Friday, April 18, 2008

Rochester





James River Bridge: 9 days old.

Terminal Tower Cleveland




Zwolle



This cam is livestreaming. Watch it on the website of Electrabel:
http://www.electrabel.nl/Over-Electrabel/Onze-centrales/De-centrales/Centrale-Harculo/Live-beelden-slechtvalken.aspx

Oberhausen: 20 days old!

Rome: so sweet growing so fast







Columbus Ohio





Derby: taking turns

De Mortel: territorial trouble


From the beginning of this season S2 and Pa are being intruded by a third peregrine. We have seen this bird several times around teh Tower. Both Pa and S2 chase this one away. But he or she keeps coming back. Today the intruder was back. S2 left her eggs and left in a hurry.
Our technicians where in the Tower on that moment and saw and heard everything happen. S2 was cacking loudly and Pa as well.
She was back at the scrape after 30 mintes and resumed incubating.


It does not seem as serious as last year when S2 bothered Ma and Pa quite agressively. And even came into the scrape to chase Pa of his eggs.
So I don't think we have to worry to much. S2 is huge, and young and very strong. She is not the kind of lady who tolerates any kind of fuzzing around.
However the tower is a very beautiful and desired breedingspot. So we will certainly have our share of territorial disputes in the future. No doubt about that!

Indianapolis




A nice take-over here. KathyQ takes over from Kinney. Again the size difference is apparent between the two.
Incubation on it's way, hatching at the end of next week!

To darn hot

Watching several nestsites today one can see how parents who are incubating are panting. And the eyases of James River Bridge are laying flat on their belly's with feet and wings stretched out.
Well don't worry they are not sick. The temp is up.
Today in Virginia it was 72 F ( 26 C). That's real warm.
Birds have no sweat glands so evaporation, one way to lose heat, can occur only via respiratory system. So they start panting. Today that could be watched in Rochester, as well as in James River Bridge.

The eyases lay flat with legs stretched. In that way they increase the amount of skin that has no feathers on it. And can cool off.
In the winter peregrines for instance withdraw one foot into their plumage to reduce heat loss and for the same reason they tuck head & neck under their wing to reduce heat loss.

So in live streaming webcams it looks very disturbing, those little babies panting and laying there like their very sick. But it is very natural behaviour.

James River Bridge

Harrisburg


This is a video of last year!


Eemsmond




Eemsmond is one of the 3 scrapes that will be greeting a first hatch this weekend. So be sure to watch this webcam on saterday for the first signs of excitement when the little hatchlings start screaming from within the eggs.

Heidelberg eyases 4 days old

Cobb Island





Only a few days left. Next Tuesday will probably be first hatch here in Cobb Island.

Bologna




The Bologne chicks are growing into real strong chicklets. They are alone for long periods. The parents however are always close by and standing watch over their babies. So don't worrie if you don't see them. They are there!

Hatchtable

This will be a busy weekend.

Expected hatchings in De Mortel, Eemsmond and Nijmegen, Florence will hatch on April 21 and Cobb on April 22.
So we will have a baby boom.