It looked like we'd have our first egg later today. This picture was taken at 7am on Wednesday morning local time and everything looked promising until 7.30am when she moved away from the scrape.
I suspect the comment from one of our readers, Craig in nearby Nottingham, reflects many of you who are watching this morning. Keep checking our blog comments below this post to catch up on all the latest happenings that our world-wide webcam watchers are reporting. And post those snapshots onto our Flickr Photo Pool. Just follow the link at the top left of the blog. There you'll find all the information you need.
I'll post more pictures and news here when I'm able.
As at 2pm there's no sign of the female at the platform, and certainly no egg. What a waiting game these old birds love to play on us!
Update: By non Thursday there was still no sign of an egg, despite lots of false starts and typical egg-laying poses.
Nick Moyes
ex-Keeper of Natural Sciences
Derby Museum and Art Gallery
07.17 Breakfast prepared, still no eggs. 07.18 Tiercel is down on the wall below the scrape. 07.19 He's off. 07.22 Tiercel is on the tower. 07.25 Have a quick move around, perhaps dig the scrape a bit more. 07.26 More digging. 07.27 All fluffed up right over the scrape... camera zooms in, the ANTICPATION... isn't doing anything for the Tiercel. And the Falcon relaxes. 07.29 Moves off the scrape to the ledge. Camera zooms in... yep, no eggs there, and reset. 07.30 Having a preen. Got to look your best with these camera closeups. This minute by minute report was brought to you by someone who should be getting ready for work! |
159 comments:
I feel hopeful that today will be E-day, but you know that old saying about "a watched kettle never boils" - well here's an idea, why don't you switch the webcams off for a couple of hours, and hey presto, you can guarentee an egg would have appeared when you turn them back on! (I jest of course, but it's an idea...) Good luck Mrs.P. xx
I also think this look much more promising. I'm going around the house doing job, taking the laptop from room to room to make sure I don't miss the critical moment!
Come on Mrs P we are all waiting, she's standing on the side at present 9.44.
Just been onto Notts and Mrs P is keeping the eggs warm and Mr. P on the side watcging. Has anyone ever got sound from this sight?
Nothing on Opspreys nest at present.
I do find this all exciting
@Joy
Sorry no sound here. I posted a similar comment yesterday, which seems to be lost. My guess (and it's just that) is that their camera doesn't have a microphone like Derby's. I say this because they don't have sound on their old recorded footage either (although that is speeded up).
Come on Derby perries - Lincs pair now have one egg!!! Please get cracking today - not literally, I hasten to add!!
Thank you Jane for the info about Lincoln.
I just did a google search for Peregrine city webcams and Derby came up on top of that search. I never realised there were so many.
Watching Lincoln at the moment and I think the Derby's camera are in better positions. Sorry to see Worcester hasn't got any eggs on it's site.
the falcon looks egg bound to me,it's really sad news if she is.
I start nights again tonight, so I will be hiding in the sluice and store cupboard at intervals to keep a watch on things!
11.26
No egg yet!
Hi everyone, so it looks like it may be soon then. I can see I am going to get nothing much done to-day lol. Will have to keep checking in. My hubby will be saying, " oh hear we go again " lol. "Suppose I have to get my own lunch and supper from now on" lol.I can hear the violins playing now. Can't you? lol. Have my fingers cross for good news by the end of the day.
She's been on the scape for a while.
WILL SHE, WON'T SHE!!
I've just come back from the Nottingham Trent Uni, saw one of the Peregrines with food, I know it had food because feather were flying. Didn't hear them, which was very disappointing.
13.44 Falcon is on the scrape again. Come on birdy, you can do it.
13.52 Head down, trying again?
13.53 Round in a circle she goes.
13.55 5 minutes until 2pm bells chime, maybe it will make her jump and pop them eggs out!
14.00 Bells have chimed, still no eggies.
14.03 Switched to multi camera, is that the Tiercel is on the tower.
14.05 Without moving she sticks her head back for a preen... and she's moved, in a full clockwise circle.
14.08 More moving in a clockwise direction, not a full circle.
14.17 Moved around again slightly, head down, tail high.
14.22 Camera zooms.
14.23 Walks off the scrape closer to the ledge. Before moving to the ledge.
(Unhappy face)
15.16 Just noticed she's back on the scrape.
15.18 More circling.
15.18 Never mind, back to the ledge.
15.19
On the scrape, hurry up and lay before I have to go for my pre nights snooze!
