Cameras catch peregrine laying fourth egg

A peregrine falcon nesting at the top of a town hall tower has laid its fourth egg of the season.

Leamington Spa's resident pair of peregrines are being watched around the clock on webcams, set up by Warwickshire Wildlife Trust at the site on the Parade.

The same adult pair have used the 44m-high (48yds) nest site since 2017, successfully raising a total of 30 chicks.

Last year their four eggs hatched in late April, with three female and one male chicks fledging in June. The birds were checked by bird-handlers and fitted with metal leg rings to identify them in the future.

Followers can watch live as the chicks begin to hatch and later take their first tentative journeys out of the nest, learning to dive from the town hall's ledges.

The nest was provided by the wildlife trust, in partnership with Warwick District Council.

Peregrines are the fastest animals on the planet, reaching dive speeds of up to 200mph (321.8km/h) when hunting.

The species has been in decline due to hunting, but made a comeback in recent years.

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