Rfalconcam Forum

http://www.alcoa.com/australia/en/info_page/falcon_webcam.asp

from their site:

Monday August 03, 2009
Welcome back!  A pair of Peregrine falcons have returned to our nest box and the webcam is once again live to bring you all the imagery of the 2009 season.

Thanks for sharing. Back when I worked at Kodak, we hosted a group of people from Alcoa for a benchmarking effort. I wonder if they were inspired by the Kodak webcam from that visit?  Hmmm..

They have the Kodak webcam in their links.  The link goes to the Kodak website, but the Kodak website links back into this site.

Lou

This is great news..............thanks, I've been checking too.   :yahoo:

Donna

Here's a pix of Sheila and Havoc from the other day.  They look like they are ready for some action.

Posted today...

Monday August 10, 2009
This week we have received several enquiries asking what has happened to the pink nest box?

Last year Sheila increased the ferocity in which she defended her territory including a number of strikes to employees...lucky for mandatory hard hats!  One possible contributor for Sheila's bad mood was that the nest box faced directly toward the power station (north-west).  This may have been a source of aggravation for Sheila as she could see people moving back and forth and felt her nest was threatened.  So a new nestbox (unpainted) has been installed on the north-east side of the water tower facing away from the station.  Only time will tell if Sheila's mood improves.

I'll admit, I'm one of the ones who asked about the pink box  :gum:

Lou-I think it was Jim P. who told me Alcoa had gotten the nestbox design & cam idea from Kodak...the old pink box looked just like the old Kodak box

Falcon at Alcoa!

I think Sheila & Havoc may have laid an egg!  Looks like one peeking up at the front of the box...

Sure looks like it Ei. She was just laying and then got up. WOW...NICE :sparrow:

Friday August 28, 2009
After spending several days perfecting the scrape, Sheila has laid her first egg.

Thank you to everyone watching who informed us that the webcam image had frozen earlier in the week.  We apologise for the interruption to the webcast. Will be fun when they hatch.

Donna

                   
I think there may be 3 eggs           Sheila's back

I think your right again Ei...wow, that was quick.

Sheila laid her first egg last year on Fri Aug 29. This year it was Fri Aug 28....right on cue. :clap: Her second egg was on Aug 31 last year....well, she beat that by laying 2 more before that, if we are correct Ei.  ???

If there are 3, I think the first one was hiding -the camera angle is very low this year-and the first one we saw was actually #2.  I sent them an email, so we'll see if they have any comments.

I sent an email also.... :clap: funny

Here's their reply to my first email:

dear donna,

thank you for your email.

it does indeed look like an egg.

please see this week’s update for the first picture.

I sent one this am also, ok, were on the same page. Let's see if they update.  :thumbsup:

I guess we were right!

Monday August 31, 2009
Sheila has laid eggs number two and three.

http://www.alcoa.com/australia/en/info_page/falcon_webcam.asp

goodnews:
Great something to watch during the blah days.

A clear view of the 3 eggs. I almost thought 4-the one on the right seems to have a dark streak made it look like one behind the other. The 3rd one is just peeking up behind the front board.



Sheila giving them a nice roll!

That does look like 4 eggs but your probably right Ei....3

Well, I sent them the pic and they've posted it with this note...

Monday September 7, 2009
It does appear that Sheila has laid four eggs.

Thank you to those who emailled in photos to help confirm this.  With Sheila increasing her time in the nest box,  there has been limited opportunity to view the number of eggs.

There are a few pics posted on the Cleveland board that look more like 4 eggs than mine, but that's OK...as long as they have healthy eyases! 

I haven't seen Sheila off the eggs in a few days now...I guess hard incubation has started!



 :lookingat:

FINALLY!  Sheila AND Havoc in one picture...looks like Havoc (note feather on beak) is reminding Sheila that it's HIS turn to sit on the eggs!



Ei

Funny, he reminds me of Kaver with that feather stuck to his beak. Great catch Ei.

He always has reminded me of Kaver.

Friday September 18, 2009
For Peregrine Falcons, the incubation period is 33 to 35 days from the date the last egg was laid.  So it is now approximately halfway with hatching expected to begin around October 4 - 6.  During incubation, the eggs are rarely left uncovered; rain, hail or shine.  :hatch1: :hatch1: :hatch1: :hatch1:

Not much longer!

Maybe this weekend Ei.   :hatch1: :hatch1: :hatch1: :hatch1: :hatch1: :hatch1:

OK...it's just the really weird light there and a really pale egg, right?

Ei, I've seen that pale egg a few times. I believe that's what it is....but....we may have to call in a expert    :wave: :devil:

If it starts walking, we'll know for sure  :hysterical:

Just saw this from Nora over on Yahoo...

One, possibly two hatches!  Go down closer to the bottom of the page.  If you click on a picture it enlarges.  Raptor Resource forum (http://raptorresource.org/forum/index.php?topic=421.15)

There seem to be two chicks. I haven't seen any feeding today so far (it was just getting light there when I started watching), and haven't yet seen an eyas moving around. I hope everything is okay.

