Chichester Peregrine Blog

No major alarms were noted over the last few days. On Thursday the adult birds provided a remarkable five separate meals (at least) with Dad doing the majority of the hunting. Not to be outdone, Mum amazed those watching during the afternoon by setting off to the north of the Cathedral and returning with a feral pigeon less than three minutes later. It’s no surprise that with such a fine supply of food the young birds by Sunday evening had grown ever larger, shed most of their downy feathers and were looking very much as they will when they hopefully fledge, in a week or two.

There were scenes of celebration in the RSPB tent yesterday. For a couple of days nobody had seen all four chicks at once as the young birds apparently hid beneath the nest camera from the baking sun. Suddenly at 2pm whilst Dad was feeding three of the youngsters a fourth chick appeared to everyone’s relief, and even some cheering!  Two Common Buzzards were dramatically repelled by Mum at lunchtime, and later on a Red Kite went unharrassed as it lazily passed the Cathedral. All quiet otherwise.

What amazing weather this weekend!!!  Needless to say the youngsters were feeling the heat and for much of the time are hiding from the camera in the small amount of shade in the turret.  Mum and Dad continue to bring in food but the chicks are now starting to feed for themselves when neither parent is looking.  Dad’s aim is now very good as he drops food into the turret rather than delivering by hand – so to speak.  Perhaps he is afraid of having his head bitten off for some misdemeanour.  Saturday saw a red kite fly over the cathedral but it was too high to invite any interest from our pair.  Sunday however saw a spectacular defence of the nest when a buzzard strayed too close.

This photo was taken by Graham Roberts just before he put the rings on the chicks last night.

This evening there was pandemonium in the peregrine household as human beings appeared and took the chicks out of the nest to be weighed, measured and ringed.  For a while Mum was very upset (Dad disappeared very quickly – probably couldn’t stand the noise she was making!) but once the job was done and the babies back where they belonged she soon went back and perched on the turret to watch over them.  It didn’t stop her flying off for another quick moan now and again though!The result is that we have 2 boys (40 and 44) and 2 girls (42 and 43).   Yes we know the number 41 is missing!  These are all black rings with white writing.

All done enough exercise for one day!!!

If you can not see the Chicks on the webcam do not panic they are growing fast and going walk about in their turret they are perfectly safe. It is very hard to imagine but the turret space has a large floor area for the youngster’s to explore a part of which is out of camera vision.

Food was brought in early afternoon, then it all went very quiet. A young Peregrine was seen high in the sky, which did make Dad get in the air and flex his Talons and Wings for a short while. Then back to the Sunday Afternoon nap.

Long after the RSPB had left the tea room gardens and after being Hen Pecked for more than an hour he left and very quickly returned with dinner. He seems to realise the true value of a Sunday Afternoon.

A very quiet day today with everyone taking it easy. The chicks are growing well but Mum and Dad were just taking it easy. Well fed at lunch time, but I am sure Dad was trying to figure just how he was going to pull off watching the FA cup final….this time he was out of luck. This was because the boys from the RSPB had first dibs on the Tele…how unfair. As we left a buzzard was flying high above but Mum and Dad just treated it with the contempt it deserved and stayed perched on the Cathedral. On this occasion it was too high to be of any threat to the family.

Just heard from Pete all normal again. He returned high from the north east, and has been off hunting bringing in a Starling. So peace returns to the Cathedral. Thanks again to Pete for keeping us informed.