McKenzie Seeds - 2011 / Brooklyn & Hurricane

[The Peregrine Chick]

http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad26/deweysammy101/Drainage-1.jpg
still a rookie at this picture stuff, but I can count 14 drainage holes in the Brandon nest box.
Considering that this box has been there for years, I'm kind of thinking that the gravel and what is under it is akin to clay.
I'm likely, wrong, but just what I'm thinking.

You have a better count on the drainage holes than I do Bccs, but as for the "clay", fraid not.  The substrate we use is pea gravel and is not a mixed fill so there is not sand or clay or fine particles, well except for the bits of bones that remain from meals past. 

[bccs]

still a rookie at this picture stuff, but I can count 14 drainage holes in the Brandon nest box.
Considering that this box has been there for years, I'm kind of thinking that the gravel and what is under it is akin to clay.
I'm likely, wrong, but just what I'm thinking.

[BigBird]

Maybe I'm just imagining it, but it seems she is so "gentle" with these 2 as she feeds them... each one getting some...

[Kinderchick]

Just answered my own question... Here comes a feeding for the remaining 2 chicks so I guess the 3rd chick is still in the nestbox. Poor thing.

[Kinderchick]

Am looking at the webcam right now. Is that the poor little dead chick sticking out from under the front of the parent? Or is one of the 2 remaining chicks having a nap? Not sure.

[RCF]

Rose and I were down at the McKenzie site about (12:15) lunch time today. We watched Brooklyn plucking feathers from something on the mts tower, then he flew it over to the nest box. We watched him fly to the northwest out of site, probably to get more food.

[ballywing]

  - Poor little one, So sorry for the parents too - the weather has been SO HORRID  - hopefully from now on it'll improve FINALLY and the other 2 look good & healthy, I"m sure they'll be fine.  Next year they'll have a nice new Condo ! 

[Moonstar]

Forgot about how they like to look out and around.  It lets them know if something is coming towards the nest and something to look at with the long days of incubation and regulating the chicks temperatures when they first hatch.

[Shocka88]

And enter Mom and Dad is out of the picture!   

It is sure nice to see sun shining on this nestbox after the conditions that caused the sad loss of the wee chick.        Poor Brooklyn and Hurricane......

[moka]

Our two babies are having lunch, a hearty lunch!

Think Dad just took over and is shuggling them under him.

[The Peregrine Chick]

maybe it could have a short wall closing just part of the east and then the south end to give them shade.  Like an L shaped wall if possible.  I guess it won't help much if it is a NE wind tho.  I am sure whatever design they do come up with will be in the best interest of the birds.

Moonstar's comment reminded me that I hadn't mentionned that peregrines are notorious for wanting to be able to see out of their nestboxes when they are in there.  So have a closed off corner doesn't work for many pairs.  As RCF's and Rose's photos of the nestbox from street/parkade level have shown, mostly you can just see a head over the edge of the box.  The 2010 West Winnipeg nestbox has the same design while WW box 2 doesn't and that may have been the problem.  The Radisson box is the same basic design as the first but with some expansion over the years - and even there, Princess always lays her eggs right on the line between in and out and only goes in if the weather is bad, otherwise she works the eggs out into the open when she can.  Madame when she used the box almost always had the out in the open and really wouldn't go undercover.  So different strokes for different birds but they pretty much always have to have a view ... and yes, our designs take all this into account 

[Ellie]

Just tuned in and am reading the sad news.  What a valiant fight to make it through such a terrible day of rain, wind, hail......you name it!  Am so sorry.........

[bev.]

I am so sorry RCF and Brandon followers.

And I am glad you are looking at a different box TPC
count me in on donation. I will look for it.

Damn weather

[Moonstar]

maybe it could have a short wall closing just part of the east and then the south end to give them shade.  Like an L shaped wall if possible.  I guess it won't help much if it is a NE wind tho.  I am sure whatever design they do come up with will be in the best interest of the birds.
It is so very sad that one did not make it but the other two did.  Like TPC said, if they were in the wild on a cliff some where, it is possible none would have made it.  
We just need to say a little prayer for the remaining two and for Mom & Dad.

[The Peregrine Chick]

TPC...if you need funds for a box for them, especially given the complexities of the location, I would happily contribute for a new home for them.  Maybe you could put a little domed roof on it?!

I'm with you Carly but you would need more than domed roof on it to keep that kind of weather out of the box. The rain and hail were being driven horizontally from the east, you would need four sides and a stout door to keep the wind ,rain and hail out.

If only peregrines could open doorknobs. 
Be sure that the new box will provide them with as much protection as we can design/build.