At last, a feeding:

A little peek at baby. :hatch1: :heartspin:

Still can't tell how many have hatched...it's still great to see fluffballs again!



 :hatch1:

Well, there's 2 for sure!



Look at that sweet little face!

Alone for a second.... :heart:   Can't really tell but looks like 2 hatched  ??? One of these days, we'll know for sure.

Monday October 5, 2009
We have two little bundles of white fluff in the nest box.  The eggs will hatch in the same order they were laid so it can take up to a week for all of the eggs to hatch.  Two down, two to go !

OK Ei.....it's 2 for now.. :hatch1: :hatch1:

Tuesday, October 6, 2009
While Sheila is providing an early morning feed we are able to see that there are now three chicks.

Stuff flying around the nest right now.

A bit of second breakfast



All full!



Sheila takes out the trash

Nice takeoff!



Pile o' eyases

NICE CATCH Ei!!!   :bow:

 :clap:  It's so nice to see little fluff balls again...   :hatch1:

 ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ???

Are you referring to the egg shells all over or what looks like raindrops on the cam?  :silly:

That is one weird photo, Donna!  Can't tell which end is which...and what's up with the stuff that looks like it's around her legs?  Strange....   :surprise:

Looks like the final count is three and one unhatched egg





Going walk about

Sooooooooo funny Ei and soo cute.

Feeding time       :spaghetti:

Mommy!  I wanna be in the pile too!



That's better!

Daddy brings more food!!

First breakfast!

AWWW!  Every nest has a Tiny, don't they?   :chick3:

Monday, October 12, 2009
It is over a week since the first chick emerged therefore we would expect all of the eggs to now have hatched.  Today we can clearly see three chicks as Sheila arrives with a morning meal.  However what is not so clear is if one unhatched egg remains.  It appears from this picture today that perhaps this is the case.
 
So, I guess #4 didn't  :hatch1:.....YET....Ohio's last egg didn't hatch for a long while after the rest and they thought it was a rotten egg......stranger things have happened.

Awww-- how cute!! :heartspin:

Looks like the 4th egg has been pushed to the back... :confused0083:

"bring some more food"!!!!   :o  :surprise:

I swear I see 4 in this pic   :hatch1: :hatch1: :hatch1: :hatch1: :heartspin:

Certainly does look like enough fluff there for 4, but I still haven't seen more than 3 for sure...



Then, of course, there's always the GINORMOUS single eyas  :happy:

     

I think only 3 also Ei....oh well but here's dad again.

A bit of brunch...



While those 2 biddies are gossiping in the back...
aren't I the CUTEST eyas you've ever seen??

I didn't think Mommy would get THAT mad at us!

OMG!  They're already at the Buddha Baby stage...I love it!

    :clap:   :dance1:

Thursday October 22, 2009
Our three chicks are growing up fast and beginning to move around the nest box.
 
Next Thursday is banding day.  Between 9 - 10AM Australian EDST researchers from the Victorian Peregrine Project will travel up to the nest box to retrieve the chicks for their health assessment and banding.
 
Each year we have a tradition to name the new falcon chicks.  Now that our birds have gone global, we're asking those watching over the world wide web for nominations.  If you would like to nominate a name, please email us with your nomination, whether it is suitable for a male or female and what the name means to you.




Oh no!  She's gonna do that thing where she all of a
sudden disappears!  I don't want to look...really I don't! :scaredblue:



Well, maybe one tiny peek...

     

BYF alert! :clap:  And cute alert too! :chick3:

Whatcha doin' there sis?  I don't think you're supposed to chew on that!
Amazing the difference in their faces...big girl has a beautiful mask already...tiny, not so much...



Hey Aafke!  Wings!  I love the "paintbrush" stage of their feathers!

We see you coming, Ma!  Is this how you do that?  :chick3:

Banding is changed til Nov 4th.

From Utah to Anglesea, in the name of falcons

Utah is a long way from the small coastal town of Anglesea.

But that didn't stop four falcon enthusiasts from Salt Lake City in Utah, USA, from making a detour on their recent Australian holiday to see firsthand the peregrine falcons they have long been following on the webcam....

Story here (http://www.alcoa.com/australia/en/news/releases/20091027_ANG_Utah_visitors.asp)...Sheila even came to visit!

Wow Ei, they were very lucky indeed. Good for them. So will banding be on Tues night here for Weds morning there? Time here anyone?

I love this pic!!

They didn't list the time, but I would guess it's the same as before...9-10AM...which will be Tues night 5-6pm eastern time.



Love those pantaloons!

I saved this one to comment on how cute they are when their feathers are coming in and they still have a lot of fluff-they often can't seem to hold their wings up for very long, they're so heavy.
Didn't even notice until I looked at it enlarged that #3 is in the left corner...between the brown breast and white spots, she blended right in with the box!

