Wednesday 27 March 2013

Egg Number One


Peregrine falcon egg number one was laid on Monday. There it is, pink and lonely, like a Mini Egg. It's a bit worrying that it's been laid while the weather is still so cold. Perhaps it won't survive, but there will no doubt be others. Last year 4 eggs were laid, 3 hatched and 2 males survived to fledge. The peregrines lay multiple eggs in the hope that at least some of them will survive; they don't expect them all to survive. This is one of nature's cold truths.

Yesterday, on my day off, I sat at the desk by the window and watched through binoculars the falcon parents on the top of the building in the distance. I think we must have one of the best viewing positions in town here: on the first floor on a hill facing the nest. You could get closer, but you would also be lower. 

Watching the peregrines is still fascinating. Yesterday I could see the mother (bigger than the father) eating something with great enthusiasm. I couldn't see what it was. Maybe a pigeon. Or a rabbit? The father stood on the other side of the balcony motionless, endlessly patient.

Here's a picture of one of the parents incubating the egg about five minutes ago:


See the webcam here.

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