A beloved livestream showing peregrine falcons nesting at St Albans Cathedral in England has been taken offline after a devastating incident. According to BBC News, a man was seen walking across the nest and smashing the birds’ eggs during a live broadcast watched by thousands.
The falcons, named Alban and Boudica, have been nesting on the cathedral roof since 2022. Their nest, carefully recreated with a shingle tray to mimic a clifftop habitat, had become a popular attraction online. Last year alone, over half a million people tuned in, with more than 12,000 viewers watching the chicks hatch on one record-breaking day.
Witnesses described the moment with horror. A BBC Three Counties Radio listener, Beverley, said she “felt sick” seeing the man’s leg appear in the frame before he stepped across the eggs. The live feed, run by St Albans Cathedral in partnership with Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, was immediately shut down. The cathedral has confirmed that a person is assisting Hertfordshire Police with their investigation.
The Very Revd Jo Kelly Moore, Dean of St Albans, expressed sadness over the destruction, while Chloë Edwards, director of nature recovery at Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, reminded the public that peregrine falcons are fully protected under the UK’s Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
This heartbreaking event shows how fragile wildlife protections can be, even in urban areas where humans and animals are trying to coexist.
If you care about animals and the environment, now’s the time to act. Support local wildlife trusts, choose cruelty-free products, and advocate for stronger protections for all creatures. Every small action makes a big difference for our planet’s most vulnerable lives.
This article by Nicholas Vincent was first published by One Green Planet on 10 April 2025. Lead Image: Image Credit :Inna Astakhova/Shutterstock.
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