In pictures: Norwich Cathedral peregrine falcons
- Published
Four peregrine falcon chicks have hatched on Norwich Cathedral during April and May. The brood's activities have been caught on a live webcam set up by the Hawk and Owl Trust.
Within weeks, adult plumage began to develop on the chicks as they perched on the cathedral spire. The Hawk and Owl Trust set up a platform for the falcons in 2011, but this year has been the first all chicks have survived.
In just five weeks, all four peregrines fledged from the platform and are currently "safe and well", the Hawk and Owl Trust said. They are expected to stay close to the cathedral until they become more adept at flying.
It is believed the cast will start disappearing in the autumn, with their parents returning to the cathedral platform in the New Year to begin a new brood. Hundreds of people have been able to see the falcons up-close from a viewing point close to the site.
The father of the cast, named Tiercel, has been teaching his young to hunt and has been spotted preying on pigeons. Peregrines are said to favour buildings like cathedrals to nest on because they resemble cliff faces.
Peregrine falcons became almost extinct in the 1960s after their existence was threatened by pesticides. There are currently fewer than 1,400 breeding pairs in the UK, but recently they have successfully bred in places as diverse as cathedrals and a disused nuclear reactor.
Dave Gittens from the Hawk and Owl Trust, said when one of the larger females (pictured) fledged backwards from the platform, it prompted a call to the trust from someone in Sweden concerned about its welfare. "It aptly demonstrates the impact this story has had on so many people around the world," he said.
Concern was also raised about the whereabouts of T4 - the male falcon - but it was eventually found in the Dean's garden. It has since been spotted on the rooftops of buildings in nearby Tombland.
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