Update from Watch Point, Weds. 8th June by Antony Pooles:
An action packed and fab watchpoint today. All three juveniles were about, hurtling round the tower and nearby buildings, honing their skills chasing pigeons in company with the male. Two Red Kites flew over too!
Photos by Dave Farmer (gdfotos.co.us) from earlier in the week.
Next Watch Point this Saturday 11th June.....
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Update Wednesday a.m.: Seems the final juvenile fledged very early this morning. Thanks to you night owls for keeping watch!
Hopefully this morning's Watch Point will locate her.
To read about the previous fledging and falling action scroll down to the previous post!
Watch Point Update Weds. PM by Helen.
It was a good watch point. The female juv finally fledged around 6am on Wednesdday morning, and was later seen by everyone at the watch point, perched on the end of the nave roof facing out towards the Green. She looked very settled until the end of the morning when she then started to do quite a lot of wing flapping and hopping around. We thought she was going to go, especially when it started to rain but she was joined by one the male juvs and they were both still there when we left. The two male juvs were perched side by side on the top of the tower for a lot of the time, which was great to see. They are both looking more confident now and made some short flights. We also saw the female juv eating, so she is clearly being supplied with food. I’m sure she’ll be ok. Both adults were also around and were on JI when the team left.
For those of you new to this wonderful project, it was started back in 2006 and is now managed by Derbyshire Wildlife Trust.
Our excellent project partners are The Cathedral itself (of course) the city council's IT team who provide connectivity to the web cams and Cathedral Quarter, the marketing agency for that part of the city.
The Trust pays all the bills, organises the Watch Points and supports the project in many other ways too (so any donations you make are directed to the Trust and go specifically to this project).
This year we are extremely lucky to have a trainee, Alice Smith, working on the project and in addition, organising site protection work at other much more vulnerable peregrine nests out in the Derbyshire countryside where persecution occurs every year.
Alice has been at the Watch Points and helping with the rescues over the last few days and she has written this post for our blog (and if you scroll back down the blog, she also wrote an introduction to herself back in April):
Hello everyone,
I’m Alice the new peregrine engagement trainee.
It’s been wonderful to see some of your faces at the Watchpoints over the last few weeks and to read your comments on the blog too!
I’ve been watching our Derby peregrines hatch, grow and fledge (both successfully and unsuccessfully) alongside all of you.
Being in this role has given me experiences of a lifetime; from rescuing a peregrine fledgling that decided to take a swim, to monitoring rural peregrines and running the watchpoints - and all within my first three months!
Unfortunately, throughout my time here I’ve realised how lucky our Derby Cathedral peregrines are. Our peregrines have 24/7 protection with the webcams and are living in a busy environment with people who appreciate them.
However unfortunately, this isn’t the case with rural peregrines. Across Derbyshire, peregrines are at risk. Our county’s chicks and eggs are being stolen and sold for use in falconry in the Middle East.
Sadly, one of Derbyshire’s nests has already been raided this year and video footage of a man stealing wild peregrine eggs has been released by the RSPB.
Watching the parent bird alarm call and lose its eggs is heart breaking, and not something any parent of any species should have to experience.
Not only this, but once the peregrines have fledged, they still aren’t safe from certain humans. Raptors throughout the country are thought of by some as a pest, a nuisance, and an issue. Believing peregrines and other raptors are a pest has led them to be shot, poisoned, and trapped.
Raptors throughout history have struggled with a conflict with humans. Previously red kites were almost extinct and currently, the hen harrier is struggling for its survival with two males 'disappearing' on grouse moors in the Peak District a few weeks ago, leaving their females unable to incubate the eggs that had been laid. We don’t want our peregrines to have the same fate.
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| Peregrine trapped at a Midlands nest site (photo: RSPB) |
To combat this Derbyshire Wildlife Trust has set up a Peregrine Protection Team, where nest sites are watched daily. Over twenty volunteers have dedicated their time to protecting Derbyshire’s rural peregrines and we have had the success of watching peregrine chicks grow and escape persecution at one high-profile site which we have been monitoring and which has suffered robbery in the past.
I just wanted to say a massive thank you to all the people watching on the web cams, volunteering, and donating to protect this amazing species, you’re all doing a superb job!
And thank you for letting me share this amazing (and very eventful) season with you all. It's not over yet!
Alice Smith
Here are some links you may wish to follow to learn more about peregrine persecution in this county and in the UK:
Links to a local court case:
And you can learn more about the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and the work it does not only to protect raptors like peregrines but in so many other ways. If you live in the county, please consider joining us!
