Great Horned Owl and owlets!

May 18, 2016 in Great Horned Owl

CF2C0185-001The Great Horned Owlets are growing bigger each day with fledge time closing in!

Lawrence Peregrines: chicks under web cam

May 11, 2016 in In the Nest Box

IMG_1815A barrage of incoming emails were received this morning in regard to the Lawrence Peregrine chicks in the nest box. Many individuals and student groups have been tracking the progress of the 4 chicks.  This morning, with winds out of the NW, the chicks had hunkered down against the north wall of the nest box, which is located just under the New Balance falcon cam. If they remain still, they are out of view of the falcon cam.  It was a pleasure to respond to all the emails and to provide assurance that all was well, and that the chicks are healthy and growing bigger and stronger each day with regular feedings by both adult parents. This year, the fourth and final egg was laid on Monday, March 28th. For Peregrine Falcons, they typically incubate the eggs around 29 – 33 days prior to hatching. The chicks were right on time again, this year. The 4 chicks are healthy and doing well. They will likely fledge in the first few days of June!  In this photo, the image shows the chicks being fed just under the falcon cam.

Great Horned Owl and owlet!

May 11, 2016 in Great Horned Owl

CF2C9039-001The Great Horned Owlets just keep growing and getting bigger!  They will be branching soon and then fledging and making first flight!

Peregrine Falcon: Woburn

May 11, 2016 in Peregrine Falcon Woburn

CF2C8750-001Made a pass by the Peregrine Falcons in Woburn this morning under bright sunshine and blue skies. The incubation process continues with the female on eggs most of the time. Very possible that chicks may hatch in just over a week. Spotted the female (32/BC) on a ledge ripping apart a freshly caught Blue Jay. She then flew off in gentle glide mode, heading in southerly direction, with prey in talons, and landed atop one of the nearby parking lot utility poles. She proceeded to enjoy her breakfast with feathers flying all over the place. Meanwhile, the male remained on incubation duty while the female enjoyed a well deserve break!

For those with an interest, 5 photos posted:

http://www.pbase.com/birdshots/image/163200687

Click “next” in upper right to advance frames

Lawrence Peregrines: morning feeding!

May 10, 2016 in In the Nest Box

IMG_1808The 4 young peregrines line up quickly when prey is brought into the nestbox. The chicks are beginning to enter the “hunchback” phase, during which they are often seen in the photo, with their feet splayed out in front of them and their head angled forward.

Lawrence Peregrines: chicks are growing

May 9, 2016 in In the Nest Box

IMG_1793The Lawrence Peregrines are growing bigger each day with many feeding throughout the day.  they have voracious appetites and they are eager to get their fill at each feeding session! at this point, they are around 2 weeks old.

Great Horned Owl and owlets

May 9, 2016 in Great Horned Owl

CF2C8685-001The mother of the owlets keeps a close eye on her offspring.  She keeps them close to her in the nest.  They are growing quickly and hold their heads up on their own.  The owlets are alert and very curious!  This was a morning visit under bright sun and blue skies.

Peregrine Falcon: Woburn female on nest

May 9, 2016 in Peregrine Falcon Woburn

CF2C8538-001The female continues in incubation mode sitting low and incubating her eggs.  Rough estimate that her eggs hatch around May 21 – May 24…..stay tuned!

Great Horned Owl & owlets in the rain!

May 4, 2016 in Great Horned Owl

CF2C8522-001A short visit late afternoon under overcast skies, winds out of the NE around 13-15 MPH, with light rain and temps around 40 degrees.  The owlets look a bit soggy and rain soaked…but hanging in there with warmer weather on the way!