Dot.ca’s Behavior
You may have noticed that Dot.ca (DC) hasn’t been spending as much time as usual at the Times Square nest box. As it turns out, one of our stalwart falcon watchers found DC spending time with another female at a site she regularly checks for migrating falcons. It looks like he and his new female have started nesting and might be sitting on eggs.
Dot.ca is doing what tiercels in close proximity to more than one female do, they spread their seed. He is trying to reproduce as many young as possible. DC is not thinking about the stress this causes both females. So, please don’t judge him by human standards. He is a Peregrine Falcon after all.
This site is unprotected, so we will not be sharing its location, but be assured both sites will be monitored by local watchers. Due to this situation, we ask that no reports or pictures be posted.
Thank you,
June
April 23rd, 2019 at 8:36 AM
I seem to remember this happened once before with female #2 being south of the city but I think that once the eggs had hatched the male returned to do his feeding duties and .ore less abandoned #2. Is my memory correct?
April 23rd, 2019 at 10:14 AM
Well said, June. Thanks.
April 23rd, 2019 at 10:18 AM
I would need to check my notes at home for more detail, Diana, but this is the short version (which isn’t very short). Dot.ca was first seen & ID’d at the unnamed site. He was there with Unity. Then Unity came downtown and Dot.ca followed when Archer was injured. Unity was ultimately killed by a car as Beauty returned from rehab. He stayed downtown with Beauty but also spent time later at the unnamed site with Pigott. Pigott ultimately left Rochester for Syracuse. It has never been confirmed that any eggs were laid with either female at the unnamed site, so all parenting by Dot.ca happened at Times Square. Since Pigott left there have only been transient females at the unnamed site. Time will tell how this works out, but the unnamed site is clearly part of Dot.ca’s territory.
April 23rd, 2019 at 12:35 PM
Wow! Always drama with the falcons! They know how to keep the watchers busy!
April 23rd, 2019 at 5:55 PM
The good thing here is that we have a web cam with many eyes watching, we have extremely devoted watchers and the DEC who no doubt will be monitoring as well. I have faith that if help were required, it would be offered. More importantly I have faith in Beauty and DC – they will do everything they can to ensure their offspring thrive and survive.
April 25th, 2019 at 2:05 PM
This is natural in a bird’s world even if pairs are mated for life. Hellsgate osprey female may be sharing male mate this season also. The more chicks hatched and fledged means better numbers for the species. Its hard not to feel some loyalty to each female but birds will work it out. Just enjoy and hopefully it will be a successful breeding season for all nests.
April 25th, 2019 at 5:09 PM
Actually it does not really all work out for the birds. The offspring of both females suffer because there is not a full-time mate hunting and providing food in the time when the female is unable to hunt for them as well.
Dot.ca always did have the roving eye, but before it was pretty much without consequences. We will see how it turns out this season.
May 2nd, 2019 at 6:03 PM
We live in The Metropolitan and look out at the Times Square building. Love that we can see the nest from here. Can’t beat the webcam however for best views. Can’t wait for them to hatch.
May 5th, 2019 at 2:12 PM
Dot.ca has been very present lately and spending a lot of time on his eggs (with Beauty). Maybe it didn’t work out with the “other woman”.
May 5th, 2019 at 5:52 PM
hello! My 6th grade students are reading a novel called Frightful’s Mountain; the main character is a peregrine falcon. I found your site and my students have been watching Beauty for several weeks now. I read on your website that her first egg hatched March 30. We’ve read that a typical egg hatches after 31 days, so we thought an eyas would hatch last week. Can you give me an idea of when we can expect to see the eyases? We only have 14 more days of school so we’re hoping to see it happen before this date! Thank you so much for any information you can share!!!
May 6th, 2019 at 9:02 AM
If the first egg was LAID on March 30th that does not mean so much. The counting of the 31 days (average) only starts when hard brooding begins and that would be when the second-to last egg was laid (4/4). I am certain a hatch will occur before school lets out. I am thinking some time this week.
May 6th, 2019 at 9:11 AM
I have to amend what I said, Colette. Information on this site http://rfalconcam.com/rfc-main/lifecycle.php says incubation lasts 33-36 days after the last egg is laid. Nevertheless, our experience is that the count begins at the second to last egg and everyone who has expressed an opinion here, like the veterans of MANY seasons, Shaky and Dumpsterkitty, are saying this is the week!
May 8th, 2019 at 9:07 AM
I hope you and your class are watching the live streaming video this morning Colette. One of the eggs have a pip. An Eyas should make an appearance very soon. 🙂