After a quiet weekend where the three eyases did eyas things up the Concrete Hilton there was a little more activity this afternoon after a brief visit by Swift. All three have been huddled together in their ever-changing attire, with an abundance of feathers appearing and an occasional desire to test their wings. Swift is shying off her attendant duties as it looks like three similarly sized chicks are becoming a little scary in their confined space. She spends most of her time on top of the tower now and only appears when food is present. Only approximately two more weeks left before we re-train our attention to the trees outside.

A triple play of video clips of our boisterous & amusing 27/25 day old eyases can be viewed here – first, second, third…

Smile for the camera?

After a good feed the three eyases have had another of their high-speed hyperactive moments, with all three chicks showing renewed energy & gusto, making full use of their adequately proportioned facilities. No feather is safe, nor speck of unsoiled gravel left motionless. The moment lasted but 5 minutes but is indicative of what can happen when you feed red cordial to children; maybe fresh starling has a similar effect on peregrines? They’ve all gone to sleep under the nest camera again, but not before some amusing moments. The 4-minute video clip can be viewed here …

A couple of bonus video clips here from this afternoon – some close-quarter feeding (almost makes you want to join in, but commonsense, health & wellbeing elect otherwise) and a little youthful peregrine mob activity (we’ve been spotted!) …

It’s been a relatively normal past few days up the Concrete Hilton, with regular feedings, regular attacks on random feathers and wayward big feet, and a more than often absent Swift. She’s been seen enjoying her own “space” around on the microwave dish arm on the side of the tower, and often when she’s cutting up lunch the three chicks take their time before they’re even interested, indicating that food supply is ample at the moment, but also that sleep is favourable!

Waiting ...

Here are a couple of video clips taken over the last 2-3 days. Firstly it’s lunchtime, then we watch all three eyases busying thsemvels, and lastly a little post-lunch action. Although we don’t see too much of Beau for too often he’s not entirely off the hook either. Swift often calls for him from atop the tower until he brings food home but then Swift takes over and Beau will leave once more. The eyases are now 24 and 22 days old and are well on their way to the changes that happen as a teenager with feathers appearing everywhere at the moment. They’re standing around 220-240mm (9-10 inches), when they want to. They’ve taken to sleeping just below the nest camera and so quite often the better views are now via the ledge camera; don’t be alarmed if you can’t see any bodies in there!

With tummies growing and bodies increasing in strength the three eyases are now able to walk around on their feet and have made the most of the space provided with this larger box. Often there’ll be a single face on screen while the other two hide behind the camera window. Rest assured at feeding time all three appear and all are in fine health. At different times over the weekend and today Swift has spent longer away from home and indeed Beau has partaken of the odd feeding time himself but already he’s being dwarfed by his three charges, which opens up the betting lines that we may possibly have three female eyases this time? Time will tell, early days still. There’s also a little interest in the outside world now, with the odd curious face getting closer to the ledge.

A couple more video clips from today can now be viewed. Patiently waiting,  Swift and the kids, and the bone-carrier.

In a maintenance climb of the Concrete Hilton this evening the opportunity was taken to film Swift feeding her three wobblies (they’ve gone past being bobblies!) with the handheld camera. The ledge camera was slightly adjusted and nest camera checked but the main reason for the maintenance climb was to shift the audio module up much closer to the eyrie itself. Mission accomplished and it will take a few days to adjust the correct volume, now that it’s just on the other side of the wall instead of hanging 2 metres below the action. Wiring was cleaned up and structural fittings were checked for health. And all done with the perfect timing of the din of rumbling sound as the tower refilled with water. With the combination of the noise, along with Swift’s concentration in feeding three urgent mouths, the moment worked out well.  The full colour video clip can be viewed here …

To give you an idea of size and height, which is quite deceiving in these pictures, the three eyases are already standing tall at about 240-250mm (9-10 inches). That horizontal line across the middle of the back wall (see nest camera images) is about 200mm (8 inches) high and is the bottom of the opening end hatch. All three juniors are taller than that line when stretching for attention or food. You’ll also notice the first signs of wing and tail feathers. Our favourite little bobble-heads are growing up too fast!

As the 3 eyases head towards their 19th & 17th days respectively they’re spending much more time shuffling around the eyrie, inspecting the odd loose feather and visiting each other, and of course there’s always lots of time for sleeping after big feeds. Swift seems to be content in keeping a vigil on the ledge, and not long ago Beau treated us to another of his high-flying displays above campus, gaining height in the warm day’s thermals. With a little cloud cover today it’s bringing out the true peregrine (sp macropus) colours in camera shots and video clips.

Two video clips here of Swift and two of the three eyases shuffling and busying themselves – first clip, second clip …

After an initial ‘step-grandparent-style’ scary moment this morning we went back over the archives and realised that there’s no need to panic by only seeing one or two eyases on screen, with either parent in attendance. It seems there may have been a domestic, or someone’s messed the scrape, because all three littlies went on big new adventures this morning and two seem to have decided to go rest at the other end of the eyrie, which of course would have to be the corner that we have no visual coverage. Three ample meals so far this morning so no-one’s going hungry, but Swift & Beau are in a quandary now as to which end of the box they go to and whether they need to mediate any disagreements, or bring a cleaning cloth in!

