Monday 20 February 2017

Roof matters (part 3) and an Update

UPDATE 23rd February: the nave roof is now completely shrouded in its white plastic cover. So the workmen below the nest, who'll be there for the next five months replacing the old lead roof, will now be invisible to our peregrines on their nest platform above.
For anyone not looking at the comments to this blog we advise you to do so, since the excellent Wendy Bartter is making lots of video clips of our birds when they appear on the nest and posting them on You Tube. The links to each video is in her comments.
Three of her clips are embedded below,  but many more really interesting ones can be found in her comments. Just click on the  'comments' button at the foot of each blog post.

Work is proceeding apace to cover over Derby Cathedral's nave roof. The specialist scaffolders, (Tamworth Scaffolding) appear to be well ahead of schedule, which is great news.

We've been keeping an eye on progress and hoping their activities below the peregrines' nest platform would not put them off from breeding again this year. As the video below shows only too well, this is clearly not an issue. Watch this speeded up video from Feb 17th, showing strips of the weatherproof covering starting to be hauled into position like some giant roller-blind. At 1 min 20 sec our falcon flies in and looks down on the workers below. She stays for over 50 minutes whilst a number of people are walking about below, and is clearly quite relaxed about their presence.The same thing happens again later that afternoon.





Another sequence, also brilliantly captured by webcam watcher Wendy Bartter, shows clearly that courtship on the nest is still going well. At 2am on Feb 18th,  Wendy captured this sequence of 'ee-chupping'. The smaller tiercel (male) flies in first, and moves over to the nest scrape. At 2 min 30 sec the larger falcon (female) flies in from where they ee-chupp away to one another. At 3 min 30 sec into the clip he then flies off, leaving her alone on the platform.






We've finally managed to repair our damaged internet aerial cable and have managed to recrimp a couple of brand new specialised RP-TNC plugs onto our thick, LMR400 high frequency cable.
So, it's now ready for it being relocated on the outer edge of all the scaffolding, although we've just learnt that we will probably have to permanently relocate it within the tower itself. Whether we can beam our signals out through the fine leaded glass windows in the Clock Room where our control equipment is now located remains to be seen. But it's inevitable that our camera feeds will go down for a brief period whilst the builders try to rig up a suitable alternative location. So once again, do bear with is. Normal service will, as always, be resumed as soon as possible!

49 comments:

Wendy Bartter said...

Thanks for update Nick & for posting my vids ... here's one 'hot off the press'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIkEHJhJ7wg

Hope that aerial works!

KATE said...

Well done nick and Team you are still and as always doing amazing job in bringing us, the Web Cams under very difficult circumstances.

Am so pleased that Wendy is so diligent in bringing the Videos, as it is quite amazing how much we miss, when we pop in and out and take the occasional capture.

With the roof now a sea of white, am sure the birds will court and mate soon.

Wendy Bartter said...

Here's a bonding session from 21st early hours ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXW_Cu0E2I8

Our pair from this morning, albeit separately ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGWxqBiy9oo

Good to see that Mrs DP has been on scrape for some while again now!

Wendy Bartter said...

Taken a while to edit but here's the great cover-up continued ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPyMkc0kpRs

Wendy Bartter said...

The latest vid action shows a great meet-up this evening but someone definitely got scared!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pi1PiWE7-D4

Wendy Bartter said...

Vid of this evening's meet, very similar to last one but the tones are much different ... he is still acting terrified though!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHA-7q6UNXA

Lynda said...

Peregrine sittting on front of box, surveying with no apparent concern about what is going on beneath the shroud.
Lynda

Karen B. said...

Hi, back again for another breeding season, looking forward to watching this years adventures of Mr & Mrs P!

Wendy, I have been watching your vids which yet again are great viewing.

Lets hope this years young will be as entertaining as 2016's, does anyone know how last yrs young did?

Karen B.

Anonymous said...

