Tuesday 29 April 2014

Quite some female and news of some juveniles

Our female peregrine has done very well over the years that we have watched her.
She was first seen in 2004/5 and has been present ever since, along with her trusty mate.
As we wait for her ninth clutch of eggs to hatch, here are some statistics about her:


  • The first year she bred (in 2006, soon after we put the platform up) three eggs.hatched.

Our successful female......photo: Colin Pass

  • In the subsequent eight years she laid four eggs each year, making a total to date of 35 eggs.
  • Obviously, this year's eggs have yet to hatch but in the previous eight seasons, only two of the 31 eggs she laid failed to hatch (in 2007), though we don't know why.
  • Of the 29 eggs that did hatch, 27 chicks went on to fledge (leave the nest)
  • In 2010, two small chicks died in the nest.
  • Of the chicks that fledged we know rather little. All we do know is as follows:
  • In 2009, one female broke her neck by flying into glass screens on top of a nearby building. She's now been set up as a museum specimen and we use her at events to show people what a peregrine looks like.

Our taxidernied juvenile female, complete with rings
In the same year, another newly fledged female damaged her wing and could not be released back into the wild. She is called 'Cathy' and she has been looked after for us since then by Colin Pass, a local falconer, to whom we owe many thanks.

recent picture of Cathy, now in adult plumage 
At the moment we are looking for a new keeper for Cathy since Colin doesn't have sufficient room to house her properly any more. We'll let you know when we have found someone willing and suitably experienced to look after her...she's very tolerant of people so if her new owner is willing, perhaps they could bring her to the cathedral occasionally when we have events there. Watch this space!

Last summer we were contacted by a bird watcher in North Yorkshire who had seen a colour ringed female peregrine at a nest up there. We strongly suspect this bird is 002, a female ringed in 2007 and we hope to get a decent photo of her leg sometime this summer to clinch this.
Ringed female peregrine photographed in Yorkshire 
This would be the first of our juveniles which we have proved to be breeding somewhere else - exciting for her and for us!
Finally, a juvenile from our brood of 2012 was recently found injured near Alfreton and is now in the care of a very experienced falconer. This bird, a male, is now almost two years old. He seems to have a damaged elbow joint and another vet will be checking him out shortly. Apparently he's now eating well and putting on weight - but it looks possible that he will never be able to fly in the wild again.
More information about him will follow as soon as we get it.
Clearly, our female has been a successful bird - even if she lays no more eggs in her life, her record so far is very good. We know that the first year in the life of any juvenile is fraught with dangers and that many, probably most, don't survive into adulthood. But having fledged 27 young so far, we would hope that at least a handful are still alive and breeding somewhere else in the UK....the Yorkshire bird being just one of them!

Whilst we celebrate these breeding successes, the sad fact is that parts of northern Derbyshire and the Peak District are still no-go areas for all birds of prey - indeed, for any species that is deemed by shooting interests to interfere with the management of grouse moors, even on land owned by the National Trust. Our National Parks should be full of  raptors, but they are silent. And questions are being asked as to how this has been allowed to continue. More on this later.

Nick B/Nick Moyes

37 comments:

Phoebe said...
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Ian Bradley said...
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The Project Team said...

Hi: we have a policy on this blog not to mention where peregrine nests are - except when they are 100% safe from disturbance. As you know there are many threats to peregrines and other raptors in the UK and only those nesting at sites where they are deemed to be totally safe are mentioned publically. As a result the project team reluctantly decided to take a couple of comments down since, pefectly innocently, they named the existence of a peregrine site which we ourselves have never mentiuoned on the blog.
This is probably being very 'over cautious' since the site that was mentioned is 'an open secret', certainly in the immediate locality. We will email both commentators privately and explain more.

The Project Team

Nick B (DWT) said...

Finding a new home for Cathy, the injured peregrine, moved a step closer today when prospective new keepers Dave and Lesley visited Colin Pass who has looked after Cathy since she damaged her wing in 2009 only days after fledging. Dave soon had Cathy on his gloved fist and immediately both he and Lesley formed a strong liking for her....Cathy was looking in great condition and as usual, was very calm in their prsence!
The next steps are for Dave and Lesley to prepare their aviary for Cathy's specific requirements and for the necessary licences to be applied for from Defra. It will take some time to get this organised and for Cathy to settle in to her new home.
We'll keep you updated.

Nick B (DWT)

Phoebe said...

The falcon is very fidgety again tonight as she was last night. I half expected to see a chick when I woke. It is getting very close to hatching time now. I see the tiercel is on the corbel below, visible on the right.

