Tick-Tock Tick-Tock...

...counting down to nesting season!  Even though as I write this there is snow and cold in Columbus, it won't be long until peregrine falcon nesting season is officially underway!  In fact, the falcons are thinking the same as evidenced in this video documentation of the first mating of the season!

But don't get too hopeful - just because the birds are beginning to mate, doesn't necessarily mean there will be eggs any time soon.  While mating is necessary for fertilized eggs, copulation is also a part of the courtship and bonding behaviors we can see via the cameras.  Other behaviors include the male bringing food to the female, certain posturing and vocalizations and of course, working on the "scrape" (making a depression in the gravel for eggs).

Here is a review of the information for this location:
The adult female is known as "Durand" (black over black left leg band, code:  32/X;  right leg has a silver USGS band).  She fledged in 2009 from a nest in Hamilton, Ontario.
The male is known as "Spark" (black over red left leg band, code:  32/B; right leg has a purple USGS band).  He fledged from a nest in Cleveland, OH in 2011.

Another good source of information is at this link to the Bird Cams Around the World website, Columbus thread.  It even includes tips on how to identify the adults that I've posted on this blog previously.

Durand has been very consistent with her egg laying with the first egg appearing in the nest on March 19 each of the last 3 years (2013, 2014 and 2015)!  It will be interesting to see if she keeps that schedule again in 2016.

Whether your are a seasoned fan returning or brand new to our site, Welcome! And thanks for watching!