Hampshire residents were left shocked this week as the world's fastest animal took off from a vantage point and soared through the skies.

Daily Echo Camera Club member Paul Brady managed to snap a picture of a peregrine falcon surveying the area from above and looking straight into his camera.

The bird of prey is the UK's biggest falcon and is the fastest member of the animal kingdom in the world based on top speed.

When diving, the peregrine falcon can reach top speeds of more than 200 miles per hour.

The peregrine falcon started back down at Paul's camera as he took pictures.The peregrine falcon started back down at Paul's camera as he took pictures. (Image: Paul Brady) The ferocious falcon used to only be found in the north of the UK, but Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust note that the bird has spread south over the last couple of decades.

READ MORE: Peregrine falcon watches boaters in the New Forest

Winchester Cathedral has housed these falcons, which can typically live to be more than 10 years old and mate for life.

Paul managed to spot this one in Romsey and was able to tell it apart from other birds by the peregrine's blue-grey colour and white throat and cheeks.

The strong black moustache on the bird's face also gives it away.

Paul managed to picture the peregrine falcon at full stretch after it took off.Paul managed to picture the peregrine falcon at full stretch after it took off. (Image: Paul Brady) Their triangular-shaped wings are pointy in flight, and Camera Club members shared their love with Paul as he snapped the majestic bird taking off and flapping its wings at full stretch.

READ MORE: World's fastest bird spotted flying through the New Forest

Peregrine falcons typically nest on sea cliffs and rocky areas, though they have also used tall buildings or structures, like the one it sat on in Paul's photo, as an alternative home.

An adult will eat around 70 grams of food per day, the equivalent of two blackbirds, and typically prey on birds as big as pigeons.

It is not unusual for peregrines to eat ducks, rabbits or bats, and they do not have any predators themselves.

They can grow to be 23 inches long, and according to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust the wingspan of a peregrine falcon can reach 1.2 metres.