Strange goings-on were reported on the tower of Derby Cathedral today. Who was that suddenly appearing in the web-cameras on a rope?Well, the answer was that a specialist company had been called in to inspect and remove any loose stonework from the four faces of the mediaeval tower. And it must have been one of their operatives. Sorry we didn't warn you.
The Cathedral authorities had agreed to delay the operation whilst the peregrine falcons were nesting, but needed to get the work done well in advance of the sponsored public abseil from the top of the tower next month. Is anyone here going to take part, I wonder? Had we remembered that they were scheduled to drop in, we might have got the men to clean off the spiders' webs from the lens of our main camera, and do a bit of tidying up, too. They will be back again tomorrow, but are probably unlikely to re-appear in view.
Post-script: Our webcams may go offline during Tuesday 14th August whilst work is carried out on the laser-link that carries our webcam data from The Silk Mill to The Assembly Rooms, and thence the big wide world. Apologies for any disruption.
By the way, a nice article appeared in the Derby Evening Telegraph today about the peregrine webcams.
23 comments:
Mum sat on the ledge having a good look around. I wonder if she is keeping an eye out for someone violating her territory did anyone think to warn her!!??
I was going to suggest a bit of tidying up, but considering my own housekeeping, thought better of it :-)
On the other hand, if the bird(s?) continue to make this Snack Central, not much point :-)
p.s. Bird on the nest box.
22:50 I think that is 'mum' on the right camera side of nest. Looks to big/bulky for 'dad'... Very alert - is somebody flying around? Don't they know about bedtimes??? But peregrines can fly/see/catch food in the dark, can't they?
John A
0600 gmt what on earth is in the nest box on thed right hand side it looks enormous.
pax Canada 11.53pm
Helen, I was wondering the same thing, looks like it would feed all 4 falcons!
What was there a day or so ago was pretty big also.
Almost certainly it is a lapwing (or peewit or green plover as they are sometimes called). This is a regular prey species and this bird looks the right size. The apparent lack of a rusty colour round the vent may suggest it is a juvenile but the shadow of the wing could be hiding some pale rusty colouration anyway.
Nick B
The lapwing is gone.
Is there something in the back of the box on the right hand side?
Pax Canada 7.25pm
Falcon on the nest edge, Karen think I can see something at the back too
BIrd on the left hand edge of the nest box.
Pax 11.27pm bird still on the nest
edge
pax 11.28pm
just noticed something has been left in the corner of the right side of the nest, breakfast?
9.16 Mum/Dad? in the nest box.
Anna, Ripley
928gmt and there is the much welcome sight of one of the family on the nest box.
Is the pair all around the cathedral? :D
Hope to see them when I'll come to visit Derby the next week!
Love your site we follow at www.birdcam.it.
Wrote a comment on the post about the Hobby - lovely bird I never could see but in photos and at the New Forest site :( -.
Bye
Giovanna
(Padova, ITALY)
11.30a.m. (UK) 'someone' lurking on cam!! Beautiful sight!!
12.17 Bird still here in left camera
Looks like its nap time. A lot of the stashing prey seems to be happening at night...
p.s. Do we know which bird is doing this? Is it the same one recently?
I think the bird currently on the nest is mum. Bigger than dad.In response to the question of locating the birds.I have not visited recently but the birds sometimes sit anywhere high on the cathedral. On the flats behind or sometimes on the police mast (see previous blogg entries)
There is a tourist information centre at the Assembly rooms and although they may not have knowledge of the birds will provide information on places worth a visit. I hope you enjoy your visit to the city.
Napping bird on the left side.
Post a Comment