Incubation Underway

Things are progressing nicely in the nest.  Unfortunately, I don't have the same report for the website.  Actually, both cameras are working fine, the problem is a server issue.  IT staff is working on restoring both streams but in the meantime, we are only able to show one view (the nest box).  If you are reading this and you are not able to get either stream then there may be a firewall issue of your own that we have no control over.  Until both streams are restored, when accessing our website, please scroll down past the "Live Ledgecam" (not working) to the "Live Nestcam" (working) and you will be able to view the streaming video of the nest box.  We do apologize for the inconvenience but know that the problem is being worked on and we are hoping for a quick resolution, as are all of the falcon fans!

The egg count is currently (and probably will stay) at 4.  Four is the normal clutch size for peregrines.  With the interruption in viewing we weren't able to say for sure when true incubation began but we estimate it may have begun after the 2nd egg.  Peregrines incubate for about 33 days.  That would put hatch about the 3rd week of April (~April 17).

In the meantime, expect to see much of the same every time you tune in:  either Durand or Spark sitting tightly on the eggs.  This is pretty much their full-time job for the next several weeks.  Typically, the female does most of the incubation duty while the male's primary job is to provide food--he will hunt for the female and bring her prey.  She will leave the eggs to go eat, and during that time away from the nest, the male will incubate the eggs.  Interestingly at the Columbus nest, it seems more times than not, Spark (the male) actually does quite a bit of incubation throughout the day.  But Durand is always nearby.

The goal of incubation is to keep the eggs at the proper temperature for the embryos to develop.  The adult falcons will actually spread their breast feathers as they settle down on the eggs so that there is direct egg-to-skin contact.  Also important is that they roll the eggs several times a day to keep the embryo from sticking to the shell.

It can be difficult to tell which adult is which at this nest, so here is a recap of ways to tell the two apart: (click on the image to enlarge it)

4 Eggs

Four eggs in the scrape!!!
All looks normal in the nest.  Incubation is well underway and more information will be posted in the near future about what to expect over the next few weeks.  In the meantime, server issues are only allowing for one stream so we elected with the nest box feed.  We hope to have the ledgecam video back again soon!

Cams

Ugh!  Continual server problems this season have been quite untimely!  The system went down Friday evening so no weekend viewing was available.  We are working to get the system rebooted and back up this morning ASAP.  Hopefully, later this morning we will see 4 eggs in the nest!

Third Egg!!!!!

We now have a third egg in the nest. A normal clutch size is 4 eggs. If Durand produces a 4th egg, we can expect its arrival either Saturday or Sunday.

Cams BACK!

Both the Ledge and Nestbox Live Streaming videos are again operational on our website.  Thanks for everyone's patience! 

Eggs are typically laid every 2-3 days so the 3rd egg will probably show up later this week (Thursday or Friday).  True incubation does not actually begin until the 3rd egg is laid.  For more info, check out our FAQs and Falcon Facts.

2 Eggs!!!!!

Interestingly, the IT folks are able to view the cams so late yesterday I asked if he would send me a still image of the feed so I could check for eggs.  Lo and behold, as of this morning, there are 2 eggs in the nest!  He reports yesterday there was one egg, this morning two, so since eggs are typically laid every 2-3 days we can figure the first egg was probably laid Saturday, March 12.

The other good news is, he sent me a link that I can now watch.  Not only does this mean that I can monitor closer but it also means he is a step closer to fixing the problem and getting the live streaming restored on the web for everyone.  Stay tuned...!!!

Server Issues - Cams Still Down

Unfortunately, I don't have anything new to report...the cams remain down due to server issues.  IT folks are working on it but I do not have any estimate of when it may be resolved.  Of course we hope soon!

I know a lot of fans are very anxious (and we are, too) to see what is going on in the nest, especially in the off chance that Durand begins laying her eggs earlier than "her usual" date of Mar 19.  Several other sites have reported early egg laying this year so it is certainly possible.  If there are eggs by the time the cams are restored, the worst that will happen is we may not know exactly what date the eggs were laid.

If it looks like the cams will continue to be down for an extended period of time I will make a site visit to check on eggs either late this week or early next and report the details here!

Live Streaming Down

Unfortunately, there has been a hiccup in the live streaming process and both cams are currently down.  We have word the cams should be back up and live by the end of today.  Sorry for the interruption!

EDIT 3/8/16 8 am - cams still down...we are hoping for the best but the resolution is out of our control.  Thanks for your patience!