Stamford's peregrine chicks have begun to fledge, taking their maiden flights around the 13th century church.

Only last week were the peregrine chicks at All Saints' Church in Stamford spotted out of their nest.

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.

The eggs hatched in May, and their progress has been watched on the live stream.

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, and they have been watched eagerly since.

Now, the youngsters have been spotted flying short distances from the nest across the top of the church.

Progress has been shared on the Stamford Peregrine Twitter page:

The exciting moment that Metal Ring took his determined first flight across to his sibling, overshooting and slipping down the other side of the turret. The second photo shows the moment he dropped off the side to fly freely around the square and church. 📷 credit Stuart Wilson pic.twitter.com/uIeX6nIbkk

— Stamford All Saints' Peregrines (@SaintsPeregrine) June 20, 2023

Follow the live camera stream here.

Alternatively, follow the progress of the birds in real time and join the peregrine watch days at the church on Friday 23 and Friday 30 June 2023.