Comments on: Peregrine eggs hatched overnight at Pitt

By: Traci

Traci — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:30:27 +0000

In the light of day – I believe I was mistaken – there still appears to be a fourth egg!
Sorry!!

By: Kristen

Kristen — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 03:30:30 +0000

Yay! Go babies, go!

By: Traci

Traci — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 03:00:47 +0000

I was just looking at the Cathedral nest and even though its dark – it seems that the fourth egg might be in remnants down to the right? Is it the norm for all the eggs to hatch or just three of four? The same with Tasha…how probable is it, that all her eggs would hatch?

And do they lay eggs based on how their instincts deem food supply as available? Wouldn’t it be a struggle for the pair to feed 5 chicks? Even if food supply is abundant? If the birds struggled to feed all five, assuming they hatched, would the chicks be left by us to starve? By us, I mean the Conservancy people. I guess that would be nature taking its course…but it would be rather heartbreaking to watch.

By: Kate St. John

Kate St. John — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 01:00:21 +0000

Gulf Tower nest:
It’s certainly hard to tell how many have hatched. I also see eggs in the background but can’t tell if they are shells or whole eggs. Tasha will move the shells away but it is probably too early for her to move unhatched eggs. She will keep the nestlings and eggs all together until brooding ends – approximately one week after hatching.

>how the chicks don’t suffocate with the falcon sitting on them?
The adults are careful to keep the chicks warm (or cool on a hot day like today!) but don’t actually sit down on them. They crouch over them with wings folded out and toes curled in so their talons are not near the chicks. It seems like an uncomfortable position but they must not mind it.

By: Joann Lord

Joann Lord — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 23:05:26 +0000

Dorothy or E2 just left the nest & 3 of the 4 eggs have hatched. I was wondering how the chicks don’t suffocate with the falcon sitting on them?

By: Joann Lord

Joann Lord — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 23:01:52 +0000

I am looking at the Gulf Tower webcam & it looks like to me there are 3 complete eggs behind Tasha in the nest. I can’t tell until she leaves the nest but I’m wondering if she removed 3 eggs from the nest because she couldn’t hear anything coming from them? there are what looks like 3 eggs behind her in the nest & they don’t look like they have opened. I’m sorry I missed Dorothy’s big day but I did get to see Tasha’s first hatch so that was just awesome

By: Jean

Jean — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 22:58:13 +0000

About three o’clock I tuned in and was treated to a feeding. Definitely three chicks although one seemed to be getting the most attention. The smallest was a bit wobbly, understandably, but catching on.

By: Kate St. John

Kate St. John — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 22:12:21 +0000

I think the tiny white spot was a pipping (the mark/hole on the shell made by the baby bird as it pecks from the inside). Knowing that there was a pip yesterday morning means it took the chicks about a day to break out of their shells. It must be very hard work – and in a confined space. Amazing!

By: Nancy

Nancy — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 17:21:34 +0000

Traci, that's wonderful! I had wondered if the eggs were hatching yesterday when I saw this. Could that tiny white spot be the first pipping? If so, we definitely have a time on the start of the hatch. ♥

By: MJED

MJED — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 16:53:10 +0000

At 12:49PM–Dorothy is off the nest and it looks like there are 3 chicks!! Did anyone capture a picture?