Rfalconcam Forum

Other Nature Related Information => Falcon Web Cams => Topic started by: Annette on 04-Oct-11, 07:31:18 AM



Title: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 04-Oct-11, 07:31:18 AM
Since September is a new peregrine cam online.

http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/ (http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/)

The female brooded on three eggs. Now hatched two little ones.  :hatch1:  :hatch1:

Nest cam
http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/index.php/nest-camera (http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/index.php/nest-camera)

Ledge cam
http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/index.php/ledge-camera (http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/index.php/ledge-camera)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Bobbie Ireland on 04-Oct-11, 07:34:21 AM
Neat, Annette!

 :clap:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 04-Oct-11, 07:35:07 AM
Since September is a new peregrine cam online.

http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/ (http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/)

The female brooded on three eggs. Now hatched two little ones.  :hatch1:  :hatch1:

Nest cam
http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/index.php/nest-camera (http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/index.php/nest-camera)

Ledge cam
http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/index.php/ledge-camera (http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/index.php/ledge-camera)


Aussome!!! Thanks


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 04-Oct-11, 07:40:52 AM
Just now. Didn't get a peek at the 2 eyases


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 04-Oct-11, 09:38:24 PM
Congratulations to our tolerant parents, Swift and Beau – the first little head popped up in the tiny hours of this morning’s darkness. As has been pointed out it’s so small but it’s very new. There is now also a second little head under Swift as well; third still unconfirmed. True to form our recording software and streaming has decided to fall over in random ways this morning, but we’re on to it and will continue to make sure we can provide as much live coverage as possible. Bear with us! When we’ve edited some clips a little shorter they’ll be made available via this website ASAP.
But for now the good news is that new life has appeared up in the eyrie and we’ll be keeping close tabs from now on. Enjoy the new life!
Website hits have skyrocketed so we apologise if you’re having trouble getting on, or the camera pages play up. They active streams are being monitored all day and we’re developing more stable versions to be implemented very shortly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3iICpGg-dw# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3iICpGg-dw#) Here's Beau taking his turn on the eggs.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: margaret on 04-Oct-11, 10:24:45 PM
Congratulations to our tolerant parents, Swift and Beau – the first little head popped up in the tiny hours of this morning’s darkness. As has been pointed out it’s so small but it’s very new. There is now also a second little head under Swift as well; third still unconfirmed. True to form our recording software and streaming has decided to fall over in random ways this morning, but we’re on to it and will continue to make sure we can provide as much live coverage as possible. Bear with us! When we’ve edited some clips a little shorter they’ll be made available via this website ASAP.
But for now the good news is that new life has appeared up in the eyrie and we’ll be keeping close tabs from now on. Enjoy the new life!
Website hits have skyrocketed so we apologise if you’re having trouble getting on, or the camera pages play up. They active streams are being monitored all day and we’re developing more stable versions to be implemented very shortly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3iICpGg-dw# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3iICpGg-dw#) Here's Beau taking his turn on the eggs.

This is so lovely to see.  Thank you, Donna, for posting.  I love watching how they so delicately step around the eggs.   It will be fun to watch the cam "down under"  to get our fix up "here".  


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 05-Oct-11, 06:54:31 AM



Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 05-Oct-11, 10:17:26 AM
Finally that third egg has hatched.



Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 05-Oct-11, 01:06:31 PM



It's a beautiful thing!  ;D


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 05-Oct-11, 09:28:41 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4npuEpM39BE# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4npuEpM39BE#) Beau bringing in prey, (not for the squeamish, like me!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLBvsCxUTnI# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLBvsCxUTnI#) Beau has a look at his new 2 from yesterday


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Dumpsterkitty on 08-Oct-11, 07:59:18 PM


Awwww!  :wub:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 09-Oct-11, 09:44:41 AM
Before last(?) feeding of the day.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 09-Oct-11, 04:03:10 PM
Breakfast arrives. Right front, the male.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Dumpsterkitty on 11-Oct-11, 12:57:48 PM
Meet the peregrine falcon family (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovNr7FV3Nl8#)

They get so big so fast!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 11-Oct-11, 09:26:57 PM
BABIES!!!!!  ;D


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 12-Oct-11, 03:16:00 PM
Peregrines in the tv
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDd630E1nk8#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDd630E1nk8#ws)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: carla on 12-Oct-11, 04:23:08 PM
Thanks Annette,great video.
They are so cute......................


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 13-Oct-11, 01:04:59 AM
The Project’s media month – the making of three little stars

On top of yesterday’s WIN TV coverage the FalconCam Project media road-train headed in to the ABC Central West studio early this morning for a live interview with Angela Owens. Dubbed affectionately by Angela as “the ultimate procrastination website” it’s brought Swift, Beau and the bobble-heads to an even wider audience.

Thanks heaps to Angela, Miles and the ABC for your fantastic enthusiasm and a chance to speak to the local region – you may well be bugged for another interview before the chicks leave the eyrie in about 30-32 days time!!

Everyone should be listening to the ABC in the mornings and reading the ABC Facebook & Twitter pages!

ABC Central West studio
http://www.abc.net.au/centralwest/ (http://www.abc.net.au/centralwest/)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 14-Oct-11, 01:25:53 AM
TV time for the peregrines tonight

Kristy and Sam from Prime TV visited us this afternoon and were shown over the Project’s set-up and some good vision of Swift, Beau and the littl’uns upstairs. With some interesting statistics and a little humour we appeared on Prime News tonight… Thanks once more to the Prime crew for great coverage and support in helping us to bring the Project to the wider regional community.

Noticed today was the ever-decreasing lack of room under Swift as she tries to keep her charges warm. It seems the eyases have doubled in size in such a short time of 7-9 days, but that could just be a “step-grandparent” observation here! Little chance for Beau to be able to keep them warm so let’s hope this Spring weather keeps on improving.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4o96J0nME0#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4o96J0nME0#ws)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 14-Oct-11, 03:11:02 PM
A little eyas interaction

A quieter day up the Concrete Hilton and in the media today, but there are always 8 & 10-day old eyases to watch. Swift spent more time today on the ledge taking a breather, in longer shifts. She’s struggling to get even one chick underneath her now, let alone all three, so protects them from any chilly breeze but otherwise just stays close by. Feedings were fewer today although by the size of their crops they’re not short on sustenance. Beau has taken to resting on top of the tower or around on the microwave dish arm after a successful ‘meals on wheels’ (wings?) trip before flying off to survey his domain again; we’re not sure yet if Swift realises he’s bludging just around the corner as he stays well out of sight!

Feed me, and me, and me


The big yawn


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 14-Oct-11, 03:27:09 PM
Love the yawn!  Thanks for posting, Annette!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 14-Oct-11, 03:49:07 PM
These guys are too cute! Thanks for sharing!  ;D


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 16-Oct-11, 03:35:40 PM
A little wing action


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 16-Oct-11, 04:56:08 PM
Cute!  ;D


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 16-Oct-11, 05:56:08 PM
A little wing action


Wings!    :wub:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 16-Oct-11, 08:12:19 PM
 ;D


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: margaret on 16-Oct-11, 10:30:45 PM
A little wing action


Wings!    :wub:
\\

Nothing like a little wing action down under!   :wub:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 17-Oct-11, 06:47:13 AM
Lunchtime for the three eyases

After a couple of feedings early on this morning it was a long break for Beau who seemed to have disappeared, but he came in with lunch and all the bobble-heads are happy again. They’re growing so quickly now and have just begun to venture away from the scrape, although they’re quick to return to each other. At just under 2 weeks old they’re developing fast and with good care from Beau and Swift we have lots of fun still in front of us.

Swift returns with lunch


Feeding time videohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHHGW-Dgjng# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHHGW-Dgjng#)

Another from yesterday (audio)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ne48qFQ4WgA# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ne48qFQ4WgA#)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 18-Oct-11, 03:28:58 PM
More wing action


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 18-Oct-11, 04:50:47 PM
More wing action


They grow so fast!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 19-Oct-11, 11:51:43 AM
Furry frolicking

Swift is gradually becoming happier taking longer breaks from the scrape and indeed she has taken a few trips out to obtain food of her own accord. Beau seems to be keeping up appearances early in the morning but can also be away for hours at a time during the day and the three furballs can become agitated. At this stage we can see that two of the eyases are noticeably larger than the third but all are getting to that stage where those disproportionately large feet are becoming a fascination (& quite hilarious to watch!). Indeed the larger of the three is exploring a short distance further each day. You’ll also notice the first wing feathers are beginning to appear and their awareness of their surroundings is improving daily too.

Furry frolicking starring the three eyases
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUK_rjaCpd0# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUK_rjaCpd0#)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Dumpsterkitty on 19-Oct-11, 01:43:04 PM
Oh they are just too cute!  I'm so glad there's an Aussie cam this year!  :baby:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 20-Oct-11, 07:15:38 AM
Explorer’s day

After an initial ‘step-grandparent-style’ scary moment this morning we went back over the archives and realised that there’s no need to panic by only seeing one or two eyases on screen, with either parent in attendance. It seems there may have been a domestic, or someone’s messed the scrape, because all three littlies went on big new adventures this morning and two seem to have decided to go rest at the other end of the eyrie, which of course would have to be the corner that we have no visual coverage. Three ample meals so far this morning so no-one’s going hungry, but Swift & Beau are in a quandary now as to which end of the box they go to and whether they need to mediate any disagreements, or bring a cleaning cloth in!

Beau looking perplexed


A 5-minute video clip of Swift and the kids going for a walk …  Apologies for the video quality; it’s a temporary fix for what will soon become HD picture when the new camera is fitted soon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuvhdBX_Oa8# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuvhdBX_Oa8#)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 21-Oct-11, 04:46:21 AM
The pile of fluff

As the 3 eyases head towards their 19th & 17th days respectively they’re spending much more time shuffling around the eyrie, inspecting the odd loose feather and visiting each other, and of course there’s always lots of time for sleeping after big feeds. Swift seems to be content in keeping a vigil on the ledge, and not long ago Beau treated us to another of his high-flying displays above campus, gaining height in the warm day’s thermals. With a little cloud cover today it’s bringing out the true peregrine (sp macropus) colours in camera shots and video clips.

Two video clips of Swift and two of the three eyases shuffling and busying themselves.

Inquisitive eyas


Exhausted fluffies


Feeding time


First clip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afUmkwCMdI8# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afUmkwCMdI8#)

Second clip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZ9LsZK3Wqk# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZ9LsZK3Wqk#)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 21-Oct-11, 11:38:37 AM
A close-up feeding experience

In a maintenance climb of the Concrete Hilton this evening the opportunity was taken to film Swift feeding her three wobblies (they’ve gone past being bobblies!) with the handheld camera. The ledge camera was slightly adjusted and nest camera checked but the main reason for the maintenance climb was to shift the audio module up much closer to the eyrie itself. Mission accomplished and it will take a few days to adjust the correct volume, now that it’s just on the other side of the wall instead of hanging 2 metres below the action. Wiring was cleaned up and structural fittings were checked for health. And all done with the perfect timing of the din of rumbling sound as the tower refilled with water. With the combination of the noise, along with Swift’s concentration in feeding three urgent mouths, the moment worked out well.

To give you an idea of size and height, which is quite deceiving in these pictures, the three eyases are already standing tall at about 240-250mm (9-10 inches). That horizontal line across the middle of the back wall (see nest camera images) is about 200mm (8 inches) high and is the bottom of the opening end hatch. All three juniors are taller than that line when stretching for attention or food. You’ll also notice the first signs of wing and tail feathers. Our favourite little bobble-heads are growing up too fast!

The full colour video clip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GztTRT3gdi0# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GztTRT3gdi0#)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 24-Oct-11, 06:28:21 AM
Three hungry mouths

With tummies growing and bodies increasing in strength the three eyases are now able to walk around on their feet and have made the most of the space provided with this larger box. Often there’ll be a single face on screen while the other two hide behind the camera window. Rest assured at feeding time all three appear and all are in fine health. At different times over the weekend and today Swift has spent longer away from home and indeed Beau has partaken of the odd feeding time himself but already he’s being dwarfed by his three charges, which opens up the betting lines that we may possibly have three female eyases this time? Time will tell, early days still. There’s also a little interest in the outside world now, with the odd curious face getting closer to the ledge.

Patiently waiting


Reclining buddha


Troublesome threesome


A couple more video clips from today can now be viewed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zyl5YQYkuJQ# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zyl5YQYkuJQ#)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLLMptm9FF4# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLLMptm9FF4#)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iiXgsAreoI# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iiXgsAreoI#)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 28-Oct-11, 02:21:22 PM
Ponderings with three eyases

It’s been a relatively normal past few days up the Concrete Hilton, with regular feedings, regular attacks on random feathers and wayward big feet, and a more than often absent Swift. She’s been seen enjoying her own “space” around on the microwave dish arm on the side of the tower, and often when she’s cutting up lunch the three chicks take their time before they’re even interested, indicating that food supply is ample at the moment, but also that sleep is favourable!

Here are a couple of video clips taken over the last 2-3 days. Firstly it’s lunchtime, then we watch all three eyases busying thsemvels, and lastly a little post-lunch action. Although we don’t see too much of Beau for too often he’s not entirely off the hook either. Swift often calls for him from atop the tower until he brings food home but then Swift takes over and Beau will leave once more. The eyases are now 24 and 22 days old and are well on their way to the changes that happen as a teenager with feathers appearing everywhere at the moment. They’re standing around 220-240mm (9-10 inches), when they want to. They’ve taken to sleeping just below the nest camera and so quite often the better views are now via the ledge camera; don’t be alarmed if you can’t see any bodies in there!

http://youtu.be/1C2VI-9wEXA (http://youtu.be/1C2VI-9wEXA)

http://youtu.be/Zc9I9kbWY8g (http://youtu.be/Zc9I9kbWY8g)

http://youtu.be/GRFAZcq6giA (http://youtu.be/GRFAZcq6giA)


Post-lunch hyperactivity

After a good feed the three eyases have had another of their high-speed hyperactive moments, with all three chicks showing renewed energy & gusto, making full use of their adequately proportioned facilities. No feather is safe, nor speck of unsoiled gravel left motionless. The moment lasted but 5 minutes but is indicative of what can happen when you feed red cordial to children; maybe fresh starling has a similar effect on peregrines? They’ve all gone to sleep under the nest camera again, but not before some amusing moments.

A couple of bonus video clips here from this afternoon – some close-quarter feeding (almost makes you want to join in, but commonsense, health & wellbeing elect otherwise) and a little youthful peregrine mob activity (we’ve been spotted!)...

http://youtu.be/XtldsS7ro48 (http://youtu.be/XtldsS7ro48)

http://youtu.be/JniFqiDyG4w (http://youtu.be/JniFqiDyG4w)

http://youtu.be/QEd2kna4yvo (http://youtu.be/QEd2kna4yvo)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 31-Oct-11, 08:37:44 AM
Eyases being eyases

After a quiet weekend where the three eyases did eyas things up the Concrete Hilton there was a little more activity this afternoon after a brief visit by Swift. All three have been huddled together in their ever-changing attire, with an abundance of feathers appearing and an occasional desire to test their wings. Swift is shying off her attendant duties as it looks like three similarly sized chicks are becoming a little scary in their confined space. She spends most of her time on top of the tower now and only appears when food is present. Only approximately two more weeks left before we re-train our attention to the trees outside.



A triple play of video clips of our boisterous & amusing 27/25 day old eyases

http://youtu.be/hfBRxealv-c (http://youtu.be/hfBRxealv-c)

http://youtu.be/xKqJAeNuin4 (http://youtu.be/xKqJAeNuin4)

http://youtu.be/wa2uQ2t8bpw (http://youtu.be/wa2uQ2t8bpw)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 31-Oct-11, 10:45:46 PM
Great videos, Annette!  Thanks for posting!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 01-Nov-11, 12:07:21 PM
Capable and competitive

Today has been an unusual day for food supply – 3 feeds before 8.30am and then a few hours before either adult returned with anything else. Consequently all three eyases have spent the day flexing wings and legs, chasing bones, pulverising feathers, dashing to each end of the eyrie and making the most of any adult attention they can grab. Late in the afternoon more food arrived but rather than chance her luck in carving it up Swift left the eyases to it and they’re busy attacking it! Not so much competitive with each other as just making sure they get their fair share. There’s a growing opinion that one of the eyases is indeed slightly smaller and more timid than the other two, and seems to be a day or so behind in feathers and development – females and  a male?

It’s also been interesting analysing last year’s footage to see at what stage single child Solo was at this same age (hatched 6th October, as did the 3rd chick this season). It appears having siblings around keeps the learning curve steep and the hunger keen.

Waiting with hungry tummies
(http://i43.tinypic.com/1kd9j.jpg)

Videos for today (first video with audio)
Swift and the three eyases (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hQ7zxpVfbc#)

Peregrine eyases in a flap (5 mins) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0XuiPjuCMs#)


And the names are…

Thanks to Heather Robinson, Head of Orange campus, for her wise decision-making – we now have names for these three youngsters:-

Narrambla – now a suburb of Orange but as importantly it is the name of the property just outside Orange where famous Australian bush poet, Andrew “Banjo” Paterson, was born in 1864.

Ophir – local regional name; site of the first payable gold strike in Australia in 1851, and only 40 minutes drive from Orange. Discovered by Edward Hargraves, John Lister and the Tom brothers, William and James. The gold town no longer exists.

Byng – local regional name; village near Orange settled by William Tom & family in 1830; a microcosm of European history in the Central Tablelands. Most probably will be given to the smaller of the three eyases (possibly a male).

Thanks very much to everyone who was able to add to the suggestions list. Next year we’ll open it up to all-comers!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 04-Nov-11, 02:36:07 AM
Close encounters of the bird kind

With time on their hands (feet?) and an ever-increasing physical capability Narrambla, Ophir and Byng tend to over-exaggerate and end up pulling some fancy dance and head moves in their spare moments. All three are healthy and well on their way towards fledging. Feedings have been very irregular over the past 2-3 days with generally a couple at sun-up and then the occasional bite during the day. As the weather becomes warmer it’s less likely that prey will be on the wing in the middle of the day.

Moments ago, in an apparent act of frustration, Swift, who had spent a time on top of the tower, chirped out some unusual notes and then turned around and flew off south-east in the direction of the nearby Orange tip where starlings thrive. Time will tell if she’s been successful.

This morning we were lucky enough to be perused back by a couple of the eyases, intrigued by the small, dark gaps around the nest camera (now without the perspex window to aid night time vision). Amusing 5-minute video clips of Byng, and then Byng and Ophir, with Narrambla (the larger of the three) staring on with nonchalant curiosity.

Byng
http://youtu.be/GBQrqT0QNAs (http://youtu.be/GBQrqT0QNAs)

Byng and Ophir
http://youtu.be/gp4Ht1LXgJk (http://youtu.be/gp4Ht1LXgJk)

Everchanging eyases


Fancy dance moves


Curious bird


Camera update – the initial testing with our first new HD camera is proving highly successful, giving fantastic image quality, audio and versatility. Our technical advisor, Basil at Lan1, and supplier, Shane at IP Video Solutions, can be thanked for their great support, long-term patience, and enthusiasm for this project. More pats on the back and endorsements for them both soon…


A little of the tower’s commanding view

Just trolling through some archival photos and discovered this photo. It gives you an idea of the usefulness of the water tower, aka Concrete Hilton, for this peregrines family.  It’s 50 metres up and on a hillock, totally secure from predators and vermin, sheltered from most of the elements and direct sun, a relatively even underfloor winter temperature due to the vast volume of water in storage, and as you can see it commands the ideal view over the hunting domain. This is looking south, with Orange city to the front and right hand side, CSU’s own farm in the foreground and to the extreme left is the Orange tip where ‘Dinner A La Starling’ inevitably comes from! Not the sort of window to be hanging out of to clean glass etc but perfect for this family of falcons to take up residence in.



Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 04-Nov-11, 10:22:02 AM
 :thanx: ;D


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Joyce on 04-Nov-11, 10:09:36 PM
Don't we all just love seeing the eyases grow.  I can't believe the sound of the falcons in that box. Thank you Annette for sharing the cam shots and videos.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: margaret on 05-Nov-11, 10:40:54 PM
Don't we all just love seeing the eyases grow.  I can't believe the sound of the falcons in that box. Thank you Annette for sharing the cam shots and videos.

I agree!   thank you, Annette, for giving us a close up of some eyases!  We need it here!    I


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 07-Nov-11, 02:20:43 AM
Pre-flight preparations

Every day we look in to the world of these peregrines and they’re growing up ever so fast now. With only about a week left before fledging they’re building up wing strength and take-off speed, running up and down the roost gaining height with every pass. Fortunately they all seem to be aware that changing the direction of the intended flight path to include the ledge isn’t such a clever thing and generally they stay away from that north-south runway at the moment.

Waiting for dinner


Welcome feeding time


Intimidating chicks


Runway 2 clear

This week, Wednesday afternoon, we’re giving a presentation here at Orange campus to the Nguluway indigenous staff conference – thanks heaps to Catherine Maxwell for inviting us to speak and for allowing us to show off our favourite feathered family. Lots to cram in to a relatively short period of time but I’m sure most attendees will have a better understanding of these amazing birds and their relevance to the local biodiversity (let alone importance worldwide).

Also keep an eye out for news about next week’s all-morning BBQ breakfast courtesy of our colleagues at the Nature Conservation Trust, starring Beau, Swift and the three ever-growing truants! All-comers welcome to join us down at the NCT cottage opposite the main CSU gate. With some luck the fledglings won’t do what Solo did last year and take off for 5 days before returning! It’s the same day our friends at 30 Squadron Beaufighter Association are coming to see us too; a busy week ahead for all.


Someone will end up in tears

With Swift on the ledge the three ever-boisterous eyases have had their “mad minute” this afternoon, attempting high-speed sprints, aerial manoeuvres and the odd suicidal dive towards the ledge. At one point one of them would’ve gone straight out if it weren’t for Swift’s rapid intervention. It seems this is how the world average fledging remains at a low 1.5 count; might be time for us to put out some catch nets!! The nest camera is no longer out of pecking range and a short time later it came under intense physical scrutiny but it held up well and won’t need readjustment this time. The smaller Byng seems to prefer to keep out of these moments, but even he has shown some zing at times too. We’ll be watching these closely from now on, with backpack and towel ready.

Getting air time


Byng (l) and sisters (r,r)


Video clip of these three funny clowns
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVFtuHIMXgY# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVFtuHIMXgY#)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 07-Nov-11, 05:33:19 AM
Thanks Annette, they are so cute and funny at this stage. Thank goodness mom is on the ball and saved that young one from falling out! I know we are always on edge when they do this! Good idea...a safety net!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 07-Nov-11, 06:47:54 AM
 :wave:  My, my aren't they busy these days! I love how they seem to be doing a drunken soldier dance while they're flapping their wings. Funny! Thanks for sharing Annette!  :clap:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 08-Nov-11, 07:31:54 AM
A peregrine tug ‘o war

As a nasty thunderstorm rolls in across Orange three nervous 35/33-day old eyases stand guard at the ledge watching the water stuff fall from the dark sky. When all seems lost for another feed before it sets in Swift arrived with sustenance. With hunger over-ruling manners the tug o’ war began and all four birds wound up in a fierce but not at all aggressive battle for food; amusing at the same time, but it’s all
in seriousness.

The tug o’ war video clip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88xiu_iBOZA# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88xiu_iBOZA#)

Three feathery sentinels


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 08-Nov-11, 07:38:32 AM
Great video, that one big girl reminded me of Callidora! "Gimme that!"


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 08-Nov-11, 08:00:40 AM
Great video, that one big girl reminded me of Callidora! "Gimme that!"

I agree Donna! Those parents have their hands full don't they? ;D


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 09-Nov-11, 02:07:04 PM
Swift is bringing food

Big wings


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 10-Nov-11, 06:06:01 AM
It’s a personal space thing

With only a couple of days left before fledging is attempted by all three eyases we’re preparing the catcher’s mitt in case of accidents. All three are now growing in confidence to hang their heads over the ledge and indeed one this morning was sitting on the ledge, facing inwards. Frustration through lack of real movement is growing, but this larger eyrie is proving itself more valuable than gold as it’s giving them some space to run, jump, fly and generally annoy each other with the occasional wing in the eye, as well as their own dark corners when they want privacy.

A personal space thing


As you can see from the above sometimes close company becomes a little overbearing and they all need their own space for a short while. At the same time they’re still all quite happy to sidle up to each other when snoozing. We’re not sure if someone has said something the others didn’t agree with here but they’ll remain good friends!

Incidentally the presentation that Cilla and I gave at the Nguluway indigenous staff conference here at Orange campus yesterday afternoon went down very well, with good interest shown and some worthy questions. We thought we may have to burst a few balloons to keep everyone awake but they weren’t needed! We all then went outside for a look up at the tower ledge window from the  grass beneath and were treated to a nervous calling display from Swift up on her feeding branch in the trees.  Great bunch of people and thanks once more to Catherine for inviting us along to spread the birdie wordie! it’s been suggested that we may upload the pdf slide presentation to the website once it’s polished up. Stay tuned.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 11-Nov-11, 08:09:21 AM
Peregrine chicks, all three

More video clips here of the 37/35 day old eyases (almost allowed to be called ‘falcons’ and ‘tiercel’). Narrambla, Ophir and Byng  are restless and are either snoozing against each other or causing havoc with high-speed runway testing and climbing the bleachers at the end of the box. The odd head-plant in to the wall doesn’t help but no harm done, it seems. They are the most efficient leaf/feather blowers we’ve seen too; not long ago the eyrie was padded with a layer of feathers but at the moment the gravel is shining through again. With only 4-6 days left (due out at 40-42 days) the catcher’s mitt is all shined up and it will be a tense weekend on the cameras making sure our charges are safe and not taking any risks. We’re not sure the staff in the office wing below the tower and near the trees will appreciate the peregrine din in the surrounding trees for the next 3-4 months though – apologies to them!

http://youtu.be/tr8Fed0L64s (http://youtu.be/tr8Fed0L64s)

http://youtu.be/2UshpNfmk6w (http://youtu.be/2UshpNfmk6w)

Inaccessible lunch


Ready to leave


Pensive peregrine



A little peregrine chick love

In a late breaking video clip we get up close and personal with one of the female eyases. Obviously bored out of her mind she and her sister take to annoying the camera, while Byng sits patiently over by the ledge not having any part in their larrikinism. Very funny and a little close for comfort!

http://youtu.be/kuFFuEcu6tY (http://youtu.be/kuFFuEcu6tY)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 11-Nov-11, 02:47:38 PM
Flapping with prey


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: carla on 11-Nov-11, 06:00:42 PM
Thanks Annette,for posting these great video's.
I love them,they are so funny!

Greetings Carla


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 11-Nov-11, 08:41:20 PM
 :clap: Thanks Annette! These are wonderful videos!  ;D


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 14-Nov-11, 04:44:51 AM
First female eyas fledges

Apologies for the delay in posting news – indeed, not minutes after I checked the cameras yesterday, the first female  fledged. There was little or no fanfare, both females stretched wings then settled back on to the ledge and then some secret mysterious evolutionary desire told 40-day old Narrambla to go. She flexed her wings, stumbled down the ledge and then at the point of no return opened up and glided down out of sight like an aircraft off an ocean-going carrier. Fortunately she reappeared in the background flying down over the trees before being lost to sight.

I’ve been out this morning searching for her but so far to no avail. The other little faces are staring down, watching activities, but haven’t been keen to go yet. A passive Swift is up in one of the remaining pine trees being unusually quiet but no sign of Narrambla. Let’s hope she’s not done what Solo did to us last year and bolted for a few days!

Apologies to those who are having continual problems in receiving the ledge camera stream. We’ve tested both feeds in a number of web browsers and seem to get the ledge feed (specifically) going most of the time. Internally we’ve had issues with the feed but by the time it reaches the web page it seems to have evened itself out. The initial suggestion would be to try in a different web browser (IE seems to be down the list of successful ones!). Rest assured as soon as we can upgrade the streaming capability this problem will be a thing of the past!!

Spotted!


An anxious Swift


And then there were two


video – 10mins
http://youtu.be/sQ0P6zZUppw (http://youtu.be/sQ0P6zZUppw)


BBQ Breakfast, Thursday 17th Nov

Just to let our local viewers and supporters know, this coming Thursday our wonderful tireless supporters at Nature Conservation Trust are throwing a BBQ Breakfast at their cottage opposite the main gate at CSU Orange campus in Leeds Parade from 8am until noon (-ish). Anyone and everyone who can make it along will be treated to a sumptuous breakfast for a very modest $5. All profits and any extra donations go towards FalconCam project’s objectives to upgrade equipment and to set us up in the near future as a leading wildlife camera operation. Further details can be found on the official PDF flyer.

http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/NCT-BBQ-Breakfast-Flyer-17Nov-2011-5-lowres.pdf (http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/NCT-BBQ-Breakfast-Flyer-17Nov-2011-5-lowres.pdf)


A little excitement, and a rescue

Just got a call from Linda down in the Dentistry building to say that a young peregrine had found its way down there, below the trees, near the building. Dental patient Stephen Brooks got more than he bargained for when visiting for treatment and noticed not only the lovely staff ladies but also a wayward peregrine falcon outside the window. A hurried gathering of rescue backpack, a towel, gloves etc and we walked our way down to find fellow staffers Mark and Bruce keeping a close eye on a stranded and scared 41-day old peregrine fledgling looking very lost. We carefully bundled it up and took the opportunity to run up some measurements, weight etc before carefully placing it back in the branch of a tree just underneath the tower. There’s now conjecture as to whether this is a male or female as measurements and weights state this is a male, which brings in to question whether the other two are also males? Nevertheless this one shall remain known as Narrambla, the first fledging of the season. The rescue went off without a hitch and a special gallery has been created over on the right hand side of some of the photos taken of Narrambla. We left the bird in the tree with Swift wheeling overhead hoping for a response, and the other two young looking down from their lofty perch. Thanks to Stephen and others for their fantastic vigilance – one happy peregrine fledgling has been saved, without too much intervention or fuss.

Cilla, Narrambla (c/- H Manning)



No sooner, than…

Just as things began to settle down again the second bird took off. Well, not so much as took off, more like got up, tripped and fell straight out the window! A quick check around underneath the tower confirmed a successful three-point landing on the lawn below the tower. Although only walking and not having made it in to a tree things are hopeful for number 2. Swift was quick to begin her aggressive wheeling and Beau joined in as well, to ensure their 2nd charge was protected. Return calling began and all should be good, although the fledgling was last seen trotting down the hill in the direction of the road. Being mobile and in open space we’d hope it would make for the trees before dusk.

base-jumping peregrine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrZlDlI2e1s# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrZlDlI2e1s#)

Safe on the green stuff


Number 2 has landed


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 14-Nov-11, 08:44:57 AM
 :2thumbsup: Thanks Annette that was very cool to see!  :wave:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 15-Nov-11, 07:06:21 AM
A lunchtime walk-around

Checking up on the expanding flock at lunchtime today has confirmed most members are accounted for. Cilla took a good pic this morning of one of the two recalcitrants from last evening, still there in the tree (but gone by lunchtime, it appears):

Possibly Byng


By lunchtime the combination had changed and we were lucky enough to see Beau, Swift and possibly Byng all up in the feeding tree together, with Ophir still in the eyrie and Narrambla on camouflage duty somewhere:

Spot the three falcons


Byng is already being harassed by a local tiny ‘willy wagtail’ up the tree and by now will be experiencing a headache from all the pecking going on earlier. Just yesterday Beau himself was forced to move on after being harassed!

(more photos in General Gallery #8 to the right as well)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 15-Nov-11, 07:16:21 AM
Love the "FEEDING" tree. Hope they spot the other soon. Thanks


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 15-Nov-11, 08:45:25 AM
Love the "FEEDING" tree. Hope they spot the other soon. Thanks

 :yes:  I agree Donna, that tree is cool especially with falcons in it! Thanks Annette!  :2thumbsup:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 15-Nov-11, 02:58:37 PM
Last eyas fledge!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 15-Nov-11, 04:00:26 PM
Last eyas fledge!


Good luck to them all!!  :o


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 16-Nov-11, 02:25:03 AM
And Ophir makes three!

After keeping on edge for the last 3 days Ophir has finally taken that extraordinary (for a 43 day old) leap of faith, and sailed off in to the trees below. Compared with her most recent sibling she was totally dignified and approached her flight with great style. Swift is still casting her shadow up on top of the Concrete Hilton, surveying the lands, but it’s with relief for all of us that all three wee, furry, squeaking eyases have achieved their biggest benchmark to date. We’ll keep an eye on them out in the trees and they’ll most probably be around the neighbourhood annoying local staff in the nearby offices for a few months yet!

