Since mid April I have had a link in the top right hand corner of my blog to a web camera which was in a peregrine falcon nest. The link has been well used, but most important, the web cam views were a tremendous hit. There was a comment space on the site so there was much conversation about perigrines.
I have posted twice before on the peregrine falcons. Once on April 28 called Peregrine Falcon Web Cam Set up at Red Deer. And the second time on June 10 titled Peregrine Falcon Eggs Hatch at Red Deer.
We watched as the five eggs were laid. Then incubation began. The incubation period is around 30 days so it was a long inactive process. Two eggs mysteriously disappeared about the middle of the incubation period. The three eggs hatched over a five day period so the one bird was very small and many viewers worried about the survival of the little guy. The young birds grew slowly at first and then grew rapidly and developed their feathers. Feedings were often and rather gross. Now the nest is filled with left over bones feathers and blood stains.
Yesterday the peregrines left the nest for the first time. They were away all day. Two of them returned to nest box at night. Soon they will not return.
I found the whole experience very interesting. It was amazing to see how interested the public was.
So in a few days the web cam will be turned off and we will be planning for next year. We already have plans to mount an outdoor web cam.
Thanks to all those who came to the site I am happy that it was enjoyed .
Thanks for the observations Keith. I watched yesterday and today. I found them resting at the nest tonight but expect they may not continue doing that much longer. Quite an experience of such a marvelous bird!
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