Another weekend, another visit by my son, Alex, another trip out today (Sat) : Derby, to check out the Derby Cathedral Peregrine Project 2011 and to compare it with the LBC Grantham Peregrine Project and the RSPB Lincoln Cathedral Project.
In addition, as BirdGuides had put up a Waxwing post yesterday (the only one for Britain) for Derbyshire we decided to do a detour to Barlborough to see if any of the reported 20 Waxwings had stayed around....I reckoned it as a 50:1 chance. We arrived at Barlborough at 10.50 and just as we reached the stakeout at Yeoman's Warehouse on Midland Way we saw a flock of ........ 20 ............Starlings, and then more Starlings but no Waxwings. Not unexpected, of course, so no real surprise there. Nevertheless, as compensation, we made our way to the local hostelry " Treble Bob", where at least a tasty pan-fried sea bass, etc. was a more positive experience.
We arrived at Derby Cathedral at c 1.45. We first visited Cathedral Green from which one has an excellent view of the nesting ledge on the E side of the Tower. The nearby (advertised) webcam at the Silk Mill was not available as the building was shut due to ongoing maintenance work. However, the Derby Cathedral Centre (including a great snackbar) opposite the Cathedral -W side- had a further 2 webcams operating and they showed the female on her(four) eggs, the fourth egg having been laid on the late date of 9th April.
Returning to the Cathedral Green viewpoint area and sitting on a bench next to the River Derwent, we saw some action at 2.20 when a Peregrine widely circled the Tower at least half a dozen times for some four or five minutes, calling continuously. When we returned to the Derby Cathedral Centre, the Manager told us that people climbing the Tower had really spooked the female Peregrine.... and it was her we had seen circling and calling ( and leaving the eggs uncovered and unattended for four or five minutes : certainly, not a good development.)
It was an interesting visit, especially so as I was able to see at first hand how another organisation handles its 2011 Peregrine Project. Their comprehensive website is at the
Derby Cathedral Peregrine Project 2011 at
http://derbyperegrines.blogspot.com/
where two webcams can be viewed under 'Key Links'.
Freddy
PS.When I logged on at 6.15 this evening (Sat), Webcam Link 1 (split screen) showed the female on the nest and the male Peregrine perched on the righthand side of the nesting ledge.
