Sunday 18 March 2018

Snow eggs yet.....

With snow covering the platform today (18th) it's just as well our pair lay somewhat later than some others elsewhere.

Easterly winds blow snow onto the platform again
screenshot by Kate
 

It seems the pair in Bath now have their first egg (as do pairs in Woking (laid yesterday 17th) and Nottingham) and no doubt the females are struggling to keep their eggs snow and frost free!
The very earliest egg ever at Derby was laid on 23rd March some years ago and of course, last year, with a new male to contend with, our female didn't lay until 5th April.
This year we would expect a slightly earlier date despite this inclement weather.....we'll have to wait and see of course if we get one for Easter or not.
Here's a new video clip from Wendy taken on 18th in the snow:



The Project Team

Ps.

25 comments:

Helen said...

Interesting to see the female peregrine lying down in the snow on the scrape this morning. Seems unusual behaviour, as she doesn't generally lie on the platform unless incubating. I noticed the Nottingham peregrine doing the same thing yesterday and there didn't appear to be an egg when she got up and flew off, although the Nottingham bird definitely has its first egg now. It makes me wonder if the Derby female will lay a little sooner this year. Or perhaps she's just trying to keep the platform clear!

Wendy Bartter said...

Having another go here but changing her mind yet again ... is determined to keep us on the edge of our seats ... look forward to late nights, no nails & bald heads!Lol https://youtu.be/lYIllLzd1_M

Joyce S Derby said...

Wendy - from your video it looks like she is saving the team the job of lowering down a hot water bottle to melt the snow like they did a couple of years ago 😀

Anonymous said...

Bath Peregrines Have Laid an Egg!

Wendy Bartter said...

A bit more action on the scrape tonight ... hope Mrs DP doesn't decide to lay overnight when impossible to get recordings ... https://youtu.be/-w2ggUbOQD4

Wendy Bartter said...

Just signed off from watching scrape ... no more visits! See what the morning brings!

Wendy Bartter said...

Some captures of today's action so far ..https://youtu.be/h38SES8Dc7Yhttps://youtu.be/FGC5IEQ005ghttps://youtu.be/4MrpDk2Zr88

Wendy Bartter said...

Mrs DP been settled in far half of scrape all the evening, looked quite intent for a while but then fell asleep on the job ... wonder if there'll be a nice surprise by morning?

Wendy Bartter said...

EDIT: She has just flown off @ 23.13!

POST EDIT: She returned shortly after & is now asleep in near scrape @ 00.10 ... goodnight from me!


Wendy Bartter said...

She finally gave up in the early hours ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJUl1MVZrgU

A silent chat session from this morning (whoops, forgot to put sound on!) ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PN4iT3kwXYI

Wendy Bartter said...

Following on from Kate's great capture of mating early this morning, our pair getting really loving ...https://youtu.be/cZPXgCD7-II

Wendy Bartter said...

Mrs DP been on scrape for several hours now, currently sleeping peacefully! Watch for an egg!

kate said...


Another good mating this morning (pics as usual.)
if you hover mouse bottom left corner of pic maybe description to help
Mr was on scrape Mrs below

Wendy Bartter said...

Great captures for the record Kate, shows the eggs should be fertile ... when they arrive!!

Helen said...

There was a very noisy close encounter on the nest platform earlier this morning between the male and female birds, accompanied by the sound of the cathedral bells ringing loudly! I've added a couple of pictures on Flickr.

Wendy Bartter said...

Good captures Helen, shame I missed that encounter! Have joined Flickr group now so can see all the pics!

Phoebe said...

I see the falcon is scraping the platform, soon to lay eggs (fingers crossed)

Wendy Bartter said...

She's having us on again Phoebe! Just making sure we are watching!! Lol

Wendy Bartter said...

A visit from the Mister today ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfy7_QNECjw

Vicky said...

Another exciting spring and summer soon.

Wendy Bartter said...

Shall we get excited!!? ...https://youtu.be/IEpklVcvypk

Vicky said...

Someone sitting on the ledge right now looking out. Surveying "his" kingdom perhaps?

Phoebe said...

Falcon is sat in the hollow.

Phoebe said...

She is on the scrape and very still, will it be a rain check egg?

Wendy Bartter said...

Phoebe, thank you for alerting me to check on Mrs DP ... she has been on the scrape for many hours over the past three nights but I feel faiirly certain this could be the time for an egg seeing her in that position in such diabolical weather conditions ... a bit of dark footage for the record ...https://youtu.be/aPwHu31zXoA