DECEMBER 2019

1 December – the pair fly in together at 7:15 but leave almost immediately. The male is back 20 minutes later and flies off at 8:05. The female returns briefly at 11:40 calling loudly. The male flies in at 13:45 and goes into the box for a few moments, then moves to the platform before flying off after 10 minutes. the male is back at 22:50 but flies of after a quick visit to the box. He is back again at 23:30 but leaves after 10 minutes.

2 December – the male arrives at 5:35 and sits on the ledge until 7:25 when he walks into the box on the arrival of the female. After a few minutes, she sits on the opposite ledge and he flies off. At 8:30, she walks into the box as he flies in. They swap places after a few minutes and he returns to the ledge. She flies off at 8:55 and he remains on the ledge until 11:25 when he leaves. The female flies in at 15:20 and takes a short flight 10 minutes later. She goes into the box when the male joins her at 15:45. There is quiet calling and chipping between the pair. She creates a number of scrapes and moves some stones around whilst he sits on the ledge watching over the city. She remains in the box for 10 minutes and they then swap positions. He moves back to the ledge at 16:00. They fly off together 20 minutes later.

3 December – the female flies in at 7:00 and is joined by the male 5 minutes later. There is calling and posturing between the pair on the platform. After a few minutes, the male goes into the box whilst the female sits on the ledge. The male flies out at 7:15 and the female leaves at 7:40. The male is back an hour later with a full crop. He goes into the box on the arrival of the female 5 minutes later. After a few minutes, they swap positions. There is some calling, and she then makes a scrape in the stones before walking to the ledge and forcing the male to fly off. She remains on the ledge preening until 10:30 when she walks along the platform pick up and swallowing small stones; this is normal practice to help clean the lining of the crop which can become thick with fat/grease. They are eventually regurgitated like a pellet. She returns to the ledge until flying off at 11:15 to be replaced by the male. He walks into the box at 11:35 when the female flies in there is calling between the pair before the female replaces the male and makes a scrape in the stones. They are on separate ledges at 11:40 and fly off together at 12:00. The female is back at 15:15 with a full crop. The male joins her at 15:50 and there is calling between the pair.  After a few minutes, they go into the box before the male returns to the ledge. The female makes a scrape and the changes places with the male at 16:00. He sits in the box with the central column obscuring her view – a regular practice for him. He flies out 10 minutes later and she watches him go, then follows at 16:30.

4 December – the male arrives at 6:20 but flies off 15 minutes later. The female lands at 6:45 and walks into the box when the male returns at 6:55; there is calling between the pair. After a few minutes, she displaces him on the ledge, and he sits on the platform behind the central column. He takes a brief flight at 7:10. They fly off together at 7:20, the male returning briefly soon after. They are back at 7:35 and the male goes into the box and sits behind the central column. He flies off after 10 minutes but is back at 8:00. They fly off together calling a few minutes later. They are back at 8:55, both with full crops, and the female goes into the box, then walks to sit on the ledge. The pair remain on the ledge until the female flies off at 10:50; the male follows at 11:15. The female returns at 19:40 carrying a large Woodpigeon which she plucks and eats on the platform. At 20:20, she stashes a large portion of the prey by the left hand column and sits on the ledge with a very full crop, and falls asleep remaining until midnight at least.  

5 December – the female remains on the ledge from the previous evening until 8:35 when she walks into the box on the arrival of the male. There is calling between the pair. As soon as the male sees the stashed prey, he snatches it and flies out; always on the lookout for an easy meal. Strangely he is back a few moments later (without the prey) and there is more calling between the pair. He picks at some scraps on the platform but when approached by the female, takes off. He ties to land a few seconds later but the female is still on the ledge and he banks away. She sits on the ledge and he joins her at 9:00 with a full crop! The female flies off 20 minutes later. He takes a short flight at 11:10 then walks into the box as the female arrives. She forces him out and takes his place, he sits on the ledge. She generates a number of scrapes whilst he spends his time preening. She displaces the male on the ledge at 11:25 and falls asleep. The male returns at 13:05 and there is calling between the pair. The female goes into the box and once again, generates scrapes whilst the male sits on the ledge. She sits opposite him 5 minutes later. At 14:00, she takes a short flight and when she returns the male goes into the box. He flies out 5 minutes later, then lands on the ledge. The female goes into the box and scrapes yet again and moves some stones around. She is back on the ledge, opposite the male, at 14:20. Both birds spend some time preening. The male flies off 30 minutes later and the female at 15:50.

