Family’s passion for spire falcons

7:12pm Monday 12th May 2008

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A FAMILY of wildlife lovers in Worcester have visited the site where peregrine falcon chicks are nesting in the city centre almost every day to watch them grow.

Since the peregrine falcon chicks hatched last weekend in their nest in St Andrew's Spire in Deansway, the Norman family have gone to check on their progress The family, who live off London Road, only moved to the city three months ago from Solihull, and said they are delighted to discover the birds are nesting in Worcester.

Mother Alison said: "We saw that there were eggs in the nest in the newspaper. We have always been interested in wildlife so we decided to go and have a look. It just happened that the day we chose was the day the chicks hatched and we saw them being fed it was amazing."

Mrs Norman's three children Sadie, aged 12, and twins Emily and Thomas, nine, are all keen on wildlife, and have even drawn pictures of the falcons and chicks.

Thomas, who attends Cherry Orchard First School, and wants to be an artist or wildlife presenter when he is older, said: "I like all birds. It is wonderful to see them flying. It is also really nice to see them in the nest."

Sadie, who goes to Christopher Whitehead Language College said: "I like drawing so I thought it would be nice to draw a picture of the birds. It will be very interesting to see them grow."

Her sister Emily added: "The birds are really fun to look at and to watch them fly."

Ross Lawford, peregrine falcon officer for the RSPB, said he was pleased to see a family supporting them and taking such an interest in the birds.

He said: "They really are an ideal family and it's fantastic the support they have been giving us. The pictures they have drawn for us are beautiful. If any other children want to try their hand at drawing us a picture of the falcons, or any other birds they have spotted in Worcester, please do so and bring them to us at the spire."

• Watch the falcons live via webcam here.