Thanks Ei. I'll be watching.  :clap:

 :coffee: :donut: :hatch1:

Almost banding time,it's going to start soon !That is if I'm right about the time.It's midnight 12 00 hours here in the Netherlands.I think that is 9.00 am in Alcoa.

Greetings Carla

Guess we're going to have to wait another day...

Wednesday November 4, 2009
Due to a forecast of high winds, the banding has been rescheduled until tomorrow (Thursday November 5, 2009) at 10am Australian EDST.  Hopefully the weather will be kind as this will be our last opportunity to band our three chicks.  Any longer and there will be an increased risk that the chicks may attempt flight when the researchers approach the nest box.

(http://bestsmileys.com/crying/2.gif)

Now, now...better safe than sorry...

I was watching at work...there is some serious stuff flying around in this one...


But I could have sworn by the looks on their faces that there were humans on the way...

I know I know. Just a little cry OK? Safety is important.

There will be no banding at all,you can read it on the alcoa site.There are troubles with the facilitys(traffic accident)The chicks could be banded over a week,but they can fly then and it would be to dangerous.
Greetings Carla :( :crying:

Since the travel tower is not available for another week and the banding is cancelled, they've posted to their Peregrine webcam enthusiasts...

"This leaves it up to us, webcam followers, to determine the sex of our three chicks and name them accordingly.  If both male and female chicks are present in the nest box, the size difference, with the female chicks being noticeably larger, will be the key.  Take a close look and let us know what you think."  http://www.alcoa.com/australia/en/info_page/falcon_webcam.asp

Ummm...I think it was probably a good thing the travel tower was out of action...one of them was just up on the edge!  



I'm thinking a boy and 2 girls :chick3: :chick3: :chick3:

WOW ,
They grow so fast......I almost forgot..............Scarry that ledge!  :mini-bird:
greetings Carla

Wow, where has all the white fluff gone???   :o

I see one annoying piece left on his head....ahhhh

Hi Donna,


these are still eyases no yuvies.  ;)


Greetings
Annette

Hi all,

the first eyas is out of the nestbox.  :o


Greetings
Annette

We have a ledger....thanks Annette

H/She saying " C'mon out"

2 out now

Getting braver!

YIKES!  Glad it doesn't seem to be windy up there today! :scaredblue:

Ummm...where's #3?  I think he flew and came back.

Double YIKES! Amazing how fast they move once they take that first step!  Hopefully #1 is on the catwalk!

He's back now!

Hi,

where is eyas #3? Has he fledged?  :hawk:


Greetings
Annette

Hi,

second eyas is now also no longer visible.  ???


Greetings
Annette

I always feel badly for the littlest one left behind after it's siblings have fledged.

Hope we get some official news soon on how the 2 fledglings are doing.

A quick visit from Havoc (I think...I'll never learn the difference between them)...



Alone again

The chicks have now been named. From the site:

We are proud to announce Alcoa Anglesea's three chicks for 2009: Froona, Barega and Warrun.
 
Thank you to everyone who emailed us with their expert opinions.  The general consensus was that we have one female and two male chicks, with the brothers exhibiting more developed juvenile plumage compared to their big fluffy sister. 
 
It is an honour that our female chick is named Froona.  We had an overwhelming response from members of Bird Cams Around the World to recognise Froona Veldhuis from the Netherlands, a devoted advocate for the Peregrine Falcon, who died unexpectedly in April this year.
 
Our two boys have been named Barega and Warrun.  Both names are from the Aboriginal language meaning 'the wind' and 'the sky' respectively.  It is fitting that these two brothers, indistinguishable from each other without bands, have names from similar origins.  Thank you to Linda (USA) and Ingrid (Netherlands) who suggested these names for our two boys.

Tuesday November 10, 2009
Barega and Warrun have flown the coop!  This image was taken last night just minutes before one of the boys took his first flight.  This morning, both the boys were gone leaving Froona home alone.  She doesn't look very happy about it either !

I thought so, too.

Funny, I submitted a name for Alcoa and my first choice was Barega "aboriginal" then I thought..ahh, someone else probably submitted that name, so I changed it to Aero. Oh well...all good names. Poor Froona all alone in there. Hope the boys are OK.

I almost started to wonder where Froona was...'til she popped her head up here even though her eyes are closed  :crazy:

Froona still reluctant to leave the box.

I don't think she's quite ready yet, she just turned brown..was white 2 days ago. Remember little Linn, she was so hesitant to go, she just laid there all ho hum. LOL

There's always one-LOL!

Brother comes back and Froona's Ho Hum.. :drool:

This is mine and you can't haz any.

he's still eating all her food.. :spaghetti:

Hi,

A juvie is visiting Froona.


Greetings
Annette

Hi,

both juvies are in the nestbox again.


Greetings
Annette
______________________________________________

Thanks Annette, glad their both doing well. I was worried about #2 that flew.  :heart:

Wings for Aafke! (She loves wings).

Really, Sis, it's easy!  Just stick them out and go!

