Reports on previous Watch Points are at the bottom of this post.
THERE WILL NOW BE FURTHER WATCH POINTS THIS WEDNESDAY 8TH JULY AND ON SATURDAY 11TH JULY, WEATHER PERMITTING. SAME TIME/PLACE AS USUAL.
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So, with all three youngsters having left the nest (please scroll down this blog to read the story), there will be less to see via the web cams from now on (even when they are working - and we do apologise once more for the recent problems which are clearly beyond our control!)
It seems a long time since March when the birds really started to display and start scraping a depression in the gravel for their eggs.
We hope you've derived pleasure from watching these fascinating falcons go about their breeding. Perhaps you feel a part of the 'virtual community' that seems to develop each summer. If you are lucky enough to live within reach of Derby, perhaps you've been to a Watch Point and seen the birds for real - and met some of the staff and volunteers (and 'supporters'), who make this project such an enjoyable one to work on.
As you will know, our lottery grant ends very soon. By August we will be back trying to stand on our own financial feet - so we make this appeal to you to make a donation to keep the project running in the future.
All donations are welcome, however small or large.
Last Wednesday, for example, someone drove up to the Watch Point and handed Steve, one of our volunteers,a crisp £50 note! If it was you - MANY THANKS!
If you can't afford that much, we will be delighted to receive anything - however small. And every donor will receive a personal 'thank you' from the team.
How to donate - the details are to be found on the side of the blog home page and via the 'Donations' tab but here's a quick summary of the most commonly used methods:
1. Click the My Donation button on our blog homepage, or click below to make a contribution via our VirginMoneyGiving page (or click above)
.gif "Donate to Derby Peregrine Project via our dedicated VirginMoneyGiving page")
3. You can also donate at a Watch Point. They are on Saturdays and Wednesdays.
4. Send a cheque, payable to Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, to DWT, East Mill, Belper, Derbyshire DE56 1XH. Please enclose a letter or note making it clear that your donation is for the Derby Cathedral Peregrine Project.
For further payment methods, please click on the Donations tab on this blog.
GIFT AID - if you are a UK tax payer, you can agree to have your donation gift aided which adds a further 20% to the total we receive with no cost to you at all! Please ask for details. Really all we need is your full address and something saying you are indeed a UK tax payer, willing to have this donation gift aided.
Many thanks in advance,
The Project Team (Nick M, Ian L and Nick B)
Report on the Watch Point on 20th June by Ian Layton:
Another wet – but still rewarding day on Cathedral Green today.
Things started well with the two adults on the tower with two of the young more hidden against the brown stonework.
By the time we had fetched the kit from the Silk Mill and from the Cathedral and sorted out the multi-lingual A Board for Irongate – we were treated to one of the best sights of year so far. The two adults had decamped over to Jury’s Inn and were sitting to the right – one on the spire and one on the lettering on the east side. Then all three young appeared in short order against the skyline sitting on the hotel’s roof. The adult male took a short hinting trip and soon returned with what appeared to be a blackbird – which caused quite a kerfuffle with the youngsters!
At this time town was reasonably busy and we were quite busy on the scopes – but before long it began to drizzle quite persistently and the street soon emptied. The rain got heavier and we moved under the shelter of the trees but set a scope up closer to the Silk Mill pub where we could show the birds whilst having a little shelter. Unfortunately the rain seemed to get stuck over Derby and we lost at least a third of our time with very few people around.
The rain cleared up a little soon after 1.00pm and the streets became a little busier and we were able to return the scopes out to the Green where they belong. By close of play at about 1.45 we had counted almost 100 people at the scopes – a very good showing on such a wet day – and it was especially lovely to see our “new regulars” down on the Green again – so a special thanks to Jane and her Mum (“cos we know you’ll be reading this!) and to Saul, Blythe and their Mum too – who now know more about peregrines AND how a motorbike twist throttle works too! Glad to be of service!!
Throughout all this time the youngsters remained on the roof, hunkered down out of the weather, though one (probably one of the female young judging by her size) could be seen trying her wings out and hopping around the rooftop. On a couple of times the adults took a flit around the Green and around the tower but soon returned to Jurys Inn where they could keep an eye on their charges and seemed to be quite content despite the rain – which we hope means that all is well with all three of them.
Update Sunday 21st 8 am. All the juvs on top of Jurys Inn.
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| Two juvs together on the tower - Photo Roger Lawson |
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| They're up there somewhere! |
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| Antony explains the project's history |
The next Watch Point is on Saturday 4th July between 10.00 and 1.30pm with the probability of a final one on July 4th. As always – everyone is welcome.
Report on 1st July's Watch Point by Joyce Sawford, one of our trusty volunteer helpers:
"It was very hot at the watchpoint today, 1st July. We arrived at 10:30am and all three fledglings were visible in various places on the tower and were very vocal. On adult was tucked in on the tower in a shady spot. One of the young ones took flight when the other adult arrived and joined it in several circuits of the tower before landing again. The young ones changed places several times, but spent most of the time resting on the grotesques and water spouts.
We had a steady stream of visitors over lunchtime, particularly as quite a number of folks had brought their lunch to have a picnic on Cathedral Green. It was good to be able to introduce so many folks - some of whom were visiting Derby for the first time - to 'our' peregrines.
