Despite today’s strong winds, sleet, snow and rain, the Utica falcons were surprisingly active. They mated no less than eleven times, not including two aborted attempts. There were no ledge displays seen today but Ares brought food tributes to Astrid at least two times. She fed heartily on one of the meals and ended up with a very full crop. The falcons became upset over what may have been an unidentified raptor flying over the canyon. They called, swooped around a few times and then continued with their normal activities. Again today the falcon pair took turns sitting in the nest box. The coverage they provided was near complete. We are getting very close to the traditional egg-laying time for these birds. In fact we may only be days away from our first of the season falcon egg!
Are they late with their egg-laying?
Pittsburgh Falcon Hope has 4 eggs in the nest already. It has been extremely cold and she was covered with snow during this last snowfall. Hope the chicks are healthy as she had a problem last year and ended up with only 1 healthy chick out of 3.
I am looking forward to our new chicks and hope they will stay around for a while this year. I am glad the weather will be better when ours hatch. I predict we will have 4-5 eggs – they have been very busy and very attentive to each other all year long – perfect couple.
Thanks for the info regarding the Pittsburgh falcons! Last year Astrid laid her first egg on 26 March and that was the earliest she’d ever laid. We were worried that she may begin laying even earlier this year, but thankfully (given the recent cold spell) that doesn’t seem to be the case.