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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The Next Leicester Peregrine Watch Days are: Thursday 9 April and Tuesday 14 April at 09:30 – 13:30 – weather dependent.
MARCH 2026
28 Mar – WATCH DAY – the female takes a short flight at 5:25 and the male lands briefly five minutes later. She takes a short flight at 7:30. The male lands at 8:00 and checks the box but surprisingly, the female sits tight. He remains on the ledge showing some blood on his chest, hopefully from an item of prey rather than a clash with an intruder. He flies off after five minutes. The female flies out at 10:20 and is quickly replaced by the male. She is back two hours later but once again, the male refuses to give up incubation. He is persuaded to give up after 20 minutes. He is back and takes over at 14:50. The female returns four hours later and the male leaves. During the watch DAY, the female was predominantly on one of the spire crosses. she twice flew south-east in hunting mode but eventually had to do with retrieving a Feral Pigeon from the stash.
27 Mar – the male flies off at 1:15. He is back at 4:05, sits on the ledge preening, then falls asleep until he relieves the female of incubation duties at 5:30. She returns at 8:25 but the male is back at 8:55 carrying fresh Feral Pigeon prey and she flies out; he takes over. She returns at 10:00 with a full crop and takes over five minutes later, although he leaves reluctantly. He is back at 12:50 but the female refuses to move, so he sits on the ledge. He checks the situation again at 13:40 but she is still not ready to give up, so he returns to the ledge until he flies off at 14:10. He returns to take over at 16:05. She is back three hours later but the male is again reluctant to give up incubation. He eventually leaves after ten minutes and she incubates until midnight.
26 Mar – the female pays a brief visit to the ledge at 3:10. She flies out at 5:05 and the male immediately replaces her. He leaves at 7:30 and she flies in to resume incubation. She takes a short flight at 8:00 and he lands on the ledge a few minutes later carrying part-eaten Feral Pigeon prey. She flies off, and he takes over on the eggs until she returns at 9:20. She flies off at 12:25 and the male quickly takes over until she returns at 15:00. The male lands on the ledge at 18:40, and remains whilst the female sits tight on the eggs until midnight.
25 Mar – the female sees the male arriving at 5:25 and relinquishes incubation. The male goes to the ledge at 8:15 and the female returns to take over, but she does not stay long, leaving at 8:55 being replaced by the male. She is back at 9:45 with a full crop and the male reluctantly allows her to resume. She looks out from the platform calling at 10:40 and flies out but quickly returns. The male is back looking well fed at 11:50 but the female is not ready to give up, so he flies out. He is back at 14:05 and she leaves. She is back on the ledge at 15:15 but the male ignores her and continues incubation. She goes into the box and stands over him 20 minutes later, but he still ignores her. There is calling between the pair as she stands over him, but he refuses to give in. It is not until 15:50, 35 minutes after she landed, that he decides to leave. There are no more changeovers before midnight.
24 Mar – the female remains tight on the eggs from the previous evening. The male lands on the ledge at 5:05 and at 5:25 takes over from the female. She returns at 6:55. The male flies in at 9:20 with part-eaten Feral Pigeon. The female accepts the meal, and he takes over incubation. The female returns with a full crop at 11:00 and displaces the male. He returns at 13:55 and the female flies out, but she is back at 14:55. There is ten-minute stand-off, the male refusing to give up incubation. He finally relents at 15:10 and flies out. He returns to sit on the ledge at 17:30 and remains until flying off at 20:05 chasing after prey. She sits tight on the eggs until midnight.
23 Mar – the female remains on the eggs from the previous evening until the first changeover of the day when the male arrives at 5:20. She returns at 7:25 until 13:00 when the male is back. She returns at 17:05 and the male flies out. She calls loudly at 17:25, gets up from the eggs and flies out but quickly returns. She leaves again 17:40, after something catches her eye and returns 15 minutes later. She is back at 17:55 and remains sitting tight on the eggs until midnight. Comment: Although having only two incubation stints today, the male has had his longest time on the eggs so far, at 6 hours and 10 minutes.
22 Mar – the female moves to the ledge at 2:50 for ten minutes. She returns to the eggs and incubates until 5:15 when the male takes over. The female is back at 8:10 and resumes incubation five minutes later. She flies out at 8:55, returning 20 minutes later. She looks out from the platform at 11:45 for a few minutes, then returns to the eggs. She looks out from the platform again briefly at 12:30. She flies out at 13:35 and the male replaces her. She is back at 14:50 and again has to force the male from the eggs – he was looking very comfortable. At 15:00, the female changes position and stands over the eggs. Five minutes later she lays the FOURTH EGG of the season. She allows it to dry and harden, then drags it to complete the clutch in the scrape. She leaves at 16:25 and the male takes over until she returns at 17:15 and remains on the eggs until midnight.
21 Mar – the female looks out from the platform at 1:30 for a few minutes, then moves to the ledge five minutes later, before returning to the eggs. She checks from the ledge for five minutes at 4:40. The male arrives at 5:30 and there is a changeover. She is back at 7:25 to resume incubation. The male arrives at 10:15 to take over, and the female flies out. He leaves at 12:15 and the female quickly replaces him. She flies out at 13:05 and returns 45 minutes later with a full crop. The male is back at 16:20 and the female lets him on to the eggs. She flies in at 17:55 but sits on the ledge for ten minutes, then has to force him from the eggs. She remains until midnight.
