Baby bird joins Wimbledon patrol

Socrates will be among the falcons regularly flying above Wimbledon

A fledgling peregrine falcon is in training to become part of a team of birds that keeps pigeons away from the Wimbledon tennis tournament.

Since the event began, three-week-old Socrates has been taken on patrols of the south-west London site in order to acclimatise to the surroundings.

The birds fly above the club once or twice a week, during the tournament.

Wayne Davis, who has worked with birds at the club since 1999, said Socrates was making "fantastic" progress.

Mr Davis, who runs Avian Control Systems, said it was all about getting the bird used to different sights and sounds.

"He will be able to fly in about four weeks and be part of the team in about three months but until then I just take him along and let him walk on the grass."