Hooray! Our webcameras went back online today after a longer than expected break. It's certainly caused the number of visitors to drop off more sharply than previous years, and we're relieved the fault didn't manifest itself during the main period of breeding activity earlier this summer. Thanks to everyone for their patience and understanding.
For those interested in the actual cause of the problem, an inspection of the so-called "error logs" generated by our wireless linkage allowed Cisco, the makers, to identify a bug in their software. New "firmware" had to be loaded onto the two transmitting units, one of which is inside Derby Cathedral; the other is inside The Silk Mill. As usual finding the fault takes a lot longer than actually fixing it, and it's with some relief that Network Webcams are once again receiving our images, and out thanks to Chris and others from Affiniti for sorting out our communication difficulties.
Keen-eyed Derby folk will spot that the picture opposite of Derby Cathedral is not a recent one. In fact the clock has no hands right now, but will reappear soon in stunning blue and gold when its long-awaited overhaul is completed. Read more on this story here and here.
Update: Colin informs us that Cathy (010) is still doing well, though he and the vet are worried about illnesses like arthritis developing which could eventually shorten her life. He gives occasional updates on his blog (but note that the images posted on 4th August were not intended to be those our cathedral bird)
Well done on the webcam, the only problem is, I much preferred the constant blue sky to that depressing grey cloud :)
ReplyDeleteApologies to two commenters who's comments welcoming the web cams back have just been deleted by accident...you may wish to try again perhaps?
ReplyDeleteMessage to Andy: thanks for your message - please leave the BTO number even if NM isn't there.
nick B
A bird preening on the nestbox. I added two photos to the Flicker group.
ReplyDeleteDeleted me huh?
ReplyDeleteWelcome back Derby! We missed you.
Now just waiting for Mr and Mrs P and family to make a guest appearance!
So glad to see the cam back, it's
ReplyDeletelike welcoming back an old friend :)
Falcon on the scrape ledge
ReplyDeleteSomeone is in the pudding cam area. So nice to see the birds again!
ReplyDeleteOh, what a good news to see the web cams back. Cheers. Jennie, HK.
ReplyDeleteI think that may well be "Tiddler" on the nest box. It's been so long since we have seen anyone of them. Great to have the camera back.
ReplyDeleteHooray...I've just done one of my many checks and found the camera's back on line - and just to make it more great there's a youngster sitting on the edge of the scrape !!!
ReplyDeleteI'm a happy bunny - thanks guys !!
Dorothy
Oops, it's been so long since I've seen them I've got my facts wrong, it's an adult on the scrape not a youngster - but I don't know if it's the falcon or the tiercal.
ReplyDeleteDorothy
I just tossed photo up on flicker. Is this an adult? (The bars seem horizontal.)
ReplyDeleteFalcon on the nest ledge
ReplyDeleteone on the tower cam, one on the scrape
ReplyDeleteBrilliant - just saw peregrine on scrape - quite made my day. Thanks to all concerned!!
ReplyDeletewonderful shot on the tower cam
ReplyDeleteHurrah, so good to have the web cam back! I've so missed it. It took me a while to realise it WAS back on because, to be honest, it doesn't look wildly different - just a few fluffy clouds where there was a flawless blue sky before. I can vouch that the cathedral shot isn't up to date - I have a more recent one myself which I'll pop onto flickr when I get a mo. (the non-native Derby people like myself might like to see it)
ReplyDeleteHi
ReplyDeleteGlad to see the cameras back
Is there any news on Cathy (010)
Good to see one of the residents in attendance at this time of the night.
ReplyDeleteGreat to see up and running again. Just had a peek before turning in for the night and a bird on the higher camera, obviously can't tell which one as its dark.
ReplyDeleteThanks for everybody getting up and running again have certainly missed viewing.
11.05pm bird on the tower cam
ReplyDeleteone on the tower cam
ReplyDeleteNo very recent news of 010/Cathy but we would have heard from Colin if anything was amiss so rest assured she's fine.
ReplyDeleteNick B
one on the tower cam
ReplyDeleteNice shot right now of one of the Peregrines onthe pudd. camera Sunet time. My Birthday treat.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Ann!
ReplyDeleteSo good to see the webcams up and running again. I've just got a great shot of the glaring eyes of a peregrine in the dark on the tower cam!
Thanks to the project team for all their hard work!
one on the top cam
ReplyDeleteCams stuck at 12.30am. Now 2.45am
ReplyDeleteBird on the scrape
ReplyDeleteColin has posted a brief update and some photos of Cathy on his blog in case anyone hasn't seen it.
ReplyDeletebird on the nest ledge
ReplyDeleteJulie,
ReplyDeleteThe update about Cathy is there (so glad she is doing well), but I am not sure the photos are of her, as someone noted in those comments. They may be of other peregrines Colin has and wanted to show us. Very healthy looking birds, however.
Karen Ann - having looked again (properly this time!) you are right, the photos are definitely NOT Cathy. However, I am sure she would look just as beautiful and healthy!!
ReplyDeleteGood to see the webcams back on line. Cathy is well,and yes the pics are different falcons.I promise to get some up to date pics of her up soon. Spent some time last week up on the peak trail had a good couple days weather took in some good scenery,and fauna and flora.
ReplyDeleteBirdie on the box! First I've seen for ages.
ReplyDeleteCrikey, it always shocks me to see how BIG peregrines are, once there is something/somebody with them. I can then get the scale - they look titchy just sitting on the Derby nest tray or flying. Great news about 010, I know I speak for all when I say how pleased I am to hear it. No need to apologise for a busy life, Colin, that's how it is for all of us! I'm busy trying to track down the elusive Aylesbury peregrine - I'm told it's back, but can it see it ........... no!