Home | Derbyshire Wildlife Trust
Finally - watch out for Hen Harrier Day coming up in July!
More on this later.....
89 comments:
Thanks for the blog, Alice, it shows how crucial your work is.
Female having a nap having tired herself out shouting at the bird on camera 2, which looks like an adult?
The adult gave her a prod when she was lying down. Is it trying to encourage her to fledge?
Makes me sick, shooting industry is disgusting in all it's ways and then we have some 'lovely' farmers, land owners. Thank you Alice for helping these birds.
OMG thought she was dead, then quickly moved to Cam 2 & brought back something, possibly a meal dropped by adult. Came back to Cam 1 and seems to be eating something but still not happy as still screeching. Can’t understand why she won’t go, surely won’t wait another day, hopefully will pluck up courage eventually!
Totally agree the killing of any raptor is despicable. Have wondered what mortality rate is when juveniles fledge too soon in wild, at least ours get a fighting chance when Team help out with cardboard box and towel!
Think mum brought in food, she has sat on ledge on Cam 2 watching all the while XK has been eating.
Perhaps this meal will give her the energy to fledge…….
As long as food is delivered regularly, which it is, the fledgling will take her time. She shouldn’t have problems with energy as she glets all the food now. She just needs the confidence to take that final step. After being in the car park for four days I hope mit happens soon.
Didn’t know you were living in the car park. She looks very comfortable and settled at the moment!
Hi Heather:
The survival rate of juvenile peregrines is quite low, maybe 0ne or two of a brood of four will make it to breeding age. They have to learn how to feed themselves, where is safe to roost and hunt in poor weather etc and the world is full of hazards - wires, people, bad weather etc.
Fortunately, peregrines that nest in urban situations are doing well...whereas peregrines elsewhere are either just holding steady or in some places declining. No one is too sure why that is but persecution is certainly playing a major role.
The project team
I have thought, while watching for some time now, that this last chick was showing discomfort with her right foot - often holding it up, then stretching it. She hasn't yet even just perched on the ledge, I think?
Hi Anon, peregrines do typically perch on one leg with their other foot held up. They then tend to swap legs after a while. They also stretch their legs and feet regularly. We saw juvenile XL doing both of these things quite a lot whilst resting on the low roof/wall at the weekend. Hopefully, she is just taking her time and will make a successful first flight when she is ready to go.
Currently on cam #2 soundly sleeping, looking far from fledging today!
Good to see the remaining bird being fed just now.
Lots of walking along the ledge whilst flapping today and she sat on the ledge facing outward and inward several times. Looking up at the sky and bobbing head frequently but not tempted.
Went to the camping shop today and bought a small tent. It would be great if I could knock the pegs into the concrete :-)
Met lots of passers by over the last 4 days. Lots of people keen to know what's happening.
Someone asked about my camera gear. Sony mirrorless camera plus Sony 200-600mm lens.
Mum has joined daughter on cam 1 scrape, stares so intently at shingle then pecks, is she bug hunting?
Just watching your remaining female, she very nearly fell out few mins ago. She managed to scramble back in. She also actually flew from slate side to other along the ledge 😊 .
She is still there at 6am. Lots of rushing around flapping of wings. At one point she seemed to flap from one side of the platform to the other. I was sure she was about to go! Now lay down again. as she is a larger bird than her brothers I hope she is going to be more prepared, I am not holding my breath.
She was fed about 5.30am, mum took remains of feed away at 5.40.
Now laying down for a sleep. Perhaps as a female she has more sense than to go to soon!!
Lot of wing flapping and running back and forth along edge, looks as if she is thinking about it!!
Some footage from cam #2 https://youtu.be/Oac0vi1xHxg
Lot of preening going on. She looks ready to go - eyeing the surroundings.
Tend to agree Joan but wonder if an accidental slip whilst she is exuberant will seal her fate? Currently faffing about in scrape on cam #2 ... for those who can't see her!
Faffing around is a good way to describe this reluctant fledgling Wendy. Now having a lie down seemingly totally uninterested in leaving home. Thought she’d gone earlier as can only view Cam 1 but then heard noises from Cam 2 and realised she’s still teasing us all.
Lucky girl being fed again, likely have to sleep it off before contemplating fledge?
https://youtu.be/HTjtfICXM-A
Now being fed meal by parent. Perhaps this’ll give her energy to take the giant leap of faith, or more likely just sleep it off!
Sorry think wrong info in last post. Parent seemed to be eating the carcass whilst “madam” just sat there screeching. Parent then flew off with carcass.
