Falcon a 200mph tenant of council
A pair of peregrine falcons can be seen soaring across the skyline after taking up residence at a Black Country council's headquarters.
Shoppers and workers in Walsall can look up to catch a glimpse of the majestic blue and grey-backed birds, of which there are only around 1,000 pairs in the country.
One eagle-eyed twitcher went to great lengths to catch an amazing close-up of the male falcon, which flies between the Council House and Tameway Tower, home of Walsall Housing Group.
Neil Follows found a spot in Tameway Tower to lie in wait and grab his "once in a lifetime" shot.
Usually found in the rocky seacliffs and the uplands of the UK, the peregrine falcon feeds on pigeons and other medium-sized birds and can reach 200mph, making it one of the fastest animals in the world.
"Tameway Tower has double-sided glass, so the bird couldn't see me," said the 39-year-old, of Astbury Close, Bloxwich.
"Once I'd got things set up, it was a case of just being patient and waiting – and with the weather we've had lately the picture was perfect."
The father-of-one, who noticed the birds after hearing their distinctive call, said townsfolk should be proud that the peregrine falcons have selected Walsall as their new home.
"There's a pair nesting in Birmingham and a pair in Wolverhampton, but this is the first time I have seen any based in Walsall," said Neil, a keen birdwatcher for more than 30 years.
The female is currently nesting and it is hoped baby peregrines will be taking to the skies next month.
A sparrowhawk was spotted in Wolverhampton on Monday, devouring a pigeon.
