WINCHESTER Cathedral's resident peregrine has laid her first egg of the year, around five days later than expected.

Winnie finally laid the egg on the morning of March 22, after a false alarm over the weekend.

A trick with the light created the impression that the egg had hatched, but the morning light revealed that was not the case.

However, a few days later it was clear to see that she had laid the first egg.

Last year, Winnie was lamenting the loss of her partner Chester. But then a new partner emerged, William.

Winnie had two chicks last year, named Elizabeth and George, who flew the nest in August.

Keith Betton, chairman of the Hampshire Ornithological Society, has been monitoring the peregrines over the last few years.

He explained that the other eggs will now hatch at two-day intervals until there are three or four and they hatch around April 27.

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Writing on the cathedral's website, two days before Winnie laid the first egg, Mr Betton said: “Once she has laid the first egg, she will rarely cover it until she has added two more eggs – probably at two-day intervals.

"Winnie will then keep them warm non-stop. William will probably cover them when Winnie heads off for a break, often early in the morning, and again just before her overnight shift. The incubation period takes around one month, once it starts.

“It often strikes us that it must be terribly boring for her, just sat there for hours looking straight ahead. Occasionally a pigeon will land on the wall in front of her – also as if it is making fun of her! She will probably doze off for much of the time.”

To watch the two cathedral peregrine cameras, visit winchester-cathedral.org.uk/explore/peregrines/.