Wednesday 11 April 2018

Incubation

The long incubation period is dominated by the female who does most of the work. Being considerably larger than the male, the bare 'brood patch' on her underside is much better able to keep all her eggs warm.
The male will do all the food provision during this period of the breeding cycle, taking over incubation while the female goes off to feed and preen. She's usually back on the eggs within an hour or two....
A change over. This photo from the 2017 nesting season
clearly shows the difference in size between the male (left)
and the female (right)

The weather has been poor lately being wet and the wind coming from an easterly direction, blowing straight at the nest platform.
However peregrines have evolved to cope with harsh conditions since they habitually nest on ledges on sea or mountain cliffs where they are really exposed to the elements.
The Project Team

26 comments:

Oak class, Derbyshire said...

We have seen the 4 eggs and we are watching the female keeping them warm.
We are glad that the peregrines will be ok in this wet and windy weather.
Most of us think the eggs might hatch between 6th - 10th May.
We have enjoyed watching the peregrine falcons so far and we are looking forward to seeing the new chicks.

Vicky said...

All is quiet.

Wendy Bartter said...

I was a bit concerned yesterday when I saw what looked like an injury to Mrs DP's head but thankfully was only a loose feather...https://youtu.be/OZooOqcD8Ag
Silly me!!

Vicky said...

She looks good right now. Its hard when you can't do anything about it when you think something is wrong.

Vicky said...

All is quiet right now on the scrape, I was hoping to see a change over before I go to bed.

edyeazul said...
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edyeazul said...
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Vicky said...

She is sleeping. All looks good. I have never seen a changeover or him bringing food. Guess I need to watch more.

Vicky said...

Hi Oak class I am watching from Canada. I have watched for 4 years now. I love seeing the little chicks hopping about. I think they will start hatching around the same time as you do.

Vicky said...

I have been watching for a bit and she was resting. Then she lifted her head and must hear something as she keeps looking around. Looking good tho.

Heather said...

Changeover with clear view of eggs after Mr P sat on far edge of scrape for some time making low chirruping noises which Mrs P totally ignored until she decided when he could have his go. Think we all know who is the boss in this relationship!

Oak class - nice to see you back with us once more and although there's not much happening during this incubation stage it's worth the wait to see the eggs hatch and the new chicks arrive. Will be interesting to see if your predictions of 6 - 10 May for hatching are correct.

Vicky said...

Well, I just saw a change over. He brought some food, she immediately got up, took it from him and flew off. He looked after her and then went and covered the eggs. Such a wonder pair of parents.

Peregrine Class said...

We can see the femel siting on the eggs. we saw the peregrine changein from femail to mail . the eggs are looking good. We are looking fowered to seeing the chickes. What tempituer do the peregrines keep the eggs? We have seen the femal turning the eggs. So the chicks grow properly in the eggs.

Wendy Bartter said...

Eggs looking good ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFrd7zur60k

Wendy Bartter said...

Good to catch some action as Mrs DP returns to take over ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5H3sGaFQ1wo

Sara said...

Well done Peregrine Class. You have a great name for your class! It's always exciting to see the eggs when the male and female birds swap over. You asked a very interesting question. I think a peregrine needs to keep its eggs at around 37°C to 38°C for the chicks to develop inside them, which is about the same warmth as a human body. The adult peregrines are very good at keeping them at just the right temperature. I hope you get to see the chicks hatch.

Vicky said...

I think its daddy on the eggs right now. Its been quiet and he is alert. Waiting for Mrs P to take her turn on the eggs. Not too much longer till we see a chick. Then it gets very exciting.

Susie said...

Getting excited at the prospect of a hatching shortly.

Sue Hetherington said...

Back looking at Derby after a long break ..... so glad to hear all is well and things progressing well and as expected. News from Bucks ...... the Aylesbury pair are breeding but we don't know what is happening because the camera technology couldn't be made to work this year. The MK pair at the MK Dons Stadium are also breeding. There is a camera but no feed out to the Internet unfortunately. News has come in that the single egg has hatched today.

Vicky said...

Very windy up there right now. Feathers getting very ruffled. Yes Susie, time is getting near. Yay.

kate said...

Morning all

Just captured a Changeover with lovely view of Eggs ( Pics on Flickr)

Vicky said...

She is really rocking the eggs. An egg may be ready. Looking up and making noises too.

Wendy Bartter said...

I think you could be right Vicky, she's really restless!

Vicky said...

She is quiet now but I never got to check in the last 5 hours.

kate said...

Hi Both
This is previous Blog.

Have replied on correct and latest blog above " Still Incubating"

Thanks

xxxxxxx