Monday 7 June 2021

An empty nest

 It looks as if our two remaining juveniles have fledged earlier this morning (7th June). Thanks to those of you who posted comments earlier.
A check yesterday morning showed the two on the nest and the two parents above them, calmly sitting watching so we felt sure the third chick would have still been on the top of the tower.
We will try to get reports from the spot during the day but if one comes to ground someone will report it for sure. The police have been alerted so that if a member of the public reports seeing one we will get a call. Similarly, the Cathedral staff are aware of the situation.

Photo taken two days ago by gdfotos.co.uk 

If you have enjoyed watching these wonderful birds this year and haven't done so yet, please make a donation by clicking on the 'Donate' tab on the blog. Or click here . Many thanks.

The Project Team

58 comments:

ashley said...

yes, awesome , just got out of bed, flicked the web cam on, and within a minute the 3rd
one was off!! glad i caught it at 5.30 am!!!

Anonymous said...

The one on the roof was seen flying at 9pm 6 June. I have a phone photo but don't know how to post it.

Project Member (DWT) said...

Hi Anon: send it to peregrines@derbyshirewt.co.uk or enquiries@derbyshirewt.co.uk
Thanks for the heads up anyway.
Nick B

Sarah said...

I believe I saw the third chick fly from the roof last night. It looked like it might have been her maiden voyage! I have photos if anyone would like to verify.

Project Member (DWT) said...

Hi Sarah - thanks for that. Please send any photos to one of the email addresses in the comment above.

Nick B

Unknown said...

I finish work at 2.30pm so will have a good scout round then. Juvs probably now happily perched up on one or more of the tall buildings nearby.

Antony

Project Member (DWT) said...

Antony Pooles has just seen the two that fledged earlier today on the edge of the nave roof and then being fed by an adult so we are sure they are OK.
The rescued bird we put on the top of the tower has not been seen again but we feel sure it is OK. The parent birds seen very calm and relaxed whereas if a juvenile is trapped somewhere they fly about above it, responding to its calls.
Further checks will be made tomorrow.
The project Team

Unknown said...

90% certain I've just spotted the 1st fledged bird soaring near the tower - looking very strong if it was!

Antony

Unknown said...

All three juvs now together on the nave roof πŸ˜ŠπŸ‘ - Antony

Wendy Bartter said...

That's brilliant news Anthony, puts all our minds at rest!

Sarah said...

I have sent the photos of (I think) the rescued chick flying from the roof via the enquiries email address. Thanks Sarah

Heather said...

Like any parent now that they've all fledged I'm suffering the "empty nest" syndrome! Was expecting the little male to hang around for a bit longer as sometimes happens. What a wonderful uplifting experience it's been in this particular year.

Thanks to Wendy for her links, tthe Project Team, the abseiling to ring the birds and everyone else involved. Donation to follow.

Wendy Bartter said...

It's been a great privilege & pleasure to watch, record & share footage & chat with you all ... hope all continues well with our pair & their fledglings!
Many thanks team, Dave & Antony for your input & wonderful pics!

Wendy Bartter said...

Just came across this bird in the scrape @ 00.46, wondering if a juvenile given that it's laying down?
https://youtu.be/dAj_YsN5U7g

Phoebe said...

Hi Wendy, I think it could be a juvenile, for some reason, it looks like a male.

Unknown said...

Hi Wendy, juvs do have a tendency to sprawl and lay down so very likely.

Antony

Wendy Bartter said...

Wish there had been a view of chest markings ... same here but looks like adult to me, they used to do this when acting as a sunshade to protect chicks!
https://youtu.be/XfSr8nosXSg

Project Member (DWT) said...

Hi Wendy/Phoebe: the bird in Wendy's latest clip is an adult bird and probably the male. The cere at the base of the beak is yellow and the markings and colouration give that away.
I think he is simply very hot...clearly panting with beak open and wings spread to lose heat.
It gets very hot early on that east-facing side of the tower....
Nick B

Project Member (DWT) said...

The previous night-time clip does show a juvenile. Note the pale mark on the head and general subdued markings on the back and tail. Juveniles do lie down a lot pre- and post fledging and that is normal.
Nick B

Emma said...

I’m also missing watching the action in the nest box! When’s the best time to watch for sightings on the green with binoculars? Thanks Emma

Anonymous said...

Hi Emma,

The Peregrines can be seen around the Cathedral at any time of day. If there are none on the Cathedral check the Jurys Inn and the other high roofs around.

Nice to see two juvs food begging from the grotesques early this morning (c5.45am).

Antony

Emma said...

Thanks Antony,

I’ll pop down sometime over the weekend... don’t think it’ll be at 5.45am though!

Emma

Phoebe said...

I just checked in on the webcams to see a juvenile sitting on the edge of the scrape, looked like a female, she stretched her wings and flew off.

Project Member (DWT) said...

In the heat, one of the juveniles has been seen looking ill - panting and also lying flat.
However, these are normal responses by peregrines to intense heat - they cool themselves by evaporation from the inside of their mouths and by reducing their profile.
Now the weather has cooled off (and sadly looks to remain that way for a fortnight!) hopefully anyone visiting the cathedral (or catching a bird via the web cams) will seen birds with beaks closed and standing upright!
The project team

mukesh sharma said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Unknown said...

