A BABY bald eagle has been welcomed as a new addition to a wild bird centre.

Nanook, who is five weeks old, has been brought into the Thirsk Birds of Prey centre at Sion Hill Hall, near Thirsk, North Yorkshire, to increase its collection and to eventually provide breeding opportunities.

Falconers at the centre expect Nanook to be able to take his place in the centre’s flying team in less than three months, after his feathers have fully grown.

Falconer Colin Badgery said: “We’re feeding him on squirrel, rabbit, hare, venison and pheasant – the best we can put in his beak to help his bones grow strong and his feathers to come through.”

Nanook will join the centre’s other bald eagle Liberty, a nine-year-old female. However, she is too aggressive for the pair to be put together.

“We hope in time Liberty will mellow enough to let him come near her,” said Mr Badgery For more information call 01845-587522 or go to falconrycentre.co.uk

■ PEREGRINE falcons nesting in the Yorkshire Dales National Park are proving real crowd-pullers.

The Falcon Watch project, at Malham Cove, has just welcomed its 100,000th visitor.

RSPB people engagement officer Matthew Capper said: “We are pleased to have been able to give so many people the chance to see these amazing creatures up close and to learn about their spectacular lifestyles in an awe-inspiring setting.”