It is now 4 weeks to the day since the Falcon laid her first egg. This time has flown by and I can’t believe we are closing in on hatching. The earliest date for possible hatching would be the 26th (5 weeks), although I suspect it may be a few days longer than this.

The falcon is noticeably spending longer on the nest, her only substantial time away is a couple of hours or so in the evening. The tiercel had fed today when he returned from one of his jaunts as his crop was full. Sometimes he eats out at his own private plucking post. I’m not sure whether this is due to easiness or so that he is not forced to share!

When Peregrines pluck, they like to use somewhere that is a good watchpoint. This is so they can see any potential theives (usually corvids or gulls, put buzzards aern’t unknown meat stealers). Peregrines are particularly suspicous birds and can be very possessive over prey, especially the falcon. Potential prey theives tend to stay clear of the nesting gorge so this a good place to pluck prey.

The tiercel planned his hunt well this morning as the heavy rain later in the day prevented him from going out. Neither him or the falcon seem to like the rain, probably due to it making it near impossible to hunt. It did mean we managed to get a great view of him as he stared back at us through the downpour!

Tom Wells – Peregrine Protection Officer