Latest reports are that our last bird to leave the nest was hanging on the the stonework just a short distance below the ledge. So not really a maiden flight yet. We're on standby in case a rescue is needed, but are hopeful that he'll be OK once he takes the plunge and lets go.
Subsequent update: Half an hour later one of our juveniles was back on the ledge. Is this the one that just left, and has managed to return, or is it one of the others? More information to follow later this evening.
Friday 12th has started sunny and calm in Derby.....though cloud is due to spread eastwards during the day.
Watchpoints have now been organised for today, Saturday and Sunday so do come down (or up) to Derby if you are in striking distance. There are a few DVDs on sale there but you can also order from the wildlife trust office by phoning 01773 881188 in office hours. The cathedral and museum shops may have copies for sale but did have some supply problems - please check.
Also remember that The Cathedral Centre on Irongate does excellent coffees, light meals and take-aways...well worth supporting!
Herewith some photo
s from flickr sent in by:ann (Canada) - titled 'come on up',
by rejsharp (the threesome) and
by marski - showing one of the young on the roof of the cathedral.
Many thanks to th
em all!Nick Brown (DWT)
97 comments:
Thank you for posting my photo on this page, we thought this was 008 but could not have been so it may be 009. She was nicknamed Roadrunner because she was running all round the edge peering over at everyone.
There is a youngster feeding close up on the pudding cam.
The chick on pudding cam hasn't quite got the hang of "close ups" yet has he/she? :-)
There is one peeking it's head out on the pudding cam.
@ Phoebe:
They have been playing that game since 05:00. Sometimes in view, somtimes hidden behind the big columns, or cam-cuddling.
It looks like #08 is waiting for you to arrive. He does some enegetic wing flapping, looking for all the world that he about to fly, then sits very still, just watching the world go by. Now Mr. Lazybones is laying down, peeping over the edge strip.
Have a nice day in Derby. Photos are expected!
Please don't feed the troll.
Reaction and recognition are it's only pleasure.
Strike disappointment into it's miserable heart by totally ignoring it.
@ Roger
I really hope he is waiting for me, I shall give him a big wave LOL and hope he takes flight!
He certainly has been teasing us, but I do think he will fly today at some point. Will do my best for photos but I won't have the better camera as it is not mine...
There is one sitting on the pudding cam, I can see his/her tail every now and then. Doesn't it look funny when the one at the top kind of comes running up to the pudding cam and gives it a big stare, it must be reflective! Vanity rules!
@all nice, non-troll friends
Even I am not going to feed the troll this time!
Changing the subject entirely, hey you guys, lay off criticising #008 as well - I can't recall quite who's who, but I suspect he's the last hatched one, loads younger than the rest! I must go back and note down who's who so I've got my facts right.
Am quite suprised to check my notes and see #008 is not "loads" younger! First hatch was 29.4.09 and last was 2.5.09. It may be true that he's "tiddler" and the baby of the family, but he's also "Mr Lazybones".
Laid 3 days later - that means he's still got a day to go if he flies 3 days after the first (non-accidental) one. I think.
Hatched, I mean.
... and also, to be fair to #008, he's not just the baby, as a male, he's way smaller than the females.
By the way, this site is now showing as 15th in the "top 100" rankings. WOW!
I'd just like to say (once again) how excellent this site is and what a huge privilege to be able to watch these magnificent birds successfully rearing their young.
Assuming that Tiddler (if in fact it is he) eventually flies the nest, that will be 4 fledged youngsters this year, so added to the fledglings from previous years - that makes it a grand total of 13 for Mr. & Mrs. P! Wow, that's some achievement. (2006-3,
2007-2, 2008-4, 2009-4) So Tiddler is the unlucky 13th, maybe that's what's holding him back!
It has been a wonderful few weeks enjoying the life of the Derby Peregrines and I am sure we have some good viewing ahead yet. I would just like to thank all the team and the assistance given to them by the eager volunteers - job well done. I am going to send a donation to the project to try and ensure that 'we can do it all again next year' - please - if you are able make a donation, do so, I am sure every little helps.
