Shock at Cathedral as Beloved Peregrine Falcon ‘Chester’ Found Dead
Birdwatchers and staff were left gutted after discovering a dead peregrine falcon in one of the Cathedral’s rooftop gullies. The bird, believed to be Chester, was a familiar sight alongside mate Winnie, who made the Cathedral their home after a rooftop platform was installed by the Hampshire Ornithological Society (HOS) in 2018.
Chester’s Tragic End
Keith Betton, HOS Chairman, revealed the sad news: “We were really saddened yesterday when our staff discovered that a Peregrine had died and was found in one of the gullies during their rounds. It was an adult male and appears to be Chester, who was not seen at all yesterday.”
Hope for the Future Despite Loss
A specialist vet will carry out a post-mortem, standard procedure for rare birds of prey. Despite fears for the chicks, Winnie is expected to manage on her own.
“Winnie is strong and more than capable of bringing in plenty of food alone, especially now the chicks are feathered and need her less,” said Betton.
Chester’s Legacy Lives On
Since pairing with Winnie in 2011, Chester has fathered 25 fledged chicks, 15 of them at the Cathedral. His contribution has been crucial in helping the peregrine falcon population recover from near extinction in the area.
“Although this news is very sad, Chester has more than replaced himself on the planet. We will keep monitoring the nest closely to support Winnie if needed,” Betton added.
