Rfalconcam Forum

Pic below from 11pm last night, significant event despite the motion blur. Shows Bobbin with just caught prey proving the point as with The Derby birds that she does hunt at night as we suspected. She hovered over the perch for a couple of seconds before flying off to feed elsewhere, not sure why. Will work on an Infrared camera for the perch giving full night vision without the motion blur....Dave

Very cool night shot

Bobbin in daylight  :heart: the name Bobbin

 :2thumbsup:

 :halloween2:

What a view she has. (Bobbin)

The Cathedral Falcons, male on left, T2 on right. The male reminds me of Kaver.  :heart:

Just awesome pictures!!!  The male does resemble our Kaver :heart:

Beautiful falcon! :heart:
           :halloweeen1:

Gorgeous falcon!   :falcon:

Incoming with lunch – late morning yesterday, one week exactly since the last visit. She flew in from the cathedral direction with half eaten prey....Dave

Chillin

Another great shot.

What's Beauty's problem? Can't she visit the nest at least once in a while? We need a cam on Xerox.   ;)  Oh that girl!

Checked video at the Spire this morning - minus 8.5 @ 8am! Bobbin on & off the perch Saturday afternoon from 2.45 to 7pm, over 2 weeks since last visit.....Dave

2:45 landing

Great cam catch!

7pm Saturday

slip off

Sparrowhawk on falcon cam

Called at the Guildhall this morning - spotted a bird circling the Spire, on closer viewing turned out not to be Bobbin but the Sparrowhawk again....Dave

These are beautiful photos!   


:christree:

Bobbins back, night time
Early morning

Bobbin from today
Watching the Gulls
In from the fog.

Great pics from the cam

Soooo beautiful!  :heart:

Bobbin's back
Bobbin has food.
Slick look during hunting trips in the fog.
Night watch

Courtesy Worcester

Wonderful pictures!  :bow:

Beautiful pictures Donna.  Thanks for sharing.

and you're right, the male does look a lot like Kaver.   :heart:

Bobbin on the perch for a couple of hours last night 7 -9pm. Took a walk around the tower top late yesterday afternoon, evidence of Bobbin eating partridge & pheasant along with a whole lapwing on the ledge. Dave

 :flash:  Cool pic! Thanks! :thumbsup:

What an awesome picture of Bobbin!
Thanks Donna for posting!   :)

 :chriscat:

 :christree:

I sure wish Beauty would entertain us all Winter like this. Her presence at the cam would be rewarding. At least we have MAK's pics!

I do too...Maybe she will show up one day when we least expect her  :happy:
MAK's pics are great and what dedication in all that snow....
 :clap: to MAK !!!

On the perch for about 20 min late this afternoon, she headed off towards the Cathedral....Dave

Gorgeous!  :thanks2:

 :ditto: MAK !!  She is just lovely...oh so pretty!  :heart:


 :natale3:

She's a ringer for Kaver's  :heart: sister!

She has a precious little face like Kaver  :heart:

No sign of Bobbin since Friday but did find the third bird of prey visitor to the perch yesterday - a male kestrel. Good chance this is the resident male from a church less than half a mile away....Dave

The kestrel is beautiful like a little mini peregrine  :) but I hope Bobbin is ok  ???

 :chrispup:

She's fine FF, just out N about as peregrines do!

Alluding everyone like Beauty is this morning!  :)

http://www.worcester.gov.uk/peregrine/ (http://www.worcester.gov.uk/peregrine/) Check it out, some clips and pics.

 :clap:  Awesome Donna thanks!  :2thumbsup:

Bobbin's back! From this am.