With a tear on the cheek and a moist hanky we congratulate Beau and Swift on yet another successful season; now to feed them all.

The feeling of emptiness


Ophir departing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6E9buiznwjk# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6E9buiznwjk#)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 16-Nov-11, 06:28:31 AM
 :clap: That was cool! Stay safe young ones!  ;D


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 18-Nov-11, 11:09:27 AM
A day for the Project and for the peregrines

It was a very big day out for the Project yesterday, albeit a bleak & overcast one. An early start down at the Nature Conservation Trust cottage and a really good turn-out of staff and visitors who loaded up with a good feed prepared by the NCT staff head chef-ettes Denise and Tiff’. Miles and Angela at ABC Radio phoned in for a live interview & Project catch-up, and we then received a visit from of our main benefactors at 30 Squadron RAAF Beaufighter Association. It was a day of old stories, new chicks, colourful merchandise, the public launch of the new HD camera, plenty of pancakes with lashings of fruit & maple syrup, slideshow presentations, our friends from the Central Western Daily newspaper again, more footage on Prime TV for tonight (thanks heaps, Tim; very nice work!), and most importantly an increased awareness of what FalconCam Project is trying to bring to everyone. Thank you of course also to everyone who turned up for a feed and we hope you’ve all learnt a little more about what both the Nature Conservation Trust and FalconCam Project are doing hanging around Orange!

A really big thank you must go to Paul Toni and his team at the Nature Conservation Trust once more for giving us another hand up in our fundraising. It’s making a really big difference in our aims to upgrade equipment and capability. Any time we can help you out please let us know! Thanks to the CWD and Prime TV again for your ongoing interest, and thanks also to Angela and Miles and crew at ABC Radio Central West for another plug to your dedicated listeners! We must get you out to campus to see these amazing peregrines shortly, Angela! Can’t forget the luncheon that Mandy and her team in Banjo’s Bistro on campus then turned on for us – they should pay you all more!!

And thanks once again to the fantastic people that make up 30 Squadron RAAF Beaufighter Association. Your enthusiasm and financial support pretty much kicked us off 4 years ago and you’re indeed a part of the lives of these incredible (and very speedy) creatures. We thank you for your visit and hope you enjoyed the day on campus without being too bored to tears with all the trivia we threw at you!! Beau and Swift are of course named in honour of the Association (‘Beau’ from Beaufighter, and ‘Swift’ from the motto ‘Strike Swiftly’). See you all again very soon.

Current totals for the day exceeded AU$400 which puts a big hole in to funding required for the second new HD camera. Some happy snaps from the BBQ Breakfast for the Falcons:

CSU Staff


Kitchen staff


Tiff’ & Denise


Some noshing!


30 Squadron


NCT BBQ Breakie


Please note: as stated on the Live Cameras page there will probably be some outage times on the camera feeds owing to maintenance being performed inside of CSU’s servers from today until Sunday…


Ophir joins her siblings

I found the 2nd female, Ophir in trees not far from the water tower last night and, bingo, this morning she was squabbling with her siblings on ‘their’ tree (and old dead pine tree) over some tasty morsel of pigeon or similar.  So she found her way back ’home’ fine.    Sorry I didn’t have my camera with me.  Swift was on guard on top of the tower and Beau was presumably off hunting (five hungry mouths to feed including his own!).

So it appears we have a successful fledging of all three juveniles.  Congratulations all round.

It’s interesting that the parents appear to make no attempt to ‘fetch’ the youngsters that stray after their first flight (or flop as the case may be) and wait for them to find their way back to the others.  But of course they may well know where they are.

Cilla Kinross


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 19-Nov-11, 02:04:27 AM
Appearance on Prime TV News

Thanks once again go to Tim & Alex and the team at Prime TV News for spending time with us at the Nature Conservation Trust’s BBQ Breakfast fundraiser day. It was a chaotic day but quite the success and we managed to raise $400 towards the next camera, and equipment upgrades. Thank you again to everyone who contributed and to all who are involved!

Prime TV News video clip
http://youtu.be/yyeSfRPlhqQ (http://youtu.be/yyeSfRPlhqQ)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 21-Nov-11, 07:07:43 AM
Fighter pilot unit takes falcons under its wing
BY REBECCA SULLIVAN
21 Nov, 2011 04:00 AM
THE peregrine falcon has become an unlikely Orange hero, with a remarkable story connecting the bird all the way back to a World War II fighter pilot unit.

In 2007 a pair of falcons, which are a rare sight around the central west, was seen roosting in the water tower on campus at Charles Sturt University in Orange.

A team of conservationists, which would later form the FalconCam Project, made a special nest for the birds.

In November 2008, the tower was struck by lightning, which should have destroyed the two eggs in the nest.

But three days later, by a stroke of luck, one of the eggs hatched.

The story made local television news headlines, and caught the attention of two World War II veterans.

Fred Anderson and the late Norm Williams were both original members of the 1942 RAAF 30 Beaufighter Squadron, whose emblem depicts a falcon and a lightning bolt.

Such a coincidence couldn’t go unnoticed, and the two men contacted the Falcon Cam Project, initiating a relationship that has seen the Beaufighters become the project’s main benefactor.

The National Conservation Trust of NSW is based in Orange, and is also a key supporter of the cause.

The trust held a fundraising breakfast on Thursday to launch a new high-definition camera, funded by the trust and the Beaufighters, which will provide 24-hour live-streaming and motion sensor surveillance of the four falcon nests in the region.

The project’s co-ordinator Scott Banks said the falcons have shown the same spirit and fight as the WWII fighter pilots.

“It’s a really wonderful story. This is such a great cause and we’re so grateful for the support of the Beaufighters and the trust.”

Swift & Beau's cam



Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 21-Nov-11, 07:25:12 AM
Cameras are back!

Apologies for the long weekend without cameras. All systems have been upgraded and both camera streams are running again….. although of course the action has died down a little in the last few days, so the timing was immaculate by CSU’s IT team. There has been the odd extended visit from Swift and the roof has been a regular perch for all five members of this feathered family, but all is well amongst the trees, even with rain yesterday.

Beau and Swift atop the Concrete Hilton



Coverage in the local Central Western Daily newspaper

Thanks to Rebecca & Jude and their team for ongoing coverage in the local newspaper today. Great stuff, and appropriate mention of the fantastic support we’ve received from both 30 Squadron and the Nature Conservation Trust.

http://www.centralwesterndaily.com.au/news/local/news/general/fighter-pilot-unit-takes-falcons-under-its-wing/2363750.aspx (http://www.centralwesterndaily.com.au/news/local/news/general/fighter-pilot-unit-takes-falcons-under-its-wing/2363750.aspx)

Incidentally one of the young’ns has spent plenty of time this afternoon lazing on the ledge, keeping out of everyone’s way.

Quiet time for a young falcon


Another amusing video clip from today
http://youtu.be/hqCsQebomAc (http://youtu.be/hqCsQebomAc)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 21-Nov-11, 09:04:41 AM
 :wave: Thanks Annette and Donna! That video is a riot!  :rofl:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 24-Nov-11, 04:44:42 AM
Dreary old days in Orange

There has been almost non-stop rain in Orange for about 5 days now. Fortunately the food supply hasn’t dried up too badly and there seems to be a slow but regular, fresh, buffet menu service available from both parents. At different times the two young females (and possibly Byng too) have availed of time alone or together in the eyrie – a slightly drier alternative to the trees outside. This morning we saw an intense feeding between Ophir and Narrambla with plenty of tugging and tearing going on, while Byng had taken a scout around the box a little earlier on. Weather like this isn’t conducive to fun times out flying although two young’ns were spotted about lunch time enjoying the blustery air pockets around the tower before blasting off over the trees again. Swift remains in the lee of the precipitation on the microwave dish arm.

Food fight


Ophir, Narrambla


Out of the rain


Spotted


Mine mine mine


Not letting go


It’s interesting to note that these young peregrines seem to show little or no malice or aggression at all towards each other, even when competition for a feed is very high. They seem content to concentrate solely on the objective, and indeed still get on very well together. No doubt that will change as they grow up and personal space becomes more of an issue. Last night it appears more than one bird slept over in the eyrie. Will keep an eye on tonight’s footage.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 25-Nov-11, 02:47:45 AM
Close to home in the inclement weather

We’ve been very lucky over the last 2 days with plenty of company in the cameras. It’s the driest place to be and keeps the peregrines away from the worst of the wind too. Two young’ns have overnighted in the box more than once and yesterday evening they were treated to the third sibling and a good feed from Swift. That was nearly all too much for one of them though and Swift was unceremoniously attacked before making the decision to depart rapidly. There is one young peregrine that seems to be quite aggressive towards the parents; the guess is that it’s Ophir as she was pretty forceful towards her parents in the days before she jumped. Maybe that streak is still in her? To give you an idea have a look at this video (sorry for the intermittent sound; at it’s worst the mike was overpowered by the screeching!).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1smJxOf5yk# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1smJxOf5yk#)

Three siblings


Much ado about feathers


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 26-Nov-11, 06:45:59 AM
 :wave: Thanks Annette! I didn't think I'd see those 3 again.  ;D


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 30-Nov-11, 06:54:36 AM
The trees are our friends

On an overcast but warm and dry day it appears all three youngsters are in attendance, either on the tower or in the trees eagerly awaiting lunch. We’re only getting the occasional visit on the ledge at the moment but no doubt that will change when rain returns tomorrow (predicted). A brief lunchtime wander out in to the trees located an aggravated Beau (as usual) and one of the three youngsters high up in the “feeding tree” before doing loops & settling on to one of the lower lying gumtrees nearby. Earlier we saw Swift checking up on one of her youngsters in the eyrie but made a quick escape when she got attacked again – we’d have to say, with an attitude like that, it must’ve been Ophir lying in wait again!!

http://youtu.be/tswqFNcyIyI (http://youtu.be/tswqFNcyIyI)

The perfect lookout


Watching & waiting


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 30-Nov-11, 07:00:20 AM
Now that's no way to treat your momma! What a bad attitude on that one!  :o


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 30-Nov-11, 01:11:42 PM
Now that's no way to treat your momma! What a bad attitude on that one!  :o

Ya think!?! :gum:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 02-Dec-11, 07:08:44 AM
Quiet time for the peregrines

It’s been a fairly quiet time out in the trees over the last few days, with occasional sightings of each bird. Yesterday we were pleasantly surprised by a visit from Rob Bicknell from the Beaufighter Squadron and colleague, complete with large digital cameras and 28,000-foot long lenses! The trip began too quietly but after 1-2 hours we were treated to some fantastic high-altitude soaring, followed by some fly-bys & remarkable close-ups of Swift feeding on her branch, with some other great angles. Hopefully the results have made their trip worthwhile; looking forward to seeing some of the end products!

A brief video clip of a chick visitation this morning (basically to chase a fly!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tIkmtSI3-w# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tIkmtSI3-w#)

Alone in the eyrie


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 02-Dec-11, 12:04:20 PM
Cute video!  I love when they look at the camera! Thanks!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 07-Dec-11, 11:55:22 AM
Three young peregrines in bonding time

We were lucky this afternoon to spot all three youngsters spending time up on the ledge and all three seem quite happy in each other’s company, although we know what Ophir is like towards her parents, but we make the most of these moments before they become more independent. Swift is also sitting around the corner on the microwave dish arm, out of harm’s way! A 4.5 minute video clip can be viewed (apologies for image quality – bright, sunny days wash out our ledge view!).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UqG0V18ARQ# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UqG0V18ARQ#)

Peregrine, one of three


Three, from the outside


Checking for food dregs


Three in a row



A day for learning to fly

The three youngsters have been milling around the eyrie this morning, with plenty of flight training, and nagging. Swift has been perched round the corner on the microwave dish arm, quietly watching events, while another feeding took place in the eyrie, so there’s still occasionally action to be seen in the cameras. Apparently one of them was seen yesterday around near the sunny courtyard over by the student residences yet again, sunning itself down at ground level, on a seat, quite happy!

A gory meal


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 07-Dec-11, 03:44:27 PM
 :wave: Thank you Annette! I love the pic of the 3 of them from the outside! So cute!!!  ;D


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 07-Dec-11, 05:47:35 PM
:wave: Thank you Annette! I love the pic of the 3 of them from the outside! So cute!!!  ;D

I love that one too!  Full crops!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 07-Dec-11, 05:55:42 PM
 :wave: I know Kris, that middle one can't even put it's head forward cuz it's so full!  :laugh:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 08-Dec-11, 03:18:03 PM
Enjoying the peregrine young

It seems this season we’re going to be able to enjoy all three youngsters for the immediate future as they seem happy to use the eyrie as their base for daily activities, and indeed often more than one spends the dark hours in there too. This afternoon, in the low, dark, rain clouds they could be seen soaring across the pine trees, trying out-do each other in sharp wheeling and speed races. One pass actually took them down through the campus’s tree-surrounded top car park at not far above vehicle height! A couple of videos to watch – an unlucky stick being attacked, and more frivolity from all three (9.5 mins)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14QocTrstKQ# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14QocTrstKQ#)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcnfkKexHLU# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcnfkKexHLU#)

Colourful close-up


Protecting lunch


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 08-Dec-11, 03:59:12 PM
 :wave: Thanks Annette!  ;D


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 10-Dec-11, 08:28:21 AM
Some nice young peregrine moments

On a changeable weather day the youths have been enjoying the superior views available from their “Concrete Hilton” lookout. Sometimes you just want to sit, relax and take it all in; other times you just want to annoy anyone else who’s sitting, relaxing and taking it all in! We’re very lucky that these three know where home base is.

http://youtu.be/TrRrHoVU4a0 (http://youtu.be/TrRrHoVU4a0)

Happy face with lunch


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 10-Dec-11, 08:42:38 AM
Cute video. Thanks Annette!  ;D


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 19-Dec-11, 12:00:22 PM
Quiet few days

Apologies for the quiet few days – we’ve only been getting fleeting visits from any one or more of the peregrines, whether it’s a youngster or two, or Swift sneaking around to sit on the microwave dish arm, out of sight of her youngsters. The most reasonable explanation of course would be that they’re all over in town buying us some big Christmas presents and hiding them in the trees. Various sightings of the youngsters at play have been noted and the campus guides, who have been showing next year’s prospective students around the place, have also been pointing out Orange campus’s most unique tourist attraction. Very frustrating without leg banding as we can’t positively identify the youngsters at any one point in time and we can only go on character traits (e.g. Ophir’s ratty moments, or quiet Byng!). Leg banding is being re-visited as a priority in 2012.

As a little Christmas present to all our viewers we can now make available a highlights page entitled “FCP Breeding Season 2011” (pdf format, 1.05MB, A3 size) giving a 1 page summary of this season’s activities; hard to pinpoint the best moments with about 80GB of raw records to choose from but we hope you enjoy Swift and Beau and the kids, all on one page!

It’s also been brought to our attention that there may well be another eyrie located in Orange itself, in a prominent park. We’re going to check this out as soon as we can , but if positively identified the question is then asked if it’s one of our previous young. Without banding we may never know, but it’s great that the Orange locals are becoming more aware of this amazing bird species.

http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Highlights-sheet-2011-A3-r.pdf (http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Highlights-sheet-2011-A3-r.pdf)

Mischief in the eyrie



Three happy young peregrines

New video footage from early yesterday morning of all three youngsters visiting the eyrie at the same time. No-one seemed too aggro (looking at you, Ophir!) and everyone seemed to be happy together once more. It’s turned foul today, with rain-bursts all day but with some clear days coming up we’re sure to see more aerial antics.

http://youtu.be/uWxgUYnQUFw (http://youtu.be/uWxgUYnQUFw)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 25-Dec-11, 07:43:07 AM
The run in to Christmas

With a week predicted to be possible showers and dodgy weather at best we hope to continue receiving ongoing visits from the peregrine clan. The ledge has been quiet over the last few days, and in the rain this morning Swift arrived to take cover. Amusingly she was caught out yesterday by one of her youngsters in her favourite hiding spot, around the corner on the old microwave dish. She sits there when the youngsters are in attendance, but she was finally “bounced” and spent about an hour getting an ear-bashing from the youngster who had taken residence next to her on the dish itself… all to no avail!

For the CSU students who follow us here keep an eye out in the latest CSU Student News as we have another article being run – thanks for asking us again Kate P! We are also booked in to give a brief Project talk to the Orange Field Naturalists group in early February at their AGM; Cilla is a member and it will be a nice captive audience!

Pleading for a share


Swift on the lookout



Merry Christmas to you all, from Swift, Beau and clan

A very big thankyou to everyone who visited and supported us this year. It’s been easily the biggest and most successful year yet for the Project and our ambitions. We hope that Santa doesn’t swing too close to the tower because he’s going to get a big fright, especially if the reindeer aren’t sure how to handle a 320km/hr flying dodgem car!

Campus is out for the break until 3rd January but the Project team will be making regular visits to check on activities in the trees. In what they’re calling the coolest lead-up to summer in Orange on record we doubt there’ll be food supply issues. With some luck, and a break in eyrie occupancy, we’ll also get the HD camera finally mounted and running. Then to wait until we can get CSU to update our web pages so all can see.

Best wishes to you all – you’ve all played a major part in FalconCam Project this year and your support is appreciated. It enables us to move on up, giving improved better results and views, and we hope we’re providing a valuable resource for the advancement of knowledge on peregrines falcons and raptors in general…


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 30-Dec-11, 11:55:39 AM
Forthcoming improved vision

One of our last tasks for 2011 has been to install the new and much-vaunted Axis 3344 HD camera. It’s a great model and works perfectly with our Milestone XProtect surveillance software package. We’ve also run some live streaming tests and initial results are very good. For now the world will have to wait for CSU to return to work next week before we can put the paperwork through the system to modify the nest camera feed to this new camera on our webpage. Stay with us for a bit longer!

At this point I’d like to give a huge thanks to Basil at Lan1 in Melbourne for all the months of discussions (and a meeting in Melbourne) we’ve had about IP cameras, appropriate technology, configurations and ultimately the recommendation and supply via Shane at IP Video Solutions. Basil and Shane saw our vision and share our enthusiasm. We wouldn’t have got to this point without them – cheers guys, appreciated! More to come; we’re now well on our way in funding for the second HD camera & upgraded servers, and we have some new ideas for Basil and Shane too…

Nest cameras – old & new


It was a gamble, as usual, to find a “window” of vacancy up the Concrete Hilton and there were some tentative moments when a feeding took place down below in the trees, with one near fly-past but ultimately no disturbance. The minimum amount of time was spent with the hatch open and on descending the tower a young bird was noticed quietly sitting on the microwave dish just around the corner. Monitoring shows at least one youngster still spends most nights in the eyrie.

Rob Bicknell from 30 Beaufighter Association dropped in just before Christmas and left us with a list of amazing close-up images from the camera trip earlier in December. With Rob’s permission we’ll make some shots available shortly, and you’ll also be able to see some examples at future public events & talks. Outstanding work – thanks so much, Rob!

Happy New Year to all our supporters and viewers, from FalconCam Project members Cilla, Scott, Ron and Ian!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 06-Jan-12, 11:19:21 AM
First HD night vision

Hope all our viewers and supporters have had a safe and healthy New Year – welcome to 2012!

With the HD camera now fitted and operational we’ve got our first brief activity video clip available – a remarkable quality improvement over our existing nest camera. Here we see one of the youngsters paying a visit very early this morning. We’re still tweaking the camera settings, and this week will be speaking to CSU to bring the camera online via the website but for now our existing two cameras are still running happily.

Addendum: Just found some colour daylight footage from yesterday as well – how good are those peregrine falcon colours, and how inquisitive of the new thing hanging on their wall!

http://youtu.be/FK3zivys8qE (http://youtu.be/FK3zivys8qE)

http://youtu.be/58yHDmtmmrM (http://youtu.be/58yHDmtmmrM)

The night peregrine



Swift makes a brief appearance

We’re having fun getting used to the new HD camera, with the odd video clip and occasional photo. No-one’s been staying over for the last few nights but Swift hopped in not long ago with a little food which she placed in the corner before hopping out again. She’s camera-shy but one brief frame showed her off:

Swift briefly


Male, Beau, has appeared occasionally and he seems intent on preparing the nesting scrape from this season. Doesn’t stay long but at least he smiles to the camera!

http://youtu.be/ynLmJHxqbc8 (http://youtu.be/ynLmJHxqbc8)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 06-Jan-12, 02:50:00 PM
 :bravo: :thanks2:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 10-Jan-12, 11:10:10 AM
Quiet weekend, busy morning

Little activity to report over the weekend, with weather ranging between lightning storms and brief driving rain, to high humidity and bright sunshine. Hard to know, as a peregrine, whether to stay under cover or to be out in it!

This morning saw one of the young’ns gleefully accepting a bite and then playing with breakfast before eating.

http://youtu.be/T6QZo2Qttbc (http://youtu.be/T6QZo2Qttbc)



Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 10-Jan-12, 11:19:28 AM
 :2thumbsup: Thanks Annette!  ;D


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 20-Jan-12, 02:15:49 PM
Feeding activity in eyrie this morning
Posted on 11-01-2012

Visits to the trees and in to the eyrie are patchy at the moment but most of the peregrines are still in the area. Going home back down the road the other evening I witnessed a writhing starling mass, similar to a shoal of sardines in a panic, above some pine trees. As I drove closer I was passed going the other day at high speed & low altitude (i.e. car height) by one of the young falcons who must have terrified the starlings in to panicking but seemed far more determined to get home than to harass the potential dinner menu.

More activity in the cameras this morning with a feed supplied by an adult (most probably Swift as she’s been back with us more recently) and voraciously accepted by the young’n. Calm then returned after a lengthy meal, with some very generous poses, contemplating and preening.

Video clip of the day – 2 of the 3 youngsters enjoying time together, away from the blustery day outside.





http://youtu.be/FOY8XGGMs0g (http://youtu.be/FOY8XGGMs0g)

Quiet time together



An article from across the water
Posted on 16-01-2012

Just noticed an article from over the Tasman Sea in New Zealand about a new New Zealand Falcon chick hatched at Staglands Wildlife Reserve near Wellington. Very cute photo of a very young eyas, but  alarmingly low numbers for yet another species in trouble. Great to see more recovery efforts making a difference – “Fast life for a little predator” (Stuff.co.nz, 13-01-2012).

There’s little to report from up the Concrete Hilton over the weekend, with one video clip ready  to upload (troubles uploading; will repair ASAP). The good news is that the new HD camera is running beautifully and the paperwork is going in to CSU’s DIT people shortly to allow us to change over from the old camera to the new nest camera. There will also be some security upgrades to the server undertaken.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/6252931/Fast-life-for-little-predator (http://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/6252931/Fast-life-for-little-predator)


Training with an edge
Posted on 17-01-2012

An unusual moment of interaction late this afternoon up on the tower. Swift was quietly sitting on the small WiFi antenna on the north side of the tower, sunning herself in the hot summer glare, when Beau arrived and started urgently bowing and chirping away to her from higher up on top of the ridge. One of the youngsters swung around from above the trees and as it attempted to land next to Beau he hopped along and pushed it away, before following it down over campus and out in to the northern yonder, all the while being harassed by his offspring. Eventually Beau quietly returned to settle on the ledge, no doubt without realisation that Swift is still just around the corner! This behaviour is reminiscent of most probably what’s to come in the next 3-4 months as the youngsters will be driven off for good near the end of summer/beginning of autumn. Debate continues as to why this was such a dominant display by Beau. Of course it would have to be a day where the SLR camera was absent. All comments welcome!


Severe lightning storms strikes Orange
Posted on 19-01-2012

If you’re currently having problems with the cameras it could be that the sky is at present falling on our heads in Orange. A severe and very direct storm is passing overhead and has required 2 restarts to the streaming & monitoring servers. Hang in there – normal transmissions will resume as soon as possible!
All falcons have hunkered down elsewhere, which is a good move as no doubt Beau remembers being caught on the microwave dish 4 years ago when a direct hit struck the tower & flashed across campus. The only (other) bright news from amongst the 50 dead computers & printers that day was that 3 days later our first born, Migii, miraculously & against all laws of nature, hatched!


New video footage, courtesy of Beau
Posted on 19-01-2012

The worst of the storms have passed by (more later this week), with fortunately no serious damage to equipment nor peregrines, although I gather there were a few nervous moments up top too. During the storm a video clip was run, (just in case!) showing one of the youngsters trying to shelter on the microwave dish arm – just about the very worst place to be during one of our storms! Luckily nothing happened but the audio in this clip is an indication of what went on for about 45minutes around us.

Also some really nice quality video footage of Beau running an eyrie tour inspection the other day. Interesting his desire to “scrape” at this point in time but good to see him. All family members are finally getting used to the new “eye” in their eyrie too.

http://youtu.be/9yU1MqmUZUs (http://youtu.be/9yU1MqmUZUs)

http://youtu.be/S9lleQISbtI (http://youtu.be/S9lleQISbtI)

Siblings together once more


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 20-Jan-12, 09:37:45 PM
 :clap: Gorgeous young falcons! Thank you so much Annette!!!  :wave:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 27-Jan-12, 01:18:00 AM
Dreary quiet days

With some pretty average weather, violent storms last week and rain predicted this week, it’s a quiet time in the trees, although regular feedings (or pleading for feedings!) can be heard every day still. The youngster roll call has reached two at any one point in time since last year so we can but hope that number 3 is safe and sound elsewhere. This period has given us an opportunity to breathe again and plan ahead for this year. The priority for us now is to achieve funding for the second HD camera. This first camera, to appear soon on the streaming pages, is vastly superior to our our older models, and a second unit will replace the current ledge camera. We’re well on our way in $ terms, thanks to our brilliant supporters from every walk of life! Once improved vision is in place we’ll be looking further towards upgrading our two servers as they’re old and running very close to 100% most of the time, but in saying that they’re very reliable and proving their current worth.

The feeling of the day


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 03-Feb-12, 02:42:01 AM
A changing of the guard, or, home to roost

It’s been a few days now since we last saw one of this season’s three youngsters. It may well have something to do with the bad weather, but it will no doubt also be influenced by all three maturing and attaining more independence. With some luck they’re all becoming adept at hunting.

Indeed since earlier this week we’ve only been accompanied by Swift and Beau who may be feeling more “at home” once more, now that their offspring are flying off to new regions on their own. Swift has spent many hours on the ledge , with an entire overnight the other evening. Beau also comes home to roost and if you’re lucky you’ll catch either/or in the cameras during the day, most often at dawn or dusk.

In saying that here’s a shot from earlier this week of the last sighting of a yearling, taking a snack:

Dining in


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 03-Feb-12, 06:18:09 AM
It's sad when they finally leave for good. Thanks Annette for 3 months of great fun with this family.  :clap: I wish them all well.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 04-Feb-12, 11:14:49 PM
It's sad when they finally leave for good. Thanks Annette for 3 months of great fun with this family.  :clap: I wish them all well.

 :ditto:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 29-May-12, 01:19:05 PM
Peregrine roll call

With winter setting in around Orange, and a week of the coldest nights so far this year, it’s been comforting to see both adult peregrines staying with us. Swift spends the afternoons up on the tower roof sunning herself, while Beau tends to roam the countryside. Every so often you’ll catch Swift overnighting in the eyrie. We can go days without spotting Beau so it’s good to see him when he does decide to grace us with his presence. Last evening both birds came back to the tower, and again this morning both were here, one on the roof and one on the microwave dish down the side.

Winter will get much colder but with some luck either (or both) peregrines will remain live Internet stars for the duration.

The new server configuration for our streaming capability now seems to be more stable  & automated, with some software contingencies in place if things go wrong; we can but hope that electrical power & the campus network stay up for us!

Swift stretching in the night chill


Swift overnighting in the chill



Off-season research homework

It’s been a month of promotional work & visits for Project members. While we sit out some unusual Orange autumn weather we’ve been spreading our wings a little ourselves (pun; terrible, sorry!). Fellow Project co-ordinator Dr Cilla Kinross has been sending back some amazing photos and stories from a whistlestop trip through France and England, with plenty of bird-watching, including some awesome peregrine photos from ornithological colleagues in Albi, France. Fellow England-based Project colleague, Dr Ian Grange, will also be receiving a visit from Cilla shortly and no doubt will be comparing some interesting notes and catching up with recent events.

http://fauconpelerin.mairie-albi.fr/ (http://fauconpelerin.mairie-albi.fr/)

Scott’s just returned from a trip to New Zealand, including a few days in Queenstown and over to the Franz Josef Glacier. While in Queenstown he was lucky enough to visit & acquaint with the good staff at Peregrine Wines near Queenstown who are very strong supporters of the Wingspan New Zealand Falcon research & rehabilitation centre up in Rotorua (North Island). We’ve had plenty of recent local travellers telling us to go to the winery and it was indeed worth the visit; really nice people with interesting stories & a love of wildlife to boot (wine’s fantastic too)!!

http://www.peregrinewines.co.nz/ (http://www.peregrinewines.co.nz/)
http://www.wingspan.co.nz/ (http://www.wingspan.co.nz/)

Just over two years ago the West Coast Wildlife Centre was established in the Franz Josef Glacier village as a joint project to breed and rehabilitate the extremely rare local “Rowi” kiwi. With only 375 individuals left on planet Earth it’s an amazing look in to a successful rare species breeding program. A highly recommended visit & well worth the entrance fee to see a couple of Rowi in their own nocturnal enclosures and the guided tour through the on-site breeding facility.

http://www.wildkiwi.co.nz/ (http://www.wildkiwi.co.nz/)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 22-Jun-12, 01:50:49 PM
It’s “stay indoors” weather in Orange

With winter well & truly on us the days have been really great – if you’re inside! But Beau and Swift don’t have that luxury and endure the wintry blasts, along with the occasional sunny afternoons. We’re lucky they’re both hanging around campus, and for any campus visitors they can be pretty sure they’ll get a sighting up on the tower or around the corner on the old microwave dish, enjoying what warmth they can find. Comforting to know they’re both reporting in to the regular roll call. Peregrines have a requirement for a large personal space and as such these two always play the game that they don’t know each other, and never get close.

There was conjecture as to whether this breeding season could possibly begin early. This is based on
the ideas that the young’ns from last season left us so early in the piece (an average and cold summer),
and it’s been pretty cool and wet all the way through, so the possibility that the peregrines could be signalled earlier than they normally would may be a point of campus discussion. Of course the other possibility is that they gauge their seasons rather more on the length of the day instead, and so
won’t change their cycles noticeably. Time will tell and the TAB will no doubt be taking bets soon!!

Two high and fast flyers


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 12-Jul-12, 03:56:59 PM
Just seen: A falcon sleeps in the nestbox


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 12-Jul-12, 05:11:13 PM
Just seen: A falcon sleeps in the nestbox


Very nice Annette, thanks!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 12-Jul-12, 10:18:53 PM
Just seen: A falcon sleeps in the nestbox


 :thumbsup:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 25-Jul-12, 11:16:09 AM
Mid-winter happenings

Apologies to all our followers for a lack of news posts lately about our fine peregrine couple. They’ve indeed stayed with us through this mid-winter Orange freeze and appear to be in good spirits and healthy. Over the last couple of weeks we’ve noticed that both Swift and Beau are frequenting the “Concrete Hilton” every day, and quite often at close quarters. Breeding season is almost upon us and we’re watching and waiting for those tell-tale signs of in-flight wheeling and chatter. It’s always when you don’t have your camera with you that the best shots present themselves though! Last night both birds remained on top of the tower until the sun went down, looking resplendent in the everning-red dusk colours.

Best chance of seeing them at the moment would be via the camera pages. We’ve been having a few issues with the streaming but we’re on to it! When the cameras are working you’re more than likely to see either falcon on the ledge during daylight hours.

News of the next HD camera — we’ve now reached the financial target to purchase the second HD camera, but we’ll be racing to fit it in the eyrie in time as neither falcon is giving us any opportunity to spend even 10 minutes inside the box at the moment! Our fantastic technology partners at Lan1 and CCTV Hire have been chosen once more to supply the equipment, soon as the paperwork is done! And without forgetting all those followers of ours who have so kindly donated their hard-earned funds to enable us to improve our good looks – we thank you! You’re all a part of this fascinating and educational project, and we all benefit from new-found knowledge and the opportunity to observe these amazing raptors in the wild.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 25-Jul-12, 10:03:44 PM
 :thanx:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 26-Jul-12, 06:36:14 AM
Good news. Something to watch in our down time!  :clap:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 01-Aug-12, 03:39:15 PM
FalconCam Project ISP server maintenance due

Just been informed by our wonderfully reliable and top notch hosting service provider that there will be maintenance on our server and the site will be down for roughly 3-4 hours, 6th August, 2012, between 1am and 6am (Aust EST).

