James River Bridge: third Egg

James River Bridge: 2nd Egg March 13

James River Bridge

James River Bridge

Tomorrow there will be a second egg, no doubt.

James River Bridge

James River Bridge: first egg

James River Bridge

James River Bridge

Elizabeth has nogd yet laid an egg. Last year she laid her first egg on March 2

James River Bridge

James River Bridge: goodbye

Today the James River Bridge eyases where banded and taken from their parents and the nestsite to a hackingbox. That is a very sudden unexpected goodbye from these 3 little chicklets.

This nest box is on a very busy bridge. The nest box is situated on a catwalk on the side of a building approximately 160ft above the water. The cat walk does not have any thing on the sides to keep the chicks from falling into the water and drowning. A few years ago, when Virginia was the female at this site, they would move the chicks to the roof of the bridge, which at least had a side to keep them corraled for a bit. Then the problem became that they would get up on the wall and tempt fate by walking what was essentially a tight rope. When there are gusty winds in the area, more than one of the chicks was blown off. The falcons chose this nest site, and a couple of years ago, they chose to forego the nest box and nest on the other bridge tower. That didn't turn out too well as you can imagine with the height involved and the winds that blow here in the Spring.

Read more about the hacking progrem in Virginia

http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/birds/peregrine-falcon/

Cobb Island: 23 days old

As The Cobb island eyases demonstrate, they alternate between standing on their feet and resting on their tarsi.

James River Bridge: 34 days old

Our 3 little Virgina chicklets are 34 days old today. We can see how there is a size difference between them. By the looks of it, 1 male and 2 females. They are getting browner by the day.

Cobb Island: mobile eyases

This Cobb-cutie has gone exploring the outside world. Sitting on teh ledge in the mild sunshine. Way to go girl!

James River Bridge: 33 days old

the patches of remaining down feathers are becoming restricted to the base of the legs, parts of the wings, and perhaps parts of the back, as well as the crown. They are also becoming increasingly vocal and active around the nest area, to the extent that the adults rarely visit except to drop off food for them.

James River Bridge: 32 days old

The wonderful thing of this nestsite is that the three chicklets are of the same birth-day. They all hatched within hours and so are all three in the same stage of transformation. Real triplets they are. And very cute.

Cobb Island: 20 days old already

James River Bridge: 31 days old

Look at this little guy, isn't he adorable. They have been sweet from their hatching on and still are. Very will visible is the brom that is braking through. The patches behing the eyes are very distinctive now. The brown coverts will be growing very fast now. The changes per day will be enormous.