If you’ve been around Cathedral Square over the last few weeks, you’ll probably have seen the RSPB out with their telescopes.
 | | The RSPB stand in Cathedral Square |
They’re in the square until 28th August and are showing people the Peregrine Falcons that live around the city. The Peregrines have been seen regularly on the BT and Natwest towers and a lot of people have been amazed by the beautiful birds and fascinated by their record breaking credentials. The RSPB team have now met hundreds of people. They've really enjoyed hearing people’s stories about the Peregrines hunting over the city, as well as hearing tales about favourite garden birds.
 | | Antony & Richard: Our serious pose |
They’ve also welcomed some new volunteers to the team. Goths, Antony Charalambous and Richard Leese, both 18, were just hanging around St. Philips. After seeing the RSPB stand they asked what it was all about and have now become RSPB volunteers. I asked the guys about their new found interest.
 | | We're not really that serious |
Antony: "We just started hanging around. I wasn’t really interested before in this kind of thing. But it’s ok and we’re doing something worthwhile." Richard: "I’m a Buddhist so I’m interested in nature anyway, so thought I’d give this a go." Richard and Antony are getting people to sign a petition about climate change and are happy to talk to young people passing by. "Some of our mates have signed the petition. We usually talk to the younger people – adults don’t really want to talk to us."
 | | A nod and a wink from Richard |
What else have you done so far? Antony: "I got dressed up as a Songthrush – about 70 people ran up to me and started hugging me." Richard: "Well I had to dress as a Songthrush AND ride a bike! Actually some people said that if I ride their bike while in the costume they’d sign our petition, so I did." The guys usually volunteers 2 or 3 days a week – from around 12 till 4.30. Why not the mornings?
 | | Antony getting his petition signed |
"We’re teenagers aren’t we – we don’t do mornings." Richard: "I’ve done some volunteering before, with the St Johns ambulance. I’m going to go to uni to study to be a Theatre Nurse." Richard and Antony get their travel and expenses paid for – but are there any other perks? Richard: "We got a t-shirt and Antony got a hat – they didn’t have any left, so I couldn’t have one."
 | | Looking at the Peregrines |
When the project in Cathedral Square finishes, will you carry on your new found interest? "Yeah, after this we’d really like to carry on volunteering - there’s a reserve in Sandwell so we’d like to go there and help out." If you want to see the Peregrine Falcons through the RSPB telescope, they’re in Birmingham City centre until 28th August. | 
