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| Feeding the three chicks on Tuesday 10th May. Dad looks on. |
Update: we now have four chicks and they are growing fast!Well, we have three healthy-looking chicks! The first one hatched out sometime around 1am on 9th May, but by daylight it began to seem that there might in fact be two moist balls of feathers being kept warm by the female falcon. It was hard to tell, as she was dong her best to keep her new charges safe and warm.
The third chick hatched on Tuesday 10th May with one egg still intact.
I'm afraid we can't bring you any video clips of the egg-hatching moment as a trip up inside the cathedral tower today revealed that one DVD recorder had stopped recording on late on Friday afternoon. But they've all been turned back on in readiness for future eggsighting moments.
Tuesday also saw the return of the Project's ability to remotely control the video server and to zoom the cameras in and out..
Thanks to our regular viewers for posting these screen-captures to Flickr. Click them to see a larger version.
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| Margaret, a Cathedral Quarter Ranger, showing everyone a little chick of her own. |
128 comments:
13:50 Mrs P off the chicks for about 5mins so had a good view of the 2 healthy babies - when mum returned they sat with their beaks wide open - no doubt ready for food
Feeding time - the falcon has just taken food from the tiercel.
I've just added a screen shot to Flickr from 15:55 when mum had just returned to the nest, and both chicks thought it was time for afternoon tea!!!
Thanks for the information. Just se.een Mrs P leave the eggs and the chicks for a short time and then she came back with food. Mr. P was on the other half of the scrap
Feeding time is over and dad has moved from the opposite ledge and to the chicks - still 2 eggs unhatched.
Really wonderful news especially for those of us who celebrated Mother's Day yesterday here in North America. Great pictures and video captured and thanks for posting them. It's all eggciting from now on till they fledge and leave home. Happy viewing everyone.
Mrs P seems eggitated again which could mean number three is on its way lets hope so - as far as i have watched no "chick-feeding" as yet but sure it is imminient - my husband is soo rude he has had the audacity to call me a "bird-watcher" and himself a "peregrine-widower" - don't care - luv this time of year!!!
Is that more egg shell I see on the far left of the scrape? Or is it from yesterday?
It appears the webcams have frozen.
multi-view is back.
Scrape view is also back - a false alarm sorry!
Looks like 3 chicks at 08.50
Andy M
we think there might be three peregrine chicks.We think there might be three because we saw a chiks beak.The peregrine is keeping the chicks warm and there is more egg shell.
three births !!!!!!
falcon lifted off the eggs/chicks at around 9.30. Difficult to be sure, but it looked like three chicks now?
RJ
Thanks for the screen shots, Joyce and Craig. I watched often after I saw the eggshells yesterday morning but there was always a bird sitting.
Feeding time - looks ike three chicks now !
Three it is...bless....She is feeding the chicks at the moment but I can't see any prey in the nest.... ???? x
10:20 am feeding time - three little beaks being fed - newest chick still very "floppy" but certainly not missing out on a bit of breakfast!! Just one egg to go for a full-house - fantastic viewing - can anyone tell me how to take flikr pics please
Definitely three chicks, did a screen grab at feeding time – 10.23 – up on flickr.
RJ
Picture posted to flikr showing three chicks!
Just been watching a feed and Green Class you were right , there are 3 chicks now! They all seemed to fall over at the end of the feed, after Mum took the remains away, as if their tummies were too full up for them to stay upright. It is so touching to watch the parent carefully breaking each morsel into a chick-sized bite, then passing it gently into an upturned beak. Can't get enough of this, & am delighted to be home in time to see it all. Magic!
Some lovely webcam moments of feeding just witnessed.
@zulu98 re Flickr
There are clear instructions (I hope) on how to post screen prints to Flickr. Just follow the link at the top left of this blog "Your Photos on Flickr"
In the descripton headed "About Derby Cathedral Peregrine Pictures" there is a link to some instructions. In fact, that link takes you back to this blog for a detailed posting on 29th April 2009.
Let me know if it doesn't make sense - we can always alter it.
