DAILY COMMENTARY

This is a diary of the Leicester Peregrines activities. If you have any questions or comments, please contact: Jim Graham: cropstonbirder@gmail.com

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MAY 2024

6 May – the male remains on the ledge and the female flies in to the chicks at 1:00. They are too large to fully incubate now, so she shelters them from the wind. The male leaves at 4:55. At 5:15 the female feeds the chicks on a small meal stashed by a column. At 5:50 she looks for the male from the platform for five minutes. At 6:15, she flies out. The male lands at 6:30 with fresh Feral Pigeon prey which he stashes by a column, then leaves. The female is back ten minutes later and feeds the stashed pigeon to the chicks. It is a quick feed as she flies out with it after just five minutes, then returns at 7:00. The male flies into the box at 8:50 checks the female then flies out. She watches him from the platform and returns to the chicks. At 9:45 she looks out from the platform for 15 minutes, then flies out at 10:15. She is back at 10:30 but without food. She is off again at 10:40 and returns at 11:15 carrying fresh Feral Pigeon prey. She leaves with the remains 15 minutes later, then returns to the chicks. At 13:25, she flies out for 20 minutes later. She looks out from the platform at 14:00 and flies out ten minutes later. She bounces off the platform at 14:20 chasing a pigeon and lands briefly a few minutes later but without her quarry. She is back at 15:30 but leaves quickly returning at 17:20 with fresh Feral Pigeon prey and feeds the chicks for 25 minutes. She flies out at 17:35 and returns 20 minutes later. She is off again at 18:15 returning at 19:05 with yet another Feral Pigeon meal. They feed for 30 minutes, and she flies out with what little is left. She returns to shelter the chicks for the rest of the evening.

5 May – the female flies out at 1:10 but quickly returns. She does the same again at 2:25 – a bit of night-time hunting? She covers the chicks until leaving at 5:00, returning 20 minutes later. She is off at 5:45 returning at 6:05 without food and looks out from the platform at 6:15 then flies off at 6:30. The male arrives at 7:05 and is quickly followed by the female. He goes into the box, she sits on the ledge calling to him. He leaves after a few minutes and the female goes to the chicks. She looks out over the city a few minutes later and then flies out at 7:25. She is back at 7:40 with Feral Pigeon prey. The chicks feed until 8:05 when the female stashes the remains in the box. The male lands on the ledge at 9:00 for 15 minutes. She feeds the chicks the scraps from 11:20 until 11:45. The male lands at 12:55, checks for stashed food, then flies out. The female flies off 15 minutes later but returns quickly and again at 13:25, and 13:30 when she returns with pre-plucked prey. The male lands with fresh Feral Pigeon prey at 14:10. The chicks are already well fed, so she flies out to stash the meal. He sits on the ledge, then follows. She returns with the meal at 14:35 and initially stashes it in the box but then leaves with it again. She is back with the chicks five minutes later. She flies out at 14:35 and does not return until 16:30 – the male lands briefly at 15:55. She leaves again at 16:40 and returns with the stashed pigeon from earlier, feeds the chicks and leaves with the remains at 17:10. She does not return to the chicks until 17:45. At 18:50, she flies out and is soon back with the pigeon remains. After feeding, she stashes the remnants in the box and settles down for the night. The male lands on the ledge at 19:40 and remains on the ledge until midnight at least. The female flies out at 23:10.

4 May – the female checks the platform at 0:55. The male arrives at 4:45 and takes over as the female flies out. She is back at 5:25 to resume. She looks out from the platform at 6:25 and 6:30. At 6:45, she flies out and returns ten minutes later. She checks from the platform at 7:25 and flies out ten minutes later but quickly returns. She leaves again at 8:05 and returns after ten minutes with plucked pigeon prey. She flies out to stash the remains and is back at 8:30. She looks out from the platform again at 9:30 and 10:15. The male flies in a few minutes later with Robin prey. He sits on the ledge for ten minutes, then flies off. It was obviously not enough of a meal for the three growing chicks as the female is still looking for the male from the platform. She looks for anything stashed in the box then walks to the platform again at 10:55. She flies out at 11:25 for 15 minutes. She flies out at 12:00 and is back after 15 minutes but without food. She is off again at 12:45 returning 30 minutes later with a meal. She flies off at 13:25 and returns with a part-eaten Feral Pigeon – no doubt caught by the male and eaten before offering it to the female. she flies out at 14:40 and 15:50 but is back quickly on both occasions, then walks around the platform at 16:10. There was another quick flight at 17:05 and ten minutes later leaves but is back without any food. She flies out at 17:30 and the male flies in with fresh plucked Feral Pigeon prey. She lands and takes it feeds the chicks. She takes the remains and stashes them after 15 minutes. At 18:30, she takes another short flight and again at 19:40, returning with a part-eaten pigeon for the chicks.

3 May – the female flies out briefly at 5:10 and again at 5:35 – it should be noted that there is plenty of food stashed in the box. A few minutes later, she notices a pigeon and feeds it to the chicks. She flies out with the remains at 5:55. She takes another flight at 7:35 and returns quickly with a small meal. The male lands with more food at 8:00 and just misses hitting the female on landing who had ventured onto the platform to eagerly. She checks the platform again at 9:50. The male brings in fresh Feral Pigeon prey at 10:00 and the chicks feed for 15 minutes before the female flies out with the remains. The male takes over incubation two hours later but the female is soon back and forces him out. He is back for another attempt at 14:40 when she leaves but is soon back with a part-eaten pigeon for the chicks to feed on. The male sits on the ledge until 16:25 when he checks the box for stashed food and then flies out as there is none. The female leaves at 17:25 and quickly returns with food. The male brings in another meal an hour later. He tries to feed the chicks when she leaves to stash the remains, but she is back too quickly for him.

2 May – the female keeps the chicks well covered until 5:25 when the male flies in and takes over. She is back 15 minutes later. She looks out at 6:30 and three times around 7:30, takes a short flight at 7:45 and flies out at 8:20. She returns with fresh Feral Pigeon prey. She leaves to stash the remains15 minutes later. The male flies in with the remains ten minutes later but quickly leaves with it. He is back a few minutes later and the female takes it from him. She flies out at 9:25 and returns five minutes later and feeds the chicks with the remains of the pigeon. The male lands with more Feral Pigeon prey at 10:30 but she ignores him, so he leaves. He returns at 12:40 but quickly leaves. The female flies out at 12:50 returning 15 minutes later and again briefly at 13:35 and 14:25. She checks the platform four more times before 15:00 when she flies out and returns with a Starling meal for the chicks. She flies out again at 15:45 and is replaced by the male. He leaves at 16:15 when the female returns with fresh Feral Pigeon prey which she stashes by a column. She feeds the chicks on the pigeon at 17:15. Two of the chicks managed to get out the scrape they have grown so much in seven days. Thirty minutes later the male arrives with a meal. She re-stashes one of the pigeons at 18:20 and there is another feed at 19:25. She flies out with the remains 15 minutes later and the male flies in with a new meal which is stashed. He sits on the ledge for five minutes when the female returns before flying off. The male is on the ledge at 20:50 then collects one of the stashed pigeon, plucks it and returns it to the column, flying off at 21:05.

