Just two days after the loss of a peregrine falcon egg, Wilmington’s resident falcon pair welcomed a new bird-bundle of joy.
Wilmington’s peregrine falcons are observed by several live cameras set up in the city by the Delaware Ornithological Society, an effort that spans decades.
In that time, the peregrine falcons of the city garnered great fanfare as viewers tune in each year and await the hatching of eggs and the subsequent trials and tribulations of parenthood each season.
The current falcons are Whitman, a male falcon, and Bridget, a female falcon.
Peregrine falcon details:Wilmington’s peregrine falcons have laid the first egg of nesting season. Tune in to watch
Earlier in the spring, the falcons were spotted with their first egg of nesting season on April 19.
Nesting season, which occurs in March and April, is when the falcons begin laying eggs after courting. Eggs typically begin incubation after the next-to-last egg is laid in a bird’s clutch (the total number of eggs laid per bird per nesting attempt), and will remain in this state for 33 to 35 days until they hatch, according to Defenders of Wildlife.
After the first egg appeared, egg No. 2 came on May 1, followed by egg No. 3 on May 4 and egg No. 4 on May 7.
On June 7, the Wilmington Falcons Facebook page, which is dedicated to all things Wilmington falcons and delivers steady updates about falcon happenings, announced that a baby falcon trying to hatch did not survive.
“The baby who was trying to hatch passed away,” the post read. “Bridget used her beak to open the egg and the young one had passed away. She just took it from the nest. Both she and Whitman gave mournful cries, then Whitman went back on the eggs.”
According to the Facebook post, several factors such as humidity, the timing of egg-laying or hatchling weakness could have contributed to the baby’s death.
Commenters on the post were saddened to hear of the loss of the baby falcon, with many saying they hoped the other eggs would hatch soon.
Just two days after Whitman and Bridget mourned the loss of their young one, nature had a surprise in store for the parents-to-be: a new baby falcon.
On June 10, the Wilmington Falcons Facebook account announced that peeps could be heard on the live cameras at around 6 a.m. that day, followed by more noise in the afternoon.
A few hours later, the baby was out of its egg and officially entered the nest as the first young one to make an appearance this season.
“We have a hatch! Baby moving, making noise … pink and wet,” the Facebook page stated that afternoon.
Since the momentous occasion last Friday, live cameras have caught the new parents bonding with the baby and feeding it lunch and dinner.
Facebook fans flocked to the comments to congratulate Bridget and Whitman and share their excitement about the new mouth to feed.
“Loving watching the hatchling sit there with his mouth open waiting for mama to fill it!” a Facebook user commented.
“Happy to see the little one looking and sounding healthy. Thank you for the video!” another fan wrote.
“Awww, here’s to Bridget and Whitman! Good mama and papa,” read a comment.
With a successful baby in the nest, viewers continue to keep an eye on the remaining eggs and hope for more chirping additions in the coming days.
“Will we another hatch or will this little fluffball be a solo act?” the Facebook page captioned a recent post of the falcons.
Until then, keep up with all things Wilmington falcons by visiting www.facebook.com/wilmfalcons or checking out the live-camera feeds.
Got a tip or a story idea? Contact Krys’tal Griffin atkgriffin@delawareonline.com.
Details on the lost egg:Wilmington’s peregrine falcons lose one of their young, fans mourn the loss of the egg
