Thursday 8 May 2008

Fourth Chick -flicks

Here are two video clips captured on DVD. Click each image to play from YouTube.

The first shows the moment of hatching at 20:00 local time yesterday evening, accompanied by the 8pm bells of Derby Cathedral.



The second clip shows their second feed, filmed at 10:44 local time this morning. They did also have an earlier fed in darkness at 03:55am.



We are all clearly delighted by the news that all four eggs have now hatched. It may seem that our small, new arrival loses out in the feeding process, but generally once the larger chicks are fed they fall asleep, so letting the smaller one have a chance.

We're pleased to be able to report that the City Council and the contractors on Cathedral Green are on schedule for giving visitors to Derby an area of safe space for viewing the peregrines. This is being done today, and we should have some space available on Friday, although please be prepared for this area to move around over the next few days, but they are trying to accommodate us all as best as they can. As always, please be alert for traffic whilst crossing Full Street.

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the feeding video - was watching for a time this a.m. Sitting here saying 'please,please feed the little baby'. Hope I am not the only one!!!!

Anonymous said...

Fantastic clips, yet again. Keep them coming, please!

Lovely to see Mum showing a little concern for the youngest in the second clip. Here's hoping he/she makes it through the next few days.

Would someone please find me a link for Falcons Anonymous? I think I might be developing an addiction problem here :)

Anonymous said...

That's great that Derby Council have sorted something out for the viewing area. I hope "tiddler" does OK and that it's a good peregrine feeding year. I am trying not to think about last year's "Springwatch" and the Barn Owls. Four hungry chicks is a mammoth task for the adult birds. I've just played the "hatching" video at work (Wycombe Courthouse) (and it was great). I shut the door but I hope nobody is looking around in puzzlement wondering where the cathedral bells are coming from!!! If I get the sack due to wilful peregrine watching, does anyone know of any good jobs going?
Sue H, Bucks

Anonymous said...

To Anonymous and all others worried about the little one not getting enough food. Please check Froona's website and her explanation on feeding newborns. Also, I have watched falcon webcams for nearly ten years in the States and have seen dozens of 4 clutch and in some instances 5 clutch broods all fledge successfully. I would imagine there is an excellent chance all these four will survive. The two videos are definite 'goose bump' material and the 8pm Cathedral bells just had to be divine intervention.
tm, if you find 'falcons anonymous' let me know! Thanks again everybody for giving us such joy watching these amazing creatures. Veronica in Cornwall

Anonymous said...

Does anyone know why Mum was wiggling about like that when the last egg hatched? Excitement or just helping things along?

Sorry if that's a dumb question.

-- tm (apprentice twitcher).

BTW, thanks to Veronica. My gut feeling was that Peregrines don't victimise their smaller siblings (unlike owls) but it's good to be reassured. I'm hoping to see the youngest eyas being fed over the next few days and hopefully catching up with the elders.

Anonymous said...

Sorry folks I think there is a long waiting list for falcons anonymous.
No question is dumb. We are all still learning!! No-one told the chick he/she was supposed to hatch in 24-48 hours of the first!!! I think mum is just giving the chick a little help with the exit from the egg. however if she was not excited the rest of us were!!!

Froona said...

Thanks for the wonderful video's.
Everything from today in over 200 pics on my Blog, with slideshows. There have been so many great moments to remember. Thanks for zooming in Nick!

Do not worry about the first feeding. No need to. Just before hatching the leftover yolk, and that is a lot is being transported into the digestive system of the hatchling. It is a very very rich foodsource with all the important nutrients. The hatchling has enough food in its sytem to last at least 48 hours. The rest is being consumed in t'he first 2 weeks. Important is that the yolk contains immunoglobulines to give the little chicklet immunity against all the dangers that awaits it.
Real immunity has to be developed in the upcoming 6 weeks in the socalles Bursa of Fabricius.
So real need for food is not there until tomorrow. But I did see Mom paying extra attention to the newborn. There is a lot of food so it will be alright. I have seen clutches of even 7 hatchlings fledge healthy. Peregrines are very good and caring parents.

The wiggeling before hatching is exitement. They are very excited as soon as the eggs start "singing", lot of eechupping, and they start moving about, picking up stones etc. They will never asist in the hatching process, not even if things go wrong.

Froona

Anonymous said...

hi, is it just me or has there only been mum around today, i havent seen dad at all, and come to think of it i dont remember seeing him yesterday. im not watching constantly so it maybe that i'v just missed his appearances, but i wondered if anyone else has seen him recently to reassure me.

