Peregrine Falcons The events on the hatching of the chicks

[PeterD]

This submission continues from my last posting on thread http://dpnow.com/forum2/showthread.php?t=11954.

It takes the story on from the hatching of the eggs through to the training given the fledglings. Like all stories, there is a little tragedy mixed with the joy but more will be revealed later.
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Both parents took turns at the nest, incubating the chicks. This was the largely quiet period. Arriving at the quarry, there was was no sign of the birds. The only time the peace was disturbed was when 'absent' partner returned to the quarry, usually in the morning, to swap places.

Finally, this pattern changed when the male arrived in the quarry with prey and a loud call to announce his presence.

By now the eggs have hatched and it becomes hard work for the parents to provide nourishment for quick growth.



The male arrives with food for the chicks.



The female leaves the chicks to collect the food.



The male returns to the pylon.

When the chicks were given the prey. the female flew out to join the male in a celebratory flight. This may have also something to do with bonding following the stressful weeks before.







At the end of the short flight, the male leaves the Quarry to hunt and the female perches near to the nest site entrance.



I shall post the next part of the story - the fledglings and their training, shortly.

[PeterD]

The fledglings and their training (Part1).

I missed the first flight but arrived in the quarry two days later.
The number of fledglings has been put as between 2 and 4. I have only ever seen 2 although I was told of another which took off from the ledge, lost height and tried to return. Unfortunately, it crashed into shrub on the cliff face and was heard to call out for a long time but never re-appeared. I am inclined to believe his was a third fledgling as it was reported to me from several different sources.
I passed on contact details for the Police Wildlife Officer and PCC Ranger to help prevent a similar tragedy in the future.

When I arrived, there was no sign of the parents. The fledglings had taken up position on the tower.



With a very loud call, announcing her return to the quarry, the female entices the fledglings to join her.





When the second fledgling arrived, I was amazed to witness the following.



The adult, dropped the prey and rolled over to fly on her back. She watched, over her wings, one of the fledgling capture the falling prey.



The prey was then flown to the cliff ledge where the fledglings shared the spoils.

I shall post the final part of the story - The fledglings and their training (Part2) later. This will show how the fledglings used each other to hone their hunting/flight skills.

Hope you continue to enjoy these.

[PeterD]

The fledglings and their training (Part2)

Sorry it is taking so long to produce these but it is a long-winded process in creating this story board.

This part will show how the fledglings train in-flight stalking etc using each other in victim or hunter roles.



Talons outstretched and in a tight banking curve.





Attacking from beneath





All the above was high-speed action and these fledgling never failed to impress.

While I was there, one went off to chase a pigeon. The pigeon moved like lightning towards the pylon at about 10 ft where I was. The Peregrine was hot on its heels. It dropped into vegetation and the peregrine gave up the chase. I felt that I could reach out and touch it as it passed. If anyone knows Peregrine in flight, you will understand it was impossible to record this due to the speeds and close distance involved.

Final image



At the end of the season, I created a pdf document of these events and sent it to the Electricity Company by way of thanks and also to show how important this structure is to the local Peregrine.

I do hope that this thread has provided some insight into the lives of these birds which cannot be seen on nest mounted video links.
I repeat, These birds are schedule 1 protected and great care has been taken to ensure all the images have been taken from the public area and hence avoid disturbing the birds.

Comments etc. welcome as always

[Barr1e]

Re: Peregrine Falcons The events on the hatching of the chicks

A big thanks Peter for this storyboard.

Great pictures showing life as it is.

Wonderful.

Regards. Barr1e

[Pops]

Re: Peregrine Falcons The events on the hatching of the chicks

The whole experience must have been wonderful and exciting. You have captured some splendid photographs and given a great insight of parenting in the birdworld.
An obvious labour of love collecting the photographs and documenting your experiences.

I seem to recall watching a documentary on 'kites' and the parents used very similar methods when training their young to hunt.

[Greytop]

Re: Peregrine Falcons The events on the hatching of the chicks

An excellent and extremely interesting series Peter.
Thank you for taking time to post these images together with the very informative narrative

[PeterD]

Re: Peregrine Falcons The events on the hatching of the chicks

A big thanks Peter for this storyboard.

Great pictures showing life as it is.

Wonderful.

Regards. Barr1e

The whole experience must have been wonderful and exciting. You have captured some splendid photographs and given a great insight of parenting in the birdworld.
An obvious labour of love collecting the photographs and documenting your experiences.

I seem to recall watching a documentary on 'kites' and the parents used very similar methods when training their young to hunt.

An excellent and extremely interesting series Peter.
Thank you for taking time to post these images together with the very informative narrative

Thank you Barr1e, Pops and Huw for your very kind comments. It is a bit of an effort to produce these but your replies and comments make it very worth while.

I must admit that Ian's comments re Server trouble made me look and discover that I had not completed the story

Best wishes to all

Peter

[Pol]

Re: Peregrine Falcons The events on the hatching of the chicks

This is an amazing storyboard, Peter. So beautifully illustrated and excellent explanations throughout; so educational and also so memorable. I thoroughly enjoyed following it from start to finish.

Thank you for making the effort and then sharing it with us.

Pol

[PeterD]

Re: Peregrine Falcons The events on the hatching of the chicks

This is an amazing storyboard, Peter. So beautifully illustrated and excellent explanations throughout; so educational and also so memorable. I thoroughly enjoyed following it from start to finish.

Thank you for making the effort and then sharing it with us.

Pol

Thank you Pol for your kind comments

One of the fledglings (a male) has taken up the North Hayling Harbour area as it's territory. I has been seen on a number of occasions and has proven to be a very successful hunter,

[Pol]

Re: Peregrine Falcons The events on the hatching of the chicks

One of the fledglings (a male) has taken up the North Hayling Harbour area as it's territory. I has been seen on a number of occasions and has proven to be a very successful hunter,

That's good news as it means you'll be able to watch its development. Even just watching, rather than taking pictures, could be very rewarding for you. Like watching family pets - if y'know what I mean.

Pol

[PeterD]

Re: Peregrine Falcons The events on the hatching of the chicks

That's good news as it means you'll be able to watch its development. Even just watching, rather than taking pictures, could be very rewarding for you. Like watching family pets - if y'know what I mean.

Pol

Thanks again Pol, you are correct of course.

I have had a very busy year, mostly away from the camera though.

The RSPB took over the management of the Oysterbed in the North Hayling LNR this year. It's been a bit of a drawn out affair but they now have established a Local Wardening scheme scenario and documentation. I have tried to assist them in this and will shortly join them as a volunteer.