Hope this doesn’t affect anyone for too long! Apologies to everyone, but we will have an even more stable website afterwards…… Swift & Beau thank everyone!! Cheers, NetRegistry (Australia)!!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 08-Aug-12, 12:23:01 PM
FalconCam camera glitches

Apologies to all viewers who have been trying to view the live cameras recently. We’re trying to iron out glitches to the stream coding after some big network changes at CSU which have meant a re-write of some of the important bits of code to stream outwards. Frustratingly we can see the streams inside CSU but that doesn’t translate to vision on the outside world just yet. Hang in there and thanks for your patience.

It’s been a relatively quiet week up the tower (in that regard), with Swift spending most of her days here now, and the odd visit from Beau. Yesterday we caught some fascinating bowing in the eyrie itself when Swift arrived with Beau already in residence. We’ll begin to upload more video clips as they appear. Any time now we’re hoping to witness some peregrines mating but if they’ve indeed been busy they’re elusive this season!

We also appear to have ironed out our long term recording archives. At one point it appeared we were only retaining about 3 days of video/audio footage but we’ve since found we’re indeed retaining around 50-60 days at a time, which is ideal for research and statistical analysis. We’ve also just received Cilla back from her marathon overseas trip and can now begin to  put together objectives for this season’s events and records. Welcome home, Cilla!! Lots of stories to tell, no doubt!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 17-Aug-12, 01:30:48 AM
Possible snow for Orange

The bad weather front is passing over Orange as I write, promising snow and sleet for today and tonight; time will tell now as to how bad it will get but Swift has taken to her scrape and hopefully will remain there during the worst of it. In these stormy winds the concrete water tower is likely to gather momentum & sway a little – I’ve been up there before on wild windy days and watched a puddle on the floor swing back and forwards, which would explain the motion sickness on descending 2 hours later on!! It shouldn’t bother Swift though, who appears to be happy to stay close to home at the moment.

Swift hiding from the snowstorm


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 17-Aug-12, 11:24:41 AM
Looks like Swift laid an egg during the snowstorm.

Thanks Kris for the heads up!

Keep it warm!!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 20-Aug-12, 01:59:43 AM
The Project’s 5th season has commenced!

Thanks to all our viewers who, over the weekend, spotted the first egg for this, our 5th observing season. It’s great news but alarming timing as the egg was laid at bang-on 8.40pm (AEST) Friday night 17th August, right in the middle of a fairly big snowstorm in Orange. It’s two weeks earlier than we were expecting but it’s great news all the same. And with a -4degC (+-24.8degF) overnight it’s not ideal conditions for Swift and Beau right now. A sunny week ahead, albeit freezing nights, will be a challenge.

Apologies still for the nest camera streaming capability. It seems to be providing the image but not streaming properly. I’ll be running more tests today and tonight. I’ll also put up the video clip of the egg-laying from Friday night (with a link) soon too. We may have to reduce the nest cam image size to try and improve streaming. Stay tuned!!

1st egg, 5th season, laid 17th Aug


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: carly on 20-Aug-12, 10:17:01 AM
Anca and Beth over at BCAW just caught Egg #2 being laid!!!  :clap:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 20-Aug-12, 11:12:08 AM
5th season’s first video clips available

Finally loaded up a couple of this weekend’s video clips as we get set for another fascinating couple of months ahead with Swift, Beau and hopefully some new young eyases. The first clip shows poor Swift laying her first egg on Friday evening, and the second clip gives you a daylight colour view of the first egg from our great Hi-Def camera mounted in the eyrie. Swift has beaten us to obtaining the next HD camera so that will have to wait until we have access to the eyrie later this season.

We’re 2 weeks early, and this egg was laid in the evening. No doubt the extreme weather Orange has been experiencing recently has thrown most patterns out the window. Indeed last season’s three youngsters headed away very early in the season.

Apologies again for the uncertain camera streaming. We’re going to try some big coding changes in the next few days. Ironically the HD camera currently runs nicely on some Android browsers, but seems to halt on most mainstream browsers!

First egg laying
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEme6lsj5DQ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEme6lsj5DQ)

egg daylight colors
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlkbmYaytuc (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlkbmYaytuc)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 21-Aug-12, 03:47:46 PM
No.2 is here!

The second egg was laid at about 11.40pm last night, again in sub-zero (celsius) temperatures.

Our surveillance server is pushing hard at the moment with so much activity in the eyrie and we’re nursing recordings and archives out of it. The streaming server is going to be worked on as often as time allows each day as it appears the streaming is indeed working but only to some combinations of hardware and browser. We’re also looking at testing alternative technologies at the moment; something more robust.

Swift and two eggs, 20th Aug



The family’s growing again

With today’s excitement at Swift’s overnight effort to pump out a 2nd egg there’s more activity in and around the eyrie, up the “Concrete Hilton”. Today Beau flew in with lunch, which he left out on the so-called feeding tree, just down below. Swift exchanged places and Beau took his turn. He’s much smaller in stature (about 1/3rd smaller) but can handle 2 eggs well. Come the 3rd egg or more it’s always amusing to watch him struggle to fit them underneath, let alone when they turn in to writhing furry wrigglers soon!

Here’s a brief clip of the luncheon changeover, with Beau in place before Swift returns after dining out.
http://youtu.be/kmTjH0qwAWg (http://youtu.be/kmTjH0qwAWg)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 21-Aug-12, 05:27:05 PM
 :clap:  Thanks Annette, fun for us this Fall!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 21-Aug-12, 05:35:24 PM
:clap:  Thanks Annette, fun for us this Fall!

 :ditto:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 02-Sep-12, 09:30:38 AM
And then there was one

Sad news, caught on camera yesterday at 3.24pm(AEST), when video and pics show the loss of one of our precious eggs. Beau had been sitting for quite a while, when Swift arrived back. But as Beau got up to vacate the scrape, one of the eggs somehow adhered itself to his chest and the following pics show him leaving with the egg well & truly stuck. One guess is that it was already cracked and leaked on him, to cause the adhesion. Swift didn’t seem at all perturbed by the change in roll call but it’s a sad moment for all of us. The brief video clip of Beau’s inadvertent egg theft can be seen here…
Beau inadvertently losing an egg

The lost egg disappearing


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdpOVqFXHso#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdpOVqFXHso#ws)
Apologies again for the inconsistent video streaming from the nest camera. We’re pretty sure it’s a bad combination of latest software versions for our VLC, Flowplayer and  Flash versions on some platform, because almost frustratingly, all ongoing tests using an Android phone have been 100% successful, and sometimes we can get streaming via the likes of Safari etc, but Firefox seems to halt now? We’re looking at alternative streaming technologies (on a budget) to get us through this vital period. Bear with us for now...


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 02-Sep-12, 09:34:45 AM
How tragic. Hope this one will hatch.  :(  We all know one is fun!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 02-Sep-12, 05:33:28 PM
What a shame! One can definitely work out well as we can attest to here in Rochester!  :heart:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 04-Sep-12, 01:18:39 PM
Amusingly bad timing by an interloper

While we’re sad we lost one of the two eggs on Saturday we’re still hopeful the remaining egg will be fertile. Swift seems to think it is, and is doing a good job minding the scrape. She remains very quiet while in the eyrie, so much so that an errant cockatoo decided to drop in unnannounced but was moved on very quickly by Swift who defended her ground before any fisticuffs broke out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOkGZuKFoek (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOkGZuKFoek)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 04-Sep-12, 01:58:14 PM
Wow, that was quick and awesome!!  :clap:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 06-Sep-12, 02:55:45 PM
Busted by Swift!

Earlier this morning Swift was caught becoming quite intrigued by the big black bulge on her wall. We’re not sure if she realises there’s something going on behind the perspex but she was indeed interested to figure it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QaxhMe_P40 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QaxhMe_P40)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 06-Sep-12, 04:56:18 PM
Busted by Swift!

Earlier this morning Swift was caught becoming quite intrigued by the big black bulge on her wall. We’re not sure if she realises there’s something going on behind the perspex but she was indeed interested to figure it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QaxhMe_P40 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QaxhMe_P40)

That was kinda funny!  ;D


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 10-Sep-12, 07:20:17 AM
Time frame and reference point for Season 5

Just in case anyone’s trying to figure out when we expect to see life in the single remaining egg the count-back should take us through to about 19-22 Sept (i.e. Wednesday to Saturday next week), based on the average incubation rate and duration of approx 29-32 days. This presumes that active incubation began at the onset of the 2nd egg late on 21st Aug. The adults certainly took the task to hand (claw?) by the following morning so as long as we have one fertile egg up in the eyrie we’ve only got a short time to wait now. The cigars are still wrapped and sealed….

The long wait continues


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 10-Sep-12, 07:27:20 AM
I sure hope this one hatches. Thanks!!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 10-Sep-12, 09:10:18 AM
I sure hope this one hatches. Thanks!!

Me too!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 10-Sep-12, 06:49:06 PM
Me three!  ;D


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 20-Sep-12, 03:04:56 PM
No hatch yet, but we're right within the time for one.  It's now 9/20 in Australia, and they said the expected hatch is anywhere from 9/19-9/22.  Fingers crossed!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 21-Sep-12, 03:36:26 PM
Media coverage for the Project

As we wait impatiently and nervously for signs of new life up in the ‘Concrete Hilton’ we were visited today by the Prime 7 News team and the Win TV team for some pre-emptive coverage of this, our 5th, observed season’s breeding results. The remaining egg is of good colour and incubating is in earnest by both Swift and Beau, although Beau still seems a little non-plussed at times and is keen to depart when Swift returns. Our surveillance server is humming along well, so if you miss any live action I’m sure we can recover video clips when required. We will certainly upload all interesting video clips as they come to hand.  Again, apologies to all who are getting static pictures on the live cameras; we’re pretty sure now it’s to do with Adobe Flash versions, as we’re getting similar problems inside CSU as well; testing continues. Objective for 2013 season – 100% sturdy camera streaming! The new ledge HD camera will be purchased shortly and will be fitted soon as we’re allowed back in to the eyrie…

Coming shortly – Prime 7 News video clip (thanks Jarrad and team; great fun recording!), and Win News video clip (thanks Laura and team; interesting camera angles!)…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqMqd8UZK-8#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqMqd8UZK-8#ws)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 21-Sep-12, 05:54:44 PM
(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r32/djweeds/9-21Swiftsegg_zps04bd7044.jpg) Swift just left, hope this eggs hatches. It's due like now!!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 23-Sep-12, 05:19:25 PM
Monday mornings are not always bad news. After taking an extra day or two beyond the average incubation period it appears we can now welcome the youngest baby peregrine falcon to our world – Snow, so named after the initial egg was laid during one of this year’s snow storms in August.
Regular checks all this weekend showed that Swift has been quite unsettled & it seems she most probably heard & felt some internal movement from the chick as it struggled to cut the egg open.
It’s middle of the night in Orange so the full video footage and time confirmation will be checked in our Milestone recording system soon as possible later this morning.
If all’s well it’s a big congratulations to Beau & Swift, to our Project team and to all our supporters worldwide!   :clap:



Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Dumpsterkitty on 23-Sep-12, 05:22:51 PM
 

Congratulations!  :hatch1:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 23-Sep-12, 05:38:04 PM
 

Congratulations!  :hatch1:
Awww, there's the little puffball now!  Thanks for the captures, Ei. 


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Dumpsterkitty on 23-Sep-12, 05:52:14 PM
http://youtu.be/vyS0tPzAUAc (http://youtu.be/vyS0tPzAUAc)

Video 1...although Snow is too young yet to eat...


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Dumpsterkitty on 23-Sep-12, 06:01:29 PM
http://youtu.be/sDQTUbGrivg (http://youtu.be/sDQTUbGrivg)

Video 2

The squawk at the end is Beauty-forgot to turn the sound off there before I started recording


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 23-Sep-12, 06:51:43 PM
 :hatch1: :yippee: :thumbsup:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 24-Sep-12, 12:27:19 AM
 goodnews:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: carla on 24-Sep-12, 04:50:31 AM
Great video,love the sound of Beauty.My Empty-nest syndrome is almost over.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 24-Sep-12, 03:26:28 PM
Snow in Orange!

Indeed we have a 5th observed season young peregrine falcon with us now, having appeared between midnight and 3.30am this morning. Thanks to everyone who’s been covering for us over the wee small hours. We’re madly sifting through the footage from this morning and the poor surveillance server is steaming around the edges helping us retrieve everything we can find. This HD camera is a blessing, as well as Swift’s choice of scrape location in the eyrie which has allowed us full vision.

Apologies to those who are experiencing ongoing streaming problems. Not resolved yet, but we’re up against quite basic software apps and old machinery (being a voluntary project) but we’ll rectify everything as soon as possible. In the meantime  we’ve made available a clip from daylight hours earlier today which runs for about 6 minutes but offers vision of the whole family – we welcome “Snow” ….

Much more to come over the next few days …. for all you locals, we’re on Prime 7 News again tonight (Thanks Jarrad and Marcus once more; remember – duck & weave!) and for you radio listeners Angela at ABC Radio Central West interviewed us this morning too – you’re all fantastic!!

http://youtu.be/Jw38KBWt-80 (http://youtu.be/Jw38KBWt-80)


A face only a parent could love

With daylight has come better photo opportunities to say Hullo to Snow. Caught mid-afternoon was a close-up of the sleepy, furry bobblehead in between feeds (which also happened shortly afterwards).

A sleepy Snow


Both parents have been in close attendance, and a little time ago we watched Swift enjoying a well-earned meal in-situ while Beau took his turn keeping Snow warm and looking on enviously at Swift’s raw meal. Indeed Beau seems to have overcome that phase of wondering why this small egg has suddenly turned furry and moving! We’re all lucky that Beau and Swift are such good parents.


Media coverage today

With the new bobblehead in the eyrie located up the Concrete Hilton the excitement has been universal today. Snow has become an instead online sensation in quick time, and of course Beau and Swift are soaking up the adulation from around the world and on campus. We appeared live on ABC Radio Central West this morning (thanks heaps Angela & team; great coverage and great supporters!), and then were visited by Jarrad and Marcus from Prime 7 News once more to record the occasion to the local region.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9rsrE6hCQU#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9rsrE6hCQU#ws)

Written media coverage includes a good article in the local newspaper, the Central Western Daily – thanks to the CWD!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 24-Sep-12, 04:05:55 PM
Thank you Annette! I love how they call her the "new bobblehead".  ;D


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Dumpsterkitty on 24-Sep-12, 04:26:24 PM


One good frame of breakfast before the cam froze up on me


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 26-Sep-12, 04:12:27 PM
Watching Snow makes me nostalgic for Orion's time as an eyas, especially since Snow, like Orion, has no siblings.  What a cutie!   :2thumbsup:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Dumpsterkitty on 27-Sep-12, 08:41:43 PM
http://youtu.be/Law2_GpeKig (http://youtu.be/Law2_GpeKig)

Three days with us and Snow is growing at an alarming rate, based on photos and video that we’ve been watching. Dinner times go down very well, albeit gory for us humans in seeing it all in full-blown hi-def colour now, but Snow is not leaving a smidgeon of food ungulped! Indeed Snow seems to be quite adventurous and has already been seen trying to waddle up the side of the scrape

A brief video clip here of the little bobblehead after a feed from Swift. You can indeed just hear Snow chirping away for mum’s attention. Swift is a great mother, very attentive, protective, very careful when feeding. Beau is yet to make his mark as a mentor for Snow yet though, although can occasionally be seen playing his role too, when not hunting.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 27-Sep-12, 09:58:59 PM
Cute cute cute!! Thanks


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 28-Sep-12, 12:02:30 AM
My my look at all those prey feathers! Swift is not a very good housekeeper!!! lol  ;D


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 28-Sep-12, 12:34:34 PM
Love Snow!   :wub:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 28-Sep-12, 03:13:56 PM
Some poignant peregrine moments

Cilla’s been kept busy checking the recording server daily in the quest to obtain good quality statistics and records of our peregrine falcon family. Here are a couple of the last few day’s worth of moments.

Swift tidying her food stash
http://youtu.be/b3F6UjhP3Oo (http://youtu.be/b3F6UjhP3Oo)

Dining with the whole family
http://youtu.be/5vjE08aLoAQ (http://youtu.be/5vjE08aLoAQ)

Beau and young 1 day old Snow
http://youtu.be/FV63kc3SqJQ (http://youtu.be/FV63kc3SqJQ)

Feeding time for 5 day old Snow


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 28-Sep-12, 03:36:59 PM
Excellent videos!! LOL Thanks


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 28-Sep-12, 05:54:35 PM
Great videos, Annette!  Thanks!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 28-Sep-12, 08:56:02 PM
 :thumbsup:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 04-Oct-12, 03:08:15 AM
Day 11 for young Snow

Young peregrine eyas, Snow, is doing very well and has been entertaining us with great footage, sometimes by itself but other times with either of Beau or Swift in attendance. Snow is now definitely too big for Beau to take under his wing and they end up quietly chatting to each other instead.

Brief footage here of 10 day old Snow having quiet time (thanks Cilla!), and another of Swift with Snow having a very cute few moments…

Snow - Day 11


http://youtu.be/Op8ghh3civ0 (http://youtu.be/Op8ghh3civ0)

http://youtu.be/JYwy9KcG1X8 (http://youtu.be/JYwy9KcG1X8)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 04-Oct-12, 01:43:43 PM
Thanks so much for posting the videos, Annette!  Love the 2nd one with Swift and Snow-adorable!  :wub:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 04-Oct-12, 01:46:33 PM
Love how they snuggle and look at each other! A moms love!  :heart:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 04-Oct-12, 10:05:49 PM
 :wub: :heart:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 10-Oct-12, 07:05:39 AM
(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r32/djweeds/10-10snow-1.jpg)  Look!  :heart:

sent to me from nycbird   :wave:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 10-Oct-12, 08:34:19 AM
(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r32/djweeds/10-10snow.jpg)  Look!  :heart:

sent to me from nycbird   :wave:
There is no picture


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 10-Oct-12, 08:38:53 AM
(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r32/djweeds/10-10snow.jpg)  Look!  :heart:

sent to me from nycbird   :wave:
There is no picture

Wow, it was there when I posted it! Hmmm


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Dumpsterkitty on 10-Oct-12, 08:46:22 AM
(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r32/djweeds/10-10snow.jpg)  Look!  :heart:

sent to me from nycbird   :wave:
There is no picture

Wow, it was there when I posted it! Hmmm

I see it


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 10-Oct-12, 01:21:46 PM
How cute is that!?!  :heart:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 11-Oct-12, 07:53:58 AM
http://youtu.be/_GwWdw1MUng (http://youtu.be/_GwWdw1MUng) Snow grabbing the goods!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 11-Oct-12, 08:09:30 AM
Snow is so cute!  :heart:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 11-Oct-12, 01:29:54 PM
Oh my, that Snow is a determined little one!!  :yes:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: AlisonL on 12-Oct-12, 08:35:16 PM
Donna, that is a very cute video! Thank you!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 16-Oct-12, 01:16:39 AM
Snow now 18 days old

Little Snow is not so little anymore and is taking on that role of being Beau’s excessively large furry slippers when Beau comes to visit. Snow is too large now to protect under the wing but is just the right size to keep the feet warm now! Apologies to all camera viewers for that feather stuck and flapping around the nest camera – no-one’s keen to put their hand in there yet to sweep it away! We can but hope a large gust of wind will come through and clear it off.

Cilla’s video clips of Beau visiting 16 day old Snow, and Swift arriving with breakfast while Snow tucks in...

Mother and child (or furry slippers)


http://youtu.be/j_hJj8yfVPY (http://youtu.be/j_hJj8yfVPY)

http://youtu.be/_GwWdw1MUng (http://youtu.be/_GwWdw1MUng)

We’ve come up against a possible short-term limitation in our ageing recording server’s capacity at the moment. There is so much movement going on in the nest view that the server is only able to store about 2 days of continuous archive footage at the moment. We’re madly running around looking for a compatible larger hard drive for this older computer. Maybe next season we will focus our resources in to improving both the camera streams (by then both HD) and the archival recording storage capacity.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 18-Oct-12, 10:09:48 AM
Appearance at Aust National Field Days in Orange

Cilla has taken part of the Project display today out to the Australian National Field Days at Borenore, just outside Orange, to show off our world famous feathered celebrities. With some luck there’ll be lots of interest. Visitors to the Field Days come from far & wide, right across Australia.

Orange campus will also be receiving another visit from the “Future Moves” schoolkids at the end of October, here for a day to experience the university lifestyle, and of course to learn about peregrine falcons!! The last group a few months ago learnt a lot and had a fantastic day around the place.

Anyone who’s been to any of our recent exhibits etc will know that we now use our own Project QR-type barcode so it’s very quick to take a note of the website for future reference, on smartphones, tablets etc.

Snow is almost topping Beau in size now. The challenge will be to confirm whether Snow is a he or a she but money’s already on that it’s a female, based on the advanced standing height against its father. It’s a little boring up the Concrete Hilton at times during the day but generally either of Beau or Swift takes guard whilst the other is off hunting. Snow is sleeping  a lot and we’re seeing quite advanced flight feathers comnig through now – that gawky “teenage” period! And with extra movement and stronger legs come moments when the decision to sleep underneath the cameras can be alarming when we lose sight for a while. Rest assured that Snow is playing sensibly when close to the raised ledge still….

http://www.anfd.com.au/ (http://www.anfd.com.au/)

24 day old Snow spots movement
http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/FalconCam1HD-17-10-2012-021443pm.jpg (http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/FalconCam1HD-17-10-2012-021443pm.jpg)


Snow, just mucking around

Snow is taking on the appearance of less fluff and more feather. With only approximately 15 days or so left before attempting to fledge we’re making the most of our time with Snow. Cilla’s coming on well with some substantial research statistics from this breeding season (e.g. food patterns, parental behaviour – male/female etc).

A 6 mins clip of Snow just messing about near the ledge
http://youtu.be/ZhGzTFZffDA (http://youtu.be/ZhGzTFZffDA)

We’re 99% sure we’ve now solved the recording server’s issues with the loss of archives. Attaching an external HDD about 8 times the size of the previous disk (now more than 2TB, as was estimated when we purchased the software through Lan1 – spot on, Basil!) seems to have given us the answer and is indeed archiving and maintaining records; at this rate we may be back to around 3-4 weeks worth of archives at any one time. Still working on quality, and audio output…


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 18-Oct-12, 01:06:31 PM
http://youtu.be/bR1JXmDo4mM (http://youtu.be/bR1JXmDo4mM)

Snow gets punished! This is a bit graphic for some but Beauty did almost the same to Orion when he wandered off to the wall. Is this normal Falcon behavior?


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 18-Oct-12, 03:26:10 PM
I think mom wanted Snow in the back of the nest and was merely trying to put her there. I think the pecking at the head was Swift just trying to figure out how to grab Snow to pull her back. I watched Beauty grab Orion a couple different times and put him where she wanted him. It's all good, this eyas is growing and progressing 2 weeks after this video was made.  ;)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: carly on 18-Oct-12, 05:09:34 PM
A couple of years ago I watched a singleton in Michigan, I mentioned him before and we nicknamed him Sumo ...cause he was a little heffer  :lol:

Anyone one day there was - unbeknownst to us, a falcon intruder near the nest box.  Sumo had jumped out of the nest box while the parents were out of cam view and then mom cam back and started freaking out trying to get him back into the nest box. 

Of course, we were all thinking she had lost her mind and was trying to hurt him - she couldn't figure out how to get him back in so she grabbed him by the cheek (he was a few weeks old at the time) and just hauled him up into the nest box cutting his cheek in the process. 

Later on, the people that manage that site told us what was going on out of cam range so mom was just trying to get him to safety with her where she could protect him.  Later on - dinner was served and it was the 'falcon' intruder...that part was tough to watch.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 18-Oct-12, 05:52:06 PM
She fed a falcon to the eyas?? Oh horrors! Yikes!!! Just goes to show, a mom will do whatever she has to to protect her young. Thanks!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: carly on 18-Oct-12, 06:32:42 PM
She fed a falcon to the eyas?? Oh horrors! Yikes!!! Just goes to show, a mom will do whatever she has to to protect her young. Thanks!

Was a first for me too.  I'm guessing it wasn't just a passer through, likely it was a challenger for the nest and given they had a kid to feed...  I've also seen a dead offspring eaten by a parent....twice actually.  In both cases there were other surviving kids in the nest box so I could only conclude that perhaps not to attract predators, they disposed of the body by ingesting it.   I didn't see it being fed to the remaining kids in either case.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 18-Oct-12, 06:42:23 PM
She fed a falcon to the eyas?? Oh horrors! Yikes!!! Just goes to show, a mom will do whatever she has to to protect her young. Thanks!

Was a first for me too.  I'm guessing it wasn't just a passer through, likely it was a challenger for the nest and given they had a kid to feed...  I've also seen a dead offspring eaten by a parent....twice actually.  In both cases there were other surviving kids in the nest box so I could only conclude that perhaps not to attract predators, they disposed of the body by ingesting it.   I didn't see it being fed to the remaining kids in either case.

The not so nice side of nature! Survival baby!  :(


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 22-Oct-12, 07:46:38 PM
(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r32/djweeds/10-22Snow.jpg) Getting big that Snow

(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r32/djweeds/10-22snow2.jpg)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 22-Oct-12, 09:32:09 PM
Another one growing too fast!  :baby:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 25-Oct-12, 02:09:34 PM
Lots of screen time for Swift, Beau and Snow

With Snow 32 days old now  the adult feathers are well & truly showing ; a fairly quiet eyas this time around but developing its own personality. Swift and Beau are taking plenty of their time in with Snow, and you’ll quite often see Swift taking a well-earned rest. As some viewers have queried, Swift is certainly spending far more time in the eyrie than in past years. Hard to fathom why, but it shouldn’t be weather as it’s a typical Springtime & food seems to be abundant. There’s a possibility that as Snow is a reasonably quiet and non-pushy young one (as opposed to the likes of Ophir last who was intent in tearing her parents apart at any opportunity!) that Swift feels secure enough to snooze without being harassed.

This afternoon we caught a moment where Swift’s gaze, for some reason, was affixed to our nest dome camera. She came right up to check it out and wasn’t convinced for about 5 minutes before finally giving up and heading for the ledge. Video clip to come…

A curious Swift


Swift approaching


Cilla’s been hard at it, buried in the recording server, running off clips suitable for research, taking plenty of notes and readying our records for future archiving. We’re still pushing the recording server to its limits, with almost full-time HD camera recording, but with the newly acquired large hard drive we’re back on track for storing longer term archives again, freeing up the older and smaller hard drive exclusively for the ledge camera archives. More testing is also going on using different video streaming technologies as we’re not happy with the current generation of Flash technologies at all, which seem to be behind most of our streaming issues right now.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 26-Oct-12, 02:45:58 PM
Clips of Snow, Swift and Beau

More footage for those who are missing decent video streaming at the moment. Firstly a soft moment between Swift and Snow, who is intent on remaining close to mum. Then Beau arrives during dinner and is ushered out the door quickly by Swift. We also have some footage of Swift taking note of the camera and eyeballs us as she checks it out; camera is OK and escaped any harsh reaction!!

Snow growing up too fast - 33 days old


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPNAt7FkA9I (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPNAt7FkA9I)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xw444vRQoik (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xw444vRQoik)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZLtXVD4qig (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZLtXVD4qig)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 26-Oct-12, 03:18:22 PM
Clips of Snow, Swift and Beau

More footage for those who are missing decent video streaming at the moment. Firstly a soft moment between Swift and Snow, who is intent on remaining close to mum. Then Beau arrives during dinner and is ushered out the door quickly by Swift. We also have some footage of Swift taking note of the camera and eyeballs us as she checks it out; camera is OK and escaped any harsh reaction!!

Snow growing up too fast - 33 days old


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPNAt7FkA9I (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPNAt7FkA9I)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xw444vRQoik (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xw444vRQoik)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZLtXVD4qig (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZLtXVD4qig)



Snow is growing much too fast!  Loved the videos especially the last one!  Too funny!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 27-Oct-12, 12:25:31 AM
Ditto that Kris!  :yes:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: jeanne on 27-Oct-12, 12:44:01 PM
Just precious!  Love how Snow tries to get so close to mom :heart: :heart: :heart:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 31-Oct-12, 01:40:39 PM
Nearly ready to jump

With only 2-4 days days left before wanting to spread wings and experience the big scary outside world Snow is becoming restless. All campus residents and staff are now on alert, in case we have a recalcitrant fledgling shortly. Soon as we see Snow go we’ll be out making sure all’s well! An exciting moment, but also a sad one as we watch another young’n head for the big wide world.

Day 36 Snow about to get a meal


More video clips to come shortly. We used to think our Snow was quite serene but we seem to have caught a few “big brother” moments where serenity has been a long way from Snow’s developing mind (& claws!). It could also be why Swift is spending less time in her (recently unusual) habit of snoozing in the eyrie alongside Snow, and is now more up on top of the tower.

We’re making the most of our time with Snow but those on campus will no doubt still be able to enjoy the goings-on outside in the trees as the new capability of flight becomes a new toy, and how trees work, and how much easier it’s become to annoy mum and dad for food!


Some “Snow” moments on video

Snow’s strength is growing and so is the pent up energy and frustration, being stuck in a confined space when the outside world now beckons. Fledging should be approximately 2nd-4th November, when that amazingly brave leap of faith will hopefully, and safely, take place from the Concrete Hilton. We’re all on peregrine-watch now and the moment Snow goes over the edge we’ll be down there making sure the big leap has been a safe one, without incident. Swift has been actively annoying any visitors around the tower, and will be more intense once Snow leaps.

A warning to anyone around Orange who wishes to check out Snow’s progress up in the trees – Swift has been known to dive on unsuspecting visitors so look up and be wary of any movement, and take heed of any verbal warnings from Beau and Swift.

http://youtu.be/v4mMQmGqI7k (http://youtu.be/v4mMQmGqI7k)

http://youtu.be/DCSvz3rS8mM (http://youtu.be/DCSvz3rS8mM)

http://youtu.be/pRar7QjQSKc (http://youtu.be/pRar7QjQSKc)

The FalconCam Project crew would also like to thank all our viewers and followers over the last few years for your fantastic support – the website has just passed the 80,000 visitor mark since inception. It’s great to know our effort and enthusiasm for these amazing creatures is rewarded with such a dedicated  following. Thanks everyone & keep watching with us!!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 02-Nov-12, 06:44:53 PM
Snow has fledged!  Hope there'll be a video of it posted or reports on how he made out!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: nycbird on 02-Nov-12, 07:21:06 PM
Am looking at Swift's nest cam and Snow is there......


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 02-Nov-12, 07:31:07 PM
Am looking at Swift's nest cam and Snow is there......

Yeah, it looked like he had left but he was hiding in the corner.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 03-Nov-12, 09:58:32 AM
Male or female?

At fledging, females should be 80% wingsize of adults, and males about 83%. On that basis,
one would assume Snow is a male.  He is considerably smaller than Swift – see attached.

Snow and Swift for a size comparison


However, it is known that males mature more quickly and often leave the nest earlier than females, so am not 100 % sure. At mature nestling stage, such as this, there is something called ‘reverse dimorphism’ whereby the male can be actually larger than the female.

If there is anyone out there who would like to stick their neck out and make a pronouncement, let us know!

Cilla


Nestling prey

Most of the birds brought into the nest-box are in bits – hard to identify. Beau, who is doing 90% of the hunting, obviously likes to have a quick chew before passing the prey onto Swift and/or Snow.  I do have a file of a few complete corpses from this breeding season, however, and out of a total of  35, 20 are common starlings (which are pest on this campus and vineyard), three are eastern rosellas (very common here), one red-rumped parrot, one  red wattlebirds, one crested pigeon, and some less specified: a few quails, parrots, other pigeons etc. I also have a file of over a 100 other prey, which need further scrutiny for identification (if possible).

What is intriguing is whether the starlings really do dominate the prey at this time of year, or whether there is a bias due to the fact that Beau does not like starlings, so doesn’t have a go at these first before offering them to the family. If pigeons are tastier, as I suspect they are, they are less
likely to arrive intact into the nest and more likely to make up some of the grey, unappetizing bundles
of fur videos of which are cluttering up my hard drive.

More on this later when I’ve had time to go through the other tapes. Here is Snow with an example
of both starling and attitude. And yes, I think he is a boy.

Snow with starling


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 03-Nov-12, 10:01:40 AM
Looks male to me but what do I know?


