Church to instal webcam to keep an eye on their 'birds of pray" :) (UK)

[Donna]

 Date:  16 April 2010
Birds of prey have sought a heavenly haven to make their nest high above Preston.
These peregrine falcons have built a home in the tower at St Walburge's Church in Pedder Street, Ashton.

It is the fifth year in a row that the birds have nested halfway up one of the country's tallest spires.

The mother bird is currently sitting on a clutch of eggs, while the father can be spotted swooping protectively round the outside of the tower.

Parishioners and bird lovers can get a closer view of the birds via a TV monitor in the church, which has been hooked up to a video camera in the tower.

And plans are in place to introduce a webcam soon for the first time, to allow people a bird's eye view online.

Hughie Reid, maintenance man at St Walburge's, said the mother bird had moved positions after one of her eggs got soaked in the rain, but now appeared to be sitting on some more.

He said: "She is not for moving now. There should be at least three eggs, I'd imagine.

"Last year, she had five, but that was very unusual."

Peregrine falcons are a rare species which is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, meaning it is a criminal offence to disturb a nest.

The birds can fly at up to 200mph when swooping after prey, making them among the fastest creatures on earth.

They have proved a popular draw with the visitors to the church's usual Saturday open days.

Hughie said: "We have had people in from all over the country and we ended up on a website in Australia."

The church will be open from 10am to 2.30pm on Saturdays.