Wednesday 18 May 2022

Watchpoint Report (Wed 18th May)

 Here is a report on today's Watchpoint on Derby's Cathedral Green 

It's written by Anthony Pooles, on of the two volunteers who set up the telescopes alongside Alice Smith, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust's new Peregrine Engagement Trainee:

Both parents feeding the chicks at the same time
 - something not often observed


Some ladies of leisure stop take a peak at our peregrines
before heading off to the theatre together.


A lovely couple of hours in brilliant weather on the Cathedral Green today saw 54 visitors take a look at our rapidly growing Peregrine family. Many of the visitors had come into town to see the Cathedral's fantastic 'Peace Dove' installation and took the chance to visit the Peregrines too!

The male and female were about for most of the session and showed really well for our visitors. The chicks (now in their fairly untidy phase of tufts of down mixing in with juvenile plumage) showed on occasion, despite having had a fairly big double feed just before the Watchpoint began at 10:30am. 





Whilst some visitors are fascinated to see the world's fastest
bird species, others seem less impressed.


Most visitors got to see one or two tufty heads at least! One chick seems a bit more advanced and had started to do a bit of wing flapping - strengthening those muscles for when they start to fledge in 10 - 14 days time.

Mid-way through, four Buzzards passing over caused some irritation, the female alarm calling and the Male (who had been away for 10 mins) appeared amongst them, diving at a couple and leaving them in no doubt that they should move on.

It was nice to see three or four Swifts around the tower and a pair of Grey Wagtails flew over on a couple of occasions.

Helpers present today: Alice, Anthony and Kathryn.

Latest videos:
19th May 2022 

64 comments:

kate said...

Thank you Nick M lovely to see those glimpses of various probably first time viewers.
CHOL:):)

Heather said...

What a lovely day for the Watchpoint and introducing so many new people to the art of Peregrine watching.
Is anyone else experiencing problems with Cam. 2, I can only see empty part of Cam. 1 unfortunately?

Wendy Bartter said...

Just been watching cam #2 Heather, no problems for me!

Anonymous said...

You can only see Cam 2 on android phone or computer not working on Apple iPad or phone

Heather said...

Thanks Wendy & Anonymous, it’s been like this for couple of days now. Usually no problem but I’m on Apple iPad so unless family decide to move back I’m stuck with viewing dead pigeons’ legs and the sound of church bells!

Heather said...

They must be feeling sorry for me! One chick just come over to Cam 1 and gave a wonderful view of wing flapping, bless!

Heather said...

Now supper is being served to chicks, made my day. Promise no more posts tonight!

Helen said...

I have an apple phone and I have been able to see both nestcams until yesterday. Now I can only see nestcam1-can anyone tell me why?

Anonymous said...

Had a look at the family this morning. They are so well camouflaged on camera 2 that I thought they had gone!!! Looking good.

Anonymous said...

@Helen. I’m on an old iPhone 5 and the cameras are working fine for me right now. Whenever they won’t run, I simply refresh the page and they’re fine. Occasionally a dropped signal render the stream unavailable for a few minutes. But that’s usually the extent of the issues I see. NickM

Wendy Bartter said...

I thought the same Anonymous!
Active chicks in view
https://youtu.be/J299Jyc7fB0

Heather said...

Two chicks feeding themselves on scraps with mum looking on. Have tried everything but still only able to view Cam 1. Like Helen this has only happened in last few days - hope you’ve had better luck Helen.

Wendy Bartter said...

All three settled on slate for a snooze, obviously missed them being fed, Mum picking around shingle scrape!

Jean said...

Hi Helen and Heather.
I still have the same problem, unable to view camera 2 on iPad or iPhone 10. Also this year have been unable to see either camera on a MacBook!
Tried refreshing page, all updates have been installed but to no avail.

Peregrine Project Member (Nick M.) said...

@Jean Which browser are you trying this on? Have you tried different browsers?

If people would be kind enough to be VERY specific about the details of their operating system version, their browser (including browser version) I can pass these details to Streamdays who host our webcameras.

For myself, I was using an iPhone5S with Safari on iOS 12.5.5 (Safari and iOS versions are always the same, I gather)

Anonymous said...

@Nick M

iPad Pro 11" and iPhone XS Max both have Safari on iOS 15.5

MacBook Pro has Safari 15.4 (17613.1.17.1.13) and Mac OS Monterey version 12.3.1 No access to either camera this year

iPad and iPhone both work fine on Camera 1 and both were def working on Camera 2 on 14th May at 9.04am

Hope this helps.

Linda said...

Hi Nick I am using IPad 9th generation 15.5 but only camera 1 is working

Anonymous said...

Cam 2 not working for me! iPad pro and iPhone 8 : OS15.4.1 and just updated to OS15.5 but still only see cam1. Safari browser.

Anonymous said...

Hi Nick,

Have found old iPhone 5on iOS 10.3.4 and just charged it up, no SIM card, and after many attempts it has finally connected to camera 2. Connects camera 1 instantly.

Anonymous said...

Also tried with Chrome on my iPad pro and iPhone 8 - OS15.1 but only get Cam1

Anonymous said...

Interesting to watch the 17.45 feed. Parent came in with food, maybe a Robin. One youngster snatched it and kept it for itself. Was feeding itself, no problem. Growing up so quickly now.

Wendy Bartter said...

New game ... spot the chicks!
Plus a messy meal enjoyed by all, sorry I missed it!
https://youtu.be/-EE6IzwWo2g

Wendy Bartter said...

Just watched this chick pick up & swallow down an old leg with foot on!!
https://youtu.be/HnR85hMXtVw

Anonymous said...

Thank you to everyone at the watch point this morning. I've been following our family from the beginning on the webcams and feel I know them personally. It was my first time seeing them for real, such a privilege. A great morning out in Derby, everyone should try to do it.

