by A & C Marshall
It was a quiet day in all respects. We had around 60 visitors during the session. The female peregrine spent quite a while perched on the waterspout by the pudding cam or on the pinnacle above, giving good views between rain showers. The male was absent for most of the session, being seen briefly at around 11.00 escorting 2 buzzards off to the Northeast. He returned briefly during a rain shower at around 12.30 before heading off to the North. From about 11.30 the female spent most of her time brooding the chicks to protect them from the inclement weather but at around 13.00 she too flew off purposefully over the Assembly Rooms before returning from the North with a pigeon, followed closely by the male – the assumption being that he had caught the bird and passed it to his mate out of our sight.
We left with the female feeding the chicks who could be seen quite clearly. Hopefully, by next weekend, the chicks will be big enough to be regularly seen well from the Watchpoint rather than the brief glimpses we have been getting.
Thank you to all those who turned up to see these birds in such indifferent weather and a big thank you to Celia and Helen for their help running the Watchpoint.
It was a quiet day in all respects. We had around 60 visitors during the session. The female peregrine spent quite a while perched on the waterspout by the pudding cam or on the pinnacle above, giving good views between rain showers. The male was absent for most of the session, being seen briefly at around 11.00 escorting 2 buzzards off to the Northeast. He returned briefly during a rain shower at around 12.30 before heading off to the North. From about 11.30 the female spent most of her time brooding the chicks to protect them from the inclement weather but at around 13.00 she too flew off purposefully over the Assembly Rooms before returning from the North with a pigeon, followed closely by the male – the assumption being that he had caught the bird and passed it to his mate out of our sight.
We left with the female feeding the chicks who could be seen quite clearly. Hopefully, by next weekend, the chicks will be big enough to be regularly seen well from the Watchpoint rather than the brief glimpses we have been getting.
Thank you to all those who turned up to see these birds in such indifferent weather and a big thank you to Celia and Helen for their help running the Watchpoint.
_____________________________________________
Phoebe, a newcomer to our Watchpoints later wrote:
@ Andy and Chris It was good to meet you on Saturday, we thoroughly enjoyed the day despite the rain showers. I was wonderful to see these birds in life! It was my first time and I am hooked already!I would like to thank you, Wayne and everyone else there for your information and use of scopes etc
The photo above is by Colin Pass.
107 comments:
Hi everyone, i have been approched today by a friend of mine that has asked if any of the watch points will be run in the evening, due to them and i suspect most people are at work during the day. can any of the project team help with this information, so as i can give them the correct information. i know that the watchpoing itinery has been posted but i was wondering if anyone will be doing an evening one as well?
At the moment, as you know, there are no dates scheduled for evening Watchpoints.
However, we have discussed this posibility and may announce details later in the month.
Keep your eye on the Calendar Page - see "Key Links" at top left of page.
Someone. somewhere asked earlier about whether they can embed Flickr pictures into a website. You can only retrieve the html to embed or link pictures in your own "photostream" (ie the pictures that you have uploaded.)
However, the group adminstrators can view the html which lets them embed any of the pictures in the Group Pool into the blog. This, I have to say, makes my life an awful lot easier than before. So once again, thanks to everyone who've sent in pictures.
Grub up!
Here's how to get the urls of flicker photos, including not your own. This works on Firefox, I don't know about Internet Explorer.
Assuming you want the big version, click on the photo so you get to the photo's page. Then right click on the photo. Select Properties. Select and copy the text out of the Location field (you can do this by holding down your mouse button and dragging the cursor even though initially not all the location shows, then type control c. There you have it.
If you only want the tiny version, just start with right clicking on that.
Thanks Karen Anne, I've now got that bit worked out .. getting hold of a URL (to a photo or page)into the clipboard. The trick I would like to understand, is how to get it into the blog as a live link. All I manage is static text like .. http://derbyperegrines.blogspot.com/
Terry from Herts knows - he embedded such a link on 7th May.
Feeding. As some of the chicks move around, you can see feathers emerging under the white fluff of the wings.
Do you mean like this, Roger?
Watchpoint CalendarYou need to use some simple html commands which the system won't let me post & display here, so I'll add it at the very bottom of the current blog entry for a while.
