Friday 6 June 2008

More photos by Colin Pass

Colin was down again today and took more photos which he has kindly let us use. These two show the falcon (female) sitting on one of the topmost pinnacles and also perching on one of the lead gutters which they also use to cache spare food. Note the lightning conductor.
Just a note that for anyone thinking of going to the watch point tomorrow, Saturday; currently we have failed to find anyone to volunteer so there may well not be any telescopes there to look through.

However, on Sunday we will be there most of the day (from 10.30 until at least 4pm, weather permitting) ......so that's the day to visit. Don't forget to bring some small change (or something bigger even) to put in the donations box...
We should have some of the lovely prey feathers that we have found over the years to show you too - swift, teal's green speculum feather, woodcock tail feather with that startling white tip underneath, lapwing......and several more too.

Nick B (DWT)
- 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)

17 comments:

Karen Anne said...

I'm getting a little worried, not sure if I see 3 or 4 young in the sleeping pile, and then I notice a bird on the ledge(?) thing below. Please tell me that is a parent...

The live feed isn't working for me, so it is hard to tell about the sleeping group.

Karen Anne said...

I'm pretty sure I see four. One is back in the corner where the camera can't see well.

Karen Anne said...

Four there are, and here's a photo of one on the edge:

http://members.cox.net/katkolling/derbyfirst.jpg

Karen Anne said...

Wing:
http://members.cox.net/katkolling/wing.jpg

I can do it backwards:
http://members.cox.net/katkolling/backwards.jpg

More wings:
http://members.cox.net/katkolling/morewings.jpg

Breakfast arrives:
http://members.cox.net/katkolling/breakfast.jpg

Anonymous said...

Brilliant photos - many thanks. I know it can't be helped but it is so frustrating not being able to see live stream, especially as the 'chicks' are at such an interesting stage. Last year I was so happy with the nest cam.....but you've spoilt us with the live stream!!!

Anna, Ripley

Anonymous said...

No volunteers! If I lived even remotely near I'd be there like a shot....

Amazing new photos.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the comments on the photo's I have been a fan of Peregrines since I was a small boy.
I have to say its been great to watch them make a come back to the numbers we now have in the UK.
The pesticides that were being used in the past was the main reason numbers crashed, not due to infertility but due to the effects it had on the falcons (females) and their inability to shell their eggs with the strength and density to support their body weight during incubation. There is concerns for the future as well, as there is signs that fire retardants chemicals in every day modern products Televisions computers and furniture etc is having effects on chick development in the egg and causing death in shell.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/05/08/MN2S10HPVE.DTL

Anonymous said...

There are still 4 but "restless" doesn't do them justice! Hard to tell from the stills, but it seems that one or two are doing mini-flights across the scrape. Any chance of a Maiden Voyage bang on cue for tomorrow's Sunday Open Day? xxx Penny

Terry, Herts UK said...

Before there's any maiden flights just about all those bits of white down should be replaced by feathers. So a fledging this early would probably be a disaster, Penny !

Meanwhile lots of flapping and hopping and mini takeoffs inside the scrape are normal, in my very limited experience.

The fab 4 should be looking stunning before they take to the air. :) If you haven't seen them, there are pics on my blog of last year's Rochester eyases at the point of fledging. Click on my name above.

Terry, Herts UK said...

For anyone that's not aware, when you visit a blog like this one (or mine), you can usually left-click on a picture to view the full-size image.

From there, you can right-click the full-size image and save the photo to your computer and then edit/print/file it as you wish.

Probably obvious to many people here but not to everyone.

Karen Anne said...

I think definitely mini-flights inside the nest box. Here's the finish of one, I think:

http://members.cox.net/katkolling/tmp.jpg

Anonymous said...

We can only see three now (12.40) - hope one is hiding behind the others, as I have taken Terry's information to heart and would hate to see anything premature and ill-fated. I shall look at your site Terry, thank you also for the technical computer info - I still have L plates and it's appreciated! xxx Penny

Anonymous said...

Any idea when these fore are due to fledge?

Anonymous said...

No, as you were! We can now see 4 again. They are just in a huddle so I think there is the same rather miserable weather over the entire E. Midlands. Really enjoyed pics on your blog Terry. Couldn't finds anywhere to comment there though. xxxx Penny

Karen Anne said...

Froona has some excellent wing flapping photos on her blog. The oldest (I assume) must be really practicing.

Anonymous said...

There will be plenty of winnowing - the wing exercising - that will be coming up now. With 4 in there it's going to be fun to watch. They copy each other and the parents too.

Anonymous said...

Is the wonderful photographer Colin Pass now resident here,I thought he was based in Australia?Anyway thanks for enhancing the Peregrine project,you really added to the fascination.

Dennis,local lad.