Viewers wait for cathedral peregrine eggs to hatch

The Hawk and Owl Trust says the eggs could hatch between the end of April and the first few days of May

Hundreds of thousands of people have been watching a webcam waiting for four peregrine falcon eggs to hatch, a conservation charity has said.

Peregrines falcons have nested at Norwich Cathedral since 2009 and this year four eggs have been laid.

The Hawk and Owl Trust, which manages the site at the top of the cathedral spire, said the eggs were due to hatch between the end of April and first few days of May.

"We get hundreds of thousands of views all over the world during the nesting season," said Liberty Wells, outreach and conservation ranger at the trust.

The cathedral saw its first egg of the year laid on 21 March and has had three more laid since.

Last year, Ms Wells said the trust spoke to nearly 5,000 people in person who were interested in the peregrines.

Peregrines have nested at Norwich Cathedral since 2009

In the first year of life, the peregrines have a 60% mortality rate.

"When they hatch they will have a fluff instead of a feather so until they get their waterproof feathers through, if it rains or if it's too cold it really affects them... If there's bad weather which we've seen in the past or not enough food to go around."

The trust does not ring all the birds but says the chicks will stay around the area for the first few months while they are taught to hunt.

A 24-hour live camera has captured the activity atop the spire.

"We are very lucky to have the camera up there and get an insight into what happens but it is very much a hands-off situation... it's illegal to disturb their nests during the nesting period."