ReplyDeleteEspecially the size of the babies, Sue, when they are banded. On the webcam they look like fluffy little things, then in banding photos, holy Toledo, and the size of those talons :-)
ReplyDeleteone on the tower cam
ReplyDeleteHow and where do we get Colin's blog?
ReplyDeleteTry this:
ReplyDeletehttp://derby-falco-peregrinus.blogspot.com/
Nick B (DWT)
one on the scrape
ReplyDeleteone on the tower cam, one on the scrape
ReplyDeleteOne on the scrape and one high up
ReplyDeletebird on the tower cam
ReplyDeleteOne on the nestbox, one at the pudding cam, photo added to Flicker.
ReplyDeleteThere's an adult perched on the nest ledge preening 17:07
ReplyDeleteNice to see them again!
There is still an adult on the nest ledge and I think it is a juvenile showing on the tower cam. It is just so good to be able to see them again and to see the youngsters are flourishing! 19:19
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know which birds are on the pudding cam and the scrape?
ReplyDeleteI'm sure now that it is a juvenile on the tower cam!
ReplyDeleteWow I can see two on the tower cam, one which I know is a juvenile and the adult tiercel, I think, is still on the nest ledge!
ReplyDeleteHi Nick just wondered if there was any news yet on the b.t.o ring i found. Thanks Regards Andy S.
ReplyDeletePhoto of two of the Peregrines just added to the pool. Makes me feel hopeful they will still be around when I arrive in September. Sure hope so and I am really looking forward to seeing Cathy. & Colin. Have there been many other sightings around the Cathedral lately?
ReplyDeletetwo on the tower cam
ReplyDeleteIts 10:40 on a Monday night and I was watching two of the peregrines (one def adult)when they both flew off, then one flew back! It's dark outside and I know there are lights in the city but I would love to go see them fly at night! Amazing!
ReplyDeleteThe birds seem very active tonight I wonder what is going on in Derby this evening?
ReplyDeletenice shot on the tower cam
ReplyDeleteWhat nice pics on flicker, Sara :-) Haven't seen one of the birdies up close and personal like that well, it seems like forever.
ReplyDeleteHi everyone
ReplyDeleteIt's been awhile ..... just where does the time go? I logged on today to show a young relative the marvels of Derby peregrines and then came back later and indulged in a rerun of Red Class's video. It just gets better every time I look at it, it's positively life affirming. And such a concise reminder of the story of 2009 told in a simple but immensely powerful way.
PS my young relative was dead impressed to actually see a peregrine up close and personal right by pudding cam.
UPDATE:
ReplyDeleteBoth parent birds were around the Cathedral yesterday, giving passers-by a good view. I've not seen any juveniles myself for a little while, though I had reports of them being seen last week.
There has been quite a bit of activity around the tower during the daytime with the installation and gilding of the clock faces. This work is not yet complete, but boy, will those clocks shine out when its finished.
@Andy S - You've done it again, my lad. The bird leg and ring you found has caused considerable excitment amongst the BTO and the RSPB. I can't say anything more at the moment - but I think Nick B will be working with them on a press release sometime next week.
The carbon-footprint of the peregrine project has been reduced recently with the reconfiguration of our wireless connection. This resulted in the removal of three seperately powered IT units. One unit now takes power over ethernet - the other two have been removed completely.
Can you say more about the arthritis etc. mention in the blog entry update?
ReplyDeleteIs Cathy showing some signs of problems, or is this just a general concern with captive birds or ones who don't have full flight capability?
Hi Karen Anne
ReplyDeleteAt the moment there are no signs of arthritis - the injury is still too recent. My understanding is that an unjured bird might be expected to have a lifespan of 10-15 years. However, there is a chance that an injury such as the one Cathy (010) has sustained might result in her developing arthritis in, say, three or four years time. Should that happen, we would act on the advice of the vets, who tell us that birds of prey are good at not showing signs of pain or distress. So we should not necessarily expect her to be fit and healthy in the long term, and it might be necessary to consider her future should those syptoms ever appear. In other words we would not want to prolong her life if she ever showed signs of arthritis which caused her pain and suffering. But there's nothing to worry about for now. (Sorry this is a rather long-winded answer, hastily drafted whilst I'm rushing to do other things. I hope I've made some degree of sense, at least.)
Nick M.
The cams seem to be stuck oat 16:50.
ReplyDeleteDisappointing cameras down again?
ReplyDeleteIt is taking too long to post our comments is my concern. I understand it is now the down time for this particular project. However if you are going to run it all year round then please please please give it the same time as you did during the exciting times. Even though it may be slow right now in certain areas. We are still interested. I look forward to meeting you in September Nick and the staff at the Belper office. I arrive late September. Hopefully you will be available this time Nick. What day are you in the office?
ReplyDeleteI hope and pray that the Falcons will be around the Cathedral when I visit this time. I have a full week in Derby this time, so hopefully I will get to see them.
Hi, Ann,
ReplyDeleteOne of the Nicks has retired. Also, I think a lot of the time on the project is basically done on people's own personal time.
It is too bad comments have to be moderated, but it is much better, imho, than seeing crazed postings, often threats, from the "pigeon guys."
I am just happy we have these beautiful birds to look at on the webcams and thankful for all the work the project and Cathedral and Museum folks do for the birds and to bring the webcam video to us.
I am amazed some folk seem unaware the website makes calls on those involved beyond their full time and demanding paid work and that breakdowns of electonic gizmos are commonly experienced and merely a trial to be endured especially if others need to be involved in their repair.
ReplyDeleteGW
Juvenile and adult on the pudding cam and adult on the scrape. 17.44 27th August.
ReplyDelete