20 Mar – the female remains tight on the eggs until 02:10 when she stands over them. Five minutes later her THIRD EGG was laid. She waits for it to dry and harden and 25 minutes later it was being incubated with the other two. The male arrives at 1:50 carrying a small meal but the female sits tight, and he flies off with it. She moves to the ledge at 4:40 and flies out, returning at 5:00. The male takes over at 5:50 until 8:05 when the female lands and he flies out. She leaves at 9:00 and returns at 10:45. She moves to the platform at 12:55 on seeing the incoming male with fresh Feral Pigeon prey. She takes it from him, and he flies off; she soon follows. She is back at 13:25 looking well fed. The male lands at 15:00, calls to the female and takes over incubation. She sits on the ledge for 15 minutes before flying off. She is back on the ledge at 17:05 but the male remains incubating until 17:50 when he flies out allowing the female back onto the eggs until midnight.
19 Mar – the female sits on the ledge at 1:35 for five minutes. She walks to the platform at 3:10 and returns to the eggs 20 minutes later. The male flies in to take over incubation at 5:05. He flies out at 6:00 and the female returns at 7:10. She is replaced by the male at 8:35. He looks out from the ledge at 9:10, then flies off. The female sits on the eggs at 9:25. The male returns at 10:30, calls to the female and she leaves the eggs, and he takes over incubation as she flies out. He leaves at 11:35, and she returns five minutes later. She flies off at 13:35 and returns at 14:55. She flies out at 18:20 and is replaced by the male. She returns 30 minutes later but the male refuses to give up incubation. She eventually forces him off five minutes later. She remains until midnight having a five-minute stretch on the ledge at 23:50.
18 May – the female remains with the eggs and the male flies in at 1:05 with very fresh Redwing prey. She does not move, so he flies off with it. She goes to the platform at 2:35 for ten minutes, then returns to the eggs. She walks to the ledge and calls at 5:30, the male responds and takes over incubation. He flies out 15 minutes later and the female returns at 5:55 and sits on the ledge but flies off after ten minutes. She is back on the eggs at 7:15. She looks out from the platform for 20 minutes at 8:00, then returns to the eggs. She looks out briefly at 8:55 and flies out at 9:15. She is back at 9:50 until 10:15 when she leaves, and the male takes over. After ten minutes something alerts him and he looks out from the ledge, then flies off. The action of the pair suggests an intruder in the area. The female is back on the eggs at 11:15 but continually scanning the skies. She moves to the platform at 11:35 and flies off at 12:25. She is back on the eggs ten minutes later. She moves to the platform an hour later, looking out and leaves after a few minutes. She returns at 15:40 and the male flies in at 17:50 with fresh Feral Pigeon prey. She takes it from him, and he leaves. She follows a few minutes later. She returns to the eggs at 18:25 looking very well fed. She moves to the ledge at 20:35 for five minutes and again at 23:45 for ten minutes.
17 Mar – the male remains on the ledge overnight until 5:15 when he goes into the box to incubate the egg. He is back on the ledge at 5:45 and flies off ten minutes later. The female lands at 6:00 quickly followed by the male carrying fresh Starling prey. The female ignores the meal offer and the male flies off with it. She remains on the ledge until 6:10 when she incubates the egg for 30 minutes, then flies out. She is back at 7:25 until leaving at 7:50. He returns at 8:30 carrying fresh Chaffinch prey. The female arrives to take it from him, and he incubates the egg. Something catches his eye, and he moves to the ledge after five minutes and flies off. The female lands a few minutes later and stands over the egg until 9:35, then leaves. The male returns to cover the egg at 12:40. He flies out at 13:05 and is replaced by the female five minutes later. She moves to the ledge at 14:15 and flies out after ten minutes. She is back with the egg an hour later, then moves to the ledge at 15:55 and leaves. The male is back incubating at 16:25 until 16:50. The female takes over at 17:05. She flies out at 18:10 and returns to the egg at 18:20 and stands over it until changing her position at 18:45, when she lays her second egg. She allows the egg to dry and harden, then pushes it next to the first one. She incubates both at 19:30 until 21:55 when she stands over them, trying to regulate the temperatures.
16 Mar – the female remains sitting next to the egg and occasionally turns it whilst the male sits on the ledge. The female leaves and there is a changeover at 5:05 but the male takes a short flight at 5:55, then leaves at 6:00. The female returns at 6:30 until 8:00. She is back at 8:30 and moves to the platform at 9:15 when the male bounces off the ledge. She looks out for 15 minutes, then returns to the egg – is there an intruder? There is a changeover at 10:25. The male leaves at 10:35 and the female takes over five minutes later. She flies out at 13:30 and is replaced by the male after ten minutes. He flies out at 15:05 and the female replaces him until she leaves at 16:45. She is back at 17:20 until 17:45, then returns to the egg at 17:55. The male returns to the ledge at 18:10 whilst the female sits by by the egg. She flies out at 22:10 whilst the male remains on the ledge until midnight.