The info on the splendid pair of peregrines is very humbling, what a track record to have! They are such a great pair and very experienced. How much longer can they carry on with four eggs every season I wonder.

Good to see Cathy looking dapper in her full adult plumage. I hope she won't be too far away.

And the juveniles, it would be lovely to know if that one sited is one of 'ours'. Really excited to hear more.

Happy hatching is very close! Fingers crossed.

Lorraine said...

The latest DWT post made me go all goosebumpy! How special the Derby line is. I wouldn't be surprised if quite a few of their offspring are out there somewhere, spreading their exceptional genes far and wide. Personally, I reckon it's a dead cert the magnificent Yorkshire falcon will turn out to be a Derby daughter! She'd have to be from tough stock, to succeed out there.

Who knows for sure what long term effects the poisoning scandal had on the species. What, with reports of infertile eggs, or only one or two being noted at some locations, it does make you wonder.

Anyway, all the more reason to celebrate Sue's happy post about the Aylesbury chick - it's just great news and such a relief. Lets hope this long awaited little beauty does it's determined parents proud.

Back at Derby, I too have noticed Phoebe's mention of the falcon's fidgety behaviour just recently - shifting position a lot more and fussing with the eggs etc., The tiercel is back overnighting again also.

Kate said...

Morning all
Still chirruping to the Eggs this morning.
Kate

Caroline said...

Fascinating post about the family history of Derby pair. N&N, you must be amazed looking back. A huge thank you to all concerned - and to the falconers too.

Nick B, perhaps I saw the Deans by the river on Mon. A church group was looking up at the cathedral. If a peregrine had been perched there, I would have offered my bins ;)

Sue, I am truly delighted for you and the Aylesbury project. I know how much hard work has gone on there too. I visited the website this morning and saw the chick! No rag doll, this one. Up and asking. As you say, it will get undivided food and attention - and be all the stronger for it.

Phoebe said...

Just watching the tiercel on the eggs right now, and even he is fidgeting. I would love to see one of the eggs hatch while he is on them. It has always been the falcon on the eggs when they hatch as I recall.

Phoebe said...

Changeover now the falcon is on the eggs. They all looked intact.

Rosie said...

There was a piece about peregrine falcons on the Radio 4 Open Country this afternoon. You should be able to catch it on BBC website.

Phoebe said...

The part about peregrines starts at 13:55. They are in Avon Gorge, Bristol area talking to Ed Drewitt.

Kate said...

Morning all
A lot of shuffling but no clear view of Eggs.
A tip , unless its just me,if you open both Cams 3 and 4, and you miss something on watching on Cam 4, swap over to Cam three it runs a little behind and you can maybe get a view of the missed bit.
Kate

Kate said...

Benn calling since I have been watching , constantly looking above , then think felt threatened and chased who ever off leaves the 4 eggs still entact for a short while.
upload some shots in a mo.
Kate

Caroline said...

Just seen changeover and all 4 eggs look in tact. None upright either... can't remember... don't they become more upright before they show signs of pipping?

Phoebe said...

Changeover again, the falcon now on the eggs. They all look intact.

@ Caroline - I can't remember if they turn upright or not. I should check my previous captures.

Lorraine said...

Just a bit of stuff whilst all is quiet, to read if interested....

I remember coming across a fascinating research article about embryo development and what triggers the pipping action inside the shell. It explained how an instruction is received within the embryo, at a precise time, which causes a muscle to contract in it's neck. The created jerking action of the embryo's head, allows an already developed pipping tooth, to then contact and break the shell casing. The embryo can then obtain it's first association with oxygen, necessary for the biological developments that then proceed. What fascinates me, is the spooky mechanisms at work that create this initial movement! Apparently the "trigger" is a priority DNA instruction, with the rapid development of feathers and everything else, being created by normal cell development via the oxygenated bloodstream from then on in. How mind blowing is that! So perhaps, Phoebe, any "upright" appearance of an egg, does indeed signify such an instruction taking place within, soon to be followed by a visible shell fracture. It will be very interesting now, to watch out for the position of any eggs during changeovers. And perhaps also, an unhatched egg signify's a non-occurrence of this mysterious instruction.

Nature sure is a mysterious force, hey? It's back to that old adage of " that which causes to become " God? Science? - both even. All I know is we are blessed as a species, to simply be able to wonder why we live and then live to wonder!

Phoebe said...

