Bolton Town Hall Peregrines

Dean Macdonald · Status: Offline

RE: Bolton Town Hall Peregrines

Dean Macdonald · Status: Offline

1 Adult 1 juv on parish church at lunchtime today.

David Craven · Status: Offline

Any news on the peregrine's?
Not seen them myself recently, but not been around the town centre.

Steven Astley · Status: Offline

1 seen circling then making a diagonal dive above Churchgate at 11.30.

Dean Macdonald · Status: Offline

Adults and 2 juvs at lunchtime today over Leighs paints.
Adult had one of those pesky low flying pigeons

Dean.

Simon Warford · Status: Offline

1 Juv Peregrine sat on Parish Church at 10.30 this morning, however none seen at the town hall, just two pigeons bold as brass sat near the clock

-- Edited by Simon Warford at 11:36, 2008-08-02

Dean Macdonald · Status: Offline

David,
Yes they do venture out to hunt. I regularly see them on the outskirts of town. They always tend to return to either the church tower or the clock tower to feed.

3 juvs on town hall 10am(anthony)
I saw a food pass over Bury rd at 1pm.

Dean.

David Craven · Status: Offline

Anyone know if they've ventured farther afield?
I was walking around the Washington Road yard/gas towers/Queen's Park area about 10.30 this morning and heard what sounded awfully like the Peregrine's, but couldn't for love nor money get a visual on what was making the racket.

Dean Macdonald · Status: Offline

3 birds on the church at lunchtime. 2 juv, the other one was on the other side from me, seen by a work mate, not sure if an adult or a juv.
My wife saw a food pass to 1 juv near the train station at 4pm.

All 3 juv were seen today by Anthony.

Had 4 birds on the church at 8pm this evening. Adult caught a pigeon and flew towards the town hall with 2 juv in pursuit. Went to check the town hall but decided to make a hasty retreat. The fairground is in town and there were lots of "yoofs" hanging around. One lad had a blooded face and the vibes weren't good. So beware if anyone is planning an evening visit

On a lighter note, it's fantastic to watch these birds in action

Dean.

Dean Macdonald · Status: Offline

Saw 1 adult and 1 juv practising food pass at 10am, only 1 juv again so could be K5.

Spent a couple of hours on the car park roof this afternoon but only saw 1 adult. The weather and light were terrible.

Dean.

Dean Macdonald · Status: Offline

Several sightings today, although not of all 3 juvs together. The 2 that remained with the parents are tending to stick close together and i saw them both today, usually with 1 parent close by.
At 5pm i saw 1 juv on it's own on the church(could be K5) with no sign of any other bird.
I had the scope on it but couldn't see a ring as the bird was hunched up.

Interesting that i seem to see either 2 juvs together with a parent or 1 juv on it's own with no other bird nearby. The last time i saw 1 on it's own was mon evening on the church, again no other bird nearby. The only sighting of all 3 together so far was tues lunchtime by Anthony on the town hall.
With the bad weather today they haven't been flying much, so not easy to decide if K5
is ok.

Could do with seeing all 5 in the air at once

Dean.

Judith Smith · Status: Offline

Dean, Anthony Bremner and I all checked today but we didn't see 3 juvs together - 2 were on the Town Hall and one bird was on the church. I thought this was a juv (at noon) but at 1pm Dean and Anthony thought it was an adult (we all could have been right!)
Sightings of all 3 juvs together (plus any parents) will be much appreciated. This is important for future Peregrine rehab as we need to be sure that K5 has been accepted by both her her parents and siblings, having been away for 12 days. I know it can be difficult to tell juvs from adults, especially as they are favouring the highest pinnacles and the Raven's nest area, at the base of the dome, but the underparts are buffish rather than white, and the head pattern not as well marked. I will send Ian a photo we took at the time of release for the photo section, which shows the bird quite well.

-- Edited by Judith Smith at 14:41, 2008-07-17

Dean Macdonald · Status: Offline

All 3 juvs were on the town hall at 1pm, both adults on the parish church.

