Saturday 20 June 2009

Last of the Watch Points (updated with video)

Today was a greyer day than we’ve had of late and quite chilly out of the sun but some good views of all the peregrines were had by all who came down to the Cathedral Green.When we set up, only the adult male and the two males juveniles could be seen. Dad was in his usual perch high in the stonework of the “window” above the nest and the two youngsters were up by Pudding Cam finishing off the remains of an earlier meal.


Little changed with these three until Dad flew off and was last seen heading Northeast very high up – presumably on a hunting trip – at about midday. At about 11.00, the adult female flew in from behind us and landed just below the nest platform where she stayed for about twenty minutes before flying off low to the North accompanied by the remaining female juvenile. She was later seen on one of the aerials on top of some nearby flats where she remained for most of the rest of the session. The female juvenile wasn’t seen again until about 1.00 o’clock when she appeared on the aerial which her mother had recently left to return to the Cathedral.


Finally, just as we were starting to pack away at 1.30, she returned to the Cathedral and we were treated to the whole family in front of us, although in true peregrine fashion there was very little activity - until the last of the equipment was put away, at which point the adult female took off and circled around briefly, being joined by one of her offspring with much calling from all the youngsters. This has become a feature of the Saturday watchpoints – as soon as we start to clear away, it all starts to happen!


Today was our last watchpoint for this year, although inevitably we will visit from time to time to check on progress. Thank you to all who visited for taking the time to show an interest in these magnificent creatures and for your kind donations which go towards the cost of running the project and the webcams and thank you especially to Luke’s mum for the cream cakes today – they were much appreciated!


Andy, Chris, Helen 20 June 2009


Postscript: And a huge big thanks to all the volunteers who have helped out this season. You've been great! That's: Steve and Ann, John and Neil, Brian and Margaret, Jane and Paul, Sue, Wayne, Celia, Helen, Andy and Chris and Margaret.
We've been fortunate with the weather, with just one day cancelled because of rain if my memory serves me correctly.
Finally, here's a recent video clip of juvenile on top of Derby Cathedral tower. It's looks like our remaining female pushing the adult male out of the way. (Note: we are aware of a problem with the audio on this clip, but the hum has since been fixed.)

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

A big thank you from me to DWT and all involved in the project. You are really where Britain has Talent.

The sad news of 009 only brings home the fragility of life for most wildlife however hard we might try to undo the damage we cause, and have caused over the years.

I will be keeping an eye on the webcam throughout the year hoping to see a glimpse of the family.

looking forward to next year.

Chris, Alrewas.

Pax Canada 2.30pm said...

two on the pudding cam

Pax Canada 11.19pm said...

falcon on the scrape

Mary T, Caerphilly, S Wales said...

Somebody looks happy on pudding cam!

Pax Canada 2.08am said...

falcon on the pudding cam.
Time for me to get some sleep

Tracy & Luke said...

Glad you enjoyed the cakes, thanks again to everyone involved for all your hard work.

Karen Anne said...

Video: That is a Big Girl :-)

DL01 said...

To reiterate - big thank you from me to DWT and all involved in the project.

The demise of 009 was very saddening and hope 008, 010 & 011 live on and flourish, in their sister memory.

Is the project planning on producing a dvd for the Peregrine Project - 2009?

Nick B (DWT) said...

Hi DL01: thanks for your kind remarks - but please be aware that the wildlife trust is just one of the three partners that run this project - the other two being Derby Museum and Art Gallery (part of Derby City Council which hosts the web cams and blog) and The Cathedral itself. A new blog entry will say more about this soon.
There are no plans for a 2009 DVD I'm afraid. The first one is still very current and in fact, the same things tend to happen annually of course so the many video clips the DVD contains could have been taken any year.....
Nick B (DWT)

Pax Canada said...

falcon on the pudding cam giving us a close up

Pax Canada said...

I just watched the video, and apart from the great shot it was so nice to hear the bells.
I remember last year there was a video of an egg being laid and the bells were ringing almost in celebration.

Phoebe said...

I would like to say thank you to the DWT, the Art Gallery, Derby Museum and the Cathedral for making all this possible. I have thoroughly enjoyed spring this year, making new friends and meeting so many likeminded people has been wonderful. I have learned so much from you all. I will still be visiting from time to time to see how the family progress and of course, keeping an eye on the webcams. Thank you also for the latest video, it was very enjoyable and good to hear the bells too.

Ann ( Canada ) said...

@ All the TEAM MEMBERS Thanks for a wonderful season. The video is great loved those bells. Could you not put all the video clips together and maybe add a few more we have not seen. Then sell them???
I think this would be great I certainly would buy them. Make a great Christmas/Birthday present. Just a thought. See you in September.

Unknown said...

well done to all of you great entertainment

kipper

Anonymous said...

Formal thanks and love from me to everyone who has made this project happen this year. You are all stars. It's not goodbye though, I'll keep watching, looking at the blog and visiting Derby whenever I can - I've found that although you have the wonderful gift of resident peregrines, you've a darn fine city too. Have a wonderful summer everyone, and as Dave Allen used to say "may your God, whoever he is, go with you".
Sue xxx

DL01 said...

Nick B - sorry I missed other contributors to this venture and to hear that a new dvd will not be produced for 2009.

I did not get to see 2007 & 2008, so can only associate with what's happened in 2009 (ups and downs).

With the amount of interest generated, a picture book and a dvd would, I feel, be a good seller and bring in much needed funding for further projects in the future.

Phoebe said...

There is a youngster on the pudding cam, it looks very hazy up there. They look so big now!

Nick B (DWT) said...

DL01: thanks for that - we'll discuss your suggestions when we meet up.
Nick B

Karen Anne said...
This comment has been removed by the author.