MGE 2010 Peregrine Falcon Archives
Four falcon chicks were born in the nesting box in 2010. The parents are Frightful, the mother, and Vern, the father. This pair also hatched three chicks at Blount in 2009.
Monday, June 21, 2010 - Falcon fledging has begun! Blount was first, departing his Blount Station nest on Saturday. This clip shows Wilson's fledge, as he departs Monday morning. The following day the final of the foursome, Blair, fledged as well, leaving the nest empty. It is unlikely that the fledged young will return to the nest during the balance of this year, although we hope to capture footage of parent or young falcons flying around the Blount Station before they depart for the year.
Sunday, June 13, 2010 - In just under a week the foursome are looking more like fledglings than chicks. This early morning clip initially appears to be a pre-flight workout but is actually excitement over breakfast.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010 - Peregrine expert Greg Septon comes to MGE to apply banding, take blood samples and identify the sex of the four young falcon chicks. Named after streets near MGE's popular nesting site, the famous foursome of Blount, Livingston, Blair (the bigger one, and the lone female) and Wilson pose for the gathered on-lookers and local media.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010 - By two weeks of age the baby chicks have become much stronger and active. At feeding time, they are also more assertive and competitive.
Sunday, May 16, 2010 - All four chicks are thriving under their mother's diligent care.
Later Tuesday, May 11, 2010 - Frightful, the mother peregrine falcon hatches the last of the four peregrine chicks.
Tuesday Morning, May 11, 2010 - The second and third peregrine falcons have hatched under the warm, persistent care of their mother, seen feeding her young.
Monday, May 10, 2010 - With a little help from Frightful, the mother peregrine falcon, the first chick has hatched!
Thursday, April 22, 2010 - Frightful, the mother falcon, and Vern, the father, trade incubating responsibilities as they await the hatching time to come. Both peregrine falcons pursue this "changing of the guard" three or four times daily during the roughly month-long incubation period. Little other activity of interest is likely to occur until the young are born—sometime in early-to-mid May.
Monday, April 5, 2010 - Frightful, the mother peregrine falcon, has been busy during the past few days, laying her second and third eggs of this young season. A fourth egg followed a day later. Hatching is expected sometime in early May.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010 - Frightful, the mother falcon recently laid this, her first egg of the season.
Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010 - First sighting of falcons' return.
