Lorraine's self-devised technique of using a screen grab as her blog profile photo (as an alternative to posting on the Flickr group) seems to work though there is some lose of quality when you enlarge the grab. This is the screen grab she described in her last few comments to the previous post:
Bath juvenile peregrine shot: thanks to anonymous who posted this link to an item which appeared on 22nd August:
http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/Rare-Peregrine-falcon-recovering-shot-wing/story-19692568-detail/story.html#axzz2d6ygCH8X
Nick B (DWT)
92 comments:
It defies belief that there is somebody who lives around Keynsham (and I did hear a voice in my head saying "That's k-e-y-n-s-h-a-m" .. the ghost of Horace Batchelor????) who is moronic enough to go around shooting any birds, let alone peregrine falcons. If I ever met such a person, they'd feel the weight of my boot up their backside, or maybe a court appearance with a heavy penalty would be a little more sensible. Great to hear Ed Drewitt is involved in the case, there is no better peregrine champion! I'm also incredibly impressed with Lorraine's blossoming IT skills, it's amazing where peregrine interests take you in personal development :) I don't dabble myself (lack of time) but I'm pretty sure you'd be impressed with some of the pictures already on Flikr Lorraine. I don't think you have to sign up just to look at them?? You start off by clicking on the "Quick Link" on the right hand side of the screen.
The season is definitly turning, autumn is champing at the bit waiting in the wings. My garden robins have started singing in earnest and having territorial fights and a big mob of long-tailed tits arrived today on the feeder after having disappeared all summer. It's sort of sad to say goodbye to the summer things, but exciting to look forward to the winter visitors.
Hi Nick was me who found it, but was having trouble logging in. Linda
Just what are they doing now? looks like they're mating!! Will try and get a screen shot. Linda
Looked like there were two birds there, and what was going on I don't know. Took a 'print screen' screen shot if anyone wants to see. Looked away and only one bird there now I think. Linda
One juvenile eating some prey on towet ledge! From Christine
What it should have said was tower ledge!
I missed the actual incident - but a juvie showed up with part of a catch at exactly 19:35pm, soon after Linda's post at 18:57pm
Only guesswork, but maybe the two birds spotted were having a tug of war, with a juvie trying to scrounge food off the adult. The stage must come when the falcon makes it ever tougher for the juvie, in order to encourage it to fend for itself. She may have let the juvie eventually pinch her leftovers, which it then later returned with, to eat on the tower ledge.
The other possibility is that one of the birds got hold of that pigeon that has been visiting the scrape quite often recently.
The juvie looked very hungry anyway, so it could be it's still a bit dependent on the adults for the bulk of it's food.
It ate the bulk of it before it flew off - probably gone to scrounge some pudding !
Juvenile nest water spout on tower ledge looking for some nightfliers I would say! From christine
A juvenile on the tower again. The birds often seem to be around at this time of the day.
Hi Helen. Yes I've noticed that they around about this time aswell! Still only 2 juveniles around though! Hope the others are ok! From Christine
No birds present at the moment I see. Maybe later.
Sue: I've been viewing some of the Flickr pics and presently enthralled by Whycliffe. When I clicked onto the name at the bottom of his box images, it opened up his Clifford Pearson page with over a thousand more beautiful images! I hadn't known about this extension link, so good job you thought to tip me off, otherwise I'd have missed out on them. Talking of garden birds, I'm known for my love of wrens, and thrilled by having caught a few fleeting glimpses of one this year. I've been trying for ages to encourage one to the nest box I put up, but again, no luck this year. I'll google more info and maybe re-locate it etc.,
Linda: I'd love to see that screen shot you mentioned. I'm curious to know what was going on and if Nick okays it, it would be great to see.