Nick M.
14:35 Feeding time again - 3 hungry little eyases all keen to get in on the action.
Nick thanks for the link - brilliant info and managed to join etc BUT once taken the picture cannot find it on my so-called clipboard - any advice - so sorry you have to deal with such an aged-technophobe!
The male was sitting on the three chicks and the one egg. he wasent doing a very good job. the chicks was under his tail insted of under his belly One chick was bitting his tail. it was funny.After that he did it propley then he stopped.Now he is not on the chicks
The male and feamle is back looking after the chicks. They were feeding chicks. 2.00pm
I've done it - thanks Nick for your help - have managed to upload my first photo - not the best but hopefully some better ones to follow.
Hi zulu98 I have looked on flickr but your pic is not showing. Did you add Derby Peregrine Pictures to your groups? Then you need to send the pic to the group pool. Good luck, I look forward to seeing your pics :)
Wow I like the zoom! So sharp and clear! Thank you. Is that egg chipping?
Feeding time.
As some of you may have seen, we finally have got back the ability to remotely control our video server and camera. So here's to seeing some nice intimate close-ups in the weeks ahead.
@zulu98, how are you getting with Flickr? Now that you've posted to your own photostream, you'll need to join the DerbyPeregrines Flickr Pool, then send your image across to add it to those that everyone else has added.
the fourth egg seem to be off to one side? or is it a shell?
It does look like an egg but I think it is the piece of shell but turned over.
Looking at the flick pool pictures there is a shell in that location. Lets keep our fingers crossed for the fourth.
Looking forward to seeing all you locals at the green.
Jon S.
Just to let you know - if anyone is in Derby, visit the Cathedral Coffee House where there is a screen showing the live webcams. The Coffee House is open Mon - Sat 9.00 - 3.30. So pop in for coffee, lunch or afternoon tea and watch the Peregrines as well!!
(Thanks to Square Group for the loan of the equipment.)
I am planning a Peregrine Day for later in the month - watch this space for more news!!
23.25 - changeover
3 chicks but no sign of the 4th egg unless that's it in the corner.
Finally I think I have got my pic in "the pool". Thanks so much Phoebe / Project Member for your help and patience.
Still three chicks and an egg! Lovely to watch the chicks being fed. Thanks for the zoomed in view!They are starting to look stronger already.
Yes, it's now on the Flickr Poll, zulu98 - well done for your persistence.
Morning all.....3 chicks 1 egg seen at 8.05.... x
I think I see a pip on the fourth egg!
It looks as if the fourth egg is "pipped" - it's at the front under the parent, with a chick each side I think, & the parent keeps peering down at it. The "pip" is a largeish white blob, near the gravel.
I'm almost sure the fourth egg is pipping, the falcon keeps looking underneath her.
Dad has just brought food to the tray. He is holding on to it in the right side of the tray. Mum has not moved off the chicks.
Now he has flown back up to the tower with the food. I wonder if mum didn't move because the egg may be hatching?
Feeding time and the egg has not hatched yet... the pip is still showing.
anon post at 09:51 was me! sorry I cannot remember my blogger login details. :/
I'm surprised that there is still egg shall having around the scrape, shouldn't it have been taken away to deter predators from poking around or eaten?
Just re-read my post, sorry that's so bad of me. Perhaps it should read:
I'm surprised that there is still egg shell laying around ...
Very busy morning, should have more time this afternoon to watch the camera (hopefully)
I think the egg is starting to crack
15.56 I think number 4 has just arrived - or at least some empty egg shell has! Well done, Mrs P!
BTW, don't you just love Green Class??
Think the last egg went about 15:30 she had been moving around for at least 10 minutes and the egg seemed to have got a split on it. However I had to go out and do some gardening, but now seems to be 4 chicks in the nest (16:07)
Feeding time and I can't see the fourth egg. There is some shell towards the back ?
I can see some broken shell between the three chicks, the fourth could have hatched! I was away from the screen so didn't see what happened.
