It's incredible how fast the chicks are developing. Two weeks ago they were all white down ; now most of the four chicks have more feathers then down. I say most, because two of the chicks seemed to have developed a little more quickly than the other two. Will they be the first to fledge ?
Talking of fledging, it won't be long now. Sometime over the next week to ten days we're expecting them to take their first flight. The young birds are getting more active on their ledge daily and there's a lot of wing flapping going on ! Despite this, it's amazing how well camouflaged the chicks can be up on the ledge as with their brown feathers and little bits of white down they blend in really well with the rock face.
Meanwhile, the adult birds are still bringing in food for the chicks but it looks like they're not feeding the chicks with little pieces of their kill as much as they were. Instead they're leaving bits of the kill on the nest ledge for the chicks to tear up themselves.
Elsewhere around Dove Stone there have been recent sightings of Spotted Flycatcher, Ring Ouzel, young Dipper, Coal Tit, Grey Wagtail adults with young, Oystercatcher, Common Sandpiper, Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Curlew. Earlier in the year we were seeing a lot of Wheatear but we haven't seen as many recently. Perhaps they were passing through ?
Keep watching with us - we'll bring you any Peregrine fledging news as soon as we have it.
Why not join our wildlife experts for a wildlife discovery and information walk over the high moorland plateau above the Dove Stone reservoir this weekend ?
The walk will be led by members of our information team to check out the wildlife that inhabits this exposed and often inhospitable environment and look at the moorland improvement work being carried out to restore the blanket bog, improve your water supply and create new habitat for our iconic moorland species.
Walking up to one of the highest points on the reserve gives wonderful views of the surrounding area ( weather conditions permitting ! ).
This six mile route will take between three to four hours and is suitable for those visitors capable of moderately strenuous walking who are able to cope with potentially changeable weather conditions. Binoculars are highly recommended to fully enjoy the bird life.
Please come equipped with suitable walking boots, waterproofs and food and drink for lunch at Ashway Gap picnic area, where there'll also be the opportunity to watch Dove Stone's Peregrines.
Walk leaves at 10 am from the RSPB visitor welcome point, at the top of the main car park.
See you there !
. . . seen at Dove Stone earlier in the week, it's the Redstart.
Redstarts like woodland areas and can also be seen alongside streams.
Summer visitors to Britain, look out for them until they leave in early September .
The chicks will be about three weeks old now.
Not long until they start to develop their first wing and tail feathers.
In the meantime here's some more fluffy shots !
Another few good days on the Peregrine watch.
This photo of one of the chicks was taken during the ringing on Thursday. The chicks will be about two weeks old now so not long before they start to lose the white down as their juvenile feathers grow.
Highlights this week have been watching the adult birds hunting with one of the Peregrines going into a short stoop yesterday. We were also able to watch both the male and the female Peregrine on the nest ledge feeding the chicks together and just appreciate what beautiful birds they are.
Elsewhere at Dove Stone there have been sightings of Lesser Redpoll, Blackcap, Redstart, Dipper, Common Sandpiper, Kestrel, Curlew. And earlier in the week we heard our first Cuckoo here this year - now that's a special sound . . .