Falcon Wire News
August 2024
It has now been several weeks since any juvie sightings have been reported. We can therefore assume that the 2024 fledge class have dispersed from the nesting area, to spend the next several years exploring the world and honing their survival skills.
Where will the fledglings go now? Wherever their wings take them! Most likely, they will spend several months wandering relatively nearby and making occasional visits to their parents before widening their range. They may spend some time together, but will eventually strike out alone. By this winter, they are very likely to be somewhere along the Eastern seaboard, where wintering birds will provide ample opportunity to sharpen hunting skills. If we are lucky, one or more of them will be identified as nesting adults in their own territories several years from now. In any case, we wish long life and nesting success to all five!
The Rachel Carson falcons successfully fledged 5 young for the first time since 2009. Bringing all 5 from hatch to fledge is a testament to the diligent care by the parents, who provided a great start to life for these five young birds. This year's fledging success is due in large part to the efforts of the Harrisburg Falcon Watch & Rescue, whose members mounted a dawn to dusk watch from June 3-16. Fifty-nine dedicated volunteers gave over 800 hours to the cause of helping the fledglings survive manmade hazards and juvie inexperience while mastering the basics of life on the wing.
Four of the fledglings were rescued and released in the first days after fledging. Without the action of Watch & Rescue, the Carson falcons would have experienced 80% mortality before the end of the first week. Instead, five strong and healthy young falcons have joined the Pennsylvania falcon population.
Many thanks to the Watch & Rescue volunteers and DEP staff who contributed to make 2024 a successful season!
July 2024
| The young peregrines are furthering their independence by spending less time as a group, less time near the nest ledge, and more time individually and at farther distances. Although they can still be seen at times on or near the RCSOB, the number of sightings on the ledge have declined dramatically. Earlier than in previous years, the adults appear to be starting to reassert their claim to the ledge. But there is no cause for concern; the adults will continue to provide food and instruction at locations away from the ledge for several more weeks; they will just discourage the fledglings from considering the ledge as home. |
June 2024 News
Although falcon cam viewers may not see much activity on the RCSOB 15th floor ledge, visitors who are watching from the ground are being treated to exciting shows of the falcon parents and all five juvies flying and playing together in various group sizes. Mock combat maneuvers, including locking talons and briefly tumbling in tandem, as well as high speed chases and attempts to catch another falcon by a tail feather, have been witnessed. The young falcons are gaining strength, speed, and endurance while practicing moves that will be used when they reach maturity to gain/defend territory and attract mates.
The juvies have begun working on hunting skills. The adults initially engage the juveniles in prey transfers by dangling prey as they fly. The juvies will attempt to take the prey from the adult, and then from each other. These airborne skirmishes over food may look like "bad manners" to humans, but the exercises are an important part of the juvies' survival training.
When in-flight transfers are mastered, the adults will increase the challenge by dropping the prey from a short height above chasing juvie(s), who will dive for it. If the grab is fumbled, the adult may be able to dive down and grab the prey for a second try. If not, the prey will fall to the ground and the hungry juvie(s) will learn that they have to be fast and hold tight if they want to eat.
The young juvies will soon begin to fly farther from the nest site and may stay away for a day or two before returning to the security of home to rest and fuel up for another exploration. Local observers should be able to enjoy their daily presence and midair antics for the next week or two, just by looking up!
The Rachel Carson Peregrine Falcon Fledgling Class of 2024 has graduated from Flight School and Falcon Watch has concluded.
Kudos to Sue Hannon, the RCSOB Falcon Coordinator who, armed with more than 20 years of experience, provided guidance, and shared her expertise with "new" and returning volunteers. A big shout out goes to the more than 55 dedicated volunteers who lent a hand during the past two weeks, making this year particularly fun. This unique clutch of birds matured rapidly and kept everyone guessing. The RCSOB Peregrine Falcon nest continues to be the most productive and visible site within the Commonwealth. From egg laying, to hatching, to first flights and beyond, the RCSOB falcons are celebrities, followed by national and international viewers. Over the next couple weeks, watchful visitors can continue to enjoy their progress. If you are in the Harrisburg area, consider stopping by. You'll be glad you did! Thank you.
