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Monday, 3 May 2010

Come on down (Past event)

(Please scroll down for the latest news of the chicks!!)


There was a Peregrine and Cathedral Tower Open Day today, organised by the cathedral staff, between 11am and 4pm on Monday 3rd May, with a (rare) chance to climb the tower and also to view the nest platform and the off-duty adult from Cathedral Green.

Teas/coffees were available and there was a small display about the project plus peregrine masks for childrne to colour in.

Tower tours were at 11am and 12 noon with further ones through the afternoon though the early afternoon ones may well be booked up because a school is bringing two classes along to see what's what.

There were telescopes available for you on the Green with DWT volunteers on hand to point out where the platform is, where the birds perch and hopefully a chance to see the male bring food into the female too.

Bring warm clothing because although the sun may shine and it should be dry, there's a cold wind blowing!

Don't forget to scroll down to the previous post to get all the latest news and photos of the newly arrived chick.
Two Reports on the happenings of the day are appended at the  bottom of  this post. Thanks to our volunteers who generously "manned" the Watchpoint during the day.

The Project Team

Here are some of today's photos you've captured.
Tedgaytor
falnew

Twwitcher
Postprandial Somnolence? -  3rd May 2010  - 15.37

Tedgaytor
fal5

pigeonfancier
Egg toss


WatchPoint Report part 1.
Watchpoint Report Part 1 - 10.30am to 2.00 pm

Not a great deal to report this morning unfortunately. We never saw the falcon from the ground although, as we were setting-up at about 10.30, one of the adults flew into the nest platform and wasn't seen to emerge (although we were quite busy and may have missed it leaving again). The tiercel spent two long periods sat on the J of Jury's Inn giving good views.

On the Tower Tours, we saw the remains of several prey items including Song Thrush and Little Grebe as well as seeing the tiercel fly off from Jury's Inn at about 11.45 and landing briefly on the nest platform in a rain shower at around noon before returning to his perch on the J.


Finally, to thank people for coming down and for all your donations.
Andy & Chris M.



Watchpoint Report Part 2 - 2.00pm to 4.00pm

Things remained quiet for the first part of the afternoon with the tiercel continuing to sit on the Jury's Inn sign. During a particularly heavy shower he again returned to the tower to take shelter underneath one of the arches above the nest platform for a while, before disappearing. He was later seen back on the hotel lettering. There was a steady stream of people including a large party of school children, as well as some Dutch visitors who were suitably impressed! It was also good to meet several of you who have contributed to the blog. Unfortunately from the ground it was not possible to see the exciting developments taking place on the scrape, as both falcon and chicks stayed well hidden. However, on the last tower tour we were treated to some lovely views of the newly hatched fourth chick, whilst watching the live images on the monitor in the bell ringing chamber. Perfect timing!! The chicks were fed for around ten minutes, after which the falcon then settled back down to brooding them.

Helen, Brian & Margaret


78 comments:

  1. wish I could come down but I have to assist at my school fayre today :( are there likely to be any other days like this on future weekends?

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  2. Looking at the falcon this morning I think the last egg may hatch or already hatched she is intent on covering them and has not moved for the last hour.

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  3. I was out alot of yesterday and a probably some for today, I'm sorry I won't be able to come on over, it's only like a 45 min bus journey, but I've not got the time.

    To everyone who goes however, I hope you enjoy yourselves. Say Hi to the Peregrines for me.

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  4. Dad's arrived on the other side of the nestbox but without food. Mum opened her beak ominously at him - I wish we could hear what she says!

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  5. Dad quickly flew off again!
    @ Anonymous (Twwitcher): great shot of the fourth egg well on its way to hatching.

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  6. Chicks just had a good feed. The fourth egg looks like it has hatched, I see no sign of the egg and the fluffy heap looks so much bigger.

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  7. Watchpoint Report Part 1 - 10.30am to 2.00 pm

    Not a great deal to report this morning unfortunately. We never saw the falcon from the ground although, as we were setting-up at about 10.30, one of the adults flew into the nest platform and wasn't seen to emerge (although we were quite busy and may have missed it leaving again). The tiercel spent two long periods sat on the J of Jury's Inn giving good views.