Looks like all the eggs are hatched - photo on Flickr
16.14 Just quickly turned to it to see 3 chicks and a bit of egg in the centre covered by the other chicks, not too sure but it may have hatched.
16.29 Movement from the Falcon but no view of the chicks or that egg.
16.31 Just seen Joyce's flickr picture of the scrape showing no egg, but I can't make out the 4th chick, or is that just me.
I do enjoy watching them on the camera when they're all grouped up asleep. You can't tell which head goes with which body it's just a white fluffy mess.
16.47 Tiercel has turned up on the scrape, right hand side. Easy to tell he had arrived while watching just the scrape cam, Falcon went very defensive for a few seconds. Not sure if he has food, could have, keeps pecking at something at his feet.
16.49 Into the nest box he jumps, Falcon isn't being defensive.
16.50 I thought she was about to get up, she certainly lifted her body up slightly as to get up, but then went back down.
Tiercel has moved to the ledge. It looks actually like the Falcon on the ledge now, hard to tell which is which.
clear view of the food.
16.52 Tiercel moves onto the scrape, very sure it's the male with the food, now.
16.53 He's flown off with the food.
He's now on the tower, perhaps waiting for the falcon to collect?
16.55 He's vanished from the tower.
@ Craig
17.32
She's having a nibble at one of the shell pieces now!
Hi....Well done Mrs P.. 4 beautiful baby chicks....now for the nice bit watching them grow up and fledge..happy days x
Just got to see chick no. 4 - well done Derby
Lovely view of all four chicks during a feeding session, 6.30-6.35pm. Liz, Derby
Well worth the wait! Congrats Mr and Mrs P
Well, I haven't seen all four chicks yet, I have been away from the screen but Well Done Mr & Mrs P!
What great news now we have four eggs hatched. Looking forward to reading all the comments and meeting up with some of you down on the Green in the near future.
Best wishes to the new peregrine family for this year - let's hope they all grow strong and survive.
Congrats to the project team in their success for yet another year. Let's hope they all survive to fledge this year and provide plenty of amusement and education to everyone watching.
These are two great parents; very experienced now, so I'm hoping to see 4 fledglings pottering about in the scrape and scaring us by perching tantalisingly on the ledge before very long. They grow so fast.
Haven't noticed any posts from Jon B (not the sloop) this year. Hope all is well with you, Jon.
Craig: These lucky peregrines have no fear of predators but they are untidy creatures! Leaving bits of eggshell is highly unlikely to be an issue. Sometimes the falcon will eat some of the shell which is a good source of calcium for her.
Besides, Derby's birds enjoy the luxury of some very well trained humans, who at least once a year drop by and give the scrape a spring clean - so they have no need to clean it themselves :P
Has the fourth egg hatched - or has it just been smashed??
Thrilled to hear about latest hatchings and that all going well!
Please keep us all posted about Cathedral Peregrine Days and Derbyshire Wildlife Trust Watchpoints. I will be making the trek up from Bucks at some point and would like it to coincide with a time when I can meet some of the wonderful "champions" of this project - and so I can make a donation to the project, which I am sure is "feeling the pinch" in these hard times, like we all are!
Sue in Bucks
I had a lovely view of all four chicks feeding this morning. Blogger was playing up so only just got to post.
Feeding time again.
Delighted to see four healthy chicks in the scrape at last. Will be tuning in every day to watch their progress and praying for a happy outcome this year, no repeats of what happened in 2010.
Have been watching the chicks at Nottingham uni and Brighton too, as well as the eaglets in Iowa - WOW how they've grown!! This time of year's magical ain't it !?
PS. I'd like to echo all the good wishes sent to Nick Moyes recently and hope everything works out well for you, thanks for all your continuing efforts and hard work!!
Feeding time
Just been watching feeding time at Nottingham Trent Uni, funny to watch, one chick in particular leaning up to grab food and falling flat on its face.
I wonder if the Trent chicks will be ringed.
Oh, nothing happening in Derby, Falcon on chicks, Tiercel on wall below.