 :mbanana: :mbanana: :mbanana: :mbanana: :mbanana:

Donna..Thank You!  What great views of Bobbin and I loved that little Kak-Kak she did  :heart:

 :chriscat:

And I am so glad she showed up again!!  :mbanana: bguitar :clap:

 :chrispup:

As I knew you would be!  :wave:

No Bobbin today but did find a new buzzard over the spire, this one has all primary feathers intact (so far) - Bobbin probably hasn't encountered it yet!....Dave  :o

 :flash:  That is a beautiful pic! Thanks Dave and Donna!! :wave:

She is precious!  :heart:

This is a beautiful picture!  Thank you Donna for posting it!  :wave:


 :chrispup:

Quick visit for a clean up after feeding on the Cathedral yesterday afternoon, missed her by 15 min after checking the video....Dave

I love that she comes to the nest once in a while. Cute Bobbin!

If only Beauty would visit her nest once in awhile so she could be seen on the cams! :gum:

She is so cute!  :heart: :wub:

I do too MAK !  Maybe it's too snowy now there for her....  :gum:

Braving the ice & snow - Bobbin returns. Last night, about four hours making multiple flights from the perch, then again 8am this morning. At least all of her food is caught in the air. Heavy snow falling again in Worcester as I write....Dave
Today 8am
Sunday night

These pictures are so beautiful!  :thumbsup:

 :wave:  I love this web cam! Thanks Donna. :gum:

Which link has the cam?

http://www.worcester.gov.uk/peregrine/ (http://www.worcester.gov.uk/peregrine/) Cam link but it's not on yet.

But here's Bobbin from today, what a view she has. Breathtaking.



From 7:45am UK time

 :mbanana:  I love that name Bobbin! Beautiful Peregrine! ;D

Will have to keep a closer eye on the Cathedral following the pair sighting this afternoon. May have just been a transient pair passing through, at least 2 pairs in Malvern & 1 in Pershore (both about 7 miles away), will look for any ID. Bobbin back 4pm yesterday & again 8am today - watching the Gulls....Dave
Female Kestrel 11am Wednesday
Male Kestrel 3pm Wednesday
Bobbin on the perch 11pm last night, no more sightings of a second bird yet. Two visits from the kestrels yesterday - female @ 11am + male @ 3pm....Dave

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dgcctv/5295803227/in/pool-worcesterpergrinefalcons2010#/photos/dgcctv/5295803227/in/pool-1370444@N22/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dgcctv/5295803227/in/pool-worcesterpergrinefalcons2010#/photos/dgcctv/5295803227/in/pool-1370444@N22/) Video of Bobbin from yesterday

Still no show from Bobbin, would not be able to see much at the moment - the camera lens has condensation inside. This should clear within 24hrs. Found the Malvern pair this morning, both in a quarry top tree. It's believed urban peregrines don't use trees. Shot is distant from about 300ft....Dave Cool!

the last sighting & photo of Bobbins mother was on the 26th March this year around the Cathedral. No sign of Bobbin yet today....Dave Dec. 31

Few pics of Bobbin from last night. She spent a couple of hours on the perch. The top pic below could be interesting as she is either yawning or calling. Not heard a sound from her since the male disappeared in June. Before this she was very vocal & heard before she was spotted many times. Will download the video to check, if she is calling another male may be around....Dave

Dec 31.

Dec. 29

The situation at present is we have Bobbin - one of the female chicks from 2009 resident around Worcester at the Spire & Cathedral. Currently she is on her own but I have spotted a second bird over the last couple of weeks, not sure if it's a male yet. Yes - the restaurant balcony...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dgcctv/5311550683/sizes/o/in/photostream/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dgcctv/5311550683/sizes/o/in/photostream/)

Here's the timeline from the past 18 months in Worcester by Dave Grubb....is he related to Neil?

Camera repaired - normal service resumed. No Bobbin but the scavenging jackdaws return to clean up the window....Dave

8.20 in the sunrise this morning - Bobbin returns after a five day break, looks a bit windy on the perch....Dave

So glad she's back after 5 days and looking gorgeous as ever.

