Utica Peregrine Falcons Update for Sunday, April 16th, 2023
It was slightly cool overnight with temperatures in the high 50’s. For the fourth day in a row, the temperature rose quickly through the morning and reached into the mid-80’s by mid afternoon. Astrid was on the eggs all night long. Ares came to the nest at 5:24 AM but Astrid was not inclined to leave. He left instead and came back a half hour later. Astrid still refused to leave and so he went over to the west veranda. As it happened, the third time was the charm. When Ares asked again at 6:16 she agreed to leave and he was able to have his turn on the eggs. She went to the State Building for a little while but was then out of view. At 8:15 Astrid was back at the box and requesting a shift on the eggs. After four minutes of gentle persuasion, Ares consented to go and she got onto the clutch. At 10:28 Ares was on his favorite pillar perch having a grooming session. He took off after something at one point but then returned at 10:43. At 11:29 Ares was at the nest asking for a turn on the eggs. When she didn’t get up right away, he walked around behind her and ousted her. He got comfortable on the eggs as she flew over to the State Office Building.
At around 1:18 Pm Ares abruptly darted from the nest – leaving the eggs alone. It was about 80 degrees at the time. Certainly, the eggs were in no jeopardy of getting cold. We don’t know what prompted Ares to leave. We weren’t monitoring sound at the time so we don’t know if any alarm calls were given. Astrid came into the box less than a minute later and got onto the eggs. Ares returned to the nest at 3:00. Astrid’s tail was draped over the lip of the box and he stepped on it. That compelled her to get up and leave the box. He then took over on the eggs. Once again, Ares’ shift took place at the hottest time of the day. He did a lot of shading. We didn’t know where Astrid was for a while but at 3:54 she showed up on the north face of the State Building. At 5:49 PM Astrid was back to the box and asking to take over. Surprisingly, Ares didn’t seem to want to leave. She stood along side him for a few minutes (the two of them were casting odd shadows on the back wall) and then the pair did some beaking. Ares got off the eggs after that and left the box. Astrid took over on the clutch and would likely stay in place until morning. Goodnight falcons.