The female peregrine has been showing signs of incubating eggs the last couple of weeks. In fact, we think she started incubating the first egg on Wednesday or Thursday 17th/18th March.
After last years disappointment they have decided to use the nest on the east side of the tower which will be much better for viewing with our camera.
Fingers crossed the eggs hatch!
The peregrine camera has just been reinstalled on the roof.
Despite the building works going on here we have managed to get the camera up on the roof. With a little ingenuity and the construction skills of a colleague in the Department of Industry the camera has been mounted on a purpose built metal support.
All being well the camera will be live by the end of next week.
The Peregrines have been very visible around the clock tower all winter. In fact apart from a short period in the autumn when they were probably moulting they have been around continuously since their nesting attempt failed last summer.
Another succesfful seaon of peregrine watching has drawn to a close. Our sadness at the failure of the eggs has been some-what made up for by the excellent views of the adults we have been getting. The birds have been having a lovely relaxed time of it, preening and dozing on the clock tower. Both birds look very well fed and in good health, which means that they should be in excellent condition for next breeding season-fingers crossed!
It has been very quiet on the clocktower with little action to report. However, one day in the final week of the project we had a visit from a very cheeky magpie, who investigated the peregrine nest right under the noses (or should that be ceres!) of both peregrines! Fortunately for Mr Magpie, neither peregerine noticed him, lost in their own vanity they were too busy preening! What makes it worse was the fact that the RSPB had just finished explaing that peregrines are one of nature's great predators-thanks guys, made us look like right mugs!
All that remains is for me to thank you for your interest in this project. We have met so many enthusiastic people and have heard some fantastic wildlife stories. Please keep watching those birds! Hope to see you all next year!
Peregrines on the Clock Tower Team
Sorry its been so long but we haven’t really had anything to report! Both Gavin and Stacey can still be seen each day on the Clocktower. Sometimes they are there all day, dividing their time between the east and north sides of the tower, and on other days they disappear on long hunting trips. The recent hot weather has been a bit much for the birds (as well as us on the ground!) and they often perch on the shadier parts of the tower.
The PoCT team will be watching the birds until the end of August, so if you haven’t yet seen the peregrines “in person” then what are you waiting for?! If you are a fan of birds and wildlife, why not join the RSPB? You would be in good company-we have over 1 million members! We can sign you up at the Museum and every member that joins will help wildlife conservation in Wales, as well as ensuring that the Peregrines on the Clock Tower project returns each year.
Happy watching!
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