1 May – the female sits tight incubating until 4:15 when she flies out as the male lands. He takes over until she returns 20 minutes later. At 5:45, she flies out then returns to the chicks after a few minutes. She flies out at 6:40 but is back quickly, no doubt looking for the first meal of the day. She checks from the platform at 6:55, 7:10 and 7:35. The city is covered in a mist – not ideal hunting conditions. She flies out at 7:55, returning quickly again. She checks at 8:15 and flies off at 8:35 and 8:45 but returns empty handed. Finally, at 8:55, the male brings in fresh Feral Pigeon prey and they get their meal. She flies out to stash the remains. She looks for the male at 10:15, then returns to the chicks but he arrives quickly with the pigeon, and she feeds the chicks. She stashes the remains by a column. She flies out at 11:40 and returns at 12:00 with another Feral Pigeon and tries to feed the chicks but they are well fed, so she leaves with the meal. At 13:55, she takes the stashed pigeon from the box and feeds the chicks, flying out with the remains at 14:10 but is soon back in the scrape. The male brings the remains back at 14:50 and there is another feed. The female flies off with the leftovers and returns to the chicks. She flies out briefly at 17:10 and at 17:30 returns with Feral Pigeon prey for the chicks. The male lands at 17:40 for five minutes. She flies out to stash the remains at 17:50. The male lands at 18:40 and the female looks to fly out. He goes into the box, but the female does not leave and the male retreats to the ledge before flying out. She looks out from the platform at 20:00 and flies off five minutes later. She returns with remnants from a previous meal, feeds the chicks then covers them for the rest of the evening.

APRIL 2024

30 Apr – the male remains on the ledge and the female continues to incubate the dead chick through the night; she flies out briefly at 3:55. The male leaves at 4:45. She checks the box for stashed food at 5:05 then returns to the chicks. Ten minutes later the male arrives and the female flies out. He notices the dead chick and pecks at it a couple of times. She quickly returns and whilst incubating the three chicks, pick at the dead chick. She flies out at 6:50 and the male then lands carrying Feral Pigeon prey. She quickly returns and grabs it from him and feed the chicks. She then covers them and over the next hour consumes the dead one. At 8:05, she grabs the stashed pigeon and flies out returning a few minutes later. She feeds the chicks and stashes the remains in the box. At 11:20, she flies out returning five minutes later with Meadow Pipit prey to feed the chicks. The male flies in at 12:25, checks the box, then leaves. He returns at 12:50 with a fresh meal. She feeds the chicks then flies out to stash the remains. She leaves at 14:15 to collect stashed prey. The male flies in at 14:20 and the female leaves. He takes the opportunity to cover the chicks, but the female is soon back with a pre-plucked meal; he leaves. She feeds the chicks then finishes the meal. The male arrives at 17:00 and checks the box, then sits on the ledge. The female finds some scraps a few minutes later and feeds the chicks. He flies off after 15 minutes. She looks out from the platform at 18:05, then returns to the chicks. She takes a short flight out a few minutes later. She looks out from the platform at 19:05, then returns to the chicks. The male lands on the ledge briefly at 19:35. She flies out five minutes later and returns with stashed prey and feed the chicks. The male flies in with a pigeon head at 19:55 and gives it to the female. She eats it then flies out. He tries to cover the chicks but is soon pushed off by the female. She remains incubating until midnight at least.

29 Apr – the male arrives at 4:00, sits on the ledge and at 5:05 takes over incubation as the female flies out to fetch prey for the first feed of the day; he flies off. At this stage there only appears to be three beaks to feed. She stashes the remains in the box. The male flies in at 7:05 with fresh Feral Pigeon prey and she feeds the chicks. Once again there are only three beaks begging to be fed. The fourth chick looks lifeless at the back of the huddle. The next feed is at 9:30 from the stashed pigeon. She flies out briefly at 10:15 then returns to the chicks. At 11:25, the male arrives with fresh Feral Pigeon prey and she plucks it, then feeds the chicks. She flies out to stash the remains. It becomes obvious that one of the chicks is dead. The female pecks the body a couple of times to try and elicit a reaction – there is none. Despite this, she drags it under her and continues to incubate. The male drops off more food at 12:25 and she flies out to stash the remains after feeding. At 14:25, she flies out briefly. She finds some stashed food in the box and there is another feed at 15:00. She flies out briefly at 16:20 and is off again at 17:00 but returns quickly. An intruding male lands a few minutes later and wants to go into the box but she spreads her wings and forces him from the ledge, then returns to the chicks. She leaves again at 17:15 and the male lands with fresh Starling prey. What looks to be the intruding male flies past close to him and he flies out in pursuit. The female is back a few minutes later. The male returns at 18:15 with the previous Starling meal but the female ignores him. She then checks from the platform at 18:30 and five minutes later the male returns with food for the chicks. She leaves with the leftovers, quickly returning to the chicks. The male lands on the ledge at 18:55 and remains until midnight at least.

28 Apr – the male flies in at 6:25 to check the box, and the female instigates the first feed using the stashed pigeon; he flies out. He lands at 9:10 and removes the stashed pigeon, quickly returns with a fresh Feral Pigeon fully plucked but then leaves with it. He is back again with the meal 15 minutes later and the female takes it from him and feeds the chicks. She flies out with the remains, returning with a larger meal which she stashes. The male brings in some scraps at 12:00 and gives them to the female. He is back at 14:45, checks the box, then flies out. At 16:05 she flies out but quickly returns to the chicks. The male brings in more Feral Pigeon prey at 16:30 for another feed. She flies out to stash the remains. She leaves at 17:45 and the male takes over incubation briefly. One of the chicks manages to get out of the scrape but thankfully the male quickly notices and drags it back in. The female returns at 18:00 and feeds them again. The male lands on the ledge at 19:55 and the female feeds the chicks, the last of the day. She leaves to stash the remains and he incubates the chicks. She soon returns and also has problems controlling one of the chicks that tries to escape from beneath her but quickly recovers it. Comment: during feeding time, the final chick gets stuck under its siblings and sometimes looks though it misses being fed.

