Peregrine falcons find new home

The birds often settle and make nests on high buildings

A pair of peregrine falcons have set up home on top of Holy Trinity Church in Southport.

The birds have been forced to move from their current nest in a local gas tower as it is being demolished.

Peregrine falcons are one of the fastest flying birds in the world and often settle on high buildings.

Graham Clarke from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) says the birds have chosen the church due to its height.

"Clearly the Holy Trinity Church here is an enormous great big tower, it's the highest building other than the gas tower in Southport," says Graham.

"Peregrine's aren't daft, they've had a look at the church tower and have realised it's a safe nesting site.

"It's relatively undisturbed and it is also close to the Ribble Estuary where there's absolutely loads of food for them.

"There's plenty of ledges and almost artificial caves for the Peregrines to get in to."

The flying speed of peregrine falcons make them devastating predators, a peregrine has been logged by radar at 114mph after a dive of 1,000ft.

"When they hunt they have incredible stamina and speed and pursue their prey relentlessly," Graham Clarke explains.

Peregrines feed mainly on birds but also hunt small mammals including rats and rabbits.