue monitoring the pair. “Peter and Peggy are a wonderful symbol of wildlife thriving in our city,” said Mr Dobbs. “We’ll be doing everything we can to make sure they have a safe and successful breeding season next year.”
November 2025
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