A family of peregrine falcons will soon go their separate ways when their parents drive out the four young they have nurtured since May.

Two peregrines have been breeding on top of Quadrant House in Sutton for the past five years and, after being taught to hunt and fly by their doting parents, the four two-month-old, fully-grown juveniles, must now leave the nest and start families of their own.

The juveniles generally travel just a few miles from the nest but they can fly as far as 50 or 100 miles. The loyal parents stay together for the rest of their life and will hopefully return to Quadrant House next year.

Keeping them safe requires a massive effort, with all access to the roof banned and volunteers on hand to rescue any chicks that fall from the nest – as well as a dedicated police wildlife officer.

As a gesture of thanks for keeping an eye on the chicks, Sutton’s army of bird-lovers presented Quadrant House security guard Leroy Hansen with a sculpture of a peregrine by artist Harry Garrity.

Peregrine enthusiast Rob Dolton, who presented the sculpture, said: “We think we had two male chicks [tiercels] and two female ones [falcons] this year.

“By now the juveniles will be out hunting after learning from mum and dad.

“Rarely will we see them all together now, as the young will fly off and perch about a mile away – just as long as they can see Quadrant House.”

Peregrines generally live for between 11 and 15 years and females can breed until about age 10. The oldest recorded peregrine was an American bird that lived to be 18.

Mr Dolton said: “Four chicks survived to adulthood, which was great.

The Sutton Guardian really helped, so a big thank you.”

For more on these remarkable birds visit london-peregrine-partnership.org.uk.