Yes, I agree that in many ways, the best bit is still to come for all of the people lucky enough to live in or around Derby. It's been fabulous and a real privilege watching events on the webcam but now there's a story to follow "for real". I know my brother has been waiting for the birds to fledge before visiting - in fact, he's making a "pilgrimage" of as many urban peregrine sites as he can. To my mind, Derby remains the no 1 site, not least of all for the way it makes us all feel included. With just a tiny exception, I've really enjoyed "meeting" all of the people on the blog too and sharing our love of the fabulous Peregrines of Derby!!! I just wish one of the young peregrines would find a mate and come and populate the very peregrine-less Buckinghamshire County Hall.
PS and don't forget, everyone who wants to see the project next year, do your bit and chip in to the fund (via DWT is the safe way to do it)
I have been away for few days, can anyone tell me if mum continues to feed #009, looks like she is lonely staying on the platform. Jennie, HK.
Hi, Jennie,
It's 008 in the nestbox. Someone (Phoebe? Wayne?) got a photo showing 008 on the ring.
@Jennie (HK):
A close-up has showed that it is #08 in the scrape.
Yes - he got very well fed yesterday, although the parents may decide not to feed him, so as to encourage him to fly for more food.
Looks like Tiddler has got a visitor!
Alan165
Thanks Karen Anne and Roger. Very well fed yesterday, wow, glad to hear that. Jennie, HK.
One of the other youngsters has joined Tiddler in the scrape.
Looks like one of the females by the size of her. Really looks like she's telling him how easy it is to fly & the first time's always the scariest, and she'll be there for him as support. Silly I know, but nice to think !!
About donations, an easy way to donate is -
You can phone the Derby Wildlife Trust direct from the U.S. by simply dialing 011 44 1773 881188. That number includes all the magic country codes you need to get there.
Be sure they know the donation is for the peregrine project.
They can take a credit card donation over the phone. Your credit card may allow you to charge in British pounds with no transaction fee or the card may add on an additional fee up to (I think) 3%.
Either Tiddler or his visitor flew off the nestbox. Logic would say the visitor, but from the size, I am not sure. Pic on flicker right next to rejsharp's photo of them shortly before, showing their sizes...
Just wanted to say thanks so much for posting my picture. I am very honoured. Especially considering you all had to help figure out how to do it. I have so much enjoyed this season and look forward to next year. Thanks to all the team for all their hard work and watch point staff etc. etc. The encouragement of those who posted nice comments was very much appreciated. Lets look forward to seeing all the birds fly safely. Great job team. Your worth a million.
... and the other advantage for UK taxpayers in donating via DWT is that they are able to claim Gift Aid money back (a way of getting money from the Government at no extra charge to the donor - hurrah!) As Karen Anne points out though, it needs to be made clear it's for the Peregrine Project
Sue in Bucks in haste
I feel very lucky to have gone to the Cathedral Green this morning and looked at 3 of the "babies" through the telescopes set up there. Although I live in Derby I haven't visited before to see them "for real" although I spend a lot of time on the website on my home computer.
At least two were eating very well whilst I was there, the one left on the nesting platform was certainly tucking into something which had been left for them to sort out for themselves and there was another bird up on the water spout quite high above the nesting platform tucking in as well. The third was high on a pinnacle to the top right of the nesting platform just sitting surveying the world.
Lovely to see them in the flesh and thanks to the two on Cathedral Green for letting me look through the 3 telescopes there.
I will certainly go again within the next week to the Green.
@ Karen Anne:
It was the visitor that flew.
#08 still has a couple of patches of white fluff on his back. (care - not visible from all angles).
He got quite energetic for a while after the sibling left, but has resumed his "Master of All I Survey" pose.
Well, I for one am happy to see Tiddler taking his time and all that flapping around this morning can only help to strengthen his wing muscles :)
Here's where we were on 23rd March, with thanks to our departed friend Froona.
Speaking of Froona, here is a paragraph from her web site project, the remainder in Dutch which is being translated into English by some of her friends. This is a two hanky excerpt about a Mom peregrine helping a newly fledged one home:
"The juvie was fluttering, visibly tired and in panic, even further away. Mariah, who had an eye on the small one, was ready to guide her when the juvie finally managed to land on a roof edge. But she was too far away from the nest. The juvie was very tired and quite upset. Mariah landed beside her and you could hear and see how she vocally comforted the juvie. Later she brought some food and fed the small one. After some time it seemed that the juvie was calmed.