Back again about 4.30, making up for lost time. Downloading video of her arriving, will post on flickr when converted....Dave

Bedraggled Bobbin in the rain 8.45 this morning, camera a bit misty but hopefully not a return of the earlier problems....Dave

http://www.youtube.com/andyburtonworcester (http://www.youtube.com/andyburtonworcester)
Ringing of the Worcester chics in 2009. No babies in 2010. Bobbin is the female chick from the 2009 clutch. She stayed on and will now raise her own chicks in the nest she was born in. Strange huh? Bobbin's mom has not been seen since March of 2010.

Bobbin returns to the perch within the last hour, hanging on in the blustery wind & rain.

Cam 2 view
Nice closeup when the cams start rolling.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dgcctv/5342923769/in/pool-worcesterpergrinefalcons2010#/photos/dgcctv/5342923769/in/pool-1370444@N22/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dgcctv/5342923769/in/pool-worcesterpergrinefalcons2010#/photos/dgcctv/5342923769/in/pool-1370444@N22/) Bobbin in the wind.

41 minutes ago

 :wave:  Very cool stuff Donna,thanks!  I just love Bobbin.:2thumbsup:

Early morning visit, on the perch for an hour between 7 - 8am. Noticed every time she arrives before 8am it's always from the North indicating her roost is to the North or outside the city....Dave

Bobbin returned just before 9am with half eaten prey, probably caught & taken to the Cathedral first. Processing a 3 min video for flicker, this shows her circling in front of the spire before landing, also has the 9am spire bell chimes....Dave

Looks like a little blood on her beautiful white chest from her rare meat!  :thanks2:

Look what Miss Bobbin has!!!  :dead:

 :thumbsup:  Bobbin is such a pretty falcon!  ;D

That is a big meal!

here is another still from Dave's latest fantastic video sequence...the other great thing with the angle of perchcam is you can see half the city centre...you couldn't get a much better urban peregrine picture and its one we'll be using for some of this years publicity..
cheers all and happy new year, Chris

 :heart:  Bobbin is drop-dead gorgeous!  :yes:

Bobbin overseeing a misty city @ 8am today after a four day break from the perch. She only stayed for 15min, looked to be off hunting....Dave

That girl sure knows how to strike a pose! Each pic is better than the last. Loved the one with the mega-meal.

Am I correct in assuming that this is Worcester, UK?

Yes it is Helen.

Only the morning visit so far from Bobbin today. Working near Malvern today so couldn't resist a visit! Found the pair straight away in their favorite tree, managed to climb up about level across the quarry - sill over 200ft away though. Couple of distant shots below, pair in the tree & male on ledge....Dave

Malvern male

 :2thumbsup:   Beautiful!  I can't wait to see one of our falcons perched on something other than a building or communications tower!Thanks Donna. ;D

She is just beautiful!

Soaring high above the Cathedral & at about twice the height today - but it's not Bobbin! This may be the second bird spotted over new year or a traveling Malvern one. Again a distant shot but when blown up no rings are visible & it's just been feeding. Bobbin is on the perch at the moment (7.15) will post later....Dave

  Back on the perch @ 7.15 for about 30 min then headed off towards the Cathedral. Last few years the Cathedral has been used during courtship & mating with virtually no activity at the Spire before nesting. When installing the camera in 2009 no birds had been spotted at the Spire, the next morning an egg appeared so again we will have to keep an eye around the Cathedral & wait!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dgcctv/5405512022/#secret24ebc451a7 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dgcctv/5405512022/#secret24ebc451a7) Bobbin on her new broom handle perch. I just love this view. Dave said he saw the male the other day so fingers crossed he stays and they make cute little eyases soon.

 :heart:

Sure do hope that this isn't the same broom handle you used for another purpose, Donna!!!!

EEEEEEEE-uuuuuuuuuuuu!!!

