Dad enjoying the sunshine
Well here we are in 2014. And guess what – we still have peregrines on the cathedral. We have seen both male and female on the cathedral but today in fabulous sunlight we were treated to a fabulous view of our male on one of his favourite spots.
We are looking forward to a wonderful season – we hope you are too.
On this magnificent Sunday afternoon both male and female were seen on the cathedral. Dad started off up on the top spire decoration – a spot he seems to favour – very soon Mum arrived with food and both spent some time on the ledge beneath the southwest turret before Dad flew to a very low perch at the rear of the cathedral leaving Mum to her food.
While watching the peregrines we also saw 2 buzzards very low and a sparrow hawk and possibly (it was very high) a red kite! A very successful afternoon with the exception that Mum was not very forthcoming for photo opportunities.
Here is a photo of Dad – our new male seems to be very relaxed at lower levels!
Trying out a new toy but had to make do with the Winston Churchill gargoyle. Better luck next time!
Winnie
On Sunday in Chichester both birds were on the Cathedral and talking to one another. Mum was well fed and sleepy until Dad came along with some food.
A well fed female
Dad arrives with an afternoon snack
On August 1st the Chichester pair were featured on Urban Jungle (BBC 1 South) with David and Janet Shaw showing some of the photographs they have taken this year including an amazing sequence where the female chased off a buzzard. You can watch a small clip on Youtube.
The male peregrine was sitting in his usual position in the top decoration on the spire this afternoon – King of his ‘castle’ or should we say Cathedral.
Mum and the juveniles were obviously out and about learning the tricks of hunting and playing on the wind.
The RSPB might have moved on to their next project but our girls are still around the cathedral. With these high temperatures they are spending more time in the air probably at the harbour learning how to catch their prey but late evening still finds them coming to roost at home on the cathedral.
Last evening we were treated to views of one of the girls bringing home a pigeon. We don’t know whether she caught it herself – probably not – so she must have taken it from a parent. Lots of noise then onto the bell tower.
Here are some pictures from the last few days of the chicks and adults
Male hiding from the chicks
Knocking of a perch
Play Fighting between chicks
An attempted food pass