Juvenile on tower ledge rite now! From Christine
One appeared near the spout on tower at 11.25pm,then walked along the ledge to settle on the bottom of the upturned gargoyle closest to the cam. Looking upward to the sky a lot. Not sure if it's the falcon or a juvie with the cam light making the chest appear white. Not yet glimpsed it's feet for rings. There's an Anthony Hopkins film just started so I'll peek in again later!
The juvie, a big one, is still on the tower ledge at 1.10am check out. Be nice to think it's the female.
Just seen it's leg and no rings so it's the adult falcon after all.
Tuning out, BFN
Haven't had chance to tune in much today, but hope for some visits later on tonight.
Looking forward to seeing the screen shot Linda is sending on to me and will post about it later.
BFN
BP image of tonight's midnight hour.
Adult in scrape at present! Chrisine
Hi nick the mummy peregrine was on the nest box at 10:24 in the morning
The falcon's back again. She really likes this spot recently doesn't she.
The new BP is the image that was captured and posted about on 28th Aug just before 7 pm and big thanks to Linda for sharing it.
It certainly looks as if there was a bit of a scuffle going on with two birds. The feather's of the one underneith don't appear to be pigeon like, more like a juvie's ? I wonder if it was a juvie from another area, just passing through (it'd naturally want to land somewhere on the tower ) and the falcon was clipping it's ear? Or perhaps two juvies scrapping over a bit of hidden food.
I guess we'll never actually know what it was about, but it's interesting to learn more of their quirky habits and by the looks of it - attitude!
PS Juvie ( a big one ) on tower ledge also now. I like to think it is the female juvie ( the one who's first leap was announced by the bells ! )
A smashing view on the tower of what looks to be the juvenile falcon. Also the tiercel is on the scrape preening himself.
Adult tiercel that is!
Juvenile still on tower and adult on scrape! Nt sure wether It's male or female! Christine
just like to say thanks to a peregrine blogger Lorraine for taking the time to have a look at my flickr site of peregrine falcons urbaun and captive and other wildlife
whycliffe
It's a pleasure Whycliffe - your photo's are wonderful. My BP today is just one of the beautiful images you took of two ducks. The colours in the birds plumage and their reflections on the water are just fantastic.
The midnight juvie is on the near gargoyle as I check out at 1.13am
A happy, healthy juvie seated on the tower at 4bells.
Laters....
Just been watching BBC1's Urban Wildlife prog. which ended with a very good piece on the peregrines of Norwich Cathedral.
A juvenile peregrine on the tower looking very uneasy due to some quite large and noisy fireworks over the city coming from somewhere behind the hotel.
Hi Helen the fireworks were from darley park concert! From christine
Thanks for the reminder, AnnieF, about the TV programme. I missed it but hope it's on iplayer so I can catch up. In case anyone else wants to do the same, it's "Britain's Big Wildlife Revival" on BBC1 5:35pm yesterday, Sunday 1/9/13. It was looking at urban wildlife. The special one-offs earlier in the year called "Urban Jungle" were quite a peregrine-fest and I suspect that the Norwich sequences were reused from the East Anglian "Urban Jungle". Of course, we had Sanjida on East Midland talking about the Derby peregrines, Mike Dilger talking about the Sheffield ones, Chris Packham talking about Chichester in the South and (can't recall who) talking about the Bath ones in the South West. The Norwich project is supported by the Hawk and Owl Trust and it's my second favourite site (after Derby, of course!! :) ) They too have a web site - here http://hawkandowl.org/ Norwich of course had 2 of their 4 fledgelings perish this year .... it happens :( But of course, 2 new peregrines is way way better than none at all.
Juvenile on tower! With one adult on scrape and one on corbel below scrape! From christine
Midday check of the cathedral etc found both adults (on and below platform) plus one juv above and a second on Jurys. The other two juvs may have moved away already (they often do by now) or just have been out of sight.
Nick B (DWT)
Great to know there are definitely TWO juvies still around Nick.
None were on the tower when I checked out last night, but of course, they'll have other roosting sites to pick and choose from by now. Maybe one will sleep over tonight......
