HEREFORDSHIRE farm manager Derrick James's bedroom has become a bird of prey sanctuary after a baby kestrel literally dropped in.

The chick quit its bird hole in the early hours and soon started a trend among its siblings.

Woken up by the noise, Mr James discovered the bird had fallen into a window box and then down to the ground. Although he returned it to its nest the bird was back the next morning and was followed by the rest of the brood.

They have made themselves at home and tuck into mice, rats and moles brought in by mum.

"I've come into my bedroom at night to find them sitting on my pillow or on the bedside table. I just pick them up and put them back on the windowsill, they don't mind me at all." said Mr James.

After two weeks on the windowsill the birds are spreading their wings. The largest flew the nest over the weekend and the others are expected to go any day.

As welcome as they have been, Mr James will be pleased to have his bedroom back. "At 4am they think it's breakfast time. There's terrific squabbling and no peace until the mother has fed them all."

The farm in Kynaston, Ledbury has bird holes in several buildings. The one where the chicks were hatched has served kestrels and other birds of prey for nearly 200 years.

Delighted by his visitors Mr James said: "I'm amazed that these wild birds will fly into my bedroom to feed the young. It's been great."