Falcons are eating heartily

4:03pm Wednesday 7th May 2008

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FALCON chicks have been tucking into their first big meal - a gull caught by their dad.

So far only two of the four peregrine falcon chicks have hatched but bird enthusiasts yesterday saw them eating the gull.

The eggs hatched on Saturday and Sunday.

Usually it is the bigger females that catch big prey but it was the proud dad that managed to catch the gull and bring it back to the specially-constructed nest at the top of St Andrew's Spire in Deansway, Worcester.

Ross Lawford, peregrine falcon officer for the RSPB, said he hoped the other two eggs would hatch soon, giving the hundreds of visitors who have already flocked to the area even more to get in a flap about.

He said: "We have hundreds of people watching while sun-bathing on the grass and it's people of all ages from young children to pensioners. They don't leave the chicks for very long but the dad looks very proud.

"Peregrine falcons nest and breed for life and this will be their territory when they grow older.

"There's always a chance that in years to come one of the juveniles will come back and reclaim this territory."

• Watch the falcons live via webcam here.