Update Monday 20th early morning: brief recap so far: 015, the only male, has successfully flown and was high on a pinnacle late last night. He seems to be a capable flier.
The three female young are still in the nest platform early Monday morning.
Our problems may come when these birds decide to take flight - being heavier and less maneouvrable, it is the females which mostly come to grief (think of 'Cathy' and the bird ringed as 009 from 2009, both females that hit buildings). A fuller account of 015 can be found in
comment 32. NB (DWT)
The top photo of 015 was taken by Geoff Barrow, an Australian visitor to Derby, on Saturday morning when he was on top of a local shop (that's the bird not Geoff!). Thanks Geoff!
This morning (Saturday) saw our first peregrine falcon leave the nest platform. It had spent the last six weeks on a small wooden ledge on the side of Derby Cathedral being fed, growing up and developing its flight feathers and wing muscles, ready for this moment. And when that moment eventually came, it did what came naturally, and it did it well.
Chris Marshall was there and saw the bird fly off and land safely on a nearby building - though it flew off mid- morning and hasn't been seen since, despite searching.
A call from Tony Grantham and Nick Brown informed me that our first fledged peregrine was initially safe on the top of Emily Brigden's - the clothes emporium at the top corner of Amen Alley and Irongate. The team remain on standby in case the other first flights are not so successful.
I'm afraid it won't be possible to bring you any videos of the moment of fledging as the equipment inside Derby Cathedral remains out of action whilst the Project is in a period of partial hiatus.
The photos show the bird sitting on the top of Emily Bridgen's shop (top centre of the photo) - and a close up of her.
Saturday Watch Point Report: the fledged chick (actually 015 the solitary male bird) flew off and was lost to sight heading north. No doubt he'll be sitting somewhere on a roof but a walk round the area failed to spot him. The remaining three females did quite a lot of flapping at times while the falcon mostly sat above them next to the 'pud' cam. The male stayed on Jurys Inn.
Nick Moyes/Nick Brown
for Derby Cathedral Peregrine Project
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| And then there were three. |
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| First to fledge - ring number 015 clearly visible. Photo courtesy of Ian Fletcher. (Click to enlarge) |
A call from Tony Grantham and Nick Brown informed me that our first fledged peregrine was initially safe on the top of Emily Brigden's - the clothes emporium at the top corner of Amen Alley and Irongate. The team remain on standby in case the other first flights are not so successful.
I'm afraid it won't be possible to bring you any videos of the moment of fledging as the equipment inside Derby Cathedral remains out of action whilst the Project is in a period of partial hiatus.The photos show the bird sitting on the top of Emily Bridgen's shop (top centre of the photo) - and a close up of her.
Saturday Watch Point Report: the fledged chick (actually 015 the solitary male bird) flew off and was lost to sight heading north. No doubt he'll be sitting somewhere on a roof but a walk round the area failed to spot him. The remaining three females did quite a lot of flapping at times while the falcon mostly sat above them next to the 'pud' cam. The male stayed on Jurys Inn.
Nick Moyes/Nick Brown
for Derby Cathedral Peregrine Project
55 comments:
The first to fledge has been identified as 016 and we think it is a female bird.
She was still sitting on the corner of Emily Brigden's when I left 30 minutes ago. It's raining now so it remains to be seen if the watch point goes ahead - showers are forecast this morning for Derby.
Nick B (DWT)
Thanks for the "on the hoof" reporting, Nick(s) - looks like Nick B was correct that the first one would fledge today :-)
OMG I think I just saw the second one go at 11.02
Jackie xx
Hope she keeps safe. Whats happened to the cameras one is that close up we can't see anything properly?
CAn only see two in the nest at 1145, not sure whether another has fledgedor whether it's just the camera angle
At 11.55 am I think the second one has just gone ?.(One of the web cams is zoomed in too much and spoils the view !).
I wished I had gone with my wife and daughter to Derby shopping now , I sent them a message to go and have a look.
Michael, from Ticknall UK Earth.
I left the watchpoint at 12.30 during light rain showers. Our first (and so far only) fledged bird had moved from Emily Brigden's roof and was nowhere to be see.
So if you're coming down this afternoon to Cathedral Green, do keep your eye on tall buildings in the area, or for any other untoward activity, and let the Watchpoint organisers know what you've seen.