    On the Tower Tours, we saw the remains of several prey items including Song Thrush and Little Grebe as well as seeing the tiercel fly off from Jury's Inn at about 11.45 and landing briefly on the nest platform in a rain shower at around noon before returning to his perch on the J.

    Andy & Chris M.

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  8. The falcon's left eye has remained closed for about 10 minutes, although the right one is working ok.

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  9. Just as I'd posted that, her eyes became normal again & she got up & moved off the chicks. All 4 were visible - 3 were in "beaks-up" mode, the 4th. was asleep still.

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  10. Feeding time. Falcon flew to the tower & got something from the cache. Tiercel flew to nestbox & had a look at chicks, then falcon came back with food & he flew off. I think I saw 4 beaks pointing upwards but I'm not 100% certain.

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  11. 21:05
    Wow, just seen all the chicks, feed in progress, it's wonderful!!!!!

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  12. 21.09 Just come in to see all 4 chicks being fed. I know it's nature that something has had to die in order to feed these chicks but the parent is just so amazingly gentle with them, wonderful to watch. Mesmeric.

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  13. Congratulations Mr and Mrs P on 4 wonderful chicks and thanks to all the team that have been involved in this project and those that have captured the images xx

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  14. Watchpoint Report Part 2 - 2.00pm to 4.00pm

    Things remained quiet for the first part of the afternoon with the tiercel continuing to sit on the Jury's Inn sign. During a particularly heavy shower he again returned to the tower to take shelter underneath one of the arches above the nest platform for a while, before disappearing. He was later seen back on the hotel lettering. There was a steady stream of people including a large party of school children, as well as some Dutch visitors who were suitably impressed! It was also good to meet several of you who have contributed to the blog. Unfortunately from the ground it was not possible to see the exciting developments taking place on the scrape, as both falcon and chicks stayed well hidden. However, on the last tower tour we were treated to some lovely views of the newly hatched fourth chick, whilst watching the live images on the monitor in the bell ringing chamber. Perfect timing!! The chicks were fed for around ten minutes, after which the falcon then settled back down to brooding them.

    Helen, Brian & Margaret

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  15. Posted some pics on flickr of the 9pm feed. I try to get them in order but they always seem to load back to front! :(

    Good to see the fourth egg hatched! Yipee!

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  16. @ marski: Super screenshots! many thanks.

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  17. Lots of photos on Flickr showing timing of new chick's arrival and later feeding.

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  18. I'm wondering if the tiercel is flying around or catching prey - the falcon is very alert and looking around outward from the scrape. I suspect it's soon time for feeding.

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  19. Came in on the end of a feeding, two photos on flickr.

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  20. chicks are alone, but I saw mum getting some food for them from the rhs of the nest.

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  21. did anyone read my comment aboutthe injury the adult has got to her toe.?

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  22. Looks like feeding time I missed the start but mum has her back to us...

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  23. @anonymous
    Yes, I did, thanks, but I couldn't see what you meant. Could you post the link to the relevant picture, not that there is anything much we can do as these are wild birds that would never let us near them, or capture them.
    We have had foot-injury scares in the past which have, thankfully, resolved themselves. Sorry for not acknowledging your comment - it has been a busy and tiring weekend for us all.

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  24. Just thought I would post a link to my blog of a few photos my hubby took yesterday when we visited Derby (especially to see the Falcon)
    Well we managed to catch a glimpse of her back...but Nige got a fab pic of him.and boy he is beautiful...I just wanted to thank Chris (sorry can't remember the mans name) you were both so helpful. We have decided to leave it a few weeks before we visit again...but hopefully we will see you again
    thank you again hugs shell & Nige

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  25. The tiercel is sitting on the rhs of the scrape while the falcon is tight down on the chicks.

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  26. 12:41 The little white eating machines are at it again. (Eating that is). They're very cute though.

    Any chance of some video clips of either their eating or when they were first seen (just born).

    Many thanks.

