Just a reminder, I am licensed by Natural England to photograph at the nest territory of this Schedule 1 species.

At the Peregrine nest yesterday it was a very quiet session although I did have the male (tercel) in front of me for most of it.  I heard him call but in the dank conditions I couldn't see him at first but I knew he was there somewhere. After a few minutes, I located him sitting quietly on the old oak in one of the favourite perches where I have seen both birds on numerous occasions over the last 3 years. Oddly, this is the the first time I have seen them there this year though.  It sat there for more than 2 hours just doing nothing, but it seemed quite alert, as though he was keeping watch.  I have a another little hide that would have given me great views in front of that tree but I would not have been able to get in to it without disturbance, particularly when he was so alert. My camera is working remarkably well this year so I am quiet content with the shots I took of him.  Yesterday I had seen that he thad a blood soaked talon and he has today as well.  Also, note the bulging breast, this is an indication that he has recently fed, the bulge is food in the crop.  I really love this pretty little Tercel, I have seen him for 4 years running and feel I know him well.  He is a lazy bird who does not waste any energy and seems to spend lots of his time just sitting around. In fact, Peregrines do sit resting for hours on end.  This will be because of the food they eat.  Once fed, they then need to allow it to pass through from the crop and in to the stomach and then of course, this needs to digest.  A long process compared with other birds who have a fast digestive transit and need to feed often.  The food they eat dictates their behaviour, hence birds of prey, particularly Peregrines do not need to search for food constantly and consequently this dictates their seemingly lazy behaviour.  Sitting on one leg like he is in the picture above is a sure sign that he is at rest and relaxed.