HARRISBURG, JANUARY-DECEMBER 2022

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12734

Niecey has been calling for food at intervals this morning. Then heard both Niecey and 85's vocals, came in and found 85 on the ledge, but couldn't find Niecey on any of the cams. Assumed he had made a prey drop on the ledge to her. Directly he flew to the point and in a bit she returned to the nest, but without any prey. Then up to the top of the wall calling for food and back down into the nest again. 85 remains on the point preening as is Niecey in the nest.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12734

Came in on a feed in progress. It was out front and to the left of Niecey and I only saw it lift it's head a little off the floor once. Later it moved a little on the floor of the nest. It's dry and fluffy, but needs a little more time. 85 remains on the point, Niecey shields them.

Terka · **Posted:** Fri Apr 22, 2022 10:04 am

https://youtu.be/N59Lpgy9JF4

Jane · **Posted:** Fri Apr 22, 2022 10:13 am

I have a lot of concerns for this latest arrival, and nothing we can do but hope for the best. MANY years ago we had a chick that arrived three days after the others, and he survived to fledge. That was when we had dear Mom. She was so careful to make sure he was fed. At least it's much warmer here today. As of 10:00 it's 64 and lots of sunshine.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12734

Heard the chicks and came in and found Niecey taking a break lying in the sun panting just outside the back door. The chicks continued to be vocal and were getting squirmy, so Niecey came in to shield them from the direct sunlight.

Two things that concern me as far as feeds go: Will 85 have good hunting days and be able to keep the pantry stocked, so hoping for fair weather conditions here and that he takes the initiative to do so. Checked the NWS forecast for the next 7 days and the chance for showers is on Saturday-20%, Monday-30%, Tuesday-50%. So Monday afternoon through Tuesday is the biggest threat. The other concern is will it be hidden from Nieceys view in the chick pile and miss the feedings it crucially needs to gain strength at this point and have any chance of competing with the others for food. I have seen Niecey take great care in the past seasons with feedings. She has fed them backward (when they are facing away) as she did within the last day or two by simply reaching over their head and placing it in their beak and in other seasons in addition to this, she takes the prey to the opposite side of the chick pile to feed the ones facing away or just not tall enough to stand out from the crowd.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12734

85 brought prey to the ledge that Niecey took from him and a feed started at 12:57 real time. Darn, it didn't last long and I missed it because I finished up above post before going back in.

heida · **Joined:** Sat Aug 01, 2009 10:24 am **Posts:** 2873

Guess 85 doesn't want the responsibility of being a dad. :furious:

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12734

Heida, what happened?

heida · **Joined:** Sat Aug 01, 2009 10:24 am **Posts:** 2873

SWINWK wrote:

Heida, what happened?

Nothing happened. I guess I keep miss seeing him and it upsets me. Use to Lil Dad being around to help . 85 was doing a good job and now it seems he's not around as much.

Jane · **Posted:** Fri Apr 22, 2022 1:59 pm

I have yet to see 85 today. Glad he brought prey to the ledge, but it's upsetting that Niecey had to go get it from him. I thought 85 was getting the hang of it. We are used to falcon perfection with our beloved Little Dad. Oh, how I miss him.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12734

A feed just finished up and Niecey went to the top of the front wall to perch afterwards. Positions for this feed:

1st row: the 3 middle chicks with chick #4 in the middle and facing the wrong way.
2nd row: chick #1.
3rd row: chick #5 lying face down on the floor of the nest.

Chicks 1-4 and Niecey all got bites this feed. Chick #4 finally got bites because it was able toward the end of the feed to turn around and face the right way with an open beak and the other 2 in this row were easily seen by Niecey with their open beaks. Also, #1 was able to be fed because Niecey could easily see it with its beak open and it was also able to reach over the others with its height and secure bites.

