Update: Wednesday 15:10. Our second bird has left the nest. Thanks to all the commenters - it seems it flew around 14:35 local time. We're off out now to see if we can check on her progress and will report back in as soon as possible.
We now have one successfully fledged youngster, plus one peregrine still in the nest tray which has not yet flown, which we see in the video below.
Last night (Monday 14th June) the only youngster to have left the nest ledge so far was spotted on the low tower of nearby St Michael's Church. Later in the evening it flew back to the north side of Derby Cathedral's tall tower, where it remained all night. Then this morning it flew strongly across to the top of nearby Jury's Inn Hotel (the building you see in our tower-top webcam) and then at around 9am it flew back again to land on one of the four tower spires.
Meanwhile its sibling remained in the nest, becoming somewhat agitated when the first juvenile flew back from Jury's Inn. From the amount of white feathers still on it, it probably won't fly today, though we can never be sure. Either way, it can't be long now. (see video above)
High in the skies over Derby city centre we also saw the tiercel (male peregrine) circling in the air, obviosly looking for potential prey, whilst the falcon (female peregrine) was on a ledge high up on the tower.
Peregrine Falcons first nested on Derby's Cathedral, England, in 2006. Our Peregrine Project is now run by a partnership between Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, Derby City Council, Derby Cathedral and the Cathedral Quarter. Here is what's happening in 2024. . .
40 comments:
Thanks for the news. What a relief!
Sorry it hasn't just saw the tail feathers
2.07 just looked and no peregrins int the scrape, I assume the other one has fledged? Good luck
Have there ever been any attacks on persons watching the falcons? Have the mother and father teamed up to dive and circle interested onlookers?
This weekend at the UB Buffalo, NY in the US my friend and I had to take cover under trees as both parents attacked us, thankfully they didn't make contact, but swooped and circled and dived like a velociraptor. It was absolutely terrifying and I am sure I will never leave my car to look at the falcons again. They fledged on Sunday. According to the WIVB.COM News Channel 4, Buffalo NY website, these attacks have only gotten worse. A pitbull was physically attacked, the owner had to use force to get the mother falcon off the dog. Dog was left bloodied with deep scratches. A worker on a rooftop, several blocks away from the nest was knocked off the roof and bit and clawed by the mother falcon. Thankfully he had ropes tied to himself and was saved from landing perilously on the ground. A teenage boy, just walking down the street was attacked and chased into the street, thankfully no cars were whizzing by. Is this normal? I would greatly appreciate some type of response. Thank you so very much
Thanks for the update and the video, I put some screen captures on flickr of the same sequence. I also have, somewhere, a screen capture of a peregrine in flight from the Jury's Inn but can't seem to find it at the moment.
Good to hear the fledgling is doing well and flying strong.
No Michele, the Derby birds keep a good distance away even when the chicks are being ringed, only the falcon coming as close as to circle the top of the tower.
I've heard of falcons buzzing people, ie flying very close, even touching them with their wingtips but never attacking as you describe.
Perhaps American peregrines are more aggressive than European birds....I'll check that out. Certainly I've never heard of such behaviour before.
Nick B (DWT)
Excellent video. However, maybe someone should let the remaining bird know that he/she stands more chance of actually taking off if he/she actually faces outwards :) rather than facing the next ............. (sorry, couldn't resist that)
Michelle, there's a slideshow of banding the Sheraton chicks this year, where one of the ringers is attacked, see http://www.hamiltonspectator.com/video2/Falcons/
The juvie in the scrape has pretty much finished the food that was there so I wonder how long it will be until the parent deliver more. They may not and try to force him/her to fly out for dinner.
I think it was the falcon just landed on the water spout on the tower, I didn't see prey but she has gone again. The juvie looked up at her.
Just to add to Nick B.'s and Arjen's comments: I was aware that in N America there have been a small number of instances of peregrines get very close or even attack those attempting to ring(or "band")their chicks, but checks in the UK a few years ago suggested this had never been reported here. When I've been abseiled down with our ringers in the past, it's clear the adults do get agitated for a brief period, but they do stay a long way from us, albeit circling noisily around the tower.
The link to the Sheraton slideshow Arjen supplied clearly shows how much more intimidating the birds can be over there. (Ouch!) Look for the third image from the end; is that ringer slumped unconscious on the floor? ;-)
The risk to ringers here seems really minimal, and to anyone watching on the ground it is absolutely non-existent.
But wild birds do inately have a drive to protect their nests, and I think there was an instance in the UK reported in national papers last week of a buzzard doing a similar thing. The fact that it hits the national press shows just how unusual this kind of occurrence is.
So do come on down to tomorrow's Wildlife Trust watchpoint and maybe you'll be lucky enough to see the maiden flight of our second juvenile from the absolute safety of Cathedral Green (but always watch the traffic when crossing the road.)
Thank you for the updated post, sounds like she's flying very solidly. Hope the otherone fledges for you tomorrow.
