A peregrine falcon that appears to be nesting on St John’s Church in Weymouth was captured by photographers who are members of the Echo’s Camera Club.

The falcon – which can reach a top speed of more than 200 miles per hour when diving – was first brought to our attention by Fiona Lawrence, who took this picture of the bird perched on the church.

Peregrine falcon perched on Weymouth church(Image: Fiona Lawrence)

You can see more pictures like this and share your own at the Dorset Echo Camera Club Facebook group, which you can find here. 

Thanks to Roger and Janet Lovell, who got in touch after reading the story – and reported another sighting of the speedy species not far from the church perched on a car, as you can see in the main picture.

They wrote: “We were very interested in your story today about the falcon being in Weymouth.

“This photo was taken in our car park at Ricketts Close, Weymouth on 18 Aug. We think it is the same bird.”

Thanks also to keen birder David Lowe, who got in touch to let us know that the falcon is believed to have a nest at St John’s Church and can often be seen hunting pigeons.

The decorated Gothic style of St John’s Church is somewhere the birds have called home for some time.

Back in 2016 the Echo reported that a resident saw a bird of prey there tucking into a pigeon.

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It would appear that if you look hard enough – and fast enough – there is a presence of peregrine falcons in the area.

Mr Lowe said: “There are two pairs nesting on Portland and another pair nesting about 600 yards away from my house.”

He also said he had recently seen a sea eagle flying over Chickerell and that Portland is rife with birds of prey and also little owls and tawny owls.

The Wildlife Trust charity says peregrine falcons often nest in the north and south west of England, but are being increasingly seen throughout the UK.