27 Apr – the male arrives on the ledge at 5:00 but the female sits tight on the chicks until 5:05 when she feeds them with the stashed pigeon; he flies off. She leaves with the remains but quickly returns to the chicks. She feeds them again at 6:25. The male brings in a small morsel of food ten minutes later, but the female ignores him, so he eats it. He is back briefly at 7:30 and at 8:20 brings in more Feral Pigeon prey and there is another feed and again at 9:05 and 10:25. At 12:15, the male flies in with another parcel of food. He retrieves the stashed meal at 13:05 but brings it back ten minutes later. The female ignores him, so he leaves with it. He flies into the box at 13:40, checks the female then moves to the ledge before flying off. He is back at 15:05 and there is a five-minute changeover as the female retrieves food for the chicks. The male lands on the ledge at 18:35 and the female leaves the scrape. For the first time the FOURTH chick can be seen free of its shell. She flies out so he incubates whilst she fetches some food. The final feed of the day is at 20:20.

26 April – the male lands at 4:50 and sits on the ledge. The female moves the stashed pigeon to the other side of the box then flies off at 5:00. The male sees his opportunity and steals the meal and flies off with it. She returns a few minutes later. The first changeover is at 6:50 but the female arrives 15 minutes later with fresh Feral Pigeon prey and feeds the chicks for the first time and stashes the remains. She flies off at 8:40 but is back a few minutes later. At 10:15, the male arrives with freshly plucked Starling prey which the female feeds to the chicks; he flies off. She leaves at 11:25 returning after five minutes. There is another feed at 13:20 using the stashed prey. At 14:40, the male arrives with more Feral Pigeon prey but flies out with it when he sees that there is plenty already stashed. The female looks out from the platform briefly at 16:25 and takes a short flight five minutes later. The male arrives at 17:00 and removes the stashed pigeon. The female flies out at 17:50 and returns with the pigeon and feeds the chicks. The male removes the pigeon at 19:10 but returns with it ten minutes later and the female feeds the chicks.

25 April – the female keeps tight on the eggs through the night. The break in the eggshell was getting larger. There appeared to be a breakthrough at 00:30 when a large crack could be seen in one of the eggs. Although the chick could not be seen, hatching was confirmed when half the eggshell was noticed at 1:20 – the FIRST chick. She walks away at 4:35 and the chick can be seen clearly, with a large hole in another egg. The male arrives to incubate. The female is back at 5:50 and there is still only one chick seen. The male arrives a few minutes later with part-eaten prey which she ignores, so he flies off. At 7:15, the female can be seen removing a piece of eggshell and the SECOND chick has hatched. There is a changeover an hour later and both chicks can be seen. The female returns at 9:30 carrying a small parcel of food which she eats. At 12:10, the male brings in Starling prey, she refuses it and he flies off as she returns to the scrape. She checks the platform at 14:10, then returns to the chicks. At 15:00, the female stands, and a pip can be seen in a third egg – the very pale one. The male lands at 16:20, but the female does not move and he leaves. He is back again at 16:55 and goes into the box but the female sits tight. At 18:45, she stands again, and the egg has broken in half and the THIRD chick falls out. The female flies out at 18:50 and the male walks to the scrape. When he looks in, he sees the new chick and leaves. The female arrives with Feral Pigeon prey, stashes it in the box, then incubates the chicks.

24 Apr – the male arrives at 5:05, the exact same time as yesterday, and she is back at 7:20. The male flies in with part eaten Feral Pigeon and the female stashes it by a column. The male brings in fresh Feral Pigeon at 13:40 and she feeds. When she rises from the eggs, a pip can be seen clearly in one of the eggs. She flies out with her meal and the male takes over. She is back at 14:25 and forces him from the eggs – obviously aware that they are close to hatching. The exchange shows that two of the eggs are now pipped. The male returns to the box at 16:50 but the female will not move. He is back again at 18:05 with the same result, so snatches the stashed prey from this morning. She allows a changeover at 18:50 until 20:00 when a second pipped egg could be seen nut no hatching occurred before midnight.

23 Apr – the first changeover is at 5:05 when the female flies out and the male flies in. She lands a few minutes later to check that he has arrived. She is back at 7:15 until 11:05. The male walks to the platform at 14:30, then returns to the eggs. The female takes over at 16:15. She flies out at 18:35 and the male incubates until 19:45.

22 Apr – the male takes over at 5:35 until she returns at 7:40. At 8:50 the male brings in the remains of Feral Pigeon prey. Initially, she feeds on the platform but then flies out with it, so he sits on the eggs. She is back at 9:30 looking well fed and resumes incubation. He is back in the box briefly at 11:50 but the female refuses to move. The next changeover is at 14:10 when she leaves. She is back at 18:50 for the last change of the day.

21 Apr – the male takes over incubation at 5:15. He flies out at 8:10 and the female returns 15 minutes later until leaving at 9:40 when he returns. She is back at 11:25 looking well fed and forces him from the eggs. The next changeover is at 15:15. The female returns to the ledge at 19:45 for the last changeover of the day five minutes later.

20 Apr – the female forces the male from the eggs at 2:00. She flies out at 8:10 but soon returns. The male arrives at 9:10 with fresh Feral Pigeon prey which she starts to eat in the box but then leaves with it, and the male takes over incubation. She is back on the eggs at 10:55. She flies out at 14:15 but soon returns. The male is back at 15:45 but she forces him from the eggs at 17:05.

19 Apr – the female flies out at 5:20 and the male takes over. However, the male flies off at 6:30 and she soon returns five minutes later. She leaves at 7:50 and the male takes over. He walks to the ledge at 8:15 and the female flies in. The male is back at 10:55 and the female leaves. The male is blown about by the strong winds but keeps tight on the eggs until 15:20 when the female is back. The male lands on the ledge at 19:40 and she allows him to take over until midnight at least.

18 Apr – the female has a look from the platform at 4:05 then returns to the eggs. The male arrives an hour later to replace her. He flies out at 7:45 and the she takes over five minutes later. The female leaves at 9:45 and the male incubates until 10:45 when she lands with a full crop. She looks out from the platform at 11:20, then returns to the eggs. The male is back incubating at 13:30 but flies out after just ten minutes and the female returns. He takes over again at 14:55 for an hour and is back again at 17:50. The female returns at 20:45 to take over until midnight at least.

