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.

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