Hi,

Froona was short out of the nestbox.

Greetings
Annette
__________________________________________

(http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/6683/106ln.th.jpg) (http://img24.imageshack.us/i/106ln.jpg/)

Monday November 16, 2009
Is it a bird, is it a plane......no, it's three chicks back in the nest box.   After several days on her own, Froona's brothers have been back to visit several times over the last few days.  Not content to sit around though, Barega and Warrun have been exploring the nest box perch, roof and water tower walkway on their visits home.

 :D

Hi,

all three eyases are on the roof.  :hyper:

Greetings
Annette
________________________

Good job, Froona!

Paul

 :ditto:

Froona went on a "walk about" :o

Hi,

today was two eyases in the nestbox.

Greetings
Annette
_________________

Monday November 23, 2009
After venturing out onto the perch and preparing herself for flight, Froona has finally fledged.  Which leaves our webcam looking at an empty nestbox.  Never fear, whether it's driving rain or a tempting snack, the chicks continue to return home, sometimes for picture perfect moments like this.

Hi,

I have created Sheilas family 2009.

http://www.kodakgallery.de/ShareLanding.action?c=bozg71ut.3a9fbftsx&x=0&y=-lcq242&localeid=de_DE (http://www.kodakgallery.de/ShareLanding.action?c=bozg71ut.3a9fbftsx&x=0&y=-lcq242&localeid=de_DE)

Enjoy!


Greetings
Annette

 Hi Annette,

 You made a nice album ,the eyasses are very dark colored.
 Thanks for sharing.


  :hatch1: :hatch1: :hatch1:

 Greetings Carla

Oh, my goodness!  They're all so dark.  Beautiful eyases!

Hi,

a juvie was back in the nestbox.

Greetings
Annette

Hi,

two juvies was just in the nestbox.




Now the nestbox is empty again.

Greetings
Annette

I love the way they keep returning.

Hi,

two juvies at the nestbox.

Greetings
Annette

Nobody home at the moment, but I just saw this posted...

Monday December 21, 2009
Due to popular demand we are keeping the webcam live a little longer this year so that you can enjoy the brief glimpses of Froona (http://www.alcoa.com/australia/en/images/falcon_gallery/2009_12_12_one_chick.jpg), Barega and Warrun when they return to the nest box, whether it's for a rest  (http://www.alcoa.com/australia/en/images/falcon_gallery/2009_12_11_two_chicks.jpg)or a meal (http://www.alcoa.com/australia/en/images/falcon_gallery/2009_12_18_two_chicks.jpg).
 
We hope you have enjoyed the 2009 season at the Alcoa Anglesea nest box and that you will tune in again in 2010.  Thank you for watching.

I found this short  note in another forum:


2009 Band data has been recovered for Concorde, the male fledgling from Alcoa Anglesea in 2007. Concorde has been found actively defending a nest site 31 km north of the Alcoa Anglesea site following the death of the previous resident male. More news will be available in 2010 of Concorde's first breeding attempt.

They were.  They contacted us (Kodak) in 2004 or 2005 (I can't recall which year exactly) to inquire about our camera setup and nest box design.  I like to think we're responsible for the Alcoa webcam.

New nest box...so pretty

Alcoa Anglesea Peregrine Falcon Webcam
 
Tuesday July 27, 2010
 
Welcome back!  The 2010 Peregrine falcon breeding season at Alcoa Anglesea is upon us.
 
The pink nest box is back!  Due to continuing aggression from Sheila towards our employees we have had to relocate the nest box (again!).  This time it is no longer on the water tower, rather in a stand-alone location away from our main buildings.  Both Sheila and Havoc (bands yet to be confirmed) have been present around the station for the last couple of weeks (looking for their nest box no doubt!) so hopefully they will find their new home soon.
 
Alcoa Anglesea has been home to a pair of Peregrine Falcons since 1991. This webcam is showing images from a special nest box that environmental staff at the site built and installed in 2004 on the site’s water tower. The height and aspect of this structure mimics the preferred natural nesting environment of this species.  Normally Peregrines can be found nesting on sheer cliff faces.

The most serious threats facing Peregrines in Victoria are illegal persecution and the continuing loss and disturbance of suitable nest sites. Only 3% of Peregrine nests found in Victoria are on man made structures, so Alcoa Anglesea is pleased to be able to provide a safe and secure site for this pair of Peregrine Falcons.

Alcoa has an ongoing interest and involvement with Peregrine Falcons in Victoria, with both the Anglesea and Point Henry sites working alongside the Victorian Peregrine Project (VPP) to assist
with research and conservation of the species. This work is part of the environmental management work underway at each Alcoa site to reduce our environmental footprint and promote conservation

Hey, where did that Pooh rock come from? Did they paint that too?  :clap: Hope they come back and use this new nest box. Looks easier to view. Guess time will tell.