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 04-Nov-12, 04:01:37 PM
OK, so BCAW people say Snow has fledged! Pics show mom and dad at box but no Snow to greet them!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: carly on 04-Nov-12, 04:35:31 PM
Swift is now laying in the nest box  :(


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: AlisonL on 04-Nov-12, 06:16:20 PM
Just posted on the website:

Snow has departed

We’re pawing over some very average, (very low light) archive footage from this morning, but it seems that Snow has left us in a squawking, anxious moment, at 5.43am, hanging on to Swift, before taking off out the window. We’ve done a brief recce around the grounds and in the trees first thing this morning, but to no avail yet. The poor quality image from the very old ledge camera didn’t give us a very good indication as to exactly which direction Snow headed, but we’ve got campus staff, including the gardening crew, on the look-out for the first sighting. If Snow is anything like Solo 2 seasons ago we may not find the brat for a few days yet, but long as we get a sighting shortly to know Snow is safe we’ll all be happy. Will also try to obtain handheld video footage soon as possible too……..


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 04-Nov-12, 06:35:35 PM
YIKES!  :o  Hope he's OK!!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 04-Nov-12, 06:39:58 PM
Oh dear-I hope they find him and he's OK.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: jeanne on 04-Nov-12, 08:20:18 PM
Be safe, sweet baby!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 04-Nov-12, 08:55:37 PM
Posted on BCAW:  :fallgirl:


Great news. . Snow has been found and is well. . . post from Cilla:

Snow had been found alive and well and after some measurements were taken, has been placed in a tree in an obvious spot near the nest.

Scott will put up some photos soon, but for those interested here are the measurements:

Wing 264 mm
Tail 130.2 mm
Weight 570 g\

As this is approx 80% of adult male wing and tail length, it confirms Snow as a male.

Cilla (relieved!).


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 04-Nov-12, 09:57:48 PM
New update on Snow with pics:

http://falconcamproject.org/ (http://falconcamproject.org/)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 04-Nov-12, 10:10:05 PM
So happy they found him! Thanks Kris!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 04-Nov-12, 10:16:44 PM
 Very goodnews: !!!   ;D


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: rssport on 05-Nov-12, 01:03:45 AM
Kids!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 05-Nov-12, 11:03:53 AM
Hurray for our boy, Snow! :clap:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: AlisonL on 06-Nov-12, 03:15:59 PM
A new update on Snow today: I am very glad he is okay.

Snow has found the roost tree

After disappearing yesterday afternoon and causing a certain amount of anxiety, all is now well.  Scott and I found Snow at the top of the usual dead pine roost/feed tree about 50-60 m away from the tree where we left him, in the tiny patch of bush opposite the nest.  It’s a tall tree, so he must have flown well to get up there.

 Mum was sitting quietly in the box, but Dad was patrolling and chattering a warning call, so we didn’t go close.

I did take a photo, but it’s probably not web quality – too far away and backlit, but will have a look tonight.

Orange is expecting some harsh weather in the next few days, so that will be a further test.  These babies are so spoilt as they have been under cover all their lives.

Cilla (relieved)….back to the stats.


Yesterday morning, Swift spent a long time in the nest box:

   

Beau paid a short visit:



Swift came back again:

   


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 06-Nov-12, 03:55:49 PM
 goodnews:  :thumbsup:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 07-Nov-12, 11:22:34 AM
Looks like Snow fledged in a huff after a tiff with his mom, Swift.  I hope they've made up. Peregrine Snow fledging under duress (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44JgeN2Mk2k#ws)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 07-Nov-12, 12:02:47 PM
What the heck was that about? She looked PO'd! Unruly child?


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 07-Nov-12, 01:53:13 PM
Holy moly! Snow went talon up on mom. Kinda scared me at first! Just a falcon thing I guess.  :phew:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 07-Nov-12, 01:56:13 PM
Holy moly! Snow went talon up on mom. Kinda scared me at first! Just a falcon thing I guess.  :phew:

These two have had a really weird relationship-look at the video when she was beating up on him.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: NoraH on 07-Nov-12, 04:02:26 PM
Didn't she get breakfast?


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: NoraH on 07-Nov-12, 04:09:22 PM
http://youtu.be/bR1JXmDo4mM (http://youtu.be/bR1JXmDo4mM)

Snow gets punished! This is a bit graphic for some but Beauty did almost the same to Orion when he wandered off to the wall. Is this normal Falcon behavior?
That was one feisty chick!  You could tell she was being careful though.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: jeanne on 08-Nov-12, 01:41:22 AM
It looks like one was caught on the other


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 08-Nov-12, 11:18:38 PM
Snow update:

A quick update to say that, as of this morning, Snow is still up in the large old pine trees in the wood opposite the nest.  He is clambouring about and doing short flight bursts between branches, but I haven’t witnessed any longer flights, nor feeds.  But of course, I can’t spend all day looking through the scope (which has been set up in an office belonging to the head of school, who is probably unaware of its current use) and we have no external cameras, alas.  Last night Swift was sitting a few feet from him, so clearly they know where he is and I’m sure are feeding him. 

 At least the parents are no longer bring prey into the box as they did on Day 1, although they are still visiting and often meet up there for a ritual courtship manoevre (heads bowed, clucking).

When Snow starts doing longer flights, I’ll go and forage around under the tree for feathers to see if I can see what prey has been taken.  There is a lot of tangled understorey there, but will have a look anyway.

Cheers

Cilla


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: nycbird on 09-Nov-12, 10:10:54 AM
It looks like Snow is back in the nest with his Mama.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 09-Nov-12, 10:18:41 AM
Here he is!  :cheerleader:

http://youtu.be/kD-aB6YxYI8 (http://youtu.be/kD-aB6YxYI8)

Looks like he wants momma to feed him!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 09-Nov-12, 10:28:09 AM
Wow, he's much calmer this time. Thanks


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 09-Nov-12, 02:10:33 PM
Awww, he's thinking 'Mama, I love you and I'm sorry for making you mad at me!'  :(


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Wing Goose on 09-Nov-12, 04:38:33 PM
Wow, I have never see Mom and offspring have a tiff before.
                          :rain:         :pfalcon:       :rain:                         
                                              Lola


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: AlisonL on 14-Nov-12, 06:26:27 PM
I saved these pics of Swift and Snow at the nest last night. Snow is coming in to land in the first pic. He kept pestering Swift; he tried to grab her by the tail, but she skipped out of the way really fast, then he chased her around the nest, and finally launched himself at her. Swift did not look amused. After the last pic, Snow left.

     

       

   


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 14-Nov-12, 06:40:14 PM
I saved these pics of Swift and Snow at the nest last night. Snow is coming in to land in the first pic. He kept pestering Swift; he tried to grab her by the tail, but she skipped out of the way really fast, then he chased her around the nest, and finally launched himself at her. Swift did not look amused. After the last pic, Snow left.

     

       

   


I still say that these two have a really odd relationship. Snow acts whacky at times-going after his mom like that and she looks afraid of him in some videos I've seen. He also sleeps in the box with mom sometimes at night-isn't that odd behavior for a fledgling?


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 14-Nov-12, 10:50:16 PM
Snow seems to be a bit of a brat!  :gum:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 14-Nov-12, 10:57:20 PM
Snow seems to be a bit of a brat!  :gum:

You can say that again!  I'm surprised Swift puts up with his antics. One video showed him trying several ways to bite her and she was trying to get away from him. Weird!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: nycbird on 15-Nov-12, 09:24:33 AM
Isn't Snow's odd behavior the same that he would direct toward siblings if he had any.??
It is rough 'play' but he has to practice on someone.......poor Swift!!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 15-Nov-12, 01:14:58 PM
Isn't Snow's odd behavior the same that he would direct toward siblings if he had any.??
It is rough 'play' but he has to practice on someone.......poor Swift!!

I don't recall this behavior between Orion and Beauty-he just took it out on poor Orville!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: NoraH on 15-Nov-12, 02:12:54 PM
Maybe Snow doesn't have an Orville of his own  :(


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: AlisonL on 16-Nov-12, 07:56:38 PM
I don't think Snow had any intention of hurting Swift; I think he just wanted to play.

Things have seemed peaceful at the nest for the past couple of days.

         

         

   


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 19-Jul-13, 02:10:13 AM
Cams are back
(http://i42.tinypic.com/2vn3z0h.jpg)
Swift take-off


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 19-Jul-13, 09:44:02 PM
Cams are back
(http://i42.tinypic.com/2vn3z0h.jpg)
Swift take-off

Thanks, Annette!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: nycbird on 13-Aug-13, 10:57:22 PM
Swift is lying in the scrape.  Practicing....or will we have an egg tomorrow??? Last year her first egg was 8/17/12.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 14-Aug-13, 08:09:53 AM
Thanks for the heads up, nycbird.  Almost brooding time down under! :thumbsup:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 14-Aug-13, 08:49:10 AM
Can't get to the cam, say's it malware! Even if I was there before don't go there now!! WT??


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 14-Aug-13, 08:58:09 AM
Can't get to the cam, say's it malware! Even if I was there before don't go there now!! WT??
Nest cam and ledge cam are ok.

http://www.csu.edu.au/special/falconcam/Streams/camera-one.htm (http://www.csu.edu.au/special/falconcam/Streams/camera-one.htm)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Dumpsterkitty on 14-Aug-13, 08:58:27 AM
Can't get to the cam, say's it malware! Even if I was there before don't go there now!! WT??

I think it's one of those google thinks it's malware when it really isn't kind of thing.

Just sent them feedback...


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: AlisonL on 14-Aug-13, 03:22:13 PM
Can't get to the cam, say's it malware! Even if I was there before don't go there now!! WT??

I think it's one of those google thinks it's malware when it really isn't kind of thing.

Just sent them feedback...

The links to the cams, and the home page, are okay. Don't go to the link for "FalconCam Project Site". That page was hacked into last year, and has not yet been fixed. the ledge cam doesn't work for me at the moment, but the nest cam does.

No egg so far, as of a few minutes ago.

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/August%202013/orangeaug142a_zps944201db.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/August%202013/orangeaug142a_zps944201db.jpg.html)

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/August%202013/orangeaug143a_zps359113b4.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/August%202013/orangeaug143a_zps359113b4.jpg.html)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 14-Aug-13, 03:35:27 PM
Does anyone know if Beau has been spotted in the territory yet?


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: nycbird on 14-Aug-13, 03:46:37 PM
There is a video on Swift's forum on Bird Cams Around the World,  showing Beau bringing Swift a present ... on pg 16... on Aug 10th.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 14-Aug-13, 04:00:05 PM
Oh, lovely!   :happy:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 26-Aug-13, 07:30:47 PM
Swift and Beau have their first egg!

http://www.csu.edu.au/special/falconcam/Streams/camera-one.htm (http://www.csu.edu.au/special/falconcam/Streams/camera-one.htm)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 26-Aug-13, 08:45:45 PM
YAY!  Thanks, Kris!  :clap:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 26-Aug-13, 08:50:06 PM
 :thumbsup:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 26-Aug-13, 09:03:32 PM
(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r32/djweeds/1beau2_zpsad034792.jpg) (http://s140.photobucket.com/user/djweeds/media/1beau2_zpsad034792.jpg.html)
(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r32/djweeds/1swift_zpsc50b0ff8.jpg) (http://s140.photobucket.com/user/djweeds/media/1swift_zpsc50b0ff8.jpg.html)
(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r32/djweeds/1Beau_zpse66c4896.jpg) (http://s140.photobucket.com/user/djweeds/media/1Beau_zpse66c4896.jpg.html)

From nycbird! Beau brought Swift some food but she was right in the middle of laying her egg and refused it!
Thanks


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 26-Aug-13, 11:26:44 PM
Timing is everything! lol  :wave:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 27-Aug-13, 12:12:57 AM
I love this cam from Down Under!  Just when we start missing our pefas and juvies here, we get to start watching Swift and Beau creating their family!   :happy:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 29-Aug-13, 01:52:40 PM


2nd egg arrives!!  :2thumbsup:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 29-Aug-13, 02:04:30 PM
HURRAY!   :clap: :clap:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 29-Aug-13, 02:09:17 PM
Great!  :thumbsup:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 29-Aug-13, 11:56:02 PM
WOOT!  :2thumbsup:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 10-Sep-13, 02:47:06 PM
Does anyone know how big Swift and Beau's clutch is now?  I know it's at least two eggs.  Sadly, it appears no one is keeping the website up to date. 


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 10-Sep-13, 02:49:17 PM
Does anyone know how big Swift and Beau's clutch is now?  I know it's at least two eggs.  Sadly, it appears no one is keeping the website up to date.  

Incubating 2 eggs. They had 3 eggs but disposed of one after pushing it aside for a couple days. Bev posted on BCAW:

3 rd egg was broken and pecked apart and pushed aside . No apparent reason.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 11-Sep-13, 10:08:29 AM
Okay, thanks Kris!   :(  Here's a video from last Friday that shows all three eggs at a shift change.  As we can see, the abandon egg is well away from the scrape.

Falcon Project Charles Sturt University,shift change 3 eggs&1 egg off to the side,9/7/13 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHBqUxr_1Ew#)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Dumpsterkitty on 14-Sep-13, 08:59:16 PM
Had to tell my computer the site wasn't malware to get through...

The long southern winter, and malware…
Published 11 September, 2013 | By ScottBanks

As most of our viewers have noticed we’ve had a really fun run of utterly pointless malware in the back end of the website, which has ultimately affected the website viewing experience for just about everyone. Nothing malicious – just one of those avoidable nuisances. We’re now working with a professional security company to avoid the problems of the past and appear to have finally cleared ourselves of the rubbish that some random, under-utilised brains have encumbered us with.

We’ve requested Google to clear us once more of their extremely annoying and somewhat useless website blocking tactics, and hope now that they’ll leave us alone to get on with what we’ve been doing best – bringing to you our observations of Beau and Swift, and their ongoing lives up the Concrete Hilton, on Orange campus.

You’ll also notice we’ve updated the look of the website to something more modern. In doing this we’ve noticed that the capability to leave comments has been turned off so as soon as we’re able to we’ll repair this feature as well (Ed.- you can leave comments by going in to the post itself!), but in the mean time we hope that routines will return to normal very soon…. especially with the exciting news of this, our 6th observed breeding season’s eggs, underway as we speak (write).

Also problematic has been the issue that both Cilla and myself have been overseas for extended periods recently, and consequently access to the website for maintenance, the cameras, the surveillance/recording systems etc have been interrupted. We should both be back on deck now, and the most exciting news is that the recently purchased Axis 3384 camera which will replace the very old ledge camera view is up and running, and initial tests have provided us with stunning quality results, both during the day and at night. Stay tuned – the new ledge camera isn’t far away now!

Apologies once more to our devoted viewers – I think we’re on top of all the troubles this time!….. and now it’s over to our peregrine falcons once more…..

Scott



Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 29-Sep-13, 08:52:32 PM
Swift ate one of the remaining 2 eggs today-only one left.   :(


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 29-Sep-13, 09:45:05 PM
Oh no!    :o


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 29-Sep-13, 11:05:00 PM
Swift ate one of the remaining 2 eggs today-only one left.   :(


Nooooo   :confused:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 30-Sep-13, 06:47:00 AM
Oh my! :(


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 30-Sep-13, 08:53:32 AM
Video of Swift eating the egg.   


http://youtu.be/QgmzF7aRP-Y (http://youtu.be/QgmzF7aRP-Y)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 30-Sep-13, 10:59:55 AM
What's going on here?? When did she eat the 1st one?? Wonder how they know? Hope the 3rd is viable!  :(


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 30-Sep-13, 11:10:11 AM
What's going on here?? When did she eat the 1st one?? Wonder how they know? Hope the 3rd is viable!  :(

Around 9/6, they pushed the egg aside and didn't incubate it anymore then it just disappeared.  No answer for what they did with it.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 30-Sep-13, 11:13:38 AM
From the Falconcam Project website:

27th August saw the arrival of the first new egg

2nd Sept saw the completion of this season’s laying with a total of 3 eggs, and roughly the commencement of dedicated incubation by both Beau and Swift.

6th Sept unfortunately saw the destruction of the 3rd egg, which was cleaned up by Swift shortly afterwards

28 Sept saw another egg crushed and it appears the cuplrit has again been Beau in a clumsy attempt at helping out; we’re hanging on to this last egg now (figuratively!) in the hope that it hatches. Approximate incubation period for these peregrines averages between 29 and 33 days, so any time from now on we’re hoping for some good news up the tower.



Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Dumpsterkitty on 30-Sep-13, 11:21:55 AM

28 Sept saw another egg crushed and it appears the cuplrit has again been Beau in a clumsy attempt at helping out;

He shouldn't be able to crush a healthy egg no matter how clumsy. Something is up there...DDT use hasn't stopped world wide...

"Despite the worldwide ban, agricultural use continues in India,North Korea, and possibly elsewhere." wikipedia


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 30-Sep-13, 11:31:02 AM
That was my thought as well, Ei, although I didn't know DDT is still being used in some countries.  I guess the words to "Big Yellow Taxi" are still appropriate.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Bobbie Ireland on 30-Sep-13, 11:32:07 AM

28 Sept saw another egg crushed and it appears the cuplrit has again been Beau in a clumsy attempt at helping out;

He shouldn't be able to crush a healthy egg no matter how clumsy. Something is up there...DDT use hasn't stopped world wide...

"Despite the worldwide ban, agricultural use continues in India,North Korea, and possibly elsewhere." wikipedia

Hmmm... good point, Ei. A healthy egg should survive a good bit of pressure.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Dumpsterkitty on 30-Sep-13, 11:45:15 AM
Hmmm... good point, Ei. A healthy egg should survive a good bit of pressure.

Even an unhealthy egg...look how well the 2 2012 eggs held up. And the whole clutch in 2011.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Dumpsterkitty on 30-Sep-13, 11:50:18 AM
That was my thought as well, Ei, although I didn't know DDT is still being used in some countries.  I guess the words to "Big Yellow Taxi" are still appropriate.

Apparently it is used indoors to combat malaria. And it is persistent in the environment as well. I have to wonder if some is being released from melting ice.

From the EPA's website:

Current Status

Since 1996, EPA has been participating in international negotiations to control the use of DDT and other persistent organic pollutants used around the world. Under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme, countries joined together and negotiated a treaty to enact global bans or restrictions on persistent organic pollutants (POPs), which includes DDT, known as the Stockholm Convention on POPs. The Convention includes a limited exemption for the use of DDT to control mosquitoes which are vectors that carry malaria - a disease that still kills millions of people worldwide.

In September 2006, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared its support for the indoor use of DDT in African countries where malaria remains a major health problem, citing that benefits of the pesticide outweigh the health and environmental risks. This is consistent with the Stockholm Convention on POPs, which bans DDT for all uses except for malaria control.

DDT is one of 12 pesticides recommended by the WHO for indoor residual spray programs. It is up to countries to decide whether or not to use DDT. EPA works with other agencies and countries to advise them on how DDT programs are developed and monitored, with the goal that DDT be used only within the context of Integrated Vector Management programs, and that it be kept out of agricultural sectors.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 30-Sep-13, 01:09:20 PM
From the Falconcam Project website:

27th August saw the arrival of the first new egg

2nd Sept saw the completion of this season’s laying with a total of 3 eggs, and roughly the commencement of dedicated incubation by both Beau and Swift.

6th Sept unfortunately saw the destruction of the 3rd egg, which was cleaned up by Swift shortly afterwards

28 Sept saw another egg crushed and it appears the cuplrit has again been Beau in a clumsy attempt at helping out; we’re hanging on to this last egg now (figuratively!) in the hope that it hatches. Approximate incubation period for these peregrines averages between 29 and 33 days, so any time from now on we’re hoping for some good news up the tower.



Thanks for clarifying what happened to the eggs, Patsy.  All the info I had posted was from what I had read on BCAW.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 30-Sep-13, 02:07:58 PM
Glad to do it, Kris.  I'm surprised there was something on the website, as they haven't been very forthcoming with information lately. 


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 01-Oct-13, 06:32:39 PM
 :(


During video analysis today we located a piece of footage which appears to show a cracked third and final egg beneath Swift (video clip to go up soon…). We’re still monitoring but if this is indeed a cracked egg and not merely an early hatching then it will be the first observed season in the Project’s time frame where an entire clutch has failed.

If this is the case we will endeavour to enter the eyrie shortly and obtain any remaining samples of discarded egg  to see if we can have the shell analysed for any weaknesses, toxins etc. At this stage we cannot rule out possible calcium or structural deficiencies which may be contributing to this situation. We can at least point to several clumsy moments in entering and leaving the eyrie by Beau (in particular)! In the late 1960′s and early 1970′s peregrine falcon sub-species around the world were threatened with extinction by the use of DDT in agricultural production. Indeed sub-species in eastern USA had lost their battle, but populations in that region have returned by re-introducing cross-bred sub-species. Since those dark days the numbers of peregrines worldwide have improvedwith the ban on the use of DDT, but peregrines are not safe yet.

It is known, and has been recorded, that an early season failed clutch could possibly be followed by a second later mating attempt. All is not lost and we would love to be able to say that today’s deduction has been incorrect! We will be closely monitoring the Concrete Hilton over the next few days.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 01-Oct-13, 11:19:18 PM
Oh no!   :'(  Thanks, Kris.  I hope they can get some samples and figure out what is wrong.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 02-Oct-13, 07:04:50 AM
What is going on?? This is so sad.  :(


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 02-Oct-13, 03:56:41 PM
 :no: :(


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 15-Oct-13, 03:35:53 PM
Published 8 October, 2013

Project work is getting back on track now after various interruptions recently, most notably a campus-wide power outage on Saturday, which would’ve definitely affected our streaming feeds. All is well again now. Some viewers have noticed that the connection to either camera can take a long time to bring up – we’re putting it down at the moment to the large bandwidth we’re using for the feeds, so we may have to cut back on this to allow more efficient streaming. Testing is ongoing.

Swift and Beau are now sitting on thin air. The 3rd egg has been cleaned out and both birds have been happier sitting on top of the tower or around on the old unused microwave dish (best views in Orange!). We can now watch and hope that there will be a second mating as it’s stil early in the season. Our first observed season, resulting in eyas Migii, didn’t occur until end of November and in to December (fleding in to the new year) so we can but cross fingers that progress will be made – in terms of FalconCam Project this is uncharted territory.

If we’re able to soon we’ll head in to the box to try and extract any remaining eggshell portions to see if we can get them tested – call it a health check!

In the meantime stick with us and we’ll see where this 6th observed season goes from here.

A reminder for anyone posting comments that you can leave messages on these news posts by opening up the post itself via the heading and then posting notes at the bottom. Thanks again for all your support and comments. It makes for better, more interesting reading!


Idle time on the ledge, in HD

P.S. For anyone using our correct domain name to access this website – falconcamproject.org – we apologise on behalf of Google for messing you around still. The website is indeed 100% clean and is currently being monitored a few times every day to ensure we stay that way. Google have finally cleared the website for general consumption but for some reason will not clear from their own blacklist the preferred domain name which appears on our advertising and inserts. Apologies to everyone who’s still receiving warnings from Google – we’re good to go and will speak personally to Google when they finally show themselves!!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 15-Oct-13, 04:55:29 PM
Published 8 October, 2013

Project work is getting back on track now after various interruptions recently, most notably a campus-wide power outage on Saturday, which would’ve definitely affected our streaming feeds. All is well again now. Some viewers have noticed that the connection to either camera can take a long time to bring up – we’re putting it down at the moment to the large bandwidth we’re using for the feeds, so we may have to cut back on this to allow more efficient streaming. Testing is ongoing.

Swift and Beau are now sitting on thin air. The 3rd egg has been cleaned out and both birds have been happier sitting on top of the tower or around on the old unused microwave dish (best views in Orange!). We can now watch and hope that there will be a second mating as it’s stil early in the season. Our first observed season, resulting in eyas Migii, didn’t occur until end of November and in to December (fleding in to the new year) so we can but cross fingers that progress will be made – in terms of FalconCam Project this is uncharted territory.

If we’re able to soon we’ll head in to the box to try and extract any remaining eggshell portions to see if we can get them tested – call it a health check!

In the meantime stick with us and we’ll see where this 6th observed season goes from here.

A reminder for anyone posting comments that you can leave messages on these news posts by opening up the post itself via the heading and then posting notes at the bottom. Thanks again for all your support and comments. It makes for better, more interesting reading!


Idle time on the ledge, in HD

P.S. For anyone using our correct domain name to access this website – falconcamproject.org – we apologise on behalf of Google for messing you around still. The website is indeed 100% clean and is currently being monitored a few times every day to ensure we stay that way. Google have finally cleared the website for general consumption but for some reason will not clear from their own blacklist the preferred domain name which appears on our advertising and inserts. Apologies to everyone who’s still receiving warnings from Google – we’re good to go and will speak personally to Google when they finally show themselves!!

Thanks for the update, Annette!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 19-Oct-13, 10:42:40 AM
The waiting game

Little to report up the Concrete Hilton just at the moment. We’re in that phase of waiting to see if Beau and Swift are interested in mating again this season. Certainly, as viewers have noticed, Swift is spending plenty of time resting in the eyrie – today of all days it may well be a way to remove herself from the extreme weather conditions. Currently there is a Total Fire Ban across most of New South Wales, with very high winds and a large number of bushfires blazing further east. We are anticipating a weather change soon which should cool temperatures and give the firefighters a break, but for the peregrines it will merely mean a more comfortable existence.

Some of our early-morning Banjo’s Bistro staff on campus noticed some aerial and very verbal frolicking this morning. With some luck this is all part of the initial courtship routine. We can but hope for now…

For those still having problems in accessing the website and receiving malware warnings from Google, please be assured we’re clean. The preferred domain name – www.falconcamproject.org (http://www.falconcamproject.org) – is still blacklisted which amuses us as the website itself isn’t…. c’mon Google – catch up with the real world!

This week we hope to convert the old ledge camera recording server feed to the brand new HD ledge camera feed on our Milestone Surveillance Server. We will be up for a much larger hard drive to store as much footage as possible for this new camera too. Currently we use a single 2TB external WD HDD for the nest camera, and will do same for the ledge camera as well. The task at hand now is to upgrade this old but very reliable surveillance server computer itself to something of more modern vintage, to handle the anticipated much heavier workload. In normal circumstances this 2 TB drive is offering us around 30 days continual/motion-sensor archives for a single camera, which in itself in invaluable.


Getting friendly in the eyrie

Some very promising signs in the eyrie this afternoon. With one or both peregrines hanging around the tower all day there seems to be a growing interest in each other right now. Caught just a few minutes ago the pair bowing in the scrape! Video clips will be going back up soon…


Beau and Swift bowing


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 19-Oct-13, 10:51:17 AM
 :thumbsup:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 31-Oct-13, 05:30:14 PM
Published 31 October, 2013

We’re still watching and waiting for any signs of another laying. Both birds can be animated at times, Swift is spending plenty of time on the scrape, with Beau spotted bringing her food every so often, some verbal conferences down in the trees and in flight above the tower, but to this end no further signs of another laying just yet.

Swift flexing and stretching


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 01-Nov-13, 12:22:40 PM
Published 1 November, 2013

After months of background work, good networking and some in-depth inquiries, we’ve finally had our domain name cleared from all malware listings, months after the website itself was actually cleared and secured. Rest assured now that the name, falconcamproject.org is good to go again and we can continue the Project in the knowledge that news, photos and information we bring to the worldwide community of peregrine falcon research will continue to contribute to the international effort in understanding and protecting this incredible bird species. In studying these birds we also hope to contribute to a better understanding of all species endangered by human encroachment across the globe.

We received an email today from another really interesting peregrine falcon monitoring group in Ontario, Canada. The link to the Hamilton Community Peregrine Project has been added to the links on the right hand side. Thanks for your email, Christina; always good to compare notes from around the world!

Thanks to all our supporters and viewers for sticking with us! Now we await more news from Swift and Beau, in the hope of a second breeding cycle this season – fingers crossed…


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 03-Nov-13, 02:26:14 PM
Season 6 2013 video clips

Published 3 November, 2013

With the presumption of normal operations to our Project website we’ve added some of this season’s video clips. It’s proving to be fun with these 2 new HD cameras as the video quality is so good it’s making the video file sizes enormous so we’re testing to reduce file sizes on uploading!!

First video we see Swift laying her first egg in early morning, back in August. The second clip shows Beau and Swift in a bowing moment – it’s good to see these two interacting for us in the cameras! In the third clip we see a sad moment as Swift removes her 3rd and last damaged egg to the side.

This week we’ll be attaching the new HD ledge camera to our Milestone surveillance/recording server and we hope to be bringing some high quality clips to you from the ledge soon.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xYDTlRwZro#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xYDTlRwZro#ws)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFBpZhpGrBg#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFBpZhpGrBg#ws)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rklmz7fDvXQ#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rklmz7fDvXQ#ws)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 09-Nov-13, 03:37:41 PM
Camera page tests causing live feed problems
Published 8 November, 2013

In an attempt to shorten the sometimes long buffering times on the live camera feeds for external viewers we made some technical changes today, which don’t appear to have fixed the problem. Apologies to all viewers for the loss of vision but we hope to have the feeds back to the original pages by tomorrow.

It’s quiet up the tower with a little peregrine interaction, lots of sleep for Swift, and some high-speed fly-pasts by male falcon Beau. We still have about a month’s window for any possible 2nd mating, but the two birds aren’t showing too much enthusiasm just at the moment!

Finally there’s rain predicted for a few days this weekend, so we should see some improvement in conditions outside.


Swift’s arrival


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 13-Nov-13, 09:49:23 AM
Nervous step-grandparents…
Published 11 November, 2013

Orange is experiencing its first decent rainfall for a long time – great for the farms, crops, gardens etc. The downside  is that it’s brought a lightning storm along for the ride, and with a nearby hit just minutes ago we’re awaiting another direct hit on the tower itself. And to make things even more nervy we’re watching Beau sitting on the microwave dish around the side, in the rain, oblivious to the imminent threat of getting hot feet and the real chance of the tower conductor about 15 feet from him being used to earth the sky to the ground!! We can’t find a broom big enough to scare him away!! The tower conductor was hit 5 years ago when Swift was sitting on her first egg (raised in this eyrie anyway), 3 days before little Migii hatched; how anyone survived up there that day we don’t know, but Migii was a healthy, happy and well-fed eyas, much to everybody’s surprise.

Apologies for problems in opening the photos -just noticed the issue. Also have same problem loading
up new photos in the back-end. We’ll have that fixed soon as we find a new photo gallery module!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 13-Nov-13, 10:11:02 AM
Oh my, get off there Beau!! Scary!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 13-Nov-13, 12:59:45 PM
Nervous step-grandparents…
Published 11 November, 2013

Orange is experiencing its first decent rainfall for a long time – great for the farms, crops, gardens etc. The downside  is that it’s brought a lightning storm along for the ride, and with a nearby hit just minutes ago we’re awaiting another direct hit on the tower itself. And to make things even more nervy we’re watching Beau sitting on the microwave dish around the side, in the rain, oblivious to the imminent threat of getting hot feet and the real chance of the tower conductor about 15 feet from him being used to earth the sky to the ground!! We can’t find a broom big enough to scare him away!! The tower conductor was hit 5 years ago when Swift was sitting on her first egg (raised in this eyrie anyway), 3 days before little Migii hatched; how anyone survived up there that day we don’t know, but Migii was a healthy, happy and well-fed eyas, much to everybody’s surprise.

Apologies for problems in opening the photos -just noticed the issue. Also have same problem loading
up new photos in the back-end. We’ll have that fixed soon as we find a new photo gallery module!

                            :o


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 13-Nov-13, 06:25:39 PM
 :scaredblue:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 27-Nov-13, 09:22:02 AM
Some stunning new imagery
Published 22 November, 2013

With the new Axis 3384 HD (vandal-proof!) camera in place above the ledge, and also now configured to our internal Milestone Surveillance server, we’re finally getting some stunning quality images and video clips. The down-side is that the video clip sizes are enormous due to the high resolution of the camera (that can be handled) but the up-side is that we’re now seeing these ‘macropus‘ peregrine falcons in real-life colour  and clarity, from both inside the nest as well as on the ledge and indeed outside the tower too. Cilla is over the moon that we now have a much better chance of identifying any food coming in, but we still can’t convince Beau to stop reconstituting his menu before he arrives, to give us a better chance at true identification!

Still working on repairing the photo gallery modules to the left. It seems we can’t upload new pics, nor view them, so we’re looking at an alternative module.

There has been plenty of verbal activity around campus, with some interesting interactions, and some further long bowing moments in the eyrie. Both birds seem to be quite animated when outside and there’s generally one or the other in the eyrie or on the tower itself, out of camera reach. No further signs though of any breeding so the “window” may have closed for now.