Well I think it is going to be april fool's day at this rate and then they can both have a laugh at all of us, as long as everything works out this year it doesn't matter how long we mere mortals have to wait, what will be will be!
I wish she would hurry up though, it's my day off tommorow so will be able to keep watching
Christine
Crikey, looks like the take away has arrived
Christine
High tea - on the tower (!) I think it's Mrs. P. plucking the bird.
I've been watching Mrs.P. going through the motions of laying all day but sadly to no avail and am really starting to get worried now. So how likely is it that she could actually be egg bound? (re. anonymous comment above 10:22 today) And what would actually happen if she WAS? Would it be bye bye Mrs.P? ........ hopefully just idle speculation once again.
@ AnnieF
I saw the falcon? plucking the prey but it then flew off with it.
Question. When was the last time anyone saw prey being consumed at the cathedral?. Example, there is prey still on the nest box weeks after it was caught.
I think they're elsewhere
Falcon is on the scrape ledge, lets hope/wish/pray/meditate, whatever you wanna do, that she lays tonight!
Let's hope by morning we will have our first egg - getting impatient now for things to start! Come on Mrs P, you can do it....
Oh dear, just got in from work and still no egg. Appreciate all the updates from everyone ...especially Craig's minute by minute accounts.
Fingers crossed for tonight.
Resubmitted, typos!
OK, she’s late this year, but all sorts of factors could contribute to that. I was dipping in and out this afternoon when one was on the scrape, on the ledge of the scrape, as one was above on the tower. I’m not at all sure the one on the scrape was the falcon. Just on judging size I thought that was the tiercel. The one above seemed larger, and the one on the scrape didn’t cover 80% (measured from beak to tip of the tail) of the breadth (front to back) of the scrape which the falcon seems to do? It’s always difficult to spot which is which until they’re side by side, but I reckon at the moment (10.07) that’s the falcon on the scrape ledge, so maybe that’s a good sign.
Hi RJ
It was the tiercel on the scrape earlier I am sure of it. My thoughts were that he was checking out the scrape to make sure all was well (and to show her where she ought to be!) Now at 22:41 it is the falcon on the scrape, I saw her earlier with prey and she carried it off to the larder. She has a full belly now and has had a good kip this evening so I think she is ready to lay the first egg early tomorrow morning, prob before I am awake lol. Good luck Mrs P! :)
Phoebe
Wednesday 30/03/11
23:19:31
- Bird on edge of scape. No eggs.
23:24:02
- Bird flown off
23:24:53
- Bird on far gargoyle (eating?)
23:52:49
- Bird still on far gargoyle
Thursday 31/03/11
00:16:19
- Bird still on far gargoyle. Still no eggs.
The female's back on the nest at 0716. Jennie, Hong Kong.
:(
06.58 No egg, this is worrying.
Just read the Derby local paper. We look forward to reading your upcoming post.
08.52 Falcon on the scrape.
Dear Mrs P, I am writing on behalf of everyone who is watching you on the webcam and we are appealing to your better nature - would you please stop sitting there looking gormless and get on with it - we would all really appreciate it - we too have jobs to do and I'm sure you will understand that. We look forward to your cooperation on this matter - Thank You
Christine (going/gone nuts!)
I knew you would understand, is this it???
Christine
09.59 Did write a long minute by minute summary of what the Falcon has been doing on the scrape for the past 30 or so minutes. Unfortunately (luckily for you) the browser died on me.
Basically, she's been digging, circling, preening, playing with stones... the usual.
Still no eggies.
Christine that is fantastic it has put a smile on my face and I guess a few more as well....we need something to smile about at the moment...Mo Cole Belper xx
10.20
Just got in from work - still no egg!
Well I really thought she would have laid an egg by now. She looks unsettled at the moment.
April Fools Day tomorrow, I wonder what will happen if there is no egg today?
