Sponsored by
Birds of prey at landmark church
Meet the latest additions to Preston's parish of St Walburge's.
These three peregrine falcon chicks have been born on the roof of the landmark church – thanks to wildlife experts and an outdoor pursuits company.
For the past three years, their parents have visited the Preston church – which boasts one of Britain's tallest spires – to find a safe spot to raise their young.
Each time they have laid a clutch of eggs, but their efforts have failed due to problems with the nests.
Now, thanks to the efforts of expert Steve Downing, the church has been able to provide suitable sites for the broody parents to build a nest.
And volunteers at Cumbria-based charity Adventure 21 were happy to help.
Hugh Reid, who works at the Grade-I listed Catholic church in Ashton, said: "We're really pleased they've hatched this year.
"The last two years the rain has flooded the nest and they filled up with mud.
"But then Adventure 21 stepped in to create some new sites for them, and this is where they've nested."
Peregrines are the fastest animals in the world and are thought to achieve speeds of up to 124mph when plunging from the sky after prey.
The birds are an endangered species and have the highest legal protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.
Many chicks are stolen from their nests for export to the Middle East and can be worth up to 1,000 each.
To deter thieves, each chick at St Walburge's has been microchipped and security ringed.
Amateur birdwatcher John Hickey, who has been keeping a close eye on the birds, said: "Security is still a big issue with protected birds like these."
"We provide them with a great deal of protection, but now that the chicks are doing well and chipped and ringed we want people to come and enjoy these fabulous creatures."
The good news is the second boost to Lancashire's peregrine falcon population.
Earlier this week the Evening Post reported how one bird was released back into the wild after it had been cared for at Turbary Woods Owl and Bird of Prey Sanctuary in Whitestake.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Preston
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -3 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light sleet
Temperature: 3 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South east
