Viewers of our webcam will note just how active the eyasses are at times. One of which is really trying to take flight when the tiercel brings food to the plucking branch! Unfortunately for this very eager eyas, it’s flight feathers are not quite long enough yet for it to get lift from the nest. It would seem though that both our chicks will not take much persuasion to leave the eyrie once they are able to take flight.

What anyone who regularly views the webcam will also notice is that the juvenile peregrines can also be very inactive for long periods. This tends to be when they have been fed well and are able to settle. What the adults will do as the week goes on, will be to start feeding them less to encourage more activity and then eventually the first flight. The adults may also fly quite close to the nest with food, to get the eyasses really excited!

The tiercel has been rolling back the years over the last 3 days, in total he has caught at least 16 starlings, mostly juveniles (don’t worry starlings have a lot of young to account for this!). It is incredibly impressive for a bird his age and by feeding the eyasses regularly it makes them stronger and gives them the best possible start in life. The falcon continues to bring in the odd pigeon too, the larders are full up at the moment which is always a good position to be in!

Tom Wells – Peregrine Protection Officer