Welcome Back Friends!
After the long cold winter, we were really looking forward to starting up the Falconcam for another year. Kaver was his usual punctual self, showing up right on time.
Falconcam team member Jim Pisello took advantage of today’s above-freezing temperatures to give the camera lenses a quick cleaning. The result of his work can be seen in these two photos. The one on the left is the view before cleaning– not bad, but there are some smudges visible. The one on the right is nice and clear.
Here he is reaching into the nest box to scrub the camera lenses. Jim reports that Mariah defended her territory with her customary fierceness, and even Kaver came in close this time. Jim kept his head down and spent only enough time outside to wipe the dirt from each of the five cameras. No sooner did he leave the nest box area than Mariah landed on top of Camera 1, where she spent much of the afternoon. While he was there though, he couldn’t resist taking a few pictures. Here’s one of Mariah on an aggressive approach.
Now we’re all waiting for egg laying to begin. We probably have a few weeks yet. Look for Mariah to lay her first eggs at the end of March and in the first week of April.
How many eggs will she lay this year? It’s hard to say. She surprised us two years ago with six eggs, a record for her and for Peregrines in New York State. Last year Mariah laid five, but you may recall that one of them mysteriously disappeared, leaving only four to hatch.
So what happens in 2008 is anyone’s guess. Want to be a Peregrine Prognosticator? Leave a comment and let us know how many eggs you think she’ll lay!
-Jess
March 12th, 2008 at 11:18 AM
It’s such fun to keep an eye on the cams, we saw Mariah perched on camera 1 yesterday for a long time. We are looking forward to the eggs being laid! And we guess 4 eggs this year. 🙂
March 12th, 2008 at 3:03 PM
I love watching these beautiful birds. I’m guessing “six” eggs.
March 12th, 2008 at 3:13 PM
i predict FOUR…..
March 12th, 2008 at 3:36 PM
Ok, well I was going to guess 4, but I’ll say 5. I will even go as far and predict 3 boys and 2 girls.
Wow the camera views are sharp and clear. Thanks for the scrub job!
March 12th, 2008 at 6:43 PM
We have had such fun watching the comings and goings. My kids and I are predicting 5 eggs this year. My 6 year old thinks they will be laid on April Fool’s day…Go Mariah!!
March 12th, 2008 at 10:23 PM
It’s wonderful to see M&K back together for another year. I wouldn’t even begin to “predict” how many eggs we’ll see this year, but I do hope for just 3. Easier on the adults (Mom’s no spring chicken, ya know!) and better chances for the eyasses, too.
Thanks in advance for keeping us falcon addicts busy this season. And to Jim Pisello for cleaning those lenses…you just wanted another shot from the nestbox, didn’t ya? 😉
March 13th, 2008 at 1:02 AM
WOW! Thanks for the cleaning the pictures look a lot better! I love watching them all the time I cant wait for the eggs to be laid and more birds on their way! I predict 5 eggs. She hasent had any boys in a while so mabe… Im gonna say 2 boys and 3 girls! 🙂 🙂
March 13th, 2008 at 1:17 AM
I will guess 5 eggs. Just a shot in the dark.
I am thrilled to mention that I was on the train from NYC to Toronto last Thursday, march 6. When we were pulling into Rochester I kept a sharp eye out and was lucky enough to see one of the falcons soaring over the city towers. Unmistakable! I have wanted to catch a glimpse for about 5-6 years and finally got my wish.
Thanks for the camera cleaning! I will be following with interest.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:51 AM
I have watched this pair since I think their first or second year. I think right after Mariah’s ‘first husband’ was replaced by Kaver. I say six eggs
all six hatch. 5 females and 1 male.
March 13th, 2008 at 6:00 PM
I just now found out about this place!! I love it already!! I’ll predict 4 eggs.
March 13th, 2008 at 8:21 PM
Hey, Jim, thanks for cleaning the lenses. I was in Florida and the Caribbean last week and came back Monday to find our friends back on camera, a welcome diversion from the snow piled up on my driveway! If Kaver is here, can spring be far behind?
I look forward to another year.
March 13th, 2008 at 8:28 PM
Oh what fun to come. I have been watching since the first of the year waiting for them to return and got so excited when I saw Mariah. I do have a question though. How do you pronounce Kaver name exactly?
I am predicting four babies for Mom and Dan. They are such great parents, they love all their children I hope they have more thatn four. Good Luck Mariah and Kaver. Good to see you guys again!!!
March 14th, 2008 at 3:56 AM
@DEB – Kaver rhymes with “caver” or “braver”.
March 14th, 2008 at 2:21 PM
Is anyone else having problems with the multi view? I can’t ever get the photos to load – only the main view is working for me. Am I doing something wrong?
March 14th, 2008 at 2:43 PM
Thanks Jess for letting me know how to pronounce Kaver’s name. I knew I was always saying it wrong. Well I hope proud papa gives Mariah some healthy babies with all the food he brings. Bring on the Kids!!!!!!!!!
March 14th, 2008 at 4:42 PM
There’s an egg! There’s an egg! YAY! 😀
March 14th, 2008 at 7:16 PM
@Lisa – Not yet, Lisa. Mariah probably won’t begin laying her eggs for another week or so. It’s just a fairly large round stone in the scrape. I can see why you were fooled, though. I had to look at it a couple of times myself!
March 14th, 2008 at 7:54 PM
Ooops. Guess I was a little anxious, there. 🙂
March 16th, 2008 at 3:54 AM
I thought when the falconcam opened that I’d be seeing some pictures of the falcons. So far nothing. An empty scrape. The views of the multi views are very fuzzy and really won’t be good for viewing our birds at all. Not complaining, just thought you should know.
AJ
March 16th, 2008 at 6:56 PM
Just want to say that the pictures are much clear in the daylight than the night ones.
March 19th, 2008 at 9:44 PM
i think she will lay 5 eggs 3 boys and 2 girls
March 20th, 2008 at 7:04 PM
I concur with Donna Luker – 3 would be easier on Mariah and Kaver, though both have proven themselves to be more than capable providers!
March 24th, 2008 at 11:10 PM
Gail says 4 eggs 2 boys & 2 girls I keep looking every day I am getting excited! Great Job with all the pictures and info. keep up the great job!!
March 26th, 2008 at 3:43 PM
Have watched for years, hoping for 5 eggs.