UPDATE Saturday afternoon (14th): please see the following blog post.
.......................................
Two photos from this morning: one shows the first fledged bird on top of a pinnacle and the other the two remaining birds on the platform. The colour ring numbers were 026, 027 and 028 with probably two males and one female.
 |
| Remaining two getting warm in the morning sun..... |
 |
| First fledger high up above the nest |
When I arrived at 9 am, all was quiet. Often, if a juvenile has flown and landed somewhere precarious, the female flies about overhead and is very restless.
This morning she sat calmly and for long periods above the platform with the male close by.
Then, she suddenly flew down to the nave roof, something I've never seen her do in nine years. So, putting two and two together, it seems almost certain that the fledged youngster is on the roof. It will be quite safe there and if the female (the falcon) is happy to go down to feed it, we can relax for the time being anyway.
We weren't expecting any fledging for perhaps another week. Usually the youngsters spend days (and days!) flapping and strenthening their wings with us all on tenterhooks wondering if they will fly.
How soon the other two follow suit we'll just have to wait to find out. It could be tomorrow or not for a week!
Certainly, if anyone sees a bird actually fly off then please post a comment.....we usually pick these up pretty quickly since they appear in our email inboxes.
 |
| Three years ago, this female came down on a low wall |
Watch Point THIS SATURDAY (14th) - if you can get to Derby this Saturday morning for the watch point it could be interesting.....anytime 10.30 to about 1pm, weather looking good too! It's free and everyone is welcome!
A fine photo of an adult taken recently by Cliff Pearson - many thanks Cliff!
Nick B (DWT)
50 comments:
I will be at the watch point on saturday. Looking forward to it and hope at least one chick still up there by then
From Christine dwn at cathedral both parents on gargooyles 2 juveniles on tray no sigm of fledgeling.
The chick definitely took off on its on. One minute sitting, staring out a nod then it just took off. No push.
OK Abby-Lynn: apologies. I've changed the text now to take your comment on board.
Nick
No apologies needed. I love watching them. Spend too much time at it. Thanks to everyone for their comments! It is interesting to hear from everyone.
Everyone watching is welcome to come along to a Watch Point and see the birds 'for real'....a very different experience from watching on line.....always assuming you live near enough. Do please introduce yourselves to us if you do come. It's always good to put a face to a name! If you don't, there are urban peregrines in every county now so must be a pair near you somewhere. No excuses!
Nick B
I took a walk down on wednesday but could only stay about 20 mins. Plan to stay longer on Saturday. Will say hello Nick.....
I'm looking to be at the watchpoint on Saturday with my partner. Hopefully see you there.
Craig, Nottingham
Many thanks for all the updates and photos. The fledgling was certainly quite a jitter-big on the platform. Been great watching as the camera angle really shows what will become 'their world' beyond the scrape. The definition on their feathers is incredible too. Should be quite a Watchpoint this Sat with the chicks in different places and the parents feeding here and there. Been meaning to say that the community projects are brilliant. I can imagine the effect of the falconry birds in the library! Well done team!
Glad the first fledgling is safe up there. A big relief
So pleased the fledgling is safe and thanks for the updates. I keep having a sneaky look when I'm at work just to keep my eye on them. It's been so interesting watching. Everyone who helps with this project has my thanks x
The baby finally got on the ledge around 6 - 7 am and the other one was not happy. He kept jumping back and forth until baby got down. We laughed to see baby get on and off and big brother not liking it. I will miss them when they are gone.
Adult just fed 2 chicks, then heard something and flew down with carcass, presumably to feed the fledged one. Thank you so much for this coverage; my son has watched for years but this is 1st year I have had a laptop & am enjoying it so much! Once again, many thanks.
The Juvernyle pinched the food off the grown up. This morning the juvernyle was flapping his wings. The chicks have got some juvernyle fevers. One of the juvernyles as fleged.
Do have a look at Cliff's two fantastic photos on Flickr if you haven't seen them. Thanks for sharing, Cliff!
I haven't seen the baby get back on the ledge. Has anyone else it go on the ledge?
Hi Abby-Lynn - when you say you haven't seen the baby get back on the ledge, do you mean the youngest of the two chicks in the scrape, who has recently taken to "perching" on the scrape edge? Or do you refer to the fledged chick who you've spotted on a ledge somewhere in cam shot? Only I have just been watching the youngest chick balancing on the scrape edge on one leg! The older chick looks a bit impressed by it's younger siblings early bravery!
Either way, I hope we get to see the early fledger, when it's confident enough to fly back up to the scrape at meal times.
Looks like Mum is staying close by on the tower again tonight and I think I can just make out Dad on the very far end of the corbel (Cam2 bottom r/h)
By the baby I do mean the youngest chick. Will be hard to tell soon. I saw him on the ledge early this am and not since. Have been checking quite often too but only the older one is on the ledge. The baby still has some fluff here and there so I can only tell them apart by that. Haven't seen the fledged one since he flew.
Just checked out the recommended pictures Cliff has shared on flckr. Two cracking images of our beloved falcon - ain't she a beauty ! Thanks Cliff.
Know what you mean Abby-Lynn - I thought it was the youngest that I was just watching perching on the edge, but think your keen eyes are right and it is in fact the eldest that I've been watching. Can hardly tell the little perishers apart. Come tomorrow, they will probably look totally different again and baffle me even more!