Enjoying watching the peregrine. Something appears to be 'fluttering' in the bottom left hand corner of the of the picture. I presume it is something that was dislodged by storm Doris? Peregrine seems to be totally ignoring it which is good.

Wendy Bartter said...

Good to have you back Lynda, Karen, Anne ... getting so interesting again now our pair getting used to 'the works!' Think that 'fluttering' is coming either from stashed prey or some loose prey feathers caught up & blowing in the wind ... will look on footage later!
ITM, here is some more interesting action from yesterday's long afternoon/evening visit by Mrs DP where the Mister brings her some prey (first time recorded!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AuZAU2lNmo

Paul said...

Passing the Cathedral at 12:55 today. Lot of e-chupping sounds but could not see the birds. Then one flew out from platform calling and went to sit on the top left gutter. Other bird then sat up on platform edge. Perhaps they were mating.

Wendy Bartter said...

Catch-up on some recent vids of our Peregrine pair ...

25th, more prey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQf7yaY9O38

26th, longish vid diary of how busy they were with no roof works being done ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AreXTVuf1_Y

27th, a working day, less visits & Paul, your sightings are included but there was no mating on the scrape ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhlY3s-SgT4

28th, More prey from Mr to Mrs ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4q1hT5iKlk

Wendy Bartter said...

Hi all ... here's what our pair got up to yesterday ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEKg2xxEkuk

Wendy Bartter said...

Up to date with this vid of latest actions, not so many visits today though ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8jwSsirffA

Wendy Bartter said...

Overnight roosting, probably Mrs DP?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGCTGG5hreI

Anonymous said...

Just been looking at a peregrine sitting contentedly watching the Derby lights, below her. Good to see that she is still around as I've not seen her for several days as was getting quite worried.

Anonymous said...

On two nights running I've seen the peregrine, who seems to be enjoying everything below her.

Anonymous said...

Peregrine looking out on yet another horrible rainy day!

Wendy Bartter said...

Good to hear that you are getting good views of Mrs DP Anne ... here's a couple of catch-up vids ...
Highlights of their day Friday 3rd March ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7y-txva8azk

& for early morning Saturday, 4th March ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsAp9a9M_TU

Anonymous said...

She's at this moment sitting enjoying the sunshine. Maybe she's intrigued by the steam coming out of the nave chimney? Lovely clear pictures, thank to all those involved, I'm really enjoying them.

Wendy Bartter said...

I managed to see her then too Anne ... ITM, some more from Saturday 4th March, good views of the pair in this ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFz2HNg7mEc

Emerald Class said...

This MORNING WE Saw a peregrine Falcon for the first time. we saw the female and the male.They were being very noisey. The hole class was very exsited when we saw the Peregrines. We could see the scrape were they are going to lay there eggs.

The project Team said...


That's good news Emerald Class! Glad to know that you are keeping a beady eye on our falcons!
The Project Team

Vicky said...

Looking forward to my 4th year of watching from Canada. I hope this year we have a group of more passive chicks. Altho it is fun to watch an aggressive group. Remember last year? 2 chicks were pushed off the scrape. But ended up just fine. Thanks to all who work so hard on this project.

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

Hello Emerald Class!
It's lovely to hear from you. Thank you for telling us that you saw the male and the female peregrine falcon for the first time yesterday. We hope you will keep watching in class and tell us more of what you see - especially when you think she might lay her eggs.

Who would like to guess how many will be laid in the nest scrape this year? It would be interesting to know how many of you in your class think it will be just one egg, and how many think it will be two eggs, and so on.

We've now got Vicky from Canada watching our cameras again (and many others too). You are all very welcome and we're hoping for lots of interesting reports from everyone.

Nick M.
Project Team

Wendy Bartter said...

Hi Vicky & Emerald Class members, so lovely to have you joining in once more!
Here's some action from Sunday 5th March ...
Morning ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHfWTHhiWwE
Afternoon ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-efBQWxJ5y4

Be interesting to see how often they visit on Monday when roofers are back at work ... how much will it affect them or, hopefully, we'll see that they are getting used to the situation?

