Comments on: The Big Sit

By: Traci

Traci — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 18:47:09 +0000

I was thinking about what great teachers the Falcon’s are. I could not do a Big Sit either. For example, at the end of my pregnancy – I was so anxious for that kid to be out I was practically begging them to help him along (my son was 10 days overdue). In my mind – there was an end point and when it wasn’t met – I could barely contain myself.

But wildlife simply lets things unfold in its own way and time. Whether one egg gets laid or four, and whether all survive or just one. It’s amazing.

I am also struck by how Dorothy puts everything on hold, that would sustain ‘spirit’ in a person, and just does what she needs to. She sits and sits and sits on those eggs, without complaint. HMRPH – wish I could do the same myself! Do what I need to without complaining, that is!!

The whole process for me, is enlighting and soothing. Everything unfolds as it should – if only we could let it.

By: Mary Ann Pike

Mary Ann Pike — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 12:18:52 +0000

I just saw Dorothy get off the nest at 8:15 am and there are 4 eggs now!

By: Kate St. John

Kate St. John — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 17:35:13 +0000

Ray, yes there have. There’s a nest at the Monaca-East Rochester Bridge in Beaver County and there used to be a nest at the 62nd Street Bridge but the peregrines left 62nd Street when the bridge was under construction. We hope they come back.
Other than those two sites people have seen peregrines at other bridges along the rivers but we aren’t sure any of the other sites have nests.
Keep your eyes open when you’re near a bridge. Maybe you’ll find peregrines!

By: RAY

RAY — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 16:59:44 +0000

KATE,
HAS THERE BEEN ANY OTHER PEREGRINE NESTS DISCOVERED IN THE PITTSBURGH AREA? IE 62st. BRIDGE OR BADEN / BEAVER BRIDGES?

By: Elspeth Wissner

Elspeth Wissner — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:37:29 +0000

Thanks! I just happened to look earlier and she was off the nest, and I thought there were 3 – then next time I looked she was back and I couldn’t see!

By: Kate St. John

Kate St. John — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:17:46 +0000

Monday, 3:15pm. You all are so good at this! She JUST laid it in the last half hour. Here’s a picture: http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/pefa_pittpf_20090323_151107.jpg

By: Elspeth Wissner

Elspeth Wissner — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:14:55 +0000

Kate – it looks as though there are now 3 eggs ??

By: Joann

Joann — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:13:54 +0000

I see that Dorothy laid a 3 egg sometime last night or today. She doesn’t seem to be nesting yet so maybe she has more than 1 egg left to lay

By: Kate St. John

Kate St. John — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 18:57:23 +0000

I don’t know the time limit but I have read that waiting can reduce the viability of the first egg. On the other hand, raptor species that incubate immediately (bald eagles, for instance) have higher chick mortality because the first chick eats everything or kills his sibling.

By: Susan

Susan — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 18:29:04 +0000

Kate-

I’ve always thought it was strange that they didn’t start sitting right away, as soon as the first egg is laid. It does lead to all of the eggs hatching closer together, but I think it’s remarkable that the first eggs survive being “on hold” for a while. Is there a time limit as to how long that first egg could go without being incubated, then grow normally into a chick?