Friday 12 May 2023

Our single chick is growing well and Updates

Update 18th May:
For various reasons a decision has been made not to try to ring the single chick this year. Our abseiler is not available at the appropriate time and given the complications of finding  a new peregrine-friendly abseiler and showing them the ropes (pun intended) just to ring a single chick, we won't be ringing it this year.
Regarding Watch Points, there will be two bigger ones this year on Saturday 27th May and on Saturday June 10th. More details will follow.
Again, various things have caused us to run fewer this year: the council is charging for the use of the Green, we don't have enough volunteers, a new rule insists that we have a first-aid trained member of DWT staff on hand at all times and we don't have a peregrine trainee as we did last year.
Obviously anyone is able to visit the cathedral with binoculars or telescope at any time and view the birds from The Green on Full Street.

Update 17th May: the chick briefly returned to view this morning and Wendy captured this video clip of it looking great!
As the nest gets hotter and brighter it is likely the chick will seek shade in the near corner.....





         
Update 16th May:
Wendy's video clip from this morning shows the chick looking bigger and lively!


Update 15 May:
Dave Farmer took this super photo from the back of the cathedral today.
The chick looks fine and is getting its first views of Derby, watched over by the female!
       

                         Peeping over the edge! Photo: Dave Farmer (gdfotos.co.uk) 




Update 15th May: as you may have gathered from some of the comments, our single chick has decided to hop across to the far side of the platform/scrape where we do not have a camera this year due to a variety of circumstances. The only way to rejig the camera would be to abseil down and that's not allowed by law at this stage of the breeding cycle.
Apologies for the lack of viewing. Hopefully he/she will return soon.
And just to add that the prey corpse (that of a lapwing) lying on the gravel is just that and not a dead peregrine....phew!
> > > > > 

As you might expect with only one chick this year, it is getting all the attention and food it needs and is growing well.
This video of a long feeding session was made by Wendy Bartter yesterday (11th):



The infertile eggs are getting pushed about and may break or just sit in the corners.
The front of the nest platform is tall enough for there to be no concerns about the chick falling out. This has never happened at these early stages. Only when the chicks are fully feathered and flapping their wings prior to fledging is it possible for one to be accidentally pushed off the platform.
To see many previous video clips made by Wendy, please scroll back to the comments to the previous post. You'll also find our discussion about why we think the eggs failed this year.
Scroll down the blog and you'll find that we have had almost 130,000 visits to the web cams. You'll also see a world map showing where folk are watching from. Double click it and it enlarges.....

The Project Team

88 comments:

Wendy Bartter said...

Using wrong blog page again, have brought forward links to today's feed videos

Dad feeds chick at 13.08 (clock fast)
https://youtu.be/VYWlWLb29Ng

Chick gets fed again @ 15.47, he's been peeping a lot even when cuddled under Mum, is he hungry?
https://youtu.be/uJexNyS03Pk

Wendy Bartter said...

It looks like our chick is very hungry, frantic for food as shown in this footage
https://youtu.be/tldPWI4nu2Y

Wendy Bartter said...

Mum feeds chick first at 10.32 then Dad brings prey at 10.41 and feeds himself & Mum & chick, not sure chick got much second time! https://youtu.be/4G5TQYM0jao

Wendy Bartter said...

Have only just noticed that one of the eggs is missing?

Wendy Bartter said...

Didn't get all of this feed but chick looks nice & full at the end
https://youtu.be/5vrMUCiZWME

Anonymous said...

Just checked on the cameras for the first time today. What a messy scrape, feathers everywhere. Must have been an interesting feed. What would the prey have been?

Wendy Bartter said...

Here is that feed where Mum feathers the nest again before feeding chick
https://youtu.be/myR1XLtSVZM

Wendy Bartter said...

Feed @ 09.53 ... there was another feed a few minutes after this one ended (not captured) chick had a few more bites but was really full
https://youtu.be/kC21mkx8tVM

Wendy Bartter said...

A wee beastie on cam lens obscuring the view, thank goodness it's gone now
https://youtu.be/j0rtySFi69A

Anonymous said...

Chick really active today at 4 o'clock. Wing flapping and pecking. Disappeared onto the other side out of sight, Mum sitting on edge calling.

Wendy Bartter said...

Think they are both getting a bit desperate for food Anonymous, has been an extraordinarily long time since last feed, can't think why Mum hasn't been on the hunt? It's a bit disappointing that we can't check up on the chick in that other scrape!

Anonymous said...

Yes Wendy, it would be nice to have a camera on the other side like in previous years. Mum just flown off.

Wendy Bartter said...

Can just make out an adult's legs holding on to some prey, looks to be feeding the chick in other scrape!

Anonymous said...

One of the adults have just returned with food, can't tell which one. Can just catch a glimpse of fluffy white chick on other side of scrape. Looks like a feed going on.

Anonymous said...

Come on chick, come back to the camera side. We miss you.

Anonymous said...

Can someone please tell me where the chick is? Mother is calling out for it.

Anonymous said...