First pic of the new smaller male 4.45pm today, second pic below shows Bobbin on the belfry ledge at the same time this bird was on one of the top west pinnacles. Low light with setting sun so couldn't capture much detail - not as bright as the pictures make it look! Chris spotted Bobbin on the Spire tower battlements this morning near the nest boxes - good news all round....Dave

The unmistakable 'Bobbin' glare - 4.45pm today on the Cathedral South side


A possible mate for Miss Bobbin.

 :heart:

Finally Worcester is this year with FIVE cams online.

http://www.flickr.com/groups/1622689@N21/pool/show/ (http://www.flickr.com/groups/1622689@N21/pool/show/) Bobbin

She is just a beauty! :wub: :wub:

Bobbin is magnificent!  :yes: :heart:

Sure is!  Wish a mate would come along for her.

She's very active at night.  :rolleyes:

Bobbin has been gone for weeks now. Dave isn't sure but maybe she found a mate and went else where to nest. In the mean time, look at this crazy pic posted by Dave

Caption: How dumb??? - Good job this Malvern female had just eaten breakfast early this morning.....All of the quarry to land in but the stupid pigeon picks a spot inches from a Peregrine! Spotted two Peregrines over the City Centre yesterday afternoon & one about 7am today, looked to land on the Cathedral but I couldn't find it - will check the video later....Dave

 :o

I remember when a pigeon was spotted next to Kaver.  Even he did a double take :hysterical:

Looks like he's saying "Lunch has arrived."   :hungry:

Peregrine Falcons in Worcester
TOP NEWS - She's back!!! Bobbin returns to the East perch following a six month absence. Rebooted the cameras this morning & played back the last few days - much to my surprise I found Bobbin landing on the perch Tuesday evening. She stayed for an hour then returned @ 4am Wednesday & left 6.45am. Great to see she's alive & healthy...knew it was Bobbin long before I found a frame showing the ring. Does she have a mate or young??...we may still find out - all eyes on the Spire....Dave

Was so nice to wake up and see this. Yay Bobbin. Where has that girl been?

 :yahoo: :the_wave: Bobbin is back!!!!  :heart: ;D

Re Bobbin... Imagine!!!

Would love to find out if she had a family this season. She's the "Mystery" girl.

 :clap: :clap: :2thumbsup: :2thumbsup:

ALways like to see Bobbin...wondered where she has been.  Welcome back, Bobbin!     You are the mystery "IT" girl of the year!   

Bobbin from today

 :clap: Love Bobbin!  :heart:

OOPS!!!!!!  :-[ :-[ :-[ :-[ :-[

Pole dancing ;)

 :2funny:

:rofl:

Bobbin hanging out on her perch this am

 :2thumbsup: Boy what a view she has and what a view we have of her!  :heart:

I caught Bobbin at the nest last night:

   

Me too Alison but forgot to post. She is a nite owl...er falcon!

Yup, she is a night hunter for sure. Look at her prey!

Peregrine Falcons in Worcester

Night hunting Bobbin

Dave was wondering where the prey was that Bobbin dropped off on the window ledge. Well he went through the archives and found the culprit! A crow.

Bobbin incoming!

Bobbin hunting at night!

I love Bobbin! Thanks!  ;D

Splendid picture!

After a few months of being away, Bobbin finally returned today to her Favorite perch!  :thumbsup: :clap: :2thumbsup:

 :yahoo: Bobbin is second only to Beauty on my favorite Peregrine Falcon list!  :heart:

Bobbin is back!  :clap:  :bguitar:

Bobbin!!  :heart: 

I  :heart: :heart: :heart: :heart: Bobbin!

A girls got to eat!

Bobbin looks pretty fierce in that bottom pic!  :heart:

Wish she would find a mate.   :heart:  Then again, maybe she doesn't want one yet!

Last night
Bobbin's back

Female Kestrel by Dave, awesome photo.
from just today.

Me likes!  :gum:

Get a grip.....Bobbin in the morning sun today. She spent a couple of hours on the perch with a couple of flights around the city.

 again?

