Monday 22 May 2023

Watch Point Saturday (27th May) and an update

Update: the first Watch Point took place today in brilliant sunshine and was very successful, with plenty of interest from web cam watching folk who had come specially and from casual passersby plus a visit from the Dean from the Cathedral.
There was plenty of action too with a feed taking place, buzzards, kites, a sparrowhawk and swifts flying over the tower and an unidentified egret passing nearby, all adding spice to the occasion.
Thanks to our brilliant volunteers and to Emma from DWT who did all the organising and brought all the gear (telescopes, leaflets, etc). Here are some photos taken during the watch point by Mike Goold, one of our volunteers:

View of nest platform with chick and adult by Mike Goold

Female flying over by Mike Goold 27th May

Male above the nest keeps guard Mike Goold


There's a second Watch Point event on Saturday 10th June (10am to 2pm)  so if you missed this one, do come along if you can. The chick will be well feathered by then and not far off fledging!

Our single chick is growing well as you can see in this video clip captured by Wendy Bartter on 22nd May:


And here's a clip from yesterday (26th) showing the feathers coming through even more!




And this Saturday (27th May 2023) you can come to Cathedral Green behind the Cathedral between 10am and 2pm and see the birds 'for real' through the Project's telescopes.
Bring your children or grandchildren (if you have any!) because there will be activities for all the family: mask making, a wildflower activity and more!

Parking is available in nearby multi-storey car parks and nearby on-street parking.
A second Watch Point will be held on June 10th.



The Project Team

The project is managed by Derbyshire Wildlife Trust


53 comments:

Phoebe said...

17.40 just in time to see a feed

Wendy Bartter said...

Been spoiled today being able to see our youngster in the viewable scrape, more wing flapping, he/she is getting big & strong
https://youtu.be/RaPxmU927ME

Wendy Bartter said...

Hi Phoebe, agree it was good, been a long time since he/she was fed in this scrape, here's some footage (2× speed)
https://youtu.be/2J48ZeteITs

Wendy Bartter said...

End of a feed @ 09.21 then youngster goes wandering
https://youtu.be/XZSAWSggirg
Then he wanders some more before settling to sleep in view
https://youtu.be/8FQhAaFvUG8

Lindy said...

Looking forward to Saturdays watch point. Thanks to all involved.

Wendy Bartter said...

Very envious Lindy as am too far away to attend, hope it all goes well!

Anonymous said...

Interesting view of chick at 2.40 this afternoon. Feeding itself. I haven't seen that before.

Wendy Bartter said...

Some more footage of our youngster whilst in view
has gone into other scrape again
https://youtu.be/uAzhSNuG8Gg

Wendy Bartter said...

Dad brought prey @15.47 which Mum took into other scrape to feed youngster, he/she was obviously invigorated by the food
https://youtu.be/XByi78hySfg

Jenny said...

Thank you to everyone for these informative updates and to Wendy for the super videos. I can't check the webcams very often so lovely to read the comments and to know all is going well with the little one.

Wendy Bartter said...

It certainly is a treat to see our youngster venturing into the viewable scrape, will endeavour to get as much footage as possible Jenny!

Wendy Bartter said...

Looking at webcam now it seems like there is a feed going on, only tail view of adult though!

Wendy Bartter said...

Think it may have been Dad who brought prey @ 19.55 but not entirely sure, who do you think it is?
https://youtu.be/2V4mlM8UXKs

Wendy Bartter said...

More chick action, first clip from yesterday then couple of clips from this morning showing how hot he/she is,, came to shade but not for long
https://youtu.be/A7N_s7-MyXs

Wendy Bartter said...

Been rather quiet today so was pleased to log on to a feed this afternoon but it was already under way but was still rather a long session

https://youtu.be/kMoGpJWCWmE

Wendy Bartter said...

Youngster came into view at 18.43 when Mum flew in to clear up scraps from last feed, looks like he/she was looking to be fed
https://youtu.be/-Lv4eRXwNBI

Wendy Bartter said...

Just seen adult bring prey into other scrape, feeding youngster!

Wendy Bartter said...

Youngster came into view at 09.36
https://youtu.be/8UpObpzV5Kc

Wendy Bartter said...

I can see a feed going on the other scrape, just adults legs & a bit of prey visible, youngster completely out of sight!

Wendy Bartter said...

Think there was a feed going on @ 18.29, briefest view of youngster before he scuttles off out of sight
https://youtu.be/Yj_lYHAT-X0

Anonymous said...

Good view of youngster 8am this morning. Photos on Flickr.
Quite active this morning, keeps moving about. Looking over ledge at the moment.

Jean said...

Now settled out of sight on Cam 1

Wendy Bartter said...

Pleased to hear that you saw youngster this morning Anonymous & Jean, good to have some up-to-date pics on Flickr!
Some footage here of Mum suddenly deciding to incubate two of the old eggs & youngster looking quizzically at her
https://youtu.be/MvHyJsXYeBM

Wendy Bartter said...

Real time footage of feed @ 13.18 which captures chat between Mum & youngster during the feed
https://youtu.be/HD3Mv0ZxxyQ

Jean said...