15 Mar – the male flies off at 1:30. He is back at 5:10 and goes into the box and tends the scrape for five minutes, returning to the ledge. He flies off at 6:00 and is replaced by the female five minutes later. She goes into the box, sits in the scrape and leaves at 6:30. A Stock Dove lands on the ledge at 7:15 and the male swoops in and tries to catch it but narrowly misses. He checks the box, then flies off a few minutes later. He is back at 7:55 and sits on the ledge for 30 minutes. The female returns with a full crop at 9:20 and goes into the box. She starts moving stones in the scrape at 10:00 and ten minutes later produces the FIRST EGG of the season. She waits for it to dry and harden before incubating at 10:50. The male arrives at 11:15 and the pair have a chatter, and she shows him the egg. He sits on the ledge briefly, then flies off. She resumes incubation. The male returns at 13:35 and there is more chatter and the female flies off. The male follows but is quickly back and immediately has his first stint of incubating whilst the female watches from the ledge. He flies out at 15:05 and the female takes over, sometimes incubating, sometimes standing over the egg. He returns at 15:45 with fresh Feral Pigeon prey. The female remains with the egg, so he flies off to stash it. He returns to sit on the ledge at 18:05. The female continues to partially cover the egg until 22:15 when she moves to the ledge opposite the male. She is back with the egg at 22:50 and falls asleep, the male does likewise on the ledge.
14 Mar – the male remains sleeping until 2:05 when he flies out, returning 15 minutes later carrying fresh Redwing prey. He leaves with it five minutes later no doubt looking for the female. He returns to the ledge at 4:35 and falls asleep. He takes a short flight at 5:55, then leaves at 6:05 returning briefly at 6:20. The female arrives at 6:35 and goes into the box. She flies out an hour later and is replaced by the male, but he soon leaves. He is back briefly at 10:55 and again at 11:10. He is back in the box at 14:20 for five minutes. The female lands at 14:35 and goes into the box for 20 minutes. The male is back at 15:15 with fresh Feral Pigeon prey and the female swoops in to take it from him. She flies off whilst he leaves five minutes later. She is back at 17:35 and goes into the box. The male lands on the ledge at 18:55. She flies out at 22:10 whilst he sleeps on the ledge until midnight.
13 Mar – the female remains on the ledge from the previous evening until 3:30 when she moves into the box. She returns to the ledge at 4:10 and goes back into the box at 5:40 when the male arrives. She flies out at 5:55 and the male five minutes later. He is back at 7:10 carrying fresh Feral Pigeon prey for the female but quickly leaves as she is not in residence. The female flies in at 9:35 and goes into the box until leaving at 10:40. The male lands at 11:00 checks the box again, then flies out. He is back at 12:40 with fresh Feral Pigeon meal but once again the female is not around, and he leaves. She lands with a full crop at 14:20 and goes into the box ten minutes later. The male arrives on the ledge at 15:40 and leaves after ten minutes but the female remains in the box sleeping and tending the scrapes. He is back at 18:30 and the female flies out and he goes into the box, then moves to the ledge. He falls asleep until midnight.
12 Mar – the female arrives at 2:35 and goes into the box on the arrival of the male at 4:05 and sits in the scrape. She moves back to the ledge at 5:20 and the male flies off ten minutes later and the female at 6:00. She is back at 6:00 for 35 minutes. The male flies in at 7:00 and is forced into the box by the arrival of the female ten minutes later. He quickly flies out and she soon follows. The female is back at 7:50 and goes into the box for ten minutes at 8:20. She flies off at 8:50 and is immediately replaced by the male who tends the scrape in the box, then moves to the ledge at 9:00. The female flies into the box a few moments later and tends the scrape, and the male flies off after ten minutes. The female flies out at 9:45 and the male returns at 10:10 for ten minutes. They are back at 13:05 and go into the box. The male soon leaves, and the female sits on the platform looking out. She returns to the box at 13:20. The male flies into the box at 16:05 and she leaves. He moves to the ledge at 16:20 for ten minutes. The female is back at 16:45 and goes into the box at 17:05. The male arrives with Blackbird prey at 18:00 and the female tries to take it, but he flies off with it. The female remains on the platform looking out and returns to the box at 18:20. She moves to the platform at 21:35 and onto the ledge at 22:40 where she remains until midnight.
11 Mar – the male remains on the ledge and is joined by the female at 00:35. She displaces him, and he goes into the box and flies out after five minutes. He returns at 5:40 and she goes into the box. They swap places at 6:00. She then flies out and he follows a few minutes later. The male is back at 6:30 with Blackbird prey looking for the female, he flies out a few moments later. He is back at 7:20 with part-eaten Feral Pigeon prey. The female lands to take it from him and they both leave. He flies into the box at 8:05, calls and leaves after a few minutes. the female lands at 8:15 and goes into the box where she tends the scrapes and remains until 9:10 when she moves to the ledge and flies off at 9:40. The male is back briefly at 11:00 and the female for ten minutes at 11:25. The male returns at 15:15, goes into the box then sits on the ledge. He is replaced by the female at 15:35 and she goes into the box to tend the scrapes. The male lands with another Feral Pigeon meal and she takes it from him and flies off with it. She returns at 18:20 and goes into the box until 22:35 when she flies out.
