SW laid her second egg at 1:49 PM, on March 18, 2008. Thanks to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History FalconCams, we are able to pinpoint the time of arrival.
Mr. Harvey Webster, Director of Wildlife Resources at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History notes on the FalconCam website, “The egg is remarkable in that all of the ingredients to create one baby Peregrine Falcon have been assembled and packaged in SW's body in only 2 days. All that is needed now is 33 days of constant temperature, periodic turning, protection from extremes of heat and cold, rigorous defense of the nest as well as a delicate touch. After all of these conditions are met, a baby Peregrine Falcon might hatch”
Our penpal and volunteer peregrine falcon nest monitor, Scott Wright, visited the nestsite and observed the family. He reports that Buckeye was on the eggs when he arrived and that he believes active incubation has begun.
Mr. Wright tells us, “The male will smell his new egg to get its scent.... I once saw a male tasting the egg, opening up his beak and gently touching the egg with his tongue!!”
Then SW arrived and took over nest sitting duties.
Here's an idea for kids who like to read. A popular book called "Frightful's Mountain", by Jean Craighead George, is a story about a peregrine falcon named Frightful and how she makes her way in the world, including having her first chicks. It's a dramatic story told from the bird's point of view. Lots of kids like this book, and it will help make learning about peregrines more real.
Our thanks to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History for sponsoring the FalconCams and for the remarkable still showing SW just after she laid her second egg.
Photos are courtesy of Scott Wright, volunteer peregrine nest monitor. They may be used by children for school and/or personal projects, but please give Mr. Wright photo credit. All others must contact Mr. Wright directly for permission to use his photos.
