MN / Elk River - 2008-22

[The Peregrine Chick]

I don't have any details, but its possible that the biologists have candled the eggs and know that they have failed and have removed them.  The eggs would keep the male trying to incubate - projects used to use dummy eggs to keep birds on nests for short periods of time until chicks or fertilized eggs could be substituted.

And reading the original note posted here, it didn't say he abandonned the site (or am I missing a later note?) but rather that he left the nestbox.  If the eggs aren't there, he won't be either.

As for turning the cam off, if the birds aren't there, there really is no point in leaving it on.  The male might or might not come back.  If another female were to turn up and he should try to renest, the equipment is still there.  If he doesn't find a new mate, he could stick to the territory or he could take off to better feeding areas in a while. 

We could hear more about the situation later or a new lady will arrive and we get to start from the beginning again ...

[carly]

He was eating from his cache allikat.  And I used to work for a power plant years ago - hence the cynicism but I will hope for the best or at the very least ...a better communications person 

[bcbird]

On the Elk River cam site, with the sad update, is this notice which should help us remain hopeful about this falcon nestsite and cam.

Great River Energy's Elk River Energy Recovery Station is a perfect site for a nesting box because it is located in a peregrine falcon migratory flyway. The site, beside the Mississippi River, is also a draw because the birds prefer to nest in high locations near water. In recent history, power plants have had the best peregrine production rates in the Midwest.

[allikat]

Keep in mind that the female went missing!
The male was there incubating for days without food!
Instinct to eat will take over.
Perhaps the eggs were not removed and they do not want people watching an empty nest with eggs.
Let's not make assumptions just yet, however, it is unfortunate for the peregrine falcons to have lost out.

[Pam]

Would he avoid this site if the eggs remain there, or will he remove them?  Trey/Princess here have removed 'non-viable' eggs in past during incubation, I believe.

[bcbird]

No more coverage would be unfortunate for us.
Actually removing the nest box would be a terrible thing to do as it has been so successful and productive for years.
It is heartening to think the male may have another chance this year, and it would seem ideal if it could be at the site he has known.

[carly]

Well first off, he'd never abandon his site..he migrates year after year to come home to this site.   He was only incubating around 11 days...not too late to find a new mate and reclutch as they are later nesters ...like your birds out west.  There are alot of female floaters in that area as attested to by the number of territorial fights/ intrusions over the years there.

Perhaps they didn't want to save the eggs and have people watch...no issue with that as it does happen.  One mate dies and hard for a parent on their own and given they weren't far into incubation, no one would blame them I'm sure.  If it was a few days to hatch, that's another story.

Maybe I"m reading too much into it but they just seemed to have turned the cam off and are saying 'nothing to see here now move along'.  Perhaps it's someone with no writing skills but I"m worried as they recently took down alot of nest sites on their property citing the birds were interfering with power lines, etc so I'm hoping they aren't planning to do the same here.

If they want to save money by turning the cams off..I can understand that too, as TPC explained to us the cost so totally understandable.  But no message saying if things change, we'll resume where we left off or anything.

[bcbird]

Is it possible the male is still episodically incubating, or are you concerned that the eggs were just taken, not rescued?
They don't want to show the cam, because they are getting so much public comment?

[carly]

Something about this is not right.  I know he'd have to abandon the eggs for self preservation but the site?  I'm not buying it.

The fact that the biologists are silent speaks volumes - they are good people but perhaps they had no choice in the outcome - even though they wanted to help.

Look at Alcoa in Australia and how they tried to get rid of the falcons there...

[bcbird]

I hope the male is healthy.
His instinct was so strong to incubate that he went a long time without eating.
Finally, his instinct for self preservation must have overcome his parenting urge.

[Moonstar]

   This is so sad.  This nest was always a joy to watch.  It is better that it is only eggs and not chicks that could possibly end up suffering. 

[carly]

Oh, this is so very sad. I wonder if there will be an attempt to rescue the eggs?

Doesn't sound like it now KC but we'll see.  I expect they'll just chalk it up to nature and hope he'll find a new mate?

[Kinderchick]

Oh, this is so very sad. I wonder if there will be an attempt to rescue the eggs?

[carly]

 

[Elaine L]

Now, there is news on the website, and it is not good:

We're sorry to report that our peregrine falcon family is no longer nesting at Elk River Energy Recovery Station. The female falcon disappeared on Friday, April 22. Great River Energy staff searched a two mile radius and investigated the plant site and surrounding area for the female falcon. The male falcon attempted to incubate the eggs but eventually left the nesting box.] We're sorry to report that our peregrine falcon family is no longer nesting at Elk River Energy Recovery Station. The female falcon disappeared on Friday, April 22. Great River Energy staff searched a two mile radius and investigated the plant site and surrounding area for the female falcon. The male falcon attempted to incubate the eggs but eventually left the nesting box.

No other information provided.  This is very discouraging.