The FalconCam was able to catch three new peregrine falcon arrivals in its nest situated on a water tower in Orange campus at Charles Sturt University in New South Wales.
Peregrine falcons used to be regarded as threatened species. Although it has been noted that its number have improved since the 1970s, sightings of the species are still not typical.
When the staff of the university spotted a pair of the birds on the school grounds, they decided to make a nest for the couple. They made a nesting box and placed it on a tall water tower for safety purposes.
The box was installed with CCTV cameras so as to observe the home life of the species.
In 2015, a new breeding pair named Diamond and Bula arrived. The names of the birds were given by the students and staff at the university. This week is special as three new birds arrived at the nest, courtesy of the said pair. In a video footage by the university, the peregrine falcon chicks hatching was captured.
The chicks were observed to keep their parents busy by subjecting them to catch food. The new arrivals appear to like tasty and colorful galah, which looks good on their plate. Nonetheless, these birds are known to prey on big birds such as Ibis.
Bula, the male, was said to take quite some time before it realized its role in the family. At first, it would bring back food to the nest, but would not give it to Diamond. After some time, it had learned to bring food and give it to its partner before taking off again.
"The ability to be able to watch them 24 hours a day is pretty unusual," said Dr Cilla Kinross, adjunct lecturer in environment management. She added that in the last eight years, the two cameras have showcased the habits of the birds while in their nest.
In the past, people had to climb cold and wet cliffs and trees just to observe the behavior of the fastest animal on Earth.
The FalconCam is the sole peregrine falcon nest with a camera in entire Australia. The footages are used by university students to learn more about the birds and add up to the Australian research database.
Since 2007, the CCTV cameras have witnessed nine successful bird fledgling, numerous dead birds brought to the nest and some interaction with an unwanted guest: cockatoos. Five successful breedings have been witnessed by the FalconCam, some were not so successful due to some visitor distractions. "We've been having a few intrusions from the likes of cockatoos," said Scott Banks, who is part of the project. He added that it is interesting to watch the two bird species against each other.
