[FalconCam camera issues]

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!

Eyas cuddles with egg.

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. 

Aww geez, Bobbie and Shaky, you're making me hungry!

Still waitin' on that second fluffball! 

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.

Yeah!  Hawk 1, Drone 0!   

It was so much fun to watch the first feeding yesterday.  Typical...eat, eat, eat, then face plant.   

Still just the one.  

Beau just dropped it off.  Swift is continuing, baby is doing great!  Sorry, I can't do a video, but here's a still.

Beau and Swift are doing the first feeding now!

FANTASTIC!!!!!  YAY!!!!! We get to watch at least one little fluffball this autumn, and hopefully one more!!!!

Geez, five decades after "Silent Spring" and pesticides are still killing birds.  It's just different pesticides now.

We could call him Agent 99, but she was a female.  We might have to call him Maxwell.   

And now I don't feel so bad when I recall that a week ago yesterday, when I saw them almost side by side on the north window ledge, I couldn't see a marked size difference.  Apparently 99/BA is fairly large. correct?

Great job, MAK!  Thanks!