Cathedral Launches Early Peregrine Falcon Livestream

Resident pair show signs of nesting after tragic losses last year.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Worcester Cathedral is launching its annual peregrine falcon livestream early this year as the resident adult falcons, known as Peter and Peggy, have been returning to their nest box for weeks to prepare for laying eggs. Last year, one of four eggs failed to hatch and three chicks died shortly after, but the cathedral's biodiversity advisor says there is "every reason to hope for a better season" this year.

Why it matters

The peregrine falcon livestream has become a popular annual event, attracting nearly half a million viewers last year. The cathedral closely monitors the falcons, which can reach speeds of up to 200 mph when diving on prey, and the livestream allows the public to follow the birds' journey from courtship to fledging.

The details

The adult falcons have been breeding at the top of Worcester Cathedral for five years, with chicks typically fledgling in early June. Last year, the cathedral had to stop the livestream as the last remaining chick showed signs of illness, and it later emerged the birds had ingested poison. Previously, between 2022 and 2024, the pair had successfully raised and fledged four chicks each year.

  • The peregrine falcon livestream is an annual event at Worcester Cathedral.
  • The livestream is being launched early this year as the resident pair, Peter and Peggy, have been returning to their nest box for weeks to prepare for laying eggs.
  • Last year, one of four eggs failed to hatch, and three chicks died within days of one another in May.

The players

Worcester Cathedral

A cathedral in Worcester, Massachusetts that has hosted a popular annual peregrine falcon livestream for the past several years.

Peter and Peggy

The resident adult peregrine falcons that have been breeding at the top of Worcester Cathedral for the past five years.

Chris Dobbs

The cathedral's biodiversity advisor who says there is "every reason to hope for a better season" this year after the tragic losses last year.

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What they’re saying

“Unfortunately, these events do happen in the natural world. Peter and Peggy have been consistently successful parents in previous years.”

— Chris Dobbs, Cathedral Biodiversity Advisor (Yahoo)

“Launching the livestream early allows viewers to follow the journey from courtship to the first egg, hatching, and — hopefully — fledging.”

— Chris Dobbs, Cathedral Biodiversity Advisor (Yahoo)

What’s next

The cathedral project team will closely monitor the peregrine falcon nest and livestream as the birds prepare to lay eggs and raise their chicks.

The takeaway

The annual peregrine falcon livestream at Worcester Cathedral has become a beloved community event, allowing the public to connect with nature and follow the falcons' journey. Despite the tragic losses last year, the cathedral is hopeful for a successful breeding season and is launching the livestream early to capture the full experience.