A good close up of juvenile on tower just now! From Christine
Well there was one juv there! Must have flown of on purpose! LOL. Christine
Juvenile is back! Thanks Nick for letting us know that there is still 2 juveniles present! I've only seen one around! I do hope the other 2 are doing ok! Have you heard ne thing about the one in yorkshire yet from Christine
Hi Christine: sadly no news from Yorkshire so we may have to wait for next season now...
nick B
Ok thanks Nick! It would be great news if it is one if ours! At least we would know that there is a success story! Would be nice 2 actually find out where the juveniles disappear 2 once they go! Christine
A nice view of a juvie on the top with an adult on the far right corbel below.
A nice view of juvenile on tower at present! From Christine
There are 2 juveniles there actually! There is one on water spout aswell! From Christine
I've noticed the falcon has developed a morning routine of sitting on the edge of her scrape, body turned towards the sun and wings slightly lifted out from the chest, whilst soaking up the warming rays. She looks contented and in good health.
Even though we may have to wait until next season for further news on the Yorkshire peregrine, deep down, I feel sure it will be confirmed in time.
The BP pic is of another successful Yorkshire falcon, as featured in a Springwatch program.
One of the nippers is sat on the tower now, its eyes are like diamonds reflecting the light of the cams each time it looks this way !
REF: CAM NO.3
The live No.3 cam appears to have frozen at 11.14am this morning.
Thank you for letting us know, Lorraine.
The computer which 'encodes' this signal normally reboots itself overnight, so I would hope that by tomorrow morning this will be back running again. If not, I will investigate further.
It would be good to find a few hours to abseil down and clean the nest camera lens, but things are very hectic in other areas at the moment.
Okay Nick - and thanks for the info.
Let's hope it reboots, but if not, then I'm sure everyone will understand any temporary delay, so don't worry. You're a man of many talents with lots of projects on the go and we know the score.
PS: You couldn't possible find a minute to nip round our house with your abseiling kit and wash down my top story window could you? !!!
Take care and know that people appreciate you more than you perhaps know.
Well, it looks like there was a bit of a nosh-up going on inside the hidden hollow just this side of the tower spout. Caught a few glimpses ( on Cam2 ) of whichever bird was tucked in there, but couldn't make out what the prey was. The peri is still there now, you can see a few peek-a-boo images of it, but it will probably step out into view soon with a full belly, so I'll try and catch it then, before it flies off.
BP: " There ain't nobody in here but us chickens "
CAM NO:3 Re-booted and working fine.
The falcon returned to the tower with a small bird ( not a pigeon ) in the early hours. I managed to catch this slightly blurry image of her just as she made a decision to fly off with the catch in tow.
Three birds in view this evening - a juvenile on the tower, one adult on the platform and another on the stonework below.
Sorry, just realised that Stream 3 is stuck at 06 - something hrs this morning so previous observation invalid. No peregrines in sight now and the weather is much clearer.
Looks like the adult female on the scrape ledge lhs, with prey that could be a pigeon.
Hi Annie F,
Yes cam3 is off again it seems. The last image, early this morning, shows it was quite damp and foggy in Derby at that time, so maybe it caused problems with the cam equipment. Hopefully it will probably re-boot at some stage.
I can see the falcon you spotted just now, on cam.No.2 - she's moved her catch to both sides of the scrape and back and seems to be dithering about eating it. I think she's now left the food at the far end, in the outer corner of the scrape, whilst she's returned to the other side to ponder what she's going to do next.
Had to turn in early last night ( have a really bad cold! ) so don't know if the juvie put in an appearance later in the evening or if any of the birds were present around midnight onwards.
The early night did me good and so I'm hoping to catch sight of a juvie later this evening.
A large adult with prey has been up on the tower for several minutes.
