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Thursday, 26 March 2009

Number two and an interesting comment!

(Text below added to and modified on Friday evening).

Number two egg laid yesterday morning (Thursday) with a web cam watcher in France being the first to spot it - well done to Ruth Z ....and also to Colin P who predicted the timing to the hour if not to the minute! See his explanation among the comments.......and his prediction for egg No. 3!






The male is the bird at the back of the tray admiring her handiwork. Even though he's a bit further away, he's clearly much smaller than the falcon standing on the edge.







Today (Friday) was a showery day as you can see from this photo captured by Ruth Z which clearly shows a rain shadow around the eggs which had been protected by the falcon - you can see her shape quite clearly on this third photo......

Chris Packham, the new presenter of the BBC's popular Springwatch series in 2009, who featured on the project's best-selling DVD made in 2008, sent this comment to us today:

"Nick - Good to see it is all kicking off in Derby - on the cathedral..... if not on the pitch!"

We never suspected he might be a rams fan.....perhaps he isn't.....

Nick B (DWT)
at

55 comments:

  1. Jayne26 March 2009 at 10:20

    I fear divorce looming, my housework seems to have taken a back seat since I found this webcam, what with this and the Scottish osprey return I am well and truly hooked -thank you all for the hard work put in to maintain some very good and gripping viewings!!
    Jayne

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  2. Anonymous26 March 2009 at 17:20

    hi Nick whats happened to the live video feed? fantastic to see the birds back to rearing another brood.

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  3. Anonymous26 March 2009 at 18:30

    Is the bird sitting now(around 18.30pm) the male? It seems smaller.

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  4. Anonymous26 March 2009 at 19:00

    Coming up to 7pm and the female's sitting on the edge of the other side of the nest platform - maybe having a nice leg stretch and break. I need the internet now to listen to the Archers so I'm glad there's not too much happening!

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  5. Ruth Z27 March 2009 at 14:49

    I'm on a training course every morning next week, so won't be able to keep an eye on the nest: I'm getting withdrawal symptoms already

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  6. Anonymous27 March 2009 at 16:16

    How do I get live streaming?

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  7. Anonymous27 March 2009 at 16:17

    How do I get live streaming?

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  8. Peregrine Project Member (Nick M.)27 March 2009 at 17:05

    As I said in my reply to your previous post comment, I'm afraid we can't offer live streaming right now, but are grateful to Media on Demand who kindly helped us bring live a/v last year. Unfortunately our equipment that we installed inside Derby Cathedral simply wasn't up to the task of sending them a reliable image stream to redistribute, and so the service proved very unreliable and unsustainable as a result. With more funds we may be able to develop this in the future.

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  9. Anonymous27 March 2009 at 17:44

    The female is sitting tight at the moment, on what looks like a lovely sunny day in Derby (it's pouring with rain here in Bucks)

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  10. Karen Anne27 March 2009 at 18:00

    When is egg three due? What is the normal number of eggs? Thanks.

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  11. Anonymous27 March 2009 at 18:25

    Number 3 will be round 3.30pm
    saturday afternoon
    Regards
    Colin

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  12. Anonymous27 March 2009 at 18:28

    I'm guessing egg number 3 might be due Saturday evening. Would that be about right? I've been keeping a keen eye on the scrape since Tuesday when it was mentioned on the East Midlands news and now I'm totally rivetted. It's much better than TV. Thanks very much for letting us take a rare peek at this fantastic cycle of nature.

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  13. Anonymous27 March 2009 at 19:53

    Getting excited about next egg. We are at present time only 4 hrs. behind British time. So we here in Ontario stand a good chance of seeing when it happens. Will be glued from the time I wake up. Here's hoping for the very best. Thanks again to all the team who put so much effort into this project. It is such a great way to get away from all our troubles. No repeats either like on T.V. Hope to come and see you in September.

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  14. Anonymous27 March 2009 at 20:50

    Dad posing in front of tower-cam whilst Mum keeps the eggs warm down below.

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  15. Anonymous28 March 2009 at 00:05

    thanks for the close up on the eggs nice to get a good look at them. Any ideas on how many eggs we will get this year ?
    like last year i am glued to my pc when i have a moment watching these wonderfull birds
    jo

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  16. Anonymous28 March 2009 at 09:22

    I think there might be another egg on the way soon, the falcon looks like she is begining to get a bit restless. Andy

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  17. Terri28 March 2009 at 09:30

    I'm wondering about whether the falcon is getting regular meals during the egg-laying phase. We never see her tucking in and I'm getting worried that she might be getting hungry. Does Mr. Peregrine go off hunting while she's looking after the eggs? Has there been any evidence of him catching anything (pigeons?) and the two of them feeding at all? I imagine it must take loads of energy to manufacture those eggs...