Swift returns – 1


Swift returns – 2


Swift returns – 3


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 27-Nov-13, 10:05:36 AM
Those pics are beautiful!! Clear like ours!!   :2thumbsup:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 27-Nov-13, 11:33:33 AM
I so hoped they would second clutch but guess it's not meant to be.  Beautiful camera images though!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 27-Nov-13, 05:14:45 PM
Awesome pics!  :flash: :good post:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 05-Aug-14, 10:28:33 AM
For those needing a falcon cam fix, one of the adults in currently in the nestbox at http://www.csu.edu.au/special/falconcam/Streams/camera-one.htm. (http://www.csu.edu.au/special/falconcam/Streams/camera-one.htm.)  Let's hope for a successful breeding season for Swift and Beau at Charles Sturt University.  They've seen their share of frustrations recently.

Its courting time in Orange
Published 21 July, 2014 | By Scott Banks
This month in Orange is the beginning of the next breeding season for resident peregrines Beau and Swift. They’ve been given a freezing month of July as well, with intermittent snowfalls around the region and below zero (celsius) nights. There have been reports of Beau ducking and weaving amongst vehicle traffic down on the road, scaring the odd passer-by with near misses, and plenty of banter in and around the trees and the “Concrete Hilton” tower. With both HD cameras up & running, (albeit the odd tweak for night vision and picture quality) we’re looking forward to more activity shortly. Just this week we’ve seen the peregrines offering food on the wing to each other, making plenty of noise and disturbing the locals. It’s all a good sign. Outside of some regular annoying power outages on campus the cameras and servers are running very well. We’re all set, so Beau and Swift, now if you two wouldn’t mind availing us of more offspring we’ll be more than happy!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: PatriciaRose on 05-Aug-14, 05:46:56 PM
For those needing a falcon cam fix, one of the adults in currently in the nestbox at http://www.csu.edu.au/special/falconcam/Streams/camera-one.htm. (http://www.csu.edu.au/special/falconcam/Streams/camera-one.htm.)  Let's hope for a successful breeding season for Swift and Beau at Charles Sturt University.  They've seen their share of frustrations recently.

Its courting time in Orange
Published 21 July, 2014 | By Scott Banks
This month in Orange is the beginning of the next breeding season for resident peregrines Beau and Swift. They’ve been given a freezing month of July as well, with intermittent snowfalls around the region and below zero (celsius) nights. There have been reports of Beau ducking and weaving amongst vehicle traffic down on the road, scaring the odd passer-by with near misses, and plenty of banter in and around the trees and the “Concrete Hilton” tower. With both HD cameras up & running, (albeit the odd tweak for night vision and picture quality) we’re looking forward to more activity shortly. Just this week we’ve seen the peregrines offering food on the wing to each other, making plenty of noise and disturbing the locals. It’s all a good sign. Outside of some regular annoying power outages on campus the cameras and servers are running very well. We’re all set, so Beau and Swift, now if you two wouldn’t mind availing us of more offspring we’ll be more than happy!

Thanks, Pat - I been needing a falcon cam fix! ;)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: PatriciaRose on 05-Aug-14, 06:02:20 PM
For some reason I got an error message from the link, but I searched falcons and came up with the cameras.  Try this link- maybe it will work better :)

http://www.csu.edu.au/special/falconcam/ (http://www.csu.edu.au/special/falconcam/)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: PatriciaRose on 08-Aug-14, 09:15:29 AM
It appears that someone is sleeping in the NB this morning(11pm down under).  Can't tell if it is Beau or Swift.  Nice to see a falcon in the nest!  :cool-045:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 08-Aug-14, 09:28:37 AM
Yes, I noticed that too Patricia.  It looks like she has built the scrape in that corner, which I think is near to her usual placement of it.  I'm guessing this is Swift. She must be very near to laying time if she's sleeping in the nestbox. That is, if she hasn't laid one already. 


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: PatriciaRose on 08-Aug-14, 08:46:04 PM
Yes, I noticed that too Patricia.  It looks like she has built the scrape in that corner, which I think is near to her usual placement of it.  I'm guessing this is Swift. She must be very near to laying time if she's sleeping in the nestbox. That is, if she hasn't laid one already. 

Thank you for the info, Pat!  I am so new to the falcon watching, I usually don't know what I am seeing! haha!  And I wasn't sure who was the male and who was the female either!  Now I know the female is Swift!  I wonder if there was an egg?  I guess we will have to keep watching!   ;D


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: PatriciaRose on 09-Aug-14, 12:13:55 PM
I saw Swift yesterday afternoon on the ledge at the NB & now she is sleeping in there again.  Didn't look like there was any egg yesterday.  Hope they install more cams at this location- I know they are talking about doing it. :falcon:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 09-Aug-14, 07:04:03 PM
I saw Swift yesterday afternoon on the ledge at the NB & now she is sleeping in there again.  Didn't look like there was any egg yesterday.  Hope they install more cams at this location- I know they are talking about doing it. :falcon:

 :thumbsup:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 09-Aug-14, 07:40:43 PM
Someone is on the ledge cam now.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: PatriciaRose on 10-Aug-14, 08:02:09 PM
Someone is on the ledge cam now.

I saw her sleeping in there again this morning- she sure is spending a lot of time at the nest.  Hope we see an egg soon! :2thumbsup:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: PatriciaRose on 12-Aug-14, 10:21:43 AM

Published 11 August, 2014 | By Scott Banks

With the impending egg-laying hopefully about to begin in the next fortnight there has been a noticeable increase in the use of the eyrie overnight but also during the day. Both birds have been frequenting campus, with plenty of sightings at various times of the day. Swift has taken to overnighting in her nest, while Beau has been spotted either up on top of the tower or across in the trees. The weather hasn’t helped with regular below zero nights making life tough outside but these peregrines are seasoned to this climate.

http://falconcamproject.org/ (http://falconcamproject.org/)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: PatriciaRose on 16-Aug-14, 11:37:56 PM
Almost every time I take a look, someone is either on the ledge or sleeping in NB.  Probably Swift-can't be long til we see an egg! :heartspin:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: PatriciaRose on 20-Aug-14, 05:09:58 PM
I just got to see both Beau & Swift at the NB just a few min. ago!  Swift was preening for quite a while and suddenly Beau flew in to join her!  She didn't seem too pleased with this and flew off.  He inspected the NB area thoroughly and then flew off too.  Quite a handsome couple!   ;D


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 20-Aug-14, 05:33:52 PM
The first egg in 2012 was laid on 8/17 and in 2013 the first was laid on 8/27. Their nest failed last year so hope things go better for them this year.  They are a handsome pair!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: PatriciaRose on 20-Aug-14, 11:29:44 PM
The first egg in 2012 was laid on 8/17 and in 2013 the first was laid on 8/27. Their nest failed last year so hope things go better for them this year.  They are a handsome pair!

Thanks for the info Kris! Yes, hopefully they will have a successful year!  It's still pretty cold there, so maybe they are waiting for it for warm up a bit-but they do have a nice NB to stay warm in! :umbrella2:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: PatriciaRose on 23-Aug-14, 12:16:15 AM
Promising signs for the peregrines
Published 21 August, 2014 | By Scott Banks

We should be getting close to seeing eggs, if they’re going to come this season, and this afternoon Swift  has spent plenty of time checking out her scrape, pulling in some gravel and basically arranging the eyrie to suit her needs. She is certainly learning how to relax again in familiar surroundings. While Cilla and her team has been compiling very valuable data over the past few months the Project team is back on duty and will be monitoring the situation on a daily basis, checking footage, watching for behavioural changes and patterns and looking forward to another furry bobblehead season ahead!

The weather hasn’t been too kind recently but the rains have generally stayed away. Orange is about to burst in to early Spring colour and this presents good signs ahead for a breeding season for all the local regional bird species.
http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/21082014043336pm.jpg (http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/21082014043336pm.jpg)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 23-Aug-14, 06:20:26 AM
Nice to have babies for every season! Thanks, good news so far!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: PatriciaRose on 27-Aug-14, 10:45:32 AM
Long nights in the eyrie
Published 26 August, 2014 | By Scott Banks

It appears Swift is spending longer evenings and nights in the eyrie. With plenty of activity around the tower and trees Beau is paying attention, while Swift seems to be struggling. Fingers crossed for news from the Concrete Hilton soon! The cameras are running well and plenty of campus staff are reporting aerial interaction.

We’re currently looking at upgrading our data storage capability for the observation & surveillance server, as this time of the year the total storage is taken up very quickly with so much motion-activated eyrie activity. It doesn’t give us more than a few days of footage at a time, in high-definition, before we lose it. We run 1 x 2TB hard drive per camera, at a fairly high frame rate per second and will be looking at larger data storage options, such as employing a NAS unit.

http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/FCP26082014113316pm.jpg (http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/FCP26082014113316pm.jpg)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: PatriciaRose on 30-Aug-14, 11:07:06 PM
I been watching Swift for a while tonite- looks like today might be the day for an egg! :clap:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 30-Aug-14, 11:10:59 PM
I been watching Swift for a while tonite- looks like today might be the day for an egg! :clap:

Fingers crossed!  ;D


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Joyce on 31-Aug-14, 12:04:51 PM
No eggs yet...


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: PatriciaRose on 31-Aug-14, 12:41:35 PM
No eggs yet...

awww...come on Swift, it's starting to warm up a bit! :)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: PatriciaRose on 31-Aug-14, 04:12:10 PM
Well, I just got to watch a mutual ledge display in the NB-was pretty neat! Now we just need that egg.....  :yahoo:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 01-Sep-14, 11:20:40 PM
It's not looking good for an egg here, I'm afraid.  It was brought up that age could be a factor with her egg laying and hatches record the past few years. I was really hoping that there would be eggs ..guess we'll have to wait and see how it plays out.




Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 02-Sep-14, 06:05:52 AM


Someone posted it was snowing! 2 degrees C

Swift is 10 years old

Swift

They all have their fingers crossed!



Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 02-Sep-14, 08:16:48 AM
Poor Swift really wants an egg.  She's been at the nestbox so often for such a long time now.  I hope she isn't egg bound. 


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 02-Sep-14, 07:19:53 PM
Saw this on a blog about Swift and Beau:

A further post from Ingrid containing some interesting info .....

"Ingrid Brouwer says:

2 September, 2014 at 6:54 pm

Usually Peregrine Falcons are fully mature and ready to breed at 2 years but we have seen cases where a 1 year old bird, both female and male, have had a first successful nest.

If and when this couple is the same as in 2007 (archive) they are at least 8 or 9 years old.

There are Peregrines that reach very old age, the oldest known wild PeFa was in the USA, 21 years if I remember correctly.

This season (Northern hemisphere) we have seen a couple of older females struggle with nesting, failing to produce viable eggs or no eggs at all. They are well over 10 years so Swift has still a couple of good years ahead, normally speaking.

PeFa’s do seem to have something you could call menopause, they court, mate but don’t produce eggs any more.

Famous were Freedom and Roosevelt in Fort Wayne-Indiana (USA). Their last clutch was in 2007 but they remained the residing couple at the nest site until April 2011, when Roosevelt disappeared. Freedom stayed at her site until March 2012. By that time first a young appeared and a few weeks later an immature female came on the scene. Freedom was last seen on camera on March 18 2012. She was later found dead on a roof nearby, no signs of a fight, it seems she died of old age.

Beau brings food!

and we wait!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 02-Sep-14, 07:35:00 PM
 :good post: Interesting and good info here. Thanks!  :wave:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: PatriciaRose on 02-Sep-14, 07:59:37 PM
WE HAVE AN EGG!!  And I got to watch her lay it!! Whooo Hooo  :yahoo:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 02-Sep-14, 08:17:08 PM
WE HAVE AN EGG!!  And I got to watch her lay it!! Whooo Hooo  :yahoo:

 :cheerleader: :yippee:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: AlisonL on 02-Sep-14, 08:23:15 PM
Congratulations to Swift and Beau on their first egg! Have been hoping and checking the cams. Last year, the first egg was laid on August 27.

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/August%202014/orangesept219a_zpsb408e340.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/August%202014/orangesept219a_zpsb408e340.jpg.html)

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/August%202014/orangesept220a_zps63419e43.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/August%202014/orangesept220a_zps63419e43.jpg.html)

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/August%202014/orangesept222a_zpsa16e4451.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/August%202014/orangesept222a_zpsa16e4451.jpg.html)

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/August%202014/orangesept223a_zps1a565a27.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/August%202014/orangesept223a_zps1a565a27.jpg.html)

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/August%202014/orangesept224a_zpse371e957.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/August%202014/orangesept224a_zpse371e957.jpg.html)

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/August%202014/orangesept225a_zpse3bca06a.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/August%202014/orangesept225a_zpse3bca06a.jpg.html)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: carly on 02-Sep-14, 09:07:55 PM
 :cheerleader: :cheerleader: :cheerleader:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 02-Sep-14, 09:20:33 PM
Oh, that's wonderful!  Now let's hope for more and for at least one hatching this year!  Thanks for posting the photos, Alison.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 02-Sep-14, 09:22:26 PM
Yay! I just saw this on FB!  Congrats to Swift and Beau!   :yahoo:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: PatriciaRose on 03-Sep-14, 01:21:20 AM
I'm so excited...hope all goes well for Swift & Beau! :bunny:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 03-Sep-14, 08:13:21 AM
So happy for them!! Hope all goes well this year and it warms up!!  :clap:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 03-Sep-14, 09:34:07 AM
http://youtu.be/_VKDhMVti2k (http://youtu.be/_VKDhMVti2k)


Bowing & egg drop!   :clap:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 03-Sep-14, 09:49:39 AM
Egg drop is right!  No doubt about it.   :happy:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 04-Sep-14, 08:35:41 AM
http://youtu.be/Urg6E-uD7L0 (http://youtu.be/Urg6E-uD7L0)   :D


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Carol P. on 04-Sep-14, 08:47:30 AM
 :happy:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: PatriciaRose on 04-Sep-14, 10:19:14 AM
Another egg today perhaps? Nice to see Beau being a good dad! :thumbsup:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: AlisonL on 04-Sep-14, 06:57:41 PM
Since Swift laid her first egg, she has looked much less stressed.

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/August%202014/orange-sept-3-8a_zps948b25ae.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/August%202014/orange-sept-3-8a_zps948b25ae.jpg.html)

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/August%202014/orange-sept-3-9a_zps2cf83245.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/August%202014/orange-sept-3-9a_zps2cf83245.jpg.html)

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/August%202014/orange-sept-3-10a_zps003a7d3f.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/August%202014/orange-sept-3-10a_zps003a7d3f.jpg.html)

Beau takes his turn:

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/August%202014/orange-sept-3-12a_zpsd0167703.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/August%202014/orange-sept-3-12a_zpsd0167703.jpg.html)

Swift is back:

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/August%202014/orange-sept-3-18a_zpsec0ad462.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/August%202014/orange-sept-3-18a_zpsec0ad462.jpg.html)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 05-Sep-14, 09:00:34 AM
Beau brings the goods

"Where are you Swift?"
"Here I am, now gimme that!"

"Thanks for the meal hon!"   :D

Still 1 egg!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 05-Sep-14, 09:08:02 AM
Beau brings the goods

"Where are you Swift?"
"Here I am, now gimme that!"

"Thanks for the meal hon!"   :D

Still 1 egg!
Cute!!! Thanks for posting, Donna.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 05-Sep-14, 01:06:12 PM
 :clap:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: AlisonL on 05-Sep-14, 02:25:32 PM
Love the pics you posted, Donna! Thank you!

Still one egg. Swift is fast asleep at the moment, standing in the scrape with the egg in front of her.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: carly on 05-Sep-14, 03:33:27 PM
Egg #2 has finally arrived for Swift and Beau  :2thumbsup:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: AlisonL on 05-Sep-14, 04:00:06 PM
So happy that Swift was able to lay her second egg! Just had a glimpse of both eggs when she stood up for a moment.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 05-Sep-14, 04:01:39 PM
YAYAY for egg #2!   :clap: :clap:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 05-Sep-14, 04:39:04 PM
 :2thumbsup:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: PatriciaRose on 05-Sep-14, 05:01:20 PM
Egg #2 has finally arrived for Swift and Beau  :2thumbsup:
yippee thanks carly! :yahoo:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: AlisonL on 05-Sep-14, 06:52:20 PM
The two eggs, a few minutes ago:

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/August%202014/orange-sept-5-31a_zps43223921.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/August%202014/orange-sept-5-31a_zps43223921.jpg.html)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: PatriciaRose on 05-Sep-14, 08:25:33 PM
Nice pic, Alison!  I watched Beau come in with breakfast for Swift, and then sit on the eggs for a bit.  He looks at them like- hmmm now how do I sit on these? ha ha!  ;D


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: AlisonL on 08-Sep-14, 04:26:25 AM
Still two eggs . . .

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/September%202014/orange-sept-7-16a_zps0871c20c.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/September%202014/orange-sept-7-16a_zps0871c20c.jpg.html)

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/September%202014/orange-sept-7-17a_zps8b7867ff.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/September%202014/orange-sept-7-17a_zps8b7867ff.jpg.html)

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/September%202014/orange-sept-8-1a_zps7461f5fe.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/September%202014/orange-sept-8-1a_zps7461f5fe.jpg.html)

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/September%202014/orange-sept-8-6a_zps7fd60775.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/September%202014/orange-sept-8-6a_zps7fd60775.jpg.html)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 08-Sep-14, 02:02:46 PM
# 3 for Swift and Beau!   :2thumbsup:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 08-Sep-14, 02:07:08 PM
Wonderful!  Let's hope for one more and some hatches this year.   :clap: :clap: :clap:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 08-Sep-14, 02:43:17 PM
 :yahoo:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: PatriciaRose on 08-Sep-14, 09:09:45 PM
Hahaha I thought I just saw 3 under Beau!  :clap: thanks for the confirmation Kris!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: PatriciaRose on 10-Sep-14, 04:45:05 PM
I just figured out how to comment on their updates! lol Just click on post headline & it brings up the post with a place to comment! Maybe everyone already knew this, but just in case! hahahaha!  :laugh:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: PatriciaRose on 13-Sep-14, 05:30:51 PM
I think there may be a broken egg....did she lay another, or are there just 2 now?  Poor Swift :(


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: PatriciaRose on 13-Sep-14, 05:38:13 PM
I think there may be a broken egg....did she lay another, or are there just 2 now?  Poor Swift :(

She just got up...only 2 eggs now- hopefully these will fare better!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 13-Sep-14, 06:19:23 PM
I think there may be a broken egg....did she lay another, or are there just 2 now?  Poor Swift :(

She just got up...only 2 eggs now- hopefully these will fare better!

That's so sad..this has happened to them before.  I hope the other 2 are OK.  :(


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 13-Sep-14, 07:49:38 PM
Wonder why this keeps happening??  :o


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: PatriciaRose on 14-Sep-14, 09:07:58 AM
I saw a comment by Scott Banks, that said last year Beau crushed one of the eggs while sitting on it.  Seems he has trouble with more than 2 eggs.  Poor Beau & Swift :(


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 14-Sep-14, 09:19:24 AM
Oh dear Lord, I hope it's not going to be a total repeat of last year. :(


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: PatriciaRose on 14-Sep-14, 11:05:02 AM
Well it wasn't Beau's fault this time-guess she must have noticed something wrong with the egg...blessings to the remaining eggs  :pray:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 14-Sep-14, 02:19:09 PM
Posted update:

http://falconcamproject.org/ (http://falconcamproject.org/)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 14-Sep-14, 06:12:13 PM
Fingers crossed for the 2 remaining eggs!!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: PatriciaRose on 17-Sep-14, 08:32:04 PM
Seems like things are settling in with Swift & Beau, taking turns with the 2 eggs.  Hopefully this means that all is well with both! :sunshine:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 19-Sep-14, 09:51:05 AM
Postings on webcam blog:

broken egg retrieved
Published 19 September, 2014 | By Cilla Kinross
I went up to collect the broken egg today and caused some disturbance, so the remaining eggs were uncovered for about 25 minutes. Will get back to you with results on egg thickness as soon as possible.

egg shell thickness
Published 19 September, 2014 | By Cilla Kinross
I took 20 measurements of the egg using calipers on the broken edges to try and avoid the curve and the average was 0.31 mm (standard deviation of 0.02).

According to USGS Biological and Ecotoxicological Characteristics of Terrestrial Vertebrate Species Residing in Estuaries ‘Peregrine Falcon’ pre DDT shell thickness is generally around 0. 35-36 and post DDT it dropped by 10-22 % to 0.27-0.29.

So our Swift’s eggs would seem to be quite thin.  This may reflect the high percentage of starlings and pigeons in their diet as contaminants tend to accumulate particularly strongly in these species.

I’ll see what it costs to have the eggshell (which is now in pieces) tested for contaminants.

Comments are welcome.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: PatriciaRose on 19-Sep-14, 10:18:40 AM
Postings on webcam blog:

broken egg retrieved
Published 19 September, 2014 | By Cilla Kinross
I went up to collect the broken egg today and caused some disturbance, so the remaining eggs were uncovered for about 25 minutes. Will get back to you with results on egg thickness as soon as possible.

egg shell thickness
Published 19 September, 2014 | By Cilla Kinross
I took 20 measurements of the egg using calipers on the broken edges to try and avoid the curve and the average was 0.31 mm (standard deviation of 0.02).

According to USGS Biological and Ecotoxicological Characteristics of Terrestrial Vertebrate Species Residing in Estuaries ‘Peregrine Falcon’ pre DDT shell thickness is generally around 0. 35-36 and post DDT it dropped by 10-22 % to 0.27-0.29.

So our Swift’s eggs would seem to be quite thin.  This may reflect the high percentage of starlings and pigeons in their diet as contaminants tend to accumulate particularly strongly in these species.

I’ll see what it costs to have the eggshell (which is now in pieces) tested for contaminants.

Comments are welcome.


Seems strange they did fine with their eggs previous to last year, could they be using DDT again in this part of Australia?  Or is it just the age of Swift?  Hope it's not too expensive to test for contaminants, because this would definitely answer the question!  Praying the remaining 2 eggs have a bit thicker shell!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 19-Sep-14, 10:23:59 AM
Also praying that having other two eggs be uncovered for 25 minutes didn't cause any harm. 


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 19-Sep-14, 11:12:40 AM
First of all, why would they even go up to retrieve the egg during nesting?? They wonder why Swift was off the eggs for 25 minutes!! Don't they understand, it's not a good idea to go up there at all???  :stupid:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 19-Sep-14, 11:16:13 AM
Postings on webcam blog:

broken egg retrieved
Published 19 September, 2014 | By Cilla Kinross
I went up to collect the broken egg today and caused some disturbance, so the remaining eggs were uncovered for about 25 minutes. Will get back to you with results on egg thickness as soon as possible.

egg shell thickness
Published 19 September, 2014 | By Cilla Kinross
I took 20 measurements of the egg using calipers on the broken edges to try and avoid the curve and the average was 0.31 mm (standard deviation of 0.02).

According to USGS Biological and Ecotoxicological Characteristics of Terrestrial Vertebrate Species Residing in Estuaries ‘Peregrine Falcon’ pre DDT shell thickness is generally around 0. 35-36 and post DDT it dropped by 10-22 % to 0.27-0.29.

So our Swift’s eggs would seem to be quite thin.  This may reflect the high percentage of starlings and pigeons in their diet as contaminants tend to accumulate particularly strongly in these species.

I’ll see what it costs to have the eggshell (which is now in pieces) tested for contaminants.

Comments are welcome.


Seems strange they did fine with their eggs previous to last year, could they be using DDT again in this part of Australia?  Or is it just the age of Swift?  Hope it's not too expensive to test for contaminants, because this would definitely answer the question!  Praying the remaining 2 eggs have a bit thicker shell!

Interesting read on DDT:

http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2007/10/09/2054547.htm (http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2007/10/09/2054547.htm)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 19-Sep-14, 11:20:22 AM
My thoughts exactly, Donna.  And thanks for the article, Kris.  I didn't realize that DDT wasn't banned in Australia until 1987, several years after it was banned here in the US. 


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 19-Sep-14, 11:58:53 AM
First of all, why would they even go up to retrieve the egg during nesting?? They wonder why Swift was off the eggs for 25 minutes!! Don't they understand, it's not a good idea to go up there at all???  :stupid:

The eggs are probably ok uncovered for 25 minutes depending on the air temperature at the nest sight. People just don't think sometimes!  :rolleyes:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 19-Sep-14, 12:16:18 PM
My thoughts exactly, Donna.  And thanks for the article, Kris.  I didn't realize that DDT wasn't banned in Australia until 1987, several years after it was banned here in the US. 

I didn't realize they banned it that many years after we did either plus the half-life of DDT was quite surprising!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: PatriciaRose on 19-Sep-14, 05:21:56 PM
Interesting article, Kris, thanks for sharing!  I didn't think they would go up after the shell either, but they must really want to know, to disturb Swift like that. That Cilla must be a very brave person-not sure I would want to upset a nesting pefa!  :o


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Dumpsterkitty on 19-Sep-14, 06:10:45 PM
My thoughts exactly, Donna.  And thanks for the article, Kris.  I didn't realize that DDT wasn't banned in Australia until 1987, several years after it was banned here in the US. 

I didn't realize they banned it that many years after we did either plus the half-life of DDT was quite surprising!

I seem to recall a discussion of this last year. And I wonder if there has been any research into whether DDT could be stored in the polar ice that's melting...


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 19-Sep-14, 07:00:18 PM
My thoughts exactly, Donna.  And thanks for the article, Kris.  I didn't realize that DDT wasn't banned in Australia until 1987, several years after it was banned here in the US. 

I didn't realize they banned it that many years after we did either plus the half-life of DDT was quite surprising!

I seem to recall a discussion of this last year. And I wonder if there has been any research into whether DDT could be stored in the polar ice that's melting...


http://www.geotimes.org/aug08/article.html?id=nn_glaciers.html (http://www.geotimes.org/aug08/article.html?id=nn_glaciers.html)



Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Dumpsterkitty on 19-Sep-14, 07:10:50 PM
My thoughts exactly, Donna.  And thanks for the article, Kris.  I didn't realize that DDT wasn't banned in Australia until 1987, several years after it was banned here in the US. 

I didn't realize they banned it that many years after we did either plus the half-life of DDT was quite surprising!

I seem to recall a discussion of this last year. And I wonder if there has been any research into whether DDT could be stored in the polar ice that's melting...


http://www.geotimes.org/aug08/article.html?id=nn_glaciers.html (http://www.geotimes.org/aug08/article.html?id=nn_glaciers.html)



Well there you go...can't win...unless you just deny climate change even exists...


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: PatriciaRose on 19-Sep-14, 11:35:58 PM
This was an interesting statement -
 "DDT was banned in the Northern Hemisphere and regulated worldwide in the 1970s, but some places in the Southern Hemisphere still use the insecticide."
I wonder where those places are?


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 20-Sep-14, 07:17:19 AM
This was an interesting statement -
 "DDT was banned in the Northern Hemisphere and regulated worldwide in the 1970s, but some places in the Southern Hemisphere still use the insecticide."
I wonder where those places are?

And how do they know and why aren't they fined????  :whistle:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Dumpsterkitty on 20-Sep-14, 09:02:36 AM
This was an interesting statement -
 "DDT was banned in the Northern Hemisphere and regulated worldwide in the 1970s, but some places in the Southern Hemisphere still use the insecticide."
I wonder where those places are?

And how do they know and why aren't they fined????  :whistle:

I read an article once upon a time that it was allowed to be used indoors where malaria mosquitoes are prevalent. I don't honestly recall right now where...


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Shaky on 20-Sep-14, 09:09:40 AM
This was an interesting statement -
 "DDT was banned in the Northern Hemisphere and regulated worldwide in the 1970s, but some places in the Southern Hemisphere still use the insecticide."
I wonder where those places are?

Google is a wonderful tool.

DDT is legally used in parts of South America, Asia, and Africa to combat malaria.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 20-Sep-14, 10:01:42 AM
This was an interesting statement -
 "DDT was banned in the Northern Hemisphere and regulated worldwide in the 1970s, but some places in the Southern Hemisphere still use the insecticide."
I wonder where those places are?

Google is a wonderful tool.

DDT is legally used in parts of South America, Asia, and Africa to combat malaria.

Hmm, it helps some while killing others this DDT!!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: PatriciaRose on 20-Sep-14, 06:36:27 PM
This was an interesting statement -
 "DDT was banned in the Northern Hemisphere and regulated worldwide in the 1970s, but some places in the Southern Hemisphere still use the insecticide."
I wonder where those places are?

Google is a wonderful tool.

DDT is legally used in parts of South America, Asia, and Africa to combat malaria.

Hmm, it helps some while killing others this DDT!!

Thanks, Shaky- now why didn't I think of that? lol Maybe some residuals make their way to Australia-and I agree, Donna, good for some, bad for others :(


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: AlisonL on 20-Sep-14, 09:33:22 PM
I think it is really important to have the eggshell tested for contaminants, whether it is DDT, DDE or something else.

Does anyone have an idea of what it costs to do this?

The other two eggs a little earlier, when Swift took a short break:

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/September%202014/orange-sept-20-4a_zps63dd3e90.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/September%202014/orange-sept-20-4a_zps63dd3e90.jpg.html)

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/September%202014/orange-sept-20-3a_zps45f713c0.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/September%202014/orange-sept-20-3a_zps45f713c0.jpg.html)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 20-Sep-14, 11:11:45 PM
I think it is really important to have the eggshell tested for contaminants, whether it is DDT, DDE or something else.

Does anyone have an idea of what it costs to do this?

The other two eggs a little earlier, when Swift took a short break:

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/September%202014/orange-sept-20-4a_zps63dd3e90.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/September%202014/orange-sept-20-4a_zps63dd3e90.jpg.html)

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/September%202014/orange-sept-20-3a_zps45f713c0.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/September%202014/orange-sept-20-3a_zps45f713c0.jpg.html)


Cilla had said she was looking into the cost..hope they can do it.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: PatriciaRose on 24-Sep-14, 12:00:05 AM
I really hope they have success with the remaining eggs! :pray:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 02-Oct-14, 03:19:46 PM
Cute pic of Beau dozing while incubating, as Swift is on guard duty.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: PatriciaRose on 02-Oct-14, 06:38:11 PM
Cute pic of Beau dozing while incubating, as Swift is on guard duty.
Love this! :2thumbsup:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 03-Oct-14, 01:21:43 PM
Last egg was laid September 8, so I think we're looking at a week to a week and a half to go until hatch time.  I do so hope that at least one hatches.  Swift and Beau have had such a rough time of it these last few years. 


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 08-Oct-14, 11:03:39 PM
Just read that Beau and Swift have their first hatch!   :clap:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 08-Oct-14, 11:18:19 PM
 :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: carly on 09-Oct-14, 06:18:24 AM
 :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 09-Oct-14, 06:47:10 AM
Saw that last night but couldn't post it!   :2thumbsup:



Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 09-Oct-14, 07:38:05 AM
http://youtu.be/SPDKDgB4ND4 (http://youtu.be/SPDKDgB4ND4)   :heart:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 09-Oct-14, 08:02:26 AM
FANTASTIC!!!!!  YAY!!!!! We get to watch at least one little fluffball this autumn, and hopefully one more!!!! :clap:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 09-Oct-14, 03:14:53 PM
Beau and Swift are doing the first feeding now!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 09-Oct-14, 03:23:11 PM
Beau just dropped it off.  Swift is continuing, baby is doing great!  Sorry, I can't do a video, but here's a still.



Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 09-Oct-14, 03:24:15 PM
Still just the one.  



Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: PatriciaRose on 10-Oct-14, 12:29:19 AM
So happy for them!  :clap: :bguitar:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 10-Oct-14, 01:50:56 AM
Swift with first eyas

(http://i62.tinypic.com/2gvsa5t.jpg)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 10-Oct-14, 06:31:52 AM
(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r32/djweeds/10-9Swift_zpsa98993a2.jpg) (http://s140.photobucket.com/user/djweeds/media/10-9Swift_zpsa98993a2.jpg.html) And then there were 2   :clap: 


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: carly on 10-Oct-14, 07:52:12 AM
I think it's just one big baby as all I see is one this morning so far but I can't see too far under her.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 10-Oct-14, 11:04:56 AM
(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r32/djweeds/10-9Swift_zpsa98993a2.jpg) (http://s140.photobucket.com/user/djweeds/media/10-9Swift_zpsa98993a2.jpg.html) And then there were 2   :clap: 

They're saying there's still one baby.  Link to the blog:

http://falconcamproject.org/ (http://falconcamproject.org/)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 10-Oct-14, 11:16:33 AM
It was so much fun to watch the first feeding yesterday.  Typical...eat, eat, eat, then face plant.   :laugh: :heart:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 10-Oct-14, 12:54:11 PM
It was so much fun to watch the first feeding yesterday.  Typical...eat, eat, eat, then face plant.   :laugh: :heart:

Love when they do that!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: PatriciaRose on 10-Oct-14, 03:32:50 PM
It was so much fun to watch the first feeding yesterday.  Typical...eat, eat, eat, then face plant.   :laugh: :heart:
I'm hoping to catch a feeding today! Can't tell if the other egg hatched yet-she's got them pretty well covered right now. :happy:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: PatriciaRose on 10-Oct-14, 03:52:22 PM
Feeding time!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: PatriciaRose on 10-Oct-14, 04:19:05 PM
All done! Poor Swift has some feathers stuck to her beak! :silly:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: PatriciaRose on 11-Oct-14, 06:02:45 PM
Still waitin' on that second fluffball!  :whistle:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 11-Oct-14, 06:43:49 PM
Still waitin' on that second fluffball!  :whistle:

Yep!  I wish there was a better camera angle so we could see if the egg has any pips. Hatchling #1 seems to be doing just great, but he or she needs a playmate.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 11-Oct-14, 07:24:31 PM
I think it's just one big baby as all I see is one this morning so far but I can't see too far under her.


