Tuesday 4 June 2024

First chick leaves

Early yesterday morning (about 6 am, Tuesday 4th) the smallest chick (colour ring XRL, probably a male, the smallest of the three when ringed) accidentally fell off the platform but ended up on a chimney above Irongate nearby.
It should be fine but checks will be made to see where it has got to.
Thanks to Nick M and local watcher Cliff for eventually finding it, aided by Jessica from the Cathedral to whom also many thanks.

One of Cliff's photos:



And here is one of Dave Farmer's photos taken on Monday when all three chicks were still present:





The Project Team
The project is managed by Derbyshire Wildlife Trust with great support from its partners, Derby Cathedral, Cathedral Quarter and the City Council's IT team.

42 comments:

Nattalie said...

This is why I couldn't watch just before 6am yesterday morning I had a feeling he would fall poor baby I hope he's going to he ok

kate said...

Well done all Many Many Thank you's again..

We humans all worry so much, and yet our Birds prove us wrong every time Thank goodness, they are a lot stronger than we credit them.

It will be interesting to read if anyone spots the parents feeding, or even little one attempt to return to scrape.

Anonymous said...

Hope XRL has had a safe night. At least the weather was OK. If he is still on the chimney, I hope he doesn't fall into it. It looks peregrine size!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

At one feed at 5:45 this morning. Mum turned up with a bird, fed one of them then heard XRL in the distance calling and disappeared with the food.

Kate said...

@Nick M

Awh! Bless you

Thank you so much locating and editing and posting video of the unscheduled fledge.

Hope Cliff can post some more shots on Fiickr, do all go and have a look.

Anonymous said...

Been wondering where the 3rd was and feared the worse. Hope he'll be okay.

Wendy Bartter said...

Many thanks to all involved in locating the youngster, great photos and ring number so clear in Cliff's pic ... special thanks to Nick M for the slog up the tower steps to retrieve the footage!

Anonymous said...

Anyone know if the fledged chick survived the night and where he is now?

KATE said...

It would help if, as I assume, we have different ANONYMOUS,
they could put a name to differentiate who is who it need not be their own name could use an alibi.

For instance one anonymous says they" heard XRL calling this morning"
THEN
anonymous, "asks did chick survive the night "
so confusing.

Swift Class said...

we sor two goovenils.we are happy that one has lernt to fligh well. they ate lots of meat to grow. the others well go soon as they hav been flaping their wings.

Nattalie said...

Just a quick one on the anonymous post guys if you click the comment as you can add your name instead :)

Lin said...

Any news or sighting of XRL today?

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

Hello Swift Class! We are so glad you are all watching and caring about our young peregrine falcons. It's lovely to hear from you all. The one that fell down yesterday has been seen today, and seems OK. It managed to get from near the front of the Cathedral, right across to the back of the Cathedral. So we think it's going to be OK.
Image on Twitter here: https://x.com/realteaplease/status/1798317014337114171

Jenny said...

Sorry wasn't sure how to add my name sorry to cause confusion.

Paul Robinson said...

It's really great there's people "looking out" for the birds. I still think the chick was pushed by a sibling! 🙂 I just hope it'll be alright.

Merlin said...

Hi Paul- I was watching, and it was on its own- not pushed, just sort of flapping about, it seemed to slip off backwards, still flapping! They are about ready to fledge now, I think.

Kate said...


Thank you Jenny

Hope you did not find it too difficult, so much nicer we have a name

and yes lovely to see the youngsters from Swift class taking time to enjoy the Peregrines am sure they will continue watching and caring as they get older.Hope you keep posting here on the Blog.

Wendy Bartter said...

There was a tussle over the prey at 17.14 and Mum had to assert her authority over the biggest youngster ...
https://youtu.be/KuDJVowFni4?si=rv6oAJfU06l13-Kr

Anonymous said...

Has another one fledged? Only 2 visible on the cameras. Exciting times.

KATE said...


Both visible 07.53 one each en with Mum in the Middle

Simon said...

They are both so focussed on what is happening outside the nest this morning, it feels like they want to be out there. 👍

Nattalie said...

Oh my goodness one of the others are now perched on the ledge please be careful baby

Merlin said...

Watch tomorrow morning- next fledge expected!

Wendy Bartter said...

The littl'un perched on the ledge at 13.03 and looked nail-bitingly unsteady and then looked as if sibling might accidentally knock him off!! Too easily done!
https://youtu.be/LhemgEdQnoQ?si=Iy_l93No0covrmZz

Wendy Bartter said...

The whole feed at 13.50 which I muted most of as the noise was relentless, bigger youngster tried again to snatch the prey ...
https://youtu.be/sDNDzjaI4H0?si=cG4f9AGhqjPckJIk

Simon said...

Have there been any sightings of the 3rd chick today?

Anonymous said...

Oh my word. 19.39 Thought one of them was going. It was flying and jumping up against the back wall then moved to front ledge and hung on for dear life. Both very restless tonight.

Anonymous said...

Absolutely love watching the pedigrees bu t what a joy to listen to the bells tonight. As a learner bell ringer I can appreciate the work you have put in .I often wonder what the bids think !

Merlin said...

The wanderer returns! Back at 5.30 a.m...all 3 together again- for now.

Nattalie said...

Whoooo lovely to see all 3 back together

Kate said...

Yep Thanks Merlin got a few scaps so will put on Flickr in a while

Have to leave for a few minutes hope doesn't fly whilst away

Nattalie said...

They all seem hungry this morning....1 prey isn't gonna be enough now mummy

Kate said...

Hi Natalie
Sorry our posts crossed earlier, so I did not see yours.

Agree, but Mum is undeterred, and leaving them to sort it, which they seem to be doing quite amicably.

Merlin said...

I imagine parent birds don't bring as much prey now so as to encourage young to find some of their own!

Carol said...

7.18 I think the youngster that fledged a couple of days ago is back at the scrape. Two youngsters in the scrape,mum on the edge and third one with orange band on edge of the scrape shouting for food.

Anonymous said...

With 4 birds on the scrape this morning its hard to tell who's who. They all look the same now.

Carol said...

Three have got orange bands so must be three youngsters. Mum is with them

kate said...

My personal observations, are
the young have not quite developed the Yellow around beaks and claws,and are paler,

also the tips of tail feathers still have bits of white feathers at the very end

Jean said...

Great to see all three chicks together again!
Have posted some pics to Flickr

Anonymous said...

Steve been watching from 7.30 ISH to try and asblish the rings great news glad to see all 3 back together x

Paul Robinson said...

Yes, I've just tuned in and saw two of the chicks lying down in the scrape and what I took to be one of the parents perched on the edge. Then the one on the edge started making loads of noise and I looked at the other camera and saw what I took to be the other parent. Then I realised that the one I took to be a parent was actually a chick. The way I could tell was that the chicks haven't got any yellow on the beaks whereas the parents have.

Simon said...

Amazing to see them all back together, what an adventure he’s been on!