10 March – Breaking News: sightings of a colour-ringed Peregrine at St Peter’s Church in Oadby and All Saints Church in Wigston have been confirmed as one of the Cathedral’s brood from 2024 – the problematic intruding XRF. Having been seen on a number of occasions since fledging, it is hoped that he will attract a mate and settle down.
10 Mar – Watch Day – the male remains on the ledge from the previous evening until 2:25. The female lands at 3:25 and flies off at 3:10 but returns with fresh Feral Pigeon prey at 4:25. She stashes it by a column then sits on the ledge. The male lands at 5:30 and the female goes into the box. He takes the meal and flies out with it as she moves back to the ledge, then flies out at 6:05. The male arrives at 6:20 and sits on the ledge with a full crop. He goes into the box when the female returns at 6:45. She joins him in the box, and he leaves after a few minutes bonding. The female remains until 7:05 when she moves back to the ledge for ten minutes, then flies off. She is back briefly at 8:00 and the male replaces her. He goes into the box for a few minutes and flies off at 8:15. The male lands briefly at 9:35. During the Watch Day, the pair spent most of the time on the spire. Mating was noted at 8:30 and 10:30. The male was seen chasing off both Red Kite and Buzzard. The female attempted to catch prey but resorted to retrieving one from a stash, most probably the remains of the pigeon meal the male stole. The female is back on the ledge at 13:15 and goes into the box for five minutes at 13:40, then flies off. The male flies in at 15:30 carrying scraps of a previous Feral Pigeon meal. The female swoops in to take it from him, then flies off. The male remains on the ledge until going into the box when the female returns at 14:50 and the pair call to each other. The male flies out at 15:05 and the female sits on the ledge with a full crop. She goes into the box at 16:20 to tend the scrapes for ten minutes. She flies off five minutes later and is replaced by the male. He leaves at 17:50 and returns to the ledge at 18:40. He checks the box at 19:50 and remains until midnight.
9 Mar – the female flies in at 4:05. She goes into the box two hours later on the arrival of the male, then returns to the ledge; the male leaves. She leaves at 6:25 and returns after ten minutes. She flies off at 7:20 and immediately returns with the male. He goes into the box. She quickly flies off and he follows. She is back briefly at 8:15 and at 9:30 for 15 minutes. She is back on the ledge at 15:10 until 15:45. The male flies into the box at 16:20 for five minutes. The female is back 15 minutes later. The male arrives with scraps at 16:45, she takes them and leaves. The male remains on the ledge until midnight.
8 Mar – the female lands at 5:10 and sits on the ledge until 6:25. The male arrives five minutes later, checks the scrape then sits on the ledge until 6:55. He is back at 8:45 for 15 minutes. The female lands briefly at 9:50 and the male flies into the box ten minutes later. He leaves at 10:10. She returns at 11:25 and checks the box at 11:40, quickly moving back to the ledge, then flying off at 11:55. The pair fly into the box together at 14:55 but the male soon leaves. She moves to the ledge after five minutes and flies off at 15:25. She is back at 17:00 and checks the box. The male quickly arrives with more scraps of pigeon and they both fly off. She returns to the box at 18:10 for 30 minutes.
7 Mar – the male lands briefly at 5:55. The female arrives at 6:20 and flies out at 6:35 to be replaced by the male but he soon leaves. He is back at 8:10 with fresh Feral Pigeon prey. The female lands and takes it from him; they both quickly leave. He is back at 8:50 for 30 minutes. The pair return at 11:30 and the male goes into the box flying out after five minutes whilst the female sits on the ledge with a full crop until 13:10. The pair are back at 16:00 with the male carrying scraps from a previous meal. The female goes into the box but the male flies off with the ‘meal’. She moves to the ledge after ten minutes tending the scrapes. She flies out at speed at 16:35 calling. The male is back at 17:05 and goes into the box, then moves to the ledge after ten minutes and flies off at 18:20.
6 Mar – the female lands at 3:25 and is joined by the male an hour later. She goes into the box briefly then returns to the ledge. The male flies off at 4:35 but is back at 5:25 and the female visits the box again, then moves back to the ledge. He flies off at 5:45 whilst she remains until 6:15. He takes over a few minutes later until 6:35. They fly into the box together at 8:05 but he quickly leaves, and she follows five minutes later. He returns at 10:30 carrying fresh Feral Pigeon prey. The female quickly flies in, takes it from him and they both leave. The pair are back at 13:40 and the male goes into the box leaving a few minutes later whilst the female sits on the ledge. She goes into the box at 13:55 until moving to the ledge at 15:40. She flies off ten minutes later and is replaced by the male who goes into the box. He moves back to the ledge at 16:10 and leaves five minutes later. The pair flies in at 17:20 with the male carrying fresh Redwing prey which the female tries to take from him. He refuses and they fly off. The female returns at 17:45 and sits on the ledge with a full crop. She goes into the box at 17:55 and flying out 20 minutes later.
