Falcon webcam set up on cathedral

The birds of prey can fly at speeds of more than 100mph

A webcam has been installed at the top of Lincoln Cathedral to allow people to watch a pair of peregrine falcons.

The edge of the cathedral is similar to the falcon's natural habitat - usually a cliff face - and a pair raised their young there last year.

Gemma Rogers from the RSPB said they hoped wildlife enthusiasts would be able to watch the birds on its website.

There are 10 pairs of peregrine falcons nesting in cities in the UK, including the Tate Modern in London, she said.

Pigeon food

A pair of falcons nested on the cathedral last year and the RSPB hopes the birds will return to nest there again.

The peregrine falcon is one of the fastest birds in the world and can reach speeds of 100 mph (160km per hour) when swooping to catch prey.

Birdwatcher Anne Algar said the falcons were safe on the cathedral as they had a ready source of food from local pigeons.

Ms Rogers said more and more falcons were beginning to make nests in urban centres.