UPDATE: Peregrine Falcon nesting at Rumney's Main Cliff

[Admin Al]

I asked and here's what Chris said about the reason the chicks didn't hatch:

==============

In this instance, I believe snow or rain in mid-April.  They were incubating on 31 March and 7 April on a ledge that has failed before in a past year due to flooding.  I had climber Mike Thompson rappel to this ledge on Thursday but he found no eggs.  And no defensive peregrines either.  However, enough time has elapsed that a scavenging raven could have carried any/all abandoned eggs away.

- Chris

Chris Martin, Senior Biologist, Conservation Department
New Hampshire Audubon, 3 Silk Farm Road, Concord, NH  03301
Phone:  603/224-9909 x317;  Fax:  603/226-0902;
E-mail:  cmartin@nhaudubon.org;  Web:  www.nhaudubon.org
New Hampshire Audubon -- Protecting New Hampshire's natural environment for wildlife and for people.

[strandman]

Slab Falcons - nice !

At least they are not "mud falcons"   

[Admin Al]

The raptor closure at Rumney has been lifted. Apparently the birds failed to produce chicks this year!

This is quite disappointing...

[sneoh]

I am sad for the birds but I will be lying if I do not say I am glad to be able to visit The Main Cliff up to 2 months earlier than otherwise.

[tradmanclimbz]

I wonder if that super hard late frost was the culprit? I only have 1 apple between two trees this year?  I heard that 90% of VT's apple crop was killed in that frost.

[gaiagirl]

With the birds, I doubt it's anything as specific as late frost or cold, etc.  In a given year, it's probably difficult to generalize about why they didn't successfully fledge chicks, but I would be interested in hearing from the Audubon folks if there are any theories. 

[Admin Al]

the general theory is that it was the heavy rains/storms of the past several weeks. in one case there actually were chick that hatched and were killed.

[gaiagirl]

That is really disheartening    I almost wish I didn't know .....

[DWT]

I wonder if that super hard late frost was the culprit? I only have 1 apple between two trees this year?  I heard that 90% of VT's apple crop was killed in that frost.

I'm not sure if I'm being a bit Kook,  I have one apple on my tree and a really poor showing in the vegetable garden this year.  Is it just me?

[eyebolter]

Tons of apples and a huge garden this year, but I"m in western mass, still zone 5.

We did have a cold snap (22) after really warm weather but none of the fruit blossoms seem to have been affected.

[sneoh]

Ward, thanks for the update on he apple situation in Western MA.  I was starting to wonder since we go apple-picking near Leominster in October and I have been hoping for another giant crop.  We live in Eastern MA and our flowering plants and grass have been doing great so FAR!

[Admin Al]

is there ANY possibility of keeping threads on topic, or is it a lost art? [wry grin]

[OldEric]

is there ANY possibility of keeping threads on topic, or is it a lost art? [wry grin]

If any one retrobolts my apple orchard I'll have Strand turn them into applesauce.

[DWT]

is there ANY possibility of keeping threads on topic, or is it a lost art? [wry grin]

oops   

[JakeDatc]

It's not all bad out there in Peregrine land.  the  ones in PA on the Rachel Carlson building had 2 males fledge and do fine. 

http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/falcon/default.htm