West Winnipeg - 2014 / Beau & Beatrix

[photosbydennis]

Final West Wpg. banding photos have been loaded.

http://www.pbase.com/photosbydennis/west_wpg_2014

[The Peregrine Chick]

Just checked from another angle and both the chicks are by the nestbox, one just beside, one underneath, both in the shade and both talking to Beatrix who is at the moment on the roof of the nestbox looking for/at something to the west.  Wind is definitely coming up now, hopefully it will cool it down a bit for the kids - those in the box and those out of it ...

[The Peregrine Chick]

Wind is picking up out here - chick on the ledge has his face into the wind which undoubtedly is more comfortable than being sheltered in the box. 

Checked the recorder and at 1538h today, first chick (smallest male) slipped/jumped off the ledge down onto the roof. Second chick (a female) at 1611h - exactly the same place yelling at probably exactly the same adult.  Not a big deal, suspect it was Mom and they weren't paying attention to where they put their feet.  The drop is all of about 24 inches and there is a ramp they can use to get back in the box if they so desire (and can figure it out) but they should all be leaving shortly - they are 29/30 days old right now and the right age to start exploring their environment a bit more ...

They are protected from the wind on the roof by the walls around the edge, there is always shade under the box and one side or the other of the building is shaded as the sun goes overhead.  There is also a large overhang on the front of the building where the chicks can get out of the rain - they go under the nestbox as well, there is room for them to walk right underneath.  So basically, now they have to walk/waddle/flap a bit more to get where they want to go and to follow their parents around the roof begging for food.  Good exercise for them that will hopefully result in stronger, more experienced chicks when they finally get up on the roof edge and fledge.

[Kinderchick]

... she is also eyeing the top of the building wall where his father is sitting patiently kid-sitting ... really wish he wouldn't do that ... not time yet ....

Kids! 

[The Peregrine Chick]

One of the chicks has figured out that he can sprawl on the box ledge and be a) away from his/her sibs (and their hot little bodies) and b) be up higher and therefore in a bit more breeze.  Unfortunately, tot is also figuring out that the ledge is in the sun more than the box is ...

... she is also eyeing the top of the building wall where his father is sitting patiently kid-sitting ... really wish he wouldn't do that ... not time yet ....

[photosbydennis]

Banding gallery has been started for West Wpg.

http://www.pbase.com/photosbydennis/west_wpg_2014

[The Peregrine Chick]

As soon as one chick figures it out, others do too.  Have seen at least one of the male chicks and one of the female chicks get up on the ledge today.  Its possible they all have had a visit, will have to go back and see if I can tell what colour the tape is on their leg bands.

[The Peregrine Chick]

A little while ago, one of the male chicks hopped up out of the nestbox onto the ledge that we installed around the nestbox edge.  The ledge is lower than the wall around the edge of the roof and it provides the chicks and adults (Beatrix is quite a fan of the ledge) with a wide place to sit/lie down out of the wind where they can still see out and around.  There is also a small ramp attached to the ledge so that the chicks can do up/down from the box.  Because this site is so very windy, this gives the chicks the opportunity to explore and practice before they actually get up on the edge of the roof.  Design is a bit different but the same kind of set up we have been using at McKenzie Seeds.  The hope is that the chicks will be stronger and more prepared when they do actually fledge from the building.

[Cooper]

Both adults were sitting on the South side letters at around noon on Canada Day. They must have tired of waiting.

[The Peregrine Chick]

No one is watching the fireworks at West Winnipeg ...

[burdi]

Wow, lots of banding in a couple of days!  
Great to know these four little cuties are growing big and strong!

[The Peregrine Chick]

Special Weather Statement
updated by Environment Canada
at 4:54 PM CDT Sunday 29 June 2014.
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Special Weather Statement for:
      City of Winnipeg
      Steinbach - St. Adolphe - Dominion City - Vita - Richer
      Selkirk - Gimli - Stonewall - Woodlands - Eriksdale
      Dugald - Beausejour - Grand Beach
      Portage la Prairie - Headingley - Brunkild - Carman
      Morden - Winkler - Altona - Emerson - Morris
      Brandon - Carberry - Treherne
      Killarney - Pilot Mound - Manitou.

Strong winds gusting to 80 km/h producing local damage.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

An unseasonably intense storm system centered northeast of the Dauphin area is producing strong westerly to southwest winds over southwest Manitoba and the Red River valley today. Winds gusting to 70 or 80 km/h are being reported with a peak gust to 96 km/h at Brandon Airport earlier this morning. These winds together with full tree foliage and saturated ground are leading to several reports of tree branches down along with local power outages. The winds are expected to stay strong into this evening before they start easing off overnight as the storm system weakens somewhat. Until then residents in the advisory area should be aware of the potential for further local tree damage and power outages today due to these strong winds.

The public is advised to monitor future forecasts and warnings as warnings may be required or extended.

Please monitor the latest forecasts and warnings from Environment Canada at www.weatheroffice.gc.ca

[The Peregrine Chick]

1842h - raining here in Winnipeg (yet again) - 22mm in the last 24 hours.

All the chicks in West Winnipeg are wet but are that isn't stopping them from trying to climb up on the inside box ledge to get to Beau who is sitting on the wall edge that surrounds the nestbox.  They aren't quite big enough to climb up nor strong enough to hop up, so unless someone gets very lucky, they are stuck in the box for a while long ... they will probably be able to do it by next weekend.

[dupre501]

Yay! 2 female and 2 male. Thank you for letting us know.

When my husband and I stopped by Saturday morning we found both Beatrix and Beau.

 

[Kinderchick]

2 males & 2 females... wonderful news! Glad to hear everything went well with the banding.