I have put some pictures up on Flickr".
Report on July 4th Watch Point: we enjoyed decent weather after a very thundery and wet night. The three juvs were on the tower in view but generally a rather quiet morning. The highlight was a mallard with her brood of seven ducklings appearing as if from nowhere and walking them down to the river, watched and abetted by several of us from the Watch Point.
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| We're on our way.....photo Joyce Sawford |
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| Phew, we made it....... Photo Joyce Sawford |
Thanks to our volunteers Tony and Joyce, Helen, Sue H (coming up from Buckinghamshire!) and Antony plus Liz who was on the recruitment table. And welcome to Jane Tagg who has offered to help us with running the Watch Points next year
A banded demoiselle flew past us, as did a rather faded red admiral and one or two swifts flew high overhead. The wood pigeon squab on the nest just below the new platform is growing fast.....
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| Pigeon squab - keeping a low profile! Photo Joyce Sawford |
Had the walks taken place (there were no takers unfortunately, people would have seen the tiny population of White Letter Hairstreak butterflies which live on a single wych elm tree on King Street near the cathedral. Colin Bowler saw about 20 butterflies mostly at the top of the tree but with a few coming down low enough to be photographed.
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| Can you see the 'white letter'? These scarce insects are very small but up close like this, very beautiful. Photo Colin Bowler |
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113 comments:
Tune in just now (7pm bell ring) shows a returned juvie in the scrape. It appears to be lay down with the wind occasionally lifting it's wing. Though the Cam4 is live right now, with good movement, I can't see the rise and fall of the fledglings breathing. It's very still, with only the wind creating any movement and I'm getting myself all in a tither about it. Could it just be exhausted after a tiring day? Has is hurt itself do you think?
Please, if anyone else is watching just now, I'd so appreciate your opinion on this. I'm getting more worried by the minute. It also seems to be in a strange position, but that could just be the angle.
I've just considered that this could be untouched and yet to be processed prey that's been left in the scrape by one of the parents. But it's bulk does seem to be rather large for a catch. And a bit dark feathered to be a dove. Oh, I wish it would move or something!
Hi Lorraine, just had a quick look at the cameras and it is quite difficult to get a clear picture. I am wondering if it is a prey item on the platform rather than one of the peregrines?
I put it on full screen Heather and watched the wind lifting the wing. The bird is definitely deceased, whatever it is, but beginning to think logically now and feel there would be at least SOME distinctive peregrine markings on the amount of bulk visible, which there isn't, so now convinced it's a prey item and not a fledger. Phew, what am I like!
PS: Your caption was a cracker - think it's a winner kid!
Do beg your pardon Helen, for confusing you with Heather and many thanks for responding and smoothing my feathers! Not eaten yet today and been digging all day, so no wonder I'm light headed. Will tune in again later.
Hi Lorraine: we think the black plastic lining to the platform has bubbled up and it is that which you can see. It worried us on Wednesday when we thought it might be one of the youngsters in trouble - but looking back at an earlier screen when the three juvs were still all in the nest, the black object was there as well - so it can't be a peregrine chick! Sometimes prey does get to lie on top of it so that confuses things even more but rest assured it isn't one of the juveniles!
Nick B (DWT)
Zoomed right up to black object lying in scrape and yes it seems to be a plastic bag or a bit of roofing felt certainly not a resting peregrine unless its been roasted to a crisp,. I think it was there last night/early this morning but right in the far corner,Camera 4 seems to be working ok for quite a while this evening.
Ps thought of another caption for picture,"Suprise-Suprise Chuck".
Sorry should have read "Surprise-Surprise-Chuck".
Stayed up to late last night watching birds.(Feathered Kind)!.
Cam4 still working and also Cam1 ( must be due to fine weather today )
Thanks for explaining the image seen in the scrape Nick, I can now of course see said plastic lining instead of a juvenile - - amazing how the eyes can play tricks with the mind!
Caption: " What about the poop in your coop? "
Just to add to the dead bird plastic lining conundrum, has anyone noticed that between the two sections of the scrape in what I think is a water drainage hole there looks like a little mouse peeping out?! It is, of course, probably some material blowing in the wind but at times looks like two little black eyes peeping out! Gosh I'm obviously suffering from peregrine withdrawal stmptoms, must get to bed! Looks as if our juvies are doing ok so far, they definitely are an independent bunch this year.
PS: thanks Lorraine for the caption vote of confidence - that's if it was meant for me and not Helen : )!
Gerat work Team Cam 4 working with loads of sound from Flying Birds.
Caption courtesy ( catlady)
"Oh no, please don't do it, I have little ones to feed as well! Thank you"
Caption meeee.
Ooh! what happened to your plumage?
Empty Scrape at mo.
Kate
Good morning all: a rather drizzly Saturday in Derby but fear not, Ian and his team of trusty volunteers will be out on The Green with their scopes waiting for you! And anyway, the weather is due to clear up as the day goes on.
Nick
Ps. We have no idea why cam 4 has started to work......
From time to time it is quite likely that one or other juvenile will return to the platform...and the adults also.
Pps. And don't forget the lovely Bakewell tarts that the Cathedral coffee shop make in house.....
