Other Peregrine Projects > USA Peregrines
ME / BRI - 2009-16
Alison:
Thank you so much for the reply, TPC. This sounds like a good solution and makes a whole lot of sense. I hope you will be able to contact the people responsible for the nest and that they will follow your suggestions. Fingers crossed for this falcon pair. It has been stated on the site that the reason the nest failed before is because of its northeast orientation, but many successful nest sites face in that direction. I do think fixing the nest tray problem could make all the difference. Meantime, the birds are really struggling to keep the eggs under them.
The Peregrine Chick:
Trays are a common "nestbox" in areas with overhangs for protection like this site. The sides just need to be deeper. I suspect that if they were going to do anything, they would have to build it, disturb the birds to install and fill with gravel and put the eggs in an artificially created (i.e., biologist digs small, shallow scrape with hand) and puts the eggs in. Best if done no later than mid-incubation as the birds are committed by that point and the eggs can tolerate being uncovered for periods of time (surprisingly long periods in the sun or if its warm). Depending on access to the site, difficulty to install, whole process could take between 10-20 minutes.
Question is, will/would they do it? I don't know the birds, don't know how tolerant they are of disturbance or how aggressive. But if I were comfortable that the birds wouldn't get driven off, I'd probably take the chance so long as I could remove the eggs and get them into an incubator if there was a problem. No later than mid-incubation might mean the birds would try again, so even if they abandonned the first clutch, they might try a second and the first ones could be hatched out and fostered in another wild nest somewhere. Its really a judgement call based on the adults. Our West Winnipeg birds in 2007 were in exactly the same boat as well as being totally rookies so I've run this scenario in my head already, but I knew those birds ...
I will see about contacting the Maine folks and see what might be happening ....
birdcamfan:
This looks very difficult for the incubating bird. I hope there is something that can be done to improve this site for future falcon parents and their young.
allikat:
let's all hope TPC has some great connections (I'm certain she does) to lend a helping hand....thanks to you!!!
Alison:
--- Quote from: carly on March 27, 2009, 20:08 ---Uggg..I saw this on your site earlier today Alison and my heart just went out to these poor falcons. All this work to lay 4 eggs and it will probably end in heartbreak for them. IF they can't do anything at this point, there may be a chance to fix it before a second clutch attempt maybe?
Kudos to you for asking TPC for help, she probably has connections somewhere there or knows someone that does. You are a true friend to the falcons :)
--- End quote ---
Thank you, Carly! TPC is so knowledgeable, I thought she might be able to come up with a way to help with this situation.
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