There is a peregrine on tower not sure wether It's an adult or juvenile! Christine
Got up to make a cuppa and saw the peri was still on the tower at around 02.55am watching the night sky. Not sure if it's the remaining juvie or the adult falcon though.
There's what looks like a Juvie on the tower now. Surveying the world. Linda
It looks like it's raining in Derby, so I doubt there will be any visits on the tower tonight. They're probably roosting undercover elsewhere.
Another early night for me then to try and shake off this bad cold, but if I wake in the night to make a cuppa, I'll have a quick look in and take a screenshot if I see any of the birds.
Looks like a pleasant afternoon in Derby, and I can see an adult peregrine perched on a corbel below the scrape, having a look round.
BP image 13.09.13 1.45am
The tiercel can just be seen on the far end of the corbel below the scrape.
The falcon arrived on the tower as the bells rang at 1.30am and had a short preen before settling down with head tucked under wing. No juvie present tonight.
we saw two peregrine folcon today. they look tiyed perhaps they have had a long flying day
when I saw the ledge nothing was there.
None of the birds present as I tune out now at 02.20am
This Blog-Pic gave me some thoughts to take to my pillow ....
I imagine peregrines in the wild, when presented with a full glowing moon, will find it as fascinating and beautiful as we do and don't doubt they know every detail of it's surface. It's assured cycles of illumination must not only be expected, but also significant in regulating successful night time hunting.
Whilst city street lights offer night flying pigeons to our increasing urban peregrines, those in the darkness of the wild, must anticipate and recognize the moons cycles and use them to advantage it's feeding habits.
As they sit and look at it, they must also surely ponder though, because like us, if not more so, they have awareness of it's perspective and great distance.
Both adults were on the tower this morning (Saturday), the female on the edge of the platform and the male below but no sign of any juvs. Some calling from the male suggested they might be doing some late season courting - it does happen!
Nick B
Nice 6pm image of a thorough grooming session by one of the birds on the scrape just now. The first time I've seen any of them give a little startled jump as the bells suddenly started ringing a nice little tune !
The tiercel has finished grooming now and is looking proper chippa for his missus. He must be making an extra effort to impress her, just in case she's in the mood for dancing tonight!
It's been a lovely sunny day here in Plymouth. I live up in the tree tops of a lovely tree lined road and the slanting evening sun is highliting the changing colours of the leaves. I've become pally with 3 young magpies who visit my balcony every day for the odd titbit. One looks a bit peaky mind, a bit smaller than the other two, but I think it will be fine. I gave them suet dumpling's yesterday and they loved it !!
I've just watched the tiercel do something fascinating. He reached far under his wing, to his lower back region and then deliberately rubbed his beak over the shoulder of his wing. He repeated the action a few times. It must be a scent gland that he was smearing over his feathers. Perhap's, as Nick mentioned, he's in courting mode!
Somebody in Derby ought to shout up to him " DON'T buy her flowers from the petrol station "
Please indulge - I'm having a good chuckle here - the falcon came back to the tower ( lovely view of her right near the cam ) had a look around to see if hubby had done any hoovering, or left a little morsel for her, saw he hadn't, so flew off and left him to it!
He flew off and then re-appeared at the far end of the tower looking for her, but she's obviously got other plans for the night.
Dear oh dear, poor Mr.T - all dressed up and nowhere to go !
Flckr is now working again and so just seen HelenSara's screenshot of 1st September around 9.45pm showing a juv watching the firework display. Can't believe I missed it!
Didn't catch which bird brought in the supper being devoured now on the tower.
BP: bit bland, but shows the treetops lining our road earlier this evening. It would have been a nicer shot if a peri had been sat silhouetted on the perfect perch on the far r/h side - but it's usually a pigeon that uses it!
For any who are interested, I've swatted an answer to the query I had regarding the tiercel's recent grooming routine, when he appeared to be smearing something over his feathers:
On the lower back of the peregrine is located what is called the UROPYGIAL GLAND (preen gland) which contains DIESTER WAXES.
