18th June - Romsey Abbey Peregrines, Hampshire

There was some drama around the Romsey Abbey Peregrines early in the season.  The male from last year was tragically killed when it tried to retrieve prey it had dropped and was hit by a car.  The female remained and received two new suitors, one of which was experienced, the other an immature bird.  Fortunately she fell for the experienced male and went on to lay three eggs that hatched into three youngsters that are now approaching fledging.

I have stayed away waiting for the family to emerge, they nested this year in the nest box with the web cam which is under the weather vane.  As I walked from the car park I could see one Peregrine adult at the top of the flag pole.

I walked around to the south side of the Abbey and found what I think is the male sitting on the wall around the vane.

This then must be the female, it looks a larger bird with a little amount of a buffish wash on the breast.

Zoom out and both adult birds.

The female on the weather vane.

One of the young birds was out in the open having left the nest area.  Note the buff fringes to the feathers and the brown throat and breast feathers.  There is also still some downy feathers along the flank.

The female flew from the weather vane and I walked around to the north side to see if I could see anymore birds or any better.  As I did so the female flew back in and =returned to the top of the flag pole.

Hardly any breeze today so this became a good place for a preen.

She then showed signs of moving on, stretching forward.

And then flapping her wings.

Then she was off.

As the legs are held down you can see the powerful feet and claws that do a lot of damage.

and away.

But she soon returned to the flag pole and I walked around to the south side as she was facing south.  Time for a scratch.

The juvenile bird was also having a preen, sorting out those new feathers.  Here maybe looking up at Mum?

There were quite a few flys around the area, probably due to the prey that has been left around.

The juvenile thn moved, but continued to keep an eye on me.

I walked back to the north side, the male hadn't moved in the whole time I was here.  The female on the flag pole was continuing to scratch and preen.

Then as I took out my lunch she left.  I hung around to see if she was going to return, and entertained myself trying to catch the Swifts flying around the Abbey.  This was the best effort and it looks as if the Swift has caught a moth or butterfly.

With the Peregrine activity at an all time low I decided it was time to move on.  Hopefully I can get back in about a weeks time when the youngster may be active.