Very interesting...a stand alone nestbox.  It reminds me of an Osprey nestsite with a box insted of sticks.  I was thinking of comments Mark Nash made when we were discussing the nestbox on the roof of the Lennox Power Plant that Quest took no interest in.  

Mark said CPF hasn't had any success in attracting peregrines to a nestbox on top of a roof.  BUT, hang the nest box down several feet from the roof (on the wall) and they (the urban produced birds) will accept it like a magnet.  Instinctually they prefer a ledge and/or a wall behind them.

I hope the Aussie peregrines don't reject the nestbox since it is so exposed.

Joyce:  That was my first thought too!  It looks similar to an osprey nest and not a PEFA nest site.  They would be wide open to predators - assuming they have some down there - and no safe place to perch and guard the kids at night.  Thought I suspect that is what that second door is for.  I will be surprised if they accept the box.

There are some news.

Wednesday August 25, 2010
 
Remember in the update on July 27, 2010 where we said 'bands yet to be confirmed'? (scroll down if you need refreshing). Well here is your first glimpse at the new female Peregrine falcon of Alcoa Anglesea.
 
This isn't breaking news to some of our followers out there. In February there were sightings of an unbanded female at the nest box. However because it was out of breeding season, we weren't able to account for the whereabouts of our resident female, Sheila.
 
It's a little sad to have lost Sheila, our adult female at Anglesea since 2003. Gosh she was aggressive but she was also a very dedicated mother.

Picture of the new female http://tinyurl.com/2uw8tbm (http://tinyurl.com/2uw8tbm)
 
Tuesday August 24, 2010
 
The new nest box for Sheila and Havoc remains vacant and any day now it would be expected that Sheila would settle down to lay her first egg. Regular patrols continue of the Power Station in case Sheila returns here but at this stage there is no evidence of a 'nest'.
 
Tuesday August 10, 2010
 
A Peregrine falcon sits upon the water tower where it's nest box once stood and unfortunately there is no evidence of Sheila or Havoc having visited their new nest box. As you can see from this picture of our Station (with a falcon on each corner!), it is 7 floors of attractive looking ledges and beams. Can our nest box compete?
 
On a positive note, Sheila and Havoc continue to spend time at the Power Station and courting
behaviour is in full swing. There will be a nest.... but where?

Havok on water tower http://tinyurl.com/2wqjcqh (http://tinyurl.com/2wqjcqh)

Both falcons at station http://tinyurl.com/3yxp5lf (http://tinyurl.com/3yxp5lf)

 :wave:  Thanks for sharing Annette!   :clap:

How sad for Sheila. Just when ya get used to something...BAM, it's gone. Guess their not liking that nest on a pole, can't blame them. Hope they find a good place to nest. Thanks Annette.

   
      
Alcoa Anglesea Peregrine Falcon Webcam
 
Monday September 6, 2010
 
This week we have received several enquiries asking for clarification on what has happened to Sheila.

With the appearance of a new female in Sheila's breeding territory it is most likely that Sheila has died.  We have not found any physical evidence of Sheila but given the appearance on a new female, it is the most likely assumption.  Peregrine falcons mate for life, it would be almost impossible for another female to breed with Havoc if Sheila was alive.  It is only if a member of the pair dies, the surviving falcon (in this case Havoc) will accept a replacement mate.

There are news again.


Wednesday September 8, 2010
The water tower continues to be the focus for courtship between Ava and Havoc,
with ledge displays, Havoc delivering food and some more intimate moments.

Afternoon delight http://www.alcoa.com/australia/en/images/falcon_gallery/2010_09_08_ava_havoc_large.jpg (http://www.alcoa.com/australia/en/images/falcon_gallery/2010_09_08_ava_havoc_large.jpg)

An update again

Monday September 13, 2010

Without the webcam it’s back to old fashioned binoculars and manual camera work (well it is a digital camera) to bring you the latest news from Ava and Havoc. One advantage is the up close and personal moments such as this encounter with Havoc on the Power Station.

Havoc on power station

I wonder if there's room on that tower, (with no nest box) for eggs. Seems that's where they want to stay. Poor falcons. She should be laying them or has-soon!

News from Alcoa again.

Wednesday September 23, 2010
The Alcoa Anglesea water tower that provided the ledge for our previous nest box has undergone a renovation. Critical safety work has been undertaken removing the deteriorating ladders and stairways from the structure – see before and after photos of the water tower.
 
Prior to the work starting, we inspected the water tower for signs of a nest or eggs.  Luckily the water tower was not the birds' chosen nest site for this year, so work could proceed unhindered.  However, our two resident falcons Havoc and Ava kept a close eye on proceedings – see photo of Ava watching the work.