 :heart:  :wub:

  :o  LOL

How cute it that face!!!!

Wow what a great pic of Bobbin!  :heart:

Bobbin having a rest after feeding @ 8.45 before flying off south west past the cathedral. She features in Worcester News today - front page & page three thanks to Liz & Jonathan.



Prey in both windows now - first time Bobbin's used the south perch in over a year. The cameras not high resolution like the east perch but if she's going to start using the south window I now have one same as the east so will change it. Still could do with a clean though....maybe over the weekend.

The article about Bobbin in Worcester News:

http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/9931076.Peregrine_Bobbin_is_back_in_city_after_spreading_her_wings/ (http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/9931076.Peregrine_Bobbin_is_back_in_city_after_spreading_her_wings/)

 :clap:  Love the Bobbin!  :heart:

Gorgeous picture!

Magpie chancing its luck.....good job Bobbin doesn’t like the taste of corvids!

Watching magpie above

Love it!  :heart:

One more picture of Bobbin.

  Bobbin and Balloon

Looking for breakfast!

  Bobbin coming in with prey.

Great pictures!

Bobbin is just stunning!  :heart:

  I believe she's done eating! This girl is comical.

   :hysterical:

You call that a stoop?

 :devil:

 :whistle:
Amateur!  :rolleyes:

  Happy Halloween from the Hob-Goblin Bobbin!   :pumpkinCool:

Boo Bobbin!  :pumpkinEyes:

She's back - with lunch! Bobbin returned early afternoon today exactly 4 weeks to the day from the last spire visit. Thanks to Hazel for spotting her. She only spent around a minute on the east perch before flying round to the south perch for an hour just after the rain stopped.

 :clap:

Love the Bobbin!    :heart:

I'd love to know where she goes too! There is a male in the area, whose mate had not been seen for at least two months back in November. I don't know if she turned up. I'd like to see Bobbin find a mate and nest at the spire, as her Mom used to do.

She stayed for quite a while tonight:

A soggy Bobbin NOT impressed with the weather.

fb

Her head feathers crack me up in this pic. Gotta love the Bobbin!!!   :heart:

Soggy Bottom Boys

Juvie at the Cathedral





Peregrine Falcons in Worcester
Yet another juvenile on the cathedral east tower top this morning. The Saturday bird was sub 2 years; this one looks to be sub 1 year & from the size another female. She was eating prey when I spotted her, 10 minutes later she flew off chasing more pigeons over the Travelodge before returning.

Pefa version of a bad hair day.   :rofl:

Bobbin and the Fog



Turkey tail

Love Bobbin!

Oh yeah the Bobbin is awesome!  :heart:

These pictures are great!  She is so beautiful!

Looking mean - quick 10 second hop & go 9am this morning in the rain, Bobbin was chasing a flock of pigeons. — Bobbin 12.01.13

fb

Great pic of Bobbin this am

I'll say! Love the Bobbin!!!  :heart:

Oh yuck!!

Table manners Bobbin - please don't leave your breakfast in the camera lens.....!

Fly by

she left it where we could keep an eye on it for her.   ;)

  Great shots of the Bobbin!  :heart:

Finally....maybe a suitor for the Bobbin. He's been hanging around. Fingers crossed she's out of her Tomboy ways and wants to settle.  ;)

Bobbin on Cam 3 and male on the Cathedral

Bobbin still on cam 3 - we think for a good reason....This adult tiercel is currently on the cathedral west side! The stonemasons have heard him calling & Bobbin has made a couple of flights around the cathedral. He's also been feeding this morning, early days but this is the first male to stick around for a couple of years!!

That would be great if she finally had a mate!

