Both Norwich Peregrine chicks fledged last week!
The moment everyone has been waiting for finally happened last week when both the Peregrine chicks took their first flight from the Cathedral spire last week.
The female chick (MB) was the first to fledge on the evening of the 18th. After days of wing flapping and running up and down the platform MB fledged at around 6.40pm. Unfortunately she did end up on the ground and had to be rescued and placed up on the bell tower for safety. After spending a couple of days on the bell tower regaining her strength and confidence she has since been flying around the cathedral and has managed to get herself back up to the nesting platform.
The male chick (MA) fledged a day later on the 19th at 2.15pm. He initially hopped from the platform to a nearby stone on the spire but then flew before landing on one of the statues lower down on the cathedral roof. He spent a couple of days down on the lower roof but has been moving around and has been spotted in various places around the cathedral.
The chicks both have to find their strength and confidence so it is not unusual that they have both been fairly stationary after fledging. The weather has also been extremely hot so they will be trying to conserve energy and keep themselves cool in the shade. The wind has been something the chicks have had to navigate, with some of their flying attempts being foiled by the gusts, meaning they have ended up elsewhere. Both the male and female adults have been keeping a close eye and bringing in food.
This week is the final week of the Peregrine Watchpoint. Come and see us on Wednesday 25th, Thursday 26th and Saturday 28th 10-4. It should be an exciting week where we will be able to see both the chicks, now juveniles, flying around the cathedral grounds, improving their skills and learning from their parents.
