IT was joy on high this week as the fourth peregrine falcon chick hatched at Salisbury Cathedral.

The last of the four chicks was welcomed into the world at around 11am on Saturday (April 26), joining its three siblings – the first of which hatched a month ago.

High up on the South Tower of the cathedral, the chicks have been watched by eagle-eyed viewers via a 24/7 livestream who have been keeping a careful eye on their goings-on.

The peregrine season began early this year, with cameras set up a month earlier than usual to catch the beginning of courting behaviour from the two lovebirds.

A new nest box was also installed this year – the third that cathedral carpenters have created for the famous birds.

READ MORE: First peregrine falcon eggs at Salisbury Cathedral could hatch in time for Easter

READ MORE: Fire service stage dramatic training exercise at Salisbury Cathedral

The parents have been kept busy feeding and keeping their young warm – but there were some concerns from viewers that the last chick to hatch was being ignored.

However, a Salisbury Cathedral spokesperson said the parents are very good at making sure that all the chicks are fed appropriately.

They said: “They usually feed the strong hungry chicks first so they will simmer down and allow easier feeding for the smaller chicks.

“They are aware of all chicks and they will all be kept well fed until fledging, which usually happens between 35-42 days after hatching.”

All four chicks will be ringed roughly four weeks after they hatch, providing an opportunity to discover the gender and then begin the naming process.

The parents have been keeping them warm and well-fed Picture: Salisbury Cathedral

To date thirty-five chicks have fledged from the tower since the peregrines returned to Salisbury Cathedral in 2013.

This is including one chick (Wyle) that was adopted by Sally (the Cathedral’s most famous peregrine) in 2017, after both his parents were poisoned.

Granville Pictor of the Wiltshire Ornithological Society said: “We’re lucky to have the peregrine cameras at Salisbury Cathedral as it gives us a unique window into the lives of these incredible birds, helping us understand their behaviour.

“A good example is the female’s incubation pattern, as she probably won’t start keeping the eggs warm until she’s laid the second-to-last one.

“Since peregrines usually lay three or four eggs, we can expect to see them uncovered for quite a while. She’ll know instinctively when it’s time to settle, and from that point, we’ll be able to watch the whole process play out.”

There have been reports of peregrines nesting at Salisbury Cathedral since 1864.

For nearly 90 years, these birds lived peacefully on the tower, until the use of harmful pesticides, and persecution, led to a lengthy absence.

Four chicks successfully fledged their nest box after a mated pair of peregrines nested at the site in 2014.

Since then peregrines have hatched and fledged from the tower every year except for 2018, when a territorial battle between two females prevented laying.

Four eggs were laid last year, and all four fledged.

Keep an eye on the family by watching the live stream here.