Temporary delay with the new web camara image, stay tuned…..
May 26, 2009 - Mississauga - Executive Centre
Mark Nash Reports:
Well we are almost there. We have had a software conflict on the new computer, but should have the problem corrected by tomorrow evening. Marion and I are very pleased to report that upon are arrival late this afternoon, we were fortunate to arrive just at the right time to see the adult female arrive with food, and watched her feed her 3 new hatchlings. During the course of our 2 hour visit, she actually brought in two fresh kills on two separate occasions and fed the young hatchlings. We were very amazed once again that despite the rather cool temps and the blustery wind conditions that the the adult female did not spend any time during the two hour period actually brooding / covering the hatchlings. This was a repeat scenario as the night before when we observed her not brooding / covering the three hatchlings for the entire three hours that we were on site working on the computer. The hatchlings were huddled together when we arrived and at no time over the three hours did we observe the adult female brooding her young hatchlings. While we have always been told that the young hatchlings can not regulate their own body temperature at this young age, we have seen many young hatchlings not more than a week old being left for many hours at a time un-covered and on their own at at various nest sites over the years. With the benefits of the nest cameras and close monitoring that they provide, we have documented and logged many years of data clearing demonstrating that hatchlings at this age can stay warm (and have survived the test of time). It has become quite obvious that the urban nesting conditions, - (with the covered nest boxes and protected nest ledges) provide a warmer claimant and sheltered environment from the elements for the young hatchlings. Stay tuned, we should have the nest camera computer back up and running by tomorrow evening before dark!