Wow, I thought there were 2 under her wing! Sorry!  :( 1 is better than none!!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 12-Oct-14, 05:09:33 PM
Feeding time again!  This baby is definitely well fed.  I think Swift and Beau may think the remaining egg isn't viable.  They are no longer fully incubating it all of the time.  Sometimes they are just sheltering it and the eyas with their wings. 


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 12-Oct-14, 10:09:18 PM
Eyas cuddles with egg.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 13-Oct-14, 08:13:14 AM
Updates from the website:

FalconCam camera issues
Published 13 October, 2014 | By Scott Banks
Apologies to all about the problems with the cameras at the moment. Working from distantly offsite it appears the big storm that’s passed through Orange may have taken out power supply to the cameras and/or campus and we won’t be able to confirm until later on this evening. Not the best time to get a power outage, but it’s in the lap of the gods. As long as Swift and the little’n are still OK. Some of the “old-timers” around these parts remember the direct lightning hit on the tower a couple of days before our first observed chick, Migii, hatched against all the natural odds. Migii went on to be quite a star and taught us plenty about peregrine falcons, no doubt defying many more lightning near misses along the way!

We’ll be back up as soon as we can ascertain the issues, or can find someone to blame :-) ……..

UPDATE: we may well be out for the next 10-12 hours (8-10am AEST) or so until we can ascertain the extent of the power outage across campus. We’ll have IT staff to help re-connect around that time and hope that no equipment has been damaged in the storm. Nervous times…..

Aspro as a possible name
Published 13 October, 2014 | By Cilla Kinross
The question was raised about the meaning of ‘Aspro’ – yes, you are right, it is a brand of Aspirin, commonly used to relieve headache pain.  The reason it was suggested was because I thought it would be a good idea to have a name that denoted the ‘bringing of relief’.  It could also mean Associate Professor (or something in contract bridge, I believe).   I rather like it!

Male attention
Published 13 October, 2014 | By Cilla Kinross
11_10_2014 Beau with chick 2Beau was observed attending to our youngster over the weekend, but he was not really feeding it and I think was quite relieved when Swift appeared with one of our native parrots (bad girl, she’s supposed to stick to ferals…) for lunch.

In fact she has been doing quite  a bit of hunting herself.   Perhaps he’s not keeping up his end.

2nd egg viability
Published 13 October, 2014 | By Cilla Kinross
Most peregrines hatch their eggs synchronously within 48 hours, so I don’t like the chances of this egg.  Thanks to those who showed concern.

Peregrine eggs often fail to hatch, more often than with other raptors.   Can sometimes be related to humidity.  They often leave the eggs exposed at dawn for this reason ie to let them be exposed to dew.

Unfortunately we had a major thunderstorm this afternoon, and I’ve lost the connection to the server, so am not completely up-to-date, but hopefully it will be reset tomorrow.

Inside Week 1 for the first chick
Published 13 October, 2014 | By Scott Banks
The first chick for this 2014 season is coming along and appears to be very healthy. Swift and Beau were very quickly in to a feeding pattern and numerous items have been offered from the ‘a la bird carte’ menu so far. Unfortunately the 2nd egg is taking its time to hatch and prospects aren’t that great, but Swift is still taking great care with the egg. Indeed there was a large time gap between layings this year so there’s still hope.

Cilla has been gathering pics and video clips from the surveillance server and these will be available later this week.

Thanks to everyone for their ongoing support. More fun and frivolity to come over the next few weeks, it seems!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: PatriciaRose on 13-Oct-14, 03:54:22 PM
Hope they get it up running soon! Hey maybe we will be surprised with the 2nd egg hatching!  I agree, the little eyas could use a buddy! :baby:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: PatriciaRose on 14-Oct-14, 12:00:12 AM
Now they say it could be til the end of the week for the web feed to be up and running....and I was getting mighty attached to those birds  :aaarggh:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 14-Oct-14, 08:17:44 AM
Oh carp!  Me too!   :thumbsdown:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 15-Oct-14, 12:18:37 PM
We’ve had some good people on campus running some tests for us to try and confirm what equipment is working and what’s not (not being back in the country myself just yet). We now know the cameras are fine, and both servers are up and running, but we’ve narrowed the connectivity issue down to a possible network switch configuration problem that has yet to be rectified i.e. the streams aren’t reaching the outside world. CSU’s DIT staff have been notified of the issues. Apologies to all for the terrible timing of this downtime. Worst case scenario is that we may be affected through until later this week. Rest assured that the peregrines are quite OK after the storm.

As we hear of progress I’ll let you know…


Today's update with cute pic of Aspro!

http://falconcamproject.org/ (http://falconcamproject.org/)





Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 15-Oct-14, 12:27:40 PM
Awww...open wide, sweetie!  Thanks, Kris. 


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 15-Oct-14, 02:14:41 PM
Cutie for sure!  :knifeFork:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: PatriciaRose on 16-Oct-14, 07:14:39 PM
Can't wait for the cameras to be online again! Guess little Aspro is going to be an only child...ah well, glad it's a healthy eyas  :happy:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 17-Oct-14, 08:35:45 AM
Still no cams, but there's more news about their status at http://falconcamproject.org/, (http://falconcamproject.org/,) plus there are some precious clips from the past week that we missed.  That little Aspro is a cutie!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: PatriciaRose on 18-Oct-14, 07:32:59 PM
Still no cams, but there's more news about their status at http://falconcamproject.org/, (http://falconcamproject.org/,) plus there are some precious clips from the past week that we missed.  That little Aspro is a cutie!

He sure is! :heart:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: carly on 20-Oct-14, 05:50:23 AM
 Chrome and Firefox shows only black screen this morning but internet explorer working fine.  Baby is sleeping under mama's breast  :wub:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 20-Oct-14, 08:04:11 AM
Thanks, Carly!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 20-Oct-14, 08:18:05 AM
Darn!  Internet Explorer is not working for me.  It's stuck in some sort of loop.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: PatriciaRose on 20-Oct-14, 01:03:31 PM
I got on using firefox- if you get a white box, just click it again and the stream comes up! Nice to see Swift again(she's sheltering Aspro, so no look at him yet).  Don't see any sign of the second egg- still under her? 


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: carly on 20-Oct-14, 04:31:01 PM
Just got home and brought up the cam..egg is still there next to Aspro and mom is trying to brood them both but the wee one isn't so 'wee' anymore.  She's got him tucked under though  :lol:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: PatriciaRose on 20-Oct-14, 07:58:44 PM
hahaha! Poor Aspro! Thanks, Carly!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 21-Oct-14, 09:48:09 AM
Aspro is growing like a weed!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 22-Oct-14, 06:14:40 AM
http://youtu.be/_arJujAiHn0 (http://youtu.be/_arJujAiHn0)   :heart:  10-21


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 22-Oct-14, 06:36:21 AM
 ;D   :2thumbsup:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 24-Oct-14, 06:40:40 AM
http://youtu.be/QdhxIV5iHBs (http://youtu.be/QdhxIV5iHBs)  Getting big!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 24-Oct-14, 08:22:29 AM
Yes, and Aspro's starting to sport a couple of BYF too! 


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: PatriciaRose on 26-Oct-14, 08:25:03 PM
He certainly is a handsome little fellow! :heart:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 27-Oct-14, 06:43:04 AM
It always amazes me how fast they grow.  :HappyJackOLantern:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 01-Nov-14, 09:51:49 AM
http://youtu.be/kC14pjqGRbE (http://youtu.be/kC14pjqGRbE)

A tender moment by Skygirlblue


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 01-Nov-14, 10:52:05 AM
Very sweet-thanks for sharing!  :wub:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: PatriciaRose on 01-Nov-14, 09:07:19 PM
Awww...I just love these two! :heart:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 03-Nov-14, 08:33:42 PM
Yay!  The streams work on Chrome again! Finally!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: PatriciaRose on 12-Nov-14, 07:49:41 PM
Aspro is getting so big!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 15-Nov-14, 06:46:01 AM
http://youtu.be/2298elKxbUE (http://youtu.be/2298elKxbUE)

Cute!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: PatriciaRose on 15-Nov-14, 09:02:21 AM
http://youtu.be/2298elKxbUE (http://youtu.be/2298elKxbUE)

Cute!
Awww...helping his Momma clean her wing ;)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 15-Nov-14, 11:52:28 AM
That was cute!  :wub:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 15-Nov-14, 09:14:40 PM
Aspro has fledged!  Accidental?  Really windy there with many concerned..hope he's OK!   :(


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 15-Nov-14, 10:45:36 PM
Aspro has fledged!  Accidental?  Really windy there with many concerned..hope he's OK!   :(

It's too soon isn't it!?  :o


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 15-Nov-14, 11:09:26 PM
Aspro has fledged!  Accidental?  Really windy there with many concerned..hope he's OK!   :(

It's too soon isn't it!?  :o

I think I read Aspro's 38 days old.  Some watcher on BCAW says she was watching him/her kind of balancing on the nest ledge..it was very windy..she went to check something in her house, came back and Aspro was gone!  Nothing reported from people there since so who knows how he is.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 16-Nov-14, 06:21:04 AM
Aspro has surprised everyone and caught us on the hop by fledging early, although it appears it wasn’t entirely intended, nor was Aspro psyched and ready. Saturday 15th November 2014,  5.05pm local time Aspro left the eyrie during very strong winds and has now excperienced a night of rain and more strong wind – entirely out of character around Orange for many weeks now (high fire danger and total fire bans just the day before). At just 37 days old Aspro took flight from the Concrete Hilton, which is 2 or 3 days earlier than expected but still within the average.

Indeed Aspro has been showing increasing agitation over the past few days and for a full 2 hours before skipping off was madly flapping, jumping around and getting very close to the ledge – too close it seems this time as initial pics show Aspro desperately trying to get back up without luck, before disappearing east around the tower.

Two hours was spent this afternoon walking campus, down around the vineyards (located just east of the tower), through the tree and shrub thickets and around campus (as has been the need for previous fledgings), but to no avail. The good sign is that there hasn’t been any pile of peregrine feathers anywhere and a few seasons ago Solo disappeared before proudly returning 5 days later in cries of excitement. A worrying sign is that Swift sat on the ledge the whole time and never raised a cry while I was walking through the trees – a sign that she doesn’t know where Aspro is either, as normally she’d be making herself heard.

An email will go around the whole of campus to keep an eye out for a lost peregrine fledgling this week and once found we’ll identify but leave alone.

We can but hope Aspro survived the rainy night and has found shelter off the ground….. always sad to see the eyrie empty again, but after a positive sighting we’ll be overjoyed at having observed yet another new peregrine falcon obtain its wings.


Nov 16
It seems from watching the footage that Aspro fell asleep on the ledge and simply fell out.   She then appeared to try and scrabble back in, but lost her footage.   It’s Sunday afternoon here, and this happened as Scott pointed out just after 5pm yesterday before a night of rain.    I will go and have another look around and get back to you asap but I have off-campus work commitments Monday and Tuesday, so be patient.

http://youtu.be/yElP5AEZ7lA (http://youtu.be/yElP5AEZ7lA)
  Poor little guy, hope he's OK  :(

(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r32/djweeds/11-16Swift_zps57c73b2e.jpg) (http://s140.photobucket.com/user/djweeds/media/11-16Swift_zps57c73b2e.jpg.html) She sleeps then looks around.
(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r32/djweeds/11-16Swift2_zps2c510737.jpg) (http://s140.photobucket.com/user/djweeds/media/11-16Swift2_zps2c510737.jpg.html)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 16-Nov-14, 10:33:37 AM
Be safe Aspro!  :star:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: PatriciaRose on 16-Nov-14, 11:34:43 PM
Poor Aspro...hope all is ok  :(


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 17-Nov-14, 07:01:24 AM
Hard to believe she has not been seen or heard!! Swift just hangs in the nest and seems not so interested. Maybe dad is with Aspro. Not many volunteers either!! I'd be out there all day looking! This is so strange.

I came in late this afternoon to the university and had a look around, but again no luck.  Mind you,  it’s a bit like looking for a needle in a haystack because of all the long grass and bushes around the area.  Some of the university grounds are landscaped, but there is a large patch of ‘bush’ just below the nest-box.   Swift was in the box and took no notice of me, which is admittedly odd.

Thank you for all the comments and queries.  I’ll try and take these on board.  It is unfortunately a very busy time of year for me, so cannot do updates continuously throughout the day.   I understand why some of you are upset, and I realise that you are all anxiously waiting for news, so I am trying my best.  I haven’t had a day off since September.    In fact,  I’m considering turning down a (semi-paid) board position for next year because of the time needed, not to mention the bad timing.  Last year the work came over Christmas/New so that made it easy.  It requires assessment of 200 applications for grants for the Environmental Trust (A$4 million) and is due next week…. I also have many other commitments for work and community organisations.

Assigning someone else to do the  (peregrine) work is not easy.   There is no funding available for this (and nor for Scott and myself, I should add).  I am an Adjunct Lecturer in  Environmental Management at the university (ie unpaid) and Scott is starting up a new IT business and is no longer on campus (although has access, thank goodness).  We are in a rural area, so do not have a large pool of volunteers.     I did have some voluntary help while I was in Finland during our winter, but the work is more complicated at this time of year and it needs to be someone completely trustworthy as they would be using my computer.   But thank you for this suggestion and I will see if I can find someone suitable.

I was hoping to get an Honours student, but just one nest-box is unlikely to produce enough suitable data, so I would have to think carefully about an appropriate project.    I tried to get permission initially for banding (= ringing) the chicks, but this was knocked back by our animal ethics’ committee.  However, I could try again next year as I’ve kept up my banding licence and the composition of the committee has since changed.

Anyway I very much appreciate your comments.   The university community has been alerted to the Aspro problem and Scott and I have both sent around instructions to staff as to what to do if they find her (most of the students have gone on holiday).   I’ll be in tomorrow afternoon to have another search and provide an update tomorrow or Wednesday.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 17-Nov-14, 10:01:20 AM
Bev on BCAW captured this video of mom and dad flying to the trees just out in front. Maybe Aspro is in one of them. Dad comes in with food, looks around then Swift comes and takes the food......maybe to Aspro?? Great capture!!!

http://youtu.be/CnbUNy6H40g (http://youtu.be/CnbUNy6H40g)


(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r32/djweeds/11-17Aspro_zps1e91fc21.jpg) (http://s140.photobucket.com/user/djweeds/media/11-17Aspro_zps1e91fc21.jpg.html) This is the tree they flew to!! Would be awesome!!!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Carol P. on 17-Nov-14, 10:39:47 AM
Sure hope Aspro is ok.   :(

It reminds me of Chessie's (at Central Terminal/Buffalo) premature fledge.  She was flapping her wings and a huge gust of wind took her (like Tesh!) off the nest box.  She ended up in a tree.  It took us hours to find her.  She never vocalized once.  When we did find her, she was checked over and we were given the ok to return her to the nest box.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 20-Nov-14, 07:54:49 PM
No actual news as yet.  I’ve been looking at the tapes and have noticed when the adults have left with food (a good sign) and tried to focus on that area when we have been out searching.   But the adult birds, despite clearly seeing me/us have not made a pipsqueak (a bad sign).     I have spent hours walking right around the campus on my own and with friends and colleagues (even bringing in my dogs last night (on leads, of course), which I thought provoke the adults into attacking, but they scarcely turned a hair.

Going through the tapes of Saturday when the accident happened, I noticed that Aspro had a good feed (perhaps an eastern rosella) an hour beforehand and during that day there were several periods of  major strong wingflaps around the box (another good sign).

I was also able to catch Aspro standing right on the ledge so I could measure her and she is definitely a she, almost as tall as Swift, but much slighter, of course.

Again, thanks to those who have sent words of encouragement (and particularly to Yvonne for the tape of one of the exits).   I apologise for not doing an update yesterday as promised, but I had nothing but bad news to report and was hoping that looking at more of the exits and landings might help.

 :(


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 20-Nov-14, 08:03:05 PM
Oh, poor Aspro!  I do hope that her parents know where she is.   :o


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 22-Nov-14, 09:30:40 PM
Nov. 21

Thanks to all those who have sent video etc.  I do actually have access to these through our recording video, but can’t see any clear pattern as to direction of exit flights, especially those with food.  Often the bird has gone to the roost tree, and in at least one case, the adult has come back to the nest box to finish the food.  This is clearly not a good sign.

But I haven’t abandoned all hope.   If Aspro is still alive and well, she should be flying by now (43 days old), or at least being more active, and there should be more obvious signs.

I’m going out now for a scout about and will be around over the weekend as well to have a look and a listen.

Nov. 22

I’ve gone painstakingly through all the tapes since the ‘tumble’ and apart from the first two days, there has been a distinct drop in activity.  The last food brought into the box by Beau was (as far as I have been able to tell) on 17th November.  This was taken by Swift up into the roost tree opposite.  She then returned with some of the prey still intact three minutes later and then ate it.  This doesn’t look a bird who is feeding a youngster, so that doesn’t look good.   Since then Swift has spent most of the time in the box, about half that time on the ledge, and the rest in the box asleep (or having a yawn, see below) with an occasional swap with Beau, presumably so she can hunt.  It’s not impossible that they are still feeding Aspro, but I don’t think it is very likely at this stage.   However, I am very happy to be proven wrong and will still keep searching during this coming week, but can’t come in tomorrow (singing with our choir in the cathedral).
The lack of chivvying as we search has been worrying from the start, but I was hoping that the youngster had somehow ended up some distance away and was gradually finding its way back (and that still is a possibility).

chiv·vy or chiv·y  (chv)
v. chiv·vied or chiv·ied, chiv·vy·ing or chiv·y·ing, chiv·vies or chiv·ies
v.tr.
1. To vex or harass with petty attacks: political opponents who chivvied the senator.
2. To maneuver or secure gradually: "had spent two weeks chivvying this division toward combat readiness" (Tom Clancy).
v.intr.
To scurry.
n. pl. chiv·vies or chiv·ies
1. A hunt or chase.
2. A hunting cry.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 22-Nov-14, 10:47:07 PM
Doesn't sound good for little Aspro.  :(


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: PatriciaRose on 29-Nov-14, 05:18:56 PM
I can't even bear to read the updates anymore.... :crying:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 29-Nov-14, 06:56:31 PM
Makes me realize how lucky we were with Tesh and her accidental fledge this past year.  It's amazing that instinct took over and guided her to that awning on the Telesca Building instead of to the middle of Exchange St., and two hours later strength and guts carried her off the awning, down Main Street, over the Canandaigua National Bank Building and onto the sill at Thomson Reuters.  Beauty then found her and perched just above Tesh on Mercury all night, watching over her while keeping an eye on the others in the nestbox as well.  The next day Tesh summoned the courage and strength to find her way home. 

Tesh was older than Aspro when she fell out, and she was definitely ready to go.  That having been said, like Ei, I don't believe that any falcon has died until his or her body is found.  I choose to believe that young Aspro is out there somewhere learning the skies and learning her flying and hunting skills. 


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 10-Dec-14, 06:30:37 AM
Dec. 2   

A new supporter to FalconCam Project website, Josie, wrote us a letter today with an interesting point to make. Why not construct a perch outside the window, and some other method to safeguard the eyases from falling?……. Josie, thanks for your email. It’s indeed something we looked at a while back as the adults would use it as well, but logistics counted against it at the time. Currently there’s an existing small ledge which has been handy over the years in keeping the younger ones away from danger. We’ll certainly look at it again though. Aspro was the first fledgling that we’ve ever lost. Between Cilla, myself, and a number of volunteer helpers, we’ve combed every inch of the vast agricultural Orange campus without even a sign of feathers. Aspro went early too and caught us on the hop, so to speak. It’s hard to believe that there’s just not any sign at all. The wind was strong that evening and had a big part to play in Aspro’s early dive. In years past we’ve watched as most of the fledglings have glided out safely on to the soft grassy landing below, albeit with one or two bumps on the way down!

In comparison Beau and Swift and their offspring are pretty lucky with their “Concrete Hilton” eyrie. It’s 100% vermin-proof, sheltered from the worst of the prevailing weather, a stable platform and provides a superb view for them across most of Orange city and surrounds to monitor their hunting grounds. From our perspective it’s perfect as we have brilliant (but very high) access to the box itself, 50 metres up the campus water tower – the envy of many other similar projects around the world. Out in the wild the successful fledging rate is much lower than what we’ve observed so far too, so we’re riding on a pretty good thing.

Off-season we’re going to undertake a fair amount of eyrie and camera maintenance, as well as testing new technology to make the camera streams more browser and device friendly. For example, the Flash technology that we use won’t play on more recent Apple or Android devices. The cameras will probably be down for a few days during anticipated water tower repairs too, but we’re assured we’ll be given plenty of notice beforehand. Lots to do before next season, but Cilla assures me that she’s absorbed enough data now to be able to write some papers (there’s pressure for you, Cilla!).

Thanks again Josie, for bringing up some really good points. Taken on board…

Jeeze, I wonder what happened to her? How very sad!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 10-Dec-14, 07:08:33 AM
I can't understand how Aspro could disappear without a trace.  :confused:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Carol P. on 10-Dec-14, 07:35:15 AM
So sad.  A similar thing happened in Burlington (Ontario, Canada) this year.   :(


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 07-Aug-15, 12:24:55 PM
Apparently Swift and Beau have been displaced from their nestbox at Charles Sturt University.  That is sad.  I so hoped they could have a successful clutch there after their many struggles.   :(  

Welcome Diamond (female) and Bula (male)!

Published 24 July, 2015 | By Cilla Kinross
Reliable observers around campus have informed me that our couple are now officially ‘joined’.  As with Beau and Swift, this occurred right on the top of the water tower (where we don’t have a camera, alas), which is interesting as few birds are so obvious in their intimate behaviour!

Diamond has been doing some scraping, sometimes in our ‘usual’ scrape, but often all over the box, including in some areas out of view of the cameras (oh, no, PLEASE, don’t do that to me!).

Bula has been doing the right thing and bringing in lots of choice food items.  Unfortunately, these are usually plucked and half-eaten prior to their arrival in the nestbox in a pretty sorry state, so I haven’t got ANY identification (but lots of probably useless photos).

The snow has all gone, except up the mountain and the weather is cool and rainy, with foggy mornings.  Clearly this doesn’t hamper their hunting ability.

Expect the next few weeks to be very busy, with lots of food bringing and scraping and straining, before hopefully some nice healthy eggs in August.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 07-Aug-15, 12:43:59 PM
Here are some amazing shots of a sulphur-crested cockatoo attacking Beau at the nestbox back in April. 



Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 14-Aug-15, 01:40:22 PM
The new female, Diamond, is asleep at the nest ledge right now.  Perhaps a sign that an egg is imminent?  


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 24-Aug-15, 10:13:24 AM
Links to the Orange NSW Falconcam Project:

main site: http://falconcamproject.org/ (http://falconcamproject.org/)
ledge cam: http://www.csu.edu.au/special/falconcam/Streams/camera-two.htm (http://www.csu.edu.au/special/falconcam/Streams/camera-two.htm)
nest cam:  http://www.csu.edu.au/special/falconcam/Streams/camera-one.htm (http://www.csu.edu.au/special/falconcam/Streams/camera-one.htm)

No eggs yet, but Diamond (new female) is spending more and more time at the nestbox, and she sleeps there most nights. 

Published 24 August, 2015 | By Cilla Kinross

Bula seems to be getting the hang of things, realising it is his job to hand over the prey items to Diamond and he has been doing that, sometimes up to three times a day (and sometimes having a good chew beforehand, making identification difficult).

When I have been able to discern species, it has been mainly starlings (local pest, so good news), plus at least two red-rumped parrots, a possible pigeon or two and some tiny birds, probably spotted and/or striated pardalotes.  The latter were a bit of a surprise as they are barely a snack.   They flit around the canopies of the tall eucalypts looking for insects on the flowers, so are a bit vulnerable.

I haven’t seen any more copulation, but if the ones observed were successful, we should have had eggs by yesterday.   I guess we just have to be patient;  all the signs are good.  Plenty of scraping and perhaps even some ‘straining’.  Diamond was a bit impatient with Bula and even a tad aggressive recently.

I’m tied up with a field ecology residential for the next three days (including early mornings bird-watching and evening spotlighting), so I am just hoping that, if an egg does arrive, it waits until Friday as I’ll be too bushed at night to monitor the webcam!

Thanks to those who are making comments and/or sending emails.  Keep it up.  It’s great to know people are interested enough not just to watch, but also provide feedback.

The week after next a tour from the NSW Landcare conference will be travelling to our university to look at the new Aboriginal Nature and Bioscience Park, see the revegetation works on our farm,  as well as visit the Peregrine Project, so Scott and I will be giving a talk and providing scopes and binoculars for close viewing.   I’ll let you know how it goes.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 30-Aug-15, 12:08:55 PM
FIRST EGG FOR DIAMOND AND BULA!!!



Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 30-Aug-15, 12:24:40 PM
 :thumbsup:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 30-Aug-15, 01:18:21 PM
Kinda feels weird not hearing Swift & Beau!! :(  OK but yay for the new pair!!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 30-Aug-15, 01:21:08 PM
Kinda feels weird not hearing Swift & Beau!! :(  OK but yay for the new pair!!
I know, Donna.  I hope they are okay, wherever they are. 


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 31-Aug-15, 08:14:14 AM
Video of Diamond and Bula's first egg's arrival:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41YXyCrqhuY&feature=youtu.be (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41YXyCrqhuY&feature=youtu.be)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 03-Sep-15, 08:05:07 AM
Egg #2 is here! 


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 03-Sep-15, 08:23:50 AM
Egg #2 is here! 

 :heart: :heart:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 03-Sep-15, 09:47:05 AM
 :thumbsup: :thumbsup:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 04-Sep-15, 04:20:29 PM
They have a Trio!!!   :heart: :heart: :heart:

(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r32/djweeds/9-4%203rd%20egg_zpsi3ep2grw.jpg) (http://s140.photobucket.com/user/djweeds/media/9-4%203rd%20egg_zpsi3ep2grw.jpg.html)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 04-Sep-15, 04:31:33 PM
Super! 


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 04-Sep-15, 04:39:54 PM
I feel badly for Swift and Beau.  They were not very successful at this nest in the last few years, and now they've lost the nest as well.  But it is the way of the falcon.

Maybe Diamond and Bula will fare better.  The more the merrier, and that increases the odds that we'll see cute little white fuzzballs on these cams in a month or so. Can't wait!  :clap: :clap: :clap:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 15-Sep-15, 09:40:06 AM
Settling in
Published 13 September, 2015 | By Cilla Kinross

All is well with our new bride and groom.  Food (albeit mainly scraps) appears quite regularly and Bula is still incubating with panache.  And, of course, there have been no more eggs.  But we are very happy with three, hopefully thick-shelled eggs.

As Clare pointed out, Bula often is reluctant to move when Diamond comes back and she is often in no hurry to shift him (unlike Swift, who nagged Beau immediately and ferociously to shift himself).  But in this shot below, Diamond was almost as clumsy as Swift in rising from the eggs.

The left foot is fine, by the way, probably just a bit stiff from sitting still so long.

I also spotted the sulphur-crested cockatoos doing a fly past on 10th September.  Diamond responded quickly, leaving the box in an agitated state three times in a short period, presumably to chase off the noisy intruders.   I didn’t see any white feathers later, so evidence that they made peregrine lunch (although large birds, it’s not unknown).


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 02-Oct-15, 02:02:24 PM
No hatches or pips yet, but Diamond is acting quite restless, so I think she's hearing and feeling them.  First egg was laid August 31, second was September 3 and last was September 6. 


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 06-Oct-15, 03:10:13 PM
Sorry..unable to post a pic but saw on FB they have their 1st hatch!   :hatch1:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 06-Oct-15, 03:19:34 PM
Yay!  Thanks, Kris.  I checked in late this morning, and nothing had happened yet.  Here's a screencapture, although not a very good one. 


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 06-Oct-15, 03:27:46 PM
Okay, now where have I seen this before?  The youngster is on his back and Dad brought food.  However, Dad doesn't seem particularly interested in feeding him right now, and since he was just hatched within the last few hours, he doesn't need to eat right away.  Mom left.  Poor kid, but I think he'll be okay.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 06-Oct-15, 03:33:27 PM
Mom's back and there's a possible pip in one of the other two eggs.  Oh, it would be nice to watch more than one eyas in this nestbox!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 06-Oct-15, 05:08:43 PM
 :heart: Thanks for checking Pat!! Awesome news!!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 06-Oct-15, 05:28:20 PM
 :thumbsup:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 07-Oct-15, 08:11:58 AM
Daddy Bula meets his first offspring.  Precious.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtDFWRzy6gY (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtDFWRzy6gY)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 07-Oct-15, 08:14:06 AM
Open wide.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 07-Oct-15, 09:10:41 AM
Open wide.
       :wub:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 07-Oct-15, 11:25:06 AM
I now see three pieces of shell scattered about, and I know she has a piece of shell under her, so I think there has been a second hatch.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 07-Oct-15, 11:52:05 AM
First feeding!

http://youtu.be/ZscJbTPi98U (http://youtu.be/ZscJbTPi98U)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 07-Oct-15, 12:34:21 PM
Second hatch!  Eggshells don't lie this time!   :hatch1: :hatch1:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 07-Oct-15, 04:04:26 PM
Double Trouble!  :clap: :clap:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 07-Oct-15, 04:40:04 PM
Double Trouble!  :clap: :clap:

Sweet!   :hatch1: :hatch1:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 07-Oct-15, 09:46:32 PM
Just saw large hole in 3rd egg! :mbanana:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 08-Oct-15, 05:15:17 AM
Hatching of 3rd egg!

http://youtu.be/iXLNywi8iNc (http://youtu.be/iXLNywi8iNc)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 08-Oct-15, 06:39:26 AM
 :hatch1:  :hatch1:  :hatch1:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 08-Oct-15, 07:03:26 AM
 :star: :star: :star:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 08-Oct-15, 07:59:48 AM
Oh, that is AWESOME!  All three hatched!  Thanks, Kris!   :clap: :clap: :clap:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 08-Oct-15, 09:47:57 AM
Oh, that is AWESOME!  All three hatched!  Thanks, Kris!   :clap: :clap: :clap:

Great video!!!



Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 09-Oct-15, 08:23:57 AM
Here is your bobblehead fix for today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRoFrWTX9s0&feature=youtu.be (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRoFrWTX9s0&feature=youtu.be)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36WpPRE12eo&feature=youtu.be (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36WpPRE12eo&feature=youtu.be)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujAjeN8xuek&feature=youtu.be (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujAjeN8xuek&feature=youtu.be)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 11-Oct-15, 11:30:30 PM
A couple of shots, one of a pefa pile from tonight and one of daddy Bula feeding the trio.  All look healthy and strong, so wonderful for this nest.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 12-Oct-15, 12:03:17 AM
A couple of shots, one of a pefa pile from tonight and one of daddy Bula feeding the trio.  All look healthy and strong, so wonderful for this nest.

Looking at them all lined up, they remind me of our 3 this year.. :wub:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 12-Oct-15, 08:02:57 AM
Looking at them all lined up, they remind me of our 3 this year.. :wub:

Me too, Kris.   :heart:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 13-Oct-15, 08:52:16 AM
This brood is pretty hilarious to watch right now.  Mom Diamond is trying to sleep standing up, two of the babies are asleep and the third is poking one of the others to wake him or her up, while trying to get under Mom's feathers.  Now the pokee has become the poker, and the third one (in the middle) has awakened and stuck its head between them. 


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 14-Oct-15, 12:48:28 PM
Here's a link to a great article and interview from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on the Charles Sturt University falcons and their falconcam project.  Be sure to click on the audio link for an interview with Scott Banks, one of the project's coordinators.

http://www.abc.net.au/local/photos/2015/10/14/4331157.htm? (http://www.abc.net.au/local/photos/2015/10/14/4331157.htm?)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 18-Oct-15, 09:22:30 AM
Good feeding! Video by goshawkeyesll

http://youtu.be/Ur9oQLOciSk (http://youtu.be/Ur9oQLOciSk)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 19-Oct-15, 09:11:27 AM
OMG, they're adorable!  And very polite!  I guess they're a bit too young to start grabbing the food in earnest yet, though.  


