Update Sunday 8 a.m.: a second male has fledged, leaving the female and the last male still on the platform. One of the two fledged birds was on the tower for awhile but later neither could be seen despite searching of local roofs and open spaces. The adult female was high up on a pinnacle watching everything but she didn't seem too concerned. A bright sunny morning with a strong west wind blowing but some ominous dark clouds in the distance.
Update 4pm Saturday: Watchpoint Report from Chris and Andy M:
A showery morning saw about fifty visitors to Cathedral Green today. All had good views of the three chicks remaining in the nest and both adults who were around the tower for most of the session. The highlight was at about 11.00 when the female flew off returning a short while later with some prey which she dropped in the nest for the chicks to feed themselves from.
At about 12.00 a heavy shower meant rain stopped play and we decided to close the watchoint early.
Chris and I went to do some shopping returning about 1.00. There were the three chicks on the edge of the platform, the male was sitting above them on top of the louvres with two further birds on Jury's Inn. Closer inspection by telescope revealed them to be the adult female, sitting on the hotel sign and the 4th chick on the parapet above her - so all birds are still safe and well!
Ps. An hour later a report from Hilary Mckay said that the youngster had flown back to the parapet on the tower (north side).
Update at 08.30 Friday 15th - Missing male has just been seen on the Silk Mill roof this morning (Friday) so thanks to Jon S (and others too no doubt) for their smart detective work!!
16.50 on Thursday: still no sign of the fledged youngster. Hopefully it will make its way back to the tower..We'll have someone out there looking tonight I'm sure.
With immaculate timing, Derby's first peregrine apppears to have fledged this morning. By 8.30am there were only three chicks visible on the cathedral nest platform, and we were initially unsure if it had simply climbed up one of the camera poles and was out of view, or whether it had properly flown.
The exact picture is still unclear (I'm writing this a long way from Derby and without webcam access), but we'll know much more once today's Watchpoint volunteers on Cathedral Green report back in. What is clear is that today on Cathedral Green we were joined by representatives from Derby City Council, SERCO, Derby Cathedral Quarter, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and - most importantly - the Heritage Lottery Fund for the formal luanch of our three year Peregrines People and Places project. Whilst it won't fund all the things we'd like and need to do to keep the project running, it will certainly help us deliver some specific outreach targets and take Derby's Peregrines into new areas.
But more of this later. This post will be updated as more news of todays events unfold.
Meanwhile you can now watch one of our three camera feeds.
Only one is fully live and with audio, and has been set up by the folks at SERCO in Derby.
The other two remain the same - live images updated every six seconds, and without sound.
See the Key Links on the upper left of this blog page
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95 comments:
Great news! I posted on the previous blog. Any news on where the fledged juvie is? and if it is okay?
I posted two pics on flickr showing when there was four and a minute later only three. Time was around 08:11 this morning.
The three remaining juveniles are looking up a lot. Maybe their sibling is on the roof!
There, I SAID they looked "ready to go"! (unlike me to be anything approaching right)
Brilliant on live cam parent bird feeding 3 younger ones
I do hope the fledged juvenile is okay. The more I look at the screen grabs I posted the more I feel it may have been dislodged from the ledge by the others. Hopefully there will be a video to show what happened.
Awaiting an update.
Sorry about delay in giving feedback. having searched for the juvenile without success mid afternoon, we are none the wiser where it is. the female has been flying between the cathedral and Jury's Inn most of the afternoon, circling and calling. Whether she can see the youngster or maybe she is just hoping to see it we can't tell of course. Not much more we can do really for now I'm afraid. probably other folk will have a look this evening....but these are wild birds and there is a limit to our resources to try to follow and find them. maybe next year we'll get some tracking devices on them....though they are costly!
The launch photocall went well I think. Pictures/story in the Derby Telegraph tomorrow they say...and a live BBC Radio Derby interview at 5.40 tonight.
Nick B (DWT)
Just listened to you Nick B on Radio Derby. A very good interview!
Thanks for the update Cliff/Christine/Andy. let's hope the missing bird turns up tomorrow.