5 May – the female flies in at 5:25 and goes into the box when the male arrives at 5:45. She flies out at 6:00 and the male 20 minutes later. He is back at 6:45, checks the scrapes in the box, then sits on the ledge until 7:00. The male arrives with part-eaten Feral Pigeon at 9:55. The female arrives to take it from him but leaves without it. He flies off with the meal. He lands briefly at 10:35, 11:55, 12:45 and 14:05. The pair return at 15:45. The male goes into the box, and she joins him at 16:10. He flies out a few minutes later, she remains in the box tending the scrapes and preening. She flies out at 17:40 and returns at 18:05 and goes into the box. She tends the scrapes and flies out at 18:30.
4 Mar – the female arrives at 5:55 and goes into the box when the male lands 15 minutes later. He quickly leaves and she follows at 6:25. The male returns a few moments later and flies off at 6:45. He is back at 8:15 carrying fresh Feral Pigeon prey. The female swoops in and grabs it; they both leave. She is back at 10:10 with a full crop and goes into the box to check the scrapes. She returns to the ledge at 11:00 and flies off at 12:40. The male lands for five minutes at 12:45. He is back in the box tending the scrapes for ten minutes at 15:00 and leaves after a further five minutes. He lands briefly at 16:05. The female returns at 16:35 and goes into the box. She moves to the platform at 17:15 and quickly flies off.
3 Mar – the male lands briefly at 2:50. The female arrives 20 minutes later and goes into the box at 4:00 on the arrival of the male, moving back to the ledge after 15 minutes. The pair remain on the ledge together until 6:00 when the male leaves. She follows 25 minutes later. The male returns at 6:35 and checks the box, then sits on the ledge for five minutes before leaving. The female lands briefly at 9:20 calling loudly into the sky. The male lands at 9:30 for ten minutes. He is back at 10:55, checks the box then moves to the ledge and flies out. The female is back at 11:30 and goes into the box, then moves to the ledge where she remains until 12:20. She is back at 16:55 and goes into the box, then moves to the ledge at 17:05. The male arrives ten minutes later and she goes into the box, but the male immediately flies off. She moves to the ledge at 17:40 and flies off 15 minutes later.
2 Mar – the female remains on the ledge from the previous evening until 5:25 when she goes into the box on the arrival of the male. She is back on the ledge 15 minutes later and the male leaves at 5:50. She returns to the box when the male is back at 6:15. He flies off after five minutes and she moves back to the ledge and leaves at 6:35. The male flies in at 6:50, checks the box, then flies off at 7:15. He is back for 20 minutes at 7:40. The female returns at 8:15 for ten minutes, and the male lands briefly at 9:00 and again at 12:10. The pair are back at 14:00, the male goes into the box but quickly leaves. The female sits on the ledge with a full crop until 15:25 when the male lands and she goes into the box. He quickly flies out calling, and she follows. She lands briefly at 15:40. The pair are back at 17:10 and go into the box. He quickly leaves but she remains in the box tending the scrapes until 17:25 and flies off at 18:15.
1 Mar – the male flies in at 00:25 and sits on the ledge. He goes into the box briefly at 7:40, possibly waiting for the arrival of the female. He flies off at 6:40 but is back ten minutes later then flies off at 6:55. He is back at 7:15 and sits on the ledge until 7:40. The female arrives very briefly a few minutes later. The male lands carrying fresh Little Grebe prey at 8:05. The female arrives to take it from him; they both fly off. The male is back on the ledge at 8:40 and goes into the box five minutes later, then quickly returns to the ledge and flying off at 8:55. The female lands at 9:10 with a full crop and goes into the box to tend the scrapes. She is back on the ledge at 9:45 until moving back to the box at 11:15 and fly out five minutes later. The male returns briefly at 11:25 and the female is back for a few minutes at 12:55. The male is back at 13:10 carrying fresh plucked Starling prey. The female swoops in to take it and flies off and the male follows. She quickly returns and has obviously stashed her meal and goes into the box. She moves to the ledge at 13:30 where she remains until flying off at 14:50. She is back in the box two hours later and is followed by the male carrying the remains of Stock Dove prey. She returns at 17:05 and sits on the ledge until flying off at 18:10. She is back at 18:20, checks the box then sits on the ledge remaining until midnight.
FEBRUARY 2026
28 Feb – the female flies into the box at 6:55. She tends to the scrapes then sits on the ledge. The male lands briefly at 7:25 and she flies off five minutes later. The male lands briefly at 7:25 and she flies off five minutes later. He returns at 7:40 for 15 minutes. The female is back briefly at 9:35. The male flies into the box at 10:05 but quickly leaves. The female returns at 13:10 for 20 minutes. The pair fly in at 13:35. He soon leaves whilst she remains in the box for five minutes and flies off at 13:45. They are back together at 14:55. He flies off after a few minutes, and she soon follows. The male lands with fresh Starling prey at 21:00 but quickly leaves with it.