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 19-Oct-15, 09:14:10 AM
Fattening up nicely

Published 17 October, 2015 | By Cilla Kinross

Our trio is growing so fast, Diamond is struggling to spread herself over them.  Fortunately, both the days and nights recently have been warm  (and much too dry).   So Diamond is spending more and more time on the ledge.  And it seems that she is doing an unusual amount of hunting, leaving the chicks on their own quite a bit.  Of course she may be getting the prey from Bula, but she’s been gone for some quite long gaps and occasionally has turned up with prey while Bula has been with the chicks, a good indication it was her kill.

The prey are generally well plucked when they arrive in the box (more so than the last few years), so I’m struggling with identification, but there have definitely been starlings, pigeons, rosellas, one red-rumped parrot, and two red wattlebirds (on the same day).  I got some nice shots of the latter well-plucked, after arriving intact, so have a better idea of what they look like when ready to eat (I didn’t think you’d want these pictures:))

The chicks are all getting fed (more fairly by Diamond, than Bula, it seems).  But I’ve noticed that even Diamond doesn’t make much effort to feed all the chicks.  Tumbler always gets fed first (or so I think, getting hard to tell them apart), then Walga, with Tardy often missing out, but usually getting some in the end, and they are all obviously putting on weight.  Feeding times are stretching out from a few minutes a week ago, to one that was over 30 minutes today.

Our chicks have also started taking their first tentative ‘steps’ (more like shambles really).  When Bula didn’t go close with his prey a couple of days ago, Tumbler (I think) finally lost patience and went towards him and the others also made tentative ‘steps’.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 19-Oct-15, 12:03:34 PM
 :thumbsup:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 21-Oct-15, 01:45:39 PM
Feeding time again.  Everyone is looking happy, healthy and well fed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNjYaWBgx4k (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNjYaWBgx4k)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 21-Oct-15, 04:49:25 PM
Today's pefa pile. They are getting around, becoming a bit ambulatory, apparently. 


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 29-Oct-15, 02:00:59 PM
(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r32/djweeds/10-29%20Tykes%20Aussie_zpsyaywmjkq.jpg) (http://s140.photobucket.com/user/djweeds/media/10-29%20Tykes%20Aussie_zpsyaywmjkq.jpg.html)

The little Tykes are getting so big!!   :wub:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 29-Oct-15, 03:37:24 PM
Why, there's the whole fam damily!  Thanks, Donna.   :happy:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 29-Oct-15, 03:58:08 PM
Those adults look small!  :yes:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Tapper Gal on 31-Oct-15, 07:45:03 PM
Thanks for the beautiful pictures of this family.I wish them the best of luck in their adventures.  :thumbsup:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 06-Nov-15, 01:28:56 PM


Published 5 November, 2015 | By Scott Banks
We’ve posted some more video clips of these peregrines (FYI – Peregrinus, subspecies macropus – meaning “large feet” – you learn something new every day!):

Feeding time, with Diamond and the three chicks.

Feeding time, with Bula and the three chicks. Note the difference in size over the chicks – the peregrine male can be up to 1.3rd smaller in stature than the female.

Cuter by the day, although, as you can see in the cameras, that the teenage phase has begun and the main flight feathers are beginning to poke through now. By all calculations (Cilla can back me up here) these chicks have possibly another 8-10 days before thoughts of fledging take over and they chance the 50 metre drop to make their first controlled “solo” flight, which, in the past, hasn’t always been plain sailing. We’ll be watching closely and hoping that the weather improves on last year when Aspro was blown clean out of the eyrie and lost.

changing of the plumage
Published 4 November, 2015 | By Cilla Kinross

Amazing how the moulting appears to be happening so fast, almost as one watches.  Some are changing slightly faster than the others, but this is quite natural and does not necessarily mean they are necessarily maturing more slowly.

Few whole birds have been brought in as prey, but I think it has been mainly juvenile starlings this week, plus a pigeon and a galah, easy to recognise as they only bird round her with pink plumage.

The chicks still huddle together at night and when well fed during the day, but otherwise they scoot around the box somewhat alarmingly (as you’ve noted) near the ledge.

Also getting pretty cheeky.  This was two days ago.





Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 06-Nov-15, 02:00:54 PM
Thanks, Donna.  They are so cute!  I don't like this nestbox, though.  There's no deck, nothing to prevent them from plunging into oblivion if they lose their footing or get blown by the wind, as some have done in the past.  I hope these little ones fledge safely.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 08-Nov-15, 09:06:16 PM
Getting restless.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 08-Nov-15, 09:11:55 PM
Apparently there is a male named Tardy and two females, named Walga and Tumbler. 


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 10-Nov-15, 09:43:46 AM
I see a couple of them are sleeping like grownups now. 


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 12-Nov-15, 03:04:58 PM
Okay, I can't watch anymore.   :scaredblue:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: AlisonL on 16-Nov-15, 01:42:16 AM
The little male has fledged, apparently successfully. Stay safe, little one.

From Scott Banks:

At about 1.29pm (local AEDT) the first of the fledgings succeeded. For a few minutes beforehand there was unrest and anticipation in the Concrete Hilton but then, with one of the adults looping around the tower the first chick bolted, in a very attractive soaring flight up and around to the left before joining up with the parent and disappearing off our cameras. We’ve just taken a walk around campus in that entire direction for about an hour and couldn’t find any sign of peregrines in the trees or around the grounds (there are now sheep in the paddock just over left where the grapes used to be), which is probably a good thing – the magic of flight probably took over and the young’un is still at altitude! In saying that we returned to check on the tower, only to be berated by an adult on top of the tower, just above the remaining kids. No doubt soon we’ll see them all back together again when it comes time for feeding. There is no concern just yet – the weather is absolutely perfect for fledging (cloudy, but toally calm) and there are no hazards spotted in the vicinity. Carparks and public areas were checked with no signs so far.

In the mean time the other two chicks are rearing and ready to go too, almost bang on estimates of about 39-40 days.


Video of the first fledge, from the site:

http://youtu.be/H1fqf90zgZA (http://youtu.be/H1fqf90zgZA)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 16-Nov-15, 06:00:21 AM
 :thumbsup:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 16-Nov-15, 06:11:04 AM
 :o Good luck to the trio!  :heart:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 16-Nov-15, 06:35:03 AM
Tardy was not tardy in fledging!!!  HURRAY!!!   :clap:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 16-Nov-15, 09:09:41 AM


               goodnews:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: AlisonL on 16-Nov-15, 03:29:18 PM
I believe that one of the two girls has fledged. There were two in the nest until a little while ago, and now I can only see one.

I hope she and Tardy are both safe out there.



Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 16-Nov-15, 03:54:02 PM
I believe that one of the two girls has fledged. There were two in the nest until a little while ago, and now I can only see one.

I hope she and Tardy are both safe out there.


Yes, one of the commenters said she thought it was Tumbler who fledged second.  That would leave Walga on her own in the Concrete Hilton.  Another good, strong fledge!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: AlisonL on 16-Nov-15, 04:10:11 PM
Early in the morning; the two girls in the nest.

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/November%202015/orange-nov-16-6a_zpsy74d7lix.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/November%202015/orange-nov-16-6a_zpsy74d7lix.jpg.html)

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/November%202015/orange-nov-16-20a_zpsjbxdewwf.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/November%202015/orange-nov-16-20a_zpsjbxdewwf.jpg.html)

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/November%202015/orange-nov-16-23a_zpsehraqlxf.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/November%202015/orange-nov-16-23a_zpsehraqlxf.jpg.html)

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/November%202015/orange-nov-16-24a_zpsl6maubnl.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/November%202015/orange-nov-16-24a_zpsl6maubnl.jpg.html)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: AlisonL on 16-Nov-15, 04:12:20 PM
The last girl in the nest:

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/November%202015/orange-nov-16-32a_zpsrbiawxo2.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/November%202015/orange-nov-16-32a_zpsrbiawxo2.jpg.html)

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/November%202015/orange-nov-16-34a_zps7qjcegua.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/November%202015/orange-nov-16-34a_zps7qjcegua.jpg.html)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 17-Nov-15, 12:23:08 AM
Apparently the second to fledge was Walga, and Tumbler remains by herself.  Walga was found on the ground by a maintenance worker, apparently uninjured, and was placed in a tree.  Tardy has not yet been spotted. 


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 17-Nov-15, 07:32:43 AM
Apparently the second to fledge was Walga, and Tumbler remains by herself.  Walga was found on the ground by a maintenance worker, apparently uninjured, and was placed in a tree.  Tardy has not yet been spotted. 

UGH, where is that boy!!  :(


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 17-Nov-15, 08:06:15 AM
Apparently the second to fledge was Walga, and Tumbler remains by herself.  Walga was found on the ground by a maintenance worker, apparently uninjured, and was placed in a tree.  Tardy has not yet been spotted. 

UGH, where is that boy!!  :(
I'm not too concerned.  He's around somewhere. I don't think they have a lot of watchers there. 


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 17-Nov-15, 08:22:23 AM
Apparently the second to fledge was Walga, and Tumbler remains by herself.  Walga was found on the ground by a maintenance worker, apparently uninjured, and was placed in a tree.  Tardy has not yet been spotted. 

UGH, where is that boy!!  :(
I'm not too concerned.  He's around somewhere. I don't think they have a lot of watchers there. 

I believe they said the same about Aspro last year and he was never seen again! I worry!!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: AlisonL on 18-Nov-15, 09:54:51 AM
Apparently the second to fledge was Walga, and Tumbler remains by herself.  Walga was found on the ground by a maintenance worker, apparently uninjured, and was placed in a tree.  Tardy has not yet been spotted. 

UGH, where is that boy!!  :(
I'm not too concerned.  He's around somewhere. I don't think they have a lot of watchers there. 

I believe they said the same about Aspro last year and he was never seen again! I worry!!

I agree with you, Donna. I'm worried about Tardy too. Still no update on him, and it's been a while now . . .


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: AlisonL on 18-Nov-15, 10:54:23 AM
Tumbler is spending another night in the nest:

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/November%202015/orange-nov-18-1a_zpse19x5hmj.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/November%202015/orange-nov-18-1a_zpse19x5hmj.jpg.html)

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/November%202015/orange-nov-18-4a_zpsvwjzcmuj.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/November%202015/orange-nov-18-4a_zpsvwjzcmuj.jpg.html)

Cilla "conscious of the ever-present threat of cats and foxes", moved Walga to a larger tree. Walga then flew to a woodpile, and Cilla moved her to yet another tree. I hope she is okay.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Annette on 18-Nov-15, 02:38:00 PM
The second female fledged.
(http://i64.tinypic.com/mlj9j4.jpg)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 18-Nov-15, 02:47:05 PM
What a great photo!  Thanks, Annette.   :clap: :clap: :clap:

I will miss them all.  I hope they are all located and that they all stay safe.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: AlisonL on 18-Nov-15, 02:59:00 PM
Love the photo, Annette! Thank you!

I am going to miss them too. I hope they all fly safely, and that they will come back to the nest to visit as the chicks used to do in past years.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 18-Nov-15, 04:57:26 PM
Great capture, Annette!  Fly high, be safe, babies!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 19-Nov-15, 08:10:42 AM
The Third and Final Time

By Scott Banks
With Tumbler’s successful fledging this morning the “empty nest syndrome” begins; very sad to see a quiet eyrie for the first time in weeks… well, that is, all except for the city of flies that the remaining carnage up there has attracted (special high-altitude flies, 50m above the ground!). With some luck I spotted Tumbler up in the trees this afternoon, quietly taking in the world, the breeze in the trees and the ever-circling, and agitated, Diamond who was keeping an eye on her progeny from above and from the nearby tower.

Click here for video of Tumbler's fledge:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFg2YDPJAds&feature=youtu.be (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFg2YDPJAds&feature=youtu.be)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 19-Nov-15, 08:15:19 AM
Cilla Kinross says:
19 November, 2015 at 6:29 pm
I found what I assumed to be Walga a bit disoriented near the back door to a building this morning and placed her back right in one of the roost trees, using a ladder to get her up. I have good photo, but my card reader is at home. This is the tree right at the centre of the copse of trees.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 19-Nov-15, 08:29:31 AM
Good luck lil ones!! I want to hear about all 3!!  :wub:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 19-Nov-15, 08:45:01 AM
Me too!   :heart: :heart: :heart:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: AlisonL on 19-Nov-15, 12:06:54 PM
Me three!  :heart: :heart: :heart:

There is not even a passing mention of Tardy on the site. No indication that they might, or will, search for the little guy.

Reminds me too much of last year.  :(


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 19-Nov-15, 02:28:09 PM
Me three!  :heart: :heart: :heart:

There is not even a passing mention of Tardy on the site. No indication that they might, or will, search for the little guy.

Reminds me too much of last year.  :(


They need watchers!!! Especially here, too many disappear!! Heartbreaking!!  :(  We need some traveling watchers!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 19-Nov-15, 04:11:18 PM
I am more confident about Tardy than I was about Aspro.  Aspro was blown out of the nest when he wasn't ready. Tardy fledged intentionally and his takeoff was strong.

Remember that this nestbox is part of a research study and those who run it are scientists.  They strike me as being a bit more detached than we are. They also seem to be much more interested in the development of the eyasses than they are in the development of the fledglings.   Perhaps that is the focus of the study.  

Another thing I have found interesting is that if a fledgling is okay but in an area that they feel is not safe, they don't hesitate to move it themselves.  They're much more willing to initiate physical contact with the birds.  I'm guessing that's because they don't have enough watchers and the people they do have don't have enough time to devote to watching for hours on end.  

Finally, the area they are searching, although it's on a college campus, looks like it's not an urban setting and has a lot more trees than we have here.  Maybe there are more places for fledglings to hide there.    

I have a feeling that Diamond and Bula know where Tardy is and that he is fine, but just the same, I'd like confirmation.  


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: AlisonL on 20-Nov-15, 12:28:52 AM
Cilla found Walga and Tumbler perched in the same tree. They are such beautiful fledglings,

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/November%202015/orange-nov-19--maybe-walga-_zpsweizeyl3.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/November%202015/orange-nov-19--maybe-walga-_zpsweizeyl3.jpg.html)

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/November%202015/orange-nov-19-maybe-tumbler_zpskz2bcgvr.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/November%202015/orange-nov-19-maybe-tumbler_zpskz2bcgvr.jpg.html)

Still no sign of Tardy.  :(

I hope you are right about him, Patsy.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: AlisonL on 20-Nov-15, 12:31:40 AM
One of the parents spent time at the nest a little while ago, perhaps looking for some shade.

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/November%202015/orange-nov-19-7A_zpsyu1muz0h.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/November%202015/orange-nov-19-7A_zpsyu1muz0h.jpg.html)

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/November%202015/orange-nov-19-14A_zpswrpo7kbc.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/November%202015/orange-nov-19-14A_zpswrpo7kbc.jpg.html)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 20-Nov-15, 08:56:29 AM
Thanks Alison.  Those are gorgeous pictures! 

As for Tardy, Cilla says:

No sign of little Tardy yet, but I haven’t given up hope.  Just fledged juveniles have often disappeared for five days or more before finding their way back to the roost.

Apart from Aspro, who fell out of the nest in a storm last year and was never found, and one who hurt her leg during hunting-training, we have always had success with our fledglings finding their way in the world, so let’s keep hoping and looking.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 20-Nov-15, 09:10:48 AM
Awww..I hope Tardy is OK and they see him soon.  He had a good first flight, from what was seen on the video.  They are beautiful!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 25-Nov-15, 11:43:41 AM
AWESOME NEWS:::::

A late afternoon stroll in the park today revealed no less than five peregrines within easy reach of each other.  The photos are not much chop, but I’m pretty sure Tardy is the one in the tree fork bottom left.   One sister is centre top and the other is bottom right, partly hidden.



I also took one a bit closer of Tardy and one of the sisters, which shows off the size difference a bit better.



Tardy

And the parents were not far away, keeping a watchful eye (and noisy scold).  All three youngsters took to the wing for brief flights when I was photographing them, but they (the parents) didn’t budge.

I spent today going through the tapes since the last fledge and both parents have been visiting the box regularly, cleaning up some of the debris (Diamond took the galah head…) with Diamond over-nighting most nights.  She even brought in some prey recently (pigeon), which seems a bit odd, but perhaps they will visit the box again fairly soon.   Previous fledgelings have used the box once they start hunting.

So I guess we are all feeling a lot better now!    :clap: :thumbsup: :2thumbsup: :bow: :heart:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 25-Nov-15, 11:52:25 AM
FANTASTIC NEWS!!!  Thanks for posting, Donna.  For once my confidence was correctly placed.  And I love the photo of all three in the tree.   :2thumbsup: :2thumbsup: :2thumbsup:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 25-Nov-15, 12:19:03 PM
                              :letter_w: :letter_o: :letter_o: :letter_h: :letter_o: :letter_o:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 06-Dec-15, 03:55:19 PM
Moving around  :2thumbsup:

After some frustrating days of not being able to locate our youngsters, some friends and I finally found them in a dead tree several hundred metres from the nest.   This is probably due to the fact that this tree is the only large dead tree without other trees too close, so ideal for ‘flight training’.   We did have two dead pine trees close to the nest, but these were felled for safety reasons.

http://falconcamproject.org/ (http://falconcamproject.org/)









Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 27-Aug-16, 06:41:26 PM
2016 egg #1 for Diamond and Bula! https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=-23YU18YsO0


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 30-Aug-16, 10:29:08 AM
Second egg!  Unfortunately mama Diamond seems to be really struggling when laying.  If you check out the clip I posted with the first egg, you'll see that her labor was long, and apparently egg #2 was even worse. Poor thing.  I hope she continues to do okay afterward. 

Second egg for 2016 running on time
Published 30 August, 2016 | By Scott Banks
Diamond’s second egg arrived at around 11.21am this morning (Tuesday AEST), with plenty of painful effort and quite some regurgitation. Diamond is not finding this stage at all easy, but she’s doing really well and both eggs appear to be in good condition. Video clips to come…


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 01-Sep-16, 11:36:33 AM

                         3 eggs!   (http://www.sherv.net/cm/emoticons/birds/smiley-sitting-on-egg-emoticon.gif) (http://www.sherv.net/)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 19-Sep-16, 03:39:29 PM
It looks like Bula and Dot.ca are birds of a feather, pardon the expression.  He recently had a 1/2 hour standoff with Diamond trying to force him off the eggs to no avail. 

From Cilla Kinross:  And yesterday afternoon the pair sat quietly together, with Bula on eggs, for nearly half an hour, before Diamond gave up trying to dislodge our very maternal male!  Anyway, it’s a good opportunity to see them close together, so you can clearly see the difference in the yellow tones and size.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Carol P. on 19-Sep-16, 09:38:46 PM
 :wub:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 02-Oct-16, 03:42:32 PM
This is not the good news I was expecting this weekend:

Bula is missing?

Published 2 October, 2016 | By Cilla Kinross

I may be wrong, but I don’t think I’ve recorded a sighting of Bula since 1300 on 30th September ie Friday.   This is not at all a good sign.  As far as I can tell Diamond has not had a feed since then (over two days) and, coupled with the frenzied activity on the Thursday, when I suspected an intruder, and the eggs were only irregularly incubated, I fear the worst.

And I don’t think that it is a coincidence that the box was visited by a strange female today, a very large bird that was instantly chased away (definitely not Bula).    I’d show you some stills, but the software is once again playing up.  I’ll send them to Scott and see if he can upload the stills or a videos.   I went around afterwards to see if I could see this bird again (or Bula) but all was quiet.   It could be an offspring from previous year.

Bad weather (and we’ve had plenty of that) does often lead to reproductive failure and so these problems may stem from difficulty in procuring food (they can’t complain of their nest getting wet!).   Or it may be that something has happened to Bula and he’s no longer able to hunt.

Anyway, let’s hope that I am wrong and that Bula (or another ‘suitable’ male) turns up again.  It’s a pity she isn’t inclined to accept another female, but I don’t think peregrines are that progressive:).  It’s also not unheard of for peregrines to raise a brood on their own, but very unusual and the poor weather (more expected tonight) is definitely not helping.

Fingers crossed.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 03-Oct-16, 08:54:48 AM
Cilla Kinross says:

3 October, 2016 at 6:55 pm

Yes, Diamond has finally had a feed, possibly a pigeon; not sure as it arrived headless and wingless, and I thought I saw a hint of yellow…but I am assuming she caught it herself as she was gone from the box for just over 10 minutes. There is a crack in one of the eggs, but no sign of chicks as yet. Perhaps tonight, but tomorrow is pretty much the last chance for hatching as it would be 33 days.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 03-Oct-16, 12:52:05 PM
Hoping for the best at this site.  :pray:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: carly on 03-Oct-16, 12:54:46 PM
BCAW posted awhile ago that the egg hatched.  No sign of male as of yet.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 03-Oct-16, 01:07:51 PM
BCAW posted awhile ago that the egg hatched.  No sign of male as of yet.
Thanks, carly.  Poor Bula!  And poor Diamond and baby(ies)!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 03-Oct-16, 01:12:09 PM
From the website:

Shep says:
4 October, 2016 at 3:08 am
We have a hatch!
October 4, 2016 Shepnotes
Shortly after 1.30 am in Oz I saw her peep – probly to her chick.
She is wiggling almost continually

2.45 am Oct 4 Oz
11.45 am US edt
There is a shell! Chick #1 has arrived!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 03-Oct-16, 01:50:45 PM
From the website:

Shep says:
4 October, 2016 at 3:08 am
We have a hatch!
October 4, 2016 Shepnotes
Shortly after 1.30 am in Oz I saw her peep – probly to her chick.
She is wiggling almost continually

2.45 am Oct 4 Oz
11.45 am US edt
There is a shell! Chick #1 has arrived!

Video of baby is posted on BCAW..sad for her if Bula's gone.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 03-Oct-16, 04:16:10 PM
Maybe only the one will hatch making it easier for one parent to raise.  :yes:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: carly on 03-Oct-16, 06:02:20 PM
BCAW reporting a second egg has hatched.   :(  They said she's been back and forth a few times but no food coming in and no sign of Bula yet. 

I can't watch but I"m following their posts.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 03-Oct-16, 06:34:07 PM
BCAW reporting a second egg has hatched.   :(  They said she's been back and forth a few times but no food coming in and no sign of Bula yet. 

I can't watch but I"m following their posts.

  Oh, how sad!   :(


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 04-Oct-16, 08:48:11 AM
2nd hatch!!! But still no sign of Bula.   :crying:

Diamond struggles on
Published 4 October, 2016 | By Cilla Kinross
Incubated eggs can be left uncovered even in cool weather for 2 hours, and even up to six hours in one case, with a brood being successfully reared, so it seems that the disruptions last week have not had a major impact.

Two chicks have been hatched overnight.  Both appear to be healthy, although the second seemed to lack feathers, but I think it was just a bit wet.

Diamond was obviously very distressed, dithering between the need to keep the chicks warm (it is quite cold and windy here today) and the need to fetch food.

Finally at half past one, she left for a proper hunt and was successful after an hour (probably a pigeon, very pink legs).  And the chicks have received a feed (at least one has, by the blood on the beak; not sure about the other as she had her back to the camera).

No sign of Bula or alternative male, but she more she shows herself, the more likely she will be seen by a prospective mate.   I am fairly certain this nest box is a prized site, so would be well known to visiting peregrines (as well as past offspring, of course).

Apologies for no photos.  It’s the website, not the software, I think, so I’ll see if Scott can fix it.  If not, I’ll think of another solution…Facebook perhaps.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 04-Oct-16, 04:10:48 PM
Diamond shows off her two hatches (so far).  She's doing the best she can as a single mom. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIwX6QWjSvc (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIwX6QWjSvc)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 04-Oct-16, 06:54:39 PM
Diamond shows off her two hatches (so far).  She's doing the best she can as a single mom. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIwX6QWjSvc (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIwX6QWjSvc)

Good luck to her!  :yes:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 05-Oct-16, 06:42:28 AM
From what I read, there's 3 eyases now..video shows Diamond caught something big and had a good feed for herself.

http://youtu.be/ceASJQnKdA4


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 05-Oct-16, 07:13:54 AM
Maybe Bula and the other male are both injured! Hope a some other male comes by to help, she really needs it!
So sad but then, maybe she can handle it. Praying for a good outcome!  :pray:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Carol P. on 05-Oct-16, 07:41:17 AM
Is there anyone there that can drop prey on a ledge for her? At least until the eyases are a little older and don't need to be covered as much. I know Mark Nash and the CPF did that for Wind when Windwhistler abandoned her and his eyases. Hope they all survive and a new tiercel comes soon.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 05-Oct-16, 08:30:58 AM
I just posted a question on the site asking if human intervention would be considered if Diamond gets no male takers.  We'll see what kind of response it gets. 

Here's the latest:

STOP PRESS.  Diamond has just brought in some more prey (I think another pigeon, which is good as quite a big feed).  She had a quick feed herself and then started warming up the chicks, that are probably too cold to eat.  She is certainly trying really hard.    Hopefully the little ones will get something to eat soon as they must be very hungry (as is Diamond, no doubt).  No hope for the nestlings if Mum gets too weak to hunt, so she must eat first.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Carol P. on 05-Oct-16, 11:56:24 AM
Thanks Pat. Let's see what happens. With CPFs help, Wind was able to raise her young on her own. Once the eyases thermoregulate she'll be able to leave them to hunt. I believe they used quail.


I just posted a question on the site asking if human intervention would be considered if Diamond gets no male takers.  We'll see what kind of response it gets.  

Here's the latest:

STOP PRESS.  Diamond has just brought in some more prey (I think another pigeon, which is good as quite a big feed).  She had a quick feed herself and then started warming up the chicks, that are probably too cold to eat.  She is certainly trying really hard.    Hopefully the little ones will get something to eat soon as they must be very hungry (as is Diamond, no doubt).  No hope for the nestlings if Mum gets too weak to hunt, so she must eat first.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 05-Oct-16, 03:46:50 PM
Well, here's an answer to the question I posed about human assistance for Diamond.   :(

Shep says:
5 October, 2016 at 11:35 pm
no patricia – any human intervention would spoil CSU research


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Carol P. on 05-Oct-16, 04:11:10 PM
Well, here's an answer to the question I posed about human assistance for Diamond.   :(

Shep says:
5 October, 2016 at 11:35 pm
no patricia – any human intervention would spoil CSU research

That's so ridiculous.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 05-Oct-16, 05:17:27 PM
An intruder was just in the box..Diamond got into a defensive stance in front of babies.  Pic on BCAW.  :(


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: carly on 05-Oct-16, 05:18:28 PM
It might be a new male, they said now he's perched in the doorway and she's allowing it.  If something has happened to Bula then a new male would at least be able to guard her and the babies.  He looks young so he can be trained!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 05-Oct-16, 05:40:43 PM
It might be a new male, they said now he's perched in the doorway and she's allowing it.  If something has happened to Bula then a new male would at least be able to guard her and the babies.  He looks young so he can be trained!

This is a good thing-I hope!!  :o


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 05-Oct-16, 11:06:33 PM
Well, here's an answer to the question I posed about human assistance for Diamond.   :(

Shep says:
5 October, 2016 at 11:35 pm
no patricia – any human intervention would spoil CSU research

That's so ridiculous.
I know. Not surprising, though, as this site is for university research.  :(


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 06-Oct-16, 03:10:00 PM
Diamond is feeding the eyasses now. All three look lively and hungry.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 06-Oct-16, 03:49:07 PM
Diamond is feeding the eyasses now. All three look lively and hungry.

 :clap:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 06-Oct-16, 04:31:59 PM
Earlier post by Cilla-

Yes, you are right.  The third egg hatched at about 0306 h last night, so Diamond now has three mouths to feed, which she is still doing, amazingly.

At a quarter to six this evening, she brought in some prey, already prepared.   I suspect she hunted for this last prey herself as she was away over an hour, but something odd happened at lunch time today, when Diamond chased our new male  out and then came back with a scrap of prey just three and a half minutes later.  I can’t work this out as it would have taken much more time than that to hunt, kill, pluck and mostly eat this prey.   Perhaps she is so desperate that she’s taken road kill.  Or perhaps he had something in a cache and gave it to her (that’s what I’m hoping).

The other male is quite young; I think only 1 year old as he still has juvenile plumage.  (I’m toying with Xavier, not because it means anything, but because it sounds like Saviour in English, but is less pompous, but he’ll need to prove himself first!).  He doesn’t seem to realise that she wants him to bring prey to the box….

The reaction between Diamond and ‘himself’ has been interesting.  She has basically tolerated him unless he came into the box to start courtship behaviour, and then she became aggressive.

 
All three chicks were still alive at time of writing and just being fed.    And our new young chap hasn’t been seen since about half-past one.

Weather forecast is good for tomorrow and the weekend.  I have landcare/conservation commitments tomorrow morning, Saturday morning and all day Sunday, so flat chat, but will do my best to keep you up-to-date, although you seem to be managing quite well without us!




Video by Arjen

http://youtu.be/zjUeX9M-uhk


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Carol P. on 06-Oct-16, 05:37:54 PM
This new male, though young, sounds promising.   :pray:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 07-Oct-16, 08:36:20 AM
There's a second new adult male on the scene, and this one looks a bit more promising.  Definitely displaying courtship behavior.  Now let's hope the males don't do damage to each other trying to win Diamond's favor.  Don't want the guys fighting while she's saying "Uh, a little help here, please!" 

http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/new-adult-male-is-accepted/ (http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/new-adult-male-is-accepted/)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 07-Oct-16, 09:21:20 AM
There's a second new adult male on the scene, and this one looks a bit more promising.  Definitely displaying courtship behavior.  Now let's hope the males don't do damage to each other trying to win Diamond's favor.  Don't want the guys fighting while she's saying "Uh, a little help here, please!" 

http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/new-adult-male-is-accepted/ (http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/new-adult-male-is-accepted/)

        They do say this is a prime spot!   :scaredblue:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 07-Oct-16, 01:24:33 PM
Video by Arjen-

http://youtu.be/JxDXUVXDSGk


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 07-Oct-16, 06:58:43 PM
He brought food!

http://youtu.be/qQfotLqQOhQ


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Carol P. on 07-Oct-16, 09:50:56 PM
 :2thumbsup:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 08-Oct-16, 08:45:31 PM
Awesome!!!!!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 08-Oct-16, 08:57:08 PM
I love how he is still a little hesitant around Diamond, like he knows she's in charge and she might bite his head off if he doesn't do exactly as he's told. 


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 21-Oct-16, 09:56:43 AM
Chicks Becoming Mobile

Published 20 October, 2016 | By Cilla Kinross
As you’ve already observed (I’m a day behind you..), our youngsters are becoming much more mobile and brave, and our young suitor is being a bit more grown-up, with notable exceptions….

Xavier reverts to juvenile behaviour!
At one time, I started to kid myself that he was watching intently how Diamond fed the chicks, only to realise that he was just watching for a chance to grab a mouthful himself.

On one morning he brought in some ‘dressed’ prey, only to find Diamond still feeding, so, rather understandably, he took off again after waiting for a while.

Diamond has started bringing in unplucked prey (starling), which she roughly plucked in the box, then fed to the brood.  I think this was her catch as Xavier had been dawdling on the ledge.  I’ve just noticed that one of our brood fell over in astonishment!

Also she rarely succeeds now at ‘sitting’ on her chicks, but still tries occasionally.  Mostly now she stands over them, or uses the ledge at night, despite the chill air (we are still getting frosts).

I have to go back to Sydney on tomorrow afternoon’s train for a weekend conference/meeting.  I’ll try and catch up tomorrow, but it’s not likely as I have a morning of plant propagation, so have a good weekend and I’ll talk to you again on Monday.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 24-Oct-16, 08:21:24 AM
I was just watching the cam for a few minutes.  One was falling asleep, head falling slowly down, while another knocked the head back up.  This was repeated several times, while the third launched a perfectly aimed poop shot at mom.  Now they're all huddled in a pefa pile. Too cute!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 24-Oct-16, 09:56:23 AM
It's great that they're successfully taking care of the babies.  :yes: goodnews:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 25-Oct-16, 08:22:31 AM
It's great that they're successfully taking care of the babies.  :yes: goodnews:
It is great.  Xavier (christened as such by Cilla, the project leader) isn't exactly a perfect savior, but he is not harming the chicks and I believe he brings them food sometimes, although he does not feed them.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 25-Oct-16, 08:25:24 AM
Rubi, Vim & Mell

Published 25 October, 2016 | By Cilla Kinross

These are the names that you chose.  They are shortened versions of the names of the eucalyptus in the wood opposite the nest site (Eucalyptus rubida, Eucalyptus viminalis and Eucalyptus melliodora).  And I like the names, but I still can’t tell them apart.  One has a ‘bloody spot’ on his/her chest.  Tiffany thought it might be a parasite as they were pecking at it, but I’m not sure; it could just be the remains of a rather bloody meal!