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  18. Anonymous28 March 2009 at 10:45

    Female sitting tight and quietly at the moment - if it wasn't for the cars whizzing past from the other view, I might have imagined the picture had frozen. I'm going with Colin's prediction for egg 3 at 3:30 today - I shall blame you Colin if this doesn't happen on cue! We did have an explanation earlier from the project that we weren't to worry if the eggs were left for short periods before serious incubation started - presumably, she takes an opportunity to feed at that time. I would think that the "building up for egg laying" would have to have been a long process that started a long while ago, not a five minute quick fix. I'm no expert though - stand by for a propery explanation from the project, I'm sure!

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  19. Libby in the other London28 March 2009 at 10:59

    Thank you for filling the video gap as we wait for local peregrines to begin the next generation of birds in London,Canada. We are always several days behind which stretches the viewing season. My facination with peregrines began from pictures of my father in the 1930's practicing the art of falconry with a tiercel. His falconry days ended when a local chicken farmer shot his bird.

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  20. Libby in the other London28 March 2009 at 11:03

    Thank you for filling the peregrine gap for those of us in Canada. We are always several days behind. My interest in peregrines began as a child from pictures of my father practicing the art of falconry with a tiercel in about 1938. His falconry career ended when a local chicken farmer shot his bird.

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  21. Anonymous28 March 2009 at 11:03

    I am sure she is eating well enough they eat as quick as possible when they ere tending eggs and young chicks. A falcons condition at breeding time has arisen through good diet in the months before breeding takes place. The calcium that makes up the egg shell, is drawn of her own bone structure, and the gradually rebuilt again through diet over a period of time leading up to the next breeding season. It takes a falcon usually anywhere from 54 to 60 hrs to produce an egg. The last 24 hrs is when the falcon lays the shell on her egg this is when the calcium is drawn from her skeleton. During this time falcons can appear ill, this is known as egg lethargy and quite normal. The last stage before the egg is laided, the colour pigment is applied to egg, colour which can vary due to the amount of time the egg stays in the falcons body before its laided,the longer the more colour. Egg laying can be effected by the temperature if it turns really cold.
    Regards
    Colin

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  22. Anonymous28 March 2009 at 11:33

    I am learning so much about peregrins through reading the blogs. Even got my grandchildren interested. One of the youngest ones has gone away today with the web address - bless him. Going to keep looking today to see if I may catch the 3rd egg. Hope so, as someone else mentioned this is better than TV. Joy

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  23. Anonymous28 March 2009 at 13:22

    Definitely better than tv!! I love weekends as I can keep a closer eye on the birds. When I'm at work during the week I have to keep having sneaky looks while at my desk!! Will be waiting for egg no. 3 today (hopefully). And thanks to Colin for his info.
    Steph in Canada(ex Burton girl)

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  24. Ann ( Canada )28 March 2009 at 14:16

    Well here we all sit glued to the screen. My dear husband just brought me in some breakfast. Got him well trained. lol. Hope it's not much longer. Don't know how long his patience will last. lol.

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  25. Karen Anne28 March 2009 at 14:45

    Mom(?) is on the edge of the nestbox. Just two eggs visible.

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  26. Ann ( Canada)28 March 2009 at 14:53

    Wonder what she got all excited about just then? What's up with the camera up top? Looks like a patch of fog? Can't be though.

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  27. Jan28 March 2009 at 15:32

    well it's 3.31 and no third egg yet as far as I can see.
    Are we taking bets on when it will come? It's very cold and windy in the Midlands, we've had hail several times.

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  28. Ann ( Canada )28 March 2009 at 15:43

    Well Jan I can't bet unless you take Master Card lol. However I think it maybe later on in the evening your time. I will take a guess and say 11.00pm. British time, 7.00pm Ontario time.

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  29. Anonymous28 March 2009 at 15:45

    Have read the comments re egg lethargy but she doesn't look right to me, getting worried, will be glad when she looks a bit perkier and where is he???

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  30. Ann ( Canada )28 March 2009 at 16:01

    She is certainly on the move right now. This is the most she has done since I have been watching since 7.30am Ontario time. Maybe it won't be too much longer now. My computer seat is starting to make me feel numb, lol.