Tea time for the four chicks.
At last I can post a message. There has been some lovely viewing of feed today especially the one just after 2pm - a video of this would be great!
Thank goodness the blog is back very upsetting that I could not post anything. So glad that all 4 chicks have hatched. Now if I can get tickets for the Cliff Concerts in October and fingers crossed i will be able to see you all in October. So looking forward to it. XXX Lovely pictues posted on the site of the chicks. How is Cathy doing? Hope to see her in October Colin.
Thank you Nick M for your really informative talk about the Derby Peregrines for Ogston Bird Club on Thursday night. It was great to hear about how the project has developed from its initial concept through to the success it is today. The display of prey parts, put together by Nick B, and the opportunity to see the expertly taxidermied 009 was extremely interesting, even for some with dead bird-o-phobia like me!
Wow the difference in a couple of days
Hi. I've been trying to post for the last couple of days with no success. Just wanted to say how delighted I am to see 4 healthy chicks on the scrape and I'm tuning in regularly to check their progress. Praying for them all to do well with no repeats of the sad events of 2010.
Have been fascinated to see the chicks at Nottingham uni and Brighton and also the Iowa eaglets - WOW how they've grown. This time of year is magical ain't it !?
Also wanted to echo everyone's comments re. Nick Moyes and hope all goes well for you - thanks so much for all your hard work and continuing efforts on the peregrine project, it can't have been at all easy for you recently. So best wishes are sent from me as well.
I have been watching all week and today is the first time i have seen all 4 chicks
15.30 I beleive it's feeding time, can't see properly as the Falcon (i presume) has her back to a very zoomed in camera.
Please accept my apologies if your comments have not appeared here for some days. I thought it had gone rather quiet as I'd not been getting the usual flow of messages to moderate.
It was caused by the inevitable deletion of my museum work account a few days ago. I'd set this up to automatically forward messages to Nick B and myself. So when the account was deleted, your comments ceased coming in to my Inbox.
I'll try and find a work-around, but for the moment it'll just be one of us able to do the moderation. We hope you will bear with us.
Nick M
This is a test comment from a blog administrator.
Hello i have seen the peregrines the female bird is sitting on the chicks and keeping them warm. The chicks have reall grown from when they first hatched. The male peregrie must be looking for food i cant wait until they are older by Diego adewale.
Early hours obs... 0240
Been watching for a few mins. Both adults surprisingly alert and active for whatever reason.
First started watching to find 4 little white fluffy heads alone on the scrape. Tiercel, I think, up on the tower.
Falcon returned fairly shortly and is keeping the eyases warm but still very alert. Won't be long now before the young can regulate their own body heat & won't be so dependent on mum and dad.
Must get some sleep myself now but my last views are of both adults on duty but still very alert - not sleeping.
Morning.....Breakfast at 8am...they are growing so fast...they are a week old tomorrow.... xx
Hi list,
I know I'm a nerd but can't help sharing my unease at the use of the word 'eyas' for our chicks. This implies taking them from the wild for use in falconry.
Quote from the Encyclopaedia Britannica 'Falconry has its own language, much of which is universal. A young hawk taken from a nest in the wild or bred in captivity is known as an eyas. A hawk trapped during its first year in the wild is called a passager, and a hawk trapped in its adult plumage is termed a haggard ....'
@ Crossword
eyas
1. a nestling.
2. Falconry . a young falcon taken from the nest for training.
Can be used for either purpose.
Another new word learnt.
Perfectly respectable opinion, Crossword.
Not sure that they're "our chicks" though, any more than they're our eyases!
:P
Plenty of references I could link to where it's accepted that a young hawk or falcon nestling is defined as an eyas but I'd only bore everyone to death and there are plenty of other blogs dedicated to English usage; definitions; use of apostrophes, etc!
My guess is that I like the word, eyas and you don't! To me, it emphasises that these nestlings are special. Special enough to have earned their own term, distinct from other chicks.