This substance is used to " oil " and waterproof the feathers. However, it also has a PHEROMONAL FUNCTION and secretions from the gland are used in courtship and bonding rituals.
This has convinced me that the adult male is contemplating some late season courting, which as Nick stated, does happen. The tiercels recent distinct " calling " to the falcon also reinforces this possibility.
Perhap's also, the screenshot depicting the birds strange antics, as captured by Linda on 28th August ( BP 31st Aug ) was indeed documenting the tiercel and falcon's reinforcement of their continued bond with each other.
I'll re-post the BP in the next post for those who may wish to view the image again.
BP re-post:
Captured by Linda on 28th August 2013
Hi Lorraine, glad to know I wasn't seeing things. I think I may have spotted one of the Juvies flying overhead yesterday. I was driving down Kedleston Road heading towards the park, about a mile as the falcon flies from the cathedral. I think I saw one of them swoop overhead towards some trees. Not sure but it was quite a big bird. Linda
It must be great to actually see the Derby birds in real life Linda. Lucky you!
One bird roosted on the tower late last night and two "rooster's" are present at check out tonight, one on the tower and one on the edge of the scrape.
BP: 1.17am 17/09/13
Lorraine/Linda: sorry for blip in your commenst getting through. For some reason they suddenly needed moderation which I've only just noticed.
Nick B
There was one rooster on the tower again last night. It's quite tricky sometimes, in the gloom, to be sure if a lone bird on the tower ledge is in fact a juv or an adult. The juv's chest feather's can look quite pale in the cam light and it's only when the bird's move onto the gargoyle nearer the cam, that you can tell for sure who's who! Plus, I think the juv's feathers are becoming slightly more mature and lighter on the chest now anyway.
I know for sure that sometimes the falcon herself likes to sleep over on the tower ledge, as does a juv. The tiercel rarely roosts there - he seems to prefer the ledges under the scrape or the scrape itself. Weather permitting in all instances.
I need to keep the midnight watch for a bit longer though, because very soon now, I think the remaining overnight juv will depart. I'd like to have a final screenshot to pin point the event and round the season off in my own mind.
Couldn't resist the new BP:
Though I live in the City, with magpies, crows and seagull's for company, my joy is my Mother's back garden in St.Dominic, just over the Tamar border into Cornwall. Here, I love to work hard in the garden ( nowt like a bit of hard graft! ) We have regular visits from the Jay's, Woodpeckers, pheasant's, badgers, squirrel's and an assortment of small bird's from the near-by woods and they often bring their young along, especially the Jay. The garden overlooks Kit Hill in the distance and from it's top, you can see for miles around. When I take my bins, I can also see, at a set time between us - Mum waving to me from the back door!
I love our back garden ! - and can't wait till I move there permanently in a year or two. Oh, such peace from the City! There is also the glorious Milky Way to be seen and enjoyed, due to the village having no street light's.
There is a peregrine on tower just now not sure wether its a juv or adult! From Christine
2 peregrines on tower at 3.45am think one is the remaining juv and an adult! Christne
Hi Christine... Yes indeed, it was nice to see them both wasn't it - especially the juv who seems to be well tolerated by the adults still.
BP: Image of said birds taken at 2.42am this morning.
Both the adults were present just now, though the tiercel has just flown off from his visit to the ledge under the scrape but the falcon seems content to remain on the scrape itself for now.
Terrible drizzly weather here in Plymouth but, like Derby, the sun now breaking through for expected fine day tomorrow. rnen 224The adult that's been on the scrape for most of the day, may well move off soon to go catch some food.
Lorraine, such a lovely post from you, as usual, on the 18th. I can just image myself in your garden amongst the 'domestic' birds. Garden birds also give me much joy here in France - we get the usual ones along with Hoopoes, Red-Legged Partridge, Golden Oriels and large flocks of Goldfinches- such a delight!