Wendy Bartter said...

Sounds like an enviable experience Anonymous, shame that I live so far away down in the South East!

Helen said...

So glad that you enjoyed the watchpoint. It was a great morning, with a lot to see.

Wendy Bartter said...

Dad is dwarfed by the chick in front, must be the female?
https://youtu.be/k9rwhcj2vXM

Wendy Bartter said...

Much bigger & darker today, must be the female chick?
https://youtu.be/5BIXaf1Bc24

Anonymous said...

Hi Wendy,
She is obviously increasing in size, at the watchpoint yesterday one was clearly larger than the other 2. a very large lady!!
Chris M

Wendy Bartter said...

Waiting for breakfast ... https://youtu.be/n81hHYPIZHY

Wendy Bartter said...

Lucky you Chris seeing her in the flesh!

Wendy Bartter said...

A little clip to show just how much the chicks have grown, not a great deal of free space when all laid down!
https://youtu.be/dMwA8P7jB_o
Btw, when do we start calling them juveniles?

Anonymous said...

Very active and vocal this afternoon. XK ring clearly visible at one point on the larger chick, femail?

Anonymous said...

Just been looking at Nottingham's peregrines. They have 2 chick's and are way behind ours, hatched on May 3rd,4th. They are still white and fluffy balls of fluff! Derby's have grown so fast.

Anonymous said...

Our family have a much nicer nest site. Location, location, location!

Wendy Bartter said...

Bit more action from fast growing chicks but not from big female as she has lost her head! Lol
Have asked if cam can be repositioned remotely
https://youtu.be/mYDA89iHcwU

Anonymous said...

Wow. The female is enormous now. How has she grown so much over the past few days?

Wendy Bartter said...

Not much of the white fluff left to lose now
https://youtu.be/SUgI6U68_xY

Anonymous said...

Lots of wing flapping from XL this afternoon. Thought he was going at one point but pulled back at the last minute. Wouldn't that be amazing to see?

Wendy Bartter said...

Oh no Anonymous, much too soon!
Clip of the crazy wing flapping https://youtu.be/Dz1AsmQZ3jk

Scoobi19 said...

No noooo wouldnt be amazin

Wendy Bartter said...

But it could happen very soon!!
One of the chicks skipping along the edge & wing flapping, very agile but hope it doesn't fall off before ready to fly! Looks like we won't have them for much longer
https://youtu.be/CiIKGcPDlrM

Wendy Bartter said...

Maturing very fast now, saw one sleeping last night standing like an adult with head tucked back!

Wendy Bartter said...

Here is chick asleep standing up
https://youtu.be/G3nfxCVEoJE

Wendy Bartter said...

Hope there are watchers on the ground, saw this one flapping & wobbling just as I switched off recording

https://youtu.be/2OPhnrUqvFw

Wendy Bartter said...

Three sleeping in shingle scrape just now & looking very large!

Wendy Bartter said...

Becoming quite commonplace seeing chicks bouncing around jumping on & off ledge looking almost ready to fledge, where did that time go?
https://youtu.be/WYh-26F-00g

Rej (AT) said...

The boldest youngster likes to perch on the edge of the tray and preen. Even standing there on one leg whilst having a scratch with the other foot. Phew - nearly slipped off!

Rej (AT) said...

The youngsters have just been delivered a finch as self service dinner, they are squabbling over it and scampering from tray to tray - sadly most action is in the slate tray which is still unreachable for me.

Wendy Bartter said...

Chicks so big now it makes for crowded & noisy mealtimes
https://youtu.be/_AK-3hkkJFA
Sorry Rej, couldn't cover the slate scrape!

Wendy Bartter said...

Three sleeping beauties so no fledges yet
https://youtu.be/DrRVJ_WYfzQ

Wendy Bartter said...

Awake & two on the ledge

https://youtu.be/gtiEFYHG1YY

Peregrine Project Member (Nick M.) said...

NESTCAM 2 UPDATE: On talking to our hosting company today, they inform us that latest version of the iOS Safari browser is no longer compatible with the encoded video format that comes from that model of camera. (Different make cameras apparently have to be treated differently at their end, and they hope to create a script to solve this problem later this year)

RECOMMENDATION: Ideally, please use Chrome to view both the camera stream, or check if any other favourite browser will work with them instead of Safari.

Anonymous said...

Hi Nick,

Thank you for the update on Camera 2. I have tried Chrome and Firefox and neither worked on camera 2 for me,
camera 1 works fine on both.

If anyone finds a browser that works please let me know.

Wendy Bartter said...

Action this morning on cam #2 ... getting scarier!
https://youtu.be/W-h2uNJ15_g

Wendy Bartter said...

Am using Chrome on Samsung A10 or A20 phone (can't remember which) & can get both cams

Wendy Bartter said...

Has anyone tried Puffin? That used to work for me

Wendy Bartter said...

Have just tried Puffin downloaded from google play on my samsung tablet & it showed both cams

Wendy Bartter said...

All three still here sleeping!

Wendy Bartter said...

Ditto at 15.49, all on cam #2

Wendy Bartter said...

Cam #2 action
More earnest wing flapping, won't be long now!
https://youtu.be/XtuPXbzrrM8

Wendy Bartter said...

Only two on the scrape now ... may have seen one of the smaller ones fly down as I logged on but it was so fleeting that I can't be sure! Do hope it is OK & is spotted by someone local!

Wendy Bartter said...

Hope it's OK & not grounded, have let Nick M know & there is a tweet to let folk know to watch for it
https://youtu.be/MH_5rMbfwrI

Wendy Bartter said...

Little & large being fed
https://youtu.be/OV68kUw2J_Q