:)
Poor Dad, he's trying his best to keep them warm but he's just not big enough to cover them all...Bless
calm down boys..... I have got to be honest, when I read Terry's comment I thought it read ''keeping the chicks asses warm'' but then that's me lol...they are still beautiful xx
Oh my word.
Mo Cole Belper is in fact Michael Winner in disguise!
Welcome, Michael.
:D
I still haven't managed to get a good look at the little white fluff balls (eyases)!!!!!
Will keep watching, sooner or later I might get lucky!
07.05 Breakfast time, and not just for me.
Tiercel on the right hand side ledge preening.
your chicks are flufy and our 9blutit chicks are nacide. Our adutls sometims they eat the chicks' poo and sometims they take it far away so preditors don't know where they live and eat the chicks. How do your 4 chicks go to the toilet?
There's one little chick that isn't snuggled up under Mum's front with the others - its head is poking out from the side, towards the rear. I suppose they've all grown too big to fit comfortably like they did a few days ago.
Hello Year 2.
I'm not an expert but that's a good question. I think that whilst the chicks are so small, they just go to the toilet where they are. They have to stay huddled up together to keep warm, too. I imagine the amount of poo is very small and mostly fluid so it just soaks into the gravel beneath them.
In a few days, when they start exploring the scrape, they will generally point their 'bottoms' away from the others or even over the edge of the scrape. That's why you see all those whitish streaks on the sides of the wooden frame. Their are no sacs to be disposed of like Blue Tits do and the peregrines have no predators to speak of. They're pretty much the top of the tree in the bird world.
There have been little accidents though and sometimes the cameras have caught one of the chicks inadvertently pooing in Mum's direction! Luckily, she's not easily offended and it was quite funny to watch!
By the way, birds generally have very little sense of smell. These falcons aren't particularly tidy but they keep themselves clean and avoid soiling the scrape itself.
Anyway, enough of 'toilet matters'!
Peregrine chicks/eyases don't attack each other. When food arrives, they will compete for it by trying to get mum or dad's attention but the adults are amazingly attentive and generally ensure that they are all fed. It's one of the most touching scenes you will see on the cameras, if you are lucky.
Despite being very powerful birds with razor-sharp beaks, it is remarkable how gentle and caring the adults are towards their young when feeding and brooding them. Keep watching and you will see this tenderness for yourselves.
I haven't seen much, if any, movement from the little chick at the back, rhs, although it has opened & closed its eyes several times. The others look quite feisty.
How cute are the pictures (is it Nick B or Nick M on the zoom) the little beak looks like pearl and the down has a silver shimmer.... yes Terry they are very special...x
Any news of Watchpoints being organised this year?
A parent has arrived on the tower with prey & is busy plucking it. The chicks are all in a huddle waiting.
This is a test comment by a blog adminstrator. Sent 13:05
Anon: re. Watch points, I'm busy trying to sort out a rota and get permission to use the green etc right now....been at it all morning in fact!
We plan to start on 25/5 and run them as last year on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays through until probably early July. Roughly 11 -1.30.
Full details will be posted on the blog later this week.
Nick B (DWT)
Ps and there'll be a cathedral-organised event with tower tours and a watch point on BH Monday 30/5too...details to follow.
This is another test comment by a blog adminstrator. (Nick M) sent 13:14
I have been watching another falcon flying around the tower. Could it be one from last year? Mom seemed bothered by it. It was very visible on the Puddn cam just minutes ago.
Hi thanks for all the information, its good watching how they grow and the interest from various schools.
They all seemed to have a satisfactory feed just now.
Supper is being served and they all look keen.
Mo,
We could be related! Don't want to scare you but I am descended from a Florence Cole (my nan).
If it turns out to be true, this must rate as one of the most unlikely and bizarre reunions ever!
...sorry for straying way off topic, guys...
Never ceases to impress & amaze me how quickly the young ones grow. Already, it's clear that the adult birds are finding it hard to keep them all together, underneath them. One good thing is that they've been blessed with mild, warm weather which must help a lot.
