When Neither Parent is at the Nest Box

[DoggyMom]

I'm curious as to how much at risk the eyas are when neither parent is at nest box. What predators are around that might attack them?

[amytraveler]

Even though you don't always see parents at the NB, I'm one, if not both are very near by.  For instance today, if only looking at main cam, they looked alone, but B or DC was perched atop Cam one.  Not sure about predators, but I'm sure there are some.  However, messing with B or DC could spell disaster.

[Paul Hamilton]

When I visit a peregrine site with chicks there is always at least one parents watching over them. At full level speed, a half mile (800 m) takes only 30 seconds, and these birds have been reported to be potentially lethal against anything up to a Golden Eagle, which is to say anything with wings.

[Dumpsterkitty]

There are many spots the parents watch from that aren't visible on camera. Generally if the parents aren't right nearby they are escorting a potential threat out of the airspace.

The other day when the Nervous Nellies (myself included) got concerned it turned out Beauty was on OCSR (the 1st Federal building)...the round top building on the right edge of camera 4...about block away.

At natural cliff nests they are in danger from great horned owls, crows and ground predators but the urban nests are reasonably safe from all but humans.

[Carol P.]

That's a very good question.  While I've been downtown on watch, there is an adult somewhere nearby 99.9% of the time.  Every now and then the adult on guard will fly out to the other adult when bringing in food.  But both are back within seconds. 

Tonight, when Kathy O and I left at 8:00 pm, Beauty was on Camera #1 (Pan Cam) and Dot.ca was above the nest box on the northwest wing ledge.  You would be able to see her on camera, but not Dot.ca.

They are very well protected eyases.