17 Apr – the female arrives at 5:50 to take over – after another unusually long evening stint for the male. The male lands briefly at 7:15 carrying fresh Feral Pigeon prey but the female does not move and so he flies off with it. He replaces her at 8:00 until 11:00 when she forces him from the eggs. He is back at 13:30 carrying plucked prey which the female snatches and flies off with; he resumes incubation. She is back to take over at 14:35. The male lands on the ledge at 17:50 and twice checks the female, but she does not move so he flies out and she remains on the eggs until at least midnight. The male lands on the platform at 18:55 for ten minutes.

16 Apr – the first changeover is at 5:20 when the male arrives. He looks out from the platform at 8:15 then returns to the eggs until the female flies in at 8:50. The male is back at 14:00 remaining until 16:35 and again at 20:20, and for the second time he incubates until midnight at least.

15 Apr – the male takes over at 5:20 when the female leaves. She is back on the ledge at 6:35 and resumes incubation 20 minutes later, until the male takes over at 10:35. She returns at 13:00 but flies out after 45 minutes. The male takes over five minutes later. She lands on the ledge briefly at 13:55 and is back at 14:40, but the male is reluctant to give up incubation. She stands beside him for five minutes before he gives in. He is back at 16:55 but the female remains tight on the eggs, so he flies out. She leaves at 18:45 and is replaced by the male. She briefly lands five minutes later to pick up some scraps from the platform. She returns at 20:00 but sits on the ledge until 20:40 when she takes over as the male flies out.

14 Apr – the male arrives at 5:30 for the first changeover. He remains until she returns at 7:50. She visits the platform at 9:10, then returns to the eggs. She checks again at 11:15 and flies out at 13:45. The male lands but looks up to the sky and flies out returning a few minutes later. She is back at 14:55 and walks to the ledge at 17:20, then returns to the eggs. The male brings in fresh Feral Pigeon prey at 17:45 and he takes over whilst she flies out with her meal. She is back at 18:45 and sits on the ledge before resuming incubation at 19:05.

13 Apr – the male remains on the eggs overnight until the female arrives at 3:50. A stint of 8hrs 10mins. He is back to take over at 7:55 and remains until 10:25. She flies out briefly at 12:30 then returns to the eggs. The male takes over at 14:15 remaining until 18:25 and is back again at 19:10 until 20:25.

12 Apr – the female flies out at 5:05 and the male takes over. He walks to the platform at 5:45 then quickly returns to the eggs. He leaves and she is back at 6:25. She flies out at 7:10 but soon returns to the eggs. The male returns at 9:10 to replace the female. Again, there is another check from the platform at 9:45. The female takes over at 10:25 looking well fed. She flies out for five minutes at 13:30. The male is back at 14:25 and looks out from the platform at 15:00. The female is back 30 minutes later until 17:15 when she leaves and the male returns. She is back for another changeover at 18:05. The male lands at 19:40 and surprisingly, the female allows him to incubate until at least midnight.

11 Apr – the male arrives at 5:35 to take over as the female flies out. She is back two hours later and the male leaves. She flies out at 10:10 but returns to the eggs five minutes later having failed to find the male. He eventually arrives at 11:10 to take over. He looks out from the platform out at 12:05 and 12:15 but is quickly back on the eggs. The female returns at 14:05 until 17:25 when the male takes over. He flies out at 18:20 but quickly returns to the eggs until 19:40, when the female resumes for the rest of the evening.  

10 Apr – the male lands on the ledge at 3:50 but the first changeover is at 5:25 when the female flies out. She is back at 8:55 after the male leaves. She flies out at 12:40 and the male takes over. She is back at 14:25 and he reluctantly gives in. The male returns at 18:30 for his last stint of the day, remaining until 20:00 and the female takes over for the rest of the evening.

9 Apr – the male arrives on the ledge at 3:40 and falls asleep until 5:45 when he flies off. The female leaves the eggs at 6:45 but quickly returns until the male takes over at 8:40. He is reluctant to leave at 11:20 when she returns but eventually accedes. A few minutes after taking over incubation, the female calls loudly and walks to the platform, then flies out – there is probably an intruder in the area. She returns a few minutes later but leaves again at 12:10 and is replaced by the male. She is back at 12:45 to take over ten minutes later forcing the male from the eggs. He lands for a few minutes at 14:35 but she remains incubating. He is back again at 15:50 remaining until 19:55 when the female flies in for the remainder of the evening.

8 Apr – the female takes a short flight at 5:20 then returns to the eggs. The male arrives 30 minutes later to take over until 8:30 when she returns after he flies out. The next changeover is not until 14:40. She lands with fresh Feral Pigeon prey at 18:55 and the male walks to the ledge to look. She flies out and he follows but he quickly returns to the eggs. She arrives back with a full crop at 19:50 to take over.

7 Apr – the male remains on the ledge until 5:50 when the female flies out and there is the first changeover. He flies out for a few minutes at 7:45, then returns to the eggs and again at 8:00. The female is back five minutes later looking well fed. She flies out at 10:30 returning a few moments later. The male lands on the ledge briefly at 10:50. At 11:30, she is startled by the noise of one of the cameras automatically resetting caused by the strong winds. Thankfully, she is unperturbed and is back on the eggs and preening a few minutes later. The male is back on the ledge with a full crop at 11:35 but quickly leaves. He is back to replace the female at 13:00 and she returns at 15:15. She flies out at 17:40 and he takes over until 19:50 when she incubates for the rest of the evening.

6 Apr – the female flies out at 5:50 and is replaced by the male. She is back at 9:10 but flies out quickly at 10:20 and is replaced briefly by the male. She is back a few minutes later until the male takes over at 12:50. She returns at 16:30 and incubates for the rest of the evening whilst the male sits on the edge from 19:35 onwards.

5 Apr – the male takes over at 3:40 until flying out briefly at 6:20. The female is back at 7:00. She calls loudly at 8:25 and flies out, returning after a false landing, five minutes later. The next changeover is not until 15:10 when she flies out to look for him – an almost seven-hour stint for the female. She resumes incubation at 18:30 for the rest of the evening.

4 Apr – the male takes over at 5:35. He flies out looking for the female at 9:15 but soon returns to the eggs. She arrives 20 minutes later looking well fed and forces the male to leave. He is back with a full crop at 13:10 and incubates until 14:20. He flies in with fresh Feral Pigeon prey for the female at 16:15, and she leaves with her meal. She returns at 19:35 to resume incubation for the rest of the evening.

3 Apr – the female flies out to look for the male at 4:30, then returns to the eggs. He takes over at 6:00. He flies out at 9:15 and she incubates five minutes later. He is back for another stint at 13:30 until 17:35. She remains for the rest of the evening.

