Astrid guarded the nest area for most of the night. She spent a lot of time on the west veranda. She was over on the hotel before 4 AM, probably hunting. There were no overnight feedings for the first time in many days. Ares came screeching to the box at 5:06. He had no prey with him. Astrid darted away from the hotel ledge at 5:56. She was back there a few minutes later, feeding on something. She brought it to the nest at 6:07. It appeared to be the remains of a dove. She fed it to the nestlings. At 6:36 Ares brought prey to the box. She took it to the hotel where she polished it off herself. Ares did a chick-check at 10:11. A half hour later Astrid came to the crossperch and got the babies squealing. Ares came back with more food at 10:48. Astrid took it from him, but then Xena snatched it from her and took it to a corner. Astrid seemed like she was giving up on retrieving it, but then she pushed her way into the corner and snatched it back. She then conducted a normal feeding. We saw one of the adults (Ares we thought) fly around the State Building, perhaps looking for stored food. At 12:47 PM Astrid was on one of the steeple perches.
Ares brought prey to the box at 1:11. It was the first time the chicks had gotten a food delivery in the afternoon in at least several days. Astrid took the food and served it to the nestlings. At 1:30 both adults were on the State Building. She made several short visits to the nest in subsequent hours. At 2:25 Astrid was in the box providing shade, and one of the chicks was taking advantage of it. Ares screeched to the nest at 3:13 but he had no prey in his talons. At least one of the parents was always visible throughout the remainder of the afternoon. At 6 PM Astrid was upset about something. She made three trips back and forth from the box in quick succession. She ended up on the roof of the box. Rain showers began in the later afternoon, but the Peregrines didn’t seem very put out. After being out of view for over an hour, Ares showed up on the State Building. Both parents came to the nest at 6:27 but neither was carrying a meal. These days the nestlings watch their parent’s comings and goings with great interest and attention. Their eyesight has become very keen and they begin giving begging calls when they see a parent way off in the canyon. The plumage of the nestlings is changing quickly now. Their white downy plumage is being superseded by dark flight feathers as well as by dark body contour feathers. Both, but especially Zena is getting the salt & pepper look.
At 6:35 both parents were on steeple perches looking regal. Ares brought prey to the nest at 6:49. It was an American Woodcock. Astrid took it from him and flew into the canyon. She was back and feeding the nestlings a little while later. Astrid spent the rest of the evening on the long perch and Ares remained visible on the north face of the State Building. Goodnight falcons.
