Other Peregrine Projects > Australian Peregrines
NSW - Charles Sturt University - 2017 / Xavier & Diamond
burdi:
Update - Marragaay steps up to the plate
Published 9 November, 2017 | By Cilla Kinross
Well the ledge anyway. Here here she has a major flap, then joins little brother on the ledge for the first time. As Sue has pointed out, Bali has been much more adventurous: flapping on the ledge, even doing pirouettes. I’m sure he’ll go first, possibly this weekend.
One step for Marragaay to join her brother on the ledge
VIDEO 20171109 Marragaay joins Bali on ledge after major flap
http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20171109-Marragaay-joins-Bali-on-ledge-after-major-flap.avi
I still can’t get over the size difference between these two. Bali is really small, but getting a bit to eat – he even grabbed a prey before Marragaay (a scrap, rather than a whole bird, admittedly). Prey has included two rock pigeons (both banded) plus one native crested pigeon (I think), starlings (one still alive that got chased around the box..not sure if this was a test for the youngsters or not, but they didn’t take the bait. Xavier grabbed it and took off with it again) and a few I can’t work out, but medium sized passerines, possibly wattlebird. I do wish they would leave the heads on!
Source: http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/marragaay-steps-up-to-the-plate/
The video link is for downloading Cilla's video in case of problems accessing the website.
burdi:
Bali and Marragaay are getting along very nicely today, so I hope they don't get separated too soon. However, they're sure becoming interested in learning about life beyond the nest box, especially Bali! But even if they do wait for the right time to fledge, I don't think we'll be seeing them much longer.
burdi:
Update - A starling breakfast, again
Published 8 November, 2017 | By Cilla Kinross
Now (this morning) almost entirely in juvenile plumage, with the box gathering their baby fluff, our two youngsters will be off fairly soon. My guess is that our baby, Bali, the male, will probably go first and that they will both go next week or weekend. Bali’s plumage is more advanced than Marragaay’s and he seems to be without fear. I just hope he doesn’t go TOO soon and end up in the car park (which wouldn’t be the first time). Last year they all flew off beautifully, but sometimes they just glide to the ground. Hard to pick.
Here Xavier, true to form, has brought in a starling, which is grabbed by big sister, Marragaay, with Bali rather forlornly reaching out to Dad as he scampers past.
A starling breakfast
VIDEO: 20171108 star bfast nest
http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20171108-star-bfast-nest.avi
VIDEO 20171108 star bfast ledge
http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20171108-star-bfast-ledge.avi
I’m two days behind in my breeding behaviour recording and our nest cam is only storing three-four days at present, so the pressure is on, and I’m trying desperately to catch up. But I have other deadlines too, so it all seems to be heading to a cliff at present!
Source: http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/a-starling-breakfast-again/
I've added download links for the videos which may be helpful for anyone having problems accessing the CSU blog.
burdi:
Update - Transforming in looks and behaviour
Published 4 November, 2017 | By Cilla Kinross
Chicks are almost in juvenile plumage…just a few days now and they will have shed most of their white fluff. They have spending much of their time flapping around the box until they collapsed in slumped huddle.
I have to feel a bit sorry about the rosella population, which is getting a bit hammered, particularly by Diamond. Fortunately, eastern rosellas, her favoured prey, are very common in this university farm and around and are considered indicators of degraded woodland, which is a good description of the remnant woodland around here. Crimson rosellas are occasionally taken, too, but are found less often in the really open country.
Here Xavier brings in an eastern rosella, then drops in when Diamond arrives, and then she leaves with the prey (bringing it back after a few minutes munchies out of reach of the chicks) and is chased by X, with quite a dramatic double exit. This happened yesterday afternoon.
VIDEO 20171103 black lump nest X and Di with chicks LEDGE
http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20171103-black-lump-nest-X-and-Di-with-chicks-LEDGE.avi
VIDEO 20171103 black lump nest X and Di with chicks
http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20171103-black-lump-nest-X-and-Di-with-chicks.avi
This morning, a crimon rosella (suspected) is brought in by Diamond, but Bali misses out after Marragaay grabs the prize.
VIDEO 20171104 suspect CR family interaction LEDGE
http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/20171104-suspect-CR-family-interaction-LEDGE.avi
Diamond comes back later and gives him a consolation prize.
I have a full day Central West Environment meeting tomorrow in Lithgow, so will leave you in peace and hope that the webcams hold up. But just on more piccie for you of Xavier ready to make his exit:
Xavier ‘time to go!’
Source: http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/transforming-in-looks-and-behaviour/
I've added download links for the videos which may be helpful for anyone having problems accessing the CSU blog.
burdi:
You may or may not have noticed that I've been posting fewer pictures here. Maybe I'll mention more on that another time.
Update - More milestones
Published 2 November, 2017 | By Cilla Kinross
One of our chicks, Bali, took his first steps to the ledge. I’m assuming Bali is a male and Marragaay a female, due to size difference, which, at this age, should be starting to be marked, although it is odd that he was such a slow developer as males usually develop more quickly as females (and often fledge first, sometimes when I don’t think they are ready…but what do I know!).
First trip to the ledge
VIDEO 20171102 1st trip to ledge
The other behaviour that is starting to occur more often now is the tugging of food, both between the chicks and between adult and chick. As well as the tugging of Mum’s tail!
What happened to the sharing economy!
VIDEO 20171102 please share
Marragaay won this round, but Bali got fed shortly after by Diamond. If there is insufficient prey, then the adults ensure that at least one chick will survive by focusing on the larger, more aggressive chick, but there should be plenty of prey around, and the juvenile starlings should start appearing in the diet soon (at least in Xavier’s clutch, Diamond is showing her usual disdain for these skinny pests). Bali is definitely getting less than Marragaay, but he is quiet feisty and when there is a larger prey like a pigeon, he always gets plenty, so I think he’ll be okay.
And here it the tussle between chick and adults
VIDEO: 20171102 star tugged
Prey has included the usual starlings,pigeons, several eastern rosellas and other parrots, possible a superb parrot (threatened species) and many others that I haven’t been able to identify. It certainly helps when the prey comes in intact, rather than headless, tailless, wingless and plucked!
Source: http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/more-milestones/
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