2 Apr – the first changeover is at 5:45. The male checks for the female at 7:15 and she lands for a few moments, but only resumes incubation at 8:00. She takes a short flight at 11:15, then looks out for the male at 11:30 and returns to the eggs. He lands briefly at 11:40 and eventually takes over at 13:45 but she is back at 14:30. He flies in for his last stint of the day at 16:15 until replaced by the female at 19:05.

1 Apr – the female looks out from the platform at 4:15 but the male does not arrive to take over until 6:05. He leaves at 9:45 and the female flies in at 9:50. He briefly lands a few minutes later to check that she is there. He returns at 15:55 to take over, remaining until 19:10. She incubates for the rest of the evening.

MARCH 2024

31 Mar – the male arrives to relieve the female at 5:55. He flies out to check where she is at 9:00, then returns to the eggs. She flies in to take over at 10:30. The male sits on the ledge briefly at 13:00 but next changeover is not until 15:10. The male flies out at 18:55 and the female incubates for the rest of the evening.

30 Mar – the male flies onto the ledge at 2:20 and the first swap over is at 4:45, but the female is back 45 minutes later. There is another change at 6:30 when the male arrives with fresh Feral Pigeon prey. The female returns at 7:55 looking well fed. She continues incubation until 14:55 – a seven-hour stint. The male then also has a relatively long stint, being relieved at 18:45. The female remains incubating until midnight at least.

29 Mar – the female remains on the eggs whilst the male sits on the ledge sleeping until 5:00 when he takes over incubation as she flies out. He takes a short flight from the eggs at 6:00 and she is back at 7:20. The male returns at 8:40 with fresh Feral Pigeon prey for the female, and he has another incubation stint. She resumes at 9:05. The male lands briefly at 12:30 and is back at 13:00 to take over. The female returns at 14:45 and goes into the box but the male is reluctant to give up so she stays in the corner of the box until forcing him off at 15:05. He sits on the ledge two hours later for 20 minutes. He is back on the ledge at 18:40. After copious preening, he flies off at 22:55; the female remains on the eggs.

28 Mar – the male takes over incubation at 5:15 and she returns at 9:10 and takes a short flight at 10:35. The male is back at 12:20 until the female resumes at 16:05, then remains on the eggs for the rest of the evening. The male arrives on the ledge at 18:45 and keeps the female company. They both fall asleep until at least midnight.

27 Mar – the female sits on the eggs until 5:20 when the male takes over.  She returns to resume after two hours. The male lands on the ledge briefly at 11:30 and there is another swap at 12:10. She is back at 15:15 until 17:45 when the male has his last session of the day; she takes over at 19:15. The male sits on the ledge for 15 minutes, whilst she incubates for the rest of the evening. Whilst doing the first Peregrine Watch of the season, mid-morning in St Martins Square, we were treated to the sight of the resident male doing his best to fend off an intruding female. He repeatedly dive-bombed her until he had forced her from the territory, then returned triumphant to the spire. The resident female sat on the eggs oblivious of the activity. Thank you to everyone who made the effort to come and meet us today despite the weather, it was great to see you all.

26 Mar – the male takes over at 5:15 and the female is back at 7:50. He returns to incubate at 13:20. The female lands briefly at 13:50 but the male remains on the eggs until 17:35. He flies in with Feral Pigeon prey at 18:10, she flies out with it and he takes over until 18:55 when the female resumes for the rest of the evening.

25 Mar – the first change of the day was at 5:30 until 7:10. Just ten minutes later the female stands up in the scrape and lays the FOURTH EGG. The male brings in fresh Feral Pigeon prey at 9:15 and she flies out with it; he takes over incubation. She is back briefly at 10:00 and at 11:15 he reluctantly relinquishes incubation. She leaves the eggs at 13:35 for 15 minutes. The male is back incubating at 15:10 but is forced off again at 17:05.

24 Mar – the female incubates the eggs until 5:15 when the male takes over. He flies out at 6:00 and she resumes. There is another swap at 7:25 and the female returns 20 minutes later and watches from the ledge then takes over at 8:20. She leaves at 9:15 and the well-fed male incubates until she returns, also now well fed, at 9:50. She checks where the male is at 14:25 then moves back to the eggs. He eventually takes over at 15:40, nearly six hours later! She is back at 18:30 incubating until midnight at least.

23 Mar – the female remains on the eggs until 4:40 when she goes looking for the male, then quickly returns. She has another look at 4:55. He flies in at 5:30 to take over. She is back at 7:55 and he leaves. She flies out at 9:15 but is back after ten minutes. She is off again at 9:35 for another five minutes. There is a changeover at 13:05. The male is replaced after two hours. At 15:40 she flies out returning 30 minutes later looking well fed. The male arrives on the ledge at 18:30 and there is a late change at 19:00, the female watching from the platform. She resumes incubation after 35 minutes for the rest of the evening.

22 Mar – the female moves to the platform at 1:20. She flies off 15 minutes later, returning at 1:55. She leaves the eggs again at 4:05 and sits on the ledge returning at 4:40. She is replaced by the male at 5:45 until 6:05. She is back at 6:20 but just for ten minutes, then from at 7:45 until 9:55. She returns at 11:25 and the male takes over an hour later. He leaves at 14:15 and she takes over ten minutes later. She has a ten-minute break at 14:45 and is off again at 15:35 returning at 16:15. The male lands on the ledge at 17:15 for five minutes and she walks to the platform briefly. At 17:45 her position changes and the THIRD EGG is laid – a very pale specimen. She incubates all three eggs for the rest of the evening.

21 Mar – the female sits on the platform at 1:45 for ten minutes, then returns to the eggs. She leaves three hours later when the male arrives, but he just sits on the ledge until 5:30. She returns at 5:40 but leaves the eggs ten minutes later then flies off at 6:10. She is back at 6:35 for 15 minutes then leaves until 7:35, returning looking well fed. The male pays a brief visit at 7:05, then sits on the ledge with a full crop at 8:30 for ten minutes. She flies out at 10:15 and the male takes over 15 minutes later. He flies out at 12:25 and she takes over 15 minutes later. The male is back at 14:05 but flies out when the female approaches. She follows soon after returning at 14:30. The male flies in at 14:45 with fresh Feral Pigeon prey for the female. She takes it into the box and feeds and he flies off. She leaves with the remains at 15:00 and quickly returns to resume incubation. At 14:00, she tidies up the box from the meal leftovers and has a quick look over the city from the platform at 16:30, then flies out at 17:55. The male takes over incubation at 18:05 until 18:55 when he sits on the ledge. The female arrives ten minutes later to take over and he flies off. She incubates until at least midnight.

