Some might say peregrine falcons Dick and Dom are on a flight of fancy, or possibly have their heads in the clouds, as they bid to set a new world record.

But with a lot of wing, and perhaps a touch of prayer, these brothers could soon have a feather in each of their caps if they are crowned the world’s fastest creature.

It is hoped the one-year-olds, who were born and bred at Eagle Heights bird of prey centre in Eynsford, will get their claws into the Guinness World Records with their high-flying attempt next month.

Jonathan Ames of Lullingstone Lane, Eynsford with his perigrine falcons Dick and Dom. Picture: Chris Davey

Weather permitting, Dick and Dom will be taken in a hot air balloon above the centre in Lullingstone Lane to a height of 2,000ft.

The pair will then be released to chase a lure back down to their handler while hopefully reaching speeds of at least 250mph.

If successful, and all Guinness Word Records standards are met, they will become the fastest members of the animal kingdom, beating a current top speed of 242mph.

Dick and Dom, who are named after BBC children’s TV presenters Richard McCourt and Dominic Wood, are currently in training for their big day, and Eagle Heights co-director Jonathan Ames is confident he will be crowing about their achievement.

Perigrine falcon Dick at Eagle Heights, Eynsford. Picture: Chris Davey

“My passion is flying falcons.

“I bought a drone this year and have been training my falcons to fly up to chase a lure,” he said.

“The way they get to their top speed is diving head first.

“By my calculations, they are hitting about 230mph at 700ft in just that very small gap.

“So I decided to make a world record attempt out of it.

And Dick's brother Dom. Picture: Chris Davey

“Guinness says it cannot find an official world record and will have to set the guidelines but all being well they will reach 250mph as this height will be more than double the height they train at.”

Peregrine falcons are the largest British falcon and fully grown at 10 weeks old. They reach their top speed when in their hunting dive, known as the stoop, and its force and impact is often enough to kill its prey – usually small birds – outright while still in mid-air.

Dick and Dom are expected to take to the skies at 7.30pm on August 29 under the watchful eye of a Guinness World Records official.

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