OMG Phanatics,
You have NO idea how much fun it is to see it happening for real!!
Lots of folks turned out for the banding and we have had such a wonderful time, it is surreal now. Six of us from the forum and a couple that have been following from a distance, plus TPC, Dennis, and Bob the Bander.
We met on the top level of the parkade right downtown about two blocks east and south of the nest site. It was a bit early when we got there so lots of time to chat and figure out our best vantage point. A little to the east at the top of the up/down ramp is the best place to see into the nest. There were a couple of white heads peeking out so we could see the chicks. Mum on the east eave of the clock tower and dad was on the northeast corner of the lower roof of the MacKenzie Seeds building. They had no idea what was in store.
You sure could tell when the action started though. We couldn't see when the banding team came out on the rooftop, but Zeus and the Mrs. sure did let us know. They are incredibly vocal and serious acrobats when it comes to what they see as a threat to their chicks. Lots of dive bombs and screaming, especially when the Resources Guy climbed up the ladder to load two chick each into two buckets. We had TPC on speaker phone and she was narrating as things were transpiring on the roof.
They took the chicks into the building (it's easier to do the work inside away from dive bombs) and over speaker phone we could hear the little ones hollering up a storm. They were pretty incensed. All of us got to hear what was going on even though there was no translation. TPC came on a couple of times to tell us that there were three girls and one boy! Oh, did I mention that they discovered there are FOUR chicks in the nest, not three as previously thought. What a nice surprize!!!
We got to see the Resources Guy return the four chicks to the nest and then things settled down and Zeus went and sat on the perch that juts out from the nestbox and the Mrs. went and sat at the very tip top of the tower that is on a roof to the east of the MacKenzie Seeds building. Zeus was still in his spot when I went back to my car at 1:20 but the Mrs. had just left. I didn't see which direction she took off in.
Dennis was snapping away happily during the whole encounter and has some INCREDIBLE shots to share with us as soon as he has sifted through the hundreds that he shot. We got a couple of sneak peeks of the dive bombers and they are truly breathtaking!!!
We all packed up and went to the Double Decker for lunch and laughs after the deed was done. I am so privileged to be a part of this whole thing. I just can't tell you enough how happy I am that I was able to attend
I'm sure you will hear more from bccs, Kinderchick, sami, rapidcitymbfan, rose and TPC, and Dennis when they have returned from their travels. I just couldn't wait to be the first to post all the excitement on the forum!
I recommend that each of you witness a banding in person if you are ever able to take that in. It is truly worth the time. I will never forget today and hopefully will have the chance to do it again.
