Thursday 28 April 2016

Hatching time approaches... novel behaviour from Sheffield and Updates

Update early May 2nd: no hatching yet but at least the weather is warmer now here in Derby and due to get warmer as the week proceeds. If you are watching the webcams from say California or Brazil do let us know what your weather is like by sending a comment to this blog.
You can see where folk are watching from by scrolling down the blog until you see a world map on the right hand side. Double click on the map and each red dot shows where people are watching. there's also a list of the most recent hit locations and another of all the countries we've been 'hit' by. A good way to spend a few moments as we wait for the first signs of hatching...and a lesson in geography for any youngsters too.

Update 1st May: Wendy Bartter captured this screenshot of the male with the four eggs last night about 8pm:

Male with the eggs captured last night by Wendy Bartter
to whom many thanks.



As we approach the time when we hope the eggs will hatch, we'll probably see our female get more and more fidgety as she begins to hear the chicks calling inside their egg shells. Perhaps she knows that hatching is getting close anyway....
We would expect the first egg to hatch early next week...but exactly when remains to be seen of course.
The egg shells either get partly eaten or eventually just crushed by parental feet. They disappear quite quickly.
Meanwhile chicks at other urban nests have hatched already and are growing day by day.
Wendy Bartter captured some remarkable behaviour in the urban nest at Sheffield which is well worth watching. See here. Thanks Wendy for sharing.
My hunch is that this could be the first time this behaviour has been captured on film anywhere in the world - but time will tell. I'm awaiting to hear from some peregrine experts to whom I've sent the link so let's see what they say.
Meanwhile Kate in Devon sent this link to an incident in Devon some years ago - see here.
Sadly the chick in this case didn't survive but the parent made a valiant attempt to rescue it for sure.
Hopefully this very unpleasant cold weather will have passed before our chicks hatch though our birds are such good parents they won't allow any chicks to get cold. The forecast suggests it will be warmer in Derby by Monday. It needs to be, especially for smaller birds which must be struggling to keep their eggs or nestlings warm and fed or to look after already fledged young.
And what about the recently arrived migrant birds like swallows and warblers which depend on a supply of insects? They can stand short spells of cold weather but this one has gone on too long already!
Nick B (DWT)

Ps. If you live near Derby, don't forget to buy your tickets for David Lindo's talk on Urban Wildlife in the Cathedral on June 8th as part of Derby Book Festival. Details are here
David will include a section on our Derby falcons who he came to see a few years ago. He dedicates a few pages in his book to his visit to Derby on which he was accompanied by Nick Moyes and me. For more on his book, Tales from Urban Jungles, see here.

75 comments:

Helen said...

A great video. Thanks Wendy! I've watched it a few times now.
A couple of years ago I saw the Derby tiercel retrieve a slightly older chick in a very similar way. During a period of very warm weather one chick was sitting at the front of the nest platform in full sun. The male made several failed attempts to usher it back into a cooler spot but the chick refused to oblige! In frustration he then resorted to getting hold of the chick by the scruff of the neck and pulled it into the far corner of the platform, before shading it with his own wings. Fantastic to watch. These birds really do have incredible parenting skills. What a privilege to be able to see it on the cameras.

Joyce S said...

That's an amazing piece of footage from Wendy. Well captured!

Vicky said...

Hi Helen, I have watched it a few times too. So amazing to see them so tender with their babies. Lets hope for all 4 eggs to hatch this year. The past 2 only had 3 chicks. Right now mom is on one side and dad on the other just peeking over the edge. Maybe I will catch a change over shortly.

Kate said...

Ha!!! Vicky , you will wait and wait and wait and then just as you give up Change over CHOL:):)

Wont be long now, she was really shuffling the eggs this morning.

Kate said...

Maybe Vicky will be lucky with this one,,, Dad sat on the end again Mum in no hurry to give up the Eggs.Calling to each other as she turns the Eggs.

Lovely sunny ..evening

Unknown said...

Clockwork change over to give mum a chance to stretch her wings.Dad watched her fly off and then chirping settled on the eggs still chirping.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Happyhen said...

A lot of shuffling happening this morning with parent not getting much rest!
Could today be the day? 😊

kate said...

Morning happy hen
You could be right , maybe later today.
Change over at 06.30 with Dad flying in no faffing, straight in and on the eggs.

Pics on flkr.

P.S Our Wendy is all set up for videoing the big event. Will post her egg capture last night at midnightish on flkr .the egg left nearest cam has a marked looking crack emerging..( me thinks)

Vicky said...

Last year I kept hoping something would happen during your night time but alas, I saw nothing exciting. All babies were born during your daytime. But maybe this year one of them will decide to arrive during the night. That would be exciting.

Wendy Bartter said...

Hi folks, wondered why my ears were burning, thanks for nice comments, was so lucky to get that footage! Am recording Derby (thanks for mention Kate) so your timeline comments a real help when I trawl through playback! Hope to have some good news vid footage soon!

Unknown said...

