Mel the Winchester Cathedral peregrine lays second egg

Having laid her first egg on Friday, April 12, Mel laid her second on Sunday, April 14. 

The new female appeared recently closely followed by the death of Winnie.

It is thought that Mel killed Winnie.

Keith Betton, chairman of the Hampshire Ornithological Society, has been keeping a close eye on the peregrines. He said: “After a long wait for it, we are pleased to say that Mel laid her first egg on Friday afternoon and her second one on Sunday afternoon. 

“Normally peregrines lay up to four eggs, so we can expect another on Tuesday. It may be that Mel will not lay more than three, given that it’s getting quite late for egg-laying already. She will not incubate them continuously until maybe the third egg, and that way the first three eggs should get the same amount of warmth all hatch at around the same time. 

READ MORE: Winchester Cathedral reveal name of new peregrine

“Incubation of the eggs will be carried out mainly by Mel, although William may take her place when she is off the eggs for a break. We can hope for chicks to hatch on around May 17/18. After that the chicks should grow quite quickly, being ready to start flying at the end of June.”

There had been fears that Mel may not lay any eggs when a rogue male appeared at the start of April.

Mr Betton added: "We have seen William encouraging Mel to visit the tray and they have displayed to each other and mated, but no eggs have appeared. Matters were not helped when a rogue male Peregrine appeared in the skies above the cathedral and Mel got very agitated and chased him off several times."

Mel's name was by the cathedral shortly after she arrived. They said: “Mel is named after Melesina Trench (1768 –1827), Irish writer, diarist, poet and social campaigner who’s Latin epitaph is still visible opposite the North Transept today. 

“Mel was first sighted at the cathedral in February 2024 and since then has been displaying signs of nesting behaviour with William, the established male peregrine.”

In other news, the late Winnie's last chick Rosie was recently spotted in New Milton. Mr Betton said: “Friday was also a big day because we received news that Rosie (our only chick from 2023) is alive and well and looking great. She was photographed on the coast in New Milton, causing a certain amount of bother by accidentally approaching a peregrine nest there and getting sent off by the resident male! Rosie was the last of at least 27 chicks fledged by Winnie, and will be old enough to nest in 2025. She still has her juvenile feathers which she will moult gradually now and change into adult plumage by the autumn.”

To watch the cathedral's peregrine cameras, visit winchester-cathedral.org.uk/explore/peregrines/.