6 December 2019 – Video: the female works on the scrape.

6 December – the male arrives at 7:30, flying out 40 minutes later. He returns at 8:50 and is joined quickly by the female. She goes into the box whilst he sits on the ledge. She moves to the ledge after 5 minutes. at 9:10, the male takes a brief flight then flies off a few minutes later. The female picks at scraps on the platform at 9:50 then spends some time preening on the ledge before flying off at 10:55. The male is back 5 minutes later also picking at scraps on the platform then sits on the ledge. He takes another short flight at 11:55 then moves to the box as the female arrives. She takes over in the box and makes a number of scrapes whilst he sits on the ledge. He flies off when she replaces him 10 minutes later. He returns at 12:25 and the pair fly off together at 12:35. The male soon returns but leaves again at 12:55. He is back again at 13:10 and moves to the platform 5 minutes later, seemingly in preparation of the arrival of the female. He is back on the ledge a few minutes later. An hour later, he goes into the box when the female arrives. She replaces him after a few minutes and makes a few scrapes in the stones. She then forces him from the ledge and takes his place; he flies onto the opposite ledge. She is back in the box for a few minutes at 14:55, then flies out. The male flies off at 15:05.

7 December – the male arrives at 5:50 and flies off at 7:35. He returns an hour later. He goes into the box and then the platform calling before returning to the ledge. He takes a brief flight at 9:20 and flies off a few minutes later. He is back at 10:05 and is soon joined by the female who goes into the box, makes scrapes and moves stones around. After 20 minutes, she moves to the ledge. She flies off at 10:50 and he follows. He is back a few moments later and spends his time preening on the ledge until 11:55 when he flies off. He is back with the female a few minutes later and the female goes into the box making another scrape, then sits on the ledge. They fly off together at 12:10 but he is back a few moments later and leaves after 30 minutes. he returns 5 minutes later and goes into the box then onto the ledge, flying off briefly at 12:55 and again at 13:05. He takes another flight at 13:25 and flies off 15 minutes later. He is back at 13:50 and takes another short flight. He enters the box at 14:15 on the arrival of the female. He flies off 5 minutes later but is soon back and goes into the box at 15:10. The female soon replaces him, and he goes to the ledge. She makes a scrape and moves some stones and they swap places at 15:30. He flies out at 15:30 and she remains on the ledge falling asleep at 16:40. She flies off at 19:00.

8 December – the male flies in at 7:25 and takes a short flight 15 minutes later. He leaves at 8:00 returning at 8:15. The female flies in at 9:00 with a full crop and is joined by the male 10 minutes later. They go into the box for a few moments before moving to the ledge. The male flies off at 9:45 and the female at 11:25. They fly in together a few moments later and there is calling and posturing. The male flies off 10 minutes later but returns after a further 10 minutes. the female goes into the box and he sits on the ledge but is displaced a few moments later and he flies off; she follows soon after. They are both back after a few minutes but do not stay long. She is back at 12:00 and sits on the ledge preening until flying off an hour later to be replaced by the male. She then joins him at 13:10 and he flies off 5 minutes later. He is back at 13:20 and they both fly off but are soon back. They both fly off again at 14:15. The female returns 20 minutes later, leaving after an hour.

9 December – the male flies in at 6:40 but stays only 15 minutes. The female arrives at 7:15. She walks into the box when the male returns at 7:30. They are both on the ledge 5 minutes later and the male flies off after a further 5 minutes. she leaves at 8:05. The male is back at 8:55 and sits on the platform looking out over the city before flying out at 9:20. He is back at 10:15 and goes into the box and then back onto the platform looking out over the city until flying off after 30 minutes. he is back at 14:55 with a full crop. He goes into the box for a few minutes then moves to the ledge. He flies off at 15:35 but is back a few minutes later, remaining on the ledge preening until leaving at 16:40.

