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Update for Sunday, April 14, 2024

Astrid and Ares are about midway through the incubation period. We anticipate the initial hatch occurring around the 33rd day of incubation, placing it in the early days of May.

Update for Saturday, April 13, 2024

Saturday was cold and blustery, with icy rain intermingling with wet snowflakes. The wind was relentless. As usual, the falcons reveled in the gusts, effortlessly soaring into the canyon after their incubation shifts, with no need for wing flapping.

Just like the day preceding it, Ares graciously provided Astrid with a meal. Delivering what appeared to be a blackbird to the long perch, she accepted it gracefully from the crossperch. With her prize in tow, she glided effortlessly to the hotel, where she had her brunch.

Typically, when one falcon remained at the nest, their partner kept a vigilant watch from the State Building, surveying both the nest site and the surrounding territory. Without fail, whenever one falcon departed from their watchful post, the other would emit a brief series of squeaking vocalizations. These calls served as cues for us to promptly check the cameras for any activity unfolding.

Update for Friday, April 12, 2024

There is not much to report. It was a mostly rainy day in the downtown canyon, and the falcons spent the day taking turns incubating the eggs and guarding the territory. We did not see any intruder action, nor did we see any food tributes.

Update for Thursday, April 11, 2024

The day was marked by uninterrupted incubation. The duo efficiently traded places on the nest, executing precise, business-like switches. Ares did force Astrid off the nest at one point but for the most part their switches were amicable. While one was settled on the nest, the other remained within sight, vigilantly monitoring the downtown airspace. As we move into mid-April, raptor migration begins to ramp up; the Peregrines notice the increased traffic and stand ready to repel any interlopers.

Update for Wednesday, April 10, 2024

It has been at least a week since Ares last brought Astrid any food gifts, a customary pause during this stage of their breeding cycle. Nonetheless, at 4:30 AM, he arrived at the east veranda with a flicker. Astrid showed no interest in accepting it, leading to speculation that Ares may have only brought it as a ploy to take a turn on the nest. If that was his intention, the scheme failed. By 8:30 AM, he again came to the crossperch with a flicker, leaving us uncertain whether it was the same one as before. Once again, Astrid declined the offering. Had flickers been demoted in Astrid’s estimation, akin to woodcocks and cuckoos? Only she held the answer to that question.

As the day progressed, it became evident that Astrid and Ares were responding to the presence of migrating raptors traversing their territory. At one juncture, they were seen working together to chase a hawk out of downtown. When not occupied with incubating duties, Ares remained vigilant, staying close to the nest to stand guard.