Rochester juvies are exceptional!

We sure have a group of very special youngsters in Rochester. Well the Rochester juvies are always something else. The 5 juvies are flying, stooping, tumbling and diving and performing great aerial shows. They scare the hell out of seagulls, ducks and herons and are reigning the Gorge. It must be absolutely incredible to see 5 squawking juvies at the time playing talontagg and stooping on eachother!

For a full report of an amazing morning in the Gorge read the Blog of Jim Pisello and enjoy his terrific photo's of the 5 youngsters!

http://marchlords.com/birdblog/2008/07/juveniles-tear-up-gorge.html

Derby Cathedral Peregrine project

Both tiercel and falcon performed a bonding ritual in the nestbox! I always love to see that at the end of the season. They where standing opposite eachother for quite a while.











The youngsters do not show themselves very much anymore. They will be leaving on long flights, training their skills preparing for their travel into their own destination.
That means that the end of the season is coming closer....

XCell Black Dog

Derby Cathedral Peregrine project DVD

From the very first moment the DVD starts I was drawn into the story of the Derby Peregrines. The DVD lasts about 35 minutes and includes a large number of webcam video highlights from the 2007 breeding season. All narated and with a commentary by Nick Moyes from Derby Museum & Art Gallery.
All four Nicks appear on the film by the way, as well as Tony Grantham from Derby Cathedral, plus peregrine prey expert, Ed Drewitt from Bristol Museum.
The music from the Cathedral in combination with the peregrine is exceptional and makes it very special indeed.





We see also how the peregrines came to Derby, how their breeding season is commencing, with great video footage. All the important behavioural sequences are shown: head-bow-low, prey excange, mating, egglaying, hatching. The juveniles screaming of exitement on the edge of the nestbox just before fledging.
But it also tells us of the story of almost extinction from DDT in the past century and it's recovery.





It is a great DVD made and produced by people who love this so very special bird very much. Their passion is in their eyes when they speak of the Derby peregrines.
This DVD is a must for everybody who watches the webcams, or watching peregrines in the field. It gives us a better understanding of the live of the peregrine falcon.
It has been made with love and respect for the ways and the personality of the peregrine falcon!
And I really love that! It is a superb production which is al real tribute to this magical creature!
After all this phenomenal creature has been worshipped for as long as mankind can remember as Horus.





The Peregrines of Derby Cathedral is an independent production by Ashley Sims of Delta Echo Media, a Derby-based company. Filming and editing was by Chris Atkinson of Jasper Films, also based locally.

With special thanks to Ashley Sims.

Here you find the way to order your own copy with a special offer:

http://derbyperegrines.blogspot.com/2008/01/its-hatched-dvd-now-available.html

Rhea Mae and her offspring

As told before Rhea Mae, eyas of Mariah and Kaver of Rochester 2006 has fledged her first offsping.
Together with her mate, the resident tiercel Tiago of the Sheraton Hotel in Toronto she raised her first eyases.





It is unique to be able to watch offspring become a parent herself. Rhea Mae flew into Toronto last year in August and took over the nestsite and the Sheraton. When members of the Canadian Peregrine indentified her by her bandnumber we where all excited.











Daughter of Mariah and Kaver of Rochester had made it. She survived the first difficult year and had found herself a territory and partner. Tiago started courtship, but Rhea Mae played hard to get. This spring she did went into courtship and laid 4 eggs. By 1May 12 all eggs hatched. But sadly one eyas died 3 days later.
The other 3 where fed by both Rhea Mae and Tiago and grew into healthy chicklets.
By May 24 the first eyase started to explore the surroundings and left the nest.





Jun 3 was bandingday. The 3 eyases wher ereal celebs. The Honorable Donna Cansfield, Minister Of Natural Resources, was the Guest of Honour! It turned out that there where 2 girls and 1 guy











Unity Male 24 days of age and sporting a blue and red "taped" band

Belle Female 24 days of age, wearing a red and yellow "taped" band

Lilly Female 24 days of age, wearing a white and blue "taped" band

As always, Rhea Mae and Tiago were very much on patrol and did a great job of defending their nest ledge. Stooping and swooping that kept everybody on his toes until returning the young ones to the adults. On last check, all is well. The young falcons settled down near the nest tray and were fast asleep.








The adults were spotted at various posts on nearby buildings, ready to come to the assistance of the young, should the "predators" return.





Belle appears to be a bit of a "Prima Donna" preening constantly and always preferrs to sit on the lip of the nest tray.
Unity enjoys stamping his feet and Lily, she sits back, flips her head upside down and watches the others doing silly things.
It's amazing to observe them exploring the large nest ledge. Every feather, fluff and bits of previous meals are picked up with their beaks, examined and then dropped only to be picked up by one of the other two chicks and re examined. Rhea Mae is always seen in the area.











Belle was the first to fledge on June 15. Lilly followed the next day. Little Lilly crash landed on top of a bus on June 18. She was rescued by members of the Canadian Peregrine Foundation. Fortunately she did not have any injuries, and was put back that same evening on the ledge. Unity was still unfledged. He waited until June 20, but it did not turned out the way it should. Completely exhausted she stranded on a bench and was rescued. Later on she was examined but there where no signs of trauma. After a long rest in a dark cool room she was brought back to the ledge in the evening.





Belle is a very skilled flyer and with her encouragementt the other 2 tried again and with succes. The 3 fledglinngs are doing great. They return to the ledge every once in a while.The 3 youngsters are putting on quite some airshows over Toronto. Chasing and screaming up a storm. It is very good to know they are doing so well!!













All photo's are sourtesy of Linda Woods.

http://peregrine-foundation.ca/tops/torontos.html