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  27. Thanks to @anonymous for alerting us to a potential problem in picture on our blog dated 2010-5-2 19:33:27

    However, I've checked images I've captured later and don't see any problem at all. What I think might have caused concern was the presence of white fibres or fragments of feathers under the right toes of the adult female being mistaken for nylon line wrapped around her foot. Later pictures show no such problem, though they do show the presnce of shiny white feather fragments from the prey being fed to the young chicks. We'll check future close-ups just to be absolutely sure, of course.

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  28. Feeding time. Unfortunately she's got her back to the camera, but I can just see some white fluff.

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  29. She flew to the tower after their feed, then returned and settled down again.

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  30. There was a feed about 15:30 I got some screen shots. I think it was the tiercel giveing the feed and then the falcon arrived to take over. Well done Dad!

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  31. Another feed, and they're politely taking their turn - no pushing & shoving yet!

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  32. 17:30 Another feed - from Mum this time.

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  33. Several long feathers in the scrape but I didn't see where they came from. Also there's some food stored in the corner on the other side.

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  34. Very dark in the nestbox. Perhaps the infrared stuff is not working or confused? Chicks that I can see are tucked under a parent.

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  35. 08:52 Dad arrived on the tower with prey and is preparing breakfast for his family.

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  36. Breakfast is served by Mum.

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  37. Morning all, 08:52 Dad's on the tower somewhere behind the camera (just watched him walk there); Mum's shading the kids.

    Lots of feathers on the scrape, tasty Pigeon for tea I guess (right length and colours for Pigeon and wrong colour/pattern for Peregrine).

    08:56, Dad's tail is flashing across the tower cam, kids are walking around - hard controlling them isn't it.

    (OT = Mr. DWT dude, just letting you know donation in tonight's post - just don't tell Nottingham WT, they may think I'm cheating on them)

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  38. Breakfast is over, mum flew off to stashed the leftovers and is back with her chicks. Dad was sat on the tower cam during the feed, his tail was visible on the cam.

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  39. WOULD REALY LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THOSE FEATHERS ARE FROM, I HAVE SEEN BOTH ADULTS TODAY AND THEY LOOK OK, I WONDER IF THEY HAVE JUST HAD A BIG CATCH FOR FEEDING...

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  40. Hello everyone!! lol

    @AnnieF - I noticed those feathers too, they look to me very much like the turcil's feathers. Has anyone seen him lately?!?

    @Anne Frank - u r right about the chicks! every time I log on they seem to be tucked under the mum falkon, or getting fed. Or sometimes just sat on their own. are they ok?? i wonder what they are saying to each other! is there a micraphone attached to the camera?

    does anyone know what the smart looking tall buulding is in the distance? it looks very fancy! perhaps theres falkons on there to! lol

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  41. Just thought I would put another link to my blog because I forgot, I post everday on my blog so the Peregrines have gone down a bit now

    they are here

    watched the little darlings feeding last night but forgot to look at the time doh!!!
    But they all looked fine and really, really cute...

    hugs shell xx

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  42. Just saw a food pass on the scrape. Another feed for the chicks but mum has again got her back to the camera.

    Dad is sat on the cam above the scrape, tail showed on the cam.

    He is bring the food thick and fast - Well done him!

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  43. I think the falcon is deliberately hiding hte feedings from us ;) another feed at 12:20 with the tiercel sat on the tower cam above the scrape.

    The chick are noticably bigger!

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  44. Woops! lots of typos in my last two posts! lol

    Pics on flickr of food delivery.

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  45. Oh by the way, the feathers look like pigeon to me.

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  46. Anonymous - less shouting please. Feathers belong to a poor defenceless fat juicy Pigeon who filled the bellies of 4 good looking chicks. Tasty?

    Stripes - Dad's fine. The building in the background is the Jury's Inn. They don't nest there, but I understand they like to sit up there.

    Shellshearer - nice pictures of Dad on the J.

    ...

    Still waiting on videos ;)

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  47. Just put a picture onto the Flickr which I didn't notice Phoebe had on... I've removed it. Sorry Phoebe.