Dean.

Dean Macdonald · Status: Offline

Just been into town to check on the birds 8.30-9pm

1 juv on it's own on the parish church. It was preening and looked happy enough. Checked the town hall but no sign of the rest of the family.

Dean.

Dean Macdonald · Status: Offline

Yeh well done everyone

Let's hope it does well. I'll keep an eye out from work.

Had a cracking sight at lunchtime today. Parent passing a pigeon to 2 of the Juvs. Both juvs grabbed it and then a noisy tug of war ensued. The winner then landed on the roof of the building right next to my works

it struggled to keep hold of the pigeon on the sloping roof and eventually let it slide down the roof onto a lower roof. It left it there and flew off. Pity it didn't hold on and feed as i would have had an excelent view from the top floor window(about 20ft away!). When i did get up there i saw a headless pigeon on the roof but the birds didn't return. Only 2 juvs were in the air with the parents i assume the released one was staying put on the church or the town hall, it did feed this am aparently. So here's hoping

Cheers Dean.

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

Well done all at the RSPCA, excellent news

Cheers Ian

Paul Heaton · Status: Offline

The sick bird is no longer sick

It was taken back this morning and released, It flew of strong from the town hall and went straight to the parish church.

One can now only hope all is going to be well.

many thanks for all those who helped and to Judith Smith for finding me a good place to park.

keep Birding

Dean Macdonald · Status: Offline

3pm this afternoon. All 4 birds chasing each other around the church. Fantastic

Cheers Dean.

Ian Campbell · Status: Offline

7.15 this a.m. 2 birds sat on Church Tower with another circling overhead calling loudly, excellent to see.

Cheers Ian

Dean Macdonald · Status: Offline

They do seem to be spending more and more time on the Parish Church now. An adult and a Juv at 8am this morning. The other 2 could have been on the other side. Which is great news for me as i can watch them from work again

Cheers Dean.

Dean Macdonald · Status: Offline

All 4 Birds were on the Parish Church yesterday lunchtime.

Judith Smith · Status: Offline

Having taken advice from experts all over the country, in conjunction with Paul and Stapeley, if the young Peregrine can't be released (which is looking increasingly likely, as she must be in excellent flying condition to be taught how to hunt by the parents), she will probably go to the Hawk Conservancy in Hampshire where they have a programme for teaching young wild Peregrines to hunt, and then they are able to be released eventually without becoming dependent or imprinted.
The situation is complicated by the fact that the family has moved over to the Parish Church tower again.
50%-70% of young Peregrines die in their first year anyway, so there is no point in releasing it if not fit. Two weeks is the period the experts consider that a young bird can be in care, and still be accepted by the parents when released.
The vet at Stapeley - which I can testify is a superb wildlife hospital - is also a falconer so will be more expert than most vets when deciding what is bet for thebird.

Paul Heaton · Status: Offline

Okay not the update you were hoping for I am afraid.

The bird has taken a somewhat backwards step and is not fit to release this week.

now this creates a problem as to where and when is going to be this best time to release the bird, cannot promise but we only have a window of another 5 days before we have to think about long term care and a proper release programme.

But the bird is feeding well and in good hands.

Ps I believe the remaining birds are flying around and doing well.

Keep birding

Paul Heaton · Status: Offline

Sorry dean for not keeping an update going, bird is doing well eating and moving around, we have to be careful about where and when we release her

Awaiting a meeting today to discuss this, but she is still alive, and enjoying the comfort of the RSPCA hotel.

Keep birding

Dean Macdonald · Status: Offline

What's the latest news on the young Peregrine?

Cheers Dean.

Paul Heaton · Status: Offline

The birds was collected yesterday at about 11.45 glad to report that it appears to be making a good recovery, however it is not fit to be released yet.

So it will stay in care for a few more days, and then we will address the problem of how and where to release it.
cheers.