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  31. Anonymous28 March 2009 at 16:06

    Thank the lord, she's shuffling about now, maybe number three wont be long

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  32. Anonymous28 March 2009 at 16:21

    Come on Mrs P. The football starts in an hour !

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  33. Ann ( Canada )28 March 2009 at 16:24

    You mean you would leave this excitement for a football game? Surely not. lol.

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  34. Anonymous28 March 2009 at 16:29

    Never mind the football, I'm a District Nurse, I'm supposed to finish work in half an hour and I.ve got visits to do ! Come on Mrs P!!!!PUSH

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  35. Ann Canada28 March 2009 at 16:30

    3 eggs

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  36. Anonymous28 March 2009 at 16:30

    1630 dads just brought dinner to revel egg number 3 jo

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  37. Ann Canada28 March 2009 at 16:30

    3 eggs and dad bought food

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  38. Harelady28 March 2009 at 16:31

    Number 3 has arrived!!

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  39. Anonymous28 March 2009 at 16:40

    Turn away for 2 minutes and its all kicked off-typical, but hooray for number 3

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  40. Anonymous28 March 2009 at 16:41

    Ye of little faith :)
    Regards
    Colin

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  41. Alan28 March 2009 at 16:42

    Three eggs now.

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  42. jo28 March 2009 at 16:48

    we now have egg number three when can we expect no 4 colin ?
    jo

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  43. Ann. Canada28 March 2009 at 16:51

    Well Colin congrats to you again. I have been glued all day. But when I saw her get so fidgity a little while ago I commented it might not be too long now. When is the next one if there is one? So I can prepare for another long sit in.

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  44. Anonymous28 March 2009 at 17:08

    If there is to be four? 12.30am
    Tuesday morning UK time
    Regards
    Colin

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  45. Karen Anne28 March 2009 at 17:09

    I looked on the web and it says typical number of eggs is 1-5, another place says 2-6, average number 4.

    How many years have the Derby peregrines been laying eggs? How many have they laid each year?

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  46. Anonymous28 March 2009 at 17:11

    Pax Canada (west coast)
    wonderful to see the third egg arrive, I think your clocks go ahead tonight so I will be back to being 8hrs behind you.
    This is the third year of watching for me and it never gets stale :-)

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  47. Anonymous28 March 2009 at 17:20

    Pax Canada (west coast)
    Thanks Colin, that will be 4.30pm our time so I will be watching.
    Hi Libby, nice to see someone else from Canada, even if your 3,000 miles from me :-)

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  48. Ann ( Canada )28 March 2009 at 17:21

    Thanks Colin for answering my question. I work from home so I can check in most times. Except for sleep of course, will be glued again. When you have chance I would like to know if the Falcon lays less eggs as she becomes older? Do we have any idea how old this pair is?

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  49. Anonymous28 March 2009 at 17:23

    Pax Canada
    dad is blocking the pudding cam :-)

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  50. Anonymous28 March 2009 at 17:28

    Just went down for a coffee and wouldn't you know, that's when she laid !!

    Pam (UK)

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  51. Anonymous28 March 2009 at 17:30

    I couldn't believe it when I saw 46 messages on here - where have all these people come from?

    This is my third year of Peregrine watching and I get hooked every time. There's even a danger of it taking over from Facebook!! Am I right in thinking there's now a third egg - I must have blinked and missed it all. Great stuff!!!

    Anna Flintstone, Ripley, Derbyshire

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  52. Coconut28 March 2009 at 17:46

    3 is is !

    http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d129/coconut11/2-280309.jpg

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  53. Anonymous28 March 2009 at 18:23

    In response to Karen Anns question this is the 4th year the peregrines have nested on the cathedral.In the first year(06) we had 3 chicks, 2 chicks in 07, then 4 last year. Thats nine in total so far if my maths is right.Fingers crossed we get 3 or maybe more healthy chicks this year. hope thats of help. Andy. Derby.

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  54. Terri28 March 2009 at 18:34

    So does that mean we might not even get a 4th egg then? How does the falcon know when the egg laying is over and she needs to start the incubation? Does she just get an 'empty' feeling or does she just have to hang around and wait and see like the rest of us?!
    P.S. Thanks for the info about feeding. Does anyone know exactly what she was eating earlier? I first thought it was some sort of afterbirth but then I realised it was a bird carcas and she dumped the leftovers in the corner of the nestbox.

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  55. Anonymous28 March 2009 at 18:40

    To be honest Terri, it may stay at 3 eggs, or it could be 4 or 5. All we can do is wait and see what mother nature brings us. Andy

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