Beau looking perplexed

A 5-minute video clip of Swift and the kids going for a walk can be viewed here …  Apologies for the video quality; it’s a temporary fix for what will soon become HD picture when the new camera is fitted soon.

Swift is gradually becoming happier taking longer breaks from the scrape and indeed she has taken a few trips out to obtain food of her own accord. Beau seems to be keeping up appearances early in the morning but can also be away for hours at a time during the day and the three furballs can become agitated. At this stage we can see that two of the eyases are noticeably larger than the third but all are getting to that stage where those disproportionately large feet are becoming a fascination (& quite hilarious to watch!). Indeed the larger of the three is exploring a short distance further each day. You’ll also notice the first wing feathers are beginning to appear and their awareness of their surroundings is improving daily too.

Furry frolicking starring the three eyases can be viewed here …

Foot in the face

After a couple of feedings early on this morning it was a long break for Beau who seemed to have disappeared, but he came in with lunch and all the bobble-heads are happy again. They’re growing so quickly now and have just begun to venture away from the scrape, although they’re quick to return to each other. At just under 2 weeks old they’re developing fast and with good care from Beau and Swift we have lots of fun still in front of us.

Feeding time video can be viewed here … . Another from yesterday (audio) can be viewed here …

Swift returns with lunch

A quieter day up the Concrete Hilton and in the media today, but there are always 8 & 10-day old eyases to watch. Swift spent more time today on the ledge taking a breather, in longer shifts. She’s struggling to get even one chick underneath her now, let alone all three, so protects them from any chilly breeze but otherwise just stays close by. Feedings were fewer today although by the size of their crops they’re not short on sustenance. Beau has taken to resting on top of the tower or around on the microwave dish arm after a successful ‘meals on wheels’ (wings?) trip before flying off to survey his domain again; we’re not sure yet if Swift realises he’s bludging just around the corner as he stays well out of sight!

Kristy and Sam from Prime TV visited us this afternoon and were shown over the Project’s set-up and some good vision of Swift, Beau and the littl’uns upstairs. With some interesting statistics and a little humour we appeared on Prime News tonight which can be viewed here … Thanks once more to the Prime crew for great coverage and support in helping us to bring the Project to the wider regional community.

Noticed today was the ever-decreasing lack of room under Swift as she tries to keep her charges warm. It seems the eyases have doubled in size in such a short time of 7-9 days, but that could just be a “step-grandparent” observation here! Little chance for Beau to be able to keep them warm so let’s hope this Spring weather keeps on improving.

On top of yesterday’s WIN TV coverage the FalconCam Project media road-train headed in to the ABC Central West studio early this morning for a live interview with Angela Owens. Dubbed affectionately by Angela as “the ultimate procrastination website” it’s brought Swift, Beau and the bobble-heads to an even wider audience.

Thanks heaps to Angela, Miles and the ABC for your fantastic enthusiasm and a chance to speak to the local region – you may well be bugged for another interview before the chicks leave the eyrie in about 30-32 days time!!  To read the ABC article from this morning, and audio, click in here …

Everyone should be listening to the ABC in the mornings and reading the ABC Facebook & Twitter pages !

We were visited today by Emily and Murray from WIN TV News who took away some great footage and gave regional TV a well-rounded segment with some opportune moments. We ran through the benefits of the recent launch of live camera feeds via this website and whilst out under the trees Swift flew down to the feeding branch and treated us to a full-colour, close-up of lunch! Not to be out-done Beau then flew some loops around the tree, keeping us in full view, before gaining height and giving us an impressive high-altitude soaring display. Thanks to WIN TV once more, and for getting the website address out to the general viewing public.

As a reminder to our readers & supporters all received donations and fundraising go towards upgrading our cameras and equipment; the first of the new HD cameras is on its way and will provide much sharper and more contrasty nest camera vision. It will also provide the Project with motion-sensor recording activation in the nest view, as well as a full audio option.

WIN TV News segment can be viewed here …

With plenty of feedings every day at the moment we got the opportunity via the nest camera this morning to meet the whole family briefly. Swift had just taken off to sort out breakfast while Beau made an appearance next to the bobble-heads, who all seemed to be arguing amongst themselves over something; cute interactions all the same. Swift then returned which was Beau’s signal to depart again. Video clip can be viewed here …

Peregrine male Beau is doing a wonderful job in providing for the three eyases and female Swift. He’s been clocked in on some days with average 4 feeds but sometimes up to 6 if he’s done well. It seems to be ample for the family as often Swift can be seen heading over to the “pantry” for another bite. She seems to store remnants in the back corner of the box, away from the scrape (i.e. bottom right, in the nest camera view).

Here’s a clip of Beau returning once more (audio), but Swift heads out for a breather then returns when she realises Beau is trying to feed her bobblies; a trust issue?! The audio gives you an idea of the conversation that goes on between both adults. Another attempt at moving the audio module closer to the base of the box will be made soon (Swift permitting!).

A good thing about the scrape having moved to the far side of the box – better focus; a bad thing – Swift seems to prefer to stand in our way during most feedings!