Unfortunately, #5 was never and could never be seen by Niecey. It did end up in the 2nd row for awhile as #1 moved around, but it remained facedown and completely obscured from Niecey's vision with the other chicks surrounding it. Then it was in the back row again d/t #1's moving about and at long last after the last bite given, it lifted its head to be fed, but Niecey could not see #5. At times, when some of them were going in and out of food comas they would lie over parts of #5's body and get up and go down again, etc.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12734

Another feed has started at about 2:53 pm real time. I went in because I could hear loud vocals between Niecey and 85 just prior.

Soon 85 is alarm calling from the point and Niecey stopped feeding to look around for a few seconds, then resumed. He didn't kak-kak-kak-kak for too long, but wonder if an intruder was too near the nest area for his comfort.

I did not focus on the other 4 and what they ate and such. They all had crops and the ones wanting bites, got bites.

Initially, I could not see #5, then after awhile it raised enough that I could see it was at the far edge of the chicks to Niecey's left (she was facing the wall with the back door) lying on the nest floor from the view of cam 2. After awhile it got up and did open it's beak, then at

2:58 pm chick #5 received its 1st bite of food!! :10sum:

The next thing it did was reach over and bite the piece of prey that Niecey was holding in place on the floor. :teehee:

Chick #5 went on to receive 5 more bites, making a total of possibly 6 bites for its 1st meal. (2 of the 6 bites I could not see if it actually swallowed because Niecey leaned forward obstructing my view.) Oh HOTDANG, what a relief!! :CLAPS:

Jane · **Posted:** Fri Apr 22, 2022 3:10 pm

I saw most of the recent feeding. Little #5 was right up front and got several bites. Am trying to finish mowing grass, but am worried about what's going on downtown.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12734

Jane did you hear that sustained screaming from a gal? Is that what you are worried about downtown or about 85 alarm calling or about #5 getting enough to eat over the next few days? I had to stop watching the feed intially, because I felt it was prudent to go to the point cam and the ledge cam to see if I could see any trouble from below as to why that gal screamed like that, very concerned for her...

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12734

Taking a break here. Will not be able to cover all the feeds, but will try to cover as many as I can over the next several days. I was just finishing up the feed I posted at 2:40 pm EDST when the next feed started. As I leave, Niecey is in the nest shielding the chicks and 85 is still on the point

Jane · **Posted:** Fri Apr 22, 2022 4:52 pm

I did not hear any screaming. Was it from a human? There are two major bus stops right across the street from the Carson Buildng. I guess I didn't see all of that feeding earlier, as I was looking at posts on Facebook. And my worry is about #5 getting enough to eat. Of all things we don't need right now it would be an intruder. In half an hour or less I will be done mowing and can take a much needed break.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12734

Yes it was from a human and sustained, different from the usual screams and hollers you hear from below. But never heard any sirens from police or ambulance you might expect to hear afterwards.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12734

Another feed at about 5:42. At 1st only 1 seemed mildly interested, but eventually the others joined in when they were not going in and out of food comas. I think everyone was still full from the last 2 feeds. Nonetheless, I could not find #5 in the heap, then it finally came out, but initially never raised its head till toward the end of the feed and then it opened its beak. Niecey didn't seem to notice it at 1st and when she did she attempted to place a bite in its beak, but its head was bobbing and its body was too wiggly for her to get it in, so she went with a different chick. Soon the feed was over and all collapsed into a heap and Niecey went over to shield them. I'm hoping they get 1 more feed before dark, but I'm afraid they may not. The others are fine, but would especially like to see #5 get another feed before the overnight just for the added assurance.

catwoman · **Posted:** Fri Apr 22, 2022 6:21 pm

Jane wrote:

I have a lot of concerns for this latest arrival, and nothing we can do but hope for the best. MANY years ago we had a chick that arrived three days after the others, and he survived to fledge. That was when we had dear Mom. She was so careful to make sure he was fed. At least it's much warmer here today. As of 10:00 it's 64 and lots of sunshine.

That was Blue Girl. She hatched 3 days after the rest of the group. She caught up with them and did well! Was it that the "Blue Girl" that nested in Allentown at the steel plant?

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