LATEST NEWS

Update for Thursday, May 2, 2024

Today, Astrid oversaw numerous feeding sessions with the two hatchlings. However, uncertainty still lingers regarding whether a third egg will hatch. Our current understanding suggests that the hatched eggs were numbers 2 and 3 in the laying sequence, implying that the first-laid egg, number 1, may be infertile. If the potentially pipped egg is indeed the fourth laid, there remains a chance of it being fertile, with several days remaining in its hatch window. At dawn, Ares brought a Black-billed Cuckoo to the nest. True to her nature, Astrid showed no interest in the offering, as she has never favored cuckoos. As a matter of fact they rank among her top three least favorite prey items, alongside Woodcocks and Bats. The presence of the cuckoo was surprising, considering they usually arrive later in May. Later in the afternoon, during a feeding session, Ares provided shade for the chicks and eggs while Astrid conducted a feeding. This showcased an excellent demonstration of cooperative chick rearing.

Update for Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Just before 6:30 AM we could see that there was definitely a hole in a second egg. Sure enough. At 9:08 AM Astrid pulled a broken eggshell from underneath her. Twenty minutes later we saw the new hatchling for the first time but only a second as she promptly tucked it beneath her. It was still pink and wet. Ten minutes later it had dried out and fluffed up and was as pure white as the first chick. In the early afternoon, Astrid brought in some leftovers and conducted a feeding. The new nestling was seen to eat a small amount before toppling over. Ares got a few chances to babysit the chicks. As usual, before brooding them, he spent some time looking at them like they were from another planet. He understands eggs a lot better than he understands squirming babies. During one of the switches, we discerned what we believed to be holes in one of the other eggs. This has not been confirmed yet, but we believe we may have another pipped egg.

Update for Tuesday, April 30, 2024

Today, the first hatch of the season occurred between 12:38 and 12:45 PM, unveiling a freshly hatched, damp, rosy chick at precisely 12:45 PM. Astrid shielded the hatchling from view by promptly tucking it beneath her. Subsequently, she retrieved the fractured eggshell from beneath her and intermittently nibbled on it throughout the afternoon. Around 2:50 PM, Ares arrived at the nest and insisted on having a turn with the clutch. Witnessing the hatchling for the first time, he looked a bit confounded. He then took on the role of babysitter briefly. Later in the day, he brought in food, which Astrid duly accepted. After having a share she proceeded to conduct the first feeding of the chick. Despite its unsteady footing, the hatchling persevered and between tumbles, managing to partake in a few bites. Notably, there appears to be a potential pip on one of the remaining three eggs, although confirmation is pending.

Update for Monday, April 29, 2024

Astrid began shuffling the eggs at about 6:30 PM this evening. This is something she does to induce hatching. Possibly she was hearing a chick calling from inside an egg and perhaps feeling it move. At one point when she came off the clutch to dig in the corner of the box, we noticed what appeared to be a pip in one of the eggs. This means we may have a hatch as early as tonight or as late as tomorrow night. If it happens tonight, it would be the earliest hatch we’ve ever had at this nest.  

The 30^th Day on Continuous Incubation – No Pip and No Hatch Yet

So, according to the Falcon Etiquette Handbook, Chapter 3, Section 7, Subsection B, Clause 4, it’s written in bold font: “Male Peregrines shall not, under any circumstances, take nighttime incubation shifts.” But guess who missed that memo? Ares, the maverick falcon who prefers winging it over reading dry ornithological textbooks. Last night, when Astrid took her unscheduled break from nest duty at the fashionably late hour of 12:30 AM, Ares swooped, ready to play Mr. Mom. When Astrid returned 2 1/2 hours later, Ares, dug in his talons and refused to budge for 7 minutes. Some impatient chirping finally convinced him to skedaddle. One can only imagine Ares flying off into the night, muttering about needing to catch up on his Falcon Code of Conduct reading.

Well, today’s egg report is in, and alas, no pips, or cracks, or peeps, or chicks – not yet anyhow.  But fear not, dear egg enthusiasts, for as we’ve hinted before, the grand hatching will most likely start happening on Tuesday or Wednesday. Nevertheless, our egg-watch duties continue unabated, with each egg receiving its fair share of scrutiny whenever we manage to glimpse them during changeovers.