Good morning all. I did not know a new blog had started so I wrote on the previous one. I will now let you know what I saw while you were sleeping. At 5:39 the falcon was sitting on the edge, at 6:23 she was scraping the gravel as tho getting it ready for nesting. Maybe just straightening up. She left at 7:00. To bad we didn't have cam 4 going when the chicks all fledged but we watched them go from tiny bits of white fluff to 2 big girls and a little fella. Good luck to all of them.
Good morning everyone. Thanks Abby for update re falcon - Sheffield's male also exhibited same behaviour of nest building but this was during time when their 2 chicks were just getting their adult plumage. They put it down to reaffirming the bonding process or something to do with the fact 2 of the 4 eggs failed to hatch.
Yes it's frustrating Cams are working now and not when they fledged but all in all we've been lucky to see most of the action.
Good luck with the Watchpoint Nick and hope weather improves. Also that you get lots of donations with the lottery funding stopping this year. If it's not an impertinent question, how much do you need to keep the project up and running - perhaps we can have one of those money raising charts to see how we're doing? Mine is on its way and the pleasure we get is well worth a contribution no matter how small or large. Perhaps Premier Inn might even help out!!
Pleased to see all three chicks and both adults on the top of Jury's Inn at 10:15 today at the Watchpoint. Adults brought in some prey for them. We are here til 1pm so come on down!
Good morning all, from a rather damp and grey Derby. I'm delighted to tell you that I've received an email from Derby City Council, informing me that engineers have repositioned the laser link to the Council House which both The Silk Mill museum and we rely on. That means all our webcams (except Stream 3) are running again. So any further faults will probably genuinely be down to me this time.
I'm so sorry we all missed the moments of fledging - it makes trying to find the exact moment captures by the camera's automatic movement detection system virtually impossible, I'm afraid.
I've temporarily zoomed in the wide angle camera, to give us a chance to see those people down there on Derby's Cathedral Green who are watching the juvenile birds in action around the tower and nearby buildings.
Note that Stream 3 is not active. Because we had been told the internet link would be down for a few weeks, we gave the go-ahead for work to being to replace an old Windows XP computer which encodes and sends our other live a/v signal out to Outersight to stream for you. This may take a little while to reconfigure, and we're gratefully to SERCO's John Gear who's giving up his time to do this for us.
Really pleased to read all three juveniles have been seen and I'm looking forward to seeing them re-visit the scrape (huge thanks you techno wizards!)
Caption: maybe the little warrior was telling Mrs.D (and all the rest of us) ....
" I'll be back! "
Hi. One of the birds was just lying on its tummy and scrapping the stones with its feet and pecking hard at the stones. What does this mean?
Hi Tracey Bell (great wedding hat, by the way)
This is an inbuilt nesting reflex which we more often see in autumn and winter, well before the real nesting season. Peregrines are, quite literally, bird-brained, and I would guess these actions can be linked to a simple reinforcement of the "this nest site is mine" drive.
On a totally different note, we've had feedback that our webcam pages are not displaying well in some mobile devices - the pictures come across more letterbox-shaped than rectangular. There have been tweaks made to improve how they displaying on PC recently, but I'd welcome feedback of either nay problems experienced, or if you're happy viewing them OK.
Nick M
Not sure if it was a juvie or parent on scrape around 6pm but then flew off.
Nick - many thanks for all your efforts and as far as I can ascertain everything seems ok apart from Cam 4 sound & picture freezing within a few seconds after logging on (that's on my iPad though). Any thoughts on my previous comment re donations?
Tracey Bell - also in my last comment you can see that Sheffield's male did the same thing but whilst the 2 chicks were only just beginning to get their adult feathers. So they still continue to keep us guessing!
Lorraine - love the comments re Mrs D, keep it up they're great, as are everyone else's. Hope this little family also manage to hatch and fledge ok (it's a long way down for them). Has anyone seen Mr D (Darcey?!) around?
Nick,
Regarding your comments about picture freezing on your ipad,Ihave also experienced same on ipad and had same picture at same time on pc with no effect on pc (Laptop), so it seems to be something to do with ios system.,What i have also noticed at times is noises on the sound that also affects video making video go out of focus,I initially put this down to damage to link as you indicated earlier in week but you may have a different oppinion, However camera 4 seems to have been satisfactory all day today,Also prior to the link going down I did here music in the background of the audio this also had an slight adverse affect on the video but not to the same affect as the noise.
PS Glad you didnt try the WD40 theary out as you said all your equipment was proved ok, But as I stated it has worked successfully in the past., Will keep my eye out for any video equip ie cameras microphones etc that may become available that I can pass on to you in the future (Free of course).
Good luck for the future to you and the team.
PS One of the adults is on the scrape at the moment, Seems to be cleaning up or prepairing for another brood !.
A very big thank you for all of the kind and generous donations received at today's watch point, including those from some of our regular peregrine supporters. It's very much appreciated.
One of the adults sitting on the edge and with a light shining up its front feathers look like they are a golden color.
Just getting my late night fix before going to bed and on Cam 2 can see 2 birds looking out towards Jury's Inn and another just below scrape.
Cam 4 working perfectly both with timing and audio.
I can't tell if it is the falcon or tiercel on the edge right now, preening and looking around.
I think it is the falcon, she is scraping the gravel again.
Hi Abby, Yes think you're right does look like the falcon and she's been on the scrape for several hours, now doing a lot of preening. The other 3 I saw early a.m have disappeared.
Happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there, including Mr.P!
hi Heather, one of them was on the edge again after having flown away a couple times and was just echupping and gone again.
Me and my mum went to the watch point yesterday (Great to be mentioned in the blog by the way !) and we thought it was the best one yet. As Ian has already mentioned, all five of them were there as a family. The big girl was eating as usual, no change there, obviously not worrying about her feathery figure as she was stuffing a blackbird down her beak so we were told. It's so lovely to see the parents standing by looking over them.
Caption.... where's your spotty waistcoat ?
Oh dear, not a pretty sight, ( pic on Flkr) wonder who brought this in ? hope it is not the incubator below,I did notice some movement beneath the scrape, but cannot identify clearly, if it is a chick or adult Dove /pigeon
kate
:( oh no ...
Hi Kate - just looked on Cam 2 and by widening the split screen can clearly see Mrs D on the nest. Hope it's not Mr D (Darcey) in scrape, but probably more likely a feral pigeon.
The scrape is empty. Cam 2 shows what I believe is Mr P and one of the female juveniles. I also can see the dove is still below.
A bird in each of the Cam2 views right now, with a close up juvie playing hide and peek into top tower lens, a dove in the nest below the scrape and the tiercel on the scrape edge ( now scraping the gravel - now back on edge and aware of the dove below ) Strange how they continue to tolerate this visual temptation!
Caption:
To PRAY or not to PREY!
A bird on the edge of the scrape and I think it is a juvie. Has to be a female as it is quite large but too fluffy for the flacon.
Think it's the falcon, moved from overnight resting spot to 'nusery' end of scrape and continued to mark out scrape several times before flying off. As Nick said probably marking out their territory but don't remember them doing it so often before. Perhaps they think the doves are going to take over! Glad to see they are still around and LOVED the caption Lorraine.
I think a 1:23 it was a juvie but now at 7:11 it is the tiercel. From the back I find it hard to tell. Get them both together and even I can figure it out. I too don't remember them marking out their territory. It would be breakfast for sure if the doves tried to take over. Its nice to know the falcons have left them alone. They certainly are brave.
Sorry Abby I didn't make myself clear, wasn't contradicting you I meant when I logged on at 5.18 saw parent on scrape (it had horizontal markings) so guessed it was probably falcon or tiercel. As you say it's difficult to tell when there's only the one on the scrape. Cam 2 proving invaluable showing them either on scrape or getting their own back and spying on the occupants of Jury's Inn!
No problem Heather. They move around so much I didn't think you were contradicting me. I knew you were just telling who you saw at the point of your looking in. Right now it could be the falcon but also the tiercel. I just love seeing them all. I loved Lorraine's caption too. I hope the "kids" make out ok. The girls are quite large so should be ok. Hope they keep coming home.
Was watching the peregrines last nite the darker one flew up with a bird couldn't tell what it was then watched it devour it and i must say those pigeons have got a death wish nesting under the pereguines nesting box???
My girlfriend met someone who was watching the Peregrines from the bridge in Derby. She said he offered to let her and her friends look through the telescope. She was impressed by how friendly he was and how much information he gave her.
Well done!
Cam 2 top right screen (think it's called top tower from a previous comment), parent just flown in with pigeon prey whilst 2 juvies look on expectantly. One was already waiting in MrP's favourite nighttime spot and the other perched on wood/metal post that sticks out - not sure what that is.
Was amazed to see total amount of money required to maintain this vital project but sad to see there are so few donations so far. There are so many people worldwide viewing and every little helps, especially as The Team have worked so hard this year, not to memtion the annual abseiling to ring the chicks and cleaning out the scrape. I know this is mostly voluntary work but it costs quite a bit to maintain Cams, and despite unforeseen difficulties this year we would be lost without them. So come on everyone it's worth the cost of a meal out - even a small one!!
Stuart - thanks for that feedback. So many of us here have got involved with watching peregrines by some chance encounter. Whoever it was, I'm so glad they were keen to share the excitement of watching the world's fastest living creature with your girlfriend.
Click on our Watch Point Tab on the blog's homepage for details of when our Team are on Cathedral green next. (usually every Wednesday and Saturday for the next two weeks)
Here's a small, but canny donation incentive - if you usually shop at one of the big Supermarkets, try out Aldi's this weekend for a change - you really can buy the same favourite produce, with the same taste, yet come out with a few more bob in your pocket than you would otherwise have done! Sometimes, on the way out, I almost expect someone to tap me on the shoulder saying " Oh sorry, we made a mistake at the checkout and you actually owe us a few quid!" Not at all, but it would be a few quid you could wing into the " PERRI-POT " that wouldn't be missed! Just a thought :)
Juvie on the tower ledge just now and also a percher on the scrape edge. Mrs.D still in view below.
Got to thinking about the nest below the scrape and the two-way tolerance going on between the hunter and the hunted. When you think about it, the usual "attack" from a peregrine is from a great height, with force of speed and instant kill in mind. An "earthed" set to, in the form of a bare knuckle scrap, especially if up against a wall or ledge, might instinctively be a bit of a risk ( damaged wing, caught claw, scratched eye etc.,) so perhaps this is why the falcons aren't bothering the doves?
