Last night viewers noticed a new feature on the nestbox gravel that they’d never seen before. It’s a patch of fake grass carpet that used to be glued to the front perch.
At 9:49pm the carpet began to roll off the perch while Hope was standing on it.
She pulled it away. (Good job!)
The green carpet has been on that perch for nine years. It was only a matter of time before the backing crumbled from sunlight (UV) exposure. Yesterday it loosened up when Dan Brauning had to stand on the nestbox to convince Hope to stop attacking the back of his head. That was just enough to make the glue spots fail.
So now there’s a patch of green carpet and a reddish circle floating around in the nestbox. You can see the backing still stuck to spots on the railing.
This fall when the nesting season is over we’ll remove the fallen carpet and that annoying red circle (people mistake it for an egg) and install new green carpet on the perch to make a soft place to stand.
How long will C1 have to live with that carpet? I predict she’ll be out of the nest permanently by June 11.
(photos from the National Aviary falconcam at Univ of Pittsburgh)
Is this section that is over the lip cause for concern that C-1 will use it as a step ladder and fall from the edge before she’s really ready?
No, Bethany.
I know that it sounds funny but every time I see that red disk i think of Dorothy letting a part of her behind. Feeding time this morning was funny baby was very hungry and as the feathers were flying baby was trying to grab some of the food. Baby had a feather stuck and Mom got the feather off of c1. I’m so amazed how they can be pulling out feathers one minute then so gently feed c1. We are so lucky to have the ability to watch it.
I created a videomark of Hope removing the green astroturf – it looks like it got caught on her talon when she flew into the nestbox around 9:49PM
http://wildearth.tv/videomark/hope-does-some-renovations
Hopefully c1 won’t try to eat any of the fiber or get caught in it and hurt herself. Is she always going to be called c1 or are they going to give her a name now that we know she is a girl. Her calls sounded like a duck today maybe call her ducky haha.
It must have been difficult removing c1 with mom trying to protect her. Thank you for the entertainment and learning experience I have received. Having disabilities myself it has been a joy to be in the nest. I keep telling everyone that you continue to learn new things everyday, it doesn’t end with school. Thanks again for all you do and keeping us up to date. Have a safe and happy weekend.
Ev
I don’t think we give them names here. If we did I’d call her Lucky.
Regarding names in reply to Lisa & Ev, here’s the policy on naming http://www.birdsoutsidemywindow.org/peregrine-faqs/question-how-do-peregrines-get-their-names/
Actually from all of the beginning ‘egg trauma’. I decided Hope was a Tiger Mom determined to have the most gifted child and will continue to ‘push’ her into greatness! Dorothy was mother of the year, “everyone counts and is mine”! It takes all kind to make up a world….
Hi Kate, Do you think there’s a possibility that they may replace some of the gravel in the nest box when they fix the perch? It was so nice that you got to hold C1, that was great, what a wonderful thing for you! Thank you for the photo roundup and all the info.
Cindy P, the gravel was replaced at the Gulf Tower because the box was not draining and plants were growing in it. This was a very unusual situation. Gravel is not normally replaced in these boxes. During annual maintenance the nestbox is examined for defects, prey “garbage” is removed, and the weatherproof “bubble” covers on the falconcams are cleaned.
It was nice to see a picture of you, Kate. Birds come and go, but what would we know without you?
Mary
Thanks, Mary.