TWO Peregrine falcon chicks are believed to have starved to death in their nest above the River Wye at Chepstow because of the lack of pigeons in the town.

The chick's father has flown the nest and the mother is believed to be close to death because there are so few pigeons in the area.

The Peregrines have been nesting on the cliffs for about eight years, said Mr Pat Roach who has been watching the birds daily for several years.

He says he believes pigeons have been culled denying the falcons a crucial source of food.

The falcon chicks were about three weeks old

Mr Roach said: "I see the falcons daily and in the last three weeks there have only been three pigeons taken into the nest.

"The mother has been starving herself to feed her chicks but they have died because of the lack of food.

"There are virtually no pigeons in Chepstow now and that has had a very bad effect on the Peregrines."

Mr Roach said he believed there was a pigeon trap on the town arch and the birds were being caught and killed.

That is denied by the town council which says the trap was removed in 2008.

Town clerk Sandra Bushell said the town council was not responsible for the drop in pigeon numbers.

She said: "It is true that there has been a big drop in pigeon numbers in Chepstow but it has nothing to do with the town council.

"We have culled pigeons in the past because of the damage their droppings were doing to the town arch.

"There is no cage to catch pigeons on the town arch. It was removed when the arch was refurbished.

"When we were having problems with pigeons it was suggested we get a hawk to keep the numbers down.

"The town council would not support something that would have such an impact on biodiversity in the town."

There are two other Peregrine falcon groups nesting in the area, one near the M48 and one at Lancaut.

The birds are a protected species and there are heavy penalties for deliberately harming them.

Concerns about the birds led to the cancellation of a Jubilee event earlier in the month.

Chepstow rugby club had hoped to recreate a feat from the Silver Jubilee when a ball was kicked across the River Wye.

The idea was abandoned when it was pointed out there were Peregrines in the area.