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 !
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.
. . . 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 .
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 !
Exciting news: the first of our young Peregrines has fledged.
A few days earlier than expected, one of the chicks was spotted last night perching below the nest ledge. Today has seen this newly fledged bird flying over Dove Stone rocks and sitting across from the nest ledge feeding on food dropped by one of the adults. There's still lots of calling going on, which you can hear quite loudly from ground level.
We're not sure if this bird is male or female; some studies have shown that males do fly before females. Either way, his or her flight will be getting stronger over the next few days.
Meanwhile, the other chicks continue to stay on the nest ledge and are being fed by the adult birds as well as having food left for them to tear up themselves. There's still a lot of wing flapping going on. These remaining chicks will be fledging soon ; maybe over the next few days so watch this spot. Or better still, come to Dove Stone and see them there. When all the birds have fledged we might be lucky enought to see some hunting games between the young.
It just keeps getting better and better. . .