FALCON FLASH
Dateline: Cleveland, Ohio
March 21, 2011
First there was one……
Then there were 2 eggs. Volunteer nest monitor, Mr. Scott Wright, visited the nest and reports that “The new egg looks like it has a nick in it. Look at the white spot and you can see it”.
Last year one of SW’s eggs was “bad” and did not hatch
A third egg was laid on Sunday, March 20, 2011.
Mr. Harvey Webster, Director of Wildlife Resources at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History tells us, “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.”
Boomer is young and this is most likely his first time being a dad. He has been doing a great job feeding SW while she is unable to hunt for herself, and he will continue to feed her while she incubates the eggs. Boomer was hatched in 2008 in Columbus, Ohio. We know this because of his leg band, C/66. Peregrine falcons are a recovered endangered species and they are banded and tracked.
Boomer leaves to hunt…..
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.
Will there be more eggs? Last year there were 4 eggs. Keep your eyes and browser set to: http://www.falconcam-cmnh.org/news.php
Our thanks to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History for sponsoring the FalconCams and for the still.
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 for permission to use his photos.
Click here to read what happened earlier
Click here to read what happened next