20 Mar – the female stands over the egg without incubating, then moves to the platform at 2:15. She is back ten minutes later. She leaves the box again at 4:55 and sits on the ledge and is joined by the male at 5:30. They fly off together. The male comes in to incubate at 5:55 but only remains for five minutes. The female is back at 6:15 and incubates the egg. Her demeanour changes at 7:45 and five minutes later she laid her SECOND EGG. She incubates both eggs 15 minutes later but leaves after five minutes to sit on the ledge before flying off. She returns to the eggs at 9:25 looking well fed and incubates fully. She checks the platform an hour later then returns to the eggs. She is replaced by the male at 14:00. He moves to the ledge at 15:20 and is replaced by the female. She flies out at 17:40 returning 30 minutes later and remains incubating until midnight.

19 Mar – the female returns to the egg at 00:10 although does not fully incubate. The male arrives at 1:10 and sits on the ledge and falls asleep. She sits opposite him at 4:30 and he flies off 15 minutes later. She returns to the egg at 5:25 but ten minutes later the male returns and takes over and she flies out. He moves to the ledge after ten minutes, then flies off. The female returns at 6:45 and fully incubates. She flies out at 8:05 and returns with the male at 8:45. He goes and incubates the egg whilst she watches from the platform then takes over incubation ten minutes later. She flies out at 11:40 returns after ten minutes. She is off again at 12:35 and is back after 20 minutes. She leaves at 13:45 returning to the egg at 16:10 for an hour. She is back at 17:55 and incubates until at least midnight. The male makes a brief visit at 18:20.

18 Mar – the female semi-incubates the egg through the night. The male makes a brief visit to the ledge at 5:30. He is back at 6:15 and there is a change-over. For the first time the male incubates the egg, and the female flies off. She is back an hour later to resume. She checks the platform at 8:15 for ten minutes then returns to the egg. Five minutes later the male returns with Coal Tit prey for the female and he has a second bout of incubation but flies off after just five minutes. The female returns to incubate at 10:45 for 30 minutes then leaves. She is back at 14:05 and stands beside the egg. She is replaced by the male at 16:15 and he does incubate fully but leaves at 16:50. The female is back with the egg at 18:35 but does not fully incubate. She moves to the ledge at midnight.

17 Mar – the female remains in the box until 00:45 when she moves to the ledge where she remains until 6:05 when she goes into the box on the arrival of the male. She then flies out and he sits on the ledge. She is back at 6:45 and the pair go into the box. She flies out after a few minutes, and he soon follows. She is back at 9:05 and is in the box until 9:30 tending both scrapes. The male flies in at 10:20 for ten minutes also tending the scrapes. The male lands looking well fed at 12:05 for five minutes. The female flies in at 12:55 also looking well fed, but quickly leaves. The female returns at 16:05 and goes into the box and tends both scrapes. She looks over the city from the platform for ten minutes at 16:30, then returns to the box. The male makes a brief visit at 17:10. The female’s posture changes and just five minutes later she produces the FIRST EGG of the season. The male is back with fresh Feral Pigeon prey at 17:40 but quickly leaves with it. She stands over the egg to let it dry and eventually incubates it at 17:50. She protects the egg for the rest of the evening with just a quick visit to the ledge at 21:25.

16 Mar – the male arrives at 5:15 until 5:40. The female flies in at 7:20 and picks at some scraps, then leaves. The male is back at 7:55 and goes into the box, then moves to the ledge before flying off. The female returns a few minutes later and goes into the box spending time in both scrapes. The male is back at 8:20 carrying fresh Blackbird prey but quickly leaves with it. The female leaves at 8:50. The male is back very briefly at 11:40 and the female flies into the box at 14:55 for 25 minutes. The male is back on the ledge at 18:50 and is joined by the female at 23:25. He flies out and she goes into the box.

15 Mar – the female remains on the ledge until 5:05 when she goes into the box as the male arrives. She flies out at 5:30 and he checks out the box before returning to the ledge. He makes two short flights at 6:10, then leaves. He is back very briefly at 7:20. The female returns at 9:15 and goes into the box where she remains until 10:40 sitting in the scrapes. The male lands briefly five minutes later. At 14:50 he arrives carrying fresh Feral Pigeon prey and is followed by the female. She snatches the meal from him and he flies off; she leaves soon after. She returns at 16:00 looking well fed and goes into the box tending the scrapes and then falls asleep. She flies out at 17:45 and is replaced by the male. He checks the box then sits on the ledge until 18:30. Neither bird returns before midnight.

14 Mar – the pair remain on the ledge from the previous evening until 3:50 when the male flies off. He is back at 5:55 and the female goes into the box. He leaves quickly and she soon follows. The male is back briefly at 6:10. The pair fly in at 10:45, the female in the box, the male on the ledge. As usual, he quickly leaves whilst she remains until 11:15 tending both left and right scrapes. The male is back briefly at 11:25 and 13:45. He returns at 15:00 and flies out at 16:30 returning immediately with the female. They go into the box but he quickly moves back to the ledge, then flies off. He is back at 16:50 carrying fresh Blackbird prey, shows it to the female but then flies off; she soon follows. The female flies in at 22:30 and sits on the ledge until midnight at least.

13 Mar – the female arrives at 1:25. The male joins her at 5:15 and she goes into the box. He leaves ten minutes later and she returns to the ledge before flying off at 6:00. He makes a brief visit at 6:35 and again at 7:30. The pair fly in an hour later. He quickly leaves but she remains until 8:40. He is back for a few minutes at 10:10. The pair return at 12:50 but he quickly leaves whilst she remains in the box until 13:00. They are back at 14:25. He leaves quickly as usual, and she follows at 14:40. He makes a brief visit 15 minutes later. At 15:55, the pair fly in for the fourth time today. He quickly leaves, but she remains much longer in the box. She sits in, or close to the right-hand scrape. The male lands on the ledge at 18:50 whilst the female remains in the box until 19:40 when she sits on the ledge opposite the male. Her posture and demeanour in the box this afternoon would suggest that she may be ready to lay an egg! The pair remain on the ledge until at least midnight.

12 Mar – the female flies in at 1:00. She goes into the box when the male arrives at 5:35. He flies off after 30 minutes and she returns to the ledge, leaving at 6:25. The pair fly in looking wet and bedraggled at 10:35. The female goes into the box and the male leaves. She flies out at 10:50. He is back at 11:45 for 30 minutes. The pair are back at 13:50, she goes into the box, but he quickly leaves and she follows soon after. The pair return at 16:10 and go into the box. The male quickly leaves and the female at 16:40. He is back at 17:05 and checks the box before moving to the ledge and flying off at 17:45. He returns looking well fed at 18:05 but flies off 20 minutes later.

