News Update 24th May: A power failure right across Derby's Cathedral Quarter this morning has knocked out our cameras and recording equipment. Although the cameras should come back on automatically, it is unlikely we will be able to reset the two video recorders for some time.
The Watch Points will be set up on Cathedral Green on Full Street behind the Cathedral itself. They are free (though donations are always welcome). So if you are able to come to Derby on one of those days, do come along and say hello to our trusty band of DWT volunteers....and see the birds for 
real!
real!The DWT volunteers will have telescopes at the ready between about 11 am and 1.30 pm. Staying any later and the light goes off the nest, making viewing difficult.
On Bank Holiday Monday (30th May), Tony Grantham (the head verger) has planned a special event which will include a Watch Point, tours up the cathedral tower, web cam viewing and a display inside the cathedral. More on that nearer the time.
On Bank Holiday Monday (30th May), Tony Grantham (the head verger) has planned a special event which will include a Watch Point, tours up the cathedral tower, web cam viewing and a display inside the cathedral. More on that nearer the time.
On Saturday 28th May, there's a duck race event on the Green (well on the river actually!) as well as our Watch Point.....so extra stalls and things will be happening that day!
It would be good to see some of you web cammers there....if you can get along (Jennie made it from Hong Kong so anything is possible!). Do introduce yourselves to our volunteers and leave a comment in the book, saying where you have come from. We need to gather evidence about our ability to bring people to the city!
Nick Brown (DWT)
Nick Brown (DWT)
Ps Children are also very welcome....as you can see!
Pps. Go to the previous post to find about about how many chicks we have this year...if this is your first visit to the blog.
43 comments:
Hi Nick - really enjoying checking up on the chicks each night on the web cam. They are growing so fast. Got to see them being fed tonight. hoping to pop to the watch site this weekend. Jo - Mickleover - Derby
Looks like the chicks are now mobile, one is tucked in the corner of the platform!
Poor Mr and Mrs P, now the hard work really starts!!!!!!
Morning...9.15am why is one little fellow sat on his own in the corner eeeek...x
Morning again 9.25...He is fine now he must have over slept xx
Plenty of food being served up to the eager beaks.
Morning all,
re. watch points
The Olympic touch will be going through Derby on Friday 29th. Do you think you could entice the touch carrier to come onto the green and watch the Peregrines. Think of the publicity.
:)
Will the team be ringing/banding the chicks this year, and if so when, so we don't get fussed without cause?
Watching from Virginia, USA
09:25 - Feeding time. Parent and four chicks clearly visible.
Down at the cathedral this morning early, no sign of the male but the falcon's head and shoulders showing above the front of the platform. Various birds about; a swift and mallard flying over, goldfinches, blackbirds and blue tits in the trees and a pair of stock doves on the north side of the tower. I see that the council has planted gingko trees on the green.
Re. ringing, as I said in an earlier post, the date will not been fixed until we know when ringers are available, cathedral is quiet (ie no bell ringers or services) and the chicks are just at the right stage. We'll update you nearer the time. We aim to do it when they are about 20 days old, so not yet awhile. They still can't be seen from the ground!
Nick B (DWT)
There seems to be some (entirely understandable) confusion about which 'Nick' does what for the project so here's a quick breakdown:
Nick Moyes (Nick M) was employed by the museum until recently when his post waas 'deleted' and he was forced to take redundancy. He's been the technical whizzkid, setting up the cameras and leading on the IT side. He's also an abseiler so he put up the platform and cameras and maintains the nest with help from Nick Evans, his climber friend.
Nick Brown (Derbyshire Wildlife Trust) initiated the project partnership in 2006, has sourced and managed all the project finances and donations, helps NM with moderation of comments and putting up blog posts (eg this one), organises the Watch Points, writes most of the articles about the project, is centrally involved with project management and development (with Nick M) and has done most of the prey study work.
Nick's B and M obviously work very closely and harmoniously on this project, though currently Nick M is still waiting to hear if the museum will give him a contract to continue being their 'representative'. Meanwhile, like Nick B, he is volunteering his time to keep things ticking over (just) until we know the outcome of the museum's deliberations.
Finally, either Nick could not have done what they have done without the enormous help of Tony Grantham, the Head Verger at the cathedral. Tony has been and continues to be a magnificent support to the project and long may that continue!
I hope that clarifies a few things. Clearly a project like this requires an enormous commitment of time and energy from all of us (and from the DWT Watch Point volunteers too!). How long the two Nicks can or are allowed to run the project going forward remains to be seen....but we are confident that solutions will be found to current problems.
Meanwhile, Nick M has a new freelance career to build and we can't expect him to put in the amount of time he used to - and still wants to - contribute.
Nick B DWT)
Feeding time for the chicks, they ae so orderly. They all look really fit and healthy.
I won't be able to be at the first watchpoint due to a previous engagement.
I have been watching but having nests in my garden it's hard to post on here. I have put a photo on flickr of my Tree Sparrow chicks if anyone wants to see what is keeping me busy.