At 10:20AM, a low-flying turkey vulture flew past 333 Market Street and lazily circled around to investigate activity on the RCSOB roof, where the green-banded fledgling was just landing. Fiercely protective mama 09/BS suddenly appeared, streaking across the gap between her and the intruder, screaming bloody murder the whole way. The vulture was too slow changing course and was struck hard and sent tumbling. Green, alerted to the nearby threat by 09's attack, joined the fray, launching her own diving attack at the hapless vulture, who finally got the message and left the area as quickly as it could.
Meanwhile 09 returned whence she came and Green flew to join two of her siblings on the roof of Harrisburg University. This fledging period is not entirely for learning how to fly and hunt; it also includes lessons in territorial defense behaviors. The fun mock combat games the juvies have been engaging in for the past few days just got a real world application reinforced for the juvies who witnessed or participated in this interaction.
The red-banded falcon was rescued this morning after becoming boxed in on the 16tth floor balcony. When this happens, even though the juvie could probably get out on his own, the glass wall appears to confuse them. They keep trying to jump through the clear glass panels below the balcony railing, causing them stress and risking injury. So if they do not get up to the railing on their own within a short time, they will be rescued. A volunteer from Falcon Watch & Rescue entered the balcony, retrieved Red, and determined that he was uninjured, whereupon he was released and quickly flew to the roof of 333 Market Street.
The juvies continue to progress with flight training. All five have advanced in flight duration and height. One juvie attempted a hunt this morning. Although its target got away, it gave a credible chase. For the next few weeks, the juvies will pack every day with learning the skills they need to survive. As they become closer to self-sufficiency, they will return to the ledge less frequently. By the end of summer, they will embark on their own to explore the world around them and attempt to find nesting territories of their own.
It is difficult to believe that it has been less than a week since the five young falcons began their first flights. One by one as they fledged, each has spent a day or two struggling to master the basics of winged flight. Last evening and again this morning, they treated volunteers and city spectators to a dazzling demonstration of how well they are enjoying each other while learning critical skills. The juvies are playing chase and tag, practicing stoops, flying singly and in pairs, and more.
For the next week or two, these types of displays will become quite common, particularly in the evening as the young falcons gain strength and hone their flight skills. Within the next day or so, 85/AK will initiate prey transfer exercises to acclimate the juvies to chasing and catching prey on the wing. While it may look like pure play, it is deadly serious for the juvies. Their survival depends on mastery of the "games" that prepare them for their departure from the Rachel Carson State Office Building later this summer when they will explore the world and seek out their own territory.
To ensure a continued successful 2024 season, the juvies are still in need of watchful eyes. Please consider coming out to lend a hand. In particular, the following shifts require additional support: Early mornings (prior to 9 a.m.) on June 12, 13, 16, and 17; Wednesday June 12 from 1-5 p.m.; Friday June 14 from 5-9; Saturday June 15 from 9-1 and especially from 5-9; Sunday June 16 from 9-1; and all shifts on Monday June 17 (5:30 a.m.-9:00 p.m.).
To volunteer, please contact Sue Hannon at hbgfalconwatch@gmail.com.
The first phase of Falcon Watch has successfully concluded with no apparent injuries. Falcon Watch volunteers observed all 5 juvies take to the Harrisburg sky over the weekend, with Green's attempts on Sunday being the last of the group. The juvies are honing their skills, making their way to nearby buildings, and returning to the ledge nest site.
Now in Phase 2, the 5 juvies have begun Falcon Flight School and will receive further instruction from their parents until they become proficient flyers and hunters. Some will progress faster than others. For instance, Blue has been observed participating in a food chase with 09/BS. While experimenting with their new "equipment" they will attempt more frequent flights of longer durations and may tire. If they are unable to maintain the necessary height for a successful return to the RCSOB ledge, roof, or other nearby buildings, they may land on the ground and require Falcon Watch volunteer assistance.