10 December – the male arrives at 7:50 and goes into the box 20 minutes later when the female flies in. She replaces him after a few moments and there is calling between the pair. She moves to the ledge after 5 minutes. They both fly off at 8:25 and he returns 10 minutes later. He takes a short flight at 8:45 then sits looking out over the city. He is off again at 9:00 and is back with a full crop after 50 minutes and takes another brief flight. He is back in the box when the female returns at 10:05 there is posturing on the platform before they settle on the ledge. The male flies off at 10:15 and at 10:45, the female walks onto the platform and picks a few stones to swallow before returning to the ledge. She flies off at 11:35. The male is back at 12:00 but takes another short flight 5 minutes later. He is replaced by the female at 12:25 and he then flies into the box. There is more posturing, and she then replaces him, generates a number of scrapes in the stones before returning to the ledge. They fly off together at 13:05. The male returns after 20 minutes, then takes another short flight, remaining until 14:00. There is no further activity on camera today.

11 December – today was a Peregrine Watch Day and the pair spent most of the morning on the spire and platform. They took off together on a number of occasions and at one point an intruding male was noted in their territory. This may account for some of their actions over the last week or so. The pair arrive together at 7:20 and the female goes into the box. She moves to the ledge after a few minutes and he flies off. She leaves at 8:15 and he replaces her. He goes into the box for a few moments at 8:40 and then back onto the ledge. She joins him at 10:05 and spends her time preening. They fly off together at 11:25 and the male quickly returns (the female sits on the spire). He goes into the box at 11:45 before flying out (both birds headed north). He is back 5 minutes later (the female sits on the spire). He flies out at 13:25 and returns with the female after a few moments. She goes into the box and makes a scrape whilst he sits on the ledge. They swap places after 10 minutes. He flies off at 14:00 and she takes a short flight 40 minutes later. The female is back at 22:50 and settles down for the evening. The male joins her at 23:00 but leaves a few minutes later. She falls asleep at 23:40.

12 December – the female remains sleeping on the ledge from the previous evening, waking at 5:20 stretching and preening. She goes into the box at 7:35 on the arrival of the male. There is calling between the pair. A few minutes later, they swap places and then the female flies off, the male runs to the ledge to watch her go. He follows at 7:50, returning at 9:20 with a full crop. He flies off at 10:35. The female comes in at 13:00, she too is well fed and has a very full crop. She flies off 90 minutes later at 14:30. There is no further activity on camera.

13 December – the male flies in at 7:45 but leaves a few minutes later. The pair arrive together at 10:05; the female is well fed and has a full crop. She goes into the box with the male on the ledge and there is calling between them. After a few minutes, they swap positions. He flies out soon after and she follows a few moments later. He is back at 10:50 then flies off 15 minutes later, returning at 12:00 followed quickly by the female. After a quick visit to the box, she moves to the opposite ledge. He flies off at 12:10. She remains on the ledge until the male returns at 13:30 when she moves into the box. They swap places gain after a few minutes and then the male moves to the ledge before flying off at 13:50. He is back again at 14:10 and the pair fly off together a few minutes later. He is back at 14:20, leaving at 15:00.

14 December – the male arrives at 7:45 and spends a few moments in the box. He is joined 5 minutes later by the female who sits on the ledge as the male returns to the box then sits on the platform 5 minutes later. At 8:20, the female picks at some scraps on the platform forcing the male into the box before flying out. She then moves to the ledge and he returns at 8:35. He takes a couple of short flights a few minutes later and two more at 8:55; probably hunting. At 9:05 he flies off and the female follows at 9:40. He is back, well fed with a full crop at 10:00. And takes a short flight at 10:10 and again at 10:20. The female returns at 10:45 and there is calling and posturing between the pair. The male then spies something overhead and both birds fly off. He is back at 10:55 and is joined by the female 15 minutes later. He goes into the box calling and is followed by the female. When she takes her place in the scrape, he moves to the ledge. She sits in the scrape moving stones until 11:20 when she displaces him on the ledge, and he moves to the opposite side. They fly off together at 12:15. He is back at 12:20 and takes a brief flight at 13:05 and again 10 minutes later. He takes another flight at 10:35 and the female flies in at 13:45. There is calling and posturing before they settle on the ledge. They fly off together at 13:55 and the female is back at 15:00. She spends a few minutes picking up some stones from the platform and eats them. As mentioned previously, this is normal and helps to clean the gullet/crop of excess fatty deposits. The male joins her at 15:25 and she falls asleep at 15:40. The male goes into the box at 16:05 and the female, now awake, follows him. When she sits in the scrap, he moves back to the ledge. She tidies the scrape and he watches from the platform. They swap places at 16:15 and he flies out 5 minutes later. She falls asleep at 16:30 remaining until midnight at least.

