Church's peregrine chicks hatch after 9-year wait

A church is celebrating the arrival of its first peregrine falcon chicks in almost a decade.

Three chicks hatched inside a nesting box on the west front of St Wulfram's Church at Grantham in Lincolnshire two weeks ago.

Father Stuart Craddock, Rector of Grantham, said: "They're developing into some really healthy-looking peregrine falcons."

He described it as "brilliant news" and is asking members of the public to suggest names for the trio.

Father Craddock said it has been about nine years since the church has has a successful clutch of Peregrine falcon eggs.

A nesting box was built a number of years ago by Lincolnshire Bird Trust and the eggs were finally laid on 31 March.

Visitors can watch a live feed of the birds, broadcast inside the church from a camera planted near the nest.

"Lots of people are coming into church to see them which is great," Father Craddock said.

"You can see them walking about and scratching at the gravel in the tray and eating whatever mum and dad bring to them. It's really interesting."

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