LATEST NEWS

Some people have been concerned about the 3^rd and most recently hatched chick. Yesterday during the feedings (at least during the ones that were not blocked by Astrid standing in front of the camera!) it appeared as though that chick was not being fed. It’s only natural for raptor parents to favor the older and stronger hatchlings especially when food supplies are limited. That is how they insure that their nest will at least produce some young in a given season. Since food procurement is not usually a problem for urban Peregrines, it’s likely that there will be enough for chick # 3 and # 4, assuming that final egg does hatch.

It’s possible that the 4th and final egg has pipped! Our experts in the Falcon Lab have been examining a few frames of video taken this morning  (actually it’s just 2 of us trying to zoom in on blurry screen shots), and there seems to be a pip mark showing near the top of the egg. If this is an actual hole we might expect the last falcon chick to hatch sometime today! Meanwhile, a number of people have commented on the current messy state of the nest box. Indeed there are a lot of Pigeon feathers building up just lately. We expect that the parents will get around to tidying up at some point. If not perhaps they should advertise for a maid. Pigeons probably shouldn’t apply though.

Today was an active day at the Utica Peregrine Falcon nest box. Most significant was the hatch of the 3rd egg, which happened around mid-morning. At least 4 feeding sessions occurred during the day – a few of which were not seen well due to Astrid’s body being stationed between the camera and the chicks! Little did she know how much frustration she was causing for our viewing audience! All were eager to see that 3rd chick. When she finally began feeding them in the open, some folks became concerned that she was neglecting to feed the new chick. Not to worry! The latest hatchling is cable of going for at least a full day before being fed. It would still living off the nutrients from the egg. Regardless, later in the day, Astrid was seen feeding the new chick.

Astrid was busy feeding her 2 chicks at 6:00 this morning. The food was already in the nest box at that time. Presumably she or Ares brought it in earlier. It’s amazing that these fearsome raptors are able to be so gentle when they feed their hatchlings. She tears tiny pieces of meat off and so delicately puts them into the open mouths of her young. We have finally confirmed that one of the 2 remaining eggs is starting to pip. We hope this means that another hatch is imminent.

We now have 2  falcon chicks in the nest! At about 5:30 this morning, Astrid came back with some breakfast and began feeding the siblings. She tore tiny pieces of meat off a carcass and tenderly fed the chicks for about 10 minutes before settling back down on them and the remaining 2 eggs. With such cold morning temperatures, it’s very important that she keeps the brood warm.