MN / Elk River - 2008-22

[maggieblue]

Shift change.  I think it may have been dad who didn't want to give up his time on the eggs. 

[maggieblue]

Standoff at Elk River.     The adult on the bar keeps making noise, sounds like a duck quaking at times, however the adult snoozing on the eggs doesn't appear to want to move. 

[JL]

Nice to see Mom on the eggs and Dad perched right outside enjoying the sun.   

[LouLouBelle]

Looks like a beautiful morning at Elk River. Just saw the changing of the guard and the 4 eggs were safe and sound and now warmly under Mom (?).

[allikat]

It's really hard to tell...I think she/he is just hunkered down really close to the eggs.  But still, the light is not in his/her face, so perhaps a good night's sleep or falcon naps.

[LouLouBelle]

he's got it now but he sure is observant of what's going on outside!

[allikat]

I love watching the male try to get all the eggs underneath him.  Sometimes one will pop out and he will try and try again.  So dedicated and wonderful to get those slippery little suckers under them safe and sound!

[LouLouBelle]

just watched a changover and I think Dad is doing his duty, he did seem to have a bit of trouble getting all 4 safely under him...

[The Peregrine Chick]

Any biologists out there? Does anyone know why they stop laying? Does it have to do with less copulations or is there some type of hormonal change? Maybe TPC knows (our "all-knowing" peregrine chick)

Don't know about all knowing, but female's available reserves, the length of time they are dependent upon their parents for food and the number of chicks that can technically be fed by two adults for close to two months after another month of incubation.  Its a huge time and energy commitment.  Mostly peregrines lay 3-4.  Some lay more, but not always, and usually earlier in their lifespan as I recall.  You've seen how much work it is to feed 3-4 chicks, they really couldn't support more than that every time ...

[Liz]

Her hips are only so wide..! 

[birdcamfan]

Any biologists out there? Does anyone know why they stop laying? Does it have to do with less copulations or is there some type of hormonal change? Maybe TPC knows (our "all-knowing" peregrine chick)

[carly]

That's great!  I can imagine the food fights already..

[Liz]

Four eggs!!!!   

[sami]

Just caught a shift change and a chance to see four eggs! Last time I saw anything there were only two, she's been sitting so still. I'm also wondering if the light isn't at a slightly different angle this year - or is she just crouched lower to stay out of it?

[maggieblue]

FOUR lovely eggs this morning.  Way to go Mom.   
She had her head down last night, looking like she was doing her Tai Chi routine but it was too dark in there to see what was going on.