Anonymous said...

Yes, they've both been there today. One feeding the young, one on the tower very close to the "pudding cam".

Anonymous said...

oh thats good then, thanx, i can rest easy tonight now, i didnt want to seem a worry wart but if i didnt ask i'd have been glued to the pc allnight til i saw them both!

Anonymous said...

Yes I saw him too. Thanks to those who helped me figure out how to capture pictures into my computer I was able to capture Daddy. Some of the feeding as well. This is so much fun.Are you going to pull in a little closer with the camera? I noticed it's pulled back now. Great job on the lovely video's thanks a million. Ann (Canada)

Anonymous said...

I too can confirm that Dad is very much in attendance and providing food. Earlier today he was so close to 'pudding cam' that he was completely out of focus. Maybe he was admiring himself in the reflection ?!

Thanks Froona and others for your detailed answers & of course to all at DWT for this amazing experience.

Anonymous said...

just witnessed a wonderful show of feeding, from 8.44pm onwards,for about 12 mins.
the camera was zoomed out but it was still clear enough to see them all getting their bit, im sure i saw 'tiddler' get at least one piece of fresh meat, and he/she was definately taking an interest in what was on offer.
wonderful!!
lyndsey, chesterfield

Anonymous said...

Like many,many, others I am an utter addict, have watched cams all over the world for years, and am very sensible. I do, however still sit willing the 'little one' of whichever cam I am watching to grow and survive. Husband is a vet and we both know that nature is nature, is nature!! However, I do still get soppy, cannot help it!!

Anonymous said...

10:50 - and there's serious brooding going on - I can't see the chicks! Never mind, I really enjoyed watching the DVD last night. Thank you Derby Wildlife Trust for a really speedy and efficient service. It's a super DVD and I thoroughly recommend it. I'm still stuck down here in Bucks but if anyone from Derby is going to watch live today or this weekend, I believe my brother John is coming up specially (as he did last year) - say hello to him!
Sue H, Bucks

Anonymous said...

I can normally capture stills, but for some reason am not able to do so with this one. Any hints would be gratefully recived.

Great that all 4 are doing well.

Froona said...

They are doing fine, all 4 of them The little one "kleintje" in Dutch as well, he is very much present at the feedings. I'm sure it will be allright!

Thanks for the great close-up a few minutes ago. Long enough to capture a great shot ;.
All on my Blog, as usual.

It's great to watch these cams!! Thanks!

Froona

Anonymous said...

I hope that everyone is clicking the "sign the pledge" button on the [RSPB's stop illegal birds of prey persecution webpage].

Peregrines, like most birds of prey in the UK are routinely shot, trapped and poisoned by certain, shall we say, "interest groups". Let's act to help stamp out these indefensible and illegal practices.

Hello Project team - How about putting the link on your front page, otherwise I'll have post it up every day which would be terribly boring.....

John (Glos)

Anonymous said...

I was a bit worried to see the chicks left all alone for several minutes but Mum has just returned with some prey - looks like a fairly large but young bird with long legs.

All 4 little ones are now sitting up and begging for food which is great to see.

Anonymous said...

3.45p.m. feeding of the tribe!!!!

Anonymous said...

3.50p.m.still feeding, and a lovely sight it is too!!!!! (this is in case you want to make a video)

Froona said...

That was a great feeding, and little one got his crop full!
Did you watch how the three eldest first got their share and then with al lot of extra attention little one got his meal. They are such excellent parents!

Anonymous said...

Can anyone tell me how to capture a screen shot from the camera? I'm totally addicted to watching but my American friends are on the wrong time zone so it would be good to send them a pic or even a short video clip of the feeding action! Many thanks... Jill

Anonymous said...

I was helped now I hope I can help you. To capture a shot you hit print screen key then go to start programes accessories and paint at least on my set up. Then edit then paste then save as. change to J peg form and put it where you want. Hope that helps. Ann (Canada.)

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

If you want to send someone a video clip - no need to try and download it. Just send them the url. You can either:
A) click on the heading of a particular blog entry, then copy its full url address from your browsers address bar. That will let them see the whole blog entry.
B) Double click the video image to open YouTube window. Copy the YouTube url and send that your friend.

Anonymous said...

Watching the pictures tonight, I noticed that the light (I assume it is infra red) was continually switching on and off. The female seemed to be continuously staring up at the camera. I know some infra red illuminators use red LEDs so could the light switching on and off be disturbing the bird in some way. Hopefully a project member will read this and can either put my mind to rest or allow the female to get some rest!!!