I hope that love is in the air for the beautiful Bobbin!  :heart:

Didn't take him long...close up of the new male swooping in to steal Bobbin's prey @12.20. Also a good comparison of the size difference - if this was Bobbin her head would be out of the frame! Will have a video of this later. No rings on this male, looks to be around Bobbin's age.   :2thumbsup:

from FB

Ok update - sorry it's late been in a meeting.
Great news is she likes him!! Watched them both on the cathedral late afternoon, Bobbin on a lower pinnacle with the male above. The male flew off & Bobbin followed with him both flying over the city about 20 feet apart. Bobbin landed back on the spire with the tiercel back on the cathedral west side. After 30 min he stared calling, she flew over to the cathedral & they both took off together. Bobbin returned with prey on the north side with the male perched above her again. Male in this pic.   :heart: :heart:  Go Bobbin!!

 goodnews: :yes: :heart:

There was an adult female around there today-hopefully will move on and not challenge Bobbin!

Mr Bobbin, I hope!



 :heart: 

A dashing young chap.

http://youtu.be/mjyo8JetgL0 (http://youtu.be/mjyo8JetgL0)  Posted on Bobbins site

How to defrost a Falcon's nest!  :clap:

 :thumbsup:

 :clap:

Bobbin, that little sneak, went off with Mr Bobbin and had kids!!  :heart: :heart: Here she is!!

Bobbin! Yes we were sure she would breed with the new tiercel this year & here's the proof. We heard a few days ago from our friends at the BTO & Worcester Wildlife Trust that a female with the ring T2 had been spotted with two chicks. This was backed up yesterday with excellent photos by wildlife photographer Pete Walkden. We won't disclose the site but less than 35 miles away. Great to see her doing well, interesting to see of she returns to Worcester later in the year?

I'm so happy for her, guess the male didn't like the Spire! Go Bobbin!!!! A natural nest!!  :clap:

What great news! Everyone wondered if she wasn't nesting somewhere and what a beautiful natural setting it looks like! Thanks!

Boy, she sure took her time! Then again, who knows if she had babies before this! Guess she found Mr. Right!  :heart:

This is great news for Bobbin! I love the natural setting for a nest even though it means we won't be able to view her and the kids. YAY!!!  :heart:

  Lightning on the Bobbin cam!  :o

 :2thumbsup:

Great picture!

http://petesbirdingblog.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/peregrines.html (http://petesbirdingblog.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/peregrines.html) Great blog about Bobbin and her family!!

"Then, most surprisingly, the more dominant chick started to offer bits to the other, much like their mother had done when both were still in the nest."  :2thumbsup:

Oh my word! Imagine!

Love Bobbin and loved reading the blog about her family!  :heart:

More great info on Bobbin thanks to Pete here. This explains her movements last year, we last spotted Bobbin on the spire Feb 19th with her returning to Worcester July 18th. A failed nest would explain the early return, interesting to see if she returns this year.



Thought this might interest fans of Bobbin. I took this image on 1st April 2012, within a mile of where she nested this year. After all the interest in her from this group, I thought I'd check the photos from last year, just in case.

It seems she's been visiting this nesting area for a while before she settled. That said, local people near the site said a pair had tried to nest in 2012, but the terrible wet weather ruined the nest and it was abandoned.

So maybe that was her trying the first time? Thankfully this year she's been successful.  (Pete)

Love the Bobbin!  :heart:     :thanx:

I just caught Bobbin visiting; she was on her favorite perch. It was so good to see her for the first time in months.

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/August%202013/worcesteraug159a_zps325e51ab.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/August%202013/worcesteraug159a_zps325e51ab.jpg.html)

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/August%202013/worcesteraug1513a_zpscede5f9a.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/August%202013/worcesteraug1513a_zpscede5f9a.jpg.html)

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/August%202013/worcesteraug1519a_zps5eaaf225.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/August%202013/worcesteraug1519a_zps5eaaf225.jpg.html)

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/August%202013/worcesteraug1525a_zps02dabec8.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/August%202013/worcesteraug1525a_zps02dabec8.jpg.html)

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/August%202013/worcesteraug1533a_zps7b1f7e1b.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/August%202013/worcesteraug1533a_zps7b1f7e1b.jpg.html)

I was pretty sure this was Bobbin, but I kept trying to read her bands. Here is the best view of her bands:

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/August%202013/worcesteraug1539a_zps035b048c.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/August%202013/worcesteraug1539a_zps035b048c.jpg.html)

Cropped and enlarged: she left after this pic.