Nick B (DWT)
I suppose the nave roof has been checked? I still think it didn't deliberately leave the scrape. I hope it is found soon.
Just off to bed and having a quick look at pergrins, all three cuddled up together. nite nite
The rain is absolutely hammering down, I hope the missing bird is under cover.
The birds have been having a frenzied flapping session, my heart is in my mouth! It must be very wet on that ledge and the risk of slipping is high, but flapping is probably getting the raindrops off their feathers, nothing like a late shower! They are still at it now! I will never get my early night...
What a frenzied flapping session the birds just had. My heart was in my mouth. The ledge will be very wet and I was concerned they might slip off! It must have been a nice shower for them, they are quiet now - at last!
The unfledged 3 were having a jolly good flap at 0700 this morning. I think there will be a flight very soon.
They are also peering upwards very often - maybe a parent on the tower?
Like all other viewers, I am feeling anxious about the missing Juvie in case it has landed badly. I have no idea what they try to do when grounded, but it must be a hard place to take off from, when you are new to flying.
The falcon has delivered breakfast to the 3, that must be what all the peering upwards was about. I wonder if she will deliver the leftovers to #4?
Further searches for the missing juvenile will be made today but please remember that the bird could be anywhere up to a mile away and that the city alone has thousands of roofs, hidden back yards etc with no way of seeing what it on or in them.
Hopefully a member of the public will chance on the bird somewhere and alert us.
It's been a wet night in Derby but its dry now (07.45 am). The young seem to fledge in good rather than bad weather so maybe the remaining three will stay put for now...we'll see.
The story was on the local radio last night and in the paper today so that may just help should anyone see a strange bird cowering in their backyard or sitting on their chimney.
In previous years we've lost track of a fledger for it to reappear a day or two later...so let's hope that happens with this male.
Nick B (DWT)
And a big thanks to Ian, Cliff, Jon, Christine and Andy who will be round and about the cathedral over the next few days keeping their eyes and ears open.
If anyone else is free and can wander about the car parks, back alleys and streets of the Cathedral Quarter then please do so. The vergers, the local police and the cathedral office all have our contact numbers.
Nick B (DWT)
Missing male has just been seen on Silk Mill roof by Jon S and others - see post Update.
Nick B (DWT)
Hurrah! That's good news to start this Friday morning. Thank you everyone for searching for him - what would our peregrine family do without you?
OH thank you Nick for informing us, I was worried sick about him. It was last year I got a photo of a youngster on the Silk mill chimney. Glad he is okay. I can relax now! Well we don't know what they will be up to today.
Well done to Jon S and all other searchers.
First one to load a photo of the scamp on Flickr gets an imaginary prize!
What a wonderful piece of news to find when I logged on! I am so glad the young fella has been spotted - he is obviously quite adventurous! Well done Jon S.
Second has fledged at 10 .09
Corection. Now not sure because 3 back on platform. There was definatley only 2 after a lot of wing flapping and calling.
So glad the wanderer found (living up to the species name!!). We have a similar situation in Aylesbury but know both must still be atop "Fred's Folly" bacause unlike derby we have a dearth of tall buildings.
I think another chick has flown the nest and there is a picture on Flickr of what looks like the two remaining chicks.
All three huddled together against the rain at 12.14pm.
Nick B (DWT)
they are very dig.they have grown ther fever.they ner luck a adlt.one must of ner fleg.
Many things to be pleased about today - fourth chick seen safe, live web cam working, my flicker picture posted on the project page - and its my birthday! (aka pirate!2012)
I see the falcon is still feeding the juveniles one by one. I am hoping the fledged one returns at some point.
Hi Jo - happy birthday (or should that be bird-day?)and good to see you down at a WP last week.
Nick B (DWT)
Oh yuk - we have a cam-spider! I hate spiders and this one is remarkably clear to see and making me shudder every time it passes in front of the camera! On a lighter note, happy birthday to Jo - Mickelover.
Happy Birthday Jo!
