Peregrine falcon chicks hatch on spire

Four peregrine falcon chicks have hatched on Norwich Cathedral's spire. The first of this year's new arrivals hatched at about 7pm on Wednesday, two more chicks followed on Thursday morning and the fourth hatched today at about 10.30am.

Zoe Smith, peregrine project officer for Hawk and Owl Trust, said: "The first chick hatched at Norwich Cathedral tonight (24/04/2019) at 7.04pm after 33 days of both the male and female birds incubating the eggs."

Zoe said two of the chick's younger siblings then arrived sometime before 10am on Thursday.

"We are not sure of the exact times as the female was covering (brooding) them. They were first seen all together at 10am this morning."

The fourth and final chick arrived this morning (Saturday 27 April).

Zoe said: "The fourth chick has hatched this morning at about 10.30am.

That’s 3 days after the first egg hatching on Wednesday evening, funnily enough today is the day that the adult female here ‘GA’ hatched at Bath's St John's Church in 2013."

People can keep up to date with the Cathedral's resident falcons thanks to the Hawk and Owl Trust's special watchpoint which will be open in the Lower Close every day until Sunday 14 July.

Free telescopes and binoculars are available for people view the birds, and Hawk and Owl Trust volunteers are on hand to tell you more about them.

People can also keep up to date with the peregrines while enjoying a cup of coffee in the Refectory thanks to a live video stream from the nesting box.

The birds of prey have developed quite a following in recent years and more than 30,000 people are expected to visit the watchpoint over the next couple of months to see the latest arrivals.

The watchpoint will be in the Lower Close from Saturday 6 April until Sunday 14 July.

It is open every day from 10am until 4pm.