Herewith the first photo's from last night's ringing of the chicks and further feedback and answers to questions posed in the comments.The top photo shows Martin reaching across to grab the chicks and put them into the red rucksack in which they were lowered to the nave roof, where Ant ringed them.First then, we seem to have one female and three males. Because of the windy conditions last night (to put it mildly) we carried out the ringing as quickly as we could and only visually checked the chicks leg sizes rather than measuring them. But the consensus was that there was only one female...her feet were much bigger and her tarsus much broader than the other three despite the difference in ages.
The close up below shows one of the males biting Ant as he was putting the ring on! Also see how the dark feather quills are appearing on its wings and tail.
Second: the female falcon flew round the tower calling loudly while ringing was taking place but this is normal. Only minutes after we left the tower and nave roof, the female was back on the platform with her chicks who were again huddled together in the corner of the nest trying to keep out of the wind! Incidentally, last year the male was nowhere to be seen while the ringing was taking place. At least this year he was flying about, albeit further off and silently.....
The four chicks were given orange/red colour rings numbered 03, 04, 05 and 07 (ring 06 broke and was not used).....01 and 02 were the numbers given to the two chicks in 2007 - the first year we put colour rings on...see the photo of 001 in the previous blog entry.
A big thanks to Martin and Ant for their services and skills and everyone else who helped us.
A big thanks to Martin and Ant for their services and skills and everyone else who helped us.
Nick B (DWT)
Follow these links to read how to watch our new live a/v stream
- read an overview of the peregrine project
- find out about buying the brand new DVD: "The Peregrines of Derby Cathedral")
- add your name to our mailing list see many more pictures on Froona's very detailed blog over in Holland (both from our webcams and from many others around the world)
7 comments:
Thanks for the update on the ringing! The 4 have been very active this afternoon, walking around and flapping their wings.
It seems as though they use the hatchboxside as a workout room to train the flight muscles.
Till the female flew in, chased the male away and took over command. It always amuses me greatly the domminance of the female peregrine falcon over the male. They even look a bit scared for this fiesty big impressive female.
About 150 pics of today on my Blog.
Froona
It occurs to me (too late, after the fact, as usual) that you might have kept the cameras going but put lettering on the screen saying what was going on. I suppose someone might have called the police anyway, though.
I always like seeing the chicks putting up such a fight, hissing and biting, at banding time. :) Your brood looks healthy - wonderful to see the pictures. I'm not getting the live video but the cams are still quite good.
Congratulations to all for such hard work, especially the guys on the strings dangling off the tower...that kind of thing give me the shudders!
-Jan in Dayton
Managed some Live stream (silent) but great pics of the chicks preening themselves. Also looking up occasionally as if expecting The Man from the Sky to return. One fossicking amonst the bedding seming to be eating bits of something. xxx Penny
I have just been watching the live stream with adult feeding young a large bird with long pointed wings and very strong feet did not see any head any body know what the prey was?
WELL DONE Martin and Ant, great work. Dangling from a rope at the side of a big cathedral in a howling gale, being "sworn" at by a very angry female peregrine, and being bitten into the bargain. That's pure dedication and all of us watchers are very grateful.
Incidentally, we are still getting sporadic reports of a peregrine around Aylesbury - goodness knows where, if anywhere, our pair may have nested. I'm still sick with envy at you lucky Derby folks. Have noticed you're a "feature" in the Springwatch supplement of this weeks "Radio Times" - hope it goes brilliantly for you, Derby!
Sue H, Wendover
Learn something every day dept.:
Main Entry:
fos·sick
Etymology:
English dialect fossick to ferret out
Date:
1852
intransitive verb
1Australian & New Zealand : to search for gold or gemstones typically by picking over abandoned workings
2chiefly Australian & New Zealand : to search about : rummage
transitive verb
chiefly Australian & New Zealand : to search for by or as if by rummaging : ferret out
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