Winchester Cathedral peregrine chick takes flight for the first time

Rosie, who hatched on April 30, was spotted flying around the cathedral on Tuesday June 13.

The peregrine has grown at a rapid speed, from a small white ball of fluff to flying in just under two months.

Rosie was given the name after the cathedral launched a competition, allowing people to vote. The name is inspired by the rose window which its parent Winnie nests beneath.

Keith Betton, chairman of the Hampshire Ornithological Society, was surprised that Rosie was flying so soon. He said: “She was really quick to get flying, a few days earlier than expected. Being an only child has some benefits. Non-stop food and attention, nobody else using your launch pad, and exclusive access to Winnie and William for flying lessons. It can't get any better.”

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Mr Betton has been closely monitoring parents Winnie and William, as well as Rosie, over the last few months.

Posting on the cathedral website, Mr Betton said: “A few people have asked for an explanation of food caching. Winnie and William sometimes cache a portion or a whole kill if they find themselves with too much food at one time. 

“They will push it into a corner somewhere to use later, although usually they will pluck the prey and eat part of it immediately. 

“Often a series of shrivelled-up wings and headless bodies are left abandoned in the gully and never used. It’s a bit grim in the gully already. William will mostly cache food to supply Winnie and the chicks. Occasionally he will take food that Winnie has cached, although he usually does so only once he has alerted her to his intentions using soft 'chup' calls. Winnie is the boss.”

The cathedral's live cameras monitoring the nest are still active and can be watched by visiting winchester-cathedral.org.uk/explore/peregrines/.