27 Feb – the male remains asleep on the ledge from the previous evening until 6:30. The female lands briefly at 8:35. A Stock Dove lands at 9:25 and just escapes the clutches of the arriving male by squeezing through a gap between two columns. He watches it fly away and returns to the box, then leaves ten minutes later. The male is back at 12:25 and calls from the ledge. The female arrives soon after and goes into the box. He flies off and she quickly follows. He is back at 15:00 and goes into the box, then moves to the ledge and flies off at 15:10. He is back at 17:15 quickly followed by the female. He flies out of the box a few minutes later and she leaves at 17:25.
26 Feb – the male remains sleeping on the ledge from the previous evening until 6:25 when he flies off on the arrival of the female; she leaves at 6:50. The male is back briefly at 7:30. They return together at 9:00 and go into the box. The male quickly leaves, and the female moves to the ledge after ten minutes tending the scrapes. She flies off at 10:55 and is replaced ten minutes later by the male but he leaves at 11:20. They are back in the box at 12:05. He quickly leaves and the she sits on the ledge ten minutes later. She flies off at 13:45 and the male lands briefly ten minutes later. The female returns at 15:05 and sits on the platform moving to the ledge at 16:15. The male, looking well fed, lands at 17:10 with the leftovers of a Feral Pigeon meal. The female takes it from him and feeds. He flies out, and she returns to the ledge until flying off at 18:00. The male is back 20 minutes later and remains until midnight.
25 Feb – the male arrives at 2:55 and falls asleep on the ledge. He flies off at 6:30 but is back 45 minutes later but quickly leaves. He returns with the female at 8:30 and he goes into the box. The female flies off immediately and he follows five minutes later. He is back briefly at 11:20. The female flies in at 12:15 and goes into the box 20 minutes later. She tends the scrapes for ten minutes, then moves to the ledge where she remains until 14:20. The male lands at 14:35 and leaves at 15:00. The male is in the box at 15:10, then moves to the ledge until flying off at 15:25. The female lands at 15:40 and sits on the ledge with a full crop. At 17:45, the male arrives with fresh Feral Pigeon prey. Despite already being well fed, the female takes it from him, and he flies off and she leaves with her meal. The male flies in at 18:20 and sits on the ledge with a full crop where he remains until midnight.
24 Feb – the male arrives at 3:55 and falls asleep on the ledge. He takes a short flight at 6:50, then quickly leaves. The female lands at 8:20. She goes into the box after five minutes and tends to the scrapes. She moves to the ledge at 8:45 and returns to the box when the male land briefly at 8:55. She moves back to the ledge and flies out at 9:20 to be replaced by the male. He goes into the box, tends the scrape then moves back to the ledge and flies off. He is back briefly at 9:50 and returns a few minutes later until 10:10. He is back in the box ten minutes later and quickly moves to the ledge. The female flies into the box at 10:40 and he calls to her from the ledge. They fly out together at 10:45. The male is back at 12:30 for five minutes. The pair fly in together at 14:00. The male goes into the box whilst the female sits on the ledge. He flies out at 14:20 and she follows five minutes later. He is back at 16:10 and is joined by the female at 17:15. She goes into the box, and he flies off. She moves to the ledge after tending the scrape, leaving at 17:50.
23 Feb – the male flies in at 2:25 and falls asleep on the ledge. He takes a short flight at 6:35 before leaving at 6:50. He is back at 7:35 and goes into the box, tends the scrape, then returns to the ledge and flies off. He returns at 9:25 for five minutes. The pair fly into the box at 14:20. The male flies out after five minutes bonding and the female moves to the ledge where she remains until 15:50 when the male returns carrying fresh Feral Pigeon prey. She takes the meal from him, and they both fly off.
22 Feb – the male remains on the ledge from the previous evening until 6:50 when the female lands and they fly off together. The male returns at 8:05 with part-eaten Feral Pigeon. He looks for the female, then flies out with the meal. The female lands a few minutes later and goes into the box, tends the scrapes and flies out after five minutes. The male lands at 8:45 and sits on the ledge for 30 minutes. He returns with the female at 9:40 and they go into the box. He flies off after five minutes bonding. The female moves to the ledge until 10:00. The male is back briefly at 10:15 and at 12:00 for five minutes. He lands twice in five minutes at 13:30. The pair return at 14:40 and go into the box for a bout of bonding. He soon moves to the ledge, then flies out and she follows a few minutes later. They are back at 17:00. The female goes into the box as the male sits on the ledge for a few minutes, then leaves. She moves to the ledge at 17:10 and flies off 40 minutes later. The male flies in at 23:45 carrying fresh Redwing prey. The female follows and tries to take the meal from him but he flies off with it. She leaves soon after.
21 Feb – the male remains on the ledge from the previous evening until 6:45 when the female lands and they fly off together. They are back at 8:35 and go into the box. The male flies out after a short bout of bonding whilst the female remains tending the scrapes until moving to the ledge at 8:45 and flying off 15 minutes later. The male is back at 10:20, checks out the box then sits on the ledge for ten minutes. The female lands briefly at 10:35 and again at 12:15. She flies into the box at pace calling at 13:05 and leaves a few moments later. The male lands for five minutes at 14:15. He returns at 17:50 and remains on the ledge until midnight.