After waiting on the ledge for possibly an hour, the tiercel took over from the falcon. It was a smooth transition, but he had to shuffle about to cover the eggs as they were quite spread out. I didn't see any pipping.

Unknown said...

Falcon came back about 6.17 pm & tiercel took off. Again, a clockwork changeover. The eggs were still spread out. I saw a kind of white spot at the point of the front egg, but it may have been the blotch we saw on the first egg she laid.

Unknown said...

20:10 I'm sure I can hear a squeaking noise from under the parent! Lots of fluffed feathers and jiggling about.

Happyhen said...

Lots of shuffling and jiggling for about 10 mins, then as the clock boomed, all settled with no further movement. Perhaps tomorrow!
Frost forecast for Monday night so hope they all keep lovely and toastie.

Helen said...

Not able to access stream 4 at the moment, despite refreshing the browser and closing it down completely and restarting it. It was OK until about 10:10pm but the stream now seems to be off line. Streams 1 and 2 working fine. Thanks.

Helen said...

Stream 4 back on line now!!

Vicky said...

All is quiet at the moment.

Vicky said...

I went back to the webcam and there she was shuffling the eggs around and now quiet again.

Heather said...

Another flawless changeover. Don't know if I'm imagining things but if you have audio on full I'm sure I can hear faint squeaking as mentioned by Hazel yesterday. Looks as if Sheffield will have only 3 chicks this year so lets hope they all survive and that the little one didn't sustain any damage when picked up by dad. It looks ok so far so don't think there's any cause for concern.

Anonymous said...

Hi Heather,
Yes there are some sounds I could hear them occasionally last night. I thought it was the falcon. Wondered if she was calling to the chicks?
Chris M

Kate said...

Morning all
Still 4 Eggs at the change over.pic on flkr

Vicky said...

She was just scraping the gravel and then rocking the eggs. Me thinks we will have a chick tomorrow on the 3rd.

Helen said...

The male bird has just taken quite a lot of persuading to move off the eggs! It took several minutes before he eventually gave in. He really does seem to 'like' taking his turn incubating them. I wonder if all male peregrines are the same or whether it's just the Derby bird?

Kate said...

Helen yes I have seen them take their tuen. At the moment he is sitting in his ussal place on the end.

You might like to see thee pics on Flkr, of the Tiercel feeding Falcon and the chicks, the same tiercel who rescued the accidental knocked over chick . Sheffield uni

https://www.flickr.com/photos/99180967@N04/?

Karen B. said...

Hi All, having watched these pair last year and now, thought It was time I joined in! as have been reading all your comments daily. I love peregrines and really enjoy watching this webcam. I look at other cams regularly but have to say Derby is my favourite! .. looking forward to hatching!

Kate said...

Welcome Karen enjoy...

Anonymous said...

change over at 8pm. Falcon back on eggs.
Chris M

Kate said...

Picture of change over and eggs on Flkr.

Over to the night crew!!!! CHOL:):)

Vicky said...

At 10 til 1 it is still very quiet. I haven't caught a changeover for a couple days. I'll be keeping a closer eye on things now.

Vicky said...

She has been rocking the eggs quite a bit for the last couple minutes, turning slightly and rocking them some more. It is 1:17 am and she has stopped..

Nikki said...

Swap over 0353, no chicks but one f the eggs seemed to move.

Vicky said...

Mr P just arrived on the edge a few minutes ago. about 5:35. I think she is ready for a changeover as she was pecking at the gravel before. He is just sitting on the edge surveying his kingdom. She is either looking at him or out over the edge too.

Vicky said...

I think something is going on under her as her body kind of shivers yet she is not rocking the eggs. At 5:45.

Karen B said...

Hi.. yes I agree Vicky she is very fluffed up and keeps moving around.. he keeps calling as well! Fingers crossed.

Vicky said...

When he went over at 6 it seemed they had a little discussion and he went back on the ledge.

Kate said...

Morning all
Hmm!!!! well have we or have we not!!!

We will have to wait and see if our Wendy has captured anything CHOL:):)

Her wing is not as tucked in as usual so maybe..
Thanks for your posts..

Vicky said...

Morning Kate, There was no showing before 6:30 for sure as I have watched carefully. But since then I have missed only a minute or 2. She is definitely trying to get the baby out of the egg I think.

Kate said...

Morning vicky
she is still shuffling hard at 0708 and occasional calling. anytime now,Dad still waiting
I have cam 2 open as well but that can miss as it jumps.

Heather said...

Well let's hope today's the day, as at least it seems we're hopefully in for some sunshine. I also saw MrP on edge of scrape at 5.35 he jumped into scrape then decided against a changeover and just sat looking at the view. At moment he is in his section of the the scrape and as mentioned before if you have sound on full and if using iPad put it to your ear, you can definitely hear sounds of chirruping from eggs.

It's amazing that they don't get broken the way MrsP has been shuffling them around so much, the chicks must feel they're inside a tumble dryer!