Although the juvies are progressing, volunteers remain critical to their continued success. Please consider volunteering. Contact Sue Hannon at hbgfalconwatch@gmail.com.
At 6:12 a.m., the red & yellow banded juvenile took flight after being bumped from his perch on the short ledge. After a brief cartwheeling tumble, he regrouped and tried to land on the ledge under the roof of the University at 4th & Market Streets. He eventually landed on a 2nd story ledge where he rested for an hour before attempting a 2nd flight. This brought him to the sidewalk on 4th St, outside Harrisburg University, where he was promptly recovered and rescued by volunteers from Harrisburg Falcon Watch & Rescue. An exam showed his feathers to be a little underdeveloped, so he will be transported to Red Creek for a more thorough exam and observation.
The other four juveniles remain on the ledge, with additional fledges potentially later today.
The blue-banded falcon made a number of flights yesterday afternoon. On his 7th flight, he finally ran out of energy and came to rest on the plaza in front of the RCSOB. Watch & Rescue volunteers quickly scooped him up into a rescue box. After a careful exam revealed him to be uninjured, he was released to the RCSOB roof where he remained overnight.
Yellow made several flights in the afternoon, one of them quite lengthy in duration. He eventually landed on the Auditorium of the Carson Building, but dropped out of view as the light faded. He was relocated this morning on a low roof on 333 Market St. He has taken several flights this morning and is currently on the roof of a high-rise apartment building a few blocks from the Carson Building.
Three eyasses remain on the ledge: Green, Red-Yellow, and Red. Side-by-side observation of Green and Red-Yellow or Red-Yellow and Red has led to the conclusion that Red-Yellow is probably a male. While 835 grams at banding is extremely rare, it is not unheard of. And 85/AK, his father, is a very large male himself, and was banded as a female in 2017 when he was a nestling. Red-Yellow's wings compare almost exactly with Red's, while Green has obviously larger, wider wings in keeping with a female. It doesn't really change anything, except as a matter of interest. He is already old enough to fledge, so the Watch & Rescue crew are remaining alert for a potential fledge this afternoon.
Keep the PA Falcon Cam on at https://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/falcon/falcon-cam-popup_v2.html to follow all the fledging action!
The first fledge of 2024 occurred at 7:04 am, when the Yellow banded falcon flew toward the University. He did not gain enough height to land and circled around trying to find a secondary landing. After several misses during a surprisingly long flight (possibly more than a minute total) he dropped to a low landing on the Carson Building.
His fledge was followed less than 10 minutes later by Blue in a slightly shorter fledging flight, with slightly fewer missed landings and an ultimate landing on a low roof on 333 Market St.
Both fledglings landed safely although in low positions. Falcon Watch & Rescue is on the ground keeping watch. If either of our new fledglings needs rescue on a subsequent attempt, we'll be here with the assist.
Reports from this morning's Falcon Watch & Rescue confirm that the eyasses are rapidly approaching their first flights. Both Green and Blue have made the narrow traverse around the curved wall to the short ledge beyond it. Yellow has been making hop-flights from the scrape shield to nearly the end of the ledge. All five are busily preening away the last of their down and exercising their wings. These behaviors are all indicators that fledging is imminent.
Volunteers are needed for Falcon Watch and Rescue! If you are interested in joining, please reach out with your contact information to hbgfalconwatch@gmail.com.
With five fledglings, we're going to have a busy time! Yesterday the eyasses began to demonstrate behaviors that indicate they are getting closer to their first flights. They have been moving about the ledge, exploring the area around the big column, and perching on the stick.
