Chalk Quarry Perigrines - Update 24 May 2011

PeterD-2009PeterD-2009 Registered Users Posts: 618 Major grins
edited May 29, 2011 in Wildlife
The last few weeks have been relatively quiet with one bird sitting on the clutch of eggs and the other off hunting. The male and female swapped roles 2/3 times a day.
I arrived on-site and there was nothing to see of the Peregrine which had become pretty normal for the reason above. I then heard a Peregrine call and quickly looked around and found the male had arrived back clutching a pigeon in its talons. I did not have time to photograph this as my camera was still in the bag:rolleyes. I did manage to take a series of images just as the Peregrine landed on the nest site.

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Here the male has placed the prey on the ledge.

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The female leaves her chicks to check the prey.

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Satisfied, the female carries the prey to the chicks and the male flies off.

Once the prey was with the chicks, the female flew off to join the male above the quarry.

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They wheeled and circled about each other, calling out all the time. Almost as though they were celebrating.

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After about 10 minutes, the female pealed off and returned to the nest site.

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The male then flew off in search of other prey.

Comments

  • PGMPGM Registered Users Posts: 2,007 Major grins
    edited May 25, 2011
    Peter, I love the story, and also especially #3 and #6! Best, Pam
  • MaestroMaestro Registered Users Posts: 5,395 Major grins
    edited May 25, 2011
    So jealous! I love the last one with the look over the shoulder and spread tail feathers.
  • PeterD-2009PeterD-2009 Registered Users Posts: 618 Major grins
    edited May 26, 2011
    PGM wrote: »
    Peter, I love the story, and also especially #3 and #6! Best, Pam
    Maestro wrote: »
    So jealous! I love the last one with the look over the shoulder and spread tail feathers.

    Thank you Pam and Stephen or your very kind comments. I am glad you both like themthumb.gif
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited May 27, 2011
    Great find Peter. #3 and 6 are terrific captures. clap.gif
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • PeterD-2009PeterD-2009 Registered Users Posts: 618 Major grins
    edited May 27, 2011
    Harryb wrote: »
    Great find Peter. #3 and 6 are terrific captures. clap.gif

    Thank you Harry.
  • NorthernFocusNorthernFocus Registered Users Posts: 1,347 Major grins
    edited May 28, 2011
    This is cool. If these guys were close to home, I'd camp out there. Thanks for sharing.
    Dan

    My Photo Gallery:Northern Focus Photography
    I wish I was half the man that my dog thinks I am...
  • PeterD-2009PeterD-2009 Registered Users Posts: 618 Major grins
    edited May 29, 2011
    This is cool. If these guys were close to home, I'd camp out there. Thanks for sharing.

    Thank you Dan. They are not too far from where I live so I get plenty of opportunities to see them.
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