11 Mar – the female flies in at 7:00 looking well fed and carrying very fresh Feral Pigeon prey but leaves a few minutes later. The male lands briefly at 7:15 and 7:55. He is back at 10:15 and goes into the box and tends the scrape. He moves to the ledge then flies out at 10:35 and immediately returns with the female. They go into the box but the male quickly leaves; the female flies out at 10:55. The pair fly in again at 18:55 but the female quickly leaves and the male remains on the ledge until 21:00.

10 Mar – the female arrives at 4:25 and goes into the box when the male flies in at 5:55. He quickly leaves and she flies out at 6:05. The male lands briefly 15 minutes later. The pair fly in at 9:30 and the male goes into the box and flies out after five minutes. The female replaces him in the box before leaving at 9:55. The male is back briefly at 15:25 and the female at 15:45. The pair return at 16:15, the male carrying part-eaten prey. He flies off with it and is followed by the female.

9 Mar – the male arrives at 6:15 for five minutes and again at 7:20. The pair fly in at 7:55 but the male quickly leaves; the female flies out an hour later. She returns at 10:20 and is in the box until 11:25. She is back at 14:20 and goes into the box before leaving at 14:45. She returns looking well fed at 18:20 but quickly leaves. There is no further activity today.

8 Mar – the female flies in at 3:00. She goes into the box at 5:25 when the male lands on the ledge. The male leaves ten minutes later and She is back on the ledge and flies out at 6:15. The male arrives at 7:15 carrying fresh Feral Pigeon prey and is followed by the female who snatches it from him and leaves followed by the male a few minutes later. The pair arrive at 9:40 and go into the box. The male leaves after a few minutes but the female remains until 10:40. He is back briefly at 13:05 and again a few minutes later. He returns again at 15:30 and goes into the box, flying out after ten minutes. The pair are back at 16:30 but the male quickly leaves. The female remains until 18:05.

7 Mar – the female flies in at 2:30. She is joined by the male at 6:05 and goes into the box. He quickly leaves and she moves back to the ledge. The male is back at 9:05 for ten minutes. The pair returns at 12:45 and go into the box. The male moves to the ledge a few minutes later. He flies off after ten minutes and the female follows at 13:20. She is back briefly at 16:05. The pair return at 17:00 with the male carrying the remains of a Feral Pigeon. He leaves it in the box with the female and flies out. She grabs the meal and leaves. There is no further activity.

6 Mar – the male arrives at 6:15 for 20 minutes. The pair fly in at 8:15 but the male quickly leaves. The female remains until 8:35. The male lands at 10:30 looking well fed and carrying Feral Pigeon prey. He flies off with it a few minutes later. He is back at 13:35, checks out the box, then leaves a few minutes later. The female is back at 14:30 and watches the sky from the ledge for a few minutes before moving into the box. She leaves at 14:55. The male lands briefly at 15:50 and the pair return at 17:30. They have a short bonding session, then the male moves to the ledge before flying off. The female leaves a few minutes later. The male returns at 18:55 remaining on the ledge until just before midnight.

5 Mar – the male remains on the ledge until 6:05 when he is joined by the female, and they go into the box. Surprisingly, she leaves soon after and he moves back to the ledge, then quickly follows. He is back at 9:25 for five minutes with a full crop. The pair fly in at 13:05, both looking well fed. Again, she leaves immediately and he follows a few minutes later. The male is back briefly at 15:35. The pair arrive together at 17:05, the male carrying fresh Feral Pigeon prey. As the female is already well fed, he stashes it by a column. He flies off whilst the female tends to the scrape then picks up the meal as she flies out ten minutes later. She returns briefly at 17:40.

4 Mar – the male arrives at 5:25 until 6:10. He is back two hours later, checks the box, then flies out. The pair arrive at 14:35, but the male quickly leaves; the female remains until 15:05. They are back at 16:30 but as usual, the male soon flies out; she follows after 15 minutes. The male is back at 17:30 carrying Feral Pigeon prey and is quickly followed by the female who snatches it from him and flies off. He looks well fed and sits on the ledge until at least midnight.

3 Mar – the female arrives at 3:20 and sits on the ledge for 15 minutes. She is back ten minutes later and is joined by the male at 6:05. He flies off after five minutes and she follows at 6:30 and he lands briefly. He is back at 7:10 for five minutes and again at 7:35. He returns at 10:45 for ten minutes and briefly at 12:00. The female lands at 13:30 and goes into the box until flying out at 14:10 to be replaced by the male for a few minutes. She is back at 15:00 but leaves quickly. The male returns at 17:30 carrying the remains of Feral Pigeon prey. As he was already looking well fed, this was probably an offering for the female. He is back on the ledge at 18:35 remaining until 22:20.

2 Mar – the pair fly in at 4:55 but the male quickly leaves whilst the female remains until 6:30. He is back at 8:55 for ten minutes. The pair return at 9:25 and have a brief bond in the box. The male then moves to the ledge and flies out; the female follows at 9:45. They are back at 15:10 but the male soon leaves whilst the female tends to the scrape and box. The male is back on the ledge at 16:55 for a few minutes and the female leaves at 17:05. The male arrives soon after, staying until 17:45. Neither bird returns before midnight.

1 Mar – the male sits on the ledge until 1:20 when he is joined by the female. He leaves ten minutes later but is back at 3:25 until 6:00; the female quickly follows. The male returns at 6:25 and takes a brief flight ten minutes later, then leaves at 6:45. He is back briefly at 12:35 and at 12:55 carrying Feral Pigeon prey but quickly leaves. He lands again at 14:20 until 14:55. He is back a few minutes later with the female who goes into the box to tend the scrape. He leaves soon after but she remains. He is back at 16:35 and she flies out ten minutes later. He flies off at 16:50. He is back again briefly at 18:00, then ten minutes later settles on the ledge until 21:00 when he takes a short flight before returning to the ledge remaining until 22:15.

FEBRUARY 2024

17 Feb – the male arrives at 3:40. He goes into the box at 6:55 when the female lands. She flies off five minutes later and he follows. The male lands at 10:15 for ten minutes. The female goes into the box at 12:45 and leaves after five minutes and is replaced by the male. She quickly joins him in the box. He flies out at 13:00 and she follows soon after. They are back at 13:45 with the male carrying fresh Feral Pigeon prey which the female takes from him. He flies out and she leaves quickly. They are back at 15:30 and the male sits on the ledge for ten minutes until the female forces him off; she leaves a few minutes later.