15 December – the female remains sleeping on the ledge from the previous evening until waking at 1:35, flying off 10 minutes later. She returns at 6:00 and sits on the ledge until 6:50 when she flies out. The male flies in at 7:15 and flies out 10 minutes later quickly returning with the female. They fly off together at 7:50. The male returns after a few minutes and sits on the ledge until being replaced by the female at 9:15. The male is back at 9:40 and goes into the box to be displaced by the female until she moves to the opposite ledge. She flies off at 9:55 and he follows at 10:20. He is back 10 minutes later and takes a quick flight at 12:00. He is off again a few minutes later and returns with the female. They sit on opposite ledges and he makes a brief flight at 12:25. They both fly out 10 minutes later and are back after 5 minutes. the male is off again at 12:45 and the female at 13:00. The male flies in 5 minutes later but is forced out by the female arriving with a small prey item – Fieldfare. She feeds on it and then sits on the ledge at 13:25. She moves into the box when the male flies in at 14:45. She move back to the ledge at 15:00. The male flies off at 15:50 and the female watches him go. She flies off at 16:10.

16 December – the male arrives at 7:50 and takes a couple of short flights before returning at 8:00. He is off again at 8:10 and back 5 minutes later. He flies off at 8:35 but is back with the female, who is very well fed, at 9:25. He goes into the box and calls as he works on the scrape. She watches from the ledge and he joins her at 9:50 before flying off at 10:55. He is back at 11:20. They sit opposite each other until he takes a short flight at 13:05. He flies out at 15:00 returning 15 minutes later. After another brief flight at 15:20, he moves into the box and sits in the scrape watching the female until 15:55 when he flies out just missing the female en route. She leaves at 16:05.

17 December – the male flies in at 8:00 and after a quick visit to the box, sits on the platform looking over the city before moving to the ledge. He flies off at 8:30. The female arrives at 11:45 and after 5 minutes goes into the box and excavates the scrape. She then returns to the ledge. She spends 5 minutes picking at the stones on the platform. She flies off at 12:25. The male is back at 12:50. He spends a few minutes in the scrape at 13:35 then returns to the ledge. He flies off at 14:00 returning 30 minutes later. He is off again at 14:55, returning half an hour later and leaving at 17:25.

18 December – the female flies in at 5:15 and leaves at 6:00. The male arrives at 8:00 but leaves a few minutes later and is replaced by the female at 8:10. She picks at some stones on the platform before settling on the ledge 10 minutes later. She flies off at 8:45 and is replaced by the male but he leaves immediately. He is back at 10:45 but flies off after just 5 minutes. the female is back, well fed with a full crop, at 11:55. The male flies in calling at 13:15 and the female goes into the box but as soon as she does so, he flies off and she moves back to the ledge. She flies off at 15:20

19 December – the male arrives at 7:50 and sits on the ledge until flying out 20 minutes later. He is back again at 8:45 and pecks at stones on the platform at 9:10, before returning to the ledge. He goes into the box on the arrival of the female at 10:10, but she soon replaces him in the scrape where she makes a few alterations. Five minutes later, she forces him to fly off the ledge to the opposite side. They fly off together at 10:50 and return together at 11:05. The female takes a brief flight at 11:40 and then makes a quick visit to the scrape before moving back to the ledge. They fly off together at 12:20. The male is back a few minutes later but does not stay long. He is back at 13:35 leaving 10 minutes later.

20 December – it was a very wet morning and the male does not arrive until 11:05. He flies off at 12:20 returning an hour later but stays for just a few minutes. he is back again ay 13:35 and takes a short flight at 13:55. He looks rather bedraggled due to the rain and flies off at 14:15. There is no further activity on camera today and the first time in December that the female has not made a visit to the nest site – no doubt due to the torrential rain.

