It's not often that a peregrine chicks waits patiently to be rescued. But that's how it looked to us last night.
Around 6pm yesterday, an eagle-eyed webcam watcher reported one of our peregrine chicks had fallen from the nest platform, above the cathedral's nave roof. The news soon filtered through to the Project Team and we contacted the only people who could give us access to Derby Cathedral after hours - the bell-ringers.
As luck would have it, when we called our contact they were all in the middle of an online virtual bell-ringing session. One of them, George, kindly offered to cycle in to town to open up the Cathedral Tower.
20 minutes later we were inside the Clock Room. where we discovered the fallen chick had managed to flutter up to the window, and was effectively 'looking in'. On opening it, she remained in place and, with the help of a handy broom found nearby and placed strategically behind here, she was prompted inside and down into a large cardboard box.
We carried her to the top of the Cathedral, where George gently tipped the box sideways to encourage her out. She seemed reluctant to leave, and then stood there hissing gently at us if we got too close.
NickB encouraged her to move, and we were pleased to watch her flap her way across the tower top. Her wings seemed strong, and so we left 044 alone to be tended by her parents.
Our thanks to George, and our apologies to all the bell-ringers for interrupting their virtual training session.
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PROJECT WEBINAR WATCH (AGAIN).
If you missed last week's hour-long webinar all about the project you can now watch it on Youtube at your leisure.
The link is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_5UrPKasEI
26 comments:
Was so good to read how quickly the youngster was located & rescued, all thanks to some very dedicated people ... well done everyone involved & the pics are great!
Brilliant rescue. Does anyone know where she is now and how she is doing?
044 seems to be leading everyone a merry dance! Well done to all concerned in the rescue and think the right decision was made just to release her. Hopefully the parents will continue to feed her & if the largest of the three will stand a good chance of surviving.
I've suddenly become Anonymous!
Lol, you'll have to begin your future posts with 'Heather reporting ...'
Antics @ 08.30 show that youngest chick has shed most of it's down & perching on ledge ... scary or what?
https://youtu.be/tCMNtjYt8LI
Reminded me of a few years back when a chick got as far as the windowsill of the Standing Order and was tapping on the window - clearly desperate for a pint after the exertions! Safely returned then too...
Had an hour on the Cathedral Green late afternoon. Both remaining young were showing well, one in particular getting very bold wing flapping and running along the edge of the platform, will surely go in the next day or so! Both adults were on the tower, the female had a good fly round before settling on a grotesque and showed no signs of agitation or alarm so clearly the fledged juv is either still safely ensconced on the top of the tower or somewhere in sight nearby.
Antony
I am happy to hear you managed to rescue the juvenile :) Has she been seen since her ordeal?
No Phoebe she hasn't but we are confident that she will fly successfully when she does decide to take the plunge for the second time. With luck she's still on the top of the tower (out of view from the ground) and being fed by her parents.
Nick B
We haven't attempted to look for 044 on the top of the tower itself. Nor have we had any reported sightings or further downings. So hoping she's being cared for up there. The Cathedral authorities are aware, and will stay away from the tower for the time being.
Any minute now for a fledge?
https://youtu.be/R_cD0DA-vBM
Must have missed one going only one left as far as I can see wonder where it's got to?
Looks as if two in corner of Cam 1 but could be adult trying to protect last one left from the heat. Judging by the amount of flies around the scrape it must be really smelly by now. Hopefully the first one to get away from the rubbish dump is being fed by the parents.
12.55 No fledging yet, the two have been fed recently & are now laying down sleeping it off
See cam#2
Why is the youngest always lying down
Worm himself out with all the exercise he's had today ... been wing flapping & jumping around like a good'un!
Both having a rest now after a last minute session of wing flapping & perching on the ledge pretending they might fledge any second! Lol
Hi Caz: lying down is something juvenile peregrines do and is nothing to worry about. They even do it after fledging....
the project team
Thanks for the info I was getting worried
Still threatening to fledge at any second
https://youtu.be/alkVGRk-qRc
More pre-fledging actions from 6th June
https://youtu.be/Mw_UmxBvpoA
https://youtu.be/vtH4o9aEB-4
https://youtu.be/TvI_Jt4iU3E
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Hi Wendy. Don't know if you can check but just seen one of the juveniles I think fledge. Don't think it was parent. Little male looked quite startled. Not normally up at this hour but been up all night checking on my terminally ill 20 yr old cat & so have big decision to make today. The peregrines have been keeping me company throughout the night, a welcome distraction.
Hi Heather, sorry to hear about your poorly old cat, was in same position last year with my old boy of same age but they've had a good long innings so not too difficult to make the call!
After watching intently for three long days & nights I actually missed the two fledging ... have footage of them at 23.00 & singleton asleep on ledge at 00.27 which I couldn't decide if youngster or not ... then no-one but couldn't be sure if hidden on other scrape!
Hope they flew of their own accord & not grounded anywhere!
Here is the very last footage I have of our lovely pair before they flew
https://youtu.be/Q6wueXNGn2c
Quick & scruffy footage of adult bird (Mum or Dad??) all hot & bothered on the scrape this morning ... bit disappointed as screen not quite lined up!
https://youtu.be/Ea0S39hhExs
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