Wendy Bartter said...

Early Monday morning & a good sign that Mrs DP is on the scrape ledge whilst roofers are working ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcSvDiZicb4

Wendy Bartter said...

Hi folks, better late than never but this continuation of Monday 5th footage gives much more hope for eggs as our pair are seeming to accept the works ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxWKNJ7ugCg

Wendy Bartter said...

Error alert ... should say Monday 6th March!!

Anonymous said...

She is sitting on the scrape apparently enjoying the sunshine despite having some feathers ruffled by the wind! Are the men actually working on the roof? If so the peregrine doesn't seem to be taking any notice of them which is good.

Nick Brown (DWT) said...

Hi everyone: thanks for all your very helpful comments about what you are seeing - and welcome back to folk who have returned to watch our birds!
The roof should now be completely enveloped by the white 'shroud' such that no workmen should be visible to the birds at all - ie they are now supposed to be working entirely beneath the shroud in the dry and out of view.
Our belief is that while the birds might react badly to constantly seeing people walking on the roof, now that they can only HEAR them, they shouldn't be bothered at all.
It's good that they are spending more time on the platform/scrape now.
We would hope for egg laying towards the end of this month.....
Nick B

Paul said...

One bird sitting on right hand grotesque at 2:00 today, no sign of the other one.

Karen B. said...

Can see both- one just underneath box and one on edge of box, not sure which is male or female. Good to see them together. Good veiw on cam 2.


Karen B. said...

Sorry I think I've looked at something that is not another peregrine below box oops on second close up view!! Definitely one there...

Wendy Bartter said...

Hi all, some lovely footage from 8th March ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zN1lJzkKDao

Anonymous said...

I've been watching the peregrine as she appears to be rearranging the stones in the scrape so they are now to her liking!

Roger said...

Walking down Irongate, at about 11 am this morning, we were arrested by the sight of two peregrines circling high above the back of Bennets, echupping to each other.

Magnificent.

The joys of being local.

Anonymous said...

I've just been watching the peregrine apparently having a 'wash and brush up' whilst enjoying the sunshine.

Anonymous said...

She's just sitting watching the world go by or perhaps eyeing up her next meal! Lovely clear pictures, thanks to all involved.

Anonymous said...

Once again I was lucky to see the peregrine just sitting enjoying the sunshine.

kate said...

Nottingham looking very contemplative this morning..
been on scrape a long while...
(Last year first EGG 14th March) so maybe our Wendy will catch the moment( she really must get more equipment CHOL:):)

Our Birds still keeping us waiting.

Wendy Bartter said...

Ha ha Kate! No Nottingham this year as time being devoted to Derby & Sheffield ... Interestingly, our Mrs DP spent much of last night actually on the scrape, a great deal of chupping & calling from the male & I was more than half expecting an egg by this morning!! Vid to follow but had very untimely internet problems last couple of days!

Phoebe said...

Both were in the scrape just now,looked like echupping and one flew off, the other looks like scarping the hollow :-)

Wendy Bartter said...

A little footage from earlier this evening of a very restless Mrs DP ...backwards & forwards & calling frequently to the male who is chatting & displaying but not calling in to see her! https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=f_LMKW9u9QA

Joyce S said...

First egg laid at Nottingham NTU this morning!

Wendy Bartter said...

Thanks Joyce for that good news which reminds me that I haven't posted about first egg at Woking yesterday!! C'mon Mrs DP!

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Joyce. This is my first view of Derby this year and it all looks good.

Wendy Bartter said...

Multiple tech problems have ruined many previous recordings but here is one from 16th which proved to be a good bonding day ...https://youtu.be/f053AK-q9dI

Wendy Bartter said...

More bonding from 16th, much longer this time ... https://youtu.be/Ag4l7uVi6mQ