Friday 11 May 2007

Still Just The Two

Click to enlarge, or click the image below to watch the full video Mum and Dad have taken well to their task of feeding the chicks. We had thought we might see another arrival by this morning, but there's been no change. They had a good feed at 8am this morning, and the shot above was taken during a later feed at 1pm. Click on the "play" symbol in the image below to watch a video clip of this feed. Note: Following numerous emails and comments from people who came to Cathedral Green in Derby to see the birds for real, may we reassure you all that both chicks fed very well. This is only about half of the full sequence we filmed. What happened next was that the left-hand chick continued to be fed for a while until it was totally gorged. It then flopped, exhausted, over its sibling's shoulder who was then fed until it, too, seemed replete. of course, if you look at subsequent blog entries you'll see for yourself how well the two chicks are doing on their rich diet.



10 comments:

Anonymous said...

That was amazing to actually see mum feeding her chicks. Well done to them and well done to you for setting up this web cam, keep up the good work this is the best reality tv I've seen.

Anonymous said...

that is true but it seem the right opne may become the runt :( as you can see the one closer was the only one fed i feel sorry for the other

Peregrine Project Member (Nick M.) said...

Whilst you may be right, I should point out that it didn't seem appropriate to upload the entire (rather long) film sequence. What happened after the YouTube clip ended was that the left hand chick continued to be fed for a while until it was totally gorged. It then flopped, exhausted, over its sibling's shoulder who was then fed until it, too, seemed replete.
Food is not in short supply - we know that from the wide range of species we have seen them taking. So, with the other two eggs seeming less likely now to hatch, I don't think we need to worry about either of these two chicks going hungry.

Anonymous said...

ok that ok then i do love these birds
may i suggest a donation link on the website because im sure many would donate for the camera and stuff to be updated making viewing faster for all

Anonymous said...

those chicks are so cute im gllad to hear they both get a feed. I'm not sure the other eggs might hatch though :(

Anonymous said...

Any chance of naming the falcons and their new chicks? May I suggest Percy as a possible favourite for the male?

Anonymous said...

Will it be possible to ring the chicks? I don't know whether last year's offspring were ringed but it would be really interesting to know what happened to them and if they have been able to breed themselves. Also how far away from their place of birth are they likely to be?

Project Member (DWT) said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Project Member (DWT) said...

Lynda: we hope to ring the chicks this year not only with unique numbered metal rings (as were put on the three chicks in 2006) but also with coloured rings in a combination which will enable anyone seeing the birds later to individually identify them. There'll be more about this on the blog nearer the time when ringing will take place.

Anonymous said...

WOW!!!!! what a beautiful sight!!! ive just watched the feedtime video.... im a little worried about 1 though..... it never got any food.... the greedy 1 took it all! will it survive???? as often the weakest dont!!! Can anyone assure me??
Kev