21 December 2019 – Video: the male helps out with excavating the scrape.

21 December – the male arrives at 1:35 and pecks at some scraps on the platform. He takes a short flight at 1:50 then flies off a few minutes later. He is back at 7:50 then flies off 30 minutes later. The pair arrive together at 8:30 and the male goes into the box. She replaces him after a few minutes and she sits in the scrape and makes a few alterations before moving back to the ledge. They fly off together at 10:20 and the male returns a few minutes later. He takes a short flight at 10:35 and is then joined by the female at 10:55. They fly off together again at 11:40 with the female back after 5 minutes. he joins her at 12:00. He flies out briefly at 12:20 and she does the same at 12:35. He is off again briefly 10 minutes later and they leave together at 12:55. The male is back at 13:00 and has another short flight after 5 minutes. At 13:20, the female arrives with an item of prey – a Rook. The male flies off. She finishes eating at 13:55 and sits on the ledge with a full crop. The male flies in at 14:00 and goes into the box and sits in the scrape, taking a quick flight a few minutes later. He flies off at 14:30 when the female walks towards him. She flies off at 16:10.

22 December – the female flies in at 7:10 and picks at scraps on the platform. She falls asleep at 7:25 but is awoken by the arrival of the male 20 minutes later and goes into the box. He flies off at 7:55 and she watches him go. She flies off at 8:40 and he returns at 9:05but remains for only 5 minutes. He is back again at 9:50 until 10:15. The male returns at 12:20 and sits on the ledge until 13:45 when he enters the box on the arrival of the female. She soon replaces him and he moves to the ledge. After a few minutes, she moves to the platform and picks at some scraps and then sits on the ledge. They fly off together at 14:15. The female returns at 19:10 with an item of prey – Redwing. She starts to pluck it on the platform but flies out with it a few minutes later.

23 December – Video: the pair have a brief bonding session before the female continues work on the scrape.

23 December – the male flies in at 2:45 and flies off at 6:45. He returns at 7:35 but only stays a few minutes. He is back half an hour later and remains on the ledge until 8:30. The female flies in at 8:55 and is followed by the male 30 minutes later. He goes into the box and sits in the scrape. The female soon replaces him, and he moves to the ledge. After a few minutes she sits on the opposite side. He flies off at 9:30 and she leaves at 10:20. He returns a few minutes later and flies off at 11:00. He is back 10 minutes later and is joined by the female at 11:50; the immediately fly off together calling. She is back a few minutes later and sits on the ledge calling, being replaced by the male at 12:55 although he does not stay long. He flies in at 14:25 whilst the female sits on an east-facing cross (I just happened to be in the area). He flies off 20 minutes later returning after a few minutes with the female. He goes into the scrape and is soon forced out by the female. She forces him from the ledge 10 minutes later and flies off at 15:35. She returns on the stroke of midnight.

24 December – the female flies in at midnight with a prey item – Redwing. She initially tries to stash it by a column but is disturbed by something flying by (presumably the male). She eventually leaves it near the column and sits on the ledge, before falling asleep. The male flies in at 7:20 and there is calling between the pair. He sits on the ledge next to the stashed prey as the female continues calling. She is restless and runs to the prey, snatches it and forces the male from the ledge. She then proceeds to pluck and eat her meal. She has finished by 8:00 and sits back on the ledge. She goes into the box on the arrival of the male at 8:25. She calls at him quietly for a few minutes before returning to the ledge. They fly off together at 8:40 with the male returning after a few moments. He goes into the box when the female is back at 9:25 but he flies off a few minutes later. He is back at 10:45 and she goes into the box and does more work on the scrape before moving back to the ledge. The male flies off at 12:45 and the female leaves at 13:55. The male is back at 15:10 remaining until 16:30.

25 December – Merry Christmas – the male flies in at 8:05 and is quickly followed by the female carrying Pigeon prey. She starts to pluck it on the platform whilst he watches from the ledge before flying off. The male is back at 8:30 but the female mantles her meal and forces him out. He tries again at 8:50 but with the same result and he takes evasive action. Five minutes later, she goes to stash the leftovers by a column but seeing the male returning, decides to leave with the remains; he flies after her. She returns 10 minutes later, stashes her meal and sits on the ledge with a full crop. The male flies in at 9:15 and goes into the box. There is calling between the pair, he then walks towards the stashed meal, snatches it and flies off. The female watches him go. He is back with a full crop at 11:40 and she goes into the box. They swap places after a few minutes and he flies out at 11:45 to return to the ledge. They sit like bookends until 13:10 when they fly off together. There is no further activity on camera today.

