Diamond lays third egg at the FalconCam nest in Orange, New South Wales, on Thursday, September 10, 2026. The newest egg arrived at about 12:50 pm, just over 60 hours after Diamond laid her second.
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Just before one o’clock, Diamond settled low into the gravel scrape inside the nest box. Her tail lifted with several strong movements before the third mottled egg appeared beside the other two.
Then came the lovely part. Diamond looked beneath her, gathered the three eggs together and carefully lowered herself over the clutch.
High above Charles Sturt University’s Orange campus, the nest now holds three eggs and plenty of hope.
Diamond Lays Third Egg After a 60-Hour Wait
The wait for egg number three lasted almost two and a half days.
That gap falls within the usual pattern for peregrine falcons, which commonly lay their eggs about two to three days apart. Even so, Diamond kept everyone guessing as Thursday morning passed without another arrival.
When the moment finally came, she handled it quietly. Diamond never left the other two eggs uncovered for long and soon had all three tucked beneath her.
It was a gentle ending to the egg-laying stage and a reason to celebrate here in Orange. After weeks of courtship, food gifts and work around the scrape, Diamond and Gimbir now have a full-looking clutch.
Three Eggs Are Probably Your Lot
Three eggs will most likely complete Diamond’s 2026 clutch. She has never laid more than three at the Orange nest, and the site’s recorded breeding history also shows a maximum clutch of three eggs.
Nature never signs a contract, so a surprise fourth egg cannot be completely ruled out. However, Diamond’s history and the timing of serious incubation both suggest this is probably your lot.
The laying stage now gives way to a quieter but more demanding part of the season. Diamond must keep the eggs warm and protected through Orange’s changeable early-spring weather.
A mild day in the Central West can quickly turn cold, wet or windy. For now, the best outcome would be steady incubation, fine weather and regular food deliveries from Gimbir.
Serious Incubation Began With Egg Two
Diamond began incubating properly after her second egg arrived.
Peregrine falcons often begin steady incubation with the penultimate egg—the second-to-last egg in the clutch. This helps reduce the time between hatches, even though the eggs arrive on different days.
Before serious incubation begins, the female may sit loosely or leave the eggs uncovered for periods of time. Once she settles firmly, development progresses more steadily.
Peregrine eggs generally need about 34 days of incubation. If everything goes well, the first signs of hatching could appear around the middle of October. Charles Sturt University has previously reported a similar 34-day incubation period at this nest.
Three eggs do not guarantee three chicks. An egg may prove infertile, or development may stop before hatching. The Orange nest has taught us to celebrate each step while allowing nature to decide what comes next.
Today, however, three eggs give the season a beautiful sense of possibility.
Gimbir Now Has Talons Full
Gimbir’s role becomes increasingly important from here.
Diamond will spend long stretches covering the clutch, leaving her less time to hunt. Gimbir must provide enough prey to keep her well fed while also protecting their territory.
The young male has already shown encouraging progress. He has brought Diamond a wide range of prey this season, sometimes making several deliveries in one day. The pair’s bond also appears stronger after their successful season together last year.
Raising three chicks would take an enormous amount of food. For now, Gimbir’s first challenge is simpler: keep Diamond fed while she keeps the eggs warm.
The flashy courtship stage may be ending, but the real teamwork is just beginning.
Orange Settles In for the Long Wait
The third egg brought a burst of excitement to the nest. Now comes the waiting.
For the next several weeks, life inside the tower should follow a steady rhythm. Diamond will spend most of her time on the eggs. Gimbir may take occasional incubation shifts while she eats, stretches and tends to herself.
There will still be anxious moments whenever the weather turns or a meal takes longer than expected. That concern comes naturally when so much hope rests beneath one falcon in a gravel-lined box.
Yet this is also a proud moment for the FalconCam Project and for everyone who follows these peregrines from Orange and beyond.
Diamond has completed the hard work of producing three eggs. Gimbir has grown into his place beside her. Their clutch now carries the promise of another memorable spring in the Central West.
The nest is quiet, the eggs are covered and Diamond has settled into the long wait.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Diamond lay her third egg?
Diamond laid her third egg at about 12:50 pm on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at the FalconCam nest in Orange, NSW.
How long was the gap between the second and third eggs?
The third egg arrived approximately 60 hours after Diamond laid her second egg.
Will Diamond lay a fourth egg?
A fourth egg appears unlikely. Diamond has never laid more than three eggs, and serious incubation began after egg number two.
What does penultimate egg mean?
The penultimate egg is the second-to-last egg in a clutch. Peregrine falcons often begin steady incubation when this egg arrives.
When could Diamond’s eggs hatch?
Peregrine falcon eggs generally hatch after about 34 days of steady incubation. Based on the current timing, hatching could begin around the middle of October.