Why Is The Egg Alone?
Many, many viewers were so happy to see the first egg for the 2011 Columbus nesting season. But now that the egg sits alone in the box I have received a few inquiries of concern so that helps me remember that now is a good time to review a bit of peregrine life history:
The normal clutch for peregrines is 4 eggs. Eggs are laid 2-3 days apart. Incubation does not begin until the last (or next to the last egg) is in the nest. In the meantime, egg(s) sit alone and remain in limbo. They can withstand a wide range of temperatures during this time.
The eggs do not begin to develop until they are consistently kept at the proper temperature.
Durand will usually be close by the nest during this egg-laying phase. The male is nearby also, but may not be seen as much as his main duty will be to provide food. He will hunt and either bring food to Durand at the nest ledge or they make the transfer of food away from the ledge either in mid air or at another perch on the Rhodes Tower or even at another building altogether. Hopefully, we will see egg #2 tomorrow or Wednesday!
The normal clutch for peregrines is 4 eggs. Eggs are laid 2-3 days apart. Incubation does not begin until the last (or next to the last egg) is in the nest. In the meantime, egg(s) sit alone and remain in limbo. They can withstand a wide range of temperatures during this time.
The eggs do not begin to develop until they are consistently kept at the proper temperature.
Durand will usually be close by the nest during this egg-laying phase. The male is nearby also, but may not be seen as much as his main duty will be to provide food. He will hunt and either bring food to Durand at the nest ledge or they make the transfer of food away from the ledge either in mid air or at another perch on the Rhodes Tower or even at another building altogether. Hopefully, we will see egg #2 tomorrow or Wednesday!
posted by Donna Schwab at 4/04/2011 04:43:00 PM
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