26 December – Boxing Day – the female arrives at 8:35 and picks at some scraps on the platform, then moves to the ledge. She flies off at 9:00, returning at 13:05 looking for more scraps on the platform. The male comes in at 15:00 and flies off 40 minutes later.

27 December – the male flies in at 5:30 and picks at scraps on the platform. He flies off 10 minutes later returning at 7:55 but is away again after 20 minutes. The female arrives at 8:50 and 20 minutes later starts searching the platform and box for scraps of food before returning to the ledge. She flies off at 9:20 and is replaced by the male until 9:45. At 10:25, the male flies straight into the box and sits in the scrape for a few minutes then moves to the ledge. At 11:10 he flies off briefly and returns with the female following. He goes into the box and she soon follows. There is quick period of bonding before the male leaves. She does a little bit of work on the scrape and moves a few stones, then settles on the ledge. The male is back at 11:35 and goes into the box but is quickly ousted by the female. I am sure this is a tactic he uses to entice her into the box to reinforce their breeding intentions. She does more work on the scrape before she forces him from the ledge. He is back at 12:30 and goes into the box and there is calling between the pair. They soon swap places and he sits on the ledge. She moves some stones in the scrape and then returns to the ledge forcing him to fly off but returns a few minutes later. They fly off together at 13:30, the male coming back at 14:05 remaining until 15:00 when he flew off. He is back again at 16:10 and leaves 20 minutes later.

28 December – the pair fly in together at 7:45 and sit on the ledge until they fly off together at 8:10. The male returns at 9:30 and takes a brief flight 15 minutes later. He takes another flight after 10 minutes then moves into the box on the arrival of the female. He moves top the ledge but flies out when the female approaches. She picks at scraps on the platform. She goes into the box when the male comes back at 11:15. She sits in the scrape and moves a few stones. After a few minutes they swap places before he returns to the ledge. They remain there until 13:20 when the female flies off; the male follows 25 minutes later. They fly in together at 13:50 but the approach of the female forces the male to fly off soon after. She leaves at 14:00 and the male returns at 14:15 remaining until 15:45. The female is back at 19:20 and falls asleep a few minutes later. She goes into the box when the male arrives at 23:45 and there is calling between the pair. After a few minutes, he moves back to the ledge and she remains in the box. The swap places 10 minutes later and there is more calling between them. She flies off a few minutes later and he moves back to the ledge but flies off at midnight.

29 December – the male flies in at 7:05 and takes a short flight 15 minutes later. He looks out over the city until 8:35 when he flies off. He returns an hour later well fed with a full crop. He goes into the box at 11:05 when the female arrives, also well fed with a full crop. After a few minutes he is back on the ledge. at 15:30, she goes into the box and makes a few changes to the scrape. They swap places 10 minutes later, but he is back on the ledge at 15:45. He flies off after 5 minutes and she leaves at 16:30.

30 December 2019 – Video: the female makes alterations to the scrape.

30 December – the male arrives at 7:25 and goes into the box when the female flies in 10 minutes later. He flies off after 5 minutes. He is back at 8:10 and she flies off 10 minutes later returning at 8:30. The pair get agitated at 9:20 and fly off together, the male returning after a few minutes, quickly followed by the female. There is calling between the pair, then the female goes into the box and does some work on the scrape. She moves back to the ledge after 20 minutes and forces the male to move to the opposite side. At 10:25 something overhead attracts the female’s attention and both birds fly off. The male is back quickly, and she flies in at 11:00 but is off again after a few minutes. he remains on the ledge, making a brief visit to the scrape at 12:35. He flies off an hour later and the female returns at 14:40. She goes into the scrape when the male is back at 16:05. There is a bit of calling between the pair but when the female walks towards the male he hides behind the column. She flies off a few moments later and he follows, returning after 5 minutes and going into the box. He leaves at 16:35.

31 December – the male makes a brief stop on the ledge at 11:10. He returns at 15:05 but leaves 10 minutes later. There was no further activity on camera, the pair obviously getting ready for New Year celebrations!

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