Tuesday, March 17, 2009

And it begins

Well, all of the activity at the nest has been very exciting. In the past these birds have laid eggs during the first week of April. So, I guess we may have some time before we see an egg. All of this activity is sure egging us on though.
Other good news is that we will have regular contributors to this blog beginning next week. Charlie Todd of Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Ron Joseph of US Fish and Wildlife Service, and Bruce Connery of Acadia National Park will be sharing contributions to help educate our viewers about the life history, behavior, and conservation efforts of Peregrine Falcons in Maine and New England. This is a great chance to learn about Peregrine Falcons from wildlife experts will many years of accumulated experience.
I hope that we have a lot to talk about.
Allthe Best,
Patrick Keenan
BioDiversity Research Institute

12 comments:

  1. At 10:30 last night the falcon was in the nesting box sleeping. At 7:45 this morning, the falcon was sitting on the limb/pole looking out over the water. Seems it has found a comfortable place to spend the night.

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  2. The above post was posted at 7:51 am EST, March 18, 2009. Is the time stamp wrong???

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  3. 03/18 @ 11:31

    Thanks for the new info. Yesterday, I thought the falcon was behaving unusually and wondered if it was getting ready to lay an egg.

    Also, I have noticed that one bird is banded on the right leg. Is that the male or female?

    11:34 - falcon still in the nest. I do not see a band.

    JAM in IL

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  4. 03/18 @ 11:34

    I agree, the time stamp is way off. I always post the day and time using appropriate time zone for the nest.

    11:37 - same falcon still on the nest, hardly moving except to look around. Now intently staring up.

    JAM in IL

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  5. 03/18 @ 12:42

    ll:30 - 12:42 - Observed falcon in the nest. Finally left and is on branch/bar. Falcon was on feet the whole time, sometimes turning, sometimes appeared to be sleeping with eyelid closed.

    JAM in IL

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  6. 3/18 1:57EST I've seen two different falcons today also. One has two bands - green on one leg, white on the other. The second has no bands. They both lay on the nest box and kick to clear the area, then sit for awhile. Will two females use the same nesting box?

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  7. I was wondering if it would be possible to have a little bit higher sides on there and more gravel? The other cams I watch have deeper gravel for them to make more of a bowl like impression to help hold the eggs in place and keep them from maybe being blown out of there? Just wondering why there is such a difference. I do know in the wild they usually are on the side of cliffs but there is still areas to "bowl out".

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  8. 03/18 @ 22:27

    Thanks for the post confirming my observation re band. I, too, thought I saw a green band on the left leg ... but the glimpse was short and I was uncertain.

    20:00 - 22:25 - a falcon has been in the nest this whole time.

    While I have not watched steadily all day, whenever I have checked today starting with my first post, a falcon has either been in the nest or on the perch. Cannot verify that it has always been the same bird, but feel strongly that the falcon I see now is the same that I saw this morning. Unfortunately, I cannot see the legs.

    Is this considered practice incubation ... falcon style? I really do keep expecting to see an egg.

    JAM in IL

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  9. 3/19 6:40am EST

    Falcon just left the nest. It was the unbanded one. Yesterday throughout the day both the unbanded and banded one were at the nesting box.

    I read that around April 1st is the time we should be expecting an egg, but I keep hoping that we will see one each time I log on. I'm wondering if both are female - what are the distinctive characteristics between male and female?

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  10. 03/20 @ 09:55

    Note: I have finally observed both birds together. As the banded falcon is smaller, I think this is the male. Please correct me if I am wrong.

    09:44 - found female in nest. Much chatter; joined by male; both in nest, both chattering almost beak to beak. Male leaves nest; female remains and turns in circles, then chest down with feet scratching.

    09:49 - female sitting quietly looking around. Occasional chest down, scratching behavior.

    10:03 - female remains in nest.

    I refer to sitting when I can only see feet and no leg. When legs are visible, I refer to that as standing.

    Also, the female was again on the nest for hours last evening. Surely this behavior indicates a good chance of eggs forthcoming??

    JAM in IL

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  11. 03/20 @ 11:16

    09:44 - 11:13 - female observed on the nest.

    11:18 - male makes quick visit in and out of nest.

    11:19 - great shot. Falcon looking right into the camera! Beautiful face.

    JAM in IL

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