Let me know when it works and I'll then delete it.
This is most frustrating. I've had to post the text with round brackets instead of chevron-shaped brackets < >
swap them back to make it work
notice that you have both the url iitself and a completely different bit of text as the display text - or it can be the same url of course.
[a href="http://derbyperegrines.blogspot.com/2009/05/calendar-of-watchpoints-on-cathedral.html"]Watchpoint Calendar[/a]
Here's a url to explain how to add a live link, just copy their text and substitute the url and title:
click here
Hi everyone has much happened this afternoon as i have been away from my pc?
8.08 and babies are on their own no adult around Joy
@Peregrine Team and Karen Anne:
Perfect! That is exactly what I wanted to know how to do. Thanks!
@ Ann (Canada):
I case you missed my reply in the previous blog entry, I have put a compilation of screenshots for you in my Photostream. Under my "Using Flickr" set.
Link to rejsharp setsUse the "All sizes icon when viewing a page to get them big enough to read.
They have been alone for at least 30 minutes.
Still alone, but I just got here...Anyone been home in between?
One parent (Dad I think) was on the front of the scrape, and the other one was on the ledge below him for a couple of minutes. When she flew off he followed. Maybe getting supper ready somewhere?
Been away for the weekend and just logged on, how big??!!
Goodness they've done some growing since Friday morning and seemingly become a lot more mobile! Great pics on Flickr, i'm glad to back and tuned in!
One parent, not sure which, could be Mum is showing on pud-cam, no prey that I can see. No-one at the scrape yet.
When you ring the birds would it be possible to remove the racing pigeon rings that it has captured and report them to the RPRA?
Wait until the babes have flown ... or youll get the Pigeon Fanciers around after the Falcons.....
Both parents on the pudding cam now
Supper time
Aker - We wouldnt do that!!
Aker, think if pigeon fanciers were to do anything bad to this pair it would of happened by now. I think its unfair how they always get the blame. I'm sure if one of these falcons were to go missing then it would be nice to get the ring reported so they could at least know what had happened, same for the pigeons, its just a bit of common courtesy.
Re the ringing, I am no expert but having viewed it from below, getting four chicks into a bag and taking them to the roof below does not allow time for anything else.
The rules I am sure are for minimum disruption,Just a thought the parents usually fly away with any remains of food and store elsewhere are any rings visable still? Sorry not being difficult
@ Pam
- thanks for letting us know chicks had Supper... I was out and missed it, anyone got photos of it?
Hi can anyone tell me how i can take screen shots of the peregrines please? Vicku
Will the pigeon rings that are in the nest be recovered when the birds are taken from the nest to rung..this will only take a few extra moments and will do nothing to disturb the Peregrines in any way. And can then be reported to the relevant pigeon unions
Yes, I got screen captures of the feeds I logged above, but I haven't yet had time to grapple with the mysteries of Flikr!
Re discussion of the legalities of disturbing the birds in any way, we're back to my old friend The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, I'm afraid! Part 1 section 1 covers Protection of wild birds, their nests and eggs and Schedule 1 (Birds which are protected by special penalties) Part 1 (At all times) does, of course, list Peregrines. All of which boils down to peregrines are highly protected and only the licenced ringers are allowed to intervene briefly in order to ring the young. More details about BTO ringing can be found here www.bto.org/ringing
I personally take my hat off to the ringers - I can't stand heights at the best of times and these guys voluntarily abseil on the cathedral. Mind you, what a priviledge to hold a peregrine in the hand, albeit briefly. I'm always GREEN with envy at Derby Museum's picture ID on this blog.
personaly i think the rspb are one of the biggest sams there is in braitain today collecting money purely to increase the hawk pop at the cost of all our native birds
just to make sure there is no misunderstanding, i did not post the comment about the pigeon rings, but seeing as i am posting this, has there been much movement this evening??
Sorry All .... was said a bit Tongue in cheek …. Your absolutely right, the whole purpose of ringing is to have tractability.... Sorry, no offence.
Whats to say the pigeons that have been taken by the peregrines, where lost and gone feral months or years before they was taken?