The tiercel has just upset the juvies in the scrape by landing and taking the food left for them. He soon fled with it and the falcon was looking up from the corbel below. They are kicking off again now! I hope he had took it to feed the fledged one!
Hi all
just a link to my first shot of the fledgling taken when I first spotted it on the top of The Silk Mill chimney.
The top has been copped off and as a vantage point it gives a clear view to the scrape and to the jurys Inn.
https://picasaweb.google.com/117609255447297066648/0615DerbyPeregrines#5754318600653352978
more shots of the day @
https://picasaweb.google.com/117609255447297066648/0615DerbyPeregrines#slideshow/5754318300985427618
Regards Ian (superbrad)
"Spellin mistook" in my previous post It should say Capped off
Well it was late when it was posted,
but I blame a dyslexic keyboard.
Ian (superbrad)
Ian, superb shots! Thanks for sharing them. That is the exact place I got some photos last year, I thini it was. It is a popular chimney.
Fantastic pictures, Ian. Thanks for sharing
I've given up correcting typos it only give me chance to make more! My hands are shaky!
At 10:50 a.m. The Falcon just dropped off prey which needs plucking! They are ignoring it! One of the young males is now attempting to pluck it, the other male is watching and the female is eating the remains of the last catch on the right side.
Watchpoint Report Saturday 16 June
2012
A showery morning saw about fifty visitors to Cathedral Green today. All had good views of the three chicks remaining in the nest and both adults who were around the tower for most of the session. The highlight was at about 11.00 when the female flew off returning a short while later with some prey which she dropped in the nest for the chicks to feed themselves from.
At about 12.00 a heavy shower meant rain stopped play and we decided to close the watchoint early.
As a post script, Chris and I went to do some shopping returning to our car at 1.00. There were the three chicks on the edge of the platform, Dad sat above them on top of the louvres but two birds on Jury's Inn. Closer insection by telescope revealed the adult female sat on the hotel sign and the 4th chick on the parapet above her - al birds are still safe and well!
Andy & Chris M.
Great news about the fledgling thanks for the update and nice to meet you down on the green.
Regards Ian (superbrad)
One of the youngsters is playing 'hide-n-seek' disappearing up the side wall, pics on flickr - it may have fledged now as the other two are looking down and I can only see two at the moment.
5pm and all three are present. For awhile it looked like one had gone but it must have been 'up the side'!
Nick B
I was so pleased to see the fledged male safe and sound at lunch time today. While watching the female on the water gully and the male sheltering above the louvres, the female took off towards Jurys Inn. There she settled on the letter I, above her was the fledged male youngster. After a lot of flapping on his behalf they both took off towards the Cathedral. She landed on the rear left spire and he managed to land on the north parapet. Sooooo good to see :) I have posted some photos on flickr. Happy days!
I've also posted a picture on flickr drawn by my great nephew (aged 4)- he drew it after a visit to see the falcons. And thank you for my birthday wishes!
@ Jo - Mickleover
as you have not put a link to your flickr site it is almost imposible to find them so I have put a link below this post.
If you object to this I have no problem a moderator removing this post.
'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/80380309@N08/with/7362609912/#photo_7362609912
.
Regards Ian (superbrad)
@ Jo - Mickleover
Thanks for posting your Juvenile shots on flickr
Regards Ian (superbrad)
Hope you found the pics I posted Ian, they are not brilliant - but they show the youngster is flying OK, and I don't mind you adding the link at all - thanks Jo
The juvies in the scrape are very active!Flying up out of camera shot.
20:47 3 birds visible
20:48 2 birds
21:00 1 bird
21:04 2 birds visible again
21:13 still just 2
So again the puzzle - has another one fledged or is it just out of camera view?
My thought exactly Rej, I saw three a moment ago now only two, and still only two at 21:30.
Three again now ?? they are playing tricks on us...
I think it is due to one of the cameras freezing for a short time. Earlier I saw 5 chicks which did make me think wait a minute!!
CM
The right view is not in time with the left view so sometimes we see double until it catches up. There are three there now, sleepy after their supper.
All three are sleeping now and I see an adult on the corbel below.