I am in Derbyshire not too far away but in my garden everything seems to be behind so it may not be anything wrong with Mr & Mrs P.
BTW according to Arkive website Peregrines can live up to 20 years in the wild once reaching breeding age.
Hoping for the first egg today, fingers crossed.
Dear Christine & all you other nosey parkers, I am not sitting here looking 'gormless' as you so kindly put it - I am doing my yoga, can you not see the look of concentration on my face? I cannot be expected to perform a work of art at your command, these things take time so remember this - patience is a virtue, find it where you can, it's often in a woman but rarely in a man - now if you wouldn't mind I shall continue with my very important job
Regards - Mrs P
@ Craig
I enjoy reading your minute by minute posts so don't stop! They make me chuckle! :D
10.40
She is standing on the edge of the platform puffing out her chest looking proud - someone should tell her she needs to lay the eggs before she does this!!!
10.50
Mrs P - repeat after me -
I must lay my first egg before Kerry goes to work this evening!
I must lay my first egg before Kerry goes to work this evening!
I must lay my first egg before Kerry goes to work this evening!
10.51
Has she been listening, is this it?
I've been watching the webcam for some time and the Falcon hasn't left the scrape (or it's ledge). I'm truly amazed on how she's managed to get to a computer, read the forum and type a reply AND it's not even the 1st April yet!
But then again, there is a snake in NY which is blogging.
I really must go to bed - well in five minutes!
Come on Mrs P. We're all waiting.
Sorry to Hear about Nick's redundancy what's going to happen to the Peregrines now?
I was so sure she was going to lay just now but no. I don't know if she is stressed butI am!
11.03
Still no egg, she has changed her mind again!!!!!!!!!
Night all, hope ther is an egg when I get up.
I'm not being obssesive but I have got into the habit of taking my phone to bed so I can check on progress is I wake up during the day!
Hi Craig, didn't you know that Mrs P doesn't need a computer to communicate? She has ESP powers (Extra Special Peregrine )
LOL -Christine
Maybe Mrs P needs a dose of cod liver oil?
11.27 Falcon has returned back to the ledge of the scrape. Tiercel is on the tower. She must have been to the library to post on the blog.
11.30 Moved onto the scrape. Tiercel (like me is probably thinking here we go again). Gets down in to the scrape, didn't see sign of digging.
11.31 I need to go somewhere, but can't pull myself away, again.
11.32 Getting down again, no sign of her doing Yoga yet.
11.34 I'll be back shortly.
Is this it, eyes closed in concentration ??
11.36 More digging, followed by a shake of the head.
11.37 Turns, positions.
11.39 Back to the naughty birdy corner close to the camera... moves back.
11.40 Going anticlockwise this time. Sits up. Nope, she can't do it.
11.42 Either a yarn or called out.
11.43 Nothing more important than feather maintenance. Although I personally may say egg laying is fairly so... but I'm no bird.
11.49 Eyes clsoed, getting some sleep? I can't deny that's important, it's something I like doing especially over the weekend.
LAY!!!!!!!
I need to go to bed and get some sleep!!!!!!
A Statement:
By now some of you will be aware that my post of Keeper of Natural Sciences at Derby Museums has been deleted. After an interview process I learnt on Tuesday there was no suitable post available for me, so I had no choice but to accept redundancy.
I don't feel it would be professional for me to add further views here on this project blog. I realise many readers will want to express their concerns, and that's fine.
But I don't intend to respond to questions or comments here. I do have my own personal blog and Twitter account where you can find out more about me. These are www.nickmoyes.blogspot.com and www.twitter.com/NickMoyes
Suffice it to say that I remain personally committed to this great partnership project and hope to be able to continue spending countless more unpaid hours of my own time supporting, moderating, uploading and managing stuff.
I also need to reassure you that Derby Museums remains very committed to ensuring the project survives, as indeed are our other two partners: Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and Derby Cathedral.
There may be small hiccups along the way, especially with regard to my access to the Council's networks to control the cameras or remotely restart the video server if the images freeze. I promise you we'll all do our best to keep everything running as smoothly as possible.
NickM
Thanks for the update Nick.
