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Update Tuesday 15th June: no fledging yet and the weather remains very poor which will deter them (unless one gets a push....!).
The Watch Point this morning was steady.....with rain threatening but staying away mostly. Thanks to Steve, Jane and Paul for running it for us. Paul reported that the male brought in prey about 3pm but that the female promptly took it off him and disappeared. Hopefully, after some plucking, she fed the chicks.....NB did an interview for Radio Derby - listen here. It comes about one hour 15 minutes into the programme.
Thanks to everyone who has been commenting, especially those saying there are still four - which is always reassuring to know and saves us looking ourselves (all your comments appear among our emails so we keep an eye on them directly).
Plans are in place should any of the youngsters come to ground. Since 2006 only six have done so - so let's hope this year they all get airborne successfully!
Hello to New Yorkers Sandee and also Samantha (and her class). Great that you are watching our birds! Oh, and hello to Puffin Class too!
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While we have obviously focused our attention on the peregrines, other birds have been nesting near by.
Take for example this nest of mistle thrushes on the stonework surrounding a window on the south side of the cathedral. You can just make out the nest two thirds of the way up the right hand side of the window.
There were four chicks which have flown today and are now in the adjacent trees I'm told.
Gary Roots took this photo of one of the parent birds nearby in the rain today. Like the peregrines, mistle thrushes make great parents, fearlessly chasing off any potential threats to their young.
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| A rather wet adult mistle thrush with food for its young.....by Gary Roots |
Since all these birds stay close to the building they are generally not in danger from the peregrines.
One spring, many years ago now, a pair of ravens arrived at the cathedral and began stealing the peregrines cached food. They even started to place a few sticks on a ledge to start a nest but the falcons soon put a stop to that!
Perhaps there are nests of birds near you, something for you to watch once these juvenile peregrines fly the nest? And if you have a birthday coming up, why not invest in some binoculars and see what birds you can see ('for real' this time) in your garden and your local patch.........
Nick B (DWT)
71 comments:
If I am very lucky I may be able to view some Peregrines on the cliffs a couple of miles up the road from mine .. they have paired up this year, too late for eggs but chosen a nest site which has unfortunately been snaffled by a nesting pair of Fulmars!! Peregrines not happy about this & have been dive-bombing them ... dramatic action too!
Please stop raining!
Really interesting thanks Nick.. nice pics. Ravens wow that would be good to see, they are a big bird.. no problem for these pair then.
just checked in on our four , some on ledge.. surely to wet to fledge again ?
Morning all
Four still in view, and still grey and wet weather wise.
Love the Mistle thrush,I am fortunate in having both mistle and song thrush( along with many other species) in my garden, the song thrush helps in my fight against the snails and love their tap tap tapping, and along with families of slow worms and hedgehogs etc, feel very honoured .The local cats unfortunately are their main enemy, along with the local kestrels and buzzard, but a nearby coppice is home to magpies and crows, and is interesting to watch their territorial patrol. I actually do not have feeders during spring and summer, when natural food is plentiful.
Kate
I am sure that one of them is really ready to go; on the ledge, flapping constantly.
It's just our rotten weather putting her off!
All four juveniles sitting on the edge of the platform this morning.
Pics on Flkr, there are two together on far end making it look as though one has fledged, they are fooling us.
I had to study them long & hard too Kate as thought there had been a fledge ... solution is to have two screens on so can see them all!!! Not getting much else done Lol
What lovly birds we can see. They have nice wings and we hope to see them fly soon. we saw the birds sitting on the edge off the platform.
I am sure a parent is calling to the chicks along the lines of "Come on, time
to get flying"!
Two are really ready, but the smallest doesn't seem to be, yet.
I am not getting work done..I don't want to miss them fly lol
Hi Puffin Class: thank you for your comment. Do keep your eyes on the web cams because we feel sure one will be making its first flight sometime this week....and maybe the others will follow soon after!
After days of gloomy grey skies today (Tuesday) ended with an hour or so of sunshine before a torrential downpour......not ideal fledging weather for sure!
Nick B (DWT)
Visitors to Derby please note the peregrine like objects on the flats opposite the Cathedral are plastic models, preumably put there to deter pigeons. I had to tell several people on Saturday. It wasn't helped by the person on the PA at the fete on Cathedral Green frequently announcing there were peregrines on the riverside flats.
Lots of wing-flapping when I passed at 2:00 today, female watching from Jury's Inn sign, unable to locate male.
Not sure how far away these flats are with the plastic peregrines but it would be helpful, and perhaps lifesaving, if they could be taken down just for the period our real peregrines are fledging. As happened in Woking it's so easy for them to crash into glass windows and the sight of an imitation bird could well attract them with tragic consequences. We lost one fledgling crashing into a window several years ago.
Perhaps tomorrow will see some action providing we have some good weather.
Hi, just had a quick look at Sheffield's update on they youngsters all fledged, some wonderful photos on website of the young flying with the Tiercel.
There were some mishaps but all ok- really worth a look.
