Lawrence Peregrines: Egg #2!

March 31, 2019 in In the Nest Box, lawrence peregrines

The morning started off under mostly cloudy skies, wind from the south at 12MPH and gusts up to 23MPH, and temp at a balmy 57F.  The forecast calls for showers, mainly after 1pm. High near 63. South wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

2019.0331The female was observed inside the nest box just after 7AM this morning, both standing over the first egg and then nestled down lower in incubation mode.  She constantly looked around and also vocalized a bit at times. The wind circulated just enough inside the nest box to move her feathers around while she incubated the egg.  In prior years, the first egg would be left for longer periods unattended, but this year seems to be getting more active attention.  As an observer, you may have to keep watching for a while until she lifts up off the egg and takes a break!

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Checked back in later in the afternoon and the second egg had yet to appear and then checked back just before 6PM and the second egg was seen when she lifted up for a few moments and took off for a bathroom break! We’ll look for the next egg to be laid, hopefully on Tuesday afternoon!

Lawrence Peregrines: first egg!

March 29, 2019 in In the Nest Box, lawrence peregrines, Peregrine Falcons Eastern Massachusetts, Peregrine Falcons Massachusetts

After many visits in and around the Clock Tower and many looks through the web cam, including earlier today, what a nice surprise to check in this afternoon and find the first egg laid for 2019!

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Finally after waiting and waiting, the female laid her first egg this today!. Her behavior was very consistent with the general lethargy that a female falcon typically experiences in the few days prior to laying the first egg. In many cases this lethargy may last a week or longer. She lazes around and spends lots of time in the nest box, nest scraping, and other courtship related activities.

Incubation usually will not begin until the second to last egg has been laid. In this cool spring weather, with night time temps in the low 30’s, the female will spend some time incubating the egg, but it may not be a non-stop effort!

The female has a silver federal leg band on her right leg; and a black over green 38/BV band on her left leg.  The male has only a silver right leg band and no band on his left leg.

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