If you are interested in volunteering, please use the SignUp Genius to indicate the shift(s) you are available: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080945AEA828A6F85-49898967-2024?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1ORYZilzMAaaHsQ0Z0f9uYmTzft6_PqeqpNX5T6YJhNLVxqAupHF5gTBw_aem_AbBD_vm4xfUKt9toNLXpVlF5_q22OFstIe2HbbJMDZNp-9PBh36iqyUfK-fXL6i0SsATBBIicgLrhjELCZP0C5HH#/
Bring your chair and sunscreen, fill a water bottle, and charge up your camera batteries - the fun is ready to start! Dress for the weather--the Watch will happen rain or shine.
May 2024
The five eyasses were banded on Friday, May 24. All five chicks received a silver colored USFWS band with a unique nine-digit identification number on their right leg. To assist in field identification, each eyas also received a black and green alpha-numeric band on their left leg.
Peregrine falcons are banded with one of 2 possible sizes, depending on the thickness of a given bird's leg. Female birds generally have thicker legs than males and are assigned the larger size bands, but the gender/leg size correlation is not 100%. When the leg size warrants it, the bird receives the larger size band.
The results of the banding are as follows:
32/CA, blue tape, 710 grams
33/CA, red & yellow tape, 835 grams
34/CA, green tape, 1000 grams
35/CA, red tape, 750 grams
06/BZ, yellow tape, 760 grams
All five chicks were given a clean bill of health upon examination and were promptly returned to the ledge.
The next significant milestone for these young falcons will be fledging, possibly within the week. Between June 3-17, volunteers from the Harrisburg Falcon Watch and Rescue will be on the ground to observe and document the entire fledging process, as well as to rescue any of the fledglings that become grounded.
With five inexperienced flyers, Watch and Rescue will welcome additional volunteers. No experience is necessary and all levels of physical ability can participate. If you are interested in joining Watch and Rescue, please email hbgfalconwatch@gmail.com.
The eyasses are now about half their adult size and are maneuvering about the scrape on their toes, exercising their wings, preening, and tussling over food. Their wing and tail feathers are developing and the classic "bandit mask" is becoming more visible on their faces.
Over the next few weeks, we will see rapid growth and development of the young falcons. By six weeks old, they will be full-size, almost fully feathered, and getting ready to fly. Before they become too large however, on Friday, May 24 the PA Game Commission will collect the nestlings from the ledge and identify genders, perform health assessments, take weight and other measurements, and attach identifying bands to both legs, before returning them to the nest ledge.
Among other scientific and research purposes, banding is a useful tool to help wildlife biologists monitor the stability of the falcon population in PA and nationwide. Thanks to banding information, the Harrisburg hatched falcons and at least 6 of their offspring have been identified at 7 nesting locations. In fact, the current Harrisburg female, 09/BS, is a descendant of a past Harrisburg pair. It's a small world. The May 24 banding may help to identify this year's clutch as future nesting adults.
Beginning at 10:00 am, the May 24 RCSOB Peregrine Falcon banding will be live streamed. To watch and learn more about this new generation of Harrisburg falcons, copy and paste one of the following URLs into your browser: The DEP's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/PennsylvaniaDEP/ or PAcast: https://pacast.com/live/dep.
Note: You must copy and paste the URLs. Links will not function within the Falcon Wire.
The falcon chicks, called eyasses, are now 10-12 days old and can self-regulate their own body temperature, so it is no longer necessary for the adults to brood them. They have about doubled in size and still require many hours of sleep per day and feeding every couple hours.
Falcons do not have teeth so they can not chew their food. Instead, they swallow large chunks at a time and store it in their crop, a pouch below their throat, while it is pre-digested. Because the eyasses are so small, a full crop appears like a golf ball below the beak.
The eyasses have also begun to move about the scrape. Keep your eyes on the PA Falcon Cam to see them when they start standing upright to move about in the next few days!
April 2024
The fifth and final hatch of the season arrived at approximately 7:35 p.m. on Monday. Within 10 minutes, the eyas was standing upright, propped on a sibling. 09/BS has shown a special talent for timing close hatches. With only 2 days from oldest to youngest, the fifth chick should be close enough in size to compete successfully for its share of feedings.