Quick, post fledging update and very privileged to see all 5 of our Peregrines this afternoon. The female with two juvs in tow terrorising pigeons over Irongate (very definitely showing them the ropes - and both juvs flying like pro's now) whilst T
the male and the third juv were sat in the Jurys Inn.

Cheers

Antony

Emma said...

That’s great news Antony! You were lucky to see them. I sat on the green for about a hour the other afternoon and didn’t see anything. Maybe I’ll try again over the next few days. They’ll be going soon I guess?

Emma

Unknown said...

Hi Emma,

Sorry you didn't get to see them but I'm sure you'll connect next time (worth checking out the large police aerial/antenna Just upriver in Chester Green as the male likes to hang out on there occasionally and had 2 juvs with him on Tuesday). They are getting much more mobile and competent but are still depending on the parents for food at the moment. Dispersal time can vary but they should be around for a few weeks yet and of course the adults are resident and stay on territory all year round.

Antony

Heather said...

Disgusted and saddened to learn from the Wildlife Trust Newsletter that 3 peregrine chicks have been stolen from a nest in the Upper Derwent Valley area. This site owned by the Forestry Commission and linked to grouse shooting has seen peregrine persecution before with an adult found poisoned nearby. Unfortunately it seems the culprits very rarely get caught.

Wendy Bartter said...

I read that Heather, it's disgusting & high time all this grouse shooting malarkey was done away with!

Wendy Bartter said...

Surprise visit ... https://youtu.be/Ph4Qa8QWzh8

Wendy Bartter said...

Another surprise catch but don't know who it is?
https://youtu.be/SrUnRIr8ci8
Still perched there now @ 22.06

Wendy Bartter said...

Bird flew at 22.06 ... any ideas on ID?
https://youtu.be/D5bTt6UKyGQ

Project Member (DWT) said...

Hi Wendy - one of the juveniles and looking a bit soggy! It has been very wet overnight here.

Wendy Bartter said...

Wondering if this is Dad? https://youtu.be/PiTO4A58-zM

Wendy Bartter said...

We have another visitor ... https://youtu.be/OAok_l-Wt6Y

Wendy Bartter said...

Very unusual to see bird on nestbox this late ...
https://youtu.be/pQRwPf3s5tA

Jean said...

Bird was there every time I checked in yesterday.
Back again this morning 6.45 or earlier. Perhaps the pigeons are the attraction........

Wendy Bartter said...

I saw the bird many times yesterday too Jean, good to know you saw it too!
Good clear views of our male @ 10.26 looking rather scruffy & in need of a good feed ...
https://youtu.be/TanpgYGRZjU

Wendy Bartter said...

More close views of our appealing male
https://youtu.be/bSQ3RGCRLWU

Wendy Bartter said...

See the nestbox getting popular again ... escaping from youngsters mebbe?

Wendy Bartter said...

Happened to see this visitor yesterday morning (almost forgot to post, blame the gardening!)
https://youtu.be/RRbYOsrDF9c

Jean said...

Hi Wendy, I saw this too, but I don't know how to capture visits to "youtube"
if I see them

Wendy Bartter said...

Hi Jean, you need some kind of recording software, what device are you watching on?

Emma said...

Hi Wendy

That was lucky! Do you have some sort of alert on your phone for when they appear on camera in the nest box? Or are you just lucky when you check?

Jean said...

Hi Wendy, I am on Apple MacBook, iPad or iPhone. New to his game!

Wendy Bartter said...

Try downloading AZ screen recorder to your ipad ... very easy to use & can be easily uploaded to youtube to get URL needed to post on here!

Jean said...

Thanks Wendy....I will give it a go!

Wendy Bartter said...

Hi Emma, no alerts, just lucky but I do check the nestcam several times a day!

Jean said...

We have a visitor, with what looks like cobweb blowing in the wind!

Wendy Bartter said...

Was watching for a while Jean, highly irritating that feather, bird was also trying to bring up a pellet ... https://youtu.be/HIL_gSXL2nc
Hoped the breeze would dislodge feather by now but see it's still there!

Wendy Bartter said...

Sorry, meant cobweb ... they stick like glue!

Jean said...

Hi Wendy, think it is a feather stuck to a cobweb! At least it has moved. Bird was there 7.30am tues for more than an hour
and again weds 7.30am for 3 hours, just sitting and watching the world go by. Just seen it is there again now......

Wendy Bartter said...

Hi Jean, did spot the bird today, couple of snippets ...
https://youtu.be/JDzWYMw1Gnw
https://youtu.be/Tffxi7mxcYE

Wendy Bartter said...

Another visit just now ... is it Dad?
https://youtu.be/ZRMf6bP2FIE

Wendy Bartter said...

Alternative view @ 10.22
https://youtu.be/nFErOUymhHc

Jean said...

Hi wendy, yes I spotted the bird 2/8/21 and again briefly yesterday (6th)
was there again today early this morning. Haven't got quite so much time to watch at the moment.
Not set up screen recording yet. I get the feeling it is Dad!