MYSTERY surrounds the death and disappearances of peregrines from a major landmark in Evesham.

One nesting peregrine in Evesham was found dead with severe injuries while another two have disappeared from the Bell Tower.

Two chicks also died after they struggled to survive without their parents.

A nestbox and multiple cameras were installed at the top of the Bell Tower in 2022 but since the birds may have been subjected to violence.

The treatment of the birds and how 'uncommon' it is to lose three peregrines in six months has led to a formal investigation into last year's breeding season.

Evesham Journal: CT scan of the dead peregrine. CT scan of the dead peregrine. (Image: Evesham Church)One male peregrine was discovered dead with severe injuries at the bottom of the tower in December 2022, which prompted an autopsy from the church.

The autopsy report said: "The catastrophic injuries to the chest and heart area are consistent with blunt force trauma (The fact that the skin was not pierced is suggestive) caused by a high-velocity projectile, probably whilst perched at the top of the Tower.

"This tiercel would have died immediately and probably sustained the obvious fractured skull when it fell to the ground."

Then, in May 2023, two further male Peregrines also ‘went missing’ from this site.

Several panes of glass in the bell tower ringing room had been broken, and aluminium nuts were in the broken glass on the ringing room carpet.

Steve Watson of the Gloucester Raptor Aid, who oversees the Peregrine nesting on the roof of Evesham bell tower, said: "This sequence of events caused the failure of the 2023 breeding attempt and, in the circumstances, we decided to curtail the YouTube feed prematurely as the chicks did not thrive in the absence of a male food provider.

"We will now take this and other evidence to the local police and Wildlife Crime Officers for potential prosecution.

"Under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 disturbance/ killing of a bird is punishable by an unlimited fine and/or six months prison sentence.

"Furthermore, we now intend to provide enhanced CCTV security facilities to cover the area in and around the Bell Tower so that in future we are in a position to provide the police with further evidence of criminality if required."

The Vicar of Evesham, the Revd Andrew Spurr, said the church is interested in receiving any information that could lead to the prosecution of the perpetrators.

A public meeting will be held about the investigation at the Parish Church of All Saints, Evesham, on January 27 at 11am.