Friday 21 June 2013

And then there were two . . .and a request to you all

Update:   A new video, a news update an appeal for your support have been added to this post. PLease scroll down.

Our second juvenile peregrine fledged from its nest ledge on Derby Cathedral this afternoon.

Tony and Dawn Grantham raced into town about 4.15pm when they heard one juvenile was on the ground outside a nearby hairdresser's shop. Fortunately, the bird flew up into a tree and then very strongly upwards and away round the back of the Silk Mill.
Nick Brown went down later on and found one young bird up on a pinnacle above the nest,  and two in the nest itself. Both parents were present too. So he's sure these two fledgers will be fine. Christine and Cliff are spending the next few hours down there so they will keep an eye open and report back. And there's a Watch Point tomorrow from 11am so there will be plenty of eyes and ears watching then....do come down if you've not been (and are within reach). The show won't last much longer.....certainly not form the web cams (and apologies for the mess on the wide angled camera - we will definitely have to put it higher up for next year - those chicks certainly know how to pooh upwards don't they!).

There was no film available of Friday's fledging, but the video below shows the moment our first juvenile took flight on Wednesday.



Just two for tea......

Time for a plea.....

This is the time of year when we make a request for donations. We've done it every year and been astonished at the generosity of those of you who've been enjoying our web cams and blog during the nesting season.
Many of you will know that we have a lottery grant and may wonder why we need to ask for donations. Well, the grant actually requires us to raise some 'match funding' rather than expect them to provide us with everything. So we do have to raise well over £1000 each year until 2015. Some unsolicited donations have come in recently (so thanks to those of you who have been so generous already) but we still need more. So if you have anything to spare please send us something however small!
Details of how to do it are below:

The Derbyshire Wildlife Trust (the lead project partner) is a registered charity and a 'not for profit' organisation. It is the only recipient of project funds. Rest assured that any money given to the Wildlife Trust will be used only to support this project provided you clearly state that it is for the Peregrine Project. All donations, however small or large, are acknowledged either by email or letter. Note that UK donors can increase the value of their donation by Gift Aid by 20%. (If you have donated and gift aided before we should still have your form so there's no need to ask for another).

We will publish a list of donors (but not the amount they donated) here on the blog later on. You can choose whether to be anonymous, to have your full name used, or some semi-anonymous abbreviation (eg Mrs S from Matlock or Stan H from Toton). Let us know your preference.

You can donate in one of the following ways:

UK donors:
  • Post a cheque made payable to DWT to the Trust at East Mill, Belper, DE56 1XH including a covering note stating that your donation is only for the peregrine project (include your address so we can acknowledge receipt).
  • Ring the Trust during office hours (01773 881188) to make a payment over the phone by debit/credit card (office hours are 9am to 5pm, weekdays, to 4.30pm on Fridays).
  • You can also use the donation mechanism on the Trust's website at www.derbyshirewildlifetrust.org.uk  Go  to 'support us/make a donation'. We use Virgin Moneygiving and find it works very well.

To UK Taxpayers only -  you can greatly increase your donation by filling out a Gift Aid form whereby the tax people give the Trust a further 20% of the value of your donation. The form can be sent by email or through the post…please just ask us for one.

Overseas donors:
  • 1) Please email enquiries@derbyshirewt.co.uk asking for the codes you need so your bank can transfer money to the DWT account. (Unfortunately Gift Aid does not apply unless you are a tax payer in the UK.) Note that banks may charge for this service.
  • 2) Donors from most overseas countries can also ring the Trust (weekdays on 0044 1773 881188) to pay by credit card......as long as you can work out when the office is open of course (check the webcam's local timestamp!)
  • Use our online donation mechanism via our website - see above.
Payments should only be made to 'Derbyshire Wildlife Trust', the lead partner for the project. No other organisation or website is authorised to collect funds on our behalf.

Please clearly mark on your payment that it is for the 'Peregrine Project' for use in the current financial year or, better still 'in this and next financial year' (this allows us to carry your money over from year to year should we need to).

