Some unexpected residents have taken up a temporary residence at the Speyer Cathedral in Speyer, Germany: two newborn falcon chicks.
In the past, eagle owls had nested at the cathedral, said a June 20 release from the diocese. But there was a "great disappointment" when it appeared as though none of those birds would be there this year.
"However, the kestrels have now produced offspring," said the release.
Typically, birds would choose to nest at a "barely visible spot at one of the sacristy windows," but the falcons were born in a nest that was constructed in one of the cathedral's gutters.
"The eggs were discovered by cathedral master builder Hedwig Drabik, who has since regularly checked on her way up to the top to see that everything is in order," said the release.
Despite ongoing, noisy construction, the birds appear to be doing well. Two of the four eggs hatched, said the Diocese of Speyer, and "if all goes well, they will fledge in two to three weeks."
A bird expert said that it was unusual that the birds chose the cathedral's gutter to make a nest.
"We were even surprised that the breeding was successful in this location, so we're all the more pleased about the two chicks," said Sven Ofer, a volunteer who monitored the birds at the cathedral.
Speyer is located in the western part of Germany.
The Speyer Cathedral was built in the 11th century and is dedicated to Mary. It was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981.