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  48. @Project Team
    Just a thought while everyone is watching the new chicks, has there been any sign in the area recently, or anywhere else, of last years chicks?
    Chris, Alrewas

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  49. 15:17 Didn't see it all but Mum and Dad in the box. Think it's Mum that has just flown off.

    Dad's (think it's Dad) now standing there wondering what he's to do with the chicks... hoping for Mum to return no doubt.

    15:21 Still standing there. The brave sole!

    15:24 He's finally moved closer to the chicks and I think has semi-sat down! Come on chicks EAT HIM!

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  50. 15:52 Unless they have swopped and I missed it; my previous message said that Dad was coming onto the chicks... I'm sorry I got it wrong, it's Mum on the chicks, Dad obviously left them. Pictures on Flickr btw.
    I can tell it's Mum on them becuase of the white stripe on her tail and lighter primary feathers... and it looks like Mumsy. (All point and laugh if I get it wrong)

    It's not like they wear name badges!

    ---- Still waiting on videos :):):)

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  51. Dads on the tower cam, chicks peeking out from under Mum, is that part of an egg shell on rhs of nest?

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  52. Where are the parents?The chicks have been huddled together for several minutes, looking like orphans in the storm!

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  53. Calling out for Mum or Dad to come back!

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  54. One of the chicks looks as if it's really yelling now!

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  55. At last - Mum's home with dinner.

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  56. 17:57 FOOD!! Feed Me Mummy!

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  57. She didn't feed them, just put the prey in the scrape, then went over and covered the chicks up. I imagine they'd chilled off a bit.

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  58. Some pictures on flickr of their latest food, pitty I missed most of it... still, very appetizing.

    Mum left the carcass for Dad to collect, seems he gets to clean up the table scraps.

    I'm hungry :)

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  59. Chris, I think one of last year's chicks was around within the last few weeks. I don't know how certain the identification was.

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  60. Morning all, just saw chicks, all is looking good. At leat the nest is tidy today no large feathers knocking around apart from that 1. Glad it was a pigeon they must have had a right fill. thought i saw one of last years fleglings yesterday but can never be quite sure....BUBOO

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  61. I think those chicks turn into little trolley wheels once they're tucked up under mum, the way she moves around trying to keep them all gathered in, they won't be fluffy little white things for long, they will be pushing and shoving each other around soon, bless em'

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  62. 07:55 breakfast is served looks like a starling..buboo

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  63. Here's a picture I got this morning of the chicks on their own:

    http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/7808/chicks.jpg

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  64. lunch time daddy has brought some grub he is very atentive..buboo...

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  65. @Craig thanks! I can see the writing on it now. it looks like it as a staue of libertie on the top! lol I wonder why they prefer to nest on the church tho? also how did the people know that the falkons would nest where the cameras are? were they just lucky or are tere lots of camreas on there?

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  66. @stripes, the nest platform was constructed by a wonderful team, and it was them who placed the cams in the positions they are, if we can raise enough money we may even get a third cam one day:):)

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  67. The cameras contain specialized electromagnets which the falkons find irresistable. By pure chance, the project team had for some time thought about installing a wooden box full of gravel to enhance the tower's appearance.

    They prefer the church (actually, it's a cathedral) because they love the sound of the bells.

    The object on top of the hotel was indeed supposed to represent the statue of liberty but unfortunately they ran out of funds and it remains unfinished. I might be wrong but I think they now just use it as a lightning conductor.

    :)

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  68. 18.10 I just watched dinner being served. I do hope they all got a fair share of the grub.

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  69. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  70. @Stripes, if you press on the "Peregrine Project HOMEPAGE" link it takes you to a Derby CC page which gives the history, well worth a read.

    @Project Managers, we've not seen a lot of you lately (or any videos :P), holidays or busy at work; it's not your audit time is it, counting everything in the museum?

    :P

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  71. I think they've just had another meal, though it was difficult to tell with the adult's back to the camera.

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  72. 07.03 Breakfast is served, by mum

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  73. Wow aren't they growing Mum is having a job to keep them covered.

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