I hope our anticipated fledging goes well - bless um!! The big wide world is calling.... they are all huddled in corner at present ?? Maybe for the last time?? Weather forcast not good for tomorrow again rain! So who knows??
Morning all
Four still on the scrape , one very vocal pic on flkr
Hi, lovely to see them all perched on the ledge , from the view of them i would say 3 falcons and a Tiercel just like last year.
Weather not good again..
All 4 sitting on the ledge, stretching their wings. I will miss them. I didn't get to see them as much this year but loved what I saw. Thanks to everyone who posted news and thanks for the videos.
Hi Vicky, yes I will miss this too.. really enjoyed joining in the blogs and reading others comments.
Not sure when they will go.. If the weather was better, I think they may have fledged by now. But at least we get to watch for a bit longer.
Adults seem to still being dropping food in- only they know when the time is right!!
First time I've seen so much wing flapping from all four as when I've logged on they're mostly hunkered down sheltering from this miserable weather. Wonder if the females will be that bit heavier having to wait a bit longer for a window of opportunity to fledge.
Thanks for the Sheffied update Karen, the photos were incredible not to mention the drama of the fledglings - hope the 3rd one has been located. Reassuring to know from Nick that any necessary rescue operations are in hand, let's hope they won't be needed!
Can see a couple of watchers down on the grass , are you on watch ??
Yes one of the females seems very flappy and anxious to go! They make me laugh when they try and peck at each others talons.
Hi Heather, yes pics are wonderful, wish I could take photos like that!!
Will keep checking Sheffield's blog for update on 3rd one.
Osprey's at RW are growing fast now too!! Some wing flapping starting to take place.
Will keep fingers crossed for safe fledge.
Hello from New York City! I'm Samantha, a NYC school teacher who has been watching closely along with my 8 4-6 grade students, as these peregrine chicks have grown. We check in on these webcams each morning as part of our daily routine and are very thankful for programs like this for introducing such beautiful creatures to our students. Luckily here in New York City we have many peregrine cams as well and have been keeping tabs on those. All of us here in NYC can't wait to see the next step for these eyases!!
Again, thank you for all that you do!
So much wing flapping and so little room! However, from the look of the weather I'm wondering if any will fledge before tomorrow. Do many birds fledge in the early evening? Here near Bakewell it's been sunny in parts so I logged on hoping that at least one had fledged but they'll no doubt wait until I've taken my eyes off the screen!
Hi Samantha fantastic to know that school children from other parts of the globe are watching our little family (not so little now), and that you too have urban peregrines in NYC. With the 5 hour time difference a family member in New Jersey finds it very frustrating as they're usually asleep by the time she gets home from work but does manage to view at weekends. Keep watching!
Arr poor P family ... looks like it is pouring down! Adult in feeding. I too thought a break in weather may encourage them out, am in north Notts and has been dry here for a while unlike Derby!
Yes it is great to know that Children from New York have been engaged in watching these wonderful raptors. I too have been watching Bald Eagles in the States.. what would we do without the internet!!
New York City watcher too! Not a kid, but just as exited to see our bird friends grow up and take flight! :)
2nd year watching ...
Can only see three has one fledged? There were four half an hour or so ago.
False alarm two are so close they look like one. Sorry folks.
I think one must have fledged. I looked at both 2 and 4 cams and only 3 left. The 3 left keep looking down so I think one of the girls made a run for it.
Definitely still four there at the moment. Two on the far side are sitting very close together (as Joy mentioned.
Link for today's radio interview - http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03wxk2d#play
About 01:15:19 into the programme.
HI Helen, you are right, still 4. I looked a dozen times in 5 minutes I think and only saw 3. But yes, 2 are sitting very close together.
Still four...
Poor things all spending the night on the edge of scrape. I guess none of them fancy bedding down on top of all prey remains that parents have had to bring in. Tomorrow's forecast doesn't seem much better but we can but hope.
Morning.. all four on ledge looking a bit damp! Will this rain ever stop! Suppose to brighten up for weekend. They must have the urge to go but I assume the weather is putting them off. Waiting game now. At work so may miss it ! Wendy at the ready!!!
Well, here I go again. I see only 3 chicks on the ledge. I have checked 2 Cam's and can't see a fourth one. Let's hope one has taken flight during a break in the weather.
As Vicky unless it is under the cam Doh!! We will have to wait for Wendy, as I know she is recording bless her.
Hi one fell off the edge at 6.15am Garry
Oooh!! thanks Garry I will pass info to wendy as that will help her locate her on her rewind for a vid for us.
Sorry I Pushed button to quick. and meant to have said hope the Team can locate and little chapp is unhurt.
I was watching webcam 4 at around 08.15 on Thursday 16th June 2016, when one of the babies fell off the edge of the nesting box backwards, would it be able to fly with it being backwards?
Thanks for the alerts. It certainly looks as if one has flown the nest. We'll go and have a look for it shortly and report back.
Nick B
Put you all out of your misery quickly ... stream 4 recording on my PC abruptly shut down by Windows for updates at 3 0'clock this morning!!!
Stream 2 carried on on other PC but sadly inconclusive given the time lapse & restricted view to say nothing of the annoying info label blocking even more!!!