Would the pigeon fliers just blame it on the peregrines? or own up to losing them some time before? What I have seen from some of the comments on here by I hope a very "small minorty" of the Pigeon community. I just wonder if it would just fuel more propaganda and ammo!
This conversation is going down a blocked street ... lets get back to bird watching.
so was there any action on the cams this evening?
@Vicku:
Taking screenshots is easy, processing them into something useable is a bit more involved. If you have a PC rather than a Mac you will find lots of help in previous blog entries.
In my Flickr Sets I have posted a step by step guide on how to use Irfanview - just one of many free progs that help you process screen captures. Look up the blog for my previous entry. and then look in my Set Irfanview.
Otherwise search the blog (from the main-page for Irfanview. You will find other help there.
Maidment If we have good numbers of birds of prey, it is down to the food supply being plentiful.
No food they move on or starve.
Infact if the enviroment suits a healthy number of predators its a complete healthy eco system.
In Derby Cathedral's 470 year old stone tower does anyone know how many times in its history has it been used by Peregrines
(anonynous)when you see them 2 grinner's killing&ripping apart anything other than a raceing pigeon , feral or not please post the pic , as you and i both know there isn't much eating on a crow , magpie ,dove , or even a street pigeon , they target racing pigeon's , the RSPB do their homework , and set up the breeding box's in an area with a ready made food supply at hand , it must be like going to tesco's , as for the number's of peregrine's they are 3-4 time's what the RSPB say . now that's propaganda ,
I'm sure that any of the Project Team can answer the question about the history of peregrines on the cathedral. See also the link to Derby City Council (top left hand corner of the Webcam page) Lifting one quote out of that site, it says "Records suggest that peregrine falcons have roosted and hunted from the tower at many times over the centuries". Long may they continue to do so - they are, in my opinion, one of the star things about Derby - certainly the ting that brought me to Derby in the first place.
Answering the question about activity at the platform tonight - no, I've not seen anything but slumbering birds. They're recharging their energy ready for another busy day tomorrow!
can we now move on off this subject and get back to what the blog is about please? it was noted in previous enteries from a project team member that we should refrain from going on about this subject all the time, and talk about other aspects of these birds etc. as i do feel that the conversation is starting to get a bit out of hand yet again,
I agree, Wayne1984. I hope the moderator will soon remove all of the inappropriate and unwelcome comments and we'll get back to the usual adult and intelligent observations. And no, I still haven't seen anything other than snoozing peregrines tonight.
Why should a wild native species of any kind make way for a Domestic Animal or bird made my man? Nothing against Domestic pigeons but surely our native fauna
and flora has to come first. I think Pigeon fanciers will soon alienate them selfs and have little public support, through a few bad apples.
i would not say that they are innapropriate comments as everyone is entiteled to their views and beliefs, but i do think that by continously talking about the same things it will bring the site into disrpute and loose viewers due to the amout of annimosity brewing on this site,
by the way, congratulations "A & C Marshall" for the stunning photo at the head of the blog subject entry. I hope you might be at the watchpoint on the Late Spring Bank Holiday so I can ask you for tips. Actually, all of the photography on the site is of fantastic quality, well done all.
thankyou, wayne 1984 , you have an open mind , unlike SUE , censorship of comment's that don't go along with her view , is that the way to go SUE , is it SUE'S way or no way , iam just stating the fact's , can you not face the TRUTH , is it that hard that censorship must be brought into play , iam an adult& some what intelligent , and have studied bird's of pray for 40+ year's , therefor i think i would know as much as you or maybe more in respect of this topic the PEREGRINE
end of the day you comming on to this blog saying what you are saying is not helping the situation, end of the day everyone has to realise that what is happening is nature at its very but nature it best and very worst, but then again it is not only peregrines that take pigeons as i am sure you are aware,
and some pigeons go out and never come back due to the fact they cant find there way back, which again is nature. as i said above the fact pigeon fanciers are comming on here saying what they are saying is not helping the issue, as i am sure none of us come onto your blogs and comment. so can we now leave it at that and get on with what we do and you get on with what you do??
Thank you Roger (AT) for your very helpful instructions. I have been busy over this long weekend and not had much time to check out the comments. Sorry I missed you earlier. Wish I could have been at the watchpoints.Thanks team for the update on what happened there to-day.
trying the URL link thing
Blog link
That was dead easy ..... you learn something every day.
