A PAIR of rare peregrine falcon chicks has hatched in Winchester contributing to the county’s population.

Months after Hampshire Ornithological Society were allowed to set up a nest box on the roof of Hampshire Police headquarters in Romsey Road a male and female have hatched.

Keith Betton, county bird recorder at the HOS, has placed rings on the birds’ talons so that they can monitor their progress and keep track of the numbers of the birds of prey in Hampshire.

He said the arrival of the chicks was excellent news and the environment of the nest box was helping the chicks to cope well.

“They had just eaten. They were quite plump and there doing quite well. There’s no chance of them starving, there’s pigeon all around that place. It’s an ideal location because nobody can get up there. There’s no Westerly rain so they don’t get wet and there’s no Westerly sun so they won’t get too hot.

Peregrine falcons are the fastest creatures in the world and can reach speeds of more than 200mph when diving for prey.

An endangered species, there are only currently a dozen nesting pairs of falcons in the county meaning the new arrivals have brought the number up to 26 with the first pair finding a home in Hampshire in 1993.

Exposure to pesticides has resulted in their eggs becoming so thin that they cannot breed, but they have made a big comeback in recent years.

Keith said the HOS intended to put up more nest boxes in Hampshire soon.