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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MARCH 2024
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.