Let’s call that one Rubi.  And one appears to always be the first on the scene for tucker…perhaps Vim?

They are growing nicely, and trying their wings out.

There have been some concerns about the frequency of prey arrivals, but most of the prey are not insubstantial.  In the last couple of days I’ve recorded several pigeons, parrots (including the larger cockatoos), and waterbirds (possibly a swamphen) as well as starlings (which sometimes don’t actually get eaten…Just Xavier teasing).  The feeding times have varied between about 3 minutes (probably a honeyeater, just a snack, really) and over 40 minutes, when some of the chicks often wander off as they are so full.   Anyway, they seem to be putting on weight nicely.

I’ve noticed the chicks are increasingly much more likely to grab part of the meal and eat it themselves.  This incident with the leg ended well, but I thought it was going to choke him.

I still haven’t seen Xavier feeding the chicks, but he seems slightly less afraid of them now.  He knows they are not his, of course, or is that just my assumption?  Sometimes he sleeps over in the box, and sometimes not; there doesn’t seem to be a pattern.  I would be interested to know how common this is.  None of our previous males have ever done this.

No more weekends away for a while, so I should be able to give you more frequent updates.  We have some fairly major environment issues happening in New South Wales at present: changes to biodiversity and crown lands legislation, so I’m being kept pretty busy, but I’ll try and keep on top of things.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 25-Oct-16, 12:36:55 PM
 :2thumbsup:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Carol P. on 25-Oct-16, 12:52:44 PM
The young male will learn to do what he needs to do. Great news that the young ones are doing well.  :clap:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 16-Nov-16, 10:45:31 AM
First flight
Published 16 November, 2016 | By Cilla Kinross
I just got in ……One is off, I’m guessing Rubi.

Not a very elegant departure, so I’ll go and have a look around shortly.   Not very elegant photos, either, such mucky pups!


And later:

At the time of writing, still two in the tower and one in the bushes.  And thanks to Denis and Tiffany for helping me locate the wayward Rubi.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 16-Nov-16, 12:53:17 PM
First flight
Published 16 November, 2016 | By Cilla Kinross
I just got in ……One is off, I’m guessing Rubi.

Not a very elegant departure, so I’ll go and have a look around shortly.   Not very elegant photos, either, such mucky pups!


And later:

At the time of writing, still two in the tower and one in the bushes.  And thanks to Denis and Tiffany for helping me locate the wayward Rubi.

 :2thumbsup:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Carol P. on 16-Nov-16, 02:44:56 PM
 :clap:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: AlisonL on 16-Nov-16, 08:28:45 PM
First flight
Published 16 November, 2016 | By Cilla Kinross
I just got in ……One is off, I’m guessing Rubi.

Not a very elegant departure, so I’ll go and have a look around shortly.   Not very elegant photos, either, such mucky pups!


And later:

At the time of writing, still two in the tower and one in the bushes.  And thanks to Denis and Tiffany for helping me locate the wayward Rubi.

Thanks, Patsy! I just got the site to load for a minute, and it looks to me as if a second chick has fledged. I can only see one in the nest.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 17-Nov-16, 02:20:35 AM
Confirming Alison's observation:

No. 2 male Vim departs
Published 17 November, 2016 | By Cilla Kinross
Here is Vim’s much better departure.    I can see roughly in which direction he headed, but of course, not how far he has travelled, but I’ll go and have a look for both of the them and report back.

Vim spotted
Published 17 November, 2016 | By Cilla Kinross
A colleague saw Vim on the hand-rail and watched him fly to a bush not far from my office, so his first flight was much shorter than I anticipated, but he’s fine.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: AlisonL on 18-Nov-16, 07:00:17 PM
I believe that Mell, the last chick in the nest box, has now fledged. Each time I checked yesterday, she was still in the nest.

But when I went to check the site today, the cams are down. All I get is a "service disruption, down for essential maintenance" message. As of a few minutes ago, that message is still there.

If Photobucket ever comes back up, I'll try to post some photos I had saved over the past few days. Too many sites going down lately.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 18-Nov-16, 10:20:03 PM
I believe that Mell, the last chick in the nest box, has now fledged. Each time I checked yesterday, she was still in the nest.

But when I went to check the site today, the cams are down. All I get is a "service disruption, down for essential maintenance" message. As of a few minutes ago, that message is still there.

If Photobucket ever comes back up, I'll try to post some photos I had saved over the past few days. Too many sites going down lately.



http://tinypic.com/ (http://tinypic.com/) I use this when photobucket goes crazy. I like this much better!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: AlisonL on 20-Nov-16, 08:34:21 PM


If Photobucket ever comes back up, I'll try to post some photos I had saved over the past few days. Too many sites going down lately.



http://tinypic.com/ (http://tinypic.com/) I use this when photobucket goes crazy. I like this much better!

Thank you, Donna! I have saved the URL and will check into it further. TinyPic is owned by Photobucket, which of course is still down.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: AlisonL on 20-Nov-16, 08:40:39 PM
The cameras are back online.

Diamond this morning:



Just checked the site again, and there is a juvie in the nest, with a full crop (poor Galah).







Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 21-Nov-16, 10:52:05 AM
Apparently it was Vim who returned home to the nestbox for a feed yesterday.  He stayed for a while, too.  Meanwhile, there are some great pictures of the newly fledged juvies at http://falconcamproject.org/. (http://falconcamproject.org/.)  They haven't spotted Rubi in several days, but Cilla is confident that mom Diamond knows where she is, and that she'll turn up soon. 


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: AlisonL on 21-Nov-16, 11:16:43 AM
A few pics of Mell alone in the nest, shortly before she fledged:
















Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Carol P. on 21-Nov-16, 02:51:48 PM
So happy to hear that the young fledglings are doing well. Thanks to all that are posting pictures and updates.  :clap:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 21-Nov-16, 07:07:26 PM
 goodnews: :thanx:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 22-Nov-16, 09:45:58 PM
Good news..all seen!

http://falconcamproject.org/ (http://falconcamproject.org/)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 23-Nov-16, 03:17:30 PM
There's a juvie in the nestbox right now, screaming up a storm and often looking up in the sky.  I think somebody's flying close by.  It looks small to me, so it could be Vim.  He probably wants his dinner.

Diamond has been such an awesome mom to these three, what with losing Bula at hatch time, then having to fend off a suitor or two before finally settling on Xavier.  He hasn't been super-attentive, but at least he hasn't tried to harm the kids.  He actually seemed a bit afraid of them and her at first.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 23-Nov-16, 03:27:59 PM
By the way, if you ever want to get an off-season live-webcam-pefa-in-the-nestbox fix, tune into http://www.csu.edu.au/special/falconcam/Streams/camera-two.htm (http://www.csu.edu.au/special/falconcam/Streams/camera-two.htm) any morning through mid-afternoon (US Eastern Standard Time).  It will be nighttime in Australia, and Diamond spends every night year 'round in the nestbox.  She's sleeping, of course, and the camera is on night view, but it's still nice to see an occupied nestbox. 


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 01-Dec-16, 11:01:07 AM
Two weeks on the wing and the juvies are all doing well.  Check out http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/two-weeks-on-the-wing/ (http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/two-weeks-on-the-wing/) for some great photos of all three.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 01-Dec-16, 11:42:01 AM
Two weeks on the wing and the juvies are all doing well.  Check out http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/two-weeks-on-the-wing/ (http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/two-weeks-on-the-wing/) for some great photos of all three.

Love good news!! THX!!   :thumbsup:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 01-Dec-16, 11:46:38 AM
Two weeks on the wing and the juvies are all doing well.  Check out http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/two-weeks-on-the-wing/ (http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/two-weeks-on-the-wing/) for some great photos of all three.

Woohoo!  :yahoo:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 13-Dec-16, 10:09:31 AM
Cool pics of one juvie (probably Vim), two kestrels and some Australian flora at http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/pere-juveniles-1-kestrels-2/. (http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/pere-juveniles-1-kestrels-2/.)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 13-Dec-16, 10:47:24 AM
Cool pics of one juvie (probably Vim), two kestrels and some Australian flora at http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/pere-juveniles-1-kestrels-2/. (http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/pere-juveniles-1-kestrels-2/.)

 :2thumbsup:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Dot_Forrester on 13-Dec-16, 11:36:38 AM
Cool pics of one juvie (probably Vim), two kestrels and some Australian flora at http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/pere-juveniles-1-kestrels-2/. (http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/pere-juveniles-1-kestrels-2/.)

What a nice website! :falcon2: Their header graphic is almost as good as ours. :devil:

Dot in PA


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Carol P. on 13-Dec-16, 02:21:12 PM
Very nice! Thanks Pat!  :thumbsup:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 25-Aug-17, 05:01:51 PM
First egg ever for Diamond and Xavier!  Let the season begin down under in Orange!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: AlisonL on 25-Aug-17, 11:56:21 PM
Thank you, Patsy! It's good to see Xavier taking an interest in the brand new egg!

Xavier dropped off prey for Diamond right beside her left foot and very close to the egg.

(https://picload.org/image/rwiaiddi/orange-aug-25-25a.jpg)

Diamond was hungry, and started eating:

(https://picload.org/image/rwiaiddw/orange-aug-25-27a.jpg)

She took the rest of the food out of the nest to eat elsewhere.

(https://picload.org/image/rwiaidaa/orange-aug-25-31a.jpg)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 30-Aug-17, 04:29:22 PM
Egg #2 arrived on August 28 (Australian time), so egg #3, if there is one, should be either already there or imminent.  Diamond is egg sitting now, with that razorback look. 


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 30-Aug-17, 05:03:50 PM
I just confirmed from the comments on the project site that there are now three eggs!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 30-Aug-17, 05:14:53 PM
I just confirmed from the comments on the project site that there are now three eggs!

        :clap:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: AlisonL on 01-Sep-17, 10:40:54 PM
Xavier incubating:

(https://picload.org/image/rwpclpwl/orange-aug-31-1a.jpg)

Diamond incubating:

(https://picload.org/image/rwpclpwi/orange-aug-31-4a.jpg)

(https://picload.org/image/rwpclpww/orange-aug-31-5a.jpg)

Shift change. Diamond came in to claim her eggs, and Xavier stood up gracefully to allow her to take over. He is doing a great job incubating this year.

(https://picload.org/image/rwpclwgr/orange-aug-31-10a.jpg)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: AlisonL on 01-Sep-17, 10:49:54 PM
As of a few minutes ago, looks like there are still three eggs.

(https://picload.org/image/rwppligl/orange-sept-1-9a.jpg)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 02-Sep-17, 07:38:59 AM
Xavier incubating:

(https://picload.org/image/rwpclpwl/orange-aug-31-1a.jpg)

Diamond incubating:

(https://picload.org/image/rwpclpwi/orange-aug-31-4a.jpg)

(https://picload.org/image/rwpclpww/orange-aug-31-5a.jpg)

Shift change. Diamond came in to claim her eggs, and Xavier stood up gracefully to allow her to take over. He is doing a great job incubating this year.

(https://picload.org/image/rwpclwgr/orange-aug-31-10a.jpg)


This pic reminds me of Kaver!  :heart:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Shaky on 02-Sep-17, 08:50:57 AM
Xavier incubating:

(https://picload.org/image/rwpclpwl/orange-aug-31-1a.jpg)

Diamond incubating:

(https://picload.org/image/rwpclpwi/orange-aug-31-4a.jpg)

(https://picload.org/image/rwpclpww/orange-aug-31-5a.jpg)

Shift change. Diamond came in to claim her eggs, and Xavier stood up gracefully to allow her to take over. He is doing a great job incubating this year.

(https://picload.org/image/rwpclwgr/orange-aug-31-10a.jpg)


This pic reminds me of Kaver!  :heart:

Except Kaver would never get off the eggs that quickly.

(http://shakymon.com/rfc-pix/mk20070405-0936.jpg)
(http://shakymon.com/rfc-pix/mk20070331-0914.jpg)
(http://shakymon.com/rfc-pix/k20060414-1508.jpg)
(http://shakymon.com/rfc-pix/mk20060401-1310.jpg)
(http://shakymon.com/rfc-pix/k20060329-0754.jpg)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 02-Sep-17, 10:18:52 AM
You are absolutely correct Shaky, Kaver  :heart: was the "Egg Man"!!   :wave:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Dot_Forrester on 02-Sep-17, 11:07:02 AM
:bunny: I had almost forgotten those hilarious pictures / captions. :thanx: for posting!

Dot in PA


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Lynne in New Hampshire on 02-Sep-17, 11:29:45 AM
Love them Shaky!!  need a calendar with those kind of pictures !!!!!   :hysterical:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Shaky on 02-Sep-17, 02:21:02 PM
Love them Shaky!!  need a calendar with those kind of pictures !!!!!   :hysterical:

Hmmm, 2018 will be the 10th anniversary of the final M&K season. Maybe a special edition classic Shakypix calendar would be appropriate.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: AlisonL on 02-Sep-17, 02:29:25 PM
Love them Shaky!!  need a calendar with those kind of pictures !!!!!   :hysterical:

Hmmm, 2018 will be the 10th anniversary of the final M&K season. Maybe a special edition classic Shakypix calendar would be appropriate.

I think that's a great idea! Always loved the Shakypix.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: carly on 02-Sep-17, 07:28:00 PM
Love them Shaky!!  need a calendar with those kind of pictures !!!!!   :hysterical:

Hmmm, 2018 will be the 10th anniversary of the final M&K season. Maybe a special edition classic Shakypix calendar would be appropriate.

'Egg-cellent idea!'  :D


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 03-Sep-17, 08:56:45 AM
Love them Shaky!!  need a calendar with those kind of pictures !!!!!   :hysterical:

Hmmm, 2018 will be the 10th anniversary of the final M&K season. Maybe a special edition classic Shakypix calendar would be appropriate.

Well, since the Main cam broke........sounds like a good idea!!  :thumbsup:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Dot_Forrester on 03-Sep-17, 09:52:03 AM
I also think it would be a great idea! :pfalcon: Speaking of Shakypix, I am having no luck trying to find Shaky's Kaver poem about his fierceness and hunting skill that ends with "and they call me QTpa2T or something like that. I'd love to see that one again.

Dot in PA

Love them Shaky!!  need a calendar with those kind of pictures !!!!!   :hysterical:

Hmmm, 2018 will be the 10th anniversary of the final M&K season. Maybe a special edition classic Shakypix calendar would be appropriate.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: ~Ruth on 03-Sep-17, 01:56:14 PM
I agree with the special calendar of Shaky pics   :laugh:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: AlisonL on 03-Sep-17, 02:47:46 PM
I also think it would be a great idea! :pfalcon: Speaking of Shakypix, I am having no luck trying to find Shaky's Kaver poem about his fierceness and hunting skill that ends with "and they call me QTpa2T or something like that. I'd love to see that one again.

Dot in PA


Dot, could this possibly be the one you are looking for, called "Top Gun"? I always really liked this one.

(https://picload.org/image/rwwdgarr/top-gun-kaver-1a.jpg)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Shaky on 03-Sep-17, 06:08:57 PM
I also think it would be a great idea! :pfalcon: Speaking of Shakypix, I am having no luck trying to find Shaky's Kaver poem about his fierceness and hunting skill that ends with "and they call me QTpa2T or something like that. I'd love to see that one again.

Dot in PA


This is the Kaver Top Gun link http://shakymon.com/topgun.html (http://shakymon.com/topgun.html). Some web browsers still play the audio.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Dot_Forrester on 04-Sep-17, 06:56:43 AM
Thanks very much, Shaky! This was always one of my favorites.

Dot in PA

I also think it would be a great idea! :pfalcon: Speaking of Shakypix, I am having no luck trying to find Shaky's Kaver poem about his fierceness and hunting skill that ends with "and they call me QTpa2T or something like that. I'd love to see that one again.

Dot in PA


This is the Kaver Top Gun link http://shakymon.com/topgun.html (http://shakymon.com/topgun.html). Some web browsers still play the audio.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Dumpsterkitty on 04-Sep-17, 08:14:46 AM
I also think it would be a great idea! :pfalcon: Speaking of Shakypix, I am having no luck trying to find Shaky's Kaver poem about his fierceness and hunting skill that ends with "and they call me QTpa2T or something like that. I'd love to see that one again.

Dot in PA


This is the Kaver Top Gun link http://shakymon.com/topgun.html (http://shakymon.com/topgun.html). Some web browsers still play the audio.

How funny...I don't ever remember hearing the audio before!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 14-Sep-17, 10:10:29 AM
Shades of good dads Dot.ca and Kaver.

Good boy, or odd chap?
Published 8 September, 2017 | By Cilla Kinross
Got back from Brisbane late Tuesday and just catching up with our pair.   I’ve noticed that Xavier has stopped bringing in much food and is keen to help out with the incubation (something previous males were not that keen to do usually, especially with three eggs).  He even arrived at one time having clearly just made a kill, with blood on his feet.  That seems a bit cheeky, or is he stashing the prey for Diamond (see below)?

And he’s hanging about waiting for her to move so he can take over (at least I assume that’s what he’s up to….)….often he’s reluctant to move when she returns from her excursion.    He seems very comfortable and is usually not having problems settling over the three eggs and on one occasion he stayed almost motionless incubating for four hours while Diamond was off gallivanting about, presumably hunting for herself.

Xavier even made the same mistake as Dot.ca. He tried to feed the eggs (see attached photo).


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 14-Sep-17, 12:53:13 PM
Shades of good dads Dot.ca and Kaver.

Good boy, or odd chap?
Published 8 September, 2017 | By Cilla Kinross
Got back from Brisbane late Tuesday and just catching up with our pair.   I’ve noticed that Xavier has stopped bringing in much food and is keen to help out with the incubation (something previous males were not that keen to do usually, especially with three eggs).  He even arrived at one time having clearly just made a kill, with blood on his feet.  That seems a bit cheeky, or is he stashing the prey for Diamond (see below)?

And he’s hanging about waiting for her to move so he can take over (at least I assume that’s what he’s up to….)….often he’s reluctant to move when she returns from her excursion.    He seems very comfortable and is usually not having problems settling over the three eggs and on one occasion he stayed almost motionless incubating for four hours while Diamond was off gallivanting about, presumably hunting for herself.

Xavier even made the same mistake as Dot.ca. He tried to feed the eggs (see attached photo).

Hope things go well here!  So funny when they bring food to the eggs!  :lol:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 01-Oct-17, 07:03:09 AM
They have a BABY!!!!!!!   :clap:  :heart:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 01-Oct-17, 07:54:15 AM
They have a BABY!!!!!!!   :clap:  :heart:

     Sweet!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 01-Oct-17, 09:24:36 AM
Woohoo!  :thumbsup:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 01-Oct-17, 10:52:04 AM
YAY for Diamond and Xavier!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: AlisonL on 01-Oct-17, 11:03:50 AM
They have a BABY!!!!!!!   :clap:  :heart:

Great catch, Donna! Congratulations to Diamond and Xavier on their beautiful new chick!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 01-Oct-17, 11:27:03 AM
Video of baby by Molly C!

http://youtu.be/N2R1Z6pniuY


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Carol P. on 01-Oct-17, 12:47:45 PM
Wonderful news!   :wub:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: AlisonL on 02-Oct-17, 11:00:00 PM
The second chick has hatched!

A little earlier, there were still two unhatched eggs:

(https://picload.org/image/dglcagol/orange-oct-2-9a.jpg)

New eggshell:

(https://picload.org/image/dglcagoi/orange-oct-2-11a.jpg)

And a brand new tiny chick:

(https://picload.org/image/dglcagow/orange-oct-2-12a.jpg)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 02-Oct-17, 11:27:46 PM
Looks like #2 has arrived.  Thanks, Alison!  :clap: :clap:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 02-Oct-17, 11:28:17 PM
 :hatch1: :hatch1:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: AlisonL on 02-Oct-17, 11:34:39 PM
Dad came in to see his brand new chick, and brought food:

(https://picload.org/image/dglcalcw/orange-oct-2-13a.jpg)

(https://picload.org/image/dglcalir/orange-oct-2-18a.jpg)

(https://picload.org/image/dglcalia/orange-oct-2-23a.jpg)

(https://picload.org/image/dglcalil/orange-oct-2-27a.jpg)

(https://picload.org/image/dglcalii/orange-oct-2-28a.jpg)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 03-Oct-17, 08:50:18 AM
Precious!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: AlisonL on 03-Oct-17, 12:51:41 PM
This was the next feeding. Once again,  Xavier delivered food to Diamond. Until the chicks began to hatch, I had not seen him bring food for some time, although he has been very willing to incubate.

The first chick had another good feed, and the new chick had a little bit of food.

(https://picload.org/image/dgliddga/orange-oct-2-37a.jpg)

(https://picload.org/image/dgliddgl/orange-oct-2-41a.jpg)

(https://picload.org/image/dgliddgi/orange-oct-2-42a.jpg)

(https://picload.org/image/dgliddgw/orange-oct-2-43a.jpg)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 04-Oct-17, 09:16:49 AM
Such cute little fuzzballs!  Thanks, Alison.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Donna on 04-Oct-17, 09:28:50 AM
Hoping for the best with these guys!! No lost fledglings!!  :heart:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: AlisonL on 04-Oct-17, 03:47:52 PM
Hoping for the best with these guys!! No lost fledglings!!  :heart:

Me too, Donna! No more Aspro situations, I hope.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 04-Oct-17, 03:58:26 PM
Xavier is a first time dad. As you may recall, he was the somewhat non-interested step-dad in last year's drama.  Diamond was awesome, raising three healthy fledglings after losing their dad, Bula, just before hatching. So far this year Xavier's done very well, both with incubating and now bringing food for the babies. 


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: AlisonL on 04-Oct-17, 04:09:00 PM
Xavier is a first time dad. As you may recall, he was the somewhat non-interested step-dad in last year's drama.  Diamond was awesome, raising three healthy fledglings after losing their dad, Bula, just before hatching. So far this year Xavier's done very well, both with incubating and now bringing food for the babies. 

You're right, Patsy, Xavier is doing much better this year. It's good to see him bringing in food for his chicks. Last year, the chicks were not his, and he did not want to participate in raising them. Diamond is a great Mom; she is very gentle and patient with the chicks, especially during feedings.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: AlisonL on 04-Oct-17, 04:12:50 PM
The last glimpse I had shows that there is still one unhatched egg. However, the Internet went down here for several hours, and then the Orange site was taken down for maintenance, so that could have changed.

(https://picload.org/image/dgcgaoca/orange-oct-4-10a.jpg)

(https://picload.org/image/dgcgaocl/orange-oct-4-12a.jpg)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: AlisonL on 04-Oct-17, 05:02:09 PM
From  a few minutes ago:

(https://picload.org/image/dgcgolga/orange-oct-4-14a.jpg)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 04-Oct-17, 05:59:31 PM
Apparently that last one is stuck.  Now Diamond is blocking our view of the chicks and seems to be just shading them, perhaps trying to give the littlest one some space to break free.  I do hope he/she makes it! Both Diamond and Xavier took turns trying to break the shell, to no avail.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: AlisonL on 04-Oct-17, 08:23:25 PM
Apparently that last one is stuck.  Now Diamond is blocking our view of the chicks and seems to be just shading them, perhaps trying to give the littlest one some space to break free.  I do hope he/she makes it! Both Diamond and Xavier took turns trying to break the shell, to no avail.

I thought that might well be the case. In that situation, an assisted hatch would probably be the only way to free the little one. I don't know if there is anyone there who could do this, or who would even consider doing it. It is not really difficult, but timing is crucial.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 05-Oct-17, 03:11:21 PM
Diamond is still incubating the two chicks who have hatched and the one still partially in the egg. It is probably dead.  She's got her wing over it. Fortunately I think it's warm enough there that the other two chicks will probably be all right if they're not totally tucked in.  She was panting yesterday, as if it was hot. At least I hope so.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 09-Oct-17, 10:12:44 AM
Apparently Diamond has done her sad duty.

Vale egg # 3
Published 9 October, 2017 | By Cilla Kinross
I’m just back from Sydney and will take several days to catch up, but I can confirm that on 8th October at 0739 h,  Diamond picked up egg, took it the ledge, possibly opened the shell a bit more, then took it as if to feed to the chicks; thought better of it (and the chicks did not show much interest), spent a bit of time at the ledge (perhaps eating, but her back was turned), then took off with it.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: AlisonL on 09-Oct-17, 03:39:18 PM
Apparently Diamond has done her sad duty.

Vale egg # 3
Published 9 October, 2017 | By Cilla Kinross
I’m just back from Sydney and will take several days to catch up, but I can confirm that on 8th October at 0739 h,  Diamond picked up egg, took it the ledge, possibly opened the shell a bit more, then took it as if to feed to the chicks; thought better of it (and the chicks did not show much interest), spent a bit of time at the ledge (perhaps eating, but her back was turned), then took off with it.

Thank you for the update, Patsy. It is very sad that the third chick was not able to hatch. I think Diamond and Xavier did what they could to help, but it was not enough.  :(

From where I am, the cams are not working at all now. The information page is also down.

Last night one of the cams worked for a few seconds. Diamond was feeding the two remaining chicks.

(https://picload.org/image/dgigwglr/orange-oct-9-1a.jpg)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 26-Oct-17, 09:47:33 AM
The two surviving chicks are doing well, and Xavier is proving to be a good daddy.  They have been named Bali and Marragaay.  You can catch up on what's happening at http://falconcamproject.org/. (http://falconcamproject.org/.)  Scroll down and you'll see some great photos of the whole family, with Xavier bringing in prey.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 26-Oct-17, 11:50:14 AM
The two surviving chicks are doing well, and Xavier is proving to be a good daddy.  They have been named Bali and Marragaay.  You can catch up on what's happening at http://falconcamproject.org/. (http://falconcamproject.org/.)  Scroll down and you'll see some great photos of the whole family, with Xavier bringing in prey.

I peek in once in a while..glad things are going well, so far!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: AlisonL on 26-Oct-17, 05:08:25 PM
I check in on the nest too, but almost always get the solid black rectangle where the live stream should be.

Part of a feeding:

(https://picload.org/image/drgiooir/orange-oct-24-6a.jpg)

(https://picload.org/image/drgiooia/orange-oct-24-10a.jpg)

(https://picload.org/image/drgiooil/orange-oct-24-11a.jpg)

As Mom was about to leave, one of the chicks grabbed her wingtip.

(https://picload.org/image/drgiolpa/orange-oct-24-17a.jpg)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: AlisonL on 26-Oct-17, 05:14:43 PM
The chicks appear to be well fed and well cared for:

(https://picload.org/image/drgiooiw/orange-oct-24-18a.jpg)

(https://picload.org/image/drgioopa/orange-oct-25-3a.jpg)

(https://picload.org/image/drgioopl/orange-oct-25-6a.jpg)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 26-Oct-17, 06:01:19 PM
OMG, I love the pic with the chick chowing down on Mom's wingtip, and the last pic, with that adorable face.  Thanks, Alison!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 13-Nov-17, 02:42:29 PM
Bali (male) and Marragaay (female) have both fledged.

http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/bali-bolts/ (http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/bali-bolts/)

http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/and-shes-off/ (http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/and-shes-off/)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 14-Nov-17, 10:48:19 AM
Bali (male) and Marragaay (female) have both fledged.

http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/bali-bolts/ (http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/bali-bolts/)

http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/and-shes-off/ (http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/and-shes-off/)

         :clap:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 17-Nov-17, 09:42:41 AM
Update days 4 and 5 since fledging

Published 17 November, 2017 | By Cilla Kinross

It’s all good news.     I checked the time of the sighting of Marragaay yesterday and the willie wagtail saga and Bali was safely tucked up in the box at that time, so that’s a relief ie it must be her.   I’ve been down to try and find her based on Scott’s description, and it seems she’s moved on (those pesky wagtails are enough to drive anyone to depart).   At least she’s obviously made her way back to the woodland from the front gate, so is heading in the right direction, and is off the ground.

Bali goes from strength to strength with repeated excursions from the box, but getting quite pampered and very cheeky.    He’s mantling regularly and doesn’t seem comfortable eating until the adult has left, but is happy still to be fed by mum when in the mood.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 17-Nov-17, 12:49:18 PM
Update days 4 and 5 since fledging

Published 17 November, 2017 | By Cilla Kinross

It’s all good news.     I checked the time of the sighting of Marragaay yesterday and the willie wagtail saga and Bali was safely tucked up in the box at that time, so that’s a relief ie it must be her.   I’ve been down to try and find her based on Scott’s description, and it seems she’s moved on (those pesky wagtails are enough to drive anyone to depart).   At least she’s obviously made her way back to the woodland from the front gate, so is heading in the right direction, and is off the ground.

Bali goes from strength to strength with repeated excursions from the box, but getting quite pampered and very cheeky.    He’s mantling regularly and doesn’t seem comfortable eating until the adult has left, but is happy still to be fed by mum when in the mood.

 :2thumbsup:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 17-Nov-17, 02:44:26 PM
 goodnews:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: AlisonL on 24-Nov-17, 07:53:18 PM
At last, there is good news of Marragaay.

Madame Marragaay makes an appearance

Published 24 November, 2017 | By Cilla Kinross
 
Every night before heading home, I check all the usual haunts, particularly a large dead tree in a paddock a few hundred metres from (and within clear sight of) the nest box. This was the tree in which our three youngsters used to congregate last year.

But every night, there was no luck until tonight. Fortunately, they were both there, so I could be sure it was Marragaay.

I crept a bit closer (keeping a wary eye out for the parents, and sheltering under a large yellow box). Marragaay was originally in a different (live) tree then flew to the dead tree to join her brother and looked every bit a peregrine in flight. Well fledged!

I’ll sleep well tonight.

Bali is the first photo and is higher up in the tree.


Photos by Cilla Kinross.

(https://picload.org/image/drcgicpi/bali-nov-24-1a.jpg)

(https://picload.org/image/drcgicpw/marragaay-nov-24-1a.jpg)

More photos at the link:

http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/madame-marragaay-makes-an-appearance/ (http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/madame-marragaay-makes-an-appearance/)


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 24-Nov-17, 09:36:18 PM
At last, there is good news of Marragaay.

Madame Marragaay makes an appearance

Published 24 November, 2017 | By Cilla Kinross
 
Every night before heading home, I check all the usual haunts, particularly a large dead tree in a paddock a few hundred metres from (and within clear sight of) the nest box. This was the tree in which our three youngsters used to congregate last year.

But every night, there was no luck until tonight. Fortunately, they were both there, so I could be sure it was Marragaay.

I crept a bit closer (keeping a wary eye out for the parents, and sheltering under a large yellow box). Marragaay was originally in a different (live) tree then flew to the dead tree to join her brother and looked every bit a peregrine in flight. Well fledged!

I’ll sleep well tonight.

Bali is the first photo and is higher up in the tree.


Photos by Cilla Kinross.

(https://picload.org/image/drcgicpi/bali-nov-24-1a.jpg)

(https://picload.org/image/drcgicpw/marragaay-nov-24-1a.jpg)

More photos at the link:

http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/madame-marragaay-makes-an-appearance/ (http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/madame-marragaay-makes-an-appearance/)


Great news!  Thanks for sharing!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: MAK on 24-Nov-17, 09:48:24 PM
Beautiful! :yes:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 24-Nov-17, 10:07:31 PM
Thanks Kris. Great photos!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 20-Aug-18, 05:09:37 PM
2018 egg #1 for Diamond and Xavier!


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 20-Aug-18, 11:01:55 PM
2018 egg #1 for Diamond and Xavier!

                      :clap:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 22-Aug-18, 01:19:12 PM
Egg #2 arrived yesterday.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Kris G. on 22-Aug-18, 01:35:55 PM
Egg #2 arrived yesterday.

        :thumbsup:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Carol P. on 22-Aug-18, 09:09:49 PM
 :2thumbsup:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 26-Aug-18, 09:09:33 AM
Three eggs now.


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: Carol P. on 26-Aug-18, 10:39:32 AM
 :clap:


Title: Re: New Peregrine cam in Australia
Post by: patsy6 on 07-Nov-18, 06:47:53 PM
I haven't kept with this cam recently, as they've apparently switched ISPs. The new link to their forum is https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/community/wildlife/f/2543/t/196062.aspx?pi2132219858=20. Anyway, it looks like two of the three eggs hatched, a boy and a girl, and both fledged on November 4. No word on them since then. Guess they don't have any watchers onsite right now. Hopefully they're both doing fine.