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/August%202013/worcesteraug1539b_zpsc0a9dd3a.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/August%202013/worcesteraug1539b_zpsc0a9dd3a.jpg.html)

Great pictures! :yes:

Allison, It definitely appears to be Bobbin; I see the same 12 over T2; the same as in the pic with her on the rock ledge.  I missed seeing her, too.  What a beauty she is and nice to see her up close over the years.  Beautiful pics you caught!

Bobbin is looking lovely as ever. Thanks Alison, it's great to see her!   :heart:

She's back again

 :wub: :wub: :wub:

http://youtu.be/bS5hCNn1tXE (http://youtu.be/bS5hCNn1tXE)  Sticking this here as it's all connected


Never saw a Kestrel banding!  :heart:

Guess who? She's back - Bobbin returned to the perch 3pm Saturday. Not for long, she stayed about 20 minutes but also returned around 3pm today for 15 minutes. It was August last year when she visited again after breeding, this does seem a little early... from fb

Hmmm, wonder if her nest failed or never nested!!

I'm glad to see her just the same.  :heart:

Whilst our city kestrels have been successful this year with all four chicks fledging it sadly looks like Bobbin has not.
With information supplied it looks as if she may have had one chick but it hasn't survived & the nest has failed. We don’t know why or any further details at present but the tiercel has been spotted still around the site while Bobbin was in Worcester for a few days.
Natural causes or animal/human predation? We’d like to think natural or animal but peregrines have been persecuted in the area before. On the positive side Bobbin is as fit & healthy as ever so is her partner.
Many thanks again to Pete Walkden for updates & for keeping an eye on her...


              :(

Very sad.   :(

That explains why she was back so soon!  :(

 :(  :heart:

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-shropshire-34772628 (http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-shropshire-34772628)

This is believed to be Bobbin's nest on the cliff!  Her mate and the nest of eyases have all deceased!!

POISON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  How awful and painful and Horrific who ever did this!!   :crying: :(

Male found at bottom of cliff nest!!

We have delayed this for a while but now here's the Bobbin update & it's not good news.
For those new to the site 'Bobbin' (named in a Worcester News competion by local school children) female ringed 'T2' + BTO ring was born here in 2009. Out of the four chicks she was the one who has always returned & over wintered back in Worcester.
We've know of her nesting location some 25 miles North West of Worcester for three years now thanks to Pete who's kept us informed of her progress. This has never been disclosed as with all other rural sites for the bird’s protection, even more important here as the site has a recent history of persecution.
Sadly our fears for their safety became reality in early June when the Male was found dead below the nest. With no obvious signs of shooting or other injuries he was sent to Natural England for a toxicology report, this took some time the result was returned as we thought - poisoned by the pesticide diazinon. Both chicks were also dead in the nest, most likely poisoned too.
We still don't know if Bobbin survived, of course we all hope she has, a female was spotted flying around above the site shortly after the dead male was found but we don't have an ID. If she had retuned to Worcester there is also a good chance our new resident pair may have driven her off - only time will tell.
If anyone has information regarding the poisoning or sightings of a female peregrine white ring T2 please message us rather than post here.