11.25 She's doing the turning and positioning. Tail raised, I though she was about to lay.
11.26 Sitting.
Nick, I have just read your post, I don't know what to say except that I cried.
They are making a false ecomomy.
Many thanks for what you have done for us over the years.
All my wishes for the future.
Much love, Kerry.
really sad to here that Nick good luck for the future job hunting,
keep an eye on the rspb website they are constantly recruiting.
@ Nick M
I was not aware of your situation. I am really sorry that this has happened. I wish you all the best for the future and am sure you will find another suitable position somewhere. You have done an amazing job withe the Peregrine Project!
Sorry I'm not much of a one for words but you get my drift.
Regards
Phoebe
Nick. I would also like to say how sorry I am to hear your news. However, I am sure the future for you will be both bright and exciting and that your many talents and infinite knowledge will not be wasted. Many, many thanks for all you have done to date for the project and thank you for stating your committment to its future. Be well. Jane
What a loss to both us and the museum..... We wish you all the best for the future and hope to see you on ''The Green'' Thank you...Mo and Pete Cole xxx
please Mrs. P. my daughter has perfect attendance at school so far this year, don't make me lie about why we are going to be late today!!!!
Thank you for your statement Nick. I think it is yet another sign of the narrow view expressed by politicians and policy makers. Your contribution to all aspects of this project has been instrumental in making wildlife accessible to all, that is not to mention the many other things you have accomplished. It is a huge loss to Derby City Council, but I am confident your great passion and expertise will find an outlet elsewhere. With every good wish for the future.
Dear Nick, this is sad news indeed, my thoughts are with you and many thanks for all you have done
Kind regards
Christine
Sorry to hear your news Nick - it feels like a very unfair world sometimes and we will all miss your input. Good luck for the future.
Nick, I'm gobsmacked, angry & speechless but probably that's just a fraction of what you're feeling. Here, I can only echo all the grateful, supportive and positive comments everyone's made, and add my heartfelt thanks to you.
1.42 both on the high tower
Was just at the NTU heard one and only caught a glimpse of one as it flew around the tower.
Now I have time to comment on recent developments.
Nick M.,
Sorry to hear about your work. I wish you the best in getting back up and running in that respect.
As to the Project, I'm sure we can live with an hiccups or two and I'm sure everyone will continue to watch the Peregrines and support as and when they can. Even if they don't have any eggs this year.
Kind regards,
Craig
well...still perfect attendance and still no egg! We, here in Arkansas would just like to join all the other posters in wishing Nick a bright and exciting future. Talent like his will not sit dormant, unused.I figure he will be beating off perspective employers with a stick!!!our loss = someone else's gain. Good Luck Nick. Helen et al Little Rock Arkansas USA
I really thought she was about to lay a couple of minutes ago, she was doing all the appropriate things, but no - I think something spooked her.
Nick I feel for you like all the other comments. Thoughts with you and hope you find something else soon.A shabby way of being treated but that seems the norm from certain sectors of society. Good Luck
Come on Mrs P.
14.35 Falcon on the ledge again.
For anyone following the Kestrals at Aston Uni, the female is on the scrape and could be laying anytime soon, if not done so already, she is sitting down. Unfortunately it's only a downward facing camera.
Nick, So sad to hear they are letting you go. What a loss you will be!
Best of luck with what comes next for you.
Nick, sorry to hear your news. You have done a great job for these Peggers and I am sure you will be involved in the future in an albeit different capacity.
On a brighter note for those waiting for an egg there is a Bald Eagle vid cam with 3 eggs that are due to hatch in Decorah, Iowa, between March 30 and 1st April which is worth a peep. I can't see any chicks yet! It is from:
The Raptor Resource Project (www.raptorresource.org) brings you the Decorah Eagles from atop their tree at the fish hatchery in Decorah, Iowa.
Try these links
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/03/bald-eagle-cam/
http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles
Cheers
Ian Mack
something not right hear,falcon close to camera 2 wings below tail she doesnt look right and they always lay within a couple of days same time every year.
can anyone confirm if they are still copulating cheers.
4.45 just watched them mating on tower cam
I wonder what they are up to on the top? Could be an argument!