Thank you in advance,
The project team

Update Saturday 22nd June:
A class from Lakeside Community Primary School in Derby had a sleepover in the cathedral last night and were promised a trip up the tower early this morning. However, with the chicks fledging, the tower is temporarily closed to avoid any disturbance at this critical time. So in lieu of the tower climb we offered to run an early morning watch point for them. Antony Pooles kindly offered to help and we were set up by 6am.....just in time for Antony to see a juv fledge from the platform and disappear somewhere below.
After an introductory talk and the showing of video clips inside, we brought the two groups of 15 children out onto the Green to see the birds through the four scopes we had set up. They seemed to think it was just as good (if not better) than climbing up all those steps! What's more, the teachers want to do it again next year with a different group.....what have we started!
Lakeside kids catch the early bird(s)
Although we were absolutely sure there was only one chick left in the platform while the children were there, when I left at 8.30 there were two present plus a third up close to pud cam feeding (plus both parents). With luck the watch pointers today may just locate that fourth missing chick! Ps. We did check the nave roof from a window in the tower but no sign there.....
Later Update Saturday: all four youngsters were seen on the tower this morning. A group of Ukrainians was given a talk by Ian Layton and also came and looked through the scopes. With a couple of very heavy showers there were fewer people about than usual on The Green but it was good to see some old friends of the project - that's 'old friends' not 'friends that are old' you understand!
The NEXT (extra) Watch Point is on Monday Afternoon (2-4 pm) as part of Inspire Derby week.
Monday lunchtime - still 2 in the nest and (presumably) two on the tower. We'll be down there soon to check and run a Watch Point. The sun has even appeared!

73 comments:

Caroline said...

Imagine coming out of the hairdresser's and seeing a young peregrine! Good to hear it was flying so well, Nick. Many thanks Tony and Helen - and Cliff and Christine for being on the green now. Wish I wish there too :)

Nick B (DWT) said...

Imagine landing on your first time away from home and seeing someone coming out of the hairdressers towards you!!
nick

chrstine said...

Hi bn dwn 2 cathedral! Saw one of juveniles on cathedral! There was a peregrine on jurys inn on the I but couldn't make out wether it was the second juvenile! Christine

Anonymous said...

Aaargh, I just knew it was all going to be happening just when I couldn't get there. No matter, the crucial thing is the juvs welfare and it sounds as though it's going pretty much to plan (hairdressing escapades notwithstanding - I reckon the scruffy juvs though they might benefit from a bit of coiffuring)
It's been a good day here in Aylesbury too, spotted the whole family on their "concrete kingdom" after an absence of a couple of days. I think it was just the miserable weather that had grounded them, they looked a bit damp and miserable. Who would have guessed that it's supposed to be the summer solstice, not a good year for druids either I fear.
Best wishes for a great Watchpoint tomorrow, I wish I could be there with you :)

Caroline said...

Yes Nick B, peregrines must find what we do to our feathers in the hairdressers rather surprising! Sue, great to hear the Aylesbury family are doing well.

Paul, I've only been watching for 2 years too. I've chipped in more this year because I know it really helps the project team to have everyone's observations. Apart from recording the birds' behaviour, notes of what happened when mean that from time to time they can dig out great pieces of footage from the video.

Nick B (DWT) said...

Saturday 9am update: two in box, one above and one missing. Earlier we saw one fledge at about 6am just before we had a school group to deal with (they had a sleep over in the cathedral and were due to climb the tower until they learned that the tower was a no-go zone while the chicks fledge...more on the blog later). Later one flew back to the box but no idea what bird is where...suspect it may be 023, the female who has yet to fly.
Nick B (DWT)

Caroline said...

Methinks sleepovers in the Cathedral and watching peregrines at 6.00 a.m. before a breakfast picnic could catch on, Nick B! The one picnic which my nieces have never forgotten (out of 100s) is the breakfast picnic we had by the canal locks near my house. And of course we gave the ducks breakfast too...

Theo said...

What was the peregrine that fledge called.


Theo p 7 radclife.

Nick B (DWT) said...

8pm Saturday and I can see three juvs in the nest platform....
It's a wet evening so probably not a lot of flying will take place until tomorrow.....
With luck the fourth juv is somewhere else on the tower.
Nick B (DWT)

Sally LS6 said...

And three again!

Unknown said...

2056- 2 in the nest platform and 2 on the ledge nearby. Someone has been flapping nearby too, presumably a parent. Looks like they're all safe. Linda

Helen said...

All four juveniles visible on the webcams right now. Two on the platform, and two on the tower. Great to see them all doing so well.

Sally LS6 said...

Brilliant to see all four at once!

Nick B (DWT) said...

