The Banding:All the "bandits" are back and keeping out of the sun with Ivy keeping them company as per usual at this time of day. Tomorrow I think there is suppose to be some rain and definitely a bit cooler so all should have an easier time of it in the heat.
As has been mentionned before 3 boys and 1 girl, little girl is neither "little" nor "ladylike", little monster got both Bob and I while we were banding her. (FYI, banding order was girl, boy, boy, boy) Had to switch to the other bucket because she was making it so difficult to get her sib out of "her" bucket. Gave her brother a bite too when she was in the bucket and would have given him another at the end of things if I hadn't put my hand in the way. In the end I took her brother out of the bucket and carried him by hand back to the nestbox and put him at one end of the box and her at the other so she couldn't/wouldn't give him any more grief. Sheesh.
She's actually a pretty cool female - nicely aggressive (she needs to play nicer with her brothers though) and a really nice size at banding age - feet and body proportional. And she is definitely not a bark-is-worse-than-her-bite birds, just the opposite, which often bodes well for her future. The boys were all cute - first one was quiet, number 2 was the noisiest of the bunch and three was a wee bit miffed at his sister - can't blame him for that - and therefore didn't much like the attention (he was the third chick we banded).
They all looked very good and they are growing very very fast, I have this sneaking suspicion that we will have a fast fledge if they keep growing up at this rate! Last year the boys (Cade & Carson) kept their lone sister (Beatrix) company - same gender mix, but I suspect the boys won't be waiting which could mean that their sister may bolt early as wel, but I think she's up for it, she's growing very fast too. Will be interesting to see. And for those wanting to know, they will probably be fledging the week we band the Brandon birds - about the last week in June.
For those who watch the chicks alot, the female chick has red tape on her aluminium band - seemed appropriate as she drew blood. Tape on the males' bands, in order of banding, are white (well-behaved), yellow (picked-on by sister) and green (noisy).
Video: Yes there will be a video of the banding in our video gallery as soon as it has been converted. It is currently being processed but last year, it had to run overnight because it's rather long. When its ready, it will be posted. And yes, the video has audio. No audio during the banding just because the camera we use can't talk to the audio hardware/software we use for the webcam. So live its a silent movie, the YouTube video has sound.
Last order of business: There has been some media reports on the banding already - we were on Up-to-Speed just after 1500h, there will be something on CBC TV News at the dinner hour (5-5:30-6 - broadcasts 3x) and maybe on the later evening show but not sure of that one with hockey and other important stuff
Also, here's a link for those who are interested:
Peregrine falcon chicks get leg bands
