Peregrine chick: Woburn!

June 3, 2016 in Peregrine Falcon Woburn

CF2C2674-001After months of watching the Peregrine Falcons in Woburn, and wondering whether a young female, not yet a year old, would form a mating pair bond with the resident, older, unbanded male…..they finally came together!

The mating process started much later, and lasted much longer than any of the regular observers thought possible. Then in the middle/later weeks of April, the female began to demonstrate nesting behavior consistent with the egg incubation process.

Since then, the female has been sitting low and practically out of sight, consistent with sitting on, and incubating
eggs. No way of knowing how many eggs were hatched this year. The peregrine falcon female usually lays
3 to 4 eggs. Stay tuned….

This afternoon, stopped by and observed the female in visible feeding mode….confirming chicklets! The chicks are probably around 10 – 12 days old. From quite a distance away, and under challenging light conditions, was able to capture a few documenting photos.

For those with an interest, 3 feeding photos posted:

http://www.pbase.com/birdshots/image/163375569

Click “next” upper right to advance frames!

Peregrines Woburn: brooding chicks

May 31, 2016 in Peregrine Falcon Woburn

CF2C1989-001The female peregrine appears to be brooding her hatched chicks.  She is now seen at higher levels within the nest suggesting that the chicks have hatched and are growing in size.  we hope to have a peek at fuzzy white heads in just a few days!

Peregrine Falcon: Woburn male

May 31, 2016 in Peregrine Falcon Woburn

CF2C1641-001The male peregrine falcon in Woburn is being seen on watch close to the nest area.  The female continues to sit in brood mode with newly hatched chicks under her wing.  The male was seen on tho sneery perch under bright sunny and blue skies!

Peregrine female: Woburn

May 25, 2016 in Peregrine Falcon Woburn

CF2C1077-001The female peregrine falcon in Woburn looks like she may be brooding hatched chicks at this point in the breeding cycle.  She is sitting a bit higher in the nest area!  Stay tuned!

Peregrine Falcon: Woburn – male perched

May 24, 2016 in Peregrine Falcon Woburn

CF2C1048-001Under cloudy skies and just before sunset time, made a pass by the Woburn Peregrines and observed the female on nest and the male perched nearby.  The male took off in hot pursuit but returned to perch without pray in tow.  The female peeked out front he nest but only for a moment. Unable to verify if chicks have hatched yet!

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

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!

Peregrine in flight – Woburn

April 21, 2016 in Peregrine Falcon Woburn

CF2C8201-001Stopped on a lovely morning with radiant sunshine and cobalt blue skies.  The male peregrine performed a series of aerial loops around the boundary of the quarry area.  No predators were in sight and the loops were graceful and unhurried….quite a nice sight!

Peregrine Falcons: Woburn – Copulating!

April 18, 2016 in Peregrine Falcon Woburn

CF2C7788-001Made an early visit to observe the Woburn Falcons and found the female hunkered down in incubation mode.  She may have laid one or two eggs at this point.  Also had a chance to observe further copulation activity. Typically the copulation activity ends after the third egg is laid, so we may be close to the end of the egg laying cycle!

Peregrines: Woburn – female incubating eggs!

April 16, 2016 in Peregrine Falcon Woburn

CF2C7543-001After months of speculation among the local peregrine watchers about whether these falcon would form a pair bond; and after many weeks of observed and reported copulation activity between the unbanded male, and the not quite yet one year old banded female, it looks very much like the first eggs have been laid and the the incubation process has started.

With Peregrine Falcons, it is normal for first-time egg layers to start a bit later in the season. The eggs are laid normally about 48 hours apart, but it can be as long as 72 hours apart. Usually, full-time incubation starts after the second to last (penultimate) egg has been laid. In many nests, the female handles the incubation duties around 2/3’s of the total time with the male taking up the balance and providing the female with time off the nest.