Four peregrine falcon chicks have hatched on a church spire in Northamptonshire, and the webcams watching over them are drawing viewers from as far away as America.

Two cameras at St Mary’s Church in Higham Ferrers have, for the past four years, recorded and live streamed the birds of prey that live there. The cameras were installed on the 13th Century spire by the Academy of Physical Medicine in 2023, after a nesting box was fitted in 2015.

Steven Bruce, from the company based in the market town, said it was “looking good” for the quads to reach adulthood.

“The four surviving chicks this year is the most yet,” he said.

Bruce’s company sponsors, maintains, refurbishes and cleans the cameras, which face both into the nest and outwards.

“At the moment they all look like they’re thriving, but we can’t rule out disease, but I’m very optimistic about this lot,” he said.

“So far, we’ve had our most successful year yet.”

Bruce said four birds were born in 2023, but all died from bird flu. In 2024, two eggs were washed away when the female nested in a water spout. In March last year, four eggs were laid, but only three hatched. One of the chicks died, leaving two to fly away.

This year’s birds started to hatch from 22 April.

“I was on an online meeting when I watching the eggs hatch, it was wonderful,” Bruce said.

“The cameras are hugely popular.

“We’ve got people in America watching, as well as people standing by the church and staring up at the nest.”

The footage is broadcast live on YouTube and has about 900 subscribers.

“People just love it. It certainly cheers a lot of people up,” Bruce said.

Mother Louise Bishop, the church’s vicar, said: “We get load of birders here, it’s brilliant.

“We’re very grateful Ashgrove put the cameras in as we would then only see them when they are flying around.

“They’re a joy to have.”

She said of the four chicks: “It’s looking good”.

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