Some birders have recently asked me about my own personal preferences re visiting the 4 'local' Peregrine nesting sites (travel factors excluded) :
1. Lincoln Cathedral (+RSPB)
2. St. Wulfram's Church Grantham (+LBC)
3. NTU Newton Building Nottingham (+NWT)
4. Derby Cathedral (+Derby Museums/DWT)
General Comments
1. Lincoln Cathedral....many visits 2011/2012
There is no blog but since 10th May there has been a live webcam on line at
http://www.rspb.org.uk/datewithnature/1 ... -cathedral
RSPB manned Marquee/Viewing Point with telescopes and live webcam link on Sats, Suns and most Fris up to late July. All viewing facilities are on the N side of the Cathedral but the nest-site is on the S side (2011/12), so the chances of seeing a Peregrine on a one hour visit (until the chicks are fledged) are not very high: casual views are just as likely when calling in briefly while eg. shopping or sightseeing locally. The live webcam is of poor quality when compared, say, with Grantham, Nottingham and Derby and before the chicks are hatched it has no acceptable quality viewing action 95% of the time.
The Cathedral has a Refectory open for drinks, snacks, etc. daily 9.30-4.00pm.
I believe a re-think is necessary by the RSPB re this project. I know it is only one of many RSPB projects, but, in terms of the general public 'seeing Peregrines' until the chicks are fledged, it's not really delivering : of course, on the other hand, Cathedral East Green is a very good sales and recruitment location.
2. St.Wulfram's Church Grantham....several visits 2011/2012
On-line viewing and blog on
http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/pegcam.html
plus an excellent quality live webcam in the Church. Also a "Latest Peregrine Newsheet" is available and information from the helpful duty church volunteers. Totally peaceful atmosphere in the Church; timetabled drinks and snacks.
The chances of seeing a Peregrine on/around the steeple on a one hour visit before the chicks are fledged are high......I've not been disappointed yet on several visits 2011/12.
3. Newton Building Nottingham.....several visits 2011/12
Excellent on-line viewing with two cameras and blog.....probably one of the best of the dozens available on the web...on
http://www.ntu.ac.uk/ecoweb/biodiversit ... index.html
No public on-site viewing webcam. Very good views of the adult birds are obtainable from Burton Road and South Sherwood Street but even better/all weather views are recommended from the 3rd floor of the Cornerhouse Building opposite the NTU Newton Building. The chances of seeing a Peregrine on a one hour visit before the chicks are fledged are high and on a recent three hour visit (10th May) I had at least half a dozen views of the tiercel and falcon on ledges/in flight.
4. Derby Cathedral.....one extended visit on 30th May 2011
Very good on-line viewing/split screen with 2 cameras plus blog on
http://derbyperegrines.blogspot.com
where two webcams can be viewed under 'Key Links. Live webcams in the Derby Cathedral Centre opposite the Cathedral but with viewing on the smallish screens perched on a counter with a Snack Bar operating in the background. The chances of seeing a Peregrine on a one hour visit before the chicks are fledged are moderate.....probably from the recommended viewing area on Cathedral Green behind the Cathedral towards the River Derwent.
Conclusion.
If I were asked to state my personal VISITING preferences in order and bearing in mind all the above-mentioned comments/factors, they would be....
.....and the BAD news is that St. Wulfram's Church Grantham is No. 4.....
1. Lincoln Cathedral (+RSPB)
2. Derby Cathedral (+ Derby Museums/DWT)
3. NTU Newton Building Nottingham (+NWT)
4. St. Wulfram's Church Grantham (+LBC)
BUT, the GOOD news is that, as is often the case with results, the above are given in the reverse order.........ie. St. Wulfram's Church Grantham (+LBC) is definitely my top visiting choice.
Congratulations to the Grantham Peregrine Project Team.
Freddy