Water tower before http://www.alcoa.com/australia/en/images/falcon_gallery/2010_09_water_tower_before_large.jpg (http://www.alcoa.com/australia/en/images/falcon_gallery/2010_09_water_tower_before_large.jpg)

Water tower after http://www.alcoa.com/australia/en/images/falcon_gallery/2010_09_water_tower_after_large.jpg (http://www.alcoa.com/australia/en/images/falcon_gallery/2010_09_water_tower_after_large.jpg)

Ava is watching http://www.alcoa.com/australia/en/images/falcon_gallery/2010_09_falcon_overseeing_maintenance_works.jpg (http://www.alcoa.com/australia/en/images/falcon_gallery/2010_09_falcon_overseeing_maintenance_works.jpg)

Thanks Annette for keeping us up to date.  Is there any intention to put the nestbox back on the water tower?  That seems like the place the falcons like the most.

I wonder if Sheila was so distressed about her nesting place, that she was run off when Ava was demonstrating territorial behavior.  It seems that everyone assumes death, and I am not so sure.  Look what happend to Wind when Rhea Mae took over.  2 years later she appears.  And, when Kaver did not return, was it because he and Mariah were unable to renew their bonds at their nesting place, because it was taken down?  Perhaps like Mariah, she realized it was time to move on, and is out there wandering somewhere, or even with a new mate. 

There are so many questions that we don't have the answers to.  Now we are watching a new pair in Rochester.  It will be interesting to see how they interact in the off season, and then what happens in the Spring.

A new note from the site


Tuesday September 28, 2010
What’s in a name? Here at Alcoa Anglesea our Peregrine falcons have assumed human identities with official names bestowed upon them all. Our adult male ‘Havoc’ derives from the old English word hafoc for falcon (or hawk) dating back to the middle ages of falconry. Our new adult female has been named ‘Ava’ chosen as a derivative of avis of latin origin meaning 'bird'.

Thanks for sharing Annette! :thumbsup:

There are news from Alcoa.


Wednesday October 6, 2010
After much detective work by control room operators, environmental scientists and our station chemist, the consensus is that Ava and Havoc have nested on the Power Station this year. The reason for the lack of certainty is that we are unable to view the location of their nest. The birds have chosen to make their home on our coal bunkers instead of the cosy nest box provided for them. Although we cannot see Ava sitting on a nest, evidence leading us to this conclusion includes the remains of dinner, white wash and the occasional head popping up over the beam!

Coal bunker

remains of dinner

white wash

head popping up over the beam

Sheesh, another Power thingy. These Falcons  :heart:  anything that has to do with Power! Hope all goes well with them this season. A coal burner, could be nice and toasty...hopefully not too hot for them.

It's said that starlings - why esp starlings, I do not know - sit on chimney-tops because the smoke helps to rid them of creepy-crawlies. True or false? Maybe this is what Our Kids are doing...

Oh yeah - crows do this too - e.g. rooks, jackdaws.

And sometimes they fall down the chimneys!

 :2thumbsup:  Thanks for posting this Annette!   :clap:

Oh yeah - crows do this too - e.g. rooks, jackdaws.
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And sometimes they fall down the chimneys!
[/quote]

You know, they do! I had forgotten! When we lived in Dublin, there was a scrabbling sound coming from the fireplace in the bedroom. On and on it went. And I, of course, immediately thought "rat"! But My Hero (Rod) had a look and out came a very sooty starling. Dazed but unharmed, we sent him on his way.

we have a cap on our chimney but we had a house sparrow stuck in our dryer vent once. little stinker flew around the basement for half an hour until we could get it back outside.

News from Alcoa again.

Tuesday October 12, 2010
Ava and Havoc continue to spend their time around the coal bunker. Havoc announces very loudly when he is returning to the ledge – he must be proud of his catch of the day!

Falcon at coal bunker

 :wave:  Boy that looks like a tough location to spot a falcon!  Thanks Annette. :2thumbsup:

Today I read this note.


Wednesday October 20, 2010,
Sitting ... waiting ... watching, but no activity at the coal bunker. The lip on the bunker makes it impossible to visually confirm the presence/absence of eggs however we would expect Ava to be sitting tight on the beam if there were eggs to incubate. The monitoring continues!

A new short note.


Tuesday October 26, 2010
Looking all too casual this morning, Ava sits preening on the Power Station while Havoc rests on the water tower.  Not the attentive behaviour one would expect of parents who should be egg sitting or feeding chicks.

New update from Alcoa

Tuesday November 9, 2010
There has been significantly less activity at the Power Station from Ava and Havoc.  Discussions with the Victorian Peregrine Project have continued and whilst we held some hope that there was still time for Ava to settle at a nest site this year, as the days pass it becomes more likely that Ava and Havoc will miss this breeding season.  We hope that next year our nest box will be accepted and Ava and Havoc will be a successful breeding pair.
 
This will be the last update for 2010.  However if any news comes to hand, you will hear it here first.

   
      
Alcoa Anglesea Peregrine Falcon Webcam
 
Tuesday August 8, 2011
Welcome back!  The 2011 Peregrine falcon breeding season at Alcoa Anglesea is just around the corner.
 
Havoc and Ava have been present around the station for a couple of weeks but unfortunately there is no evidence of the pair visiting the new nest box from 2010.  Regular patrols of the Power Station have commenced in case Ava finds it more appealing, however there is no evidence of a 'nest' on the structure at this stage.