20 Feb – the male flies in at 6:05. He goes into the box at 6:45 on the arrival of the female. He leaves after a few minutes, and she soon follows. She is back at 9:45 for five minutes. She returns at 11:00 and flies out to meet the male who lands with fresh Feral Pigeon prey. She takes it from him and flies off and he leaves soon after. She is back at 12:00 and sits on the ledge with a full crop. She starts chipping and bobbing at 14:30 and flies off a few minutes later. The pair return at 15:25 and go into the box. The male moves to the ledge after five minutes bonding, then flies off. The female remains in the box tending the scrapes for 20 minutes, then moves to the ledge at 15:50 until 17:30. The male returns to the ledge 15 minutes later and remains until midnight.
19 Feb – the pair fly in at 6:35 but she leaves immediately, and he quickly follows. The female is back at 14:10 and goes into the box and tends the scrapes. She moves to the ledge after 15 minutes and flies off at 14:40. The male is back at 15:25 until 15:50. The female flies in at 16:45, checks the box then sits on the ledge for ten minutes. The male returns at 17:20 until 18:25.
18 Feb – the female flies in at 3:50 and goes into the box on the arrival of the male at 5:55. She flies out at 6:05 and forces the male from the ledge on exit. They return a few minutes later. The male flies off at 6:15 whilst the female remains until 7:00. The male is back in the box at 7:50, then sits on the ledge until 8:00. The pair fly in at 12:15 and have a short bout of bonding in the box. The male soon moves to the ledge and flies off. The female tends the scrapes then sits on the ledge at 12:25 and leaves at 12:40. The male returns at 16:35, checks the box then sits on the ledge with a full crop and flies off five minutes later. He is back for a few minutes at 16:55 and again at 17:25 for 20 minutes.
17 Feb – the female lands at 2:10. She goes into the box on the arrival of the male at 6:35. He flies off a few minutes later and she soon follows. He lands briefly at 7:40. He is back at 10:20 followed by the female but both quickly leave. He is back at 11:35, checks the box then flies off. He is back briefly at 13:00
16 Feb – the male flies in at 3:00 and remains until 6:15. He returns at 6:55 until 7:20. The female flies into the box at 8:00, tends the scrapes and leaves at 8:25. The male lands briefly at 8:40 and again at 8:45 for ten minutes. The female flies in briefly at 9:45. She returns with the male at 11:50 and they go into the box. The male leaves after a few minutes of bonding, whilst the female remains in the box tending the scrapes. She moves to the ledge at 12:00 and flies off 15 minutes later. The male flies into the box at 16:10 and leaves after five minutes.
15 Feb – the pair fly in together at 6:10. He goes into the box and flies out at 6:50. She remains on the ledge until flying off at 7:20. They are back at 8:25 and go into the box. He flies out after five minutes bonding. She moves to the ledge at 8:35 and flies off at 9:20. She is back five minutes later and goes into the box to tend the scrapes, then quickly moves back to the ledge. She flies off at 12:15 and returns at 13:20 for five minutes. The male lands with part-eaten prey at 14:40. The female swoops in and immediately takes it from him and leaves. He goes into the box for a few minutes, then sits on the ledge briefly before flying off. He is back on the ledge at 16:15 and goes into the box when the female joins him at 16:25. She moves to the ledge after a few minutes, and he remains in the box until leaving at 16:40; she soon follows. They return at 17:50 and she tends the scrape whilst he quickly leaves. She follows at 18:00.
14 Feb – the male lands at 6:45 for 15 minutes. The female arrives at 9:15 will a full crop. She goes into the box at 10:00 to tend the scrape for five minutes, then returns to the ledge where she remains until 10:40. The male is back at 11:00, goes into the box and flies out after five minutes. The female returns for a few minutes at 13:15.
13 Feb – the male arrives 7:10. He takes a short flight at 7:30 and goes into the box only to immediately fly out again. He is back for a few minutes at 8:45. The female lands briefly at 11:50 and the male flies into the box a few minutes later but quickly leaves.
12 Feb – the male arrives at 1:50 with Mistle Thrush prey. He checks the box, tends a scrape then flies out, probably looking for the female. He is back at 5:30 and remains on the ledge until 7:10. He flies in at 8:30 and goes into the box, then sits on the ledge, flying off five minutes later. He lands for a few seconds at 10:10 calling into the sky. He is back in the box at 13:00 for five minutes tending a scrape, then flies out. The female lands at 15:50 and goes into the box to tend the scrapes. She moves to the ledge at 16:05 until flying off at 17:00.
11 Feb – the male lands briefly at 8:45. He flies into the box 30 minutes later then moves to the ledge and leaves after five minutes. The female lands at 9:25 and tends the scrapes in the box. She moves back to the ledge at 9:45 and leaves at 10:20. She is back at 11:35 for five minutes. The pair fly in at 12:30 and have a brief bonding session. The male soon leaves whilst the female tends the scrapes, then moves to the ledge. She flies off at 13:00 returning 20 minutes later but quickly leaves. She is back at 13:45 and remains until 14:20.
