Cathedral pays tribute following falcon death

A cathedral has paid tribute following the death of a peregrine falcon that regularly flew over its grounds.

Interim Dean of Carlisle, The Venerable Michael Everitt, said the bird had "brought joy to us all".

Carlisle Cathedral staff found the falcon sitting on Carlisle Street on Monday and called falconer Gary Swainson, of Cumberland Bird of Prey Centre, to take the bird in.

Swainson said he took the bird to the vet on Tuesday but that she died soon after. He said it was "heartwarming" to see how many people had been affected by the bird of prey's death.

He said her presence in the city had always got people talking about nature and wildlife.

"It got people looking up at something other than the street," he said.

He said the ban of the pesticide DDT had led to a resurgence of the predators across the country.

"They chose city buildings as substitute cliff ledges which is where they naturally live," he said.

"Strangely enough, they seem to have a penchant for religious buildings - maybe it's the fact that they're generally built of natural stone which is something that they recognise."

The cathedral said the bird's death was remembered during prayers at Tuesday's evensong.

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