@Arjen - thanks for the slideshow, very funny.
17:57 Lots of flapping and moving back and forth across the front of the box.
17:58 She vanished for a few seconds then. I thought she had fledged... but she was on the bracing of the camera overlooking the RHS.
She keeps looking up but I can't see anything on the tower cam, perhaps there is a parent above the sights or circling above.
18:01-02 She's eager to get going this one. Even more flapping back and forth. Take your time little one don't rush into flying.
18.19 Noticed a someone on the tower, not sure if its the sibling or Falcon.
Early evening update from Christine and Cliff who've been there most of the day keeping an eye on the birds.
The fledged juvenile is on the cathedral still but somewhat lower down. It has been fed apparently.
There have been many food passes between the parents today, some successful and some not....exciting to watch.
Watch Point tomorrow might see the second one go. We'll see!
Nick B (DWT)
Not sure if that is a youngster just landed on the tower ??
Thanks to Arjen Rodenhuis for the slideshow link. Those are amazing pictures, really enjoyed it. What a fearsome mother that one is.
We went down and joined the John, Christina and Cliff watching the birds this evening. The juvenile was flying much more confidently this evening and did a few short flights finishing on one of the pinnacles below mum. At one point mum flew out towards the council house calling but it was unclear of the reason for this. Dad put in a brief appearance and circled the tower before heading off in the direction of the police ariel. A magpie was cheeky enough to try to steal some food which had been cached on the vestry roof - the female soon reminded him it was their food!!. We left at 8.30
Chris and Andy
@Arjen, thanks for the link, those chicks look every bit as grumpy as thier mother! Amazing photos.
23.05 Our lonely little juvie is keeping an almost midnight? vigil sitting on the ledge and looking out at the world! Aaw! I hope he/she doesn't rush into fledging too soon but it is looking really lonely up there on its own. Anonth
It is now approaching midnight and the juvie on the scrape has been sat on the edge looking out for most of the evening, mum is on the tower above. The juvie has just been preening and had a short wing stretch - very active for the time of night. there is no food left in the scrape and the juvie had a look around, she may be feeling hungry, the last food I saw her eat was teatime. She will be very hingry by morning I would expect so could an early fledge be expected?
The chicks in Winnipeg, Manitoba are due to be banded tomorrow on June 16 according to their website.
http://www.cbc.ca/manitoba/features/falcon/
07:00 What a lovely morning for fledging, clear skys, calm wind (at least here anyway). You're going to have a nice Watchpoint. Hope you see her first flight.
07.34 Sorry for the long delay since 07.00 eating breakfast and forgot to press put in me password :)
Not much happening, some wing streatches, little flapping. She's looking up again, nothing visable on the tower.
A beautiful morning in Derby for the watchpoint and likely fledge today. I posted pics on flickr of breakfast at around 04:30 this morning.
Excuse my spelling mistakes in my last post haha
Thanks everybody for keeping us posted. Couldn't watch last night as when I got home I'd been burgled and they'd taken my laptop!!!
Wonderful news about the first fledgling. Lets hope the second (when it eventually plucks up the courage) is equally successful.
Very interesting to see the slide show Arjen. Pleased ours don't go for Nick! I had no idea peregrines could be that aggressive.
10.00am Our lonely juvie is continuing her/his midnight vigil - it was still sitting on the ledge aftr midnight. Does anyone know if Mum/Dad is feeding it. Anon
Thankyou so much for the wonderful news!! I am so pleased that the first fledger is doing well, i have my fingers crossed for a safe one for the other chick now!! Heres hoping all goes extremely well xxx
The juvie is have a really good preen this morning. Maybe ready for her first flight...
The juvie has found a shady place near the centre of the scrape.
Doesn't seem that the second youngster is particularly keen on flying off....... Is this usual that one leaves well before the other one? I hope it's alright...... Mind you, it might be just indulging in some sunbathing :)
Great footage - thanks, Nick
12.40 Think she has gone bless !!!!
Sorry she is hiding in the corner oooops x
2.35pm 16th June - I think the second chick has flown. I cannot see tail feathers anywhere but who knows. I will post a photo on Flickr.
Tww
I left the screen for a moment and now I cannot see the juvie - has she fledged?
2:40pm - looks like the second youngster has fledged... No sign of tail feathers at the top of the pic.
WOW - how lucky am I - watched the second chic "Pinky" finally take the plunge at 14:35 and 28 seconds. Hope it's maiden flight is as successful as the first chic "Perky" - so sad the nest is now empty but proud of Derby's achievement in fledging two World Cup Chic.
I see the last juvie has finally fledged, thank you Twwitcher for the screen capture I missed it my seconds! I hope all is well. Good luck juvies.
Did our last chick leave the nest?
14:55 Just Logged On - Last one gone!
Don't know when, but would have been in the last 20 mins, any news! Did anyone see.
can you post a video of the chick fledging again well done derby team wish i could have come down to see them properly how long will they hand around the scrape for ?
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