Observation date: 23 March 2015
Today was the tenth day in the new nest site. It is very strange to see them in this new eyrie they have never used before, although they have used it as a perch and a napping site in previous times.
Incubation has been very regular with only a few glitches. The tiercel after bringing in prey for the female has neglected to immediately return to sitting on the eggs. He has been sternly reprimanded by the female. Once after a mid-air food exchange, he landed in the grassy hole. This was a big mistake! The female while still carrying the prey item dove on him, screaming vociferously and drove him back to the nest site for his turn on the eggs. Maybe he was a bit forgetful flying on this crisp spring day. Because he does all the hunting at this time, incubation duties are about 65% female and 35% male. By my calculations (and these are only from my daily observations) the young should hatch around April 15th. We will know for sure that the chicks have hatched when we see food go into the nest site. The parents never eat inside the eyrie, but only when they are feeding their young chicks.
Bringing in prey for the female Photo by Cleve Nash
Happy trails, Bob
Item: Incubation time 31-33 days. The first sign of incubation was March 13th. Approximate fledging time is 44 days from hatching, around May 31st. Just a guess… what’s your guess?
