Movie Gallery at Carrowdore

Friday 4th May - hatching

"Just my luck – the eggs hatched when I’m not there! The office staff watched closely on the webcam monitor, and we can successfully see that the four eggs have hatched. It’s great to see them out and all look ok and feeding well on a first meal of woodpigeon." Dave Edwards.

First chick hatches   » Click here		Followed shortly by 3 others   » Click here

9th to 10th May – almost 1 week old

“I watched the programme last night and thought it was very good. All the good work was certainly worth it as it made excellent viewing.

Some members of the public arrived at the quarry today and wanted to see the nest but we had to explain that we do not allow this since access is restricted to the quarry and the nest site.” Dave Edwards.

Bringing home the kill   » Click here		Feeding time   » Click here

13th to 14th May – 10 days old

“Good feedback from everyone who saw the TV programme. I saw a lone peregrine falcon in the quarry today. At first I thought our birds would get very upset, but the male didn’t seem to mind and just followed the lone bird out of the quarry. After speaking to Marc Ruddock he suspected it may have been one of last year’s chicks.” Dave Edwards.

Brooding  » Click here		It pays to be at the front  » Click here

18th to 21st May – 2 weeks old

“The nest area is starting to look like a peregrine falcon site again, as the rain had washed away all last year’s droppings. The chicks have very much a “Point and Squirt” attitude to their housekeeping!!! You can see for yourself on the webcam how ‘whitewashed’ the ledge is getting.”

"I have noticed the male peregrine is keeping his right eye shut today, he does open it to take off, so hopefully it’s not too serious and he has maybe just scratched it while hunting. There is so much more detail that can be seen with these fantastic cameras and everybody here tries to get a look when they can. The chicks are over 2 weeks old now." Dave Edwards.

Four chicks huddled together   » Click here		Where's Mummy gone? » Click here
Enjoying the sun   » Click here		Pan tilt zoom   » Click here

25th May - 3 weeks old

“While watching the video archives I've noticed in most of them the parents aren't there, where do you think they are?

"The adults are out hunting most of the time now bringing food back to the nest for the chicks. The chicks are more able to feed themselves now and the adults will often just drop food on the nest for them. The amount of time spent caring for the chicks on the nest decreases once the chicks can "thermo-regulate" efficiently. That is until they get their brown feathers which control their body heat. The white down, can get quite wet in bad weather and this is why the adults need to cover them to keep them warm, but also in hot weather they shade them from the sun. Often, the adults would be sitting in their favourite roost areas near the nest, just out of sight of the cameras and that is why we can't see them all of the time." Marc Ruddock.

Without Mum   » Click here		With Mum   » Click here

30th May – ringing

“Marc came to ring the chicks last night with Darryl and the guys from Yamal to film. It was a real treat to see the chicks close up and I was able to hold one as Marc ringed it. It really was a great experience to hold a peregrine falcon and see and feel its talons, which believe me are very sharp I have the scratches to prove it! The footage was all caught on the webcam.

The chicks are thought to be 2 males and 2 females and were named by our local school children from Carrowdore Primary School.
Rocky, Clifford, Edie (after the lady who owns the sweet shop in the village) and Feathers! Great names we all think, the pupils are also making a mini film production about a pair of peregrines and Feathers is the female’s name in their caste.” Dave Edwards.

Ringing the chicks   » Click here		Putting the chicks back   » Click here
The complete family » Click here		None the wiser   » Click here

4th to 6th June - 1 month old.

“A bit of a drama today as ‘Clifford’ the male chick was out of the main nest and on a slightly lower ledge! I wasn’t too worried about this as the year we had five chicks one spent a lot of time down on that ledge and was fine. Clifford soon got bored on his own and clambered back up to his siblings none the worst for his adventure." Dave Edwards.

Two up two down   » Click here		Clifford goes solo   » Click here

11th - 13th June – fledging

“After a lot of flapping and wing muscle strengthening Edie and Feathers our two female chicks have left the ledge early this morning, leaving Rocky and Clifford very bemused looking. The boys will have to play catch up with them soon. The parent peregrines will still continue to bring them prey back to the nest site over the next few days, but will soon be teaching them hunting skills of their own.

Getting ready to fledge   » Click here		Two males left at nest   » Click here
Last one standing   » Click here		Final close up   » Click here