Wilmington, DE Falcons 2014

[Kris G.]

Just read and saw pics on BCAW that the 2 youngest have been removed from the nest by people there.  Guess it was felt that they weren't going to make it because they were hardly getting any food.  Probably for the best...

I agree!  I was hoping they would do it after watching the last few feedings.  They have a good history at this site of taking chicks in trouble out and then putting them back at fledge once they've grown healthy and strong. 

I thought maybe they might try and foster them somewhere, if possible.  I think it was the right decision...lil bit wasn't getting anything I could see.

[carly]

The wee one didn't make it. 

http://wilmfalcons.com/blog.htm

[Kris G.]

The wee one didn't make it.  

http://wilmfalcons.com/blog.htm

Aww...sorry to hear this.  I knew it was going to be tough for it to survive. Good news about the other one returning to the nest soon!

[Donna]

The wee one didn't make it. 

http://wilmfalcons.com/blog.htm

So sad! 6 is a rough number of mouths to feed.

[patsy6]

O-o-o-o-h, very sad.     It's good to know that everyone tried their best, though, and that the other removed eyas is doing well.

[Donna]

O-o-o-o-h, very sad.     It's good to know that everyone tried their best, though, and that the other removed eyas is doing well.

I like when they attempt to help a struggling eyas!! KUDOS!!

[Kris G.]

Wilmington Falcons
It's with a heavy heart that we have learned the Chick #5 was unable to survive.

Although Craig worked very hard to keep its health up, it's condition started to deteriorate late last week and #5 was taken to Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research for evaluation and diagnosed with a condition called metabolic bone disease. The tissue and muscle were developing from the food consumed but due to a lack of critical elements and minerals, that were not likely available inside the egg, impaired future bone development. The skeletal system of the falcon was dramatically compromised with irreversible damage and required euthanization.

Craig reported that clutches beyond 4 or 5 potentially have reduced levels of essential vitamins and minerals necessary for proper development of the embryo. Unfortunately, this was the case for the last two eggs laid by this female. Peregrine nests with 5 eggs are infrequent but six eggs laid (and hatched) from a single incubation event is rare to unknown. In the Chesapeake Bay peregrine falcon population, Craig has witnessed only one other nest site with 6 eggs but one egg was very small. Oddly, the outcome was never known because the eggs mysteriously disappeared. With regards to falcon pairs with 5 egg clutches, Craig is only aware of three others between 1990 and 2014. Only one pair (not counting Wilmington) hatched and fledged all five.

          Fly free, little one.

[patsy6]

Oh, poor sweetie.   Again, I am glad an effort was made to save him or her.  

Interesting to read that the person quoted in the article knows of only three five egg clutches where all five eggs hatched successfully from 1990 through 2014.  I've heard tell of one in Rochester in 2008.  Is he just speaking of Wilmington, or is what happened here in 2008 that rare?

[Dumpsterkitty]

I think he should have checked his notes before speaking this time...or he was misquoted...Craig Koppie is truly an expert. Mariah & Kaver hatched & fledged 5 successfully 4 times...2003, 2004, 2005, 2008.

[carly]

I expect that he was speaking in the context of 'in my experience' - meaning what he personally has dealt with out in the field as opposed to what he's read on the internet about other sites.

[patsy6]

I think he should have checked his notes before speaking this time...or he was misquoted...Craig Koppie is truly an expert. Mariah & Kaver hatched & fledged 5 successfully 4 times...2003, 2004, 2005, 2008.

Wow!  Thanks, Ei.  Four times?  Amazing!

[Bird Crazy]

I think he should have checked his notes before speaking this time...or he was misquoted...Craig Koppie is truly an expert. Mariah & Kaver hatched & fledged 5 successfully 4 times...2003, 2004, 2005, 2008.

Wow!  Thanks, Ei.  Four times?  Amazing!

That's because Mariah & Kaver were amazing as a couple, (hope she still is)

[Kris G.]

From FB-Banding today...3 males and 1 female!