Early season visits! What are you seeing?

Well, many thanks for the great discussion and photos posted to our online community. I am very happy to see the falcons visiting the nest site and showing signs of pair bonding. This is a great sign that the birds intend to nest and use this site again this year. Here is a nice image of the birds bowing to each other in typical pair bonding ritual.



Laurad also posted this photo of the bird attempting to excavate the scrape where the falcons might lay their eggs. Not that his bird is also simulating its incubation posture.



I appreciate all your comments! Please see the comments in last weeks blog for details about the prey items, I'll post them tomorrow!

Until next time,
Patrick Keenan
BioDiversity Research Institute

Camera Reinstall visit on Jaunuary 14, 2010

Hi All,

I am eager to report the details about my recent visit to the peregrine falcon nest site yesterday. It was very cold in the morning but warmed quickly as the sun rose. I was able to secure the camera back on its 'perch' to offer us, once again, an inward looking perspective on the nest tray. While tightening the u-bolts I was 'buzzed' by each of the falcons.

Needless to say, I worked quickly and was happy to have support from our collaborator who provided warning that the falcons were approaching fast (not that there was anywhere to hide!). I had tried to time the visit to avoid disturbing the pair, but given their persistent territoriality and presence at the site through the year, I had to settle with simply minimizing my disturbance. That is I visited during the period outside of the birds nesting season. Last year these birds became active at the nest in early February and laid eggs at the end of March.

Of particular interest to our project is what these birds are eating. I was fortunate to also visit one of the feeding 'stoops' where these birds perch and tear apart their food items. In addition to three very fresh rock pigeon carcasses (as well as a count of nine older, desiccated pigeon carcasses), I found the following items shown in the photos below.

Can you recognize these bird parts? It may be difficult to do so from the photos alone but I welcome any thoughts or questions that you might have about these prey items. I have identified them only after careful and cautious observation. I will post their identity next week in this blog...so be sure to check back!

PHOTO 1:

PHOTO 2:


Well, that is all that I would like to report for now. There is a great deal happening at BRI so please visit our website (www.briloon.org) to learn more. Until next time enjoy our webcams and your wildlife!

All the Best,
Patrick Keenan
Outreach Coordinator
BioDiversity Research Institute

Falconcam turbulence?

Hi All,

I just want to make everyone aware of a few changes to the falconcam. First, we plan to return the inward pointing camera as soon as possible and regain our two perspectives of these birds. Second, for a number of reasons we will be changing our broadcast mode for this stream and using a free online streaming provider. Some of the drawbacks are that the streaming quality may be reduced and we may face other issues that we have not faced during our trial period. A second drawback is that now our stream will be subject to advertisements. This is disappointing to us because we have been able to maintain the stream without advertisements until now and we feel that ads change the experience.

Thanks so much for enjoying the BRI Peregrinecam and we are pleased to keep this exciting project going. Many thanks for all of your support.

All the Best,
Patrick Keenan
BioDiversity Research Institute

Falcons tend the nest box.

In recent weeks the falcons, both male and female, have been visiting the nest. This continued territoriality is not common among all falcons. Some falcons have forsaken their breeding territories some time ago to begin an annual migration south before returning next spring.

The fact that the birds on the BRIperegrinecam remain suggests that they are finding ample food. I wonder what they are eating, I hope that we can uncover some feeding preferences of these birds throughout the year. What do you see the falcons eating?

Until next time,
Patrick Keenan
BioDiversity Research Institute.

Visit to the Falcon Site: 10/15/09

Hi All, on my recent visit to the Peregrine Falcon site I recovered this pellet. It is packed full of feathers, bones, and seed and berry casings--the regurgitated, indigestible morsels of a recent falcon meal. Although most people are familiar with owls producing pellets raptors of all shapes and sizes produce pellets. Given the number of seeds in the pellet and the size of the bones it seems likely that this pellet contains the remains of a seed-eating songbird. The photo below includes a ruler for scale and a different perspective. If you look closely you can see a feather arcing across the top and a bone just below the feather.



In this photo you can see the pellet sitting on the 'front stoop' of the falcon tray.


I'm very happy to be able to share this small discovery with you and provide these photos. I will keep this pellet intact and share it with students when it pertains to the subject of our many classroom visits! Please be in touch with your questions and comments and keep on enjoying the BRIperegrinecam!

Until Next Time,
Patrick Keenan
BioDiversity Research Institute

All photos are copyright of BioDiversity Research Institute

Falcons in October!

Hello All,

I am happy to see all of your comments regarding the falcons and their visits over the past months.

To address some of your questions: (1)No, the blog was not abandoned but we have elected to devote our energies to other projects and priorities during the non-breeding season but are very excited about the start of next season which is right around the corner! (2)Yes, we hope to keep this camera operational throughout the year with at least one of our views. (3) As many have noted our 'inward' perspective has its struggles. I plan to address that issue next week. I truly hope that you can understand our need to prioritize amid various projects and limited time and funding.

I recommend two things to look for this October on our webcam. First, signs of nesting activity or increased activity at the nest tray. This is a good indicator of future nesting efforts and site use and often spikes during October as the day length stimulates breeding behavior and territoriality in a number of bird species. Second, keep an eye out for other falcons. We are approaching the peak of falcon migration in Maine and there is a chance of seeing other falcons in the area.

Have a wonderful fall and thanks for enjoying the webcams.

All the Best,
Patrick Keenan
BioDiversity Research Institute

Falcon Fledge!

Hi All,
I am happy to report that our banded falcon chick fledged on Saturday June 6th. What a great event and success for this pair! Of late we have seen falcons visiting irregularly...this may be either of the adults or the chick herself. Thanks you so much for enjoying this birds journey with us and obviously we wish the bird good luck.
All the Best,
Patrick Keenan
BioDiversity Research Institute