Thanks Project manager & Karan Anne
If memory serves me correctly, the team cleans out the nestbox after the young have fledged and left. They might be able to retrieve rings then. But, as noted, the parents remove the remains as a matter of course, so I am thinking you will not find much information.
There was a list of prey types posted last year, I think, identified by feathers or something, and it was very diverse, maybe 40(?) different birds, so I would not assume that pigeons are the primary prey at all.
I do feel for the loss of your birds from whatever cause, but since they're in the middle of the food chain, the only way to keep them safe is building a big aviary and not exposing them to animals higher up on the food chain.
pax Canada 7.11pm
Mom is watching over her chicks, it seems a little darker in the nest tonight
The falcon left the tray at 06:03 and appeared less than 2 minutes later on the puudding cam with frsh prey - maybe Mr. P has been providing breakfast after all.
pax Canada 10.22
Mum is feeding her chicks
pax Canada 10.25pm
Roger you are up early
Is it just me or is the camera still on night vision??
Hello Pax - Yes, I am always up early - 5:30 or 06:00 most mornings! Living near Vienna, I am also an hour ahead of UK time.
Oh! The falcon just departed after feeding the youngsters breakfast. That should keep them quiet for a bit!
pax Canada 10.33
Fiona, during the night the nest seemed darker then usual, looks like the sun might be coming round on to the neat now
Pax Canada
Roger ah I see, and here our day is just coming to an end
Mom is back with her chicks now
Cam 1 seems very reluctant to switch into daylight mode, despite some rays of sunshine falling on the chicks.
Very exasperating - with the falcon perched so sweetly on the edge of the tray!
The tiercel is obviously sat next to the pudding cam, as his tail pops into view now and then.
Incredible, a pigeon is sat about three yards away from the peregrine, up near the pudding cam.
Shot on Flickr shortly.
Nodody at all at home on "pudding cam" now - wonder what the end of that story was? Actually, the pigeon was completely safe sitting on the tower - peregrines need to stoop in flight to kill - it would be too dangerous to fly at the stonework.
Hey Roger near Vienna. I visited Vienna at Christmas (for all of its music connections) and boy, was it cold or what.
Hello Sue,
Yes Vienna can be very cold in winter, often between -10C and -15C and I have known -25C Brrrrrrrr it froze the diesel in my car once.
You are right the hawk flew off first, and the pigeon a few minutes later. It does seem like tweaking the tigers tail though, to sit so cheekily close.
I am back using the company IT system, so web-cam images are blocked. I will get a slap if I use a proxy server to get round it. All news and photos on Flickr are most welcome.
Hi Sue,
The photo is by Colin not by us sorry we do not wish to take the credit for something we did not do. (there is a note at the bottom stating this). Colin is usually down and I am sure will be happy to offer advice.
Re the wesite. This is funded by the city council and a Sponsor (I think)I am concerned if it becomes a battle ground the money may not be so readliy available, could we accept that we have different opinions and leave it at that please.We have had chance to express opinions and I for one enjoy this site.
Chris M
Feed time... again
Feed time - looks like a small prey not very clear. Still in night mode. Makes a change seeing the images in black and white as opposed to colour.
Just been watching the scrape, some little ones walking around and one was out of view, just get seeing hime when he came near the bar.
I think we are still on night view?
Please, please no more fractious comments, it is spoiling the website and I thoroughly enjoy it for the Peregrins.
Joy
You're absolutely right Joy, though I'm struggling to restrain myself from letting Maidment have a comprehensive salvo.
First time I've ever heard the RSPB likened to an anti-aircraft missile.....
@ Wayne
If you are at the cathedral I can see the Falcon watching you, hope you manage some good photos!
Mum is still sitting on the ledge of the scrape and Tiercel in on Gargoyl above looking down, chicks are all fast asleep.
Hi everyone, just back from the cathedral green, i am afraid to say not alot was happening, apart fromt he male bringing back what looked like a blackbird, of which the female took off him straight away and fed the chicks. after this happened, he flew off again and when he finally arrived back he was empty handed this time. but then the bad weather started so i have come away.
