Astrid and Ares are now about 1/3 of the way through the incubation process. Peregrine falcon incubation typically lasts 30-35 days. We have seen that the first hatch can take longer but this nest usually has its first hatch around 33-35 days.
True incubation does not begin with the first egg but starts sometime between the laying of eggs 2 and 3. The reason for this delay in beginning incubation is so that the eggs will hatch close together. As the chicks begin to hatch it is important that they arrive close in succession so that they are better able to compete for food.
This year Astrid and Ares seemed to be steady with their incubation efforts as of March 28th. This would put our hatch window at April 30th to May 2nd for the first hatch.
Incubation can be a time for Astrid and Ares to catch up on their sleep. Ares seems to really enjoy this time of year. One of the cool things about Peregrines is that they can close one eye and rest half pf their brain. We bet you wish you could do that!!