16:55 Falcon is hopping along the corbels below the scrape, tiercel is on the top looking down.
16:57 falcon is settled on the second corbel from the left and looking up.
Nick, I can't believe the Council has deleted your post. But then I have seen a lot of DCC colleagues leave this week, and they will all be sorely missed.
Best wishes for future ventures.
Liz, Derby
Fingers crossed folks, I think she's giving it another go!!!
7.20pm and here we go again - I am beginning to get a bit concerned, does anyone else feel the same? She has come back to the ledge but doesn't seem to want to stay there, does anyone else think the egg may be stuck??
Christine
No, she's changed her mind & is back on the scrape ledge. You need the patience of Job and nerves of steel to be a Derby peregrine-watcher in the nesting season!
hate to be the one to say this but i dont think its happening this year,
I'm sorry to be going off topic, but I have to say in public how much sorrow I felt to hear that Nick has lost his job. It's so ironic, I was just about to tell Bucks Bird Club that they should all look at this project (which I will still do!) and then the dreadful news happened. Lets hope the good news will start soon, with E day happening then a great new job arriving for Nick. Despite the stormy weather, I had a great bird day down here in Bucks - I FINALLY saw the waxwings (although I'm sure I'm the very last person to do so, and only just made it before they fly north) Hey, and I think I even might have an idea where the Aylesbury peregrines nest (and it's not County Hall)
Sue Hetherington, Wendover
Well even if they don't have any babies this year, we still love our peregrines don't we. But if Mrs.P is egg-bound then that could spell disaster, so let's pray that's not the case (but it would explain all her egg-laying attempts over the past few days). At least if they're still mating then the happy event could still happen a little later than previous years.
@ Christine
I am getting concerned that she hasn't laid yet but am hoping nothing is wrong. All we can do is wait and see frustrating as it is there is nothing we can do, is there?
Let's hope tomorrow will be the day.
For everyone who is concerned about our pair of peregrines not having any eggs yet, I have just watched a video of the Brighton pair who laid their first egg on the 29th March just two days ago and much further south and warmer than here. It has eased my concern for the time being.
Check it out on youtube :D
Sorry for not being logged in but I am off to get some sleep. zzzz
It might help to put the link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PClOIMd7i0
Enjoy, the video is very touching :D
@ Nick
Just want to say thanks for all you've done for the peregrines and the hours of enjoyment you've given to everyone watching all over the globe.
Best wishes for all future endeavours.
Peregrine news from Hamilton, Ontario - they have their first egg even though it is still cold and damp with snow flurries earlier today!
Both birds on the top of the tower tucking into breakfast or possibly lunch!
Another night shift done!
I have even been to the optician on the way home from work to pick up my reading glasses (I must be getting old) so I can see the action better and still no eggs!!!!!!!!!
I think someone needs to have a word!! Isn't that the tiercel on the scrape and the falcon on the tower?
i think she might be eggbound ,or the tiercel might be to old to fill the eggs
If she was egg bound wouldn't she have come to grief before now? I wondered if she had another nest but she has been around this one most of the time for the last 2-3 days so now don't think so. If the tiercel was not successful with mating the first time or two maybe there is still time. After all they have mated again recently
We are all so anxious, think how Mr and Mrs P feel with all of us speculating on their love life and reproductive abilities!
Nick, I'm so sorry to hear of your redundancy, I hope you will indeed be welcome to continue on a volunteer basis.
Best to you, and many thanks.
The problems with the falcon not the tiercel,even if he never done the job so to speak she would of still layed although infertile eggs,maybe she's getting too old to ovulate now??
Thanks for that info, anonymous. I don't really know how it all works, but I should have done, if I had thought about it, because I knew that hens eggs I eat aren't fertilised. Silly me!! Lets keep our fingers crossed then that she is just a late layer
On call tonight, hoping I don't get called in and that I can spend an hour watching the P's.
20.30
She is perched on the edge of the nest platform, tiercel on the tower.
Been watching it all day and it like watching grass grow .There is an addition to the larderbut she's not interested in that either.
21.45
She is on the scrape, could we be in for some action?
21.51
Preening her tail end.
