May 5, 2014 in In the Nest Box
The chicks continue to grow and are are able to have a few moments where female is in nest and nearby but not brooding all the time! 4th egg remains unhatched.
Parents involved in food exchange!
May 4, 2014 in In the Nest Box
Newly hatched chic
ks weigh about 1.5 ounces and are virtually blind. Covered with only a light coat of fluffy white down, newborn chicks require constant brooding by the female in order to stay warm. Feeding usually commences on day two when the small chick bobs its head looking for food. The female provides small pieces of food for the chicks!
May 1, 2014 in In the Nest Box
Hatching begins after 30+ days when the chicks hammer a hole in the egg with a special “egg tooth” on the end of its beak. The chick makes a neat cut all the way around the egg, essentially cutting off the large end of the egg. This process may take up to 48 hours and requires a great deal of energy!
April 28, 2014 in In the Nest Box
The peregrine falcon couple living in an 8th floor falcon condo in the Ayer Mill Clock Tower will soon welcome their 2014 chicks, or eyases, to the city of Lawrence. The female has laid 4 eggs this year, and we are now at the back end of the normal incubation period of 29-33 days.
Falcons will eventually get rid of eggs if they do not hatch. Two years ago, the couple laid 4 eggs but only 2 eggs hatched. They waited a few weeks before discarding the 2 unhatched eggs.
The first egg was laid March 21 this year! Incubation of the 4 eggs started after the last egg was laid on March 26th. Stay tuned!
April 26, 2014 in In the Nest Box
As of 6:15 pm Saturday night, we continue the vigil awaiting the hatching of the first falcon egg! In the worth noting department: from time to time, the birds stand up and rotate the eggs. This is an important chore, as it ensures that the eggs are uniformly warmed and prevents the embryos from sticking to their shell, which could be a problem during hatching.
An egg is an amazing creation. It is fragile enough for a tiny chick to peck its way out, yet strong enough to withstand the weight of an incubating adult. That wasn’t always true. According to the staff at the Peregrine Fund in Idaho, in the 1960s, scientists discovered that the pesticide DDT caused physiological problems in female Peregrine Falcons, resulting in thin-shelled eggs that broke during incubation.
DDT was banned in 1972 and The Peregrine Fund helped recover this once-endangered species with captive breeding and releases to the wild. It was one of the most successful conservation efforts in history!
April 26, 2014 in Near the Clock Tower
The Peregrines have been incubating the 4 eggs hatched during the 3rd and 4th week of March. The estimated incubation period runs normally between 29-33 days. As of Friday afternoon, at the 30 day mark, all 4 eggs were seen and documented with this photograph. These eggs are ready to hatch and hatching should take place today or next few days! Stay tuned!
March 9, 2014 in In the Nest Box
Peregrine Falcon female resting on perch at nest box in beautiful light minutes before sunset!
February 25, 2014 in In the Nest Box
The female peregrine is being seen with increasing frequency at, or very near, the nest box located in the Clock Tower. Most likely, we are about 3.5 weeks away from the laying of the first egg. Time will tell if this happens in the clock Tower as in 2012, or over the river in the 250 Canal St. building complex! Stay tuned!
February 3, 2014 in In the Nest Box
The Peregrines are now being seen with a bit greater regularity as we approach the start of breeding season. The female has been seen around the nest box and perched in many of the normal locations around the Ayer Mill complex. Copulation activities are but weeks away!
May 30, 2013 in Peregrines at 250 Canal St.
Summer has arrived for all of us including nestling birds getting ready to fledge! Time to get ready for some good ol fashioned summertime heat & humidity. This was our first time in the low 90s in the Lawrence area since the end of last August and this heat is gonna stick for a few days. In fact, we’ll see afternoon temps near 90 for the next 4 afternoons. All this heat & humidity will be a tesr for our nestling friends.
Quite a delight to be able to observe and photo document the new batch of peregrine nestlings as they prepare for first flight. Did you know that falcon chicks are called “eyases”? An eyas is a an unfledged bird; specifically : a nestling hawk. The four peregrine eyases have adjusted quite successfully to their new home on a rooftop after recently being moved by MassWildlife staff.
Today provided nice lighting conditions with nice views (from a distance with a scope, binoculars, and a very long camera lens….all from private property) of the nestlings. Only able to see three of the four along with terrific views of both parents on separate nearby perches. These photos are well worth a look!
11 Photos of chicks and adults posted: http://www.pbase.com/birdshots/image/150522998 Click “next” in upper right to advance frames….enjoy!!
