Scrape Excavation and a Linn Update
Mariah and Kaver seem to be hard at work preparing the nest for the laying of eggs. If Mariah sticks to her traditional schedule her first egg should come in the next 7 to 10 days. In the meantime, both birds have been busy in the nest box, excavating a bowl-shaped depression called a “scrape” in the gravel substrate. They’re enlarging the scrape that was there last year. Here are a pair of pictures that show the recent work.
If you look closely at these two pictures, you’ll see that the shape of the scrape has changed. The picture on the right shows new activity. The depression in the gravel from last year has been enlarged by Mariah and Kaver. They “scrape” out the material by settling into the depression and pushing the gravel out behind them with their feet.
Now you know why it’s called a scrape.
UPDATE! The Falconcam’s high-resolution Main Camera caught this humorous picture of Kaver in the act! You can see him laying in the depression and pushing the stones out behind him. He kind of looks like a baseball player sliding for home, doesn’t he?
Here’s another picture of Kaver pushing the stones out behind him with his feet…
Sometimes the falcons’ excavation uncovers something interesting. Observant viewers will note the round, reddish brown object near the back edge of the scrape. You could be forgiven for thinking that’s an egg. We thought so too on first glance, but Mariah hasn’t exhibited any egg-laying behavior yet, such as becoming lethargic or gravid, nor has she spent long periods crouched in the scrape. When she does begin her egg laying behavior we’ll be sure to let you know.
Linn, Mariah’s daughter from last year’s brood, has been spending her time in Scarborough, Ontario Canada, an eastern suburb of Toronto. She has found a nest box all her own there, and just needs to attract a mate. From our friends at the Canadian Peregrine Foundation comes this report yesterday, filed by one of their volunteer watchers, Big Frank:
…A quick note about Linn… Mark and Marion Nash,as well as Bruce Massey all have reported several recent sightings of Linn, on and around the Bell Building. We’ve had just terrible weather for February and one of the snowiest Marches in Toronto history,but your girl has weathered [it] well and is doing fine. Mid-March brings spring migration to a beginning, so hopefully some passing male will notice her.
BIGFRANK
Thanks Big Frank! It’s really gratifying to see Mariah and Kaver’s offspring thriving. It’s probably too soon for Linn to lay viable eggs– that doesn’t usually happen until their second year after hatching, but if she can attract a mate and continue to defend her nest box against competitors, she’ll be in a great position to begin a family of her own in 2009. We’ll keep watching and let you know when we receive more news!
-Jess
March 15th, 2008 at 12:09 AM
I Think Mariah and Kaver are going to be great parents this year they’re really working hard to make the nest perfect for the eggs!!!!!! =)
March 15th, 2008 at 12:46 AM
“Observant viewers will note the round, reddish brown object near the back edge of the scrape.”
Well, there was teh mysterious disappearance last year of Mariah’s fifth egg, perhaps it was not viable and unhatched, was pushed to the back of teh nest box?
March 16th, 2008 at 9:02 PM
Its very cool to see that Linn has found a nest box and what do you know mabe she will have her own babies and Mariah will be a grandma! Its nice to know that there is people all over the world who informs us about where the babies are. I cant wait till Mariah lays an egg! I hope it will be soon!:)
March 16th, 2008 at 10:05 PM
i luv watching the falcons and angela my cousin keyonna knows u
March 17th, 2008 at 3:09 PM
Is anyone else having issues with the multi-view not loading pics? I get the big red X but not on the main view. Can anyone help me out?
March 17th, 2008 at 11:50 PM
kim all u need a do is to refresh the page if that dont work turn off the pc and turn it back on it may work if not i dont know lol!!!!!
March 18th, 2008 at 6:45 PM
For us relative newbies, is there a quick way to distinguish Mariah and Kaver from each other?
Let me add to the acclaim for this website and webcam. Thanks.
March 18th, 2008 at 11:34 PM
grOttO, check the Imprints archive for March 2007. There’s a good article on how to tell them apart.
March 19th, 2008 at 4:11 PM
Thanks. That was an informative article. I recommend it to others.
March 22nd, 2008 at 4:55 PM
This is the first day I have seen Mariah and Kaver at the same time. Mariah was sitting in the “scape.” I am so excited!! She will be laying the eggs any day? Maybe tomorrow, Easter!!
March 22nd, 2008 at 9:55 PM
I’ve been anxiously watching Mariah and hoping for eggs to appear. I do have a question. Is there an “age” when a female falcon is too old to produce eggs? I’ve watched Mariah for years and am wondering how much longer she will come back to Rochester to mate?
March 23rd, 2008 at 12:56 AM
@Anne H- Female falcons don’t go through menopause, so they can continue laying eggs throughout their lives.
March 24th, 2008 at 6:18 PM
I would like to know – does anybody actually clean the nest box, or the area around it? There is so much bird poop around there, I can’t imagine they like to roam around in that. I know Mariah is about to lay eggs, but when she is not around, can’t somebody at least clean it up when she is not there? – NEED TO KNOW, MARIAH AND KAVER DESERVE A CLEAN AREA. – yours truly deb
March 24th, 2008 at 9:48 PM
I caught another shot of Kaver digging out the scrape!
http://rfalconcam.com/gallery/processed/Camera2/20080324//Camera2_20080324-164602.jpg
^_^
March 24th, 2008 at 10:09 PM
@deb- The only cleaning service at the nest box is Mother Nature. As spring continues the rain will help to wash away a lot of the mess on the nest box. Wind will help to clean out some of the debris that accumulates in the nest box, but it will get pretty dirty in there while the young are being raised.
We humans try only to go up to the nest box only when it’s absolutely necessary. We want to minimize stress on the falcons and stepping out into the nest box area is enough to send Mariah and Kaver into full attack mode, which is stressful for them (and us!).
March 27th, 2008 at 3:40 AM
It’s 10:40 p.m. on Wednesday night, March 26. Do I spy an egg next to Mariah in the next box???
March 30th, 2008 at 1:07 AM
I look at the nesting site a couiple times a day and see the lone egg but no falcon. Isn’t the egg going to freeze because Mariah is not keeping it warm?
March 30th, 2008 at 2:07 PM
Watching all the action from Tequesta Fla. ,(near Jupiter),and enjoying it immensely.
While here ,we’ve been watching the growth of our family of Sand Hill cranes behind our patio.
Thanks to all responsible for bringing us Falconcam. It brings us great joy before our migration back to Rochester.