On 24th, none on either the tower or the police aerial and an hour-long drive this morning round Breadsall, Chaddesden, Spondon and Alvaston failed to find any on the numerous (and very suitable) pylons in that area East of Derby city. NB.
Regular followers of this blog will known that the 2010 season saw four eggs hatch succesfully. But shortly afterwards we all watched helplessly as two of the young chicks subsequently died.
Surviving the first year of life is not easy for any bird, and this is very true of the peregrines. Last year only two out of four birds survived through the summer.
Last week we heard more bad news - that one of those two surviving male birds (colour ringed as 008) from 2009 had been found dead somewhere in Spondon - a suburb on the east side of Derby. We believe the bird was found during May, and are hoping we may be able to find out more infomation. If we do we will let you know. Show here is a picture of that male bird, taken by local photographer and falconry expert, Colin Pass, plus a webcam screen capture made by Marski2009.
40 comments:
Such sad news, I was hoping 008 would get through the first year, he was a joy to watch and as handsome as his dad! Found in May? I am glad you didn't tell us until now, we've had a lot of trauma already this year. Have any inquiries been made into the cause of death? It's just so so sad...
So sorry to hear this news - he was a beautiful bird. Life is tough for these magnificent birds and let's hope that the latest two peregrines thrive and survive and we hear happy news in time to come.
Thanks for letting us know. Best wishes to the team
Sad news indeed about 008. Hopefully this years juvies make it.
and Nick B....you won't be grumbled at for the pics and info you posted - they are great and I'm sure they were enjoyed by all.
I still check in to see if there is anything interesting going on!!
Such sad news, I remember 008, if I remember rightly he came to ground and had to be rescued (wasn't he the one pubgowers found & put in a box, or am I thinking of another one)I really hope these 2010 chicks have long & healthy lives.
I was pleased to see what I think was both adults on the tower late last night. Moments before one of them flew off for a while and when s/he came back was then feeding; whether it was freshly caught prey I am not sure but it may be worth checking the video at around midnight last night. Could be more night hunting to show.
Sorry to hear about 008. But I don't feel at all sad. I am quite releived that you haven't found both of last year's dead (fingers crossed haven't spoken too soon).
If the other male flew off in a similar direction then it means more food for him and a greater chance of finding a lady friend.
If that sounded at all wrong or bad... tough. That's life. I wish the survivor a great amounts of congratulations and luck.
P.S. Love the pictures.
One adult on the tower, another on the nestbox ledge; both look so beautiful in the morning light.
I thought the other surviving peregrin was Cathy am I wrong? Sorry to hear about 008 tho and do hope that these this year will survive.
@Joy: "I thought the other surviving peregrin was Cathy am I wrong?"
The blog text says that that one of those two surviving male birds... and Cathy is female. That only leaves 3 options that I can see:
(1) the blog post is wrong or
(2) Cathy is a male bird in drag or
(3) multiple people can't tell a bird's sex.
I favour the second one, it's funny, but seriously though... ah forget serious, lets go for option 2.
one on tower cam, one on nest ledge.
So sorry to hear about 008, nature can be unforgiving sometimes, hope this years survivors will have better luck.
Last year 2009 there were two females (009 and 010) and two males (008 and 011).
009 died hitting glass on top of a block of flats, 010 was injured and became 'Cathy', now being looked after in captivity. As just reported, 008 was found dead in May 2010 which leaves one male, 011 still out there somewhere we hope.
Nick B (DWT)
10.36 Falcon on the scrape having a good look around, perhaps a little summer clean out. Tiercel is nowhere to be seen unfortunately. Having a sit down on the nest.
@Nick and all: Re-reading the post again I read that two had died from 2009 then you found that male one this year leaving one left, when you were actually referring to two dying this year... sorry about that. It makes sence now. Sorry for the confusion.
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I remember reading about that one which flew into the glass on top of the building last year. Did the building owners ever do anything to stop that happening again?