10 Feb – WATCH DAY: the male lands at 6:55 calling into the skies. He has a preen before 7:15. He is back at 7:40 and goes into the box on the arrival of the female a few minutes later. She remains on the ledge, and he flies out at 8:50; she soon follows. On arrival at the Watch Point at 9:30, the male was on an east-facing cross. He flew off after 15 minutes but soon returned with the female. Unfortunately, both birds spent most of the morning on the north side of the spire. There were a number of flights and activity by both birds suggestive of mating attempts. The pair fly into the box at 13:05. The male moves to the ledge after a few minutes bonding and flies off at 13:15. The female tends the scrapes moving to the ledge at 13:35 showing a full crop. She flies off at 16:45 and the male immediately lands carrying part-eaten Feral Pigeon. The female arrives to take it from him and leaves with it. The male sits on the ledge and is joined by the female at 16:55. He soon leaves, and she flies off at 17:45.
9 Feb – the male remains on the ledge from the previous evening. He takes a short flight at 7:00, then goes into the box for a few minutes before returning to the ledge. He flies off at 7:20 and returns with the female at 8:30. They go into the box for a bout of bonding. The male soon leaves whilst the female tends the scrapes then moves to the ledge and flies off at 8:55. She is back at 9:30 calling from the box and leaves after five minutes. The male lands briefly at 9:40 and again for five minutes at 10:55. He is back at 16:15, flies out five minutes later then returns with the female. He goes into the box whilst she sits on the ledge until joining him at 16:40. The male moves to the ledge after five minutes bonding, then flies off. The female moves to the ledge then returns to the box at 16:55, tends the scrape, then moves back to the ledge and flies off at 17:15.
8 Feb – the male lands at 6:15. He goes into the box when the female arrives at 6:55, she follows after a few minutes. They fly out together at 7:05 after a short bout of bonding. She returns immediately and tends the scrapes then sits on the ledge until 7:25. She is back briefly at 9:00 and returns at 9:40 and goes into the box to tend to the scrapes. She moves to the ledge after 15 minutes and flies off ten minutes later. The male flies into the box at 16:15, tends the scrapes, then moves to the ledge where he remains until midnight.
7 Feb – the female lands at 2:50. She goes into the box when the male joins her at 6:50 and tends the scrapes. He remains on the ledge until flying off ay 7:05. The female then returns to the ledge but leaves a few minutes later. The male is back at 13:35 for five minutes. He lands briefly at 15:25 but quickly returns followed by the female and they go into the box but she immediately flies out and he soon follows. He is back at 16:00 for a few minutes.
6 Feb – the male flies in at 7:00 and is joined by the female 25 minutes later. She leaves immediately but he sits on the ledge in the rain until 7:50. They are back at 10:55. He goes into the box whilst she sits on the ledge for a few minutes then joins him for a bout of bonding. The male soon leaves, and after tending the scrapes, the female moves back to the ledge at 11:05, then flies off. On a visit to the city centre at mid-day today, both birds were active around the spire. There was calling between the pair and what looked like several mating attempts. The male is back at 16:25 and goes into the box briefly, then sits on the ledge but leaves after five minutes.
5 Feb – the pair fly in at 7:25. The male goes into the box, but the female immediately leaves. The male moves to the ledge and flies off after five minutes. The female is back at 12:55 for ten minutes.
4 Feb – the pair fly in at 7:05 and the male goes into the box. The female soon leaves and the male quickly follows. The female is back 20 minutes later and goes into the box to tend the scrapes, then moves to the ledge at 7:55 before flying off at 8:15. She is back at 11:35 carrying very fresh Feral Pigeon prey. She plucks it and feeds on the platform, flying off with her meal at 11:40. The pair fly in at 16:30. The male goes into the box and the female joins him after ten minutes on the ledge. There is a short bout of bonding, then the male leaves. The female remains in the box until 17:20 when she moves to the ledge and flies off.
3 Feb – the male flies in at 6:35 for 20 minutes. The female lands at 7:25 and is joined by the male a few minutes later. They go into the box, but the male quickly leaves, and the female follows soon after. The male is back at 8:35 for ten minutes. The pair return at 14:50 and the male goes into the box, whilst the female sits on the ledge. He leaves at 15:00. Something flies close to the box at 15:15 and the female follows in pursuit.
2 Feb – the male remains asleep on the ledge from the previous evening. He wakens at 5:35 and preens vigorously before flying off at 5:50. He returns with the female at 7:15. She quickly flies out, but he remains on the ledge for ten minutes. He is back at 7:45 until 8:20 and at 10:25 for ten minutes. He returns with the female at 11:10 and there is a brief bout of bonding in the box. He soon leaves as she tends the scrapes until moving to the ledge at 11:30 with a full crop. She flies off at 12:15.
1 Feb – the male remains on the ledge until flying off at 7:15. He returns quickly with the female, and they go into the box. She then moves to the ledge, and he flies out a few minutes later forcing her from the ledge in the process. She quickly returns and goes into the box before moving back to the ledge and flying off at 7:45. The male is back briefly at 10:00. He returns again at 14:45, falls asleep and remains on the ledge until midnight.