21.52
Or is she inspecting her tail end to see what the delay is?
The falcon is on the scrape crouching... let us hope it's not too eggs-austing!!
Could this be it?
It looks like she's having another go at laying that egg!!
Is it looking hopeful again?
10pm.
It is looking more like the real thing now, she is staying still and not going round in circles!
So excited, good luck Mrs P!
22.13
She has been in same position for a while now, fingers crossed!
I'm feeling empathetic with Mrs P - I (probably) have gall stones so if she's feeling like me she won't be a happy bunny!
Sue in Wendover
Come on girl. Push - I need an early night. It's been an exhausting week for everyone.
Getting eggciting!!
22.25
Tiercel just flown from tower.
this looks promising.....
she's cirling a lot and checking under herself - looks like my dinner is going to be late tonight!
Yess!!!!! Well done pere
EGG!!!!
first egg?
PHEW at last we have an egg!!
Yipee!!
At last! There it is. Well done, Mrs P.
Shes laid the egg Allelujia!!!
We have an egg!!!!!!
Well done Mrs P!!!!!!
how nerve wracking was that?
EGGCELENT!!! Well done Mrs. P
Just come back at 10.58 to see what appears to be the first egg. So relieved!
yippeeeee first egg laid 22.57 pm Well done Mrs P Mo Cole xx
By gum, I think we have it!!!!!!
Sue in Wendover (still with her gallstone)
22.58
At last, will put pick on fickr.
Nick there is no better tribute to the work of yourself and the team than seeing the egg at last!
hallelujah way to go Mrs P. break out the champagne!!! helen
EGGCELENT!! well done Mrs.P :)
Good girl :) :) :)
Now we can get some kip!
Not such an April fool!! First egg laid at 22.56
we have no! xx
first egg 22:48
Just posted picture up on Flickr
Clever, clever girl. Well done
First egg !!! 22.57 local time LOL
Congratulations all!
Egg number one at 10:57 lets hope for several more, will be hooked to my screen for about 10 weks again.!
Mrs P, you are a star!! We have an egg! Happy days! How could we have doubted her???
She has laid, FANTASTIC she's proved us all wrong
All that yoga must have helped. Well done Mrs P
Is that an egg? @23:12:33
Trust her to wait till 1st April to lay! Well done Mr and Mrs P, we are all as egghausted as you are!
Photo on flckr.
I don't mind if I get called in to work now, I can go safe in the knowledge that there is an egg!
1st egg been layed
She has barely moved since laying the first egg, it is so precious!
Well done Mrs P.
If I didn't know better I would think she is laying another one!
I think ....I think ..... maybe .... first egg has arrived sometime in the last 30 mins?
Phew!!! One much relieved peregrine in scrape!
first egg 22:48
23.54
She is preening herself and looking proud! Dad on the tower.
I'm off to bed now to try and get some sleep just in case I get called in to work, should be easier now I know laying has commenced.
watched her lay first egg amazing
Looks like an egg to me
I'm sure I just saw an egg before she settled down?
Hurray.......finally out comes number 1
Finally ..........egg number 1 is here
One very happy Mum to be has settled down for the night while dad keeps his usual guard. we can all breath a sigh of relief .
I have just taken a shot of Mrs. P in the scrape, looking like she is keeping something warm Hopefully its is an egg will post it on the site.
Well, a satisfying start to the month and end of the evening. We can all relax now until egg #2!
Off to sleep zzzzz
I know the team will be busy getting the video ready etc., thank you for all you do.
Wow!! Congrats, hope to see more eggs to come. Jennie, Hong Kong
I have been watching for three years, so glad we have one egg, may there be more. So sorry Nick, all the best for the future. You did an amazing job.
Polly in Australia
Egg!
RJ
p.s. Been away from viewing for a few days, thought I’d come back to a load of eggs, but sorry to hear of your news NickM, will go to your blog for comment.
Nick, so sorry to read your personal news.I hope so much that this is just the start of something even better for you and maybe in the future you can be glad it happened! You're worth it!
Checked last night at about 10pm and I thought she was looking promising but didn't dare look again until 7.50am this morning! The EGG! It made my day!
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