Apologies for forgetting to zoom the cameras back out when I set off into town this morning - I realise it must have been frustrating for everyone not to be able to see the complete nest platform.
Nick M.
Thanks for the update. Nice to hear one has fledged.
Any news on the fledgling yet
YEAY! One down, (or rather up, up and away!) and three to go. Good luck to them all........
Great news in Derby!!
The Hamilton, Ontario chicks have also started to leave the scrape - 2 males made their maiden flights and the female is still left. One had to be rescued from the ground and returned to the roof of the Sheraton hotel but was OK. The Falcon Watch volunteers here do and excellent job of trying to keep track of the 'kids' just as they do in Derby.
Can't believe how fast they change from fluff balls to beautiful Peregrines.
Watching the remaining three right now, there's something that always touches me about their behaviour at this stage. Huddled up together for warmth and even comfort, perhaps. About to embark on their ventures out into the wild where never again will they be so close to any other creature, unless to capture and kill it for food.
I wonder how much trepidation they feel. Perhaps none. Who can tell?
The one that fledged already turned out to be 015 and discussion with Ant, the ringer confirmed that this was the male. males often go first.
The other three all look similar sized to me and certainly two were definite females when ringed. The third was a bit intermediate but we can assume that we have three females left in the platform and the male 'pushed out' (maybe?) by his three larger sisters!
Nick B (DWT)
All three present and correct early this morning (Sunday)
What a thoughtful and touching post Terry, Herts. I had never thought of them like that when I watch them together. Something to think about as these lovely birds embark on their adult lives in the wilds.......
Anyone seen the male since yesterday?
Is the beak of the bird that has fledged OK. It looked slightly odd in the photo in the diary. Hopefully I am worrying for nothing.
@Anonymous
There is some concern that 015 may have some damage to his bill. Ian (the photographer) pointed this out when he submitted his photo. Had it been food, it would have been dislodged, by then, he felt. So whether this occurred on its first flight - perhaps a poor landing involving a crash into the side of a building, is not certain.
At this stage we're not certain what the implications may be. We'll let you know if we can find out any more, or when we see the fledged birds feeding.
Nick M.
Nice to know he's got back to the Tower, do hope his beak is ok
It looks like 015 is back in the scrape!
015 IS back! Wow! Clever bird!
Seem to be all four in the platform unless my eyes deceive me...so that's good news.
Nick B (DWT)
Just saw 015 arrive on a flying visit, about 5 mins ago! Still there I think.
Adult arrived with prey about 4/5 mins. ago; all 4 juuveniles very interested. If 015 does have a beak problem then a bit of feeding tlc from parent is just what the doctor ordered!
3.10p.m. four on the scrape not sure if one may be an adult?
I walked along Full Stree at 10.20am today and there were some people with telescopes/binoculars or something. As I spoke to them two birds were seen zooming in on the nest ledge and I was told one of them was the bird which had fledged yesterday. It was really quite awesome to see their speed as they approached the ledge and that was with no magnification!
All 4 juveniles are still in the scrape together, variously perching, preening & generally maturing rather fast.
This has been a wonderful season for "our" peregrine falcons and their family. Once again thanks to all who have made this possible, and thanks also to all fellow bloggers - especially, may I say, Green Class! -, who give this place such an enjoyable & interesting atmosphere.
one appears to of flown again
It looks like only three in the scrape now have I missed one flying off again?
I've just taken a call from Nick Brown down on Cathedral Green. He tells me that he's watching the three juveniles on the nest platform, and that the tiercel who fledged yesterday is safely perched on the top right pinnacle of the tower, as seen when facing Derby Cathedral from the Green.
He's down there with Colin, a very keen peregrine photographer and falconer, who has been caring for "Cathy" an injured peregrine from the 2009 breeding season. So perhaps we'll be seeing some great photos added to the blog later on.
Nick M.
I've been thinking for at least the last hour that the fourth juvenile must be somewhere higher up the Cathedral tower. The three still in the scrape have spent a goodly amount of time looking up above themselves to something (someone) we can't see in the image.
Best to the Nicks for the update!