Mariah wanted the juvie to fly back to the nest. It was too unsafe to be so far away from it. She and Kaver wanted to have the 5 juveniles together, so they could keep an eye on them and protect them. Mariah took off and tried to get the juvie in the air, which eventually worked out. And then the watchers saw something very special. Mariah flying under her frightened tired juvie and carrying her home.
The upward force generated by her powerful wings pushed the juvie upward. The juvie had to hold the right angle to be brought back home. In essence it’s the same way when geese are flying to the south in each other’s slipstream. It was phenomenal to see how Mariah safely brought her young back to the nest."
That's amazing, Karen Anne.
Despite all our hours watching the webcams, there's a lot we cannot see.
I thought I'd post this link once again for anyone who hasn't seen it. These are two of the juvies from Mariah & Kaver's brood in Rochester, 2007 - just for fun & enjoyment (watch as a slideshow).
@Karen Anne
You were right- a two-hanky paragraph. Thanks for it.
I logged in for the first time on the day of the first egg. I watched it being laid and later saw the first egg-shell emerge and I have logged on many times every day. I have so enjoyed this site. Thanks to the peregrine team, Colin, the photographer, and all the other knowledgeable and hard-working helpers. I am off on Monday for a month's holiday but shall be tuned in this weekend and the first thing I shall do on return is to log on and see what is going on. I have not managed to get to the cathedral though I don't live too far away but certainly shall in the future. I have donated and bought the DVD and shall donate again when I return.
Thanks also to the posters on the blog. I have read all the comments every day, and have loved sharing the excitement and delight at these amazing birds. Thanks again, everyone.
EH
He has flown!
Flown, fallen or hiding very well.
Chris, Alrewas
Well, that's the excitement over for another year. Thank you, team, for all the effort you've put in so that we, as viewers, have been able to follow the progress of the of the peregrines. Your efforts are much appreciated.
If folks are interested, there's another peregrine nest at www.thewebbroadcastingcorporation.com, and more raptors at www.rspb.org.uk/webcams .
Happy viewing .... BobofFife
Well Done all the TEAM and Derby Peregrines, another wonderful year of watching this spectacular event. Then I missed the last one to leave at 2pm today, "let the wind fill your wings" and soar off to a good and happy life. Don't forget to Donate to the Project, so we can all enjoy this again next year.Thank you all for the effort and comments.
I have watched entranced from mating to final flight. And put others in touch so they could enjoy.
Thanks to all in the project for your hard work and to the others who have shared their knowledge and photo work.
Donation to follow.
@ Chris:
Exactly - we will have to wait for a report from Ground Control.
Yes, I guess the most exciting part is done from what we will see via the webcams, but the project team have a busy week ahead, as the youngsters face the huge challenge of surviving the first weeks.
I hope that Phoebe and other visitors got some good views and photos from the latest flight.
There's three on the pudding cam - two youngsters at the front and I can't tell if the one at the back is a youngster or one of the adults.
Latest news from Derby's Cathedral Green.
Our last bird (008) hasn't fully left the nest yet - but is apparently gripping with grim determination to the rough stonework a few metres below the platform. We should know shortly whether or not it can manage a maiden flight, or whether we'll have to go on another rescue mission.
Thanks for the generous offers of donations from several of you. These are much needed and much appreciated.
Please be aware though that the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust office is now closed until Monday 9 am should you intend to pay by debit/credit card.
Nick M has news shortly of 008 who is 'not far away' - or wasn't when we spoke.
Nick B (DWT)
Oh, I don't know whether to feel happy or sad - happy for the 4 new young peregrines, sad for an end to the cameraderie of such good people both near and far. I always enjoyed and learned from the blog as much as from the webcams. I'll be passing through Derby on annual business in Nottingham the last Saturday in October so will stop by the Cathedral, of course. With luck, I'll be able to visit before then - maybe for another Cathedral Tower climb! Meantime, have a good summer everyone and not goodbye but au revoir.
Dang, missed the final flight. This morning we had #08 preparing for lift off in the tray, were the other three accounted for? I’ve just seen two up top and one back in the scrape, so assume these are the other three if #08 is below the tray at the moment.
RJ
pax Canada
I guess the last one went back to the nest, is now laying down
Is it known where 008 is? I see one bird napping in the nestbox, and two at the pudding cam. Don't know if they are all juveniles.
Pretty sure they're all juvies, Karen Anne. Vertical barring and grey/blue bills.