Keep Birding

David Craven · Status: Offline

What time was that Paul? I was watching them this morning from about 8, only saw two of the juvs at that time, plus one of the adults (one on the Town Hall, two on Wellsprings).
There was tremendous racket near Wellsprings about 10.30 but I didn't spot where it was coming from exactly.

Had to laugh at lunchtime, the RSPB were out with the telesope looking at nothing, while two of the juveniles sat on Whittakers not 50m away, presenting exceptional views from the ground with the naked eye.

Paul Heaton · Status: Offline

Had to take one of the juvenile birds in today after it was reported been trapped on pigeon netting

(dont like this stuff) Appears to have been trapped for some considerable time.

Numerous injuries but a lively aggressive bird, has been transported to RSPCA wildlife hospital.

Hope to report better news before end of week.

keep Birding.

Alan Hill · Status: Offline

I have watched the peregrines from roughly 5.30 to 7.45 a.m. yesterday and today (30/6 and 1/7). It was remarkable that on Monday the young birds were only doing short circular flights and returning to the nest ledge after 1 or 2 circuits, but today there were flying much more strongly, perching on other buildings and (apparently) following/chasing other birds - without any chance of catching them of course. In this time the parents brought back at least 3 kills on Monday, a domestic pigeon and two smaller birds (perhaps starling or blackbird sized) but none today. I wonder if they will continue to be as loyal to the Town Hall as they have been so far.

Alan

Pete Lane · Status: Offline

A taxi driver told me of a pigeon landing on the roof of his cab minus head!!!!

Dean Macdonald · Status: Offline

Some of the letters recently have been quiet ridiculous. One seemed to suggest that Bolton council had brought the birds in deliberately to control the pigeon population

Others suggesting that Peregrines are evil and killing all the pretty birds. As for the Woodpecker, the woman who wrote that letter obviously has no idea how many nests Woodpeckers predate every year. If she was genuinly interested in all the"pretty birds" she would surely have been watching Springwatch and seen this happen.
I was tempted to write myself but in the end felt like i would be wasting my breath.

There has been a few decent replies in support of the Peregrines so at least the rag is giving a balanced view.

I suspect the next complaint will be from someone being hit on the head by a falling pigeon carcass

Who they gonna sue for that one?

David Craven · Status: Offline

Steven Astley wrote:

It was reported in Bolton News that a carcass of a woodpecker was found at the nest. Despite the Bolton News trend for getting things wrong, although not its more common prey, I see no reason to doubt the report.

Carcass's remains found a birds of prey sites show many species. Think Judith has written on this site about varied remains that have been found.

People complaining about peregrines eating other things that they personally find "nice" are displaying there lack of intelligence.

I think that was just from a reader's letter though, reporting that "a lady" told them about remains (including GSW) in the nest.

I agree it's plausible, but I have the inkling it's not true.

I agree entirely on the people complaining, it's a ridiculous notion wrong on so many counts.

-- Edited by Dave_C at 21:20, 2008-07-01

Steven Astley · Status: Offline

Dinner time today, fantastic spectacle, even shoppers in the square stood and looked up.

The 2 adults were in the air, 1 adult was constantly circling the tower calling out, a lower pitched call than usual, I reckon unless anybody can explain otherwise, to get the youngsters up in the air while they go hunting.

Tonight 2 youngsters could be seen on the east face on higher ledge than the nest box.

All seen in nice bright skies.

Steven Astley · Status: Offline

Dave_C wrote:

Judith, do you know if there's any truth in this story of a woodpecker carcass/remains in the Bolton nest?

It seems to have been brought up in a couple of letters to the local rag (some quality rants in there if any of you have missed it), and I've written it off as bad information, but wondered if you knew different?

It was reported in Bolton News that a carcass of a woodpecker was found at the nest. Despite the Bolton News trend for getting things wrong, although not its more common prey, I see no reason to doubt the report.

Carcass's remains found a birds of prey sites show many species. Think Judith has written on this site about varied remains that have been found.