Watchpoint Postscript
During the Watchpoint on Saturday, one of the Vergers asked if we could identify a bird he'd found beneath one of the Catherdal's rain water pipes. This was provisionally identified as a Common Tern. Not sure if this is a new species for the prey list or not. Perhaps Nick M. can confirm?
A quick word re the webcam - there is a problem with the nest camera which we are trying to rectify although it may be tomorrow before this is completed. Sorry that all is in black and white - it makes it atmospheric!!! We will be as quick as we can.
Tony
Hi Tony thanks for letting us know the score with that, will you be around tomorrow morning??
Out of curiousity, I found the prey list I had mentioned. Here's what it says, from 28 December 2008:
"Anyway, since someone asked for the complete prey list of the 46 bird species and one mammal found at Derby Cathedral since 2005, here it is:
mallard - teal - gadwall - ruddy & tufted ducks
woodcock - common & jack snipe - dunlin - knot
redshank - lapwing - golden plover
bar & black tailed godwit - whimbrel - turnstone
quail - water rail - little grebe - moorhen
common & arctic tern - black headed gull
jay - jackdaw - crow - magpie - pied wagtail
swift - little owl - fieldfare - redwing - blackbird
song & mistle thrush - great spotted woodpecker
robin - skylark - chaffinch - goldfinch - starling
wood pigeon - feral pigeon - collared dove - waxwing
and one brown rat!"
Folllowed by this comment by our Froona: "They are not very picky now are they, our beloved peregrines, just grab what's flying over."
@Karen Anne, better make that 47 species, racing pigeon forgot .....again!
Why do they not list when you have a webcam that gives you the proof? They had 3 rung birds from friday to Sunday, one had a fresh race rubber, suggesting it was not "lost".
Regarding the list of 46 species of prey, i look and weep, of the 46 all bar 1 (the rat) is on the list of birds that are decreasing rapidly from our shores.
When you protect a species (as beautiful as it is)that has no natural predator then the day will come when the food runs out.
BTW, not a pigeon fancier, just a bird lover.
Last year there was a go wild event in Derby which was linked in with the spring watch programme, are there any plans for a similar event this year does anyone know
does anyone know how long the parents have been away?
Pretty sharp eyes there, alot better than mine, I could not pick a new rubber clock ring up from the images on my Pc. Though I can make out rings. Indeed if this was a new clock rubber ring. It must have been competing in a old bird race as the young bird season has not yet started. And a fit experienced racing pigeon is more than a match for a peregrine indeed faster in level flight, Just seems strange when there is easier offerings they make it hard for them selfs. I think perhaps the rings of pigeons could be noted and the age of the birds passed on and noted. I think it could work in the peregrines favour, I suspect genuine number of pigeons directly lost to this pair of peregrines to be quite low. And peregrines was almost wiped out, again due to man with his pesticdes. I think we should look a little closer to home why some species are in decline,
Chicks are getting lively - the biggest one has is flapping and stretching it's wings!
Parent just got back!
Looks like lunch time.
Andy M, Watchpoint postscript:
The Stockholm University ring found in the detritus after the 2007 season was also identified as having come off a tern - although I think it may have been an arctic tern rather than a common tern?
Roger (AT) - yes, it was blooming cold in Vienna. We arrived on Christmas Day but were sorry to see when we arrived that we'd missed the Christmas Markets (which we hadn't realised were on).
Agree with you that the pigeon sitting near to the falcon is taking a risk I wouldn't in his shoes (if pigeons wore shoes).
Sorry to miscredit the photo - it's still stunning though so well done COLIN! I hope to see you and get tips when I visit on Bank Holiday Monday! I also hope to climb the Tower and am searching out my sensible shoes even now.
Feeding just finished. I noticed the youngsters are flexing their wings. Pix on flickr
Look, this pigeon discussion is getting very boring and repetitious. If you want to get rid of a species because of its deliterious effect on animals, start with humans, the biggest offender. Racing pigeons aren't even a natural breed.
Please take it to pigeon blogs. That's personally my last word on the subject. I hope everyone will ignore these posts and the project folks will remove them when they see them.
Anonymous responding to Karen Anne.