The adults will brood the chicks mostly non-stop for the next week to ten days until they can regulate their own body temperature. For the most part the eyases will do little but sleep and eat during that time. And grow!
Keep watching the PA Falcon Cam to catch it all!
Hatch #4 arrived around 3:15 pm today. The 5th egg should hatch in 2 or 3 days, as it was laid several days after full time incubation started. The new chick is very wet and pink, with stringy white down. It will dry quickly into a fluffy white covering that will protect it until its feathers grow in, in about a month.
With four hungry chicks, 85/AK is going to be a very busy falcon to catch enough prey for his growing brood!
Sometime between 3:00 and 7:00 this morning, the third egg hatched. At the 8:30 a.m. feeding, all three chicks got a few bites. For the first day or so, the chicks have enough reserves stored from the last of the egg yolk they took in before hatching, and they are still so tiny that very little food is enough to stuff them. They weigh about 2 ounces when they emerge from the shell, but they will more than double in size over the first week to 10 days. By the time they fledge in about 5½ weeks, they will be their full adult size!
The 4th egg appears to have a small pip, watch for it to hatch by tomorrow!
Falcon Watcher Valerie Flanders reports the second hatch of 2024 at about 5:20 p.m. Saturday. The two hatchlings are being well sheltered from the rain and cold by 09/BS. Until about 10 days of age, the chicks cannot regulate their own body temperature, so they must be brooded full time until then.
A third egg is pipped, so we may see another hatch before tomorrow morning.
The first hatch of the season has arrived! At 7:45 a.m., 09/BS was observed eating a shell fragment. When she next stood to move the eggs, a wet, pink chick was nestled up against the rest of the eggs. Welcome to Harrisburg, #1! Another egg appears to be pipped. How soon until #2 arrives?
Keep watching to find out!
The eggs are near hatching, but as of noon today, when the eggs were briefly uncovered, there were no signs of pips yet. Several of the eggs show roughly round pale areas, which could indicate that the eggs' inhabitants are trying to break through. Hatching is a strenuous exertion and it can take several days.
In the meantime, 85/AK is very likely adding prey to his several caches so there is plenty available when the eggs start to hatch. Initially, the new chicks will only be able to manage a few bites at a feeding, but within a very few days, they will be keeping both parents busy satisfying growing appetites. He will need to have a good supply laid by!
Keep watching the PA Falcon Cam to watch as the 2024 chicks add to the legacy of Harrisburg Falcons!
Full-time incubation of the RCSOB falcons' eggs began around March 22, 31 days ago. Average incubation time for peregrine falcons is 29-32 days. However, historically at this site, eggs have hatched between 33-35 days after full-time incubation began. Last year, the first hatch was 34 days after full time incubation began. If this year follows that timeline, the first hatch should occur on Thursday. But it could occur as early as tomorrow.
Watch for 09/BS to become very fidgety while brooding. She may rearrange the eggs frequently and make small vocalizations at them. If you listen closely, you may hear little chirping noises from the eggs. Shortly before hatching, the chicks will begin tapping at the shell to break through.
The chicks have a small protrusion on the top of their beak called an egg tooth. A muscle at the back of the neck will contract sharply when the chick is ready to hatch, forcing the head up sharply and driving the egg tooth into the shell. When the egg tooth breaks through, a small dent or hole, called a pip, will become visible. After the first pip, it may take 24-48 hours before the chick opens the egg enough to emerge.
Be sure to keep your eyes on the PA Falcon Cam to see the whole process!
Incubation continues at the RCSOB Falcon scrape. With 17 days of incubation behind them, the eggs are halfway to hatching! Around April 25, they should be ready to welcome the first fuzzy chick of 2024. The first 3 eggs should hatch close together, with a day or 2 gap between the first 3 and the last 2.
