Thousands of people have been visiting a Devon quarry to view recently hatched peregrine falcon chicks. The three chicks, who are three-weeks-old, are currently being reared by their parents in Cann Quarry at Plymbridge Woods in Plymouth.
A 24-hour guard has been mounted to keep watch on the rare birds of prey.
They have become a great attraction, with people visiting in the hope they will see the adult birds feeding their young.
The chicks are already growing into adulthood, losing their down which is being replaced with feathers.
Poisoned birds
The National Trust has set up telescopes and 8,000 people have visited to watch the falcons.
Trevor Parsons, from Plymouth, has been six times.
He said: "First you see them as an egg and then as chicks, though the chicks look nearly as big as the parents at the moment.
"But it's really interesting to come up here and see them feeding."
Local amateur cameraman Alf Menhennett says he spends five hours a day watching the nest.
 About 8,000 people have visited the quarry to watch the birds |
He said: "It's just a wonderful way to relax and at the same time do a bit of filming as well." A 24-hour watch has been mounted to keep the birds safe because previously peregrines nesting there have been poisoned.
Reg Fairbairn of the National Trust said: "Really, it just raises awareness to the local population that there is a lot of wildlife right on their doorstep.
"Obviously it also helps educate people against harming wildlife too."
The parents bring food hourly to the three chicks.
The chicks are expected to be in the nest for another three weeks. After that they will try to learn to fly.
A webcam has also been set up to provide 24 hour coverage of the nest.
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