Parent probably trying to get her to follow by bribing her With food. We've all done it at some time with a rebellious youngster lol.
Don't know where that W sprang from!
Did see youngster getting fed Heather, went on for some time after recording stopped but didn't watch to the end!
Having a rest & see parent on ledge
https://youtu.be/86kN_xByinU
She gets quite a lot of attention, hope the other two are doing well!
Why is she taking so long to fledge? Is it down to character? Have we had others in past years taking so long?
Here is Mum on scrappe with sleeping youngster! She is closely scrutinising shingle ... bug hunting?
https://youtu.be/U58wE5DhYpw
That was probably the third visit by an adult since 8am. I saw two visits before I left at 12.45. Food brought in around noon. Like yesterday the adult is happy to stay for lunch, feeding the fledgling on and off.
Much the same story as yesterday with much wing flapping in between showers. What was a little different today was that the fledgling was letting go of the edge of the platform so she was rising a few inches into the air. A positive change.
Met up with Ian who knew who I was only because I was the only one there with a big camera. Very nice and interesting chap. Good company. Knowledgeable about birds in general and Peregrines in particular.
"Why is she taking so long".
It can be common for fledglings to take their time to leave. Life can be too good in the nesting box.
Last year at another site there were four fledglings and it took 5 days for all four to leave. The last one was also reluctant but came good in the end.
Gordon Bennett! And I thought I was a procrastinator! Or maybe she's read those survival stats....
She is not very late yet. Yesterday, Monday 30th May was six weeks after hatching - the expected fledging interval. I expect there is much variation within the six weeks figure. Maybe both brothers fledged by slipping off the platform rather than a deliberate launch. I say that as I expected to see many more hovering flights to test the wings, such as Dave mentions just above.
We are all concentrating on our girl but is there any news of the other two? Are they OK?
Saw 2 on top of Jury’s Inn today being fed by an adult.
That's good to know they are ok 👍
Thanks for the informative posts
So happy to know you've seen the other 2 being fed. Fingers crossed they all make it. Donation made and many thanks for all the interesting information.
Another bout of frantic activity of which this is just a snippet, now worn out & resting in a corner of slate scrape!
https://youtu.be/92SWMQC9ytg
Hopefully she's waiting for the Watch Point tomorrow to show off her skills. I'll be there with my little boy who was mentioned in the blog a couple of weeks ago! He'd love to see her take her first flight...
🤞you & your boy see her leave gracefully Anonymous
Mum still feeding her tonight.
Thanks Alice for the write up.and of course the Team.
Anonymous will keep am eye out for your post CHOL:):)
Bit of footage of same feed Kate
https://youtu.be/5Egb4jHYdg8
Will she go tomorrow? ... we shall see!
Can just about see our girlie tucked up against back of slate scrape settled for the night!
No sign of her , is she out of view or has she gone!! Chris m
looks like she gone not seen her unless she right up against edge scrap out camera view
Checked in 05.35 no sign of her on camera 1. Now on old laptop, cannot see her on cam 2 either.
Must have finally taken the plunge!
Hope she does better than the boys!!
She left at 04.42.
She left gracefully at 04.42.
Parent bird was with her earlier, I don't know if she spent the night with her.
Now watching Bath peregrines basking in the sun.
thanks anonymous....at last, hopefully she is safe, certainly well fed before departure.
I can’t believe it I was up at 4am, checked in and she was preening herself on ledge with parent in attendance. If only I’d waited a bit longer. Oh well glad she had a successful fledge and hopefully people at today’s Watchpoint will have good views of the whole family.
The peregrines at Norwich cathedral had a late clutch and the chicks are still at the fluffy down stage. So if you need to feed your peregrine-watching addiction . . . https://hawkandowltrust.org/index.php/web-cam-live/norwich-cathedral-side
Great to hear that our girl fledged successfully & hope she is spotted at Watchpoint! Sad that all the chicks have gone from scrape, maybe Dave will get some more great pics for us to share! Privilege to view this season & interact with you all, thanks to the team for all the hard work which enabled this, take care everyone!
Good news about our final fledgling. I will miss seeing them all online but have thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Many, many thanks to all the team. I always do a detour around the cathedral when I'm in Derby so hopefully I'll be seeing them all again soon.
Can I ask, what happens to the nest site now? Is it left till next year or cleaned? Will the parents still use it all year round?