Peregrine chicks are altricial at hatching, meaning they are helpless and require round the clock parental care at first. Weighing only 2 ounces when they emerge from the shell, they will grow to nearly adult size by the time they fledge at about 6 weeks.
But for now, the expectant parents must wait, same as us, to see how many eggs will hatch and exactly when.
Keep watching the Falcon Cam to find out!
March 2024
Falcon Cam Watcher Elsa Ault reports that at around 8:45 AM, 09/BS laid a 5th egg! As full-time incubation has been ongoing for several days, this almost certainly completes the clutch.
Both adults are sharing incubation duties, with 09/BS taking all of the nighttime hours and about 2/3 of the daytime hours. 85/AK, for his part, is providing all the food 09 needs, and relieves her on the eggs several times a day so she can eat and stretch her wings.
Incubation will continue for about another four weeks, and hatching can be expected to start around April 25.
Keep your eyes on the PA Falcon Cam to watch as this year's falcon family grows!
Egg #4 arrived at 8:34 pm on Saturday. This could complete the 2024 clutch, or 09/BS could surprise us and lay 1 more egg in 2 or 3 days.
Why does it take so long between eggs? Egg formation is a lengthy process. When the ovum begins its journey down the oviduct, it passes through the infundibulum, where it may
become fertilized. As it continues, it is wrapped in layers of membrane and albumin to nourish and protect a developing chick. Finally, the shell is deposited around the egg, and is ready to be laid. The whole process from start to finish takes more than 24 hours, and the mother falcon requires a bit of time after one egg to recover before the next egg gets started.
So we will have to wait a few days to know if 09's clutch is complete. Keep watching the Falcon Cam to find out!
09/BS laid the third egg of 2024 around 1:15 pm. She can be expected to lay 1 or 2 more eggs over the next 4-5 days. With 3 eggs now in the scrape, she is likely to begin full-time incubation to start chick development.
Incubation will last 32-34 days, at which time we can hope to see the chicks begin to emerge from their shells!
Keep watching the PA Falcon Cam to see how many eggs she will lay!
Egg #2 arrived on schedule, between 8:00 and 8:30 this morning.
How many eggs will 09/BS lay? Keep watching the PA Falcon Cam to find out!
Falcom cam watcher Kathy Majich reported the first egg of 2024 arrived shortly before 9:30 PM on Saturday, March 16!
09/BS should produce 3 or 4 more eggs at two to three day intervals. A full clutch is usually 3 to 5 eggs. Last year, 09/BS laid four eggs.
Stay tuned to the PA Falcon Cam to follow the action!
Over the weekend, 09/BS spent considerably more time in the nest box, even napping there. Her abdomen appears distended, and she seems a bit lethargic - all indicators that she is nearly ready to lay the first egg of the season. 85/AK should be providing most of her food now, as the physical demands of hunting could harm an unshelled egg waiting to be laid.
Stay tuned to the PA Falcon Cam for Egg #1, very likely sometime this week!
February 2024
The RCSOB falcons have been increasingly active at the ledge over the last couple weeks, spending significant time performing courtship rituals such as bowing and scraping, and having long conversations. Over the weekend, alert cam watcher Jane Barnette reported observing the pair copulating.
85/AK and 09/BS can be expected to continue mating frequently, up to several times an hour over the next few weeks. In 2 to 3 weeks, 09/BS will be ready to begin laying eggs.
Stay tuned to the PA Falcon Cam as the 2024 nesting season gets underway!
Juvenile peregrine falcons face an array of early challenges, including disease, nest predation by snakes, raccoons, owls and other large birds, collisions with assorted man-made structures, and vehicle impacts. They may also struggle to achieve hunting proficiency after dispersal. The Raptor Resource Project estimates that only about 40% of juvenile falcons survive their first year of life.
However, if they do attain adulthood, wild peregrine falcons can live for 12-15 years or more. In fact, Harrisburg's longtime male, *W/V, lived to 18 years and 10 months. His son, 3/T, reached 16 years.
