An empty nestbox, an empty ledge, they are gone. This morning I saw how they where all outside, 2 of them where sitting in front of the third cam all the way up the chimney. They all 3 fledged. They have been back this morning but after that no more. As I write this in the evening it's an empty nestbox.
This afternoon both parents where meeting in the scrape to renew their bond. Displaying courtship behaviour with headbows and no doubt a lot of eechupping. They once more gave life to 3 new peregrine falcons and fledged them. This renewal of the pairbond is normal behaviour. It may even involve copulations in the upcoming days and weeks. Even when the juvi's are still around.
A wonderful time has come to an end, but for these 3 juvi's life really begins now. We have been enjoying every minute of the past weeks, Starting with the courtship of the parents, the laying of 4 eggs. The hatching of 4 eyases. Sadly the youngest was not strong enough and went back into eternity. We have seen how these 3 eyases have grown into beautiful, awesome and strong and healthy juveniles.
Now they have to learn to fly, get to know the wind and thermals. They will get stronger every day, the muscletraining will result in strong flightmuscles. In a week of 2 their skills will have improved.
They have to learn the stoop and how to strike a prey, and how to pluck it. The parents will teach them this. First they will have to transfer a prey item in the air, one will have to take it over from a parent and fly away with it. The prey item will eventually become a whole bird. They learn the stoop from diving after a dropped prey, and eventually that will be a still alive but wounded prey. Then they have to make their first kill.
In the upcoming weeks these 3 rascals will go to school. The sky above this nestsite will be filled with lots of screaming and laughter when they dive trough walls of air and fly to the sun.
I wish these 3 juvi's who have brought me so much joy a long and very prosper live. Be good dear juveniles and may the Great Spirit light your Paths always.
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