Other Peregrine Projects > Australian Peregrines
NSW - Charles Sturt University - 2016 / Bula & Diamond
The Peregrine Chick:
Update - October 7th
New adult male is accepted
My, this is a very interesting journey and still all three chicks are alive and well. Early this morning another peregrine few past. I couldn’t be sure which one this was. I also walked in the trees this afternoon and heard a falcon calling, but couldn’t find the bird to identify the gender.
Diamond made an excellent kill this morning – apparently, a sulphur-crested cockatoo (possibly a corella), but a large prey item. I see this as revenge for all those parties (almost orgies) that the cockies have held in the box over the years:). She had to leave the chicks for nearly three hours, but it is much warmer today fortunately.
At noon she backed into the box calling as if she was expecting a visitor, but he didn’t materialise.
Then after a quiet afternoon, another male came into the box. This was an adult, but I think probably younger than Bula. Diamond tolerated his presence (I suspect they have already met outside the box), even when he cheekily took a morsel of prey before leaving.
She even left him alone with the chicks for a short time, although he didn’t approach them. Then there was some fairly serious courtship behaviour, so this does look really hopeful (providing he minds his manners and brings food, rather than expecting hand-outs!). Look at the chicks ….don’t they look hopeful, too!
This is looking serious
Poor Diamond is suffering a succession of suitors that haven’t quite figured out how to make themselves really welcome as long term partners! But isn’t it interesting how many other peregrines are around. You would never know it. But he’ll get the message, I think.
The Peregrine Chick:
Update - October 6th
Juvenile male and three chicks
Yes, you are right. The third egg hatched at about 0306 h last night, so Diamond now has three mouths to feed, which she is still doing, amazingly.
At a quarter to six this evening, she brought in some prey, already prepared. I suspect she hunted for this last prey herself as she was away over an hour, but something odd happened at lunch time today, when Diamond chased our new male out and then came back with a scrap of prey just three and a half minutes later. I can’t work this out as it would have taken much more time than that to hunt, kill, pluck and mostly eat this prey. Perhaps she is so desperate that she’s taken road kill. Or perhaps he had something in a cache and gave it to her (that’s what I’m hoping).
The other male is quite young; I think only 1 year old as he still has juvenile plumage. (I’m toying with Xavier, not because it means anything, but because it sounds like Saviour in English, but is less pompous, but he’ll need to prove himself first!). He doesn’t seem to realise that she wants him to bring prey to the box….
Batman or Xavier?
The reaction between Diamond and ‘himself’ has been interesting. She has basically tolerated him unless he came into the box to start courtship behaviour, and then she became aggressive.
All three chicks were still alive at time of writing and just being fed. And our new young chap hasn’t been seen since about half-past one.
Weather forecast is good for tomorrow and the weekend. I have landcare/conservation commitments tomorrow morning, Saturday morning and all day Sunday, so flat chat, but will do my best to keep you up-to-date, although you seem to be managing quite well without us!
The Peregrine Chick:
Update - October 5th
Early morning feed and possible 3rd hatch & NEW FEED
Diamond appears to be rationing her one kill from yesterday and she fed the little ones (both, as far as I could tell) before dawn this morning. She then ate the remains and is now left with nothing.
As I write the chicks and the third egg (apparently trying to hatch) are on their own. 3rd egg starts to hatch while Diamond away hunting
STOP PRESS. Diamond has just brought in some more prey (I think another pigeon, which is good as quite a big feed). She had a quick feed herself and then started warming up the chicks, that are probably too cold to eat. She is certainly trying really hard. Hopefully the little ones will get something to eat soon as they must be very hungry (as is Diamond, no doubt). No hope for the nestlings if Mum gets too weak to hunt, so she must eat first.
The Peregrine Chick:
Update - October 4th
Diamond struggles on
Incubated eggs can be left uncovered even in cool weather for 2 hours, and even up to six hours in one case, with a brood being successfully reared, so it seems that the disruptions last week have not had a major impact.
Two chicks have been hatched overnight. Both appear to be healthy, although the second seemed to lack feathers, but I think it was just a bit wet.
Diamond was obviously very distressed, dithering between the need to keep the chicks warm (it is quite cold and windy here today) and the need to fetch food.
Finally at half past one, she left for a proper hunt and was successful after an hour (probably a pigeon, very pink legs). And the chicks have received a feed (at least one has, by the blood on the beak; not sure about the other as she had her back to the camera).
No sign of Bula or alternative male, but she more she shows herself, the more likely she will be seen by a prospective mate. I am fairly certain this nest box is a prized site, so would be well known to visiting peregrines (as well as past offspring, of course).
Apologies for no photos. It’s the website, not the software, I think, so I’ll see if Scott can fix it. If not, I’ll think of another solution…FAcebook perhaps.
Alison:
Two chicks have now hatched. Diamond is extremely stressed and keeps going to the front of the nest, looking out and returning to the chicks. No food has been brought, as far as I can tell. I think Diamond is going to need supplemental food for her chicks and herself, but have no idea whether something like quail is even an option at this site.
I do not know what is happening with Bula. I have not seen him; he may have been injured, or perhaps is dealing with an ongoing intruder threat.
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