The vast majority of falcons do not survive to old age. Even proficient flyers can experience injuries from in-flight collisions or succumb to illness.
Falcons are territorial, and some territories are better than others, due to factors such as the quality of the nesting habitat, richness of prey base, and protection from predators. With its broad ledge, sheltered overhang and abundant nearby food sources, the 15th floor ledge of the RCSOB is an excellent nesting site. As such, it is no surprise that the RCSOB resident falcons have been challenged by intruders. In fact, a vast majority of adult peregrine mortalities are associated with territorial challenges. On the other hand, in some instances, a defeated resident may retreat and establish a nest site elsewhere.
The current RCSOB falcons, 85/AK and 09/BS, both hatched in 2017, making them 7 years old and in their prime of life. If they can avoid the perils of falcon life, we can look forward to watching them flourish together for many years to come!
Stay tuned to the PA Falcon Cam for this year's exciting falcon nesting season!
As expected, the RCSOB falcons are demonstrating an increased presence at the 15th floor nest ledge. One or both falcons have been observed in visits to the nest box and ledge perches every day in the past week. A sizable bowl has been scraped in the center of the nest box, in preparation for egg-laying, still several weeks away.
In the next few weeks, watch for the falcons to begin more frequent and more extended interactions at the ledge and in the scrape.
As activity increases, keep the sound on and listen for the range of vocalizations the falcons produce. Falcons are normally relatively silent, but during courtship and nesting they become much more vocal. It is often possible to hear off-cam falcons from up to a block away.
Some of the common vocalizations made by peregrine falcons include the "ee-chup" - an invitation to engage in courtship behavior, the "kek-kek-kek" alarm call indicating an unwelcome presence too close to the nesting area, the more general "cack-cack" used by one adult to get the other's attention or by nestlings to call for a parent, and a variety of whines and wails used to request a food gift or other immediate attention from their partner. Listen closely to see how many sounds you can learn to recognize!
January 2024
This morning, 85/AK was observed entering the nestbox, allowing his alpha-numeric band to be read, and confirming that he remains the dominant male at the RCSOB. The female was also observed on the ledge perching on the front corner above Aberdeen Street. While a band reading could not be obtained, the distinctive "half halo" marking seen on the back of her head means that it is highly favorable that 09/BS remains the dominant female. Cam watchers are encouraged to report band confirmation, with screen capture if possible, to hbgfalconwatch@gmail.com.
During the morning observation, the falcons vocalized to each other and exhibited early courting behaviors. The male entered the scrape and called to the female, while she called to him from the corner of the ledge, a favored perching spot. You can expect both falcons to be much more visible at the ledge going forward, either alone or together. In addition to food presentations from the male to the female, watch for them to engage in flight displays, bowing to one another, scraping out a bowl in the nestbox, loud vocalizations to one another, and copulation. These courtship behaviors stimulate the hormone production necessary to produce eggs, a process that takes several weeks. As activity increases, hormone levels rise. We're still a few weeks ahead of the beginning of nesting, but the buildup to egg laying is fascinating to watch. Stay tuned to the cam for all the action!
Happy New Year! After a lengthy process, the camera repair appears to have been successful. All four views are now available to live stream. Just in the nick of time as the 2024 nesting season should be getting underway any time now. We will continue to monitor the cameras and if necessary, continue with repairs and adjustments.
Assuming the nesting season proceeds without disruption, here's what to watch for in the upcoming months:
Mid-January: Courtship displays should increase. Look for 85/AK and 09/BS to begin spending time at the box, and 85/AK to begin bringing gifts of food to 09/BS.
Late January to early February: Mating behavior should increase in frequency. Copulation could be observed up to several times an hour.
Mid-February to early March: Egg laying. Look for 09/BS to lay between 3-5 eggs at two-to-three day intervals and incubation will begin.
Stay tuned to the cams to watch it all unfold! Feel free to share your observations with us!