Has the chick fallen out? Or been predated? Or is there an area out of view of the cameras where it's hiding?

Anonymous said...

Just tuned in and I thought the same as you. Hopefully it's just out of view, it was getting quite mobile.

Wendy Bartter said...

Our chick has taken himself off to the other scrape
which is out of cam #2 range ... here is a speedy look at his antics plus the feed
https://youtu.be/UcFT43muy_M

🤞he comes back into view soon!

Anonymous said...

Feed going on in the other scrape. Can just see prey in Mum's claws. So disappointing being out of camera shot.

Anonymous said...

Hope our chick comes back to the camera side soon. It'll probably be twice the size next time we see it. Its growing so fast!!!

Wendy Bartter said...

I saw that too Anonymous, just hope that Mum cuddles him up overnight in the other scrape if he refuses to come back!

Wendy Bartter said...

See that Mum is perched on ledge of original scrape maybe hoping to entice him back!

Anonymous said...

It looks like it's fell out the nest

Wendy Bartter said...

Did you see it happen Annonymous?
More likely tucked up out of sight in the other scrape!

Anonymous said...

I'm just curious as to the logic of having most of the platform out of camera view? Why isn't the second camera on the other half?

Anonymous said...

Also what happened to the Watch Points in 2023? The blog links lead to 2022 dates.

Anonymous said...

Any chance we can extend the view to the other scrape like last year? I remember the group 'panic' when the 4 chicks had shuffled out of sight :D Thanks Gaynor

Anonymous said...

Spotted the chick in the other scrape this morning. Looks fine.

Anonymous said...

And so the hearts in mouths moments begin, mind you a bit of housekeeping parents may help.... Perhaps the need for warmth or shade now it's so big for covering from parents

Anonymous said...

Camera 2 is covering the same area as camera 1 and the second scrape is not covered. The chick is definitely there.

Wendy Bartter said...

Just seen Dad bring in prey, Mum took it and went into other scrape obviously to feed the chick!

Wendy Bartter said...

Feed is over, Mum on scrape ledge!

Wendy Bartter said...

See Mum in original scrape, wonder if chick will toddle round to see her?

Wendy Bartter said...

Dad brings prey @ 14.17 & looks to be feeding chick
https://youtu.be/23OB0VSTDWY

Steve said...

Is that a falcon carcass on the tray?

Anonymous said...

Whatever it is it looks like it had a ring on its leg. Green and gold to the right of the screen.

Wendy Bartter said...

I sent a pic of the pair of wings to the front left of the scrape for ID, this was his answer
***Ah yes, this is a lapwing - the green sheen and dusky cream patches on end of primaries.
First time I've known one be brought to a nest tray during the breeding season (often eaten in winter)

Wendy Bartter said...

Think there is a feed going on next door!

Wendy Bartter said...

Sad news from FaB Peregrines who lost their first chick a few days ago & have a second one with the Vet at Wildlife Aid who said ...
. She has been checked by our vet team and has severe frounce (also called canker or Trichomoniasis) restricting her ability to eat. She is now on a course of treatment but will need a lot of work to fully recover. We will do our best!
Third chick was ringed today, a boy who is, so far, healthy!

Wendy Bartter said...

Adult, possibly Mum, flew in with prey just now!

Wendy Bartter said...

Just saw the little one very briefly, had made it's way to Mum who was perched on scrape ledge!

Wendy Bartter said...

Chick looking bigger & lively
https://youtu.be/LaBZuEMFHqE

Anonymous said...

Tuesday 10.17am chick is alive and well spotted back in the original scrape in the warm sunshine.

Wendy Bartter said...

Chick just paid a visit to cam #1 scrape & Mum followed then she went back to cam #2 scrape and he did the same ... did get footage but accidentally deleted it! Grrrrr Chick looks big & healthy!

Wendy Bartter said...

Such a great pic by Dave added to this page, chick looks very cute peering over the front ledge, many thanks!

Wendy Bartter said...

Have just seen chick move to front ledge again, wonder if Mum is perched there?

Dave farmer said...

Everything that the light touches will be your kingdom (or queendom) :-).

Dave Farmer said...

The chick now has the manoeuverability to get to the front at any time. Often an adult won't be there. It's level of curiosity is also increasing and it's good that it can take in the view of the big wide world. Platform or nest there's an inbuilt sense of survival which will normally stop it from being over curious.

Wendy Bartter said...

At 12.46 Mum brought in sizeable prey to feed chick, Dad followed soon after with a smaller one, not needed so he flew with it!
https://youtu.be/xexnpm_9U4Y

Wendy Bartter said...

Great info thanks Dave, never seen The Lion King!

A few posts ago, when talking about the Lapwing prey remains, I omitted to give credit to the very knowledgeable Ed Drewitt who gave the ID!

Wendy Bartter said...

Mum brought prey at 17.12 and fed chick for 8 minutes but Dad had been in about five minutes earlier doing same
https://youtu.be/LATqJ82yHxo

Wendy Bartter said...

I can see a bit of chick's tail so he must be looking over front scrape!

Wendy Bartter said...

