Photographer spots city's silent killer
A SILENT killer is stalking the streets of Wakefield, swooping with breath-taking speed before taking flight again to devour its helpless prey.
The first pictures of peregrine falcons which were rumoured to be feeding on pigeons in the city centre have emerged, taken by a bird watcher from a high-rise flat.
The pictures show a falcon sitting on top of Tudor House before it swooped at speeds of up to 150mph to snatch a pigeon from the precinct.
After taking the bird from under the noses of city centre shoppers, it then returned to the block of flats to enjoy its meal.
Have you spotted the peregrine falcons in Wakefield? Post your comments in the section below this story.
Residents in the flats first became suspicious when they noticed pigeon feathers falling past their windows as the birds were being eaten.
Now the pictures, handed to the Express by Altofts conservationist Paul Dainton, prove the rare falcons have chosen city centre living over their normal habitat of mountains or coastal areas.
Mr Dainton, who said the photographs were given to him this week by a high-rise resident, believed the falcons were raising their offspring from a nest in the cathedral spire.
He said: "It really is unbelievable. It looks like they are here because they have a ready supply of pigeons for food and they are raising a family.
"It is amazing that they are feeding on pigeons in the city centre in broad daylight."
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Weather for Wakefield
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
