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Wednesday, 20 June, 2001, 12:57 GMT 13:57 UK
Birds under 'Big Brother' spotlight
Peregrine falcon and chicks
Birds of prey at an RSPB nature reserve in north Wales are being given the Big Brother treatment.

Three peregrine chicks at the South Stack reserve near Holyhead on Anglesey are spending their first few weeks of life in front of a web camera.

The newborn chicks are being watched 24 hours a day and the images are shown live over the internet on the RSPB website.

peregrine in flight
Peregrines can fly at 200mph
Thanks to the latest technology, the chicks can be glimpsed in their cliff-edge nest, being fed by their mother.

"Peregrines are said to be the most spectacular and fastest bird of prey," said Sian Howell of RSPB Cymru.

"They can dive at speeds of up to 200 miles per hour, attacking their prey in the sky like lightening."

It is likely to be several weeks before the South Stack chicks can swoop at such high speed but the camera will be following their progress 24 hours a day.

Pictures of puffin are also being transmitted onto the internet site and can be seen jostling each other for space on the busy sea cliff ledges.

From now until the end of July the ledges will be crammed with breeding guillemots, with each pair incubating a single egg on their feet.

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See also:

30 May 01 | UK
Cameras prey on rare birds
01 Dec 00 | Wales
Secrets of rare bird screened
03 Feb 00 | Sci/Tech
New hope for birds of prey
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