Dad flies in with prey for chick @ 19.17
https://youtu.be/cvF1DkMHBsc

Jean said...

Chick finally decided to visit camera 1.
Looks to be growing well and getting around quickly!
Photo’s on Flickr

Wendy Bartter said...

Pleased to hear you saw him too Jean, managed to get some footage
https://youtu.be/orQG5LhFW6A

Anonymous said...

I walked past the cathedral this morning. Mum and chick clearly visible. A real treat.

Wendy Bartter said...

How lucky you are Anonymous!

Wendy Bartter said...

Chick sleeping in odd place but at least we see him https://youtu.be/TM3uykSe5lk

Anonymous said...

There is a round brown 'something' in the second scrape against the dividing batten. Could this be the egg that disappeared a few days ago? What do you think?

Wendy Bartter said...

That is what I think too Anonymous, egg keeps getting rolled around in & out of sight!

Wendy Bartter said...

Has anyone seen any feeds today?

Anonymous said...

Do we know when ringing will take place this year? Also, any watch days planned? I thoroughly enjoyed last year's.

Wendy Bartter said...

Mum brings food at 19.56, shame we can't see feed taking place
https://youtu.be/Qb3QAMDUa_s

Wendy Bartter said...

Chick comes into view, plays with egg @ 09.24
https://youtu.be/2bLiaftofsQ

project team said...

Hi: news about Watch Points etc will be posted on the blog soon....
Cheers
The Project Team

Wendy Bartter said...

Bit of action on scrape, chick peeps but no prey seen, see the brown egg has been relocated to near scrape
https://youtu.be/kBoTYSTO-4o

Wendy Bartter said...

Was going to be a lovely slow fly-in @ 14.45... til the footage froze!! Chick had a good feed though
https://youtu.be/BSqPxxGxzOk

Wendy Bartter said...

Mum makes a fuss as Dad brings prey at 17.40, hope chick got fed https://youtu.be/yXyEfWCNzOE

Wendy Bartter said...

Got some footage of our chick moving around in view this morning, walks quite well now
https://youtu.be/D_QPRMvbITU

Anonymous said...

With no ringing this year, will we ever know if our chick is male or female? Also, I suppose he/she cannot be tracked.

Wendy Bartter said...

Do you know for sure that the chick won't be ringed Anonymous?

Anonymous said...

Hi Wendy. Regarding ringing, I read the latest blog update from 18th May from the team. No abseiler available this year. Disappointing.

Wendy Bartter said...

Many thanks Anonymous, I hadn't seen that update, agree with you re disappointing!
Has anyone seen any signs of feeding today?

Wendy Bartter said...

Chick briefly in view @ 09.47, good view of stretched wings
https://youtu.be/FlJelAg4aUU

Feed @ 11.46 can hear the adult land
https://youtu.be/JPyfvcfYw3Q

Wendy Bartter said...

Dad brings prey @ 17.15, Mum pulls it from him & goes next door to feed chick
https://youtu.be/Od7dkCzGyUc

Sue Lindop said...

I can't believe that the council would charge for the use of the green to position a telescope or whatever to watch the peregrines! They are partnered with WLT for this project!!!!

Anonymous said...

I can't believe it either Sue. And why would you need a first aider? Looking through binoculars can be a risky passtime I suppose. The world has gone mad!

Wendy Bartter said...

Health & Safety plus the risk of being sued plagues an awful lot of normal pursuits these days!

Wendy Bartter said...

Brief views of our chick this morning
https://youtu.be/vc1ITmLiSuA

Anonymous said...

Comical view of Mum early this morning. She was facing camera 2 full on. Lovely shot. She was dozing with one eye open and one shut, head tilted towards the sun. Looked really relaxed chilling out and basking in the early morning sunshine.

Anonymous said...

There are two ringed legs on the platform currently, a red one and a green one. Is any attempt made to identify these killed birds when (presumably) the platform is cleaned after the birds have left?

project team said...

These are the rings from 'domestic'/racing pigeons. Finding a ring from a truly wild bird is extremely rare but very interesting, eg the arctic tern ring which was put on the bird as a chick on an island in the Baltic in 2002! The bird flew down to and back from the Antarctic where this species winters over the five years of its life but then one spring (2007) it was blown inland by easterly winds and was captured by one of the Derby birds. The tiny metal ring was found on the nave roof under the nest platform after the end of the season. The Swedish ringers provided the details of where and when it was ringed.

Wendy Bartter said...

Decent view of youngster this morning, great feathers!
https://youtu.be/irOwCGRsrz8

Anonymous said...

Wouldn't the pigeon owners want to know why and where their birds have vanished?

Wendy Bartter said...

Speedy view of our youngster as he moves into near scrape
https://youtu.be/jmhU_zySm-0

Wendy Bartter said...

More views of youngster, good wing flaps
https://youtu.be/8t_aKvYQNvg

Moved back into other scrape shortly after!

Anonymous said...

Amazing view of chick in original scrape at 5.20 today. Wing flapping, feathers looking good. Hope Wendy catches it on video.