Author: Matt Perry

Update for Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Tuesday was a fairly typical day for the falcons during the early incubation period. Astrid and Ares seamlessly alternated their duties throughout the morning and afternoon. They must have read yesterday’s update because today both were extra polite when requesting the other for a turn on the eggs. Neither shoved the other off the clutch. Instead, the falcon asking to take over remained on the crossperch and simply flew away when their counterpart did not stir. At one point in midafternoon, Ares got on the eggs and remained there for four hours. Astrid came to the nest two or three times to relieve him, but he held his place. She allowed him to have a nice long sit. She finally came in and he was ready to go at 7:30 PM. If Astrid was to lay a fifth egg, it would have happened today, and that didn’t happen. Of course, we were not surprised. In the previous 10 breeding seasons Astrid laid 4 eggs only. Indeed, she is a four-egg kind of falcon.

Update for Monday, April 1, 2024

Throughout the years, we’ve observed an intriguing behavioral interplay between Astrid and Ares. Sometimes, when either bird comes to the box with the intention to take over incubation duty from their partner, they are rebuffed. When one of them is settled-in and incubating the eggs, they sometimes exhibit a reluctance to relinquish the nest. Initially, Astrid had no qualms about ousting Ares. Whenever she wanted a turn, she would assertively displace him without much ado. However, in recent years, Astrid has adopted a gentler approach towards displacing her partner. Now, she spends time beside him, engaging in beak swiping before delicately nudging him out. As a last resort, she may lightly step on his wing or tail feathers – that is, if gentle persuasion fails. Conversely, Ares has undergone a remarkable transformation in his behavior. He has grown more audacious and now mirrors Astrid’s old methods when ousting her, sometimes lacking the gentleness. Nevertheless, if Astrid is resolute about staying put, she communicates her intent with a determined gaze, prompting Ares to acquiesce and depart.

Update for Sunday (Easter), March 31, 2024

At 2:05 PM Astrid laid the 4th and what is probably the last egg in the clutch. The interval between eggs 3 & 4 was 61 hours which is about the average for Astrid. We observed some breeding behavior during the course of the day. There were at least three matings, including one after the 4th egg was laid. In the early morning Ares provided a food gift which appeared to be a Woodcock. Astrid took it over to the hotel but did not eat very much of it. No surprise there.

Update for Saturday, March 30, 2024

Astrid spent the night tight on the nest. We didn’t see Ares until 5:21 AM, when he came to the box and the pair did a quick and orderly switch. As it happened that would be the template for the rest of the day – all quick and orderly transitions. We expect the forth and, most likely, final egg of the clutch to be laid sometime on Sunday afternoon.

Update for Friday, March 29, 2024 

Astrid laid her third egg at approximately 1:05 AM Friday morning. The interval between the 2^nd egg and 3^rd egg was approximately 64 hours and 23 minutes, which is considerably shorter than the interval between egg one and two, but still longer than Astrid’s average interval of 60 – 62 hours. Today we can also report that continuous incubation has begun. Although Astrid seemed to be doing it for a day or two already, Ares only began taking the job seriously today. Indeed, he stayed tight on the eggs during each one of his shifts. He even let Astrid be out of his sight a few times without stirring. There was an intruder in the afternoon – presumably another Peregrine. We think that Ares tried to chase it off but failed and called on Astrid to take over while he stayed with the eggs.