Fledging time approaches...

June is upon us and our Peregrine Falcon youngsters are rapidly losing their down and looking more like full grown juveniles than wobbly chicks. There's been lots happening, so here's a quick news round up from our sites.

https://vimeo.com/1198515098

All three Lister Mills chicks being fed

At Lister Mills our chicks started exploring the ledge and haven't been on the camera very much for the last few days... Until today, when all three appeared and were fed by the adult female. Hopefully we'll see them perching on the edge of the box over the next few days. Last year, the chicks climbed up on the nestbox and performed practice flights along the ledge. Look out for this happening if you're at the Mills.

Two of the four chicks at Dalton Mills

At Dalton Mills our four chicks look to have hatched at around the same time as the Lister Mills birds. There's been some fairly rough weather for our external camera to peer through, but we're still getting some great views now that they're looking out from the ledge. There's bound to be some drama when this family starts fledging, so keep your eyes peeled!

https://vimeo.com/1198515267

Both birds on the tray at City Hall!

Perhaps the most exciting news is at City Hall. Until now, we've only had visits from the male. Things quietened down for a period, but more recently we've seen the male back on the tray and often calling to the female when she is close by. Today we saw the female finally land on the perch and hop into the box. Brilliant to see! The two birds bowed to each other in courtship and momentarily rubbed beaks. It's most likely too late for them to breed this year (assuming there aren't any chicks or eggs out of sight somewhere else on the clock tower). It appears that access to the box is a little tricky for the larger female, and the strong winds today helped her soar alongside the box before darting sideways onto the perch. Hopefully we can make a few adjustments over the winter and make it a little easier for her to get on to the tray. So all very promising for next year. Our volunteer, Andy, put a lot of effort and expertise into building the City Hall nestbox, which had to be carefully designed to fit the space and access requirements. So it was great to share the news with him today! Check the website tomorrow as we hope to reinstate the City Hall web cam in the morning.

Our chicks are likely to start fledging over the next week, so please let us know important events you see on camera. Remember, birds can often wander out of sight, so being off camera doesn't confirm anything has happened. But if you see a chick launch off a ledge (or fall), let us know when and where.

This is one of the peak times to watch the Falcons so please get out onto the Peregrine Trail and let us know what you see! Even better, join us on Saturday morning from 10am to 12 for a group Peregrine Watch on Beamsley Road at Lister Mills. Full details on our Facebook Group.