I am a Norwich Cathedral peregrines fan David W and really didn't think there would be any chicks but there they are better late than never🙂
Hi Anon, the adult birds are there all year round and can sometimes be seen on the platform, as the webcams will continue to run. The juveniles should also be around until at least the end of the summer whilst the parent birds teach them to hunt for themselves. The platform is usually checked and tidied up a bit in February or early March (depending on the weather), so it is ready for the new breeding season.
Just been to check . She has not gone far now on the nave roof. Keep a watch below. Mum sitting above watching her
Did just see both of them, out of sight now!
Should have said, we saw 3 of the birds when we went down but Ian and cliff were both at the green and said they had seen all 5 birds this morning. There is a watch point starting at 11 if anyone is in derby. Chris m
There is definitely one juvenile on the nave roof so presumably this the female that fledged this morning. Looks to be at least one more on Jury’s Inn.
Anonymous, you mention Norwich, you may be interested in thread Wendy ,myself and others post pics vids and thoughts.
https://community.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/f/wildlife-on-the-web/279023/norwich-bath-peregrines-2022-with-kind-permission-copyright-hawk-owl-trust
also here is a good project to follow
https://www.cromerperegrineproject.co.uk/
https://community.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/f/wildlife-on-the-web/279656/cromer-peregrines-2022-all-captures-copyright-cromer-peregrines
Good to hear birds sighted by Watchpoint folk
There are some fantastic views of the birds at the watch point this morning. Both male juveniles at the top the tower, perched side by side, and the female juvenile still on the nave roof. Fly overs from the adults.
Thank you for the link Kate, I do pop in to watch the Cromer peregrines.
Thanks Helen
So pleased you all having, wonderful views at Watchpoint
So glad she finally fledged. Have loved watching them again this year. Thank you to the team for all your hard work
Big thanks to everyone who has been watching and enjoying the action on the nest platform.
Now it is empty and there will probably only be occasional visits by the parent birds. the juveniles rarely return to the platform once fledged.
So, if you can spare a dime, now would be a great time to show your appreciation and make a donation. Every donor is thanked by a team member. Go to the 'donations' tab on the blog home page. All donations money goes exclusively to this project AS LONG AS you make that clear when donating.
Thanks in advance
The Tired out project Team!!
Congratulations to the project team for their hard work and dedication. You have done a splendid job.
Thanks to the other watchers for your comments, and especially to Wendy for her video clips that filled the gaps when we missed some interesting moments.
My donation is on the way!
Thank you Rej, was a bonus that I was able to get both cams for the entire time & could share!
Hi REj: thanks for your kind comments and we look forward to your donation. With DWT offices closed until Monday, any thank you email will be delayed....
The project team
Hi would like to send a small donation, wish it could be more. Can I pay with card? I can't seem to find how.
Hi cris
The easiest way to Donate by card that I found was on the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust website. There is a Donation tab, and on there you can select Peregrines as a target, and for added safety put Derby Cathedral Peregrine project in the free text!
Normally you could also ring 01773 881188 during office hours, but they are currently enjoying the Jubilee holiday.
Thank you, very helpful.
And a big thanks from the Project Team to all those Watch Point visitors on Wednesday who donated to the project on the spot including one kind donor who gave £40 - thank you indeed whoever you were!
The project team
An adult peregrine on the platform this evening, looking down on the beacon lighting ceremony below.
That was a good find Helen
Good to see that we have now had over 200,000 hits since January showing how popular our webcams still are despite there being so many other peregrine nests with cams in the UK these days. We were just about the first ones back in 2007 when the cams first went live.
Note that the next Watch Point is next Wednesday 8th June when we can expect to see some exciting flying by the parent birds as they entice their offspring to follow them and take prey from them in mid air!
The Project Team
Do hope you can get a few pics to share with all who are too far away to attend!
9.29 a.m. parent in scrape pecking around and sitting on gravel, now on ledge. Hope everyone enjoyed Jubilee, Watching Rutland Ospreys and 3 chicks - wouldn’t like to have to fledge over water!
From the Cathedral car park this morning about 11:15am, I could see both adult peregrines perched on Jury’s Inn lettering, and one of the young ones on the roof above them, shouting very loudly!
Just seen mum in scrape 08.08 this morning!
Just uploaded 3 photos to Flickr
Hi Jean - I don‘t see your photos in the group, only on your photostream.
Hi Rej - Thanks for letting me know. I’m new to Flickr this year!! Have now added them to the group, so hope they are there now.
Fixed Jean - Very nice to see your screenshots. That‘s a very large white feather in the platform - unless it is just close to the camera. Maybe from a gull or duck?
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