Marski aka Phoebe
Feeding time again They are all doing well and growing fast
There was a very good feature on the Chichester Cathedral peregrines on "Countryfile" on BBC1 this evening (the whole programme was based in that area). It should be available on iPlayer. (sorry, overseas followers, this service is available in UK only).
It has been very cold and windy in Derby today and whenever I've looked at the webcam one or other parent looked as though they were trying to protect the chicks from the extreme weather. Here's hoping the chicks will be OK.
Food time at 11.37 from one parent - I can't tell the difference between Mr & Mrs P - whilst the other one watches from the Tower; chicks looking good
Hi Nikki: yes our birds do have distinctive behaviour. For example the male always gets into the little stone 'cubby hole' above the nest when it is windy or raining...and you can see the evidence of that. I'm not aware the (larger) female goes in there though years ago she did squeeze in and attempt to see if she could lay eggs there - before the platform was put up.
The female often used to sit on the row of stonework below the nest last summer - especially when it was hot. She could get in the shade there. Neither use the tall pinnacles except after the chicks have fledged - I guess they get a better general view round from there.
We think that we still have the same two birds that we've had all the time but, as you say, they aren't ringed and so we can't be 100% sure.
Nick B (DWT)
We really hope you come down to the watch points some time this summer - it would be great to see you!
If you do, please let the volunteers know where you have come from by writing your general home location in the book....plus any comments you wish to make (or make them later here on the blog comments).
My wonderful team of volunteers give hours of their free time to help out and watch points wouldn't happen at all without them...but be aware that some of them won't be following the blog comments as avidly as some of you...so they may not be up to speed with the latest discussions here....please bear with them.
Nick B (DWT)
I don't post much but I do check in every day to see how the chicks are doing. This is my third year of watching and I always feel so priviledged be able to. Thank you so much for the dedication of all involved. Unfortunately I can never get to the watchpoints as I work on those days. If there should ever be one on a Tuesday I will be there :o)
Jackie xx
OMG!! Am I seeing things or can I only see two chicks? What's happened?
Oh its alrite their all there, must have been hiding behind the others! Been watching the ones in Nottingham they are getting really big now.
10.37 Breakfast. Both adults on the scrape.
Definitely 4 chicks, reading Anon's message this morning.
Just been watching all four chicks and both parents, one feeding them I assume the female bird?
Feeding time just before 1100. Great to see both parents on the ledge with clear view of all four chicks. Pam, Derby
Must be tea time - 1 Adult with a 'meal' arrived a few moments ago - all four charges being fed ! !
16.21 Mealtime again
Looks like it is Tea Time - 1 x Adult has arrived with a 'meal' and all Four chicks are being fed well.
hi everyone glad the watchpoints are back this year had to early sunday mornings down at cathedral
taking photos peregrines serving breakfast early hope to meet up with usual watch friends this year
jon /andy/superbrad/christina/to name a few
The sun is shining in Derby this morning and on the chicks but it is not particularly warm and they are moving about a bit
Camera freeze at 10.44 am (tues) due to power cut in Derby City centre...x
13.25...Camera's are up and running... My are them little chicks growing and what wonderful caring parents they have (think some humans could take a leaf out of Mr and Mrs P's book) xxx
The chikeslooked like snowballs when they are all togever. this mornining one was going to the other side of the platform. Their leggs are getting bigger and geting stronger. There fethers are growing. they are eating lots of meat. they are not vejetairrean.
Mum, Dad and all four chicks together for supper. They are all looking fantastic!
Both parents are in the scrape with the chicks & it looks like tea-time.
Teatime for the chicks it looks like Snipe to me.
The previous feed was great to watch with both parents feeding the chicks. It is unusual and not something I can remember seeing from this pair before. I have some screenshots to post - if they haven't already been put on by someone else.
Jackie - there is a watch point as well as tower tours this Monday - Bank Holiday -30th - so hope you can get down to that...details to follow on the blog post itself. Hoping that Cathy the injured juvenile (now almost two years old) will make a star appearance!
Nick B (DWT)
Thank you for the information Nick but I work BH Mondays :o( I will just have to be content with watching the webcam!
Just been watching and the chicks are getting adventurous, now wandering about :o)
Jackie
I wonder what is happening with the chick that is at the far end of the nest well away from the other three.Might it be poorly - does anyone know?
I have been told by DWT that the chicks are now moving about more so there is nothing wrong with the chick that is away from the rest. I can, of course, see that all is well and at 9.23am it is now mealtime for the chicks - it is great to see them.
Every time I have checked the web cams today the chicks have been on their own. Hope mum and dad are ok and I have just missed them
Mum's back. Supper time!
I'm a little worried every time I look the young appear to be on their own, haven't seen an adult for two days?
Stopped off at the Watch Point today for a short time. Unfortunately couldn't see a book to sign in but spoke to one of the Volunteers. She was very helpful and showed me how to see the tower through a telescope; there was an adult sitting above the puddngcam. I also saw a lovely fly past by an adult. It was cold and windy and I will visit again as soon as I can.
The chicks look as though they are having a lie-in this morning watched over by a parent - nice!
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