Peregrine falcons @ Nottingham Trent University

[radfordred]

There back its time in HD with 2 cameras.


http://www.ntu.ac.uk/ecoweb/biodiversit ... index.html#" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Gurn King 69]

Working better for me than it did last year. Very handsome beast on the second cam right now.


Oh, to be a falcon!

[bspittles]

Seems to have a poorly left foot

[bspittles]

Looks like eggs are either here or on the way

[radfordred]

Sadly there is now just one chick left two others died when the brood's father, who had been bringing food, disappeared for a day.The mother had been trying to keep the chicks warm in the cold and wet and also left the nest on occasions to bring food leaving the chicks exposed to the weather.

http://www.ntu.ac.uk/ecoweb/biodiversit ... index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Surprised]

That's sad news

[shogun]

I think we should call the baby falcon Frodo.

[bluenosey]

I had a kestrel in my back garden yesterday, feasting on what looked like a fieldmouse. Amazing creature.

[Ironfist]

The livecam on the peregrines is incredible. Absolutely fascinating.

[Surprised]

I saw the parent feeding the chick the other day.

[Ironfist]

Feeding right now!

From 'Print screen'

peregrine feeding.jpg

[Surprised]

Feeding right now!

Looks like the mum has gone off to get supplies now.

[Ironfist]

The chick looks so funny now with the crop full of chopped rat/squirrel (or whatever that grey thing was)

[Surprised]

I was a bit worried the chick was trying to climb out then.
One of the parents is back now and keeping the chick safe and warm

[Ironfist]

Feeding again...

peregrine feeding 1.jpg

peregrine feeding 2.jpg

peregrine feeding 3.jpg

[Surprised]

Funny to see the chick sitting with his legs out like that.

[Ironfist]

yeah, looks like chicken feet. Nothing like the fearsome weapon it'll turn out to be.

[Henry Chinaski]

There's one in Manchester as well

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/livenest" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Raisin]

The remaining Nottingham falcon finally flew yesterday. Video below (first bit is the two parents on the ledge, but right at the end you see the chick take flight).


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... abfvvscPk8

[radfordred]

Looking a bit snowed in but the peregrines are back

http://www.ntu.ac.uk/ecoweb/biodiversit ... index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Ironfist]

Looking a bit snowed in but the peregrines are back

A bit? The poor bird looks like a popsicle with wings...

[Raisin]

Looking a bit snowed in but the peregrines are back

http://www.ntu.ac.uk/ecoweb/biodiversit ... index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Despite the snow the first two falcon chicks hatched today. One egg remaining which is also starting to crack.

Live feed on URL above.

[Raisin]

Great video of the NottinghamFalcon chicks being fed:

[murf]

Sounds like a silly question but.... did they make the nest out of gravel themselves or was it provided??

Where would they normally nest in the wild and would it be gravel-like or made of twigs/whatever???

(PS My house martens are back but I'm not setting up HD cameras for you all....)

[Raisin]

Falcons are mountain birds and will make a nest scrape on mountain ledges, hence the top of a tall building with plenty of food around is very attractive to them.

The first time they tried to nest on that building the eggs were laid into the guttering, and the rain washed them out. I believe that's when the University and the Nottingham Wildlife Trust provided the gravel box. The cameras came a few years later.

After torrential rain caused the death of two chicks last year there was pressure to provide some sort of protective roof, but the Wildlife Trust people reckon the falcons would hate that.

Incidentally I read that in its hunting 'stoop' the falcon can reach speeds of around 200kph. Impressive birds (unless you're a pigeon fancier).

[radfordred]

His mams just turned up with a full pigeon platter.

http://www.ntu.ac.uk/ecoweb/biodiversit ... index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Surprised]

They seem to be enjoying lunch

[radfordred]

The falcons are back in town.

http://www.ntu.ac.uk/ecoweb/biodiversit ... index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[unc.si.]

Cheers for that. Always enjoy watching them

[murf]

One on Norwich cathedral*. Four eggs now laid.





* No, they aren't partridges......