On cathedral green, one in the scrape. No binos, can't see too clearly, but the male?
Rj
At 11.36 there was a peregrine on the nest and after a while it went and sat on the ledge looking down on the world of us humans; it was still there 15 mins later. It sort of makes my day when I see them!
11.20 pm There is a peregrine on the stonework and it seems fairly close to the webcam - his back is facing it.
Back from my latest trip to Derby, and very pleased to have seen a Derby peregrine ‘live’ as opposed to through the web (my post @ 11.44 yesterday). I even moved round to the side of the cathedral to get myself in the camera shot with the male (?) and waved to you all (how childish is that?!). All my previous trips were either the wrong time of the year for activity, or not actually having the opportunity to get to the cathedral, so chuffed to see one. Also did a visit to the museum (one of the partners in the project), at the very least you can buy the DVD!
RJ
There are two peregrines visible on the right cam tonight
Anonymous said:
Just spotted two peregrines - one on ledge and on 'Upstairs'cam (so to speak). Quite made my day!!
20 July 2010 12:39
Bad news for Kestrels from Terry, Herts: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/jul/19/massive-decline-in-kestrel-numbers
20 July 2010 09:50
(sorry guys - I hit the wrong button and lost your original posted comments)
One peregrine on the nest ledge - this makes my day like the Project Member wrote - see above.
A tiny piece of good news for Terry (Herts): the kestrels at Aston University successfully raised 5 chicks.
17:45 A Peregrine sitting on the tower near the camera, may be the Tiercel or a juv., looks in very good health.
Falcon is sitting on the scrape side next box ledge.
One on the tower cam, one on nest ledge
Sorry to keep posting depressing news but it seems things are getting worse for our raptor friends:
poisoning at record levels
9.19.pm...Peregrine on - I think it is the 'pudding cam' - lovely sight!!!
At 8.50 two peregromes visible - both adults I think - one on the nest and one on the stonework. Nice start of my day Anon
I've got to laugh, there's a cheeky pidgeon having a rest in the scrape - hopefully it will be on it's way before any of the scrape's rightful owners return !!
Maybe he thinks that's the safest place to be when Mr and Mrs P are out looking for dinner!
Another pigeon - or the same one? - having a wash'n'brushup on the nestbox ledge, rhs. Over-confident, careless, or what?!
17.32 - another pigeon on the scrape ledge. I wonder, do pigeons play "chicken"?
Sue, Derby
17.45 Just come in to find taht there is a pigeon or dove (can't decide which, it's sitting down tucked up) resting on the edge of the nest box, is it the same one as Anon referred to at 15:03?
18.00 There is a bird on the nest ledge but it doesn't look like a peregrine to me. I wonder if its the same one mentioned in the previous post. Anon
The pigeon has been there for hours - had a sleep one side - now moved on to the other side and preening.
bird on the ledge, not one of the falcons
17:52 Just after posting my last post it perked up as though on the look out for something big and nasty was around and I would definitely say Dove.
18.22 The Dove seems to have become more awake and has decided to preen itself. It's a goodlooking birdy. Would certainly make a goodlooking meal. :)
8.25am and there are two peregrines one on the nest ledge and one on stonework Anon
2 peregrines
0 pigeons
16.42 There is a peregrine on the nest ledge Anon
Falcon on the tower and seems to be feeding.
yet the ring of 008 was handed into you guys last year early this year, by andy simpson as it was found on the floor by the cathedral so how are you actually sure it was 008 that was found in may with no numbered ring on its leg i smell something fishy here,
Ahhh... the game's up.
Anon is, in fact, Inspector Clouseau and clearly the Derby project team have been conspiring to deceive us all. You can't trust anyone these days, can you?
The peregrines you see on the webcams are actually stuffed puppets. That's why we only see them on windy days, to create an illusion of movement.
Sniff, sniff... Nope. Don't smell anything fishy here. Maybe it's you, Anon?
Sheeeeesh.... :D
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