True, the Peregrine is a top predator (though occasionally themselves predated by more powerful raptors). Like any top predator it owes its survival to its food supply not running out. If this ever happens it will be due to other influences - not exclusively because of the top predator's impact. This is an absolutely fundamental rule of nature.
A question for the project team - has anyone got a video of these parents hunting and catching a prey? I for one would love to see that.
Oooops!! I posted my comment about the video before reading any of the other comments. I hope I haven't offended anyone.
Unfortunatly it does have a natural predator, Man. Only this last week repoerts have been given of a peregrine nest that has been destroyed, very sad.
We surely can't believe that nearly every meal they have is a racing pigeon, it's ludicrous. Racing pigeons are bred in captivity and i suspect that as long as man 'fancies' pigeons then they will continue to be bred, so lets face facts, it is highly unlikely that racing pigons will eve be wiped out from the skies.
When one is out and about there are many 'ringed' pigons pottering about in town centres, stations....... I suspect that these birds have decided that it is a far better standard of living having freedom to roam and nest where they wish. Far better to be comfortable under the eaves of an old railway bridge with the slim chanc that they may be 'caught for dinner' than to be kept couped up in some aviary and let out to basically provide a bit of entertaiment for their human owners.
Pigeons that have escaped the hands of man simply rock!! (Claerly more intelligent than we give them credit for!)
And with that i'm going to hang my washing out.........
re Videos - I've seen them taking sand martins over Pride Park, and stooping over the city centre, but no videos I'm afraid.
Just to say that we're reluctant to delete comments, or to over moderate, but once again the comments being left by a few people with very differing views are not enjoyed by many others.
This is a blog with comments enabled, not a full-blown discussion forum. Will webcam watchers please respect that, or it may be withdrawn.
Thanks Kishore:
I thought that no-one would post any screenshots whilst I am slaving away over a hot keyboard!
Great to se them flexing their stumpy little wings. Just getting ready to tease the ringers, I expect that they can pack a hefty nip with thosebeaks!
@ Roger - its a pleasure.
@ Project Manager -
I believe I am guilty of posting short messages as if it were a forum.
Please accept my apologies for this, it is easy to get carried away with the progress. Not an excuse but this is my first time 'blogging' as it were. I will restrain myself from now on.
Perhaps a discussion forum would be useful when it becomes possible.
Hey Roger
I'm so glad someone has done as you requested! I couldn't help you because I don't have the first clue how to post on flikr - and I don't have time to learn right now. I'm SUPPOSED to be slaving away over a hot keyboard and my employer would be justifiably jolly cross if such slaving has nothing to do with what I'm paid to do. It would be absolutely wonderful if the watchpoint or one of the other venues could have an "Idiot's Guide to Flikr" on the 25th when I come up to Derby.
has anyone seen male and or female this afternoon????
@ Wayne -
I have been watching most of the last hour and not seen any parent as far as I am aware, I have been busy but glancing at the screen regularly.
thanks phoebe for your reply on parents. i thought the male was seen flying over near where i live but it was right up in sky and of course no binoculars with me. so not 100% sure that was just before i left the comment.
The male (I think!) was sitting on the front of the nest for a while at about 3ish. Haven't seen either of them since then.
One of them was about when i got in from picking my son up, about 3.30.
Mum is back on the pudding cam view, and has dinner for her babes.
Pax Canada 8046am
falcon having supper on the pudding cam
pax Canada,
mum is now sharing with her chicks
They are both on the pudding cam now, and it looks like more food. I will put a pic up (if I can remember how to do it)
pax Canada
a second feed
Really 46 species of birds and sand martins in derby? I would of thought Derby too far inland for sand martin and too fast, even for these! Is there a log kept for every feed? Sorry not trying to ruin blog by asking questions.
A quick final reply to this set of comments:
We've not got the proof that sand martins have actually been caught - but they've been well chased with some amazing vertical stoops which I watched a coupole of years ago at pride Park. Stunning to see.
Sandmartin are not maritime birds -they nest anywhere inland - even away from water - where there are excavatable sand banks in which to nest. Our city council installed one which was occupied by 40 birds in its first year in 2004, and has been ever since.
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