Home / Environment / Woking Landmark Welcomes Falcon Family with Record Clutch
Woking Landmark Welcomes Falcon Family with Record Clutch
1 Apr
Summary
- Five peregrine falcon eggs were laid, exceeding the usual three to four.
- The falcons have nested at Export House since 2022, with this being a record clutch.
- Falcon chicks are ringed to track their extensive movements, some reaching the south coast.
A pair of peregrine falcons is continuing their successful nesting at Export House in Woking for another year. A nest box, installed in 2016 by The Woking Peregrine Project, has become home to a remarkable clutch of five eggs laid by the female. This number exceeds the typical three to four eggs peregrine falcons usually lay.
The adult falcons have been nesting at Export House since 2022 and have never laid five eggs before. The first egg was laid on March 21st, and the chicks are anticipated to hatch approximately one month later. For those looking to observe, the nest box is visible from Jubilee Square.
Once hatched, the falcon chicks will be ringed to facilitate tracking of their movements, which have been known to span considerable distances, with some individuals reaching the south coast. Peregrine falcons, once near extinction in the UK during the 1960s, have seen population recovery thanks to improved legislation and protection efforts.
Tall buildings like Export House now provide ideal nesting sites for peregrines, mirroring their natural cliff habitats and enabling their expansion into urban areas. A webcam on the nest box allows the public to watch a live stream via the Woking Peregrine Project website.
