Cathedral falcons lay four eggs

Two chicks were born at the cathedral last year

Two peregrine falcons nesting on top of a cathedral have laid four eggs.

The birds have made Derby Cathedral their home since 2006. When two chicks hatched last summer more than 200,000 people visited webcams to see them.

This year, with a third webcam added for a better view, there have already been 80,000 hits from around the world.

The eggs are due to hatch in early May when telescopes will be set up on the cathedral grounds to allow visitors a closer look at the falcons.

Nick Moyes, keeper of natural sciences at Derby Museum and Art Gallery, said: "The birds are proving even more popular this year, with greater numbers of people logging on to see these majestic creatures."

Nick Brown, of the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, said: "The third webcam, situated higher up the cathedral tower above the nest, has provided an even greater opportunity to see intimate moments of the falcons interacting, feeding and courting."