MN / Elk River - 2008-22

[Elaine L]

I guess it is pretty safe to say that these two are new parents.  From the reports on BCAW, it seems that mom is kind of a klutz, walking on the chicks, and Sawatzke still is too stunned by their appearance to be really effective.  Apparently mom fell over while trying to feed the chicks, but she got herself straightened out and no harm done.  It is possible that the third egg will not hatch, which would not be a bad thing, as these two have enough to handle with two chicks.  Such is the way of life:  new parents just have to learn as they go, whether falcon or human!

[irenekl]

RCF!  That is the best shot of a freshly hatched chick that I have ever seen.  Very, very informative to me.  Thank you for all your efforts!!!

[mspeach]

OMGosh, RCF.   The picture of the second chick looks like an alien!!
Thanks for all the pictures and videos you do.

Looks like Swatzke has been in the nest...he doesn't quite know what to do....sort of standing around and over the chicks and egg, not incubating.  Funny.   (What are these noisy white fluffs anyway??)

[Elaine L]

Great shots of the arrival of the chicks, RCF!

[dupre501]

Nice shots RCF!

Here's another one at 9 a.m. - Two chick butts and an egg.

[RCF]

[RCF]

The second chick is hatching 

[RCF]

First hatch for Sawatske and Mom  

http://youtu.be/sYPUbAc0OP0

[dupre501]

... and now we can see one chick between two eggs

[dupre501]

We have eggshells

[Elaine L]

Sawatzke fast asleep (well, as fast asleep as a peregrine can be) on the eggs right now.  Get as much rest as you can now, Mr. Sawatzke, as you won't have time later!

[RCF]

Sawatske

[RCF]

Here is video of the chick in the egg chirping. 

http://youtu.be/Fdrn3FcRaC4

[RCF]

SGB on BCAW has posted a pic with a pip in an egg. 

http://www.peregrinefalcon-bcaw.net/viewtopic.php?p=194073#p194073

[susha]

Thanks Elaine!  I'm excited about the imminent hatching!