I think that's #008 back on the scrape.
Hang around folks, this isn't over yet :)
pax Canada
@Karen Anne, I think they are zooming in to try and see a # on its leg.
@Karen Anne
The Team are reporting #08 as clinging on a couple of metres below the tray, so not the one in the tray. Then again, I just noticed they tried to zoom in, presumably to see if they can spot the ring. Which makes me think #08 has either flown off and they can’t see it, and are wondering if it did get back up. I felt #08 had a bit more white down on its back this morning than the one in the tray, but who knows..
RJ
pax Canada
maybe it was scared being on the ledge and managed to flap itsway back into the nest.
If they zoom in again try to capture the picture like I did last time. I am watching but not well with a cold so my attention may be diverted.
I would guess that is #08 in the tray, he looks the right size, and has still got a bit of fluff on him!
I notice he is laying very flat, obviously not impressed with his first adventure.
Are we sure that 008 made a flight?
When I watched I saw two in the tray and had guessed 008 was to the left as we see it, then the other flew off. It did seem to go downward and out of my sight but then I saw one, if not the same one, come flying up and behind a tree to the right (north side) of the Cathedral.
I think it is 008 in the scrape, he looks throughly cheesed off & bedraggled - I think the other juvies are laughing at his ineptitude !!
Well if it is 008 in the tray, and I think it is, he has done very well to get back in! More than the others managed on their maiden flight. He is clearly not ready yet, maybe tomorrow...
The one in the tray looks bigger than 008 so I'm not so sure now.
At 16.15.17 your time I took a picture of what looked like an empty nest I observed for quite a while no sign of the little one anywhere. Then later there it was. So I would have to guess he got a short flight. Got some nice pics from up by the pud. cam. Hope to post them later.
Looking forward to meeting you all in September. So far only met Tony. Will do my best to bring a donation, though as you know times are tough and we lost our home this year. I am so blessed to be making the trip at all. Will put something away each week. You do a great job and if I ever win the lottery you will be first on the list. lol. You never know do you?
Hello all, just wanted to say it's been brilliant and thanks for all the hard work that goes into this fantastic, worthwhile project.
How long will the webcams be operating for? Don't know how I'm going to manage to get back to "normal" life.....
Mary T, Caerphilly, S Wales.
p.s. see you in person next year when we are living in Derby!
I see the juvie in the tray is being fed by a parent, he has been feeding okay on his own previously so I wonder why this is happening?
Phoebe, I suspect there isn't a sharp transition between eating on their own and being fed.
I see that with the sparrow fledglings on my deck. One minute one will be eating independently from a feeder, the next he or she is doing the fluttering of wings that means feed me in Sparrow, and an adult shows up and pops a seed in the fledgling's beak.
pax Canada
@ Mary, the cams are always on, I check back in even in the winter.
pax Canada
I see food has been left in the tray, chickis perched on the rail on the other side
@ Karen Anne
Yes I see that with song birds in my garden but didn't know if it happened with Birds of Prey.
It's not over yet - if the comings and goings are anything to go by! We'll all say goodbye later...
Oh, OK then Tom! (I knew I wouldn't stay away from this site for very long - I'm supposed to be revising for my Law exams too! Think of me on Thursday when I sit down without a thought in my head)
the juvie is fast asleep perched on the edge of the nest ledge..... hope those talons are locked on tightly!!!!
steph (canada)
pax Canada
#8 left the nest
05.22 youngster flies the nest.
pax Canada
another chick visible on ledge on right side, but was there before #8 left
Pax Canada
I think #8 has returned to the nest
Post a Comment On: Derby Cathedral Peregrine Project - 2009"Another sunny morning (updated)"
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Seemed a short flight unless we are looking at two different birds.
pax Canada
@ Anon, I think it is #8if it would turn around we could zoom in on the leg
It would be great to know whether this is #08. The scrape was empty for two minutes and the juvenile definitely flew off to the right (split screen view). Both cameras checked several times. It must have taken a great deal of effort because last time I looked the juvenile was falling asleep again.
A parent has just landed on the platform, but quickly departed again. It was not the bird previously perched on the castellations, that one is still there. See BP328 on Flickr.
I wonder if our platform hugger was doing the "flap up out of sight" trick earlier? or yes indeed that one flew and another landed? (the latter is not so likely, I think).
