A MYSTERY bird which has an appetite for pigeons has been seen flying around Christ Church in Old Town and may have nested.

Staff at the parish office in Cricklade Street say they have seen the remains of pigeons in the church grounds, which they suspect is the work of a bird of prey, possibly a peregrine falcon.

And passer-by Rebecca Cork of Welcombe Avenue, Park North, spotted the bird two weeks ago, perched on a sill at the top of the spire.

She said: "I was walking through the car park when I heard this really strange noise.

"I looked up and there was a large bird sitting on the sill. I don't know what it was it was nothing like anything I have seen before."

Emma Parkin of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds says the sightings bear all the hallmarks of a peregrine falcon the fastest moving bird in the world, which can reach speeds of up to 112 mph when chasing its prey.

The bird aptly derives its name from the word 'to peregrinate', meaning to wander.

Ms Parkin said: "This would seem the most likely culprit. Falcons nest in very inaccessible places such as cliffs and quarry faces where they feel protected.

"They like feeding on pigeons. They will generally devour one small bird a day, although females will often eat more. It is quite spectacular when they make a grab for their prey in mid-air, snatching it from nowhere."

According to Ms Parkin, each female lays three or four cream coloured eggs, which are heavily marked with red-brown specks, in late March.

She said: "The chicks hatch over a couple of days and will fledge at 35-42 days and should be inde-pendent a couple of months after that.

"They will generally stay within 100 km of their birthplace."

A count conducted in 1991 showed there were just 1,185 pairs in the UK.

The species now remains on the UK's amber list of endangered birds.

A member of staff at the Parish Office, who did not want to be named, said: "People have seen a large bird flying around near the spire.

"We have seen the remains of a few pigeons scattered around too."

If you spot the bird, call the Evening Advertiser newsdesk on 01793 528144 extension 262.