This week the chicks are now 6 weeks old. They have both lost all of their white down fluff and have their lovely cream and brown juvenile plumage. The adults are bringing food to the nest platform but allowing the chicks to feed themselves. They are becoming protective of their food, spreading their wings to cover the prey, this is known as mantling. The chicks, particularly the female (MB) are using their talons to pick up remains of prey in the box, flapping their wings and hovering with it. They are both very close to fledging and can often be seen on the edge of the platform, flapping their wings and running up and down. We expect them to take their first flight any minute now!
This week the Watchpoint is open Tuesday 17th, Wednesday 18th and Thursday 19th. Hopefully visitors will be able to see the chicks flying round the cathedral grounds any day now!
