Two rare birds have come to prey at a church in Co Tipperary.
The two peregrine falcons, a protected species, have taken up residence in the main spire at St Mary's of the Rosary church in Nenagh.
They are responsible for hunting other birds and leaving their wings, heads and legs in the church grounds.
A local birdwatcher, Mr Tim Meagher, became suspicious when he noticed an unprecedented number of dead birds in the grounds of the church.
"When we came across the remains we thought that the birds were crashing into the spire of the church. We thought it had something to do with lighting used to highlight the church at night or a radio mast there," he said.
Later, it was discovered there was a peregrine falcon in the spire. Unfortunately, Nenagh's new residents are not preying on crows and other local pests. They prefer snipe, woodcock and thrush.
Archdeacon John Hogan confirmed that the wings of snipe have been found in the vicinity of the church in recent times. He said one falcon had been living in the spire for two years and was recently joined by another.
The peregrine falcon will snatch birds up to the size of a pigeon but will also attack rabbits and smaller mammals.
Numbers of this bird breed declined dramatically in the 1950s and 1960s.
More traditionally peregrine falcons are found in coastal areas and mountainous regions nesting on cliff edges. It is not unusual to find this species close to human habitation.