Live stream frozen. Serco in charge. Why am I not surprised. Sad viewing is at de mortel site. Tiecel is sitting on the dead eggs. The falcon seems to be aware of the fact they won't hatch but then the tiercel comes back gathers them up again and sitson them. Sad
05.38 Only two on the scrape. It looks as though another of the young has fledged.
I think #2 fledged at 04:27, that was the latest time I could see 3 in the platform. The other two seemed very eager to fly, but are currently perched together on the rim (06:52)
Sunday am - confirmed that a second male has fledged, leaving the last male and the female still on the platform. At least one of the males was seen this morning by the small group of photographers gathered below the tower.
Nick B (DWT)
Yes Rej I have the same 04:27 when #2 fledged.
I think number 3 may have fledged can only see one. I think the video cam has frozen.
I put pics on flickr showing when #2 fledged.
The young falcon looks huge compared to her brother!
11.50 is that one of the fledged youngsters below the scrape?
Yes Jo it was a juvie perched below the scrape, he has just flown off out of sight.
Slumpy: please don't criticise Serco. They have gone way beyond the call of duty to help us with the live stream - and all for free too. Clearly they can't be expected to be on hand out of hours so we are working so that Nick M can fix most problems remotely. Please bear with us.
nick B (DWT)
I think #3 has just fledged!
T'was the young male, his sister is looking down for him!
Another has just flown the nest as I watched. Roughly 12.40.
Who is that on the corbel below?
#3 has flown I think, another male
Will there be videos of the fledgings?
She has fledged!
she is on the corbel below with her brother! Now they have both gone!
14:02 I think #4 has flown the nest.
She flew from side to side a few times and has now vanished from camera view.
One of the young males is just flown away from the corbels below the scrape.
Nope she is back again - trick of the camera maybe? I have a screen grab of what I thought was her on the corbel below with her brother, will put on flickr.
OH! One youngster back in the scrape - looks like the female.
- So did she actually fly off? I have never seen such a quick return from a real fledgling flight?
One back on the scrape at 14.05. Did she ever really go?
This is better than TV!
@Nick B, fair enough
Well I certainly thought she had gone! Maybe she has returned to give those of us who missed the fledge a second chance to see it - a bit like a curtain call, lol.
Penny - I hope you are right! lol
Another one fledged just female left 2 go nw! From Christine!
She is flying from one side to the other.
She has vanished agaion, but was looking up at her favourite off-camera spot. This time I am betting she has NOT flown.
She is certainly giving us the runaround!
It looks like she is hungry and there is very little in the scrape. The adults may not bring anything for her in an attempt to get her off the scrape.
Has she gone?
Oh, no she is back!
Food has been delivered to the scrape and the young falcon is tucking in.
TODAY'S WATCH POINT HAS BEEN CANCELLED due to the weather - wet and windy with no sign of it clearing up this morning.
Nick B (DWT)
What a shame about the Watchpoint. This summer is becoming rather a washout but I suppose the reservoirs could do with some topping up.
Anyway, I'd just like to thank everyone involved in this amazing project, including Serco, for everything they've done to enable us to take part once again. It's been a terrific breeding season with four more successful fledgings. I'm very impressed with the Plans for an Outreach officer to go into schools & raise awareness of these fascinating peregrines living among us. It's been sheer delight to read all the comments from the schoolchildren, who've obviously learned a lot and loved it. And what a marvellously generous offer from the Anonymous donor.
My cheque is, as they say, in the post!
would just like to thank every one what a good job you have all done and to all the bloggers love reading your boggs have just phoned with my donation and a thank you to mr and mrs p with out you we would all be lost
A call from Radio Derby saying there was a peregrine trapped in the bus station sent me off to town. When I got there the bird had gone but a photo on someone's mobile showed it to have been a mistle thrush! Just a tad smaller than a peregrine....
Calling at the cathedral the verger gave me an envelope marked Peregrine Project which, when I opened it, had a crisp new £50 note inside, but no name. If you were the anonymous donor a BIG 'thank you' is entirely appropriate.
Nick B (DWT)
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