nature stories

A peregrine falcon couple have moved to St Andrew's Spire in Worcester and have raised one young this year.

The new peregrine left the nest a month ago.

RSPB and volunteers have set up telescopes under the spire to show people the birds, between 10am and 5pm every day, until Sunday 9 September.

Ross Lawford at the RSPB peregrine viewpoint said: "The positive response from Worcester residents when they see the peregrines close-up has been absolutely incredible.

"It just shows you how wild birds in cities can really enrich our lives."

Peregrine facts and figures

• Peregrines are large, powerful falcons. They have long, broad, pointed wings and a relatively short tail. They are blue-grey above, with a blackish top of the head and an obvious black 'moustache' that contrasts with its white face. The breast is finely spotted.

• They are swift and agile in flight, chasing prey. The strongholds of the breeding birds in the UK are the uplands of the north and west and rocky seacoasts.

• Peregrines have suffered persecution from gamekeepers and landowners, and been a target for egg collectors, but better legal protection and control of pesticides (which indirectly poisoned birds) have helped the population to recover considerably from a low in the 1960s. Some birds, particularly females and juveniles, move away from the uplands in autumn.

The tale of Peregrine Falcon lost at sea

• Peregrine falcons have been clocked flying at over 217mph - the world's fastest animal (source: Guinness Book of Records 2003).

• Peregrines mainly eat birds caught in flight. They can spot a pigeon at to up 8km distance (source: Guinness Book of World Records).