The San Jose City Hall peregrines had their first egg today. During this bird flu, that is more than the usual cause for celebration.

Two years ago, the male was a second-year floater filling in for the original male just before laying started. Whether he contributed any genes to that one egg or not, we don’t know. He certainly tried. But there was no second egg. (The next year he was fully an adult and there were four, a more normal number.)

Juvenile markings and all, he was so excited at the sight of that thing. He’d never done this before but he was all in and he immediately went and hunted small prey for it so the pieces would be small enough to swallow easily–and, here’s the video, then tried to feed the egg.

Now it’s enthusiasm plus experience. As soon as his mate got up he was right there to get a good look. By the end of the week we should have a full nest and the brooding should begin.

Every step of the way is a victory.

(Former cam crew volunteer here.)