The falcon eventually returned at 9:30pm on Friday evening, the tiercel had given up having waited for her to return all day. She had abandoned the egg. Frustratingly but not surprisingly, when I opened the watch at 10:00am on Saturday morning, it was the falcon sitting on the eyrie. I had witnessed exactly the same behaviour last year. By Sunday evening both adults had given up on the egg and had started performing nest ledge displays on the eyrie last used in 2013. They are renewing their courtship bonds and selecting their next nest ledge. Again I had seen the same behaviour last season, although it took them a further 2 weeks and was the beginning of June before they completely abandoned and and started displaying last year.

Their courtship is now in full swing, a mutual nest ledge display from this afternoon lasted over 5 minutes (video clip to follow later in the week). Although the pair are sometimes away hunting now, theres still a god chance you might catch them on the webcam or at the watch site, maybe even performing a display. It is unlikely the behaviour will lead to mating but with this pair and same goes for all wild creatures, Ive learn to expect surprises…

Adam Murphy – Peregrine Ranger