STOP-PRESS We now have four chicks - news broke last night, and we've been chasing that elusive photo ever since. The left-hand picture was taken around 20:30 on We
dnesday evening, showing a freshly opened shell. The right hand picture was sent in by a viewer at 08:30 on Thursday morning. The night-time picture was taken around midnight when Mum left suddenly.Froona's blog over in Holland has a slide show of the fourth egg pipping and cracking on Wednesday evening. This is amazing news as I think most of us had assumed this last egg was not going to prove to be viable, just as two eggs last year failed to hatch.
There will be a break of approximately two hours in both webcam feeds on Thursday 8th May because Capita need to make certain changes to the configuration of our equipment inside the Cathedral Tower. The break will occur sometime between 10.30 - 14.30 local time tomorrow, and will involve the removal of a computer and the re-configuration of our wireless bridge which connects us to the internet by radio. This will make our set-up more sturdy, capable of automatically restarting after a power failure. A lightning surge protector will also be fitted at the same time, and the system configured in readiness for further webcam developments which we'd like to keep under wraps until everything else is resolved. Capita is the Derby City Council's IT support organisation, and they have generously agreed to sponsor our project by supplying the technical expertise we need to send our webcam pictures out through the Council's networks.
Meanwhile, as you can see, it's still only possible to view the peregrines from outside Derby Cathedral from a narrow strip of pedestrian walkway beside Cathedral Green. Until this safe area is extended (which we hope will happen soon) please ensure you don't block the passage of the small minority of Derby people who don't want to stop and look at our amazing birds!
Now that our three chicks have hatched, the Wildlife Trust will soon be turning their attentions to organising the series of Watchpoints which were so successful last year.
Follow these links to:
- read an overview of the peregrine project,
- add your name to our mailing list
- find out about the brand new DVD: "The Peregrines of Derby Cathedral")
- see many more pictures on Froona's very detailed blog over in Holland (both from our webcams and from many others around the world)
24 comments:
Oh my gosh...I just finished watching the DVD and logged on to congratulate you all for such an incredible production. Thirty five minutes of pure magical joy. I was smiling the whole time. Also it's great to put a name to faces. Ave Maria will hold new meaning for me now.
The possibility of a fourth hatch is wonderful news. I am praying we will get to see a chick by morning. I believe in miracles and your beautiful cathedral seems to have an abundance. Thank you all so much for your never ending dedication. Veronica in Cornwall
Great a fourth hatch.
I thought so something was going on, But could hardly believe it. On the pics of the 18:00 feeding a crack is visible in the egg. I have about 80 pics of that feeding and the crack is growing during that sequence.
I'll put it on my Blog later this evening: all the pics. Quite unique in hindsight.
Froona
This is fantastic. Everytime we have a spare moment we log on to see what is happening. S in
Micklevoer
Wonderful news I thought I saw a little white speck earlier on today so I was hoping it was the start of the final hatch, sorry I missed it. Still can't figure out how to save pics. I have followed instructions kind people have sent me but when I press the print screen key nothing seems to happen. Would really love to capture these shots my-self. Thanks Froona for your captures and I look forward to seeing them. Good thoughts and prayers for the final baby.
Wonderful news!! Cannot wait to see the new arrival.
was begining to think we would only have three but now we have FOUR a full brood fantastic
Fantastic news.
Let hope they do well with the big family. They will certainly have a busy 2008.
Come on Derby City Council, its difficult setting up scopes in a walk way.
ann (Canada),
You will not see anything happen when you press the print screen key. What that does is put a copy of whatever is on the screen in the sort of invisible "clipboard." To put the contents of the clipboard into, for example, Paint, then, after you have hit the Print Screen key, start Paint and when it comes up, type control v (that is, hold down the ctrl key and type v.) That should put a copy of the screen image into Paint.
Thanks so much for your help. Sorry to be such a dim wit. Very new to computers I will try this and let you know what happens. These pictures of my old home town are wonderful. I have always loved wild life. Hopefully we will soon have son good pictures of the new chick. Winderful job everyone keep up the good work. Thanks again, Ann
Prayer is a wonderful thing without I don't know what we would do. God always answers prayers but sometimes the answer is no. Hopefully this time the answer is yes.Happy thoughts, everyone involved in this fantastic project.
When you've pasted your image into Paint (or other programme such as Picture Editor, Photoshop, IrfanView etc etc) - don't forget to save it in a sensible format.
.JPG is probably the best, but by default Paint often saves as .BMP these bitmap files are huge. (Just don't email them to me, that's all I ask.) More pics are now on Froona's blog - I'm off to prepare for tomorrows work in the tower, and thence to get some sleep.
Thanks I just tried it and it worked I am so happy. thanks to everyone for all your help. Maybe there is hope for me yet. ha ha ha
Congratulation on Peregrine Family and all project members and Fans!!!
Finally, 4 chicks was confirmed at the end of the day (20080507 23:59:48).
Have a nice dream ~ :)
Pics of the all 4 chicks at feeding time this morning :)
If anyone wants to see:-
All four chicks
sorry Nick I don't understand you mean you have time to sleep ??!!!!
Pax Canada
wonderful news, hope I get to see all four before my flight to Australia, will follow their progress from there,
All 4 chicks seen clearly this morning
Slideshow and lots of pics of the 8:00 feeding already om my Blog.
Things look great for this peregrine family!
Froona
Just after 8.00am and it's feeding time! all four chicks looked great!!!!
Wonderful news about the fourth chick. Let's hope they do well. They'll certainly be kept busy! Pam, Derby
Oh how exciting, I saw all 4 chicks this morning. Can't stay away, it's making me late or everything :o)
So happy, just like everyone, that we have a 4th chick - I'd given up hope. Is it my imagination or did it take ages longer than the rest?
I agree with John Sallway who says "come on Derby council" and sort the footpath/viewing point out. It should be top priority - with no exaggeration, you have the eyes of the world on you!!
Sue H, Bucks
WOW is all i can say, 4 little chicks,i just new the 4th would hatch and its made my day.All eggs hatched this year which is such a joy and well done to mum :o)im just so pround to live in Derby and have this pleasure on my door step.Keep up the good work and now i must get some house work done.
I so agree with John and Sue, DCC should be ashamed of that viewing area. I'd just had 24 hrs. 'cold turkey' without checking the screen and now look what happens. To get 4 from 4 eggs must be pretty unusual. Just hope the 3 with a headstart don't prove too much competition. I know we'll all be rooting for it.
Sue, Allestree
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