PEREGRINE falcons that have made York Minster their home have hatched healthy little chicks for the first time.

A pair of peregrines has been in residence at the Minster for over a decade, and nesting attempts were made in 2003 and 2015 but no young had successfully reached fledging age – until now.

In 2016, the Minster installed a purpose-made nest box on the North West tower of the gothic cathedral and this spring, a new female appeared on the scene.

The pair – known fondly as Mr and Mrs Peregrine by staff – were seen mating and nest scraping: behaviour that indicated egg laying might be imminent.

Local birders noticed the pair taking food to the nest, then captured video footage which showed at least two fluffy chicks peeping over the parapet. Mark Thomas of the RSPB said that the chicks are now around three weeks old. The RSPB will monitor the birds throughout their lives and collect data about their behaviour.

“It is fantastic that the York Minster peregrines appear to have reared a brood of healthy chicks,” he said.

“There are plentiful food sources at the moment so these chicks will hopefully continue to thrive.

Peregrines are a protected species and the fastest living things on the planet, able to reach 200mph when diving for prey, which they catch mid-air on the wing.

They traditionally nest on cliff ledges in remote areas however the adaptable birds are increasingly making towns and cities their home.

“Peregrines are quick to adapt and have learned to find a place in our increasingly urban world,” added Mark.

“Cathedrals are very popular nest sites for urban birds as they offer the same jagged outcrops and high vantage points as a cliff-face.”

There are thought to be around 1,500 pairs of peregrine falcons in the UK.