Students began their observations of SW (the larger female falcon) and Boomer (males are smaller) early in March with snow on the ground in Cleveland. They were displaying courtship behaviors with Boomer bowing to SW.
Falcons will make depressions in the gravel called scrapes to lay their eggs. In this photo you can see two large scrapes.
As her time to lay eggs draws closer, SW spends more time at the nest site.
Boomer was as eager for the eggs to appear as SW. Male falcons share in the parenting duties.
Students knew the time was very close for the first egg when they observed how heavy SW was with her egg.
Finally....around 5:38 am on Wednesday March 16th, 2011 the 1st egg made an appearance!
SW and the first egg of 2011. Female falcons generally lay the eggs every other day, usually with a total of three to four eggs. We will be watching for egg number 2 on Friday:)
Friday on March 18, 2011 at 7:42 am and the second egg arrives!
Tucking in the new arrival:)
Yep, I love my babies already...just look at them....awwwww!
Sunday afternoon and still waiting for egg # 3.....sigh....
Finally around 2 pm Sunday afternoon # 3 showed up!
Will we have four????? What was your guess on our blog? Stay tuned!
Study the photos above from Tuesday afternoon on March 22nd. The first was taken at 2:16 pm, the second at 2:17 pm, and the third at 2:18 pm. Using what you have learned identify which parent falcon is in the first and third photo. Remember during incubation both parents take turns keeping the eggs warm.
Wednesday afternoon and still no definitive answer whether four eggs have been laid...chilly, dreary day in Cleveland and the parents are keeping the eggs covered and warm. Good for the eggs...not good for those of us that feel the need to know!
A quick shift change...SW tells Boomer to move it, it's her turn and by the look in her eye I think he better be quick!
Finally we get a peek...four eggs for Cleveland!