Manchester peregrines Tweet from secret location

Four chicks have hatched this year at the nest site

Manchester's only nesting pair of peregrine falcons have been given their own Twitter page.

The adult birds returned to a secret location in the city centre and have hatched four chicks this year.

The RSPB has set up a live webcam and is hoping the birds will Tweet photographs automatically by their movement on the nest.

Joanna Keene of the RSPB said the aim was to "connect with a younger audience."

It is the fifth year running the same pair of peregrines have chosen Manchester city centre to breed.

According to the RSPB, the urban environment with its tall buildings and ready supply of pigeons has proved a successful move for the pair, despite a setback last year when one chick died on its maiden flight.

"We are really optimistic this year," she said.

"Everything has been going absolutely to plan and to have four of them hatching has been amazing.

"It's been fabulous watching them on the webcam feeding from the female and both birds seem to be bringing them plenty of food."

Motion sensor

Ms Keene said that they had also set up a live webcam and, for the first time, a Manchester peregrines' Twitter page.

"We decided to set up the Twitter page to help people follow the birds and, hopefully, connect with a younger audience," she said.

"We're hoping to place a motion sensor on the camera to send updates as the birds fly in and out of the nest."

They are a popular attraction in Exchange Square where the RSPB staff hold Date with Nature events to point out the birds and educate the public.

In 2010, the birds chose to nest high up on a ledge on the city's second tallest building, the CIS Tower.

However, one of the two fledglings died when it flew into the side of the building.