Thanks for that and yes, I see all four plus an adult feeding the two in the box/platform/scrape/nest...we really need to agree what we call it one day!!
nick

Anonymous said...

It was great to see all four juveniles and both parents today when I came down to the Watch Point. Hoping to catch up again on Monday afternoon

Mary T (Belper)

Caroline said...

Looks like the female juvie is feeding in the corner this morning with her back turned to defend it against one of the males. Another juvie keeps showing a feather or two up on the tower so it must be sitting on the webcam? Many thanks for the video, Nick B! Isn't it amazing how in the end the youngster just jumps straight into the air. Is all that head bobbing a sign of a bird about to go? I know that often they can go by accident rather than design but this was such a clear launch. Have sent my donation!

Nick B (DWT) said...

HI Caroline: thanks for the donation...much appreciated! Just to say that it was Nick M not me who added the video...he's the IT man!
It's a rotten day here today - wet, cold and miserable....so it is unlikely that the two in the nest will leave I think.
We are sorry the new camera has become so blurred to the point where it is not much use. It has been absolutely brilliant up to a week or two ago hasn't it - and we had to experiment with the height it was fixed at this year.....
Nick M will try to see if he can change the views on one stream so that we keep the quad view but get one of the other (old) camera views full screen as well - but apparently it isn't just a case of flicking a switch and may have to wait until tomorrow at least.
nick B (DWT)
ps head bobbing is just something they do when they see a bird coming in or something they want a better angle on I think....and not necessarily a prelude to flight.

Marilyn AB said...

Just returned from a quick visit to the cathedral at 4.00pm, when all six members of the family were present and correct: two juvies flapping in the box, two sitting serenely on the tower, falcon flying in with prey and tiercel dozing on Jury's Inn. What a treat!

Sally LS6 said...

Two of the four Norwich fledglings have now been found dead. The first(T3, Eleanor) was found on the Cathedral roof just over a week ago, assumed to be a flying accident; the second female (T4 Edith) was discovered on nearby school playing fields at lunchtime today, having been photographed flying with the family this morning. Very sad news.

Helen said...

All four juveniles visible on the cameras again this evening, with one of the adult birds keeping watch from the stonework below the platform. Probably the female as that seems to be one of her favourite perches? Very sad news indeed about the Norwich juveniles.

christine said...

Very sad news sally! Watched them regulary on webcam! What do they think happened 2 Edith? Hope the others will b ok! From Christine

Nick B (DWT) said...

Hi Marilyn - glad you made it over but sorry to have missed you so far this year!
nick

Nick B (DWT) said...

Thansk for feedback to everyone:
Maybe more fledging tomorrow then? Weather set to improve and Ian and I will be running an extra WP between 2-4pm so can keep an eye then at least.
Nick B

Sally LS6 said...

I don't think they have any idea of what happened to T4 (some think a male, rather than an Edith!) - photographed flying with prey this morning, and interacting with siblings and adults. Hawk and Owl Trust will investigate both deaths and will post on their forum or Facebook when they know more. Good luck to the Derby and NTU fledglings, delighted with successful outcomes after the trials of the snow.

Sally LS6 said...

Norwich chick T4 (died yesterday) had trauma to the brain consistent with striking something solid at high speed.

jo - mickleover said...

Hello and thank you to all involved with the project. Many happy hours spent watching the story unfold on the web cams, very nervous now - hope the youngsters all do well. Video of the fledging made me smile, the two birds left on the platform seemed to look in astonishment as their sibling took off! hope to pop down too see them in the feather so to speak - thanks again :)

AnnieF. said...

There are 4 peregrines in the scrape, squabbling & mantling over food. I believe they're all juveniles.

Nick B (DWT) said...

Thanks for that AnnieF - yes indeed - all four back in the platform/nest.
Ian and I are down at the cathedral again tonight with a scout group so we will check again and Cliff and Christine are also on the lookout for us.
Our last concern is for the (heavier) female -023 - who has yet to make her maiden flight!
Cheers
Nick
ps did you manage to get to see the birds for real while you were over here AnnieF?

AnnieF. said...

@ Nick B: I think you may be confusing me with Ann (Canada) Nick!

Phoebe said...

I see all four are in the scrape - again!

Nick B (DWT) said...

AnnieF - oh yes I think I am - sorry. It's been along day - just back from doing a scout visit!
Nick B (DWT)

Unknown said...