Last report from Alcoa

Monday October 3, 2011
Well folks ... we have an egg! Actually, we have two!! Although, before everyone gets TOO excited, it's not all good news. As you can see from this photo, one egg sits abandoned on the ledge while Ava is sitting on another (which she kindly revealed some time later).
 
So where is this mystery nest? Ava has chosen to nest on the ledge of one of the coal bunkers of the power station. In fact, it is on the exact same ledge that we reported in this exact same week last year that Ava had selected to nest. We'll do our best to keep monitoring Ava and keep you up-to-date.

An abandoned egg
http://www.alcoa.com/australia/en/images/falcon_gallery/2011_10_03_ava_001_large.jpg (http://www.alcoa.com/australia/en/images/falcon_gallery/2011_10_03_ava_001_large.jpg)

Ava sitting on another egg
http://www.alcoa.com/australia/en/images/falcon_gallery/2011_10_03_ava_009_large.jpg (http://www.alcoa.com/australia/en/images/falcon_gallery/2011_10_03_ava_009_large.jpg)

Coal bunker
http://www.alcoa.com/australia/en/images/falcon_gallery/2011_10_03_bunker_shot_large.jpg (http://www.alcoa.com/australia/en/images/falcon_gallery/2011_10_03_bunker_shot_large.jpg)

Guess they did not like the new nest. Hope this one hatches. Thanks Annette.

Tuesday October 4, 2011
Monitoring Ava at the ledge on the coal bunker is a little tricky.  Hiding behind the edge of the U beam, it's difficult to get a good vantage point.  So imagine I'm on my hands and knees peering through a 50mm (2") diameter hole in the concrete floor of the coal conveyor building above.  Now you'd think I'd be fairly inconspicuous.   Apparently not!  As you can see, I might be watching Ava but Ava is certainly watching me!

Wednesday October 5, 2011
The egg is out of sight today.  Ava may have moved further along the bunker ledge out of the range of my peep hole or it may have rolled to a similar fate to egg number one.  As the female Peregrine Falcon usually lays one egg every 48 hours, there should have been a second egg today.

 :surprise: Wow that's one hell of a way to falcon watch!  :foxbinocs:

Wednesday October 12, 2011
This egg certainly gets around!  Today it is further along the ledge at the very edge of the frame I can photograph.  Of some concern is more often than not, the eggs appear to be unattended and/or uncovered when I drop by. 

 
 
Tuesday October 11, 2011
The egg is back in view today.  Over the last few days, Ava had the egg tucked in the corner behind the vertical beam hiding it from our vantage point.  Havoc visited the ledge today and looked like he might take a turn incubating.  But he wasn't there for long before taking flight.


Havoc
Havoc leaving

   
      
Alcoa Anglesea Peregrine Falcon Webcam
 
Wednesday October 19, 2011
The second egg has been out of sight since Thursday last week and the ledge noticeably absent of Ava.  Havoc is missing from his usual vantage point.  All indications are that the nest attempt has failed.  :(

I read this wonderful news in another forum:


We are currently having sporadic visits from the falcons, but they haven’t settled into a permanent nest site this year yet.

Yes, we have relocated the nest box this year as well. As you may remember, the box was relocated to a new spot near our ash ponds, but the birds chose not to use the box in that location. This year we have moved the nest box back to the power station, and it is in a location close to the bird’s nesting spot in 2011. So we are currently keeping a keen eye on the box to check for signs of activity, but there is nothing to report as yet.

Until we know if the birds will use the nest box in its new location, we won’t be connecting up the web cam. We plan to post regular updates on our website once we have something to report!

Cool Annette, would be nice to watch them this Winter!

That would be great if they did decide to nest there!

Glad they realized their other \location was just not a sound location, and put it back at Power station. I would think they would nest there as they laid eggs there last year on smooth surface.

Alcoa Anglesea Peregrine Falcon Webcam 2012
Monday 3 September, 2012
I spy with my little eye something beginning with…..n!  Yes, that is right; after many patrols of the power station structure we have finally found Ava and Havoc’s nest this season complete with three eggs!  However we aren’t counting our peregrine chicks before they hatch, particularly as the pair’s previous nests on the power station structure haven’t provided successful outcomes.
 
This year the pair has chosen a different area of the power station structure to nest on than previous years. Ava has chosen to nest on a ledge just under the seventh floor of the power station.  This location is much more accessible than last year, so we will be able to keep an eye on the progress of the nest and provide regular updates.
 
The power station’s Environmental Scientist Lisa Mills has been keeping a close eye on the pair and recently snapped Havoc providing for his mate. His right claw contains something fluffy, grey and squawking which he passed over to Ava.  He then proceeded to intimidate Lisa out of the immediate area!
Stay tuned...