What good news as well today from Nick tellings us about the new Tech stuff next year with the help of Rolls Royce, no less!!
Midnight rooster present and correct - and will most likely remain the night.
Steph, I googled Hoopoes. Proper little characters aren't they ! Apparently they sometimes overshoot France and land in Cornwall. Very striking feathers and crest. I had no idea of them, but now my interest has been sparked, I'll always be on the lookout!
Nicks update post is very interesting ( lovely pic also of the Green turning to Autumn ) This is probably impossible I know, and beyond our wildest dreams even, nigh on out of the question in fact, but...( big cheeky but ) wouldn't it be just the best thing ever, if the RR team could developed a link with the cam system, to feed a live cam positioned near the tower spout ? So much hidden activity goes on here long after the chicks have fledged - though a lot of gruesome activity would also get covered I admit. Plus there is the matter of anchorage of a cam at this site. Lot's of sussing and puzzling, even for RR. Just a wish, but probably not a technical possibility. Hope Mr.Nick doesn't cuss me for coming out with such a cheeky idea - but I'm just a Northern sparrow and it can't be helped!
BP: The striking Hoopoe plumage and crest.
One large Juvie keeping watch at 0542 this am. Not light yet. lin
Both adults present on scrape ( falcon on lip and tiercel underneith ) Two birds on tower last night ( one on ledge then saw that one was also tucked into the hollow by the spout )
BP: Image of the live webcam in Australia - as per details posted by " Dutch Fan " in an earlier post. Thank you Dutch Fan. I just googled:
www.csu.edu.au/falcon
and soon found the cam leads from there.The falcon's eggs haven't yet hatched.
Not sure if last post got through - both adults still in situ at same location as earlier. Looks like a lazy day just content in each others company. Awwww!!
One lonely person crying in the scrape. Misty day and no sign of anyone else about. ;-( Linda
She's still there at 3.27pm
Lazy madam !
The falcon is still there, but is now inside the scrape and seems to be acting strange.
Sadly my own post's are no longer getting through. I've spent hours trying to suss out why, but I'm afraid I just can't find any solution. I wont be using my blogger account again, as I suspect it must have been compromised, (though a thorough check on my system last night by an expert - 3.1/2 hours! ) confirmed no malware or virus was causing the blocking of my posts. I doubt this final post will get through today, if at all, but if it does, know that I'm looking in and reading everyone's comment's.
I couldn't bear to just disappear without an explanation! I hope to pinpoint the remaining juv's last night on the tower but sadly won't be able to document the imminent event via a screen grab or post.
My sincere thanks to everyone for the friendship given and my best wishes to you all in the future,
Lorraine xx
Hi Lorraine
Your comments here are most welcome. The reason for the delay in them appearing is that comments left on all old posts (over a certain age) are subject to moderation by the Project Team. This was introduced to reduce the large number of spam comments which were being left by automated programmes, often containing hyperlinks of very dubious character. In effect, if a blog post is over a certain number of days we, the Team, have to approve it before it is published.
We spotted this was causing a problem to this post (written on 26th August), so Nick B specifically published a new blog post, which would have solved the problem for you. Unfortunately, for some reason you're still posting comments on the old post, hence your apparent problem and obvious frustration. Just post on the most recent blog post and (for the time being, at least) you will have no problem.
From time to time we do alter the way this blog operates, and sometimes require all blog posts to be pre-moderated. This is done somewhat randomly, and very specifically to prevent non-peregrine supporters thinking they can post inappropriate comments here.
This is not the case with you and others, of course. So, it's nothing wrong with you or your experience of Blogger, just a setting we have specifically on this blog. Just post on the most current blog entry, and all should be well. We welcome your observations of the peregrines, and hope this assures you there's a good reason for carrying on.
(I'll post this same comment on the current blog post, too)
Best wishes Nick M.
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