Either that, or the Dove family's rent book has Jack Duckworth name written on the front!
Cam 2 is frozen
Hi Lorraine: that's a very good (donations) idea.....thanks for suggesting it!
And thanks to all those of you who have donated recently...every penny is appreciated rest assured!
As to the wood pigeon nesting below the tower Lorraine: I think you are right - peregrines mainly hunt out in the open air where there's no risk of collision with trees or wires or buildings...so making an attack on this pigeon is probably not something they will attempt....though once there are unattended chicks visible in the nest....that may be somewhat tempting!
Heather Hi: the project has always run on a low budget compared to many others. We use volunteers whenever possible but some tasks require very specialist skills - and then we have to pay someone to undertake them.
Obviously, when you start to employ staff, the costs rocket upwards, even at the relatively low levels of pay on offer. In addition, the cameras are now quite a few years old and there are much better ones available (even ones with lens wipers!) so upgrading the equipment is another significant cost.
I'm sure the project will continue one way or another but having some money behind us doesn't half help, as you can imagine!
Nick B (DWT volunteer)
We are sorry Cam 2 has frozen.....hopefully it can be fixed remotely later today or tomorrow.
It has been a rather dreary day in Derby today (Monday), with heavy showers and a strong and cool wind and only brief moments of sunshine. Tomorrow and Wednesady are supposed to be a bit better.
Now the juvs. are flying well, they can handle rainy and windy conditions - but I'm not surprised to see them back in the relative shelter of the East side of the tower....the top of Jurys Inn is very exposed!
Nick B
That makes sense Lorraine. Hard to fight up against a wall. I just hope after all this time they do leave them alone. They must fly around for food and they haven't been caught yet so maybe they will be left alone. No one on the scrape and Cam 2 still frozen.
Hope cam 2 gets sorted soon cam 1 is boring lol they dont seem to like that one more action on cam 2
It now seems that, due to the need to re-wire the inside of the tower as a part of the major renovation works inside the cathedral, the project is being asked to move its IT equipment to a new location lower down the tower.
To this end Nick M spent time this afternoon checking if there was enough spare cabling and also labeling existing wires before the move which will probably take place next week.
It the process it seems he may accidentally have disconnected a plug and that is the reason Cam 2 isn't working. Another visit up the tower tomorrow will be require to put the problem right and unfortunately he can't do that until the afternoon...so please bear with him.
It also seems likely that there will have to be a break in transmission sometime early next week while the equipment is shifted. More news on this will follow later this week.
Meanwhile, please bear with us....
Nick B on behalf of Nick M
Ps. A BIG BIG thank you to those kind and generous donors who gave over £200 in total today. We intend to thank you all individually over the next few days....
Are there boxes in some of the stores for donations or is it only at the cathedral? I bet the kids at school would drop a few coins in if there was one at the school in the area.
Hi Abby-Lynn: the cathedral is closed all week so no donations boxes there, nor in local shops either...though it's a good idea, thanks.
We do collect at the watch point events of course but the way we get most donations is as a result of our pleas on this blog....and today's generous folk prove that this way works very well....
Nick
I'm sure the local shops would be happy to help. Also in liquor stores. I'm in Canada and we have donation boxes in a lot of stores for different charities and they do fill up. Every dollar helps. You all do so much for the peregrines and we all appreciate it. this is my second year and it is fun and you educate us too.
The falcon is on the scrape edge but was making lots of noise and digging at the gravel, lying in it and then back to the edge.
Peregrine on cam 1
All three cameras (though not stream 3) should now be working again (11.35 am Tuesday). Nick M managed to call in at the cathedral and sort the problem out.
Nick B (DWT)
Yay glad to see cam 2 working gd work
Glad to see Cam 2 plugged in again - thanks Nick M. Looks like you've got another crisis on your hands having to relocate IT equipment next week, good luck. This year seems to have been one problem after another for the Team and just when there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel along comes that train again!!
Mr P? and juvie on tower overlooking Jury's Inn, then flew off. Also saw pigeon fly into nest. Guess if they stick close to the Cathedral for food they are ok as has been mentioned no peregrine is going to dive at up to 200 miles an hour towards the ground and such a large building.
Abby - good idea re donation boxes placed locally like you have in Canada but sometimes tend to go a.w.o.l. when some unscrupulous people have their own agendas. Perhaps Jury's Inn could have one with so many people passing through reception bearing in mind the free publicity they get from Cam 2!
Does anyone know what the pereguine up to in nest it had its back to me with wings stretched out and its been pacing back and forth with wings open
Hi Anita, I was looking at the webcams earlier this morning and saw one of the adult birds on the platform at around the time of your comment. I'm guessing that because it has been quite a warm day it was just trying to keep itself cool. I noticed that one of the juvenile birds on the top of the tower was also sitting with its wings lifted slightly away from its body. Either that or they were making the most of the sunshine! Sometimes peregrines (and other birds of prey) do hold their wings out to cover their prey, concealing it from other other birds or predators, which is called mantling. But in this case the adult bird didn't seem to have caught anything. Hope that helps.
Thanks helen yes it does at 1st i was a bit worried in case it had hurt itself and the way it was pacing up and down as if it was ready to give birth which i thought was impossiblw as its not long had babies.
