MORE kestrels have been spotted nesting in the church spires above Worcester.

We recently reported how a pair of kestrels were making their home in a city church – and were thought to be the only two of this type of bird of prey within the city.

However, a Worcester News reader has contacted us to say he has seen another pair of kestrels nesting within the Barbourne area of the city.

John Sheridan said: “They have been there a good month or two. I hear them calling out all the time.

“They are definitely nesting. They are going back and forth, flying out, calling to each other and I see the male hunting quite regularly.

“It’s good to be able to see them as there aren’t many around at all.”

Chris Dobbs, Worcester city council’s landscape architect, said the fact that two pairs of kestrels were nesting in fairly close proximity showed that Worcester was a green city.

He said: “It’s fabulous news. The fact they are nesting in good numbers means that the city is good for biodiversity.

“These birds are moving in because Worcester is a nice place for them to live.”

Mr Dobbs said it was still unusual for kestrels to nest in urban areas although it had become more common.

The kestrels are similar in appearance and behaviour to the much rarer peregrine falcons which came to nest in St Andrew’s spire, Deansway, in 2007.

The RSPB has asked your Worcester News not to identify the exact whereabouts of the birds to protect their safety.