Very interesting Lorraine. I know about the pipping tooth etc. and the neck trigger so I have looked through some of my pictures from 2012 this picture is day before hatch:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/38218115@N05/6995669984/in/photostream/

and looking at the eggs they do appear to be upright with wide end uppermost. The wide end is where the little air pocket is, inside the egg. So it may well be true. The sitting bird does roll them over and around during brooding - this is to keep the inside from sticking to the shell whilst forming the chick.

Thanks for posting this info, I'm sure others will find it just as intriguing as we do.

Phoebe said...

Ps. I have just uploaded a picture from today of the four eggs, and they are also upright!

Lorraine said...

Your 15.23pm capture does indeed show the eggs in an upright position Phoebe! - just like the 2012 image. I notice also, how the early morning image, captured by Kate at 06.42am, shows the eggs are not yet in this upright position.

Now 03.00am (of the 3rd) the cam see's her fidgeting intensifying, with lots of shuffling and inspection of the eggs. She quite forcefully buffered them about with her chest this time and gave them a good shakeup.
03.36am - yet another intense inspection and shuffle, with the falcon using the "heel" of her claw to move it over one of the eggs, before tucking it under the front of her chest. I'm sure a pipping tooth has sprung into action and the falcon can feel it.

More shuffling and inspecting at regular intervals, until my tune out now at 04.23am. Darn, but have to sleep before a morning appointment. Hope to tune in tomorrow and find news of lst chick!








Lorraine said...


04.34am Just caught the tiercel's return and changeover before pulling the plug!

kate said...

Morning all
Thanks for the overnight comments, I uploaded some pics yesterday, but eggs still entact.
This morning calling, and very fidgety..
Kate

Caroline said...

My copy of Martin Bradley's Top Gun of the Sky has arrived! It is beautifully produced - do get a copy. The detailed artwork is stunning with lovely touches, e.g. the end pages marked like breast feathers. It is a simple but very effective guide. I love the extra sections on the different words in falconry and how to draw a peregrine yourself. Do you know where the saying 'worth your weight in gold' comes from? Don't Google - buy the book ;) It makes a great present for children and adults alike. Well done to Martin, who must be very proud.

Tx for the fascinating discussion on the egg position. I seem to remember from past years' comments that the chicks can cheep inside the eggs in the last stage. Beautiful morning.

Kate said...

Just seen three eggs, she is very fidgety and seems to be panting heavily.
Kate

Kate said...

11.45.am change over , shows four eggs though there is one slightly apart and looking more upright.Have uploaded to Flikr.
Kate

Lorraine said...

Morning Kate! Both birds present just now. will tune in as often as I can during the day (may have to take a nap later on though!) There is a short delay on flickr, but will catch your screen shots later.

BP shows an image of Stuart Road Primary School, from the vantage point at the rear of my top floor flat, during one of those lovely sunsets we had last year. I sent them the image, which shows how nice the school looked after all it's blackened granite was sandblasted and the frontage restored. A nice school with nice kids and staff. I've ordered the Martin Bradley book and will donate it to the School ( after a sneaky read of course! ) in the hope that the headmaster will consider adding the Derby project to the children's curriculum, and get them involved with the project.

Hope we have a hatching some time today.

PS: Love the image of Cathy on flickr - what a sweetheart!


Kate said...

Both on the trays...
phoebe thanks for the comment I am still finding my way round flikr doh!!!
Kate

Lorraine said...

Both still present at 18.11pm but as yet, no hatching :(
The rock dove's been hanging around the tower again today, now presently on the spout and continues to elude the tiercel's radar!

AnnieF. said...

Both are present, & there has been lots more fidgeting about on the eggs. The sitter (falcon?)has from time to time picked at the gravel around her, as if re-arranging it, and looked down as if there has been something happening beneath her. I feel we may have a chick by morning!

Helen said...

I think the first chick might be hatching. There seems to be a large crack in one of the eggs!

Helen said...

Yep, falcon eating egg shell now. Hooray!

Phoebe said...

The chick is out! The falcon is eating the shell! Hooray!!

Phoebe said...

And just in time to hear the bells chime 10pm!

Nick B (DWT) said...

Thanks for spotting that everyone!
We will get the media as alerted as they can be given it's weekend and a bank holiday one at that!
Nick B (DWT)

Lorraine said...

Thrilled to tune in to such great news and also catch a slight glimpse of the 10 bells chick.
Big fat HOORAY!!

Phoebe said...

Lorraine you were right about the eggs position I think. There is a new blog post started for the first chick.

Kate said...

Eggcellent news,,
just uploaded a capture with three little ones poking out heads.06.38
kate