Hi Heather - we have had some boxes go AWOL too but then they started chaining them to a stand. Its a shame that we have to do that when the money is for Charity. Some of our grocery stores allow us to stand outside with boxes well marked with who we are collecting for and you can make quite a bit that way. It is hard because again it takes volunteers.
By the way cam 4 keeps cutting out on my. Is anyone else having that problem?
Hi Abby - good idea chaining boxes to stand or counters. We too have volunteers outside stores but they usually collect for the larger charities but perhaps local shops familiar with the perigrines would oblige. Cam 4 not on my iPad but I tend to just go to Cam2 now.
Another thought, the Derbyshire County Cricket Club called the Peregrine Falcons used to have a mascot called Freddie the Falcon, does he still exist? If so perhaps as our birdwatch season is drawing to a close we could prevail upon the Club to go round with a bucket collecting small change during some of their matches.
Thanks for comments Nick re donation. Didn't realise you needed more up-to-date equipment, so even more vital we get in as much "dosh" as possible.
Juvie on top tower, no doubt waiting for breakfast, Mrs P? on scrape looking bright and alert and pigeon still around so all's right with the world!
If I lived there I would be after the Cricket Club in a heartbeat! They use the name Peregrine Falcons so they should be honoured to do something for the real live Falcons. It is great advertising for the club to be able to say they helped the Peregrines living at the Cathedral. Which brings even more potential donors because they start watching. During their events they could pass the bucket for the peregrines. They could even target a new camera they want to buy for the bird watching. They would get advertising telling they paid for or toward the camera - a short note in the local paper and we could thank them in the blog. I am all for volunteering. I have volunteered for the ALS Society of Manitoba (Lou Gehrigs Disease) for 13 years when I lived there. He was a baseball player so each year we had our local team put on a Lou Gehrigs game night and we passed a baseball hat at the game and did very well. Same could be done at a cricket match. Glue a bucket to the end of a bat. Got to go to a big game. It is amazing how much you can collect. Always giving lots of thanks to those who put a "drop in the bucket".
Aww, no one home just now - guess they're all still at the beach! Not my scene ( rock pools are where you'll find me ) but not today, I've been building a garden wall!! Had a swell day and feelin' good!
If the night stays clear, there should be at least one little stargazer on the tower later tonight.
Hi Lorraine, just checked and no one home. I just saw the dove tho. Hope all is well with them.
Juvie on ledge overlooking Jury's Inn with beak and wings open - obviously feeling the heat. Glad this weather wasn't around when the chicks were much younger, I remember one succumbing to the heat last year. Wondering if pigeons' chicks have hatched yet and if they will survive heatwave. After living with our peregrines it would be ironic if the weather killed off their chicks - here's hoping they make it.
Nick - hope the move to your new quarters downstairs isn't proving too problematic!
It was very hot at the watchpoint today, 1st July. We arrived at 10:30am and all three fledglings were visible in various places on the tower and were very vocal. On adult was tucked in on the tower in a shady spot. One of the young ones took flight when the other adult arrived and joined it in several circuits of the tower before landing again. The young ones changed places several times, but spent most of the time resting on the grotesques and water spouts.
We had a steady stream of visitors over lunchtime, particularly as quite a number of folks had brought their lunch to have a picnic on Cathedral Green. It was good to be able to introduce so many folks - some of whom were visiting Derby for the first time - to 'our' peregrines.
I have put some pictures up on Flickr
Must have been a lovely day Joyce, with lots of interest by the sounds of it. Picnics and peregrines..... perfect!
Thanks, as ever, to those who provide the images on Flickr which so enable an insight and perspective outside the limits of the Cams. My recent favourites being a screenshot capture from trusty Sunny Kate at 06.59am on 15th June, where the early morning light and cam equipment combined to give a robin redbreast appearance to all three fledglings perched in a line on the edge of the scrape. Also, amongst the recent pictures submitted by Joyce was a wonderful image of female "030 on grotesgue" How beautiful she is, with facial markings that would rival Cleopatra herself!
Only one juvie on the misty tower tonight, so had time to think up another Dove/Peri Caption:
"Talks between Peacekeeper and Highflyer set to continue...."
Juvie all tucked in for the night now, but sleep eluding me yet, despite daft captions drifting to mind like sheep jumping over a turn-style...
JUVIE TO DOVE:
"What do you mean there's no mail?"
"I keep telling you, I don't like olives!"
"I don't care how many medals your Grandad won, you still can't run a messenger service from our balcony"
DOVE TO JUVIE:
"Sorry, last post was 6pm - didn't you hear the bells?"
"No, I'm no good at pastry making...why you ask?"
Ahhh, sleep finally settling in now, like the fog on the tower...night all Zzzzzz
Cam2 four pereguines 1 on nest 3 on scrape dont know if its mum and babies
3 peregrines on top ledge and 1 on scrape
18.02
Lovely to see
Snap Anita
Nice to see all 3 of them together plus dad I think it is.
