THIS incredible close-up shows Worcester’s Bobbin the peregrine falcon in primed hunting mode.

The two-year-old bird of prey has been a regular on St Andrew’s Spire since she returned to Worcester last February.

Bobbin was one of four chicks to be named by winners of a competition run by your Worcester News.

The chicks attracted thousands of visitors keen to see their progress.

After a quiet breeding season last year, there are hopes that this year could be Bobbin’s first breeding season after a male was spotted on the cathedral.

As we reported last year, the peregrine nests remained empty in 2010 and a male peregrine has not been seen in Worcester since June.

However, a new perch and camera was fitted on the south-facing side of the spire, overlooking the cathedral and the river, just last week after a new male was spotted calling to Bobbin on the cathedral last weekend.

Dave Grubb, of Worcester-based company Electrodesigns CCTV, said the new camera had already captured images of Bobbin after she landed on it within 24 hours of it being installed.

He said: “She’s been around since last year. We frequently spot her, she’s seen nearly every day, but there hasn’t been a male around since last June and they couldn’t mate then because Bobbin was too young at the time.

“However, we have spotted another male over the past two weeks on the cathedral.

“Let’s hope he sticks around and we have a successful breeding season.

“It’s a wait-and-see situation but we’re keeping a close eye on it.

“We put this new camera up so we can get as much information as we can.”

Bobbin’s mother used to be a resident on and around the cathedral, which the birds use as a roost and for feeding during the autumn and winter, but she has since flown away.

l The cameras will hopefully go live to the public at worcester.gov.uk/peregrine over the next two weeks.