From the Falcon Wire:
2020 1/2/2020 :: Previewing 2020 With the new year's arrival, it is time to preview 2020. Activity should begin to pick up by the end of January and into February with the onset of nesting season. Mating rituals will begin. The big question is will W/V remain the mating male? A younger male peregrine, 38S, continues to hang around the Rachel Carson State Office Building. Will a confrontation ensue? This is quite possible, so keep following Falcon Cam as the new year unfolds! Once this scenario plays out, nesting will take place. Beginning in mid- to late March, 3 to 5 eggs should arrive. Both adults will take turns tending the eggs, with the male doing most of the hunting. April highlights will include hatching, with the new arrivals covered in white down. Another event of note for educators will be the annual Falcon Educator's Workshop. Then as the young grow, the next step, in May, will be the annual Falcon Banding. Banding is invaluable to biologists as it allows for the identification of banded falcons throughout their life. June brings a critical time in the life of the growing falcons. As they begin to fledge, testing their wings, these birds are vulnerable to the dangers of urban life. This is where Falcon Watch and Rescue comes in. Volunteers watch from dawn to dusk and if needed, perform rescues. A rescue normally means finding the location of the fledgling, determining if the area is safe, and if not, capture the bird and return it to the top of the building where they are released. During July the yearlings will continue to improve their flying and hunting skills. By the end of summer these young falcons will disperse for parts unknown at this time. The adults will continue to frequent the ledge as fall progresses into winter. This will continue until the breeding process begins again in 2021!
_________________ Nancy
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