Quick tune in finds none of the family in view, bar the slight movement of the dove chick. An interesting read up taught me that dove chicks are called Squabs and that they remain in the nest until they are as big as an adult, complete with full plumage ( bar the white stripe round the neck ) They are fed by way of a regurgitated "soup" mixture (yuk!) which the chicks access from the throat of the parents opened beak. Once they leave the nest they don't return and from there on they are in effect an instant adult, almost undistinguishable from a fully grown dove. That accounts for no one ever seeing a dove or pigeon chick I guess, unless it's taken a tumble from it's nest that is. They are incredibly ugly little things, not cute and fluffy like our peregrine chicks. Apparently, like pigeons, they are one of the few species, apart from ourselves, that recognise themselves in a mirror ( self awareness ) and are also noted for their high intelligence.
Anyway, I hope even more now that when it does fly the nest, the scrape above is vacant. Good luck little guy!
Juvie now on the tower.
Very interesting Lorraine. I too hope the chick gets away quick. I think it is Mr P on the edge of the scrape right now. Sure is foggy there right now. We are having blistering hot weather here. Its been over 30C for over a week and will be for the next week. Rain would be welcomed right now.
I think we have 2 juvie up top and dad still on the edge of the scrape. Pretty soon we will be wishing mating time was upon us. I miss the movement on the scrape.bb
Just tuned in 2 perrys eating summat damn i missed them fly up with it
2 up top and one is eating something. Sure wish cam 4 was working. So much more fun when it is live and continuous.
Just seen the 2 juvies with one attempting to eat what looks like a pigeon. Obviously hasn't learned yet how to pluck its prey first. Took my eyes off screen to catch up on Wimbledon only to find it had flown off! Other juvie seemed totally disinterested.
Thanks Lorraine for info on doves, I too had looked up about them and as you say the feeding process doesn't sound very palatable but is the only way of giving them nourishment as they'd be unable to digest the seeds the parents collect. Is there only one chick in the nest as I see they're supposed to lay several clutches a year with usually 2 eggs each time? It's difficult to see much detail of them on Cam 4 but at least gives us something else to concentrate on when we're unable to see what "our birds" are up to. Interesting fact about self awareness and intelligence.
Perhaps another caption should therefore be: "Mirror, Mirror on the wall who is the fairest one of all?"
Love all your other captions Lorraine, especially one about 'Grandad and messenger service' - keep them coming!
Has one of the perrys hiding summat under its wing i cant make it out looks like its got summat white under its wing?????
All three juvies were on the pinnacles this morning when I arrived at 09:30 - one on the north east pinnacle and two on the south east pinnacle. Ten minutes later they flew off one by one in a south westerly direction.
There was no sign of the adult wood pigeon this morning, but I could just about make out the young one. We did see it being fed on Wednesday when we put the telescope on it, but it's too small for a photograph.
I have put up 3 pictures on Flickr of the juvies this morning
3 perrys on scrape and mum on nest
Is cam 4 working for anyone? It keeps telling me it is of line. One up top right now.
Two rather wet and bedraggled juvies on Cam 2 , wonder what they thought of their first taste of a good old storm with torrential rain, thunder and lightning. Don't think Cam 4 has been working for some time now Abby (at least not when I've logged in) that's why I go to Cam 2 where you can at least enlarge each split screen. Storm now passed so off to get some Zzzzzzzz - better late than never!
thanks Heather. I didn't think it was working but read someone mentioning cam 4. I just looked and I see one very wet bird. The girls are so big it is hard to tell if it is mom or them.
Enjoyed being at Derby for a watchpoint today. The weather was rather sticky and sultry, could have done with it being a bit fresher. The 3 juveniles were patiently waiting throughout the watch but there was no sign of the adults bringing them food. Maybe the "encouragement" to get out and learn how to hunt is beginning to kick in? A really cute highlight of the day was the emergence of a duck with 7 newly hatched duckings running along like mad behind her. Mother was intent on getting down to the water at the nearby river Derwent. She wasn't the brightest and jumped up a small wall which her ducklings couldn't jump up, try as they might. With a bit of gentle "shepherding" from a few of the watch team, they successfullly reached the water at last. The water was almost boiling with fish fry at the edges and there was a nice banded demoiselle flying over the water. I completely failed in my inaugural attempt to set up my digi-scope camera. I think I've mastered it now I'm home so if we have one more watchpoint (which I think we will) I'll be there, all technically geared up and ready to get some images.
Oh yes, and I bought a pack of Derby's famous "pykelets" and jolly nice they are too.
Looks like Mr P on the edge of the scrape right now and a juvie up top.
Dawn over Derby and juvie just taken flight perhaps in search of breakfast. Guess you are probably right Sue and the adults are now encouraging them to hunt on their own. Difficult to know as juvie might just be stretching its wings but from your observations at yesterday's watchpoint this seems to be their next learning curve. Male parent still on scrape keeping watch.
Loved your comments on the duckling saga and glad the watchpoint team were on hand to give them a helping hand. I'd planned to come to this watchpoin, never having been before, but unfortunately my new (yes new!) car has developed problems - a bit like our Cams this year! - and is now back with the dealership. Very frustrating as was looking forward to a stroll taking in the local wildlife. Good luck with setting up your digi-scope camera - being a complete technophobe perhaps you can enlighten me what this involves? ;)
Cam 3 just came on and it is the 4 squares of cam 2 but each is live.
I think its Mrs P up top right now looking around, surveying her Queendom! She looks up now and then so maybe a juvie is up there. Nice to see them move again. Thanks to whoever got it up and running again.
