U of Alberta - 2009 / Damon & Radisson

[Liz]

Ah yes, the summer the power went off for days...

[carly]

Is spring EVER going to make an appearance? 

I think we're going to go straight from winter into humid and sticky here in Toronto.  I remember several years ago we had a crappy, cold spring like this and then in June it was suddenly 100 degrees and we were all complaining from the heat.  I miss the days when we had 4 seasons 

[Liz]

"Old Yeller"?  Does that mean he gets shot at the end of the story?  eww (Sorry kids)

[allikat]

Is spring EVER going to make an appearance? 

[The Peregrine Chick]

Sub-zero temps won't hurt the eggs, might slow them down a bit, but won't hurt them.  Heating blanks are what Radisson and "Old Yeller" are there for ...

[bev.]

14:51
Radisson incubating.
it is snowing in St. Albert but looks dry so far at site
to get below zero for the next 2 nights.

[bev.]

 10:42
These 2 continue to incubate.

[bev.]

I will keep trying. the day I thought I had a good shot there was a glare. I was glad that he returned also as he is a very good provider. That is why they have fostered so many chicks and fleglings in here.

8:24
so funny , male is incubating and the female was on the outside perch looking in since 8:09 and then just left.
Male did not seem to want to move He will change his mind when the kids come

[The Peregrine Chick]

Good to know its probably the male from last year, always good to have both birds return when the female is so young.  And I got the band number from the Alberta biologists so it sounds like they have confirmed his identity for the year but I would be very interested in an image of the band number if you manage to get it on one of your very nice cam screen captures!  Good luck!

[bev.]

I am almost 99.9% sure it is the same male. I have been trying to get his bands. almost had a read the other day but very blurry.

He has been a very good male for this site.

[The Peregrine Chick]

Bev or Eli have probably mentionned this somewhere else on this thread in which case I apologize for the duplication.  The male at the U of A campus is an Edmonton wild-hatched male from 2002 - so he's seven years old.  Band number is black (wild hatched bird) O over Y. 

Don't know if he is the same male as last year but have asked for some family tree information on him but considering this is the busy season, I don't expect to get anything for awhile.  When I do however, I will post it here.

[bev.]

14:46
They are doing a great job of sharing duties again. 

[bev.]

thanks TPC

12:36
RAdisson is back she never ventures far. she usually does a fly around once and then goes on light on heart  building or on ledge on Nest building

[carly]

2:20 pm EST egg and mom check; mom seems to have flown off to the spa after her labour and eggs are home alone 

[The Peregrine Chick]

Penultimate is usually third egg with a 4-5 clutch, though some birds will wait until 4 in a 5 egg clutch.  In colder climates (and I daresay colder years) incubation can start after the first or second egg. 

30 days from the start of incubation is a standard start date for watching for hatching.  The range used to be 28-29 days, but it has been revised to 33-35 with a mean of 33.5.  Having said that, Madame used to hatch them out at 28 days more years than not whereas Princess and Trey last year I believe they were at 37 days when their eggs started hatching. 

So the short answer is, because of the range in incubation period length and because a pair may begin incubating earlier/later depending on other variables, count 30 days from the third egg (or last if nest less than 3) and you usually won't miss a hatch date.

Third egg was laid on May 8th so thirty days takes you/us to June 7th.  Folks should be sure to dial up a couple of days early just in case though ....