Four eggs! and update about banded male.

Hi All,

The falcons are now incubating four eggs. Eggs were laid on March 18, 20, 22, and 24. Egg #5 could appear today! Last year these falcons laid only four eggs but it is not out of the question for falcons to lay up to six eggs!

Also, I am excited to pass on some additional information about the banded male of this pair. As you know the male at this nest has a black over green band (with codes B/S) on its left leg and a silver Fish and Wildlife band on its right leg. Chris Martin of NH Audubon has provided an update about the history of this bird--he hails from New Hampshire and is in his sixth year!


From Chris Martin, Senior Biologist, New Hampshire Audubon:

Black/green B/S was 1 of 4 chicks fledged from the Brady-Sullivan Tower in downtown Manchester, NH in Spring 2005. His mother was raised at the Throgs Neck Bridge in New York City and his father comes from Cathedral Ledge near Conway, NH. Black/green B/S has been confirmed to be associated with this (webcam site) breeding territory since 2007.

In 2007 the falcons at this eyrie fledged one chick. Breeding efforts failed in 2008 but last year, 2009, these falcons again raised one chick...the only chick to hatch of four eggs. This is the second season that we have monitored this nest with BRI Peregirnecam.

Detailed information about individually marked birds is uncommon and difficult to acquire. Although such information is limited, it can be critical for addressing certain questions that relate to the behavior individuals such as dispersal distance, site fidelity, territory size. Can you think of other questions that might be answered by marking individual birds?

Because we banded last year's chick we may have a chance at tracking multiple generations of falcons...we just have to hope for the stars to align so that last years fledgling might be observed again somewhere. So, be on the lookout for falcons!

As always please keep in touch with your questions and comments about what you see here. Help contribute to this blog!

All the Best,
Patrick Keenan
BioDiversity Research Institute

Falcons lay first egg on 3/18/10

Hi All,
I am happy to report that the falcons on our webcam have laid their first early this morning between 1:30 and 3:30 am. This is a very exciting start to spring. Last year the birds laid their first egg on March 20th. Here is a photo of a falcon incubating this first egg.

Peregrine falcons are widely distrubuted in North America and show variation in the number of eggs that they lay--generally they lay 3-6 eggs. The eggs are typically laid at intervals of about 48 hours, give or take. So, we will have to keep an eye on these birds in the coming days to see how many eggs they lay!

Many thanks for all your posts and please be in touch with questions and comments about what you are seeing. Don't forget to share this project with your friends and family.

All the Best,
Patrick Keenan
Outreach Coordinator
BioDiversity Research Institute

Webcam is down until Monday

Hi All,
I am sorry to report that we are having an issue with our webcam system and we will be down until Monday. Unfortunately, we will not be able to access the site until at least that day. I hope that I can solve the issue and have us back up first thing on Monday...wish me luck.
Best,
Patrick Keenan
BioDiversity Research Institute