I'm now wondering whether the juvie is once again 015, and if so, whether he will be back on the scrape later on this evening or tomorrow morning.
I couldn't get down to the green this evening so will be going tomorrow after lunch. Hope to see some action!! I would think it will be interesting.
Deborah: it is the same one (015) that left the scrape as mentioned by Nick B. He is giving us the run around for sure.
Phoebe: just to recap: three female youngsters (can't call them chicks any longer can we?) still in the nest at 6.45 am Monday.
015, the only male, left on Saturday morning, flew to a nearby rooftop, then disappeared, then was seen on Jurys Inn lettering, then was 'guided back to the nest' by the falcon, stayed there for some hours, then flew off again and was on a topmost pinnacle high above the nest late last night which is probably where he spent the night.
No reports yet this morning (Monday). The smaller and more agile males usually fledge successfully (I can only recall one coming to ground, famously outside a local pub!). It is the bulkier females which seem to have more difficulty....so the fun and games is yet to happen....
Nick B (DWT)
7.40 3 on the scrape looking very healthy. Hope the male is ok. It is getting interesting now and do hope none of these females come to trouble.
Thanks Nick for updates
Nick B: Thanks for the info. It is getting exciting now and I hope to see them all later today and it would be good to see one of them take the first flight. The weather is good, a fine day for a maiden flight!!
It seems 015 is back, I am nick-naming him YoYo! lol
Ah I see now, after looking at my screen shots, the falcon came in with food and 015 (YoYo) followed her! pics on flickr
marski aka phoebe
We keep looking at the peregrines
to see if they have flone and today one has and we were very exsited. We hope the other peregrines will fly aswell. They keep playing triks on us. Because they keep gowing to the other side and we think they have gon. we think number fifteen is a very good
flier. He was the first one to flege. They keep on geting bigger and bigger as we look at them. When they keep flaping there wings they keep geting stronger and stronger and we think the adult peregrins mite cum back to teech them howe to fly proply.
The falcon is on the scrape with food. Three youngsters. It appears 015(YoYo) has gone again!
Got the morning off work today so called the lovely ladies at DWT and made my donation - managed to get the times right!
Come on everyone - every little bit counts for these birds that give us all so much pleasure.
16.14 another one has flown the nest. I hope she landed safely!!!
16:27 and it looks like another juvenile has flown the coop.
Hello! I can only see two birds on the tray - I am sure that there three about 20 minutes ago.
Fledged #2? or is she sitting on one of the support struts?
looks like the second one has gone does anybody know what time it flew
I can only see 2 juveniles on the scrape! Has anyone seen a second fledging?
@ Green Class
I just love your blog, it's so full of enjoyment and fun - and of course, very accurate observation!
16.40 Noticed what looks like a juvenile on the wall below, could be the Falcon which left earlier.
Only two now, has anyone seen the second one leave, hope its ok. The others plucking up the courage to go!!
I only see two youngsters on the scrape and there were three about 15 min ago!
There are only two birds on the platform at 16.42, guessing a second one has gone, but don't know what time.
Looking at the left and right webcams I think maybe another youngster has flown - I wonder if anyone has seen anything but I guess I will just have to watch the blog.
another one gone
Just checked both webcams and it looks as though a second youngster has flown - hope it got away OK
It appears to me that one of the females has flown, I can only see two on the scrape - unless she's hiding out of sight.
Yes, one of the three females (012 as it turned out) flew off by chance just as I arrived at the cathedral - about 4.15pm. However her first flight ended with her perching 10 feet up on a ledge on a brick wall at the back of the car park by the side of the cathedral. I borrowed a step ladder from the vergers and managed to catch the bird, put her in the rescue box and took her back to the top of the tower (accompanied by a Derby Evening Telegraph reporter - see tomorrow's paper if you live nearby).
I put her back gently on the stonework high above the nest where she was still standing when we left at about 6.40pm.
015 meanwhile was flying about very well and the falcon (mum) was certainly a bit concerned about the whereabouts of her progeny and those two men on the tower top!
Nick B (DWT)
7.32 and four now on the scrape.
Green Class I love your comments, you are obviously very interested
What's hanging across the camera lens that looks at the left hand nest platform? Looks like a bird's wing/tail!
Boboffife
1010 hrs 1.7.11
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