Update for Sunday, May 19, 2024
For our longtime friends and supporters at Grace Episcopal Church, this season the Utica Peregrine Falcon Project is honoring the church by using names inspired by the names of prominent clergy and staff. The eldest chick, a female, is named Caris; the middle chick, possibly a female, is Vol; and the youngest, probably a male, is Richae. In Welsh and Greek, Caris signifies love, grace, and kindness. In Latin, Vol means someone who is strong and healthy. In English, Richae denotes an individual who is responsible, self-sufficient, and dependable.
The chicks got fed several times overnight and the meals kept coming until around 8:30 AM, and then there was a long pause. In fact, no more food came into the nest until Ares brought a Black-billed Cuckoo at 3:20 PM. It was the second cuckoo known to be served that day. Interestingly, Astrid dutifully doled them out, even though they are her among her least favorite prey items. The mid to late afternoon was very warm on Sunday and it got quite hot in the box. Both parents took turns shading the nestlings
