The Big Sit 2011


The Big Sit has begun. 

Both of Pittsburgh’s peregrine families are now incubating their eggs full time.  For the next month the most interesting thing we’ll see on the falconcams will be the changing of the guard

Pictured above is Dorothy at the University of Pittsburgh’s Cathedral of Learning.  When she laid her third egg on March 18, I thought she would start incubation right away but she didn’t begin in earnest until March 20. 

Meanwhile at the Gulf Tower, pictured below, Dori and Louie started incubation after Dori laid her third egg on March 21.

We’re in for some boring video on the falconcams for about a month. 

Peregrine eggs don’t hatch until they’ve been incubated 33-35 days.

(photos from the National Aviary falconcams)

6 thoughts on “The Big Sit 2011

  1. Probably not very exciting for them either; but at least we can all be bored together. Better than the winter drought with no bird or nest to see. Makes me wonder what we all do with the rest of our lives!!!! It is so enjoyable tho to be so focused on these wild birds, make me think more about nature and how important it is for all of us to appreciate and be aware. Its the only way we can endure how we treat the world in general, waves, quakes & wars. I like thinking about those little fluffy things with mouths yakking for food food Mom.

  2. I wish for success with both nests!

    The peregrines in Harrisburg are also doing the big sit on 4 eggs.

    One of the camera views is so close that you can watch the peregrine breathing! How is that for some excitement during the Big Sit?

    You can watch it raining in Harrisburg right now too.

    The live Harrisburg cam is here: http://www.pacast.com/players/falcon.asp

  3. Kate, do you think Dorothy will lay the 5th egg like last year and another from Dori?
    Great close up from Harrisburg!

  4. Well..I tuned in the night before last just in time to see the both of them, roll and turn the eggs and then try to reposition themselves over all those bundles of joy. It was quite amusing. At one point, Dorothy had her face right in the stones as she wiggled back and forth to get everyone situated. I thought at the time how fortunate I was to catch the same action at both nests.

    I also agree with Faith and wonder what did we do before these creatures became a part of our lives.

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