Rochester

Cleveland Terminal Tower: eyases on their way!

Terminal Tower: first pip!

This image from 11:09 am, Tuesday, April 22, 2008, clearly shows a pip site on one of the eggs. Scott Wright arrived on site at 11:30 and had first hand confirmation of the pip. By the time Museum staff arrived on scene at approx. 3:00 pm. the opening had been enlarged to the size of a dime. We expect the hatch to be completed tonight.

Pipping is the act of creating a breach in the shell and shell membrane so that the chick can establish respiratory function. After the pip there is a quiet phase where the chick draws blood back into its body from the shell membrane.

Once complete, the chick will then vigorously score the inside of the shell with its egg tooth while simultaneously pushing against the blunt cap of the egg with its neck. After scoring the shell for two thirds of its circumference the chick pushes against the cap and it flexes back enough for the chick to push its way out. It generally takes 24-36 hours between the onset of the pip and actual hatching. The parents do not assist in the hatching process. Since the hole was being rapidly enlarged during the day, the pip probably occurred Monday afternoon.

Oberhausen: a pigeon for dinner

A huge pigeon is brought into the nestbox. Excitement all over by the eyases. Dinnertime!
Look at them how they've grown. The browm patches on their faces are growing and through the white down the first brown feathers are very well visible all over the body.

James River Bridge

Ohhhh this awful pilar standing in the way all the time. What a shame and a pity we can hardly see our three eyases. We do however notice how the technicians are doing everything they can to get the cams into the right position. Many thanks for that.

Florence: feeding the eyas

De Mortel: afternoon feeding

S2 is getting the hang of it and has been feeding her two babies every 2-3 hours now. Great Job! They are looking very strong, these two, and eating well! By the looks of it they can scream and beg until they had enough. We remember from last year that S2 doesn't take no for an answer: eat until you drop. She really stuffed Hope and Faith. So these two will probably grow up to be piggy´s as well.

What about the other two eggs. They are most likely not viable and won´t hatch. If they do those eyases will have quite a job to catch up with these two firstborns, who are so much bigger and stronger. But I do not expect them to hatch anymore. This is S2 her first clutch, and very often there are eggs that are not viable in first clutches. Two hatches is a great result!

On a personal level it touches me greatly to see my beloved S2 now with her own very first babies. Enjoy it great falconlady, you deserve only the very best. Make them great and strong like you are yourself, so these babies will rule the skies as mighty falcons and live long and prosper. For now they are just very little white fluffies, raptors to be.

Cobb Island: 2 eyases!

Today 2 eggs hatched in the nestbox of CobbIsland. Look how sweet they are, these two eyases. Very well being taken care of by both parents.

Welcome sweet ones, we are so happy you are finally here.

Columbus Ohio

It must be very hot overthere in the sun. The peregrines are panting. Why don't you push the eggs into the shade dear one, so it won't be that hot??

Oberhausen: discovery

One of the eyases is expanding it's terretory, she is wandering about al lot. It must me a female this one. She is huge compared to one of her sibblings. Maybe she's thinking, now that I have bands, everybody can find me if I'm lost, so I'm off. See you.