I remember when all 4 of them fit in a corner and mom or dad could cover them all with spread wings. Now they are pretty much the same size as her. Just now the older one was trying to get its head under the baby's wing. i just love them. Earlier today the baby got hold of lunch and took it into the corner. But the older one finally decided to take it. It amazes me how they sit back and wait patiently - for awhile at least.
I think the youngest still has one or two baby feathers. Older one on ledge alot, wondering if he dare!!
When I found this site last year, I was transfixed by events and found myself overly attached to one of the fledglings and reluctant to let it go, so to speak. I would watch it over-nighting on the tower, long after it's three siblings had long gone, even writing poems about the little imp, it captured my heart so totally!
Now in my 2nd year, I have learnt that Nature holds little sentiment and it really is a case of survival of the fittest. Thankfully, the Derby parents are such skilled parents, I like to feel that a lot of their chicks carry the same know-how in their genes and that many have made it to succeed at their chosen locations.
Won't be able to contain myself if the sighted Yorkshire falcon gets confirmed as a Derby daughter - then another poem will definitely be on the cards, and you will all have to just grin and bear it!!
All is snug and safe in the scrape at tune-out now - and an end to another lovely day in Derbyland.
PS: - Talking of " grin and bear it " I just checked out Lesley Gerrard's little dog profile pic and it appears to be doing just that! What a little sweetie x ( used to have one of that breed as a kid )
Baby is on the ledge again.
There's some intense wing flapping going on, even the little one has joined in now
He seems to come very close to falling off. My heart just jumps. The other one sometimes seems to want him off the ledge. You are right, so much wing flapping going on.
Its all very tense! If the sun comes out I think he will dare to go. Youngest still plucking out last few baby feathers!
Has he gone?? Missed it with posting my blog!!
So glad you posted Cliff's pics, Nick! One needs a lot of time and patience to get a flight shot against the cathedral like that. Have a great day down at the Watchpoint today everyone. I can't get there today but will be coming down again very soon.
Oh no he hasn't gone yet. They are cuddled up together.
Abby-Lynn, I see by your 04.49am post, that you are a night owl, like myself - or else you're a very early riser!
It's surprising just how much activity goes on in the night, be it hunting the urban night pigeons, which they often return to the tower with, to eat on one of the gargoyles upturned bottoms! Or just seemingly sat looking upwards to star gaze - though I now know they were in fact keeping a beady eye on the many migrating birds that fly over Derby en-rout to their destinations at certain times of the year. An assortment of catches are included in their diet at these times, and it's fun to try and identify the brightly coloured feathers that are often seen in the scrape.
I see the two remaining chicks have not yet taken the plunge, and secretly glad! Doubt they will give it a go this side of dawn, at the very least, so hopefully a few more days antics yet. Hope also, that today's watch-point has spotted the fledged juvie and can report it is being fed and in good condition.
Hi Lorraine: yes the fledged juvenile is fine, sitting (often lying) on the ledge which runs above the nest (and is visible from the camera which looks horizontally across the ledge)....so all's well.
Nic B (DWT)
Hi Lorraine, I am a niteowl but I'm also in another time zone. I am in Canada. So you are 8 hours ahead of me. So my 4:49 post was done at 20:49 here. I have watched since the eggs were laid but missed the actual hatching as I was away. This is my first year at it and will definitely be back. I am wondering tho, why doesn't the fledged chick jump down to the nest if it is just above it?
It's 8 p.m saturday and all 3 youngsters are together again on the scrape 2 perched on the edge and youngest in the scrape preening. They are all grouped together though. : )
Abby-Lynn it has -all 3 together again in the scrape. Looks like a bit of a squabble was going on a little while ago, and one of the parents I think flew over and left something cached, but not with the chicks. Much squealing for a while. But they seem happy enough.
I was really happy to see the 3 of them together again. Right now I think just the 2 are sleeping in the scrape. I am so glad to see the parents look after them so well.
Have been watching on and off & the one that fledged and the second oldest have been scraping a bit. The oldest one was even nipping at the other's legs. Baby just sits back and minds its own business. The oldest left again about 20 minutes ago.
The juveniles are quite amusing this morning. Elder 2 perched on the edge of the scrape but giving the youngest some strange looks as it hops around and flaps around the scrape , dragging the remains of the last meal alongside ! Much like older siblings with a toddler !! : )
Fledgling has flown off again ! Getting very adventurous . : )
Looks like out second bird has flown. Baby is left alone. He will be lonesome. Only one chick in the scape at 9:40 am.
Don't worry Abby-Lynn, no 1 Fledgling is back and eating in the scrape, has been back several times this am, and think have seen their sister and at least one parent flying nearby. Someone has brought food in too. Don't think it will be long before no 3 fledges. Lots of wing flapping going on.
Just seen number 2 take flight.Although the youngest seems to have given it a push.
Sure quiet on the scrape today. Just the little one flapping and jumping around. He looks lonely. Had something to eat a short while ago and now he's resting.
One of the fledglings back to eat.
Think the female chick is back this am, they were nibbling each other and seem quite happy. Little one may be on his own for a while, but the other two do seem to keep coming back.
At 9:53 we have 2 juveniles sleeping side by side. Aww!
Posts are presently appearing in two places at the moment, both in the newer and older post sections, depending on choice of blog access!
Can see the two snuggling up together, lovely.
Post a Comment