Won't be long now before we see them wobbling about precariously, amusing us with their clumsy antics and sometimes scaring us as they investigate their small new world.
I guess you'll be ringing the chicks again this season, if so, when will be the best time so that they are strong enough to hold the rings.
Jennie, Hong Kong.
Mummy P trying to keep them warm, its quite cold today in Derby
An early lunch, and one chick at the front has been squashed flat by the others in the rush for grub!
It's upright now and competing for attention like a good'un. They all seem to be doing very well, & growing fast.
test posting from a blog adminstrator
Good feed had by all!
Just been watching chicks getting fed (about 12.05) - all four look lively and hungry...this year might be luckier than last year! The last to hatch is still a little bit smaller, but can't believe how big they are getting!
If the Council hadn't seen fit to delete poor Nick, I'm sure the diary page would have been updated with the fact that we now have 4 healthy chicks (and have had for ages)- Glad they all seem to be doing well, hope it continues, at the moment, Mrs P is trying to be an umberella !!
I saw the male over The Sanctuary Nature Reserve about a mile away from the cathedral this afternoon. He dived down to the surface of the small lake but failed to catch anything. Then he made a second, more half hearted, swoop down before circling up and eventually disappearing high to the East.
Nick B (DWT)
Hi Jennie - good that you are still watching our birds from your Homg Kong office! Real loyalty for sure!
Am trying to get the ringing sorted out. It will be around the time the chicks are 20-21 days old, depending when the ringers are available and the cathedral is 'free' - ie no services and no bell ringers!
Nick B (DWT)
@Terry....Nat King...Old King...Andy Jo... Ashley and Cheryl...which one shall we chose hehe. It is on our list to do the family tree so we may meet up one day...South Yorkshire origin. x
Grub up and plenty of takers!
I do hope they ring the youngsters this year, it gives us a better chance.
Nice that Nick is trying his best for all of us.
Not posted for a while but have been checking in regularly.
Terry, that was a fine explanation of the chick's toilet habits!! and thanks to Stretton Handley Year 2 for such an interesting question!!
Our little chicks are certainly growing but have you looked at Nottinghams lately. They are looking large but still wobbly.
I've just uploaded some screen shots from this morning.
17:50 pm - am quite surprised as each time I've checked in this afternoon the chicks have been on their own and no sign of neither the Falcon or Tiercel on any cameras. Saw falcon come in an feed a bit earlier but that was quite a while ago??
Mum's feeding the chicks while Dad observes from the ledge rhs of the nest platform.
zula98, you don't need to worry about the chicks being left alone for longer periods now. There are no predators of any concern and the falcon's job of keeping them warm for the first few days is much less important now because they will now be able to regulate their own body temperature.
Apart from anything else, they grow so fast now that it will be ever more difficult for the adults to take them all under their wings in one go!
You will still see the adults sheltering their young against the rain or offering shade on sunny days but from now on they will become ever more independent.
The adults now have 6 mouths to feed rather than just their own. They'll both be very busy hunting and ensuring the most important thing by constantly providing food for those ever-begging beaks. Important also to recognise that despite their raptor abilities, peregrines don't always succeed in easily catching prey.
I imagine also that the falcon in particular is probably glad of some respite from all that brooding, and perhaps enjoying a bit of time to herself and a change of scenery - but, who knows? Even the cameras can't tell us what goes on in their minds. We can only watch and wonder.
Great to see them all looking healthy. That's the main thing. Long may it continue!
There was an article about the Peregrines on Chichester Cathedral on Countryfile tonight. Although their birds arn't ringed, they believe they are the same pair which have been there for the last 10 years because they exhibit the same distinctive behaviour each year. They also showed footage of the male bringing in prey for the chicks but he also fed the female. Do the Derby Peregrines have any distinctive behaviour?
Have the ravens on the tower completely moved out? Last year there was a battle of the birds for control. Luckily the peregrines won. Its amazing there are another 4 chicks this year. Shame we can't find out / follow what happens to the chicks later in life, it would be nice to know if they find a spot to start breeding themselves.
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