!!! A new clutch of eggs observed - on the North west corner ledge!
May 08, 2009 - Scarborough - Yellow Pages
Mark Nash Reports:
Some bad news, some good news, and some interesting news!
First the bad news. After a detailed inspection of the upper roof area and the lower ledges below, we initially focused our attention on the new nest ledge on the south west corner that Kathy had reported earlier seeing the birds on. Utilizing a wireless remote camera lowered by a small thin wire down from the upper roof area to the nest ledge below, we saw the bad news: several broken egg shells, but no signs of hatchlings or adult peregrines could be found. Knowing that it was much too early for a hatch, we continued our inspection on each of the other ledges as they wind their way around the building. Finally as we approached the north west corner, we were finally greeted by an adult airborne peregrine, rather annoyed by our presence. Now the Good news! As we lowered the camera down to the ledge on the north west corner we were able to view two eggs - (quite different in colour as the photo indicates) with a second adult peregrine standing on the outer rim of the same ledge. While the photos are terrible, they do show the two eggs and the second adult peregrine standing on the ledge flashing. A very quick “eyeball glance” confirmed the solid black band number of 88 over H. It appears that the pair have changed nest ledges and re-clutched. Given that copulation was observed only yesterday, (and the fact that broken eggs have been discovered), they are obviously in the middle of laying a second clutch of eggs. This being observed, full time incubation won’t likely begin until the second last egg is finally laid. We will have to keep a very close eye on the happenings to get a handle on whats going on.
