All four of Stamford's latest peregrine clutch have hatched.

The eggs were laid at Stamford's All Saints' Church by the returning breeding pair earlier in the spring, with residents and bird watchers waiting eagerly.

In a flurry of 'egg-citement', on Tuesday 9 May, the Stamford peregrines welcomed their first chick.

At approximately 8am, the first chick hatched after 'peeping' heard from two of the eggs in the early hours.

The peregrine pair nested on the All Saints tower for the first time in 2021, rearing two chicks. 

The birds generated great interest in the local community and so, over the following winter, two cameras were installed overlooking the two turrets favoured by the birds. These cameras were funded by generous donations from members of the church congregation.

Pea gravel, which provides the perfect nesting substrate, was added in both locations to encourage them to breed again. Sure enough, the birds chose to nest in front of one of the cameras, giving the community a privileged view of Peregrine family life over the course of spring and summer 2022, when they reared three chicks. 

They returned in March 2023, much to the delight of the local people, and the live stream camera is busy with visitors as the pair welcome their newest arrivals.

The team Tweeted: "It's looking like the 4th chick has decided that it's finally stopped raining and is safe to emerge from the shell. Eggshell being moved around and some tiny squealing being heard from under the falcon. Waiting for a good look but it looks like the fantastic 4 are all hatched."

Its looking like the 4th chick has decided that it's finally stopped raining and is safe to emerge from the shell. 😊Eggshell being moved around and some tiny squealing being heard from under the falcon. Waiting for a good look but it looks like the fantastic 4 are all hatched. pic.twitter.com/WPYVxwX0RQ

— Stamford All Saints' Peregrines (@SaintsPeregrine) May 11, 2023

Follow the live camera stream here.