Most likely pigeon fanciers behind this as it's very common over in England. I so hope Bobbin is alive and well.  :heart:

It's taken a while to collate information & clarify the current situation here so here's what is & isn't happening:
Peregrines;
As most of you who follow us here will know we have had a young pair in & around the city for over a year now. The male 2yr & female 3yr, both without rings but we know the age as both arrived with juvenile plumage. Also around over wintering last & this year has been an older female first spotted on a local church three miles north of the spire then moving into the city. Prior to this year she hasn’t presented any problems to the young pair - that changed 2016 as they both had full adult plumage & looked to have paired up. I spotted a couple of territorial battles between the two females & had reports of a few more involving all three of them. The net result of this was the older female triumphed & the young pair disappeared both at the same time. As you’ve probably guessed the over wintering female stayed around for a few weeks then left the city returning to her partner & breeding site.
So, for over five weeks we had not spotted a peregrine on the spire or cathedral, this is unusual as last year we had at least nine different transient birds around the cathedral for brief periods early in the year.
Kestrels;
Last year saw our city church kestrels lay five eggs, the first around the 14th of April, only two hatched though, both chicks fledged successfully. In 2013 six chicks fledged, this gradually reduced to two last year. We don’t know how old the kestrel’s are but it may be one or both have reached the end of their breeding age. Currently both have been on the window ledge & scrape with the female scratching a slight hollow. It may be egg laying has been delayed due to the colder than average weather with prevailing easterly winds & rain keeping the scrape damp. The female has been spotted roosting above the wire (cam2) so she’s not incubating on an alternative site. They could lay over the next week but in previous years the female has been lying on the scrape for a week before laying the first egg.
Outlook;
On a positive side we now have permission to install a new peregrine nest box on the spire. This will be higher than the two existing boxes sited on the tower top behind the parapets. These boxes were placed over the rain gullies when eggs were discovered by maintenance workers in 2007, 2008 & 2009 were our last successful breeding seasons.
The plan is to install a box with partial roof outside the middle window on the north or east elevation with new cameras & streaming video.
With the kestrels there is nothing more we can do, they’ve used this site for over 50 years which must be four or five generations.
Bobbin (T2);
Unfortunately no more news or sightings, she may not have survived the poisoning at Clee Hill but with access to the nest site refused we may never know.
Sorry we can’t bring you better news but that’s nature! If you spot any peregrines on the perches (cam 4 & 5) please post & let us know. Any sightings or updates we’ll post here...

So sad about Bobbin and her family.  :(

Awful  :banghead:  :snarl:

I miss Bobbin-she was one of my favorite Peregrines.  :(

For those who remember Bobbin, I came across an article today which contained a lot of information which I had not seen before about what happened to Bobbin and her family. At the time of the poisonings, the incident was hushed up and remained so for many months. Investigation was hampered not only by this secrecy, but by the fact that investigators were refused any access to the land to collect evidence.

Bobbin was not identified in the article, but as soon as I saw the photos below, I knew it was her.

(https://picload.org/image/drgicgol/clee-hill-peregrine-1a-bobbin.jpg)

(https://picload.org/image/drgicgoa/clee-hill-bobbin-2a.jpg)

http://raptorpolitics.org.uk/2016/03/16/report-peregrine-persecution-clee-hill-south-shropshire/ (http://raptorpolitics.org.uk/2016/03/16/report-peregrine-persecution-clee-hill-south-shropshire/)

Bobbin was always one of my very favorite peregrines. I watched her grow up at the St Andrew's Spire nest, and followed her story throughout her life. I still miss Bobbin.

Clee Hill is an area which has a long history of raptor persecution, and nothing has changed. This year, the resident falcon and tiercel were once again the victims of poison, leaving three small chicks in the nest. The chicks were rescued, and fostered into other nests. The little male went to the Salisbury Cathedral nest, and the other two chicks went to a different Midlands nest. All three chicks did well.

I remember Bobbin too  :'(   I hope they can catch the evil person that is doing this and they better punish him severely! 

Thank you for the article and photos Alison.

Thanks a bunch Alison. Bobbin was my favorite after Beauty of course!  :heart:

I sure remember Bobbin, and I really enjoyed the photos of the natural nest.  What a shame that there seems to be such a nasty attitude there.  You can see it in the article's comments.