People complaining about peregrines eating other things that they personally find "nice" are displaying there lack of intelligence.

David Craven · Status: Offline

Judith, do you know if there's any truth in this story of a woodpecker carcass/remains in the Bolton nest?

It seems to have been brought up in a couple of letters to the local rag (some quality rants in there if any of you have missed it), and I've written it off as bad information, but wondered if you knew different?

Judith Smith · Status: Offline

RSPB there again on 2nd.
They better stay on the roof as I collected my swan pole and cygnet net today from the Town Hall - which was used for the capture of the chick last Monday.

Steven Astley · Status: Offline

RSPB were there this afternoon with a scope and membership stall set up.

Tonight, just back saw 2 peregrines perched high up. A juvenile was on the lowest ledge on the clock tower flapping its wings trying take off, eventually did but slowly descended to what looked like somewhere on the back of the roof of the town hall.

Alan Hill · Status: Offline

All five birds were at the Town Hall from 5.15 to 7.30 this morning. The young birds were in the same places as on Tuesday. The parents each brought in a pigeon while I was watching and shooting photos. I was interested to see that the falcon did not just dump the pigeon by the young one, but she was most attentive in feeding it small pieces.

Alan

Pete Lane · Status: Offline

There were at least 4 birds present at lunch time today. (12.30ish)

Judith Smith · Status: Offline

Tonight at about 1915 there was just the male present perched on one of the top finials. Anthony thinks they may have fledged today - it would be about the right time.

alanhi · Status: Offline

Everything was OK at 6 a.m. today. One chick was at a lower level on the tower (same altitude as the top of the flagstaff) - the other two were at nest level. The female came down as I was standing near the War Memorial with my camera. She circled around Victoria Sq twice, giving me a good scolding, but then she flew back and settled down. I got some decent photos :)
Then things were pretty quiet until I left at 7.15 a.m.

Alan

Adrian Dancy · Status: Offline

Oh dear! Glad everything is OK.

Can someone post me a copy of the Bolton News....please.

Judith Smith · Status: Offline

A bit of drama this evening when the youngest chick decided to pay a visit to Victoria Square, in particular the lion on the town hall steps.
A security officer guarded the bird until Anthony Bremner, the town hall employee who has been involved with the installation of the tray and the welfare of the birds, and Tony Johnson of Bolton RSPB, could get there.
Using my "cygnet net", currently on loan to the town hall for just such an event, it was recaptured near Mothercare and returned to nest tray level where it was reunited with one of its siblings.
All this was captured by a Bolton News photographer and several other photographers who were present, so should be in the paper tomorrow!

Dean Macdonald · Status: Offline

I was on the car park 3pm. Wondered where they'd got too. Only managed to see one chick on the ledge on the west side(side with steps). Female flew in with prey but only seemed to feed one chick. There was only one visible at any one time anyway. The others must've been hidden on another ledge maybe on one of the other sides. The tray was empty.

Paul Heaton · Status: Offline

oh how i jumped at the chance of todays little job.

One of the chicks is looking ill Inspector would you like to come and take a look.

Well all is fine one of the chicks had fallen down a level but is alert and appears fine.

Both parents dived bombed me as I approached the chick, would appear as if they have somehow got separted from each other,but the fact that the parent birds now know where chick is, hoping all is going to be well.

BloomIng good views from outside the clock tower, certainly perk of the job today.

Keep birding.

Judith Smith · Status: Offline

Quite a spectacle now as all 3 chicks are out of the tray and today 2 were running about on a ledge with gargoyles below the balustrade, whilst the 3rd was being fed on the balustrade rail by one of the adults. Also quite noisy. None are fledged, though all are well on the way. Town Hall staff are checking that all 3 are visible each day, in case one or more falls off and ends up on the roof below (they will survive as their wings are quite well developed but probably not enough to fly back up). Definitely worth a visit, can be seen easily with bins from Victoria Square or Oxford St.