Other Peregrine Projects > USA Peregrines

WI / Milwaukee - County Power - 2009-14

(1/3) > >>

Alison:

I have not heard any news of Madame X since her release. I can only hope she is doing well somewhere.

Her mate, Polyo, did not return to the nest this year.

While Madame X was in care, a new female showed up at the nest. She is Tahoe, banded black/red 33/U, from the Eastlake nest in Ohio, born in 2012. Tahoe spent the winter at the Milwaukee University Biosci Building nest; it was obvious that she really wanted that nest.

When the long-time resident female returned from migration at the end of February (a little earlier than usual), she displaced Tahoe.

A new male also showed up at the Milwaukee County Power Plant nest. He is Lightning, banded black/red 84/R, born in 2012 at the Oak Creek Power Plant nest. He and Tahoe had three chicks.

When the chicks were still young, Lightning abandoned Tahoe and their chicks. He then showed up at the Milwaukee nest (the one Tahoe wanted). The resident female there and her long-time mate, Hoffman, banded black/green 54/M, had four chicks.

When their chicks were still young, Hoffman disappeared. Lightning moved in and helped the resident female raise her four chicks. He stayed, and he and the resident female are still there. The four chicks fledged successfully.

Sadly, Hoffman's body was found on a roof in late June. Hoffman, born in 2003 at the Edgewater Generating Station, was a great tiercel, an excellent provider and a wonderful father to all his chicks.

Back at the Milwaukee County Power Plant, Tahoe did a great job of raising her three chicks on her own, and all three fledged successfully. I did see one, and sometimes two, of the chicks coming back to visit the nest on occasion.

I have not seen an adult at the nest for a while; the last time I saw an adult I believe it was Tahoe, since I caught a glimpse of a black/red band. Although it was not mentioned anywhere, Madame X appeared to have been rebanded black/blue 01/H.

Kinderchick:
This is wonderful news about Madame X's rehab & release! ;D

burdi:
I am so thankful to those who gave Madame X another chance.

Dagny:
Wow!  What a happy ending to this story.

Fly free, for many years, Madame X  :D :D :D

Alison:
Part 2

Madame X's nest site from last year was occupied by another female peregrine.

"Hopefully she'll find a mate again and get back to being a productive falcon," Diehl says, looking the patient over a last time. "We don't know where she'll want to go."

Madame X has leg bands with identification but is not fitted with a tracking device.

The release site was chosen by Septon, manager of the peregrine recovery program, as one with plenty of space, lots of prey and little chance of altercations with nesting peregrines. Septon and Diehl obtained authorization from the Department of Natural Resources to release the bird.

As the sun breaks through a humid cloud cover, Diehl carries Madame X to a grassy roadside near the southern edge of Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area.

"Are you ready?" Diehl says, preparing for launch.

Madame X spoke through action.

Diehl squatted, then stood and released his grip. The bird squawked, flapped her wings strongly and flew north.

Some rehabilitated birds find a nearby tree to roost and get their bearings on their initial freedom flights.

The Latin name for peregrine translates to "traveler."

Last we saw Madame X, she was on a nonstop flight to the horizon.

It's hard to reconcile a world that has humans who would attempt to kill a regal, protected bird and others who do everything possible to restore its life.

But for at least a moment, as the peregrine flew out of sight over a wild landscape, things seemed in order.

Godspeed, bird.

To read the rest of the article, which also has a video of the release:

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/outdoors/wounded-peregrine-falcon-off-to-a-flying-start-after-recovery-b99300272z1-265065221.html

What a courageous, magnificent falcon Madame X is. I hope she will always fly in safe skies and live a long and productive life.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page