April 2013 update: The peregrines are back in the cathedral tower, and the female has already laid her eggs and is brooding them. You can see a live webcam of the nest here. Read the article below for background information onthese great birds, in the middle of Brussels.

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April 2012 update: this year’s eggs have just hatched: click and watch this video.

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Check out this great video (April 2011) of the peregrine falcon chicks in the center of Brussels!

St. Michael and St. Gudula’s Cathedral, Brussels

If you think that the only city birds present in Brussels are pigeons, jackdaws and those flashily feathered but annoyingly noisy parakeets, then you are in for a big surprise. Breeding in one of the busiest areas of the city is a pair of one of the most exciting birds in the world.

The area in question centres on St. Michael and St. Gudula’s Cathedral. In 2005 – to the delight of ornithologists – a pair of peregrine falcons nested on one of the cathedral’s towers, where they successfully raised four young. In 2006 three eggs were laid, although only one chick survived. Since then a pair of peregrines has returned every year – and 2011 is no exception (see video above). Continue reading →