A pair of peregrine falcons are now sitting on eggs in York Minster.

The news that these protected species are incubating eggs in York’s medieval cathedral comes after months of speculation.

Wildlife experts have been eagerly looking for signs that the pair might have finally laid after noticing them mating there throughout the spring.

But wildlife artist Robert Fuller noticed the male and female engage in what he described as a ‘nest change over’, and said there was definitely a clutch of eggs in the bell tower.

“I saw the male hunting over the main tower of the Minster. He caught a pigeon, partially plucked it ready to present to the female and then circled the tower calling until the female came out. He passed the pigeon to her and then flew into the nest in order to take over incubating,” he said.

“This means the pair are definitely sitting on eggs. These eggs are very late. Normally peregrines lay eggs in early April, if not before, so at last the speculation over whether they would lay is over. I just hope the young go on to hatch successfully.

“This is such good news for York. People can now go into the city for a spot of shopping and then go and see the fastest bird in the world nesting on one of Yorkshire’s most magnificent buildings,” he said.

The new was later verified by York Peregrines, a birdwatching group that has kept a daily check on the progress of York’s peregrines.