Chichester Peregrine Blog

Pictures taken from RSPB video.

Our four little chicks aren’t even two weeks old, still fluffy, white and very wobbly, and yet they’re already showing signs of independence.  They’ve approximately trebled in size since hatching, and are already moving around, flapping their wings, preening (each other as well as themselves!), and trying to feed themselves on leftovers from dinner.  Mum and Dad are spending hours at a time out of the nest to encourage them.  It’s working!

Just thought you all might like to see a picture of Mum and Dad feeding the chicks – both aprents seem to be really camera -shy in this shot!!!

Picture from RSPB video

Today we had exciting visitors – Red Kites!  A pair of them were flying very high in the thermals over the cathedral, along with a buzzard.  The peregrines didn’t take any notice because they were too high to be a threat.  However, the buzzard returned on his own later and got too close – one of the peregrines went for him and they had an aerial battle, grabbing at each other.  Our bird won and peace was restored.

After this, both parents have been out of the nest for a few hours – still either on or very close to the cathedral to keep an eye on the chicks.  This is perhaps a few days earlier than usual, but with the warm weather, and all threats seen off, it’s not surprising.  They brought a meal in mid-afternoon.  Since hatching just over a week ago, our chicks have doubled in size and are starting to move around a bit.  All four look strong and healthy.

On Thursday we were very excited to see something extraordinary going on in the nest.  For the first time, we saw both parents feeding the chicks together – normally one would feed while the other sits outside.  This time, they each had some food, Dad was feeding Mum as well as the chicks, and she was also feeding them.  You can see a few minutes of this wonderful recording if you go to the Cloisters Café.

At one point in the afternoon a buzzard and a sparrowhawk were seen flying in the area at the same time, neither particularly aggressive – one parent went after each, and both mum and dad returned quickly to the cathedral.

Later, dad had obviously had enough excitement for the time being, and completely ignored a buzzard flying high above the cathedral while he had a rest on the north side of the spire.  Mum was sitting on the nest and, realising he wasn’t going to chase it away, she left the nest – we thought to go after the buzzard – but instead she went after dad, squawking loudly, obviously not pleased with him.  They both flew around each other for a minute before returning to their original positions.  By this time, the buzzard had left of his own accord, presumably having decided it was best to avoid this mad house!

All four chicks are doing well – we caught a few glimpses of them through the day, and they look healthy, getting bigger and stronger by the minute!

The day started wonderfully, things were very amicable between mum and dad.  Mum started feeding the four youngsters, then allowed dad to feed them for a minute or two, before taking over to finish dishing out the meal.

In  the afternoon, dad was out hunting for the next meal, when a pair of peregrines was seen circling with intent over the cathedral.  One of them flew very close above the nest, mum panicked, realised dad wasn’t on guard duty, then flew out to chase them away.  Battle ensued, with mum and the interlopers almost catching hold of each other.  She managed to force them to leave, but was gone for a couple of minutes.  Dad returned from hunting to find the chicks vulnerable, and mum nowhere in sight.  He sat in the nest and waited for her return.  Thankfully, the intruders weren’t seen again and life returned to normal for the rest of the afternoon.

We suspect that, as they seemed familiar with the location of the nest, one of the pair of interlopers may have been a juvenile from a previous year come to take over the territory, but we weren’t able to see a ring to identify them in all the frantic activity.

The third and fourth eggs both hatched on Saturday morning, and had their first meal at 11.00, just an hour after the RSPB opened their public viewing area in the Cloisters Café at the Cathedral.  All chicks are doing well.

Thanks to everyone who came to see our famous family on the opening day.  The sun was shining, and there was a wonderful turnout – lots of people we’d met in previous years, as well as newcomers.  All very welcome – it made for an exciting first day!

It only takes about 6 weeks for them to grow to full size, and start taking their first tentative flights, so if you want to see them while they’re still small and fluffy, come and visit us soon!  Video footage of highlights will be available to view at the Cathedral throughout the season (finishing on Sunday 21st June).

Today saw the second fluffy bundle make its appearance.  So we are now the proud parents of 2 chicks.  3 and 4 on the way? Dad will now have his work cut out.  Today he was looking very alert and was being very attentive.

I was watching dad from around 4.45-6.15 this evening and, after preening for a while, saw him land on the nest turrett offering to do a stint of incubation.  He was immediately sent away again.  Undeterred, he returned a few minutes later with prey.  After plucking it, sending a blizzard of white feathers down, he took it to the nest turrett to try again to entice mum out for a break.  They chatted for a while, then he left, still carrying her dinner.  He flew around a bit before giving up and leaving it in the larder for later, then perched on his favourite spot high on the spire.

I’ve never seen him so quick at catching and plucking prey, and it seemed surprising that mum was so determined to stay in the nest with a fresh meal on offer, so I suspected that hatching may be underway.  This was confirmed later when I spoke to my colleague who was checking on the nest via the nestcam.  While he was watching, mum moved, exposing three eggs and one fluffy white chick!  Hatched on St Georges day, around the time of the Evensong service in the Cathedral.  Happy Birthday to our 27th chick!