16 Feb – the male remains on the ledge until 7:10. The female flies in at 10:20, checks out the box then leaves 20 minutes later. The male makes a brief visit at 14:25 and the female likewise at 16:50. The male is back at 18:45 remaining until 20:20.

15 Feb – the male remains on the ledge until 7:15 when he makes two short hunting sorties before flying off. He returns with the female at 8:05 but quickly leaves and she soon follows. He is back briefly at 12:05 and returns at 15:40 for ten minutes. The female lands briefly at 16:10. The male flies in at 16:20 carrying fresh Golden Plover prey which the female snatches from him and flies out. He remains on the ledge with a full crop until 21:35. He flies out and quickly returns carrying very fresh Redwing prey and leaves with it a few minutes later. He is back without the meal at 22:00 and remains on the ledge for the rest of the evening.

14 Feb – the male flies in at 6:20 remaining until 7:30. He is back briefly at 9:25 and again at 11:20 and 12:30. The female lands at 14:40 looking well fed, remaining until 15:40. The male is back at 17:05 with a full crop and sits on the ledge until at least midnight.

13 Feb – the male leaves a few minutes after the female arrived at midnight. She takes a short hunting flight at 0:50 and again at 1:20. She flies off at 6:50 and is replaced by the male. She returns at 7:05 and goes into the box. The male flies off and she quickly follows. The pair fly in at 14:10, the male leaves after a few minutes. The female remains in the box tending the scrapes until she moves to the ledge at 15:15 and flies off five minutes later. There was no further activity.

12 Feb – the male flies in at 5:10 until 7:05. He is back with the female 20 minutes later. He goes into the box but she quickly leaves. He follows a few minutes later and returns briefly at 7:45 and 8:20. The female flies in at 8:25, checks the box after 15 minutes, tending both scrapes, then moves back to the ledge before flying off at 9:05. The male is back at 10:00 disturbing a Stock Dove that was walking around the platform, but leaves quickly. He is back at 11:00, checks the box then moves to the ledge and looks out over the city for ten minutes. The pair are back at 14:00, the male on the ledge and the female in the box. He flies off after a few minutes and she follows soon after. He is back at 17:40 until 21:00 and again at 22:45 until midnight when he is joined by the female.

11 Feb – the male remains sleeping on the ledge until 4:10 when he flies off, returning at 5:40. He leaves again at 7:05 but is back briefly 20 minutes later. The female flies into the box at 8:05 for 15 minutes. She is joined by the male at 8:25 but he does not stay. She remains on the ledge until leaving at 9:40. The male is back at 11:55 for five minutes. The male flies in at 16:00 carrying fresh white Feral Pigeon prey. He is quickly followed by the female who snatches the meal from him – they both leave. There is no further activity.

10 Feb – the male arrives at 7:25 for 20 minutes. He is back at 11:20 calling loudly, but quickly flies off and again at 15:25. The pair fly in at 17:20, the male on the ledge the female in the box. She leaves after five minutes whilst he remains until midnight at least.

9 Feb – the male arrives at 7:00 for 15 minutes. The pair lands at 8:50, the male carrying an item of prey, but he immediately flies out with it. The female goes into the box, then follows a few minutes later. The pair are back at 12:55, the male leaving after a few minutes bonding. The female remains in the box until 13:15 but there is no activity thereafter.

8 Feb – the male remains from the previous evening until 7:05. The pair fly in at 11:40 but the female leaves quickly and the male follows a few minutes later. They are back again at 15:40 and spend a few moments in the box bonding before he leaves; she flies out soon after.

7 Feb – the male lands at 1:30 but leaves after 25 minutes. He is back at 7:00 for 20 minutes and again briefly at 8:10. The pair arrive at 13:10 but the male quickly leaves. She tends to the scrapes, then flies out 15 minutes later. The male returns to the ledge at 7:25 and remains until midnight.  

6 Feb – the male remains on the ledge until 7:35 when he makes a short flight, then leaves five minutes later. There is no more activity on camera today.

5 Feb – the male remains asleep on the ledge until 6:40 when he takes a short flight and again at 7:25 and 7:30. He flies off at 7:45, briefly returning 30 minutes later. The female lands for a few moments at 10:10. The male is back at 13:10 swiftly followed by the female who goes into the box. He leaves after 15 minutes, and she quickly follows after tending the scrapes. He is back briefly at 16:10 and returns at 16:35 remaining until midnight.

4 Feb – the male sleeps on the ledge until 7:25. He is back after 20 minutes carrying the remains of Feral Pigeon prey which the female snatches from him and flies off. He moves to the ledge with a full crop, leaving at 8:05. He is back at 9:15 for 35 minutes. The female flies in at 14:45 and goes into the box tending to both scrapes. The male lands on the ledge briefly at 15:50; she flies out at 16:00. The pair are back 15 minutes later. He goes into the box, but she quickly flies off. He then moves to the ledge before leaving at 16:35. He returns at 17:20 and remains on the ledge until midnight at least.

3 Feb – the male remains sleeping on the ledge until 7:00 when he takes a short hunting flight. He leaves at 7:45. There is no further activity until 17:15 when he lands on the ledge remaining until midnight at least.

2 Feb – The male remains sleeping on the ledge until 7:25 when he sees the stashed Stock Dove for the first time. He checks it out but ignores it and flies off. He arrives with the female a few minutes later and she grabs the meal and leaves; he returns to the ledge before leaving at 8:35. He is back 30 minutes later for five minutes. The pair are back briefly at 9:40 and again at 13:50 for five minutes. He returns with the female at 15:25 but he leaves after ten minutes bonding, and she flies out after a further ten minutes tending the scrape. He is on the ledge at 17:05 but takes a short hunting flight at 19:25. He quickly returns and remains until at least midnight.

1 Feb – the male sits sleeping on the ledge until 7:05. He returns 30 minutes later but does not stay long and is back at 9:00 for ten minutes. The female lands briefly a few minutes later and the pair arrives at 9:45. They go into the box, but he quickly leaves; she follows at 10:00. They are back in the box at 11:45. Again he quickly leaves but she remains until 12:10. He pays a ten-minute visit at 14:15 and is then back at 16:50 until 18:35. He makes a short stop at 19:35. The female arrives at 21:00 carrying the remains of her Stock Dove meal. She stashes it by a column and flies off after ten minutes. The male returns at 23:05 and sits on the ledge until midnight.

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