GOOD NEWS, so far!  :clap:

http://www.alcoa.com/australia/en/info_page/falcom_webcam_archive_2012.asp (http://www.alcoa.com/australia/en/info_page/falcom_webcam_archive_2012.asp)

The found a proper scrape...excellent!

Love the open beak pic!  :thumbsup:

Alcoa Anglesea Peregrine Falcon Webcam 2012
 
Friday 2 November, 2012
We have been monitoring the falcon’s nest every few days and after a 33 day incubation period we expected the three eggs to have hatched by now.  Therefore, unfortunately all indications are that Ava and Havoc’s nest attempt has failed this year.   :(

GREAT news!


Monday 27 October, 2014
Welcome back! We are pleased to report that the 2014 Peregrine falcon breeding season at Alcoa Anglesea is well underway.
 
Ava has once again elected to return to the coal bunker ledge, her preferred nesting location since 2010. We have been keeping an eye on the bunker ledge however Ava had managed to position herself out of view.  That is until now ....
 
Finally today we find Ava feeding two bundles of white fluff tucked in against the vertical u-beam. Yey! Fingers crossed for these two little guys.

http://www.alcoa.com/australia/en/images/falcon_gallery/2014_10_27_coal_bunker_nest_001_large.jpg (http://www.alcoa.com/australia/en/images/falcon_gallery/2014_10_27_coal_bunker_nest_001_large.jpg)

Yay!  Two more Aussie falcons!  Thanks for posting, Annette.   :clap: :clap:

This is great, miss them little ones!! Thanks!!!!

 :2thumbsup: :hatch1: :hatch1:

Monday 24 November, 2014
At this age the solid white coat of down the chicks have been sporting since hatching has clearly been replaced with juvenile plumage.  They are growing up so fast! 
 
Tuesday 11 November, 2014
Here at Alcoa Anglesea our Peregrine falcons have assumed human identities with official names bestowed upon them all. Our adult female ‘Ava’ is a derivative of avis of latin origin meaning 'bird'. Our new adult male has been named ‘Pozières’.
 
Today is Remembrance Day and this year is the 100th anniversary of the beginning of World War I.  The choice for this name is in honour of a battle in which the Australian Imperial Force played a role. Please note that we chose a name that we thought was suitable as a male name NOT because this battle was seen as more important than others.
 
Pozières – for the Battle of Pozières - 23 July – 7 August 2016
The Battle of Pozières was a two-week struggle for the French village of Pozières and the ridge on which it stands, during the middle stages of the 1916 Battle of the Somme. Though British divisions were involved in most phases of the fighting, Pozières is primarily remembered as an Australian battle. The fighting ended with the Allied forces in possession of the plateau north and east of the village, in a position to menace the German bastion of Thiepval from the rear. The cost had been enormous for both sides and in the words of Australian official historian Charles Bean, the Pozières ridge "is more densely sown with Australian sacrifice than any other place on earth."  The Australian flag flies over Pozières in recognition of the sacrifice of the ANZACs in the Battle of Pozières.
 
Monday 10 November, 2014
Our two chicks are growing up fast and beginning to move around the bunker ledge. More often than not, they are no longer visible from the peep hole on the 6th floor above. However, today these cuties were clearly visible as they peeked over the bunker edge from the 4th floor below!
 
Monday 03 November, 2014
Today it was confirmed that we have a new male Peregrine Falcon at Alcoa Anglesea.
 
Our last confirmed sighting of Havoc was in 2012.  In 2013 the male was elusive and we were unable to confirm his identity.  This ‘elusive’ behaviour raised the suspicion that we had a new young male at our site.  Havoc will be missed from his roosting spot on the water tower and 7th floor beam where he would spend his days watching over Sheila, and most recently Ava.  Havoc was born and banded at Point Addis in 2003.
 
Awe, Havoc

Monday 01 December, 2014
One of our chicks has taken flight whilst the second sits tentatively on the edge of the bunker.  Fledging, leaving the nest, is a part of the life cycle of the juvenile Peregrine falcon and usually occurs around day 40 which is spot on for when our bundles of white fluff were sighted.  While they are in the early stages of learning to fly, employees around the power station keep a special eye out for the juveniles that may come to ground or rest on structures around the station as they recover for the next burst of flight.  :2thumbsup:

 :clap:

Yay!   :2thumbsup:

I was searching for my link to the Orange NSW Falconcam Project and ran across the Alcoa link. Sad to say this is the message posted in August:

Alcoa Anglesea Peregrine Falcon Webcam-2015 Archive
 
Monday August 31, 2015
Alcoa of Australia permanently closed the Anglesea coal mine and power station on August 31, 2015.
 
We hope you have enjoyed the images and news of our Peregrine falcon pair at Alcoa Anglesea as much as we have enjoyed bringing them to you.  If you have any enquiries regarding the falcons at Anglesea, please contact us.

Hopefully the falcons will continue to be successful. I will miss news from this site where we first met the pink nestbox modeled after M&Ks box.

Well, that's a bummer!   :thumbsdown:

That's sad news..bummer.