The Lincolnshire Bird Club

As you all know, most of my postings on this site concern sightings of the peregrine(s) at St James, Louth. This is because we live opposite the church and can see any activity on the east and south faces of the tower.

There is still a possibility that a pair will breed on the nesting platform set up on the north side of the tower, but the next couple of weeks will be critical, if for no other reason than the church volunteers will open the tower to visitors after Easter. Once this happens, any chance of breeding this year will be ruined. There is a web cam set up at the nesting platform and the TV screen is in the church near the coffee shop.

John Clarkson recorded an interview with Radio Lincolnshire last Thursday, which will be broadcast either Monday or Tuesday, between 07.30 and 08.30 (vague, I know). This is likely to generate interest in the birds, especially with the Easter break coming up. What is needed now, and for the next couple of weeks, is for people to visit the church and ask to see the web cam pictures. If the birds have used the nest platform, you should expect to see a scrape, or scrapes, in the gravel in the nest tray. The scrape would be a dished depression in the gravel probably about 6" in diameter and approx 1" deep in the centre, where the female had laid down and shuffled around. She may do this in several places.

The more people who visit, the more chance the TV will be kept on over this critical period and any developments noted. The church is open 09.00 to 11.30 Mon, Wed, Fri & Sat until Easter, then 10.00 to 16.00 Mon-Sat. It would also help our cause if a purchase was made at the coffee shop and possibly a small donation to the church (?). As I write this, the male has landed on the east face of the tower. We haven't seen a pair for a week now, but we don't see the north face that frequently and that is where any action will be.

Many thanks

Geoff

Hi Geoff

We've got a good view of the north face and I'm afraid theres been little sign of activity from here over the last few days or at present. Will look in at the TV though.

Whilst in Louth today, I decided to take Geoff's advice and take a look in St James' church. I was very disappointed to be told that there had been no signs of breeding on the nest platform and that pictures from the web-cam were no longer being shown in the church. Does that mean that that is it for this year? Seems a little early to give up. Does anyone know what is, or is not, happening?
Patrick.

It seems that the birds won't be breeding this year. The pair haven't been seen together for about 3 weeks and the male has been absent for several days at a time.

I think the deal was that the church volunteers would give the birds until Easter to show signs of breeding, which they haven't done. Today was the first day of the new 'visitors season'. The coffee shop is open, and so, presumably is the tower for visitors.

We just have to be observant and hope there will be more activity, at an earlier date, next year.

Geoff

Thanks for the information, Geoff, disappointing as it is. Let's hope for better things next year.
Patrick.