I saw Mum attempting to sit on the eggs!
I forgot to put my name on post this morning so came up as anonymous.
Amazing to see how the fast the feathers are growing.

Dave Farmer said...

We’re now in a period of phenomenal growth over a short period of time that seems almost inconceivable. Won’t be long before it won’t be a chick anymore.

Wendy Bartter said...

Youngster eventually came into near scrape so was able to capture footage of his antics earlier this evening
https://youtu.be/96TC9Tq5jrI

Wendy Bartter said...

Little bit more, close views of youngster's face as we don't often get the chance
https://youtu.be/hkkELdG71WQ

Wendy Bartter said...

I do hope lots of you are enjoying the first Watch Point of the season, both adults were on the scrape around 10.42 with their youngster for quite some time, here is some speedy footage for anyone who missed it
https://youtu.be/otaqZWgsqcE

Our youngster was also very active on the viewable scrape
https://youtu.be/UzZHO5m6xxI

Hopefully all this action was seen by visitors using scopes on the green!

Wendy Bartter said...

Just seen Mum fly in and perch on scrape ledge but no food for youngster!

Anonymous said...

Had an enjoyable time today at the watch point. Saw our peregrine family in "real life". It was the perfect day for it and the volunteers were very helpful and informative, many thanks to them. Looking forward to the next one to see how our family develops. If you can get there, it's well worth it.

Jean said...

Mum flew off after chick kept pecking at her feet. Not seen a feed since.
Youngster trying to find something to eat off the pair of wings!!
Glad you enjoyed the watch point today Anonymous.

Wendy Bartter said...

Pleased to hear it was a good watchpoint, here is footage of youngster playing about this afternoon, including the Lapwing wings Jean
https://youtu.be/JiXoJlYXow8

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed the watch point too. The chick looks so much bigger than on the webcam. Thank-you to the organisers.

Wendy Bartter said...

Some footage from 18.46 when youngster was obviously hungry ... he/she did get fed later on
https://youtu.be/upgTAT8ZhdY

Did you notice how much less fluffy youngster is now Anon?

Jean said...

Thanks for all the footage Wendy. Parents seemed to leave him on his own for a very long time this afternoon, but
I don’t suppose they were too far away, just out of sight!

Anonymous said...

Youngster back on the other side of the platform. It looks large and covered in feathers! It is currently pulling at the down to remove it. It now looks like a peregrine!! Ii think it will be ready to fledge in about 2 weeks! How quickly they change! Chris m

Scoobi19 said...

Oh my i hate it wen they sleepin, they spread out n look dead 😭😭 have to watch carefully for breathin πŸ™ˆπŸ«ΆπŸ»

Wendy Bartter said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Wendy Bartter said...

I had to delete & re-edit the footage of our youngster early this morning as it had picked up unwanted soundtrack, here's a quiet version
https://youtu.be/7a6ng9KIprM

Know what you mean scoobi, he/she sleeps very soundly for long periods!

Wendy Bartter said...

Our youngster is hungry again and lets the parent know all about it ... still not seen a feed yet, was hoping there would be one in full view just for a change
https://youtu.be/mDFIwJFzBzQ

Wendy Bartter said...

Prey just arrived, one screeching youngster!!

Wendy Bartter said...

Here is that feed
https://youtu.be/rddKpikWWmc

Now he/she's sleeping it off!

Anonymous said...

Is there any way we can tell whether he/she is a he or she just by looking at the webcam images? Would be nice to know.

Wendy Bartter said...

A feed going on, cam #1

Wendy Bartter said...

I have been wondering what sex youngster is too Anon, although we'll never know I am guessing female by overall body size and length of middle talon!

Jean said...

I agree with you Wendy although I have been referring to it as a he so far.
Would have been nice to see Nick abseil down the cathedral again for the chick to be ringed..
Saw the feed, now settled down for a sleep!

Wendy Bartter said...

Footage of 18.33 feed in real time (long) to celebrate being able to see it & hear the young'uns cries... so pleased that the parent didn't try to feed youngster that leg with the foot attached!!

https://youtu.be/37NAUdcbhJk

Wendy Bartter said...

I think Nick M was away on holiday at the optimum time for ringing the young'un Jean, it would have been unsafe by time he got back as it could have been frightened into toppling out of the scrape! Looking at ringing pics online, the chicks are all still white & fluffy! Had a scare yesterday watching the youngster back right up to scrape ledge to poo out, thought it was never going to stop!!

Wendy Bartter said...

Pleased to read that the watchpoint was a success and many thanks to Mike Goold for the pics, good to see the position of the double scrape on the cathedral, gives great perspective!

Anonymous said...

My route into and out of town takes me past the cathedral. It's been a privilege and pleasure to see and hear our family. I often just stop and pause for a few minutes and look up. Nature is so good for your wellbeing. So calming and relaxing to watch our peregrines both on the webcams or in the flesh.

Jean said...

Quite understand why ringing not taking place this year Wendy.
Was fed at 6.30 this morning and settled out of view.
Very active now, lots of wing flapping and possibly after more food!
Can only see adults foot!!

Anonymous said...

There is now a new post to add comments to.