Kate said...

Morning Heather
Getting nearere!!! Pic of Expectant Dad on the slate side on FLkr

Vicky said...

He has been there since 5:30 and tried twice to move her but she is sitting tight.

Kate said...

Have to go now.. keep your eyes peeled!!!!

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

Occasional faint 'cheeping' now being heard (unless it's a cheeky sparrow in on the act of keeping us all waiting!)

Helen said...

Both adult birds lying down in the scrape right now! Looks like the male on the far side is sunning himself. I thought I caught sight of an egg pipping a little while ago but difficult to be sure.

Unknown said...

I'm pretty sure I've just seen a large pip spot on the front right egg, from Cam. 2 view. Falcon had a good look down at it before settling again.

Unknown said...

Finally just saw my first changeover!! Tiercel perched on the ledge for a while, falcon glanced around at him but didn't move. Tiercel then marched up to the falcon screeching his head off and worrying my cat! Falcon then budged and flew off reluctantly. All four eggs still currently intact. A few more tiny cheeps to be heard, though difficult to hear over current road/construction work.

Unknown said...

Changeover at 2.12 pm. I couldn't see any change in the eggs this time though. The tiercel's sitting now, having waited for some time.

Unknown said...

Tiercel kept digging repetitively into the gravel in front of him with his beak, now he's wriggling and turning like crazy and chirping directly at the eggs and I can hear answering cheeps! So exciting!

Unknown said...

Houston, we have chick-off!! I managed to get a screencap of one of the eggs with definite white holes in it and the cheeping sound is getting louder by the minute. Photo: http://i465.photobucket.com/albums/rr15/teaselbee/falconegg_zps2a6bjqmf.jpg

Unknown said...

Tiercel has just flown off and left the eggs unattended. Chick just poked its head out!!! Compare this photo: http://i465.photobucket.com/albums/rr15/teaselbee/falconegg2_zpsc79khfqv.jpg and this one from a few seconds later: http://i465.photobucket.com/albums/rr15/teaselbee/falconegg3_zpsn7a2fliy.jpg Cheeping now loud and insistent. ETA: Mum just showed up, looks like Dad went to get her!

Helen said...

Yep, a clear view of the eggs showed a definite pip! Shouldn't have to wait too much longer.

Helen said...

Amazing! You could see the chick moving inside the egg during a changeover. I've never known the female to move off the eggs after hatching has begun. She must be hungry. Male now incubating. 16.21

Helen said...

Female soon back on the eggs!

Helen said...

A chick!

Kate said...

Tis out!1700

Kate said...

Hi helen
pity she is right up under the edge, caught a snap on flkr.Did you capture? am sure wendy is videoing.

Unknown said...

Falcon eating the eggshell remains 17h05. Chick very vocal.

Helen said...

Hi Kate, I got a couple of captures of the egg breaking although I don't think the chick is visible in them. As the egg came apart you could just see it's tiny leg at one point but I missed the capture as I was too busy looking! Wonderful!

Wendy Bartter said...

Thanks Helen for 16.19 pip timeline & thanks Kate for email ... here is the clip (although from your subsequent comments I guess I'd better start looking for the next one!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L84mnE9mFQ4

Unknown said...

I think #1 has hatched!

Unknown said...

Oh dear, I was a bit late!

Wendy Bartter said...

No prize vid of hatching folks, was on Stream 4!!!! grrrr
The teensiest glimpse of pink right at bottom of screen ... changed to #2 now & getting some views of bobblehead!

Vicky said...

I watched from 5:30 am to 9:30 am and she never left. He didn't bring her anything to eat so when she finally left she must have been very hungry. Glad to hear it is finally happening. Haven't seen the chick yet but will be keeping an eye on the nest from time to time. She sure was rocking the eggs early this am. I saw the video of him going to get her. Thanks for the videos Wendy!

Mo Cole said...

Well done Mrs P.... x

Phoebe said...

Pleased to see the first chick! Thanks for the captures!

Anonymous said...

Is anyone else having trouble getting the blog home page to open?

Wendy Bartter said...

Hi Anonymous, no problem for me with home page, just had anither flick round to try it out & it's fine, am on my Nexus 7 at present but was OK earlier too on laptop ... Hope it soon resolves for you!

Vicky said...

No, I just did without a problem.

Vicky said...

Another egg shell visible.

Phoebe said...

I almost posted about the extra egg shell but thought it could be the other part of the first one. It looks like the falcon is irritable at the moment. Could be the next egg hatching. :-)

Vicky said...

Hi Phoebe, you are right. It probably is from the first one. The chicks usually hatch a day apart at least if not 2 days. I'm glad the first one is here and hopefully the others will all be ok this year. Its 10:17 and allis quiet.

Vicky said...

2 Pieces of egg shell present at 4:10 am.

Vicky said...

One of the lights went out. She is in the dark. Mr P flew in a couple minutes ago.

Vicky said...

Well, it is 7 am and she is still rocking those eggs.