Only two now, think the other two are high up on the ledge. Linda

Bohdan P said...

Thank you so much for inviting us to see the Peregrines. My son and I learnt and lot and have since become avid watchers of the web cam live feeds. Thanks to Ian Latham for the presentation especially the extra research on "сапсан" (sapsan - peregrines of course) in Ukraine! Also thanks to Nick for keeping us entertained when it rained heavily. As a Derby born Ukrainian I'm proud to have such wondrous bird living on our doorstep here in Derby! Marvelous!

Anonymous said...

Hi Bohdan - thanks for that super comment. It was great to meet your group and to show you the birds and to talk about them with you all.
Hope you come again next year - or maybe we can come to your community group and give you a 'sapsan' talk sometime (eg especially to those who didn't make it down on Saturday).
Nick B /Ian L

Anonymous said...

can only see one chick this morning? all 4 were there last night 5.43am

Norma said...

can only see one chick this morning? all 4 were there last night 5.43am

Nick B (DWT) said...

Hi Norma - thanks for that. Two visible now so those three males are in and out of the nest as they please it seems (coming back for a feed!) and only the female has yet to make her maiden flight.....
We have another special needs group coming this morning so Ian and I will be down there for an hour or two to keep an eye....
Nick B

Class 2M Gorsefield Primary said...

Has the third chick fledged also? We are watching one chick eating, one chick on the ledge on the tower and another chick returned to the scrape.Did the boys bring the girl chicks dinner?

2M
Gorsefield Primary School
Radcliffe

Anonymous said...

only one chick left

Norma said...

Thank you for your reply Nick earlier, we had a great time on Saturday afternoon when all 6 were visible and we saw two flying, but what i can't work out is when did No.3 fledge? was it when you said you saw one fledge about 6am on the 22nd? Left a donation in the box on Saturday. it was hard to leave early evening still a lot going on. I was the anon. also at 5.43 sent too soon! Thank you to all concerned, am really enjoying the webcams regards Norma

Casey Leigh said...

This morning I saw three chicks one eating one on the ledge and one on the tower.Do you know where the fourth chick is ?

Anonymous said...

think private tower visit should be kept after young as gone as they stress the birds

Caroline said...

I wonder if viewers from previous years can remember chicks that proved to be such "home birds"? They keep coming back to the scrape! Mind you, it must make life easier for the parents and it remains great viewing :) Sounds like all the work with community groups is going really well, Nick B and Ian. Welcome Bohdan and others. How fascinating to discover the word 'peregrine' in other languages. Indeed, it must occur in many languages as the bird is so widespread.

Louis said...

Why do the folcons have sharp eye sight

Caroline said...

The 2 male chicks have left the scrape and the female is really stretching and beating those wings. The feathered undersides are so beautiful. She must be ready for lift off any day now? Btw, there are some fabulous pictures by local photographers on the group's Flickr page if you haven't seen them. I just love Whycliffe's shot of the fab foursome.

Green class said...

hello Louis we think peregrine have good eye site to catch there pray. They need to see from a long way off to stoop down and catch it quicley. At night they yoos the street lights to see whith. There eyes are big and round with a yello ring around it.

Nick B (Derbyshire Wildlife Trust) said...

Hi casey - sorry for delayed reply. I think all four chicks are OK. The three fliers are getting confident...so just the last one remains still not having flown.
Nick

Nick B (Derbyshire Wildlife Trust) said...

Thanks to Louis for your question and to Green Class for answering!
nick

Class 2M said...

We are worried that the female chick is not being fed anymore. Has anyone seen the parent birds bring her food? Is she going to fly soon?

Class 2M
Gorsefield Primary School
Radcliffe

Anonymous said...

Saw parent drop off food yesterday, and this morning she was flapping like she was ready to go.

Rita

Casey Leigh said...

At school I saw the female chick flaping her wings to get ready to fly and I saw two on the ledge one just siting down one eating. Was the one who was eating catched it food ?

Nick B (DWT) said...

Hi Casey: no, the youngsters are too young to catch food for themselves yet - so it must have been fed by an adult directly or else the adult dropped food in front of it.
Nick B (DWT)

Nick B (DWT) said...

Class 2M: the parents are really good at looking after their brood so I don't think that any of them will go hungry...don't worry!!
Nick B (DWT)

AnnieF. said...