Am currently uploading hour & a half covering 05.10 to 06.40 ... after all the hours & days of recording to catch first fledge I am gutted to have been robbed & let you all down!
I was watching webcam 4 at around 08.15 on Thursday 16th June 2016, when one of the babies fell off the edge of the nesting box backwards, would it be able to fly with it being backwards?
Wendy all four babies were there at 8am this morning it was 8.15 when I saw one drop off the edge
Wendy all four babies were there at 8am this morning it was 8.15 when I saw one drop off the edge
There was definitely only three at 7am so did the fourth one fly back up and was there at 8am? If so surely this is good news
Thanks for that info GC, unfortunately I was checking through recordings following the 06.15 alert so nothing recorded for the later time ... is not a good day so far!!
However, here is what I do have from that earlier time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O69u2qkeLcU
Not sure but looks as if the three left are two females and the smaller male. He came near the camera to feed on somea prey and looked smaller than the other two. Good luck and thanks Nick for turning out in this ghastly weather to hopefully locate the fledgling.
What bad luck Wendy after all your hard work, but perhaps you'll have better luck with the other three. At least we're able to watch this year, can't remember if it was last year or the year before when we couldn't see any fledging due to the cameras being down.
Apologies, hit the wrong button! To repeat myself, I definately saw 4 this morning at 6am and when I checked back at 7 there were only 3. Sadly I didn't see if the missing one fledged or fell off, kicking myself now for being no help at all!
Apologies, hit the wrong button! To repeat myself, I definately saw 4 this morning at 6am and when I checked back at 7 there were only 3. Sadly I didn't see if the missing one fledged or fell off, kicking myself now for being no help at all!
I saw 4 at 6am this morning, checked again at 7 and only 3. Still 3 as far as I can see, seems to be the smallest one that has fledged (fallen?).
Just gone back to watching cam 4 and parent giving off distress or warning cries whilst two look on curiously and the other lying down. Perhaps hopefully Nick has located the fledgling and this is the cause of the commotion?
Next instalment 06.40 - 07.49 (when I switched off to scroll trough!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Geea956h8SQ
Both cams now restarted & hope to catch some fledging action!!
Yes Heather, we are very fortunate to get the views that we do, such a fascinating insight into the lives of these fabulous birds ... so please excuse my disappointment at missing key moments!!
Adult feeding on scrape at moment as I type. and only three still visible, am sure the team and extra volunteers are all out searching.
Juvenile is sitting safely on the nave roof
There was 4 at 8am and as I was watching them one fell off
That was an adult the went off at 8 am
The juvenile looks we'll and is sitting preening itself at the moment. The adult bird is keeping a close eye on it from above.
The fledged youngster has decided to take a nap! After perching on the edge of the roof for some time it's now having a lie down. Nice close up views of it from the pavement below.
So pleased to know fledgling safe & well ... will it be able to take flight from where it currently is Helen?
Well done Helen and the TEAM . you are all fantastic. Thank you for the update
Yes I am sure that Garry saw the actual drop at 06 15, as there certainly were only three juvies over the following hour.... 10 Brownie points for Garry CHOL:):)
Now we hold our breaths for the remaining three, the smallest was still being fed by adult earlier so they obviously think that not quite ready to fledge.
Kate
I really don't understand why the word juvenile seems so difficult for people on here and Sheffield blog to type out.
This isn't Twitter, we don't have a letter count on blogger. Any chance of using correct words instead of stupid abbreviations?
Is the adult still feeding the one that fledged
The fledged juvenile was still there when I left mid afternoon. It is still fairly high up and I would have thought it has enough height to take off when it's ready, although it perhaps would have been better if it was on the same side as the Cathedral Green rather than the pedestrianised area. It wasn't fed during the time I was there but it was calling to the adult birds as they flew over, so I am sure they they will bring some food in at some point or tempt it away from its current position.
Thanks to Moira and Fiona for helping me find it!
There was at least one of the young mistle thrushes around on the Green too!
Hi all, Missed all the drama!! Shame but nevermind, will check Wendy's vid.
Fantastic to know that there are so many people out there looking out for them as they fledge.
I hope the juvenile will be ok overnight? Sure adults are keeping an eye out.
Will check in later.. thanks to you all for comments so I can keep up to date.
Still 3 up there. 2 sleeping on the edge and one tucked into a corner. I too hope the one that fell stays safe and gets well fed.
Thanks for info Helen, very envious, must have been great to see for real!
As you say Vicky, still three plus a parent on the stone ledge below on stream 2 view, is that the male & is it watching over the early 'fledger' ... just realised that I do not know where the Nave roof is in relation to scrape??
Hi Wendy, thanks for you vids watched them both.. you deserve a medal for all your hard work, I always check your youtube site.
Yes Helen, must have been great to view at cathedral.
See what tomorrow brings.
Only 2 on the scrape this morning. Hope both other juveniles are safe
Hi Anon et al: Please leave your comments on the new blog post now if you will. Everyone will find them easier there. Thank you.
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