We are certainly getting our moneys worth of entertainment.
Hello Rip van Winkle is awake again - I must get ready to take a screenshot.
All of our latest comments are about the platform or webcam areas, what happened to the bird that ended up west of the tower?
Can anyone say what length of flight the three juveniles are making? Are they just fluttering or jumping from ledge to ledge?
Do you think it would be possible for someone to make a schematic drawing of the cathedral for next year with labels for parts of the building and compass points so that we could have an idea of where they are?
EH
Has he flown? the tray is empty?
Drat - did I choose the wrong time to mow the grass!
Roger it looks like you did, I was loading the dishwasher... there is an update on the main page, he is on the stonework below! They are ready if he goes to ground.
@ Phoebe:
Is that a new update, or the one from yesterday?
Roger, yes it's from yesterday I'm not quite with it today I am full of cold!
Hi Phoebe - no worries! I guess that the Project Team will give us a disposition report on what the various juveniles are up to.
I have a much harder job this morning - taking my teenage daughter to Vienna, shopping for clothes! I will take a book.
Is it possible 008 has been on the stonework below the nest for a day?
Have four birds been sighted lately, or is it possible one is in difficulty somewhere?
By the way, the schematic drawing or a labeled photo of the cathedral would be great. I have no idea of where the birds are when parts of the cathedral are referred to :-)
Hi @Roger
What's wrong with shopping in Vienna - sounds great to me (except for the prices which I found shocking when I was there at Christmas) Your daughter would love Derby - there's a really cool ladies clothes shop at the side of the Cathedral (I bought my favourite jacket from there) Today for me is a "Springwatch" type event at the Bucks County Museum, I'm manning the mammals recording exhibit. Another fight on my hands with mega bad trolls - the badger issue. I fear a one sided argument coming up on "Countryfile" on the telly tomorrow. Meanwhile ...... where's the "clinger" got to?
The large pudding-cam view is lovely.
EH
The juvie showing on the pudding cam now, is the one that was in the tray yesterday, he has the white mark on his back...
WoW! Some great views of one of the juvies on the tower cam just now. I think it was #8 because he still has a little bit of white down on his head.
A very handsome chap indeed.
Just got a quick glimpse of a juvenile(?) on pudding cam watching something - and then 2 birds in flight appeared above - could have been pigeons but I am hoping it was a flying lesson!
Is it possible to alter the angle of one of the nest cameras to show a wider area, ie would we be able to see the birds flying in the tower area?
Terry, I put a photo of that one on flicker.
@anonymous
Camera angle - in tehory we could widen the angle of the tower cam a little, but this would, in turn, reduce the size of the birds when they roost, preen, feed and mate etc on the tower ledge. It's not something that easy to do, requiring complete withdrawal of the camera mounting via the cathedral's lead lined guttering.
So, sorry, nit really possible I;m afraid.
Thanks Karen Anne.
The best views are on the 'left camera' right now. Close ups of two juvies enjoying the sunshine.
@anonymous
Camera angle - in theory we could widen the angle of the tower cam a little, but this would, in turn, reduce the size of the birds when they roost, preen, feed and mate etc on the tower ledge. It's not something that's at all easy to do, requiring complete withdrawal of the camera mounting via the cathedral's lead lined guttering.
So, sorry, not really possible I'm afraid, but worth asking.
Just logged on again and found he's gone but two on pudding cam. Yesterday saw him from below at around 10.00a.m.
Looks as though there is something in the far side of the scrape, could it be a food stache?
To Project Member
Thank you for your response. I understand what you are saying and the views we get of the Peregrines on the ledge are magnificent. I was thinking more of one of the nest cameras but perhaps they have non-rotating "heads".
This is my first year here and I have so enjoyed seeing the peregrines. I shall most certainly be watching for the next few weeks and definitely be back next year. Thank you all for your excellent work.
The camera's that show the nest are fixed and the only way to change their angle/direction would be to abseil down - not an option at present.
As Nick M said earlier, the pud cam that looks across the gargoyles is only slightly easier to adapt. So for now, you see what you see I'm afraid!
The fourth chick was seen on another building this morning not too far from the tower so hopefully will make it back later.
Nick B (DWT)
At 15:36 mum arrived with food but there was no youngsters in sight, then one popped his head from around the stonework but mum flew off as he was not hungry. Pix going on flickr later.
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