An awful lot of frantic wing-flapping and screeching just now by the female juvenile. Two male juvies on the tower, one next to the pudding cam.

AnnieF. said...

Twice, at approx. 18.36 hrs, the female juvenile flew from one side of the scrape to the other. It was more than just a wing-assisted jump, I think!

Phoebe said...

I saw that too AnnieF, she definitely used wing power!

Lorraine said...

A little more flapping before your first flight,
More head-bob alignment of super keen sight.
Soon to be able to combine the two,
And discover your power and what it can do.

Sweet is the sound of the bells that will ring,
As the first leap from ledge finds support under wing.
Our hearts will soar high when you enter your sky,
Your domain is the air now,
Sweet beauty...

Go fly !

Suzanne said...

I really love that poem, Lorraine!!

Anonymous said...

did I just see her go as the bells struck 6.45! How amazing :-)

Mary T (Belper)

Nick B (DWT) said...

Looks like it Mary - nothing visible when I looked 5 mins. later.
Will go and check the situation.
Nick B

Anonymous said...

can't believe I was so lucky. Off to work now so will catch up tonight

Mary T

Unknown said...

I was watching too- she looked lonely- saw all the flapping but just missed her going 7.24am - the nest is empty still. Hope all goes well for all the fledglings. Linda

Caroline said...

O she's gone! And with Lorraine's poem to send her on her way :) Much as I wished her into the air, one feels 'empty nest syndrome' looking at the scrape. What an amazing story has unfolded there yet again this year. Thanks to the huge anonmymous donation last year and all the matching funding that viewers gave in response and the HLF grant, so many more schools and community groups have been able to enjoy the revamped blog, new webcams and Watchpoint visits. Please help all this continue. Even if everyone gives £5 - that's only 2 magazines or coffees really. Fingers crossed for all the young now.

Nick B (DWT) said...

The last one to go is sitting on a roof nearby and, with luck, she should be OK now.
Photos to follow later I hope, taken by Ted, a guy who comes down every morning before work with his long lens.
We have a local school group coming between 10 -11 am this morning but we will probably hang around until lunchtime at least if anyone wants to come along after 11.
Nick B (DWT)

Nick B (DWT) said...

Caroline: many thanks for your comments over the last few weeks especially, keeping us all in touch with what's been happening and encouraging folk to send us some dosh! Just ring the DWT office 01773 881188 and use your debit card - entirely safe and very easy!
And thanks too to Lorraine for that lovely poem...
Keep 'em coming!
Nick

Nick B (DWT) said...

For those new to this project: the youngsters should remain around the tower for a further 3-5 weeks as they learn to fly better and also to hunt for themselves. They will be viewable from time to time on either the nest platform or the 'grotesques' from the camera above the nest. We will try to change the camera views to suit this new situation, maybe next week.
And don't forget there are two more Saturday Watch Points - this and next Saturday (29/6 and 6/7).
Nick B (DWT)

Caroline said...

Thanks, Nick, great to hear the female is on a safe perch! I love all the work done by local photographers and we're so lucky to have the 'pudding cam' on the tower so that we can continue to see the young up there for a month or so. So many other peregrine cams lose sight of the juvies. Of course, the parents are often visible on the tower all year round too :) Now that Phoebe has moved house, I'm sure she'll be back next year with all her observations and talent for screen-grabs. I never got as far as figuring out the software that does the automatic grabs which would have been handy to catch those moments of up, up and away.

Sally LS6 said...

It's been a privilege to watch the season again, good luck to the fledglings, and thanks to DWT and all the team.

Anonymous said...

THE FEMALE HAS FLEDGE! But I dident see it fledge and all three males are on the tower this afternoon.

Phoebe said...

I see she has finally took to the air! I hope she keeps safe, along with the others.


A wonderful poem Lorraine!

Hi Caroline I most certainly will be back next year. I've just about moved all my stuff now so can spend a little time watching the cams and maybe try to get to a watchpoint before they stop.

Casey Leigh said...

When I looked on streem 4 I saw that was gone did it take its first flite? I saw two on the tower.

Anonymous said...

Hi....just to let you know that the female juvenile that fledged this morning is on a roof top near by the cathedral, she seems to be ok and doing fine....i managed to get a few photo's and put them onto flickr. I would imagine Nick Brown will give you a progress report as and when he can....Andy Simpson

Anonymous said...

i saw the last chick fly