2 perrys on cam 2 looks like pigeon for breakfast
Anita did you try cam 3 - it is live now. Only one juvie up top and prey still lying there.
Anita did you try cam 3 - it is live now. Only one juvie up top and prey still lying there. It has been there for awhile now. I can see moment on the pigeon nest below the scrape.
On cam 3 now abbylyn thanks yes much better cam wots the news on the pigeon can see something flapping around been like that for a while hope its not a trapped pigeon or youngster
All I see right now is an adult on the edge of the scrape and don't see any movement below where the pigeon is. Could be napping. The prey is gone from up top. Where is the area that shows in the upper right corner of the picture on Cam three?
Cam 3,3 perrys just seen one of them poo eeeewww lol
One of the juvie has brought some prey and having a hard time keeping it in one place. Isn't sharing either.
Juvie in usual spot (not sure if it's the male or one of the two females) and seems to have taken Mr P's favourite overnight resting place. Scrape empty tonight - perhaps parents are having a well earned night on the town!
There is an adult on the edge of the scrape and a juvie up top. It gets right up close to the camera.
There are 2 juvies up top and an adult on the edge of the scrape. The juvies look very wet. I think it is brother and a sister.
Hi Abby was just about to make comment about the two juvies and the adult on the scrape but see you've beaten me to it. I agree I think it's brother and sister as one looks like the "fat female" (not very politically correct of me!), and seems they're drying out their feathers. There's often two of them up top and wonder where the other goes as have only seen a parent on scrape overnight.
Difficult to see dove properly on nest and am wondering how the parent and squab can co-exist in such a small area. Do hope our peregrine family aren't waiting for a quick snack when they eventually fly off !
Hi Heather, I agree, I think it is the "big" girl up top. She really is quite a bit bigger than the other girl. She was aggressive much earlier than the other one. She just flew off. Now either Mrp or the young male just came on the scrape & now a second one is up top. I really hope the pigeons get away ok. But what a silly place build a nest when you know who lives upstairs. And now I am off to bed. Night
One Perry on edge of nest dont know if male or female looks girly to me lol then another one above is it the scrape????
Hi Anita - the 2 bottom pictures on Cam 3 are the scrape. Up above is the tower I think. Maybe if Heather looks in today she can tell us for sure. Right now no one in the scrape and one up above. One of the female juvies. Thee is some scratching noises so another one could be out of camera range.
Hi Anita & Abby. I've always thought the picture overlooking Jury's Inn is the Tower. Just to check I looked up the history of the scrape and the following may be of help:-
"In 2005 head verger Tony Grantham contacted wildlife trust about bird remains outside Cathedral and discovered pair of peregrines using tower as safe place to roost. That Spring birds displayed to one another but as there was no flat space to lay eggs they disappeared but re-appeared in late Autumn. In Spring 2006 they displayed again and a wooden platform was erected on the more sheltered East side where they set up home laying 3 eggs and all 3 fledged in July. The platform was built halfway up the 480 year old building.
There are 4 webcams - 3 cameras and a microphone focused on the nest platform (scrape) and 4th is on top of Tower where peregrines often feed, sleep and even mate". So after all that pre-amble I think we can safely say the top picture is called the tower but if I'm wrong I'm sure one of the two Nicks or one of our "armchair peregriners" will correct me. At start of this year Nick posted picture of Cathedral with details of all the important areas but am unable to locate it - perhaps Nick you could resurrect it once more if poss.?
Hi Heather and thanks. That is what I thought too. Up above is the tower. I remember that picture and will look for it too.
Heather I found it. Scroll down to the bottom of the blog. On the right hand side it says older blogs. Click on that and scroll to the bottom of each page and keep clicking on older blogs and it will come up.
Hi Abby, many thanks for finding details of Cathedral it sure took some scrolling, can't believe we've been so prolific in our scribblings! It refreshed my memory and I'd forgotten that the tower (or pudding) cam is on that side of the Cathedral along with the grotesques. Interesting that the louvred windows are of wood with glass behind to prevent pigeons/peregrines entering.
Looking back at some old posts and photos it's incredible to see the difference of the three little hatchlings- not forgetting the one that didn't make it - to the magnificient self sufficient birds we catch a glimpse of today. Nature is indeed a miracle!
Hi Heather, Abby et al: I'll post the tower photo showing where everything is again shortly so you can see the layout.
All the cameras are on the same side (East) of the tower, the so called pudding cam, the one showing Jurys Inn in the background, sits in the left hand lead gutter up above the nest platform and looks horizontally across the 'bottoms' of the three downward-facing 'grotesques'.
Also there is no glass behind the wooden louvres, just wooden panels preventing anything getting in or out..
Hope that helps.
Nick B (DWT)
Dont know if im seeing things but it looks like theres a bird in the nest right in the corner and it looks like a baby pigeon hope not
Hi Nick B - many thanks in advance for posting once more details of tower photo with layout. Also thanks for refreshing us on where all the cameras are. Looks as if you've got your work cut out cleaning out the scrape this time as the r.h.s. looks completely destroyed, I've never seen it in such a bad condition. Looks like a typical teenager's bedroom but as we've all commented, this year's juvies were a feisty lot or perhaps I'm maligning them and it's just down to general wear and tear!
2 juvies on tower, one flirting with the camera whilst the other is devouring its prey.
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