West Winnipeg - 2014 / Beau & Beatrix

[bev.]

glad they are in nest box. Is ti the right one

[The Peregrine Chick]

glad they are in nest box. Is ti the right one

Yes, they are in the right nestbox.  In fact, it is the same nestbox Beau and Jules used very successfully in 2010 but in a different location from 2010.  It's basically the same design as the McKenzie Seeds box and about the same size.  Big difference is that it doesn't hang on the wall like McKenzie Seeds but rather it sits on a roof and the walls on the roof provide additional protection from the wind - this spot is windier than most but that's not necessarily a bad thing for peregrines.  Downtown the problem with wind is that the tall buildings create canyons that funnel the wind, in West Winnipeg it is much more open (it's mostly residential) so the buildings are lower and the wind blows above them.  Last year's chicks did very well keeping out of trouble, so fingers crossed that will be the same case this year.

[Dagny]

How do you decide where to put a new nest box?

[birdbrain]

Any idea how many eggs there are at this location now?

[The Peregrine Chick]

How do you decide where to put a new nest box?

The birds tell us what buildings they find interesting or appealing.  We then look at the building to figure out if all we need to do is add a box to a spot that would be perfect for nesting or if we need to create a spot that would be perfect for nesting.  All of the West Winnipeg sites to-date are "created" to have nest appeal with a nestbox - without the box they technically couldn't nest there - no location, no gravel, no protection from wind or from rain and too open and vulnerable to predators.  We also factor in what type of building is it (commercial, residential), what other buildings are nearby - need places for the birds to perch, roost, eat, copulate, etc on.  We also look at what kind of food is nearby, how close or far to water, what kind of development, roads, etc, how close/far to the next territory ... you get the idea, lots of things to consider but it always starts with the birds and their preferences.

[The Peregrine Chick]

Any idea how many eggs there are at this location now?

'Fraid not.  Don't want to disturb them as Beatrix is a new mom.  We know they have one at least, that it was in the nestbox and that given Beatrix's age, we assume there are at least 2 more.

[Dagny]

How do you decide where to put a new nest box?

you get the idea, lots of things to consider but it always starts with the birds and their preferences.

Thanks, TPC, I've been really curious how it is decided.

[The Peregrine Chick]

All is very quiet at this site so they are definitely in the incubation groove.  Beau used to be impossible to spot after the first 10 days of incubation - haven't seen him in days - might just be my timing or it might be wonderful news.  I'm hoping for both!

[dupre501]

In the past several visits to the site, my husband and I have seen Beau once.

We figured that incubation must be in full swing with one bird on the eggs and the other away hunting and/or getting away from it all for a short time.

Hopefully this weekend with warmer weather we may see the birds more as the eggs bask in the warmth. Assuming the nestbox gets sun. Does the nestbox get sun?

[The Peregrine Chick]

Hopefully this weekend with warmer weather we may see the birds more as the eggs bask in the warmth. Assuming the nestbox gets sun. Does the nestbox get sun? 

It does get sun, but not all day - if you can remember 2010, the box has the same orientation.  If the air is warm enough, they don't need to be in the sun, the warm air will be enough.  The box is sheltered, so even if there is a breeze or wind, they won't be affected by that.  The box is tucked down on the roof to protect them from the wind so we put a ledge along one side so the chicks when they want out of the box have two choices - the ramp onto the roof and on this ledge and from the ledge they can (if they want) hop up on the wall edge.  Why am I mentioning this now?  Because it seems that Beatrix likes to sit on this ledge and look out and over the edge of the roof whereas Beau and Jules have only ever sat on the wall facing in.  Different strokes for different birdies. 

[dupre501]

We were checking out the site yesterday afternoon/evening (6 o'clock-ish). Spotted Beatrix on the south side of the Diner in the sun. She then took off so we decided to swing around to check out the east side of the Diner, but before we got very far she was back on the south side of the Diner. Watched her for a couple of minutes and off she went again. This time I was able to see that she went off to check the nest box. So we set off to check out the nest box, when we got to a good vantage point she was sitting on the wall looking out at us. Still getting sun, but keeping a close eye on the eggs as well.

[The Peregrine Chick]

We checked the nestbox on Friday and both Beau and Beatrix looking be doing a good job there - 4 eggs, nice clean nestsite and well-defended by both of them in a really nice choreographed routine.  They rarely get disturbed at this site so they haven't had much opportunity to practice so yet another hint that these two could be a really good pair in the future if they manage to stick together in the future.  I'm always interested in how the pairs do each year, both with each other and their chicks, but I'm particularly interested in this pair - they just seem so right together, almost more so than Beau and Jules did, more a partnership than a dictatorship 

[dupre501]

Two pictures of Beatrix taken a few days ago.

 

[dupre501]

And one of Beau...

Are you watching me eat?!

[RCF]

Great photos dupre......love the outstretched wing shot of Beatrix!!