Fargo - 2012 / Mr X & Miracle

[RCF]

We have an egg in the box. 

[RCF]

Caught these two in the nest box getting aquainted.  He watched her for a while before she came to the box.      http://youtu.be/nFpN2Tdt7Tw

Male top two pics I think

[The Peregrine Chick]

Update from the Fargo gang ...

A second peregrine has arrived.   I have not yet seen it, but from the reports it looks and acts like an adult mail (just what we need).  The tech folks are going up tomorrow to focus the web camera.  As you may have noticed, the current image is not very clear.  Will send an update when we identify the new bird.

[The Peregrine Chick]

Message from the Fargo gang - good news and not so good at the moment ...

I have mixed news to report.  A female peregrine was back in Fargo on March 11.  I am almost certain this is Miracle, the same female who has been nesting here since 2008.  The bad news is that there has been no sign of a male.   Because we are now well past the usual return dates, it looks increasingly like Dakota Ace did not survive the winter.  He was getting on in years (14+), so this is not too surprising.  Nonetheless, because Dakota Ace is the only male peregrine we have ever known, his loss would certainly be a disappointment.  Assuming he does not soon materialize, the next question is whether a new male will show up in his place.    Only time will tell.  We do know, however, that there are many unpaired peregrines out there, and these single birds tend to move around, actively searching for mates/nest sites.  In the interim, the female continues to demonstrate strong attachment to this nest site.  Therefore, there is still room for optimism.

In terms of human activities, a new nest structure was installed in early March.  That was followed by the installation of new web camera, which can be accessed at: http://dk.audubon.org/fargo-peregrine-falcon-projectfalconcam

This was all a collaborative effort.  Special thanks to the individuals who contributed funding, and to Indigo Sign Works.  Indigo donated all of the labor and materials necessary to mount the nest structure and camera.  Audubon Dakota has provided all the technical support.  Finally, Bank of the West (BOTW) continues to be most cooperative and accommodating. 

Keep your fingers crossed.  In the short term, the next few weeks should determine if we will have another nesting this year.  Even if this does not happen, there is no reason to give up.  Sites can go empty for years, only to be rediscovered by new birds.  The original nest tray installed on what is now BOTW sat empty for almost a decade before it was put to use. 

[RCF]

Peregrine falcon back to Fargo Bank of the West today  They think it is Miracle.
 
http://www.wday.com/event/article/id/60504/group/homepage/