Colin Pass was in action yesterday and here are a couple of his photos. First, one of the male bird with food (not exactly nouvelle cuisine and he wouldn't get any marks from Gordon Ramsay for presentation would he?).
The second one (below) shows one of the eyass's about to do you know what. Note both the colour and metal rings in evidence.
Colin tells me that, in the absence of any significant wind, the resulting projectile missed him as he stood below, close to the side of the cathedral!
Reading the peregrine 'bible', namely 'The Peregrine' by Derek Ratcliffe (Poyser Press), fledging can take place between 40 and 46 days after hatching.
So, by my calculations, we can e
xpect some flying quite soon......within a week probably.
xpect some flying quite soon......within a week probably. This is a worrying time for the project team of course. In 2006 there were very high winds during the fledging period and our three chicks that year ended up on roofs and, of course, with one on the ground (see previous blog entry). As I recall the world cup was on at the time and the local bars were full of beer swilling, football-watching men while we were outside, standing on street corners trying to keep a watchful eye on our youngsters.
Let's hope for calmer weather this time around.
BTW:
If anyone watching on the ground should observe a youngster flying (as opposed to just flapping on the platform edge) please get in touch either via the cathedral vergers (eg at a weekend) or the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust office (01773 881188) or Derby Museum office (01332 716659) in the week.
Nick B (DWT)If anyone watching on the ground should observe a youngster flying (as opposed to just flapping on the platform edge) please get in touch either via the cathedral vergers (eg at a weekend) or the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust office (01773 881188) or Derby Museum office (01332 716659) in the week.
- read an overview of the peregrine project
- find out about buying the brand new DVD: "The Peregrines of Derby Cathedral")
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- see many more pictures on Froona's very detailed blog over in Holland (both from
our webcams and from many others around the world)
43 comments:
The littlest guy has changed so much since yesterday when he seemed mostly white. Our babies are growing up :-)
Currently the four are visible on camera, the oldest(?) on the edge with just one piece of down on the top of his head giving away the clue that he or she is not a parent. A parent is on the ledge thing below.
I noticed their feet were white in the photos of banding. When do they turn the adult yellow(?)
Which is the female - 1, 2, 3, or 4?
The colours develop as the birds get older but will still be paler than a fully adult bird....and even they go on getting brighter until they are as yellow as our male.
The female is the biggest (ring 003).
Nick B (DWT)
pax Canada 8.49am
one of the birds doing a lot of flapping, then stops and looks upwards, maybe seeing mum and dad,
and maybe thinking "how come I flap
and I cant get lift off" :)
#2 has just joined #1 on the ledge.
BRILLIANT PHOTO,S FROM COLIN,HAS HE GOT A WEBSITE PLEASE?
Dennis,local lad.
I THOUGHT SLIDES WERE DEEMED DANGEROUS NOW,JUST CAUGHT ONE HAVING A GO.
Dennis,local lad.
Just a thought, being as the other three are so much more advanced than the little guy, presumably they will take to the skies quite a few days before him, is there any chance he may try to take off before he should purely because he is the only one left in the scrape ?
On the live feed just now a spider has taken up residence and is circling the camera lens area spinning its web! You can see the web quite clearly.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/08/sci_nat_enl_1213098113/html/1.stm
Thanks for that link, Terry. I hope this works out. I couldn't bear (sp?) to read the original reports.
Thats so sad, what is wrong with these people :o( I hope the two chicks continue to do well..........
11.59pm Pax B.C.
I only see 3 chicks in the nest !
relax (for now), definitely four at 0805 UK time...
But in the next few days they will begin to fledge we think....maybe Thursday/Friday so that will be a worrying time for us here in Derby.....
Nick B
Pax B.C. Thanks Nick :-)
I am wondering why the smallest chick seems to be laying down a lot more than the others? It has lost most of its white downy feathers but could it be ill or weak as even now its under the bar in the center but is laying down.
Just been watching the livecam and the little one got up to stretch its wings before loosing balance and fell back to laying down.
Sorry people, think you have to fear the worst for that one.
Very unfortunate to see such a beautiful creature in that state, esp. on livecam. But thats the way of the animal kingdom, the strongest survive.
Craig,
Nottingham.
All look fine and active to me. Nick (not one of the Nicks associated with DWT)
The little one is just a bit younger than the others and not a 'runt' as is being suggested, so naturally won't be as agile at the same time. It's doing OK as far as I can see - let's be optimistic.
Going to really miss them when they go!!!
Anna, Ripley
think 1 has fledged only see 3 in scrape 230 uk time
mums just turned up with dinner 2.48 pm uk time still only three can we have a update when you spot the youngster
still only three on camera with mum ,which one has gone? Lots of flapping earlier by 2. Has it flown or fallen?
Yesterday afternoon I'm sure one of the chicks flew off and returned a minute later.
Well, rifgt now definitely only 3 visible. Can they perch somewhere just above the scrape?
I think we just had an "excursion" by one of the "senior" trainees. Departure time was 15:25 and there's definitely only three present and correct now (15:31)
I think one of them took off at around 14:34. That is the last pic I have with 4 of them. Is it possible one of them has gone a bit higher up? The other ones keep on looking up?
Froona
Baby is back. S/he is on the ledge below the scrape.
i've seen no one making little flights off the ledge a few times now.....but it looks like he's really got his confidence up and gone for the big maiden flight...cheers all
4.20 - Can only see three of them, does anyone know if one has flown or has it been back at some stage?
Gr8 thanks Mark glad to know they're ok as every time i go on i must miss it!!
iv just rung derbyshire wildlife 4 a udate and they have located the youngster on a chimedy pot not far from the nest and r keeping a very close eye on it jo.v
Whew, this time I looked and looked, and said I really think there are only three.
Bob Reason, I am pretty sure I saw two flights outside the box for an instant then a return to the box in the last day or so.
Hope the ground watchers update soon.
Good luck little one!
Thanks so much for that info! I understand it flew off rather powerfull. I have the pic of take-off. In hindsight a very special one.
Very happy they're keeping an eye on him. I think it's one of the males that fledged.
Froona
I've just been reading all the comments about one having fledged and I'm a bit shocked - I wasn't ready for any to go yet. Already feeling bereft!!! I guess when you've got to go, etc. Good luck to them all and hope they have long and happy lives.
Anna, Ripley
Oh, and well done Mum and Dad!!!!!
Anna, Ripley
Hope the intrepid pioneer got a thorough briefing from dad, as in
1. Stay well clear of the northern Peak District;
2. Ideally find a nice offshore island with high cliffs;
3. Failing that pick a cathedral in a city free from pigeon fanciers.
Stick to those and you'll do fine.
There are only two there now!
OOPS Sorry my mistake, one is hiding behind the other, there are three!
PHEW!!
Nope - still three. Third is keeping a low profile at the back of the right hand camera view.
I have just returned from the Cathedral! There is a chick outside the box-underneath it in fact. It will not be able to be feed from there so its going to have to either fly back in....or leg it!
Anon, is that a chick or a parent? The parents like to hang out on that ledge thing below the box.
Nick sent out an email to the email list saying the chick was last seen heading towards the center of town.
6.30p.m. UK time only 3 on the scrape. Good luck to the one who has gone. Disappointed but cannot get live cam at present! Been extremely busy today and missed the one going. This keeps us fascinated.
Can anyone please tell us that are anxiously awaiting further news, if the little bird has to return to the nest in order to survive? Is it able to take care of its self at this stage? Any news yet ?the suspense is killing me.
Ann ( Canada )
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