OH / Columbus - Rhodes Tower - 2008-16

[Pam]

I'd encourage all to read Donna Daniel's blog on this whole series of incidents.....it's available through a link on the webcam page. 

[The Peregrine Chick]

I deplore what happened to Scout, but I'd like to hear the worker's side of the story too.

Hear, hear, Saorise.  Yes, I guess it would be good to hear the worker's version of the story. But several peregrine death's at one site, sure sounds awfully suspicious to me.

Scout's death may require legal action but Swoop's death is a not unusual fledging accident, so nothing suspicious there.  As for Clementine, one of their "fledgewatchers" observed her hunting and watched her crash - again, this is not an unusual hunting accident, peregrines are found with their prey in their talons in the middle of empty fields every year and its due to accidents just like this.  Seems to have to do with hunting at high speed and what do you focus on, the prey as they try to avoid you or the ground as its rushing up at you.  Clementine was not an inexperienced bird, so unfortunate as this is, its not a suspicious death either.

[Elaine L]

And, apparently this worker went inside to get a broom after Scout dive-bombed him, came back out, and used the broom the kill her.  It was not even a spur-of-the-moment reaction.  If everything is true about what this guy did, then hanging is too good for him, as we say out here.

[Moonstar]

I deplore what happened to Scout, but I'd like to hear the worker's side of the story too.

Hear, hear, Saorise.  Yes, I guess it would be good to hear the worker's version of the story. But several peregrine death's at one site, sure sounds awfully suspicious to me.

I agree with you Kinderchick about the number of deaths sounding suspicious. 
I really do not want to hear the workers version.  I see no reason to kill a bird.  They only attack if they are protecting their young.  I feel this person is a cold heartless person and he/she would have no problem killing anything.
I am very upset about this and how Scout died.  It never should have happened.

[Kinderchick]

I deplore what happened to Scout, but I'd like to hear the worker's side of the story too.

Hear, hear, Saorise.  Yes, I guess it would be good to hear the worker's version of the story. But several peregrine death's at one site, sure sounds awfully suspicious to me.

[Saoirse]

Along with the people who actively dislike birds or other wildlife, there are also people who are frightened of birds or other wildlife. I agree that common sense would tell a person that possibly the bird was defending a nest or young (also agree that common sense isn't all that common) -- but I think that common sense is a lot easier to access sitting at a computer than it would be with something attacking! I deplore what happened to Scout, but I'd like to hear the worker's side of the story too.

[sami]

Unfortunately, there are a lot of people in the world who have absolutely no common sense. I, too, would like to see the guilty person fined. And certainly would like to see lots in the papers and other media about what happened. I wasn't making excuses for the worker, just pointing out that there are any number of people around who don't like birds or any other wild life. I don't like hunters, either, but that's another story.

[bcbird]

Good point, Animalover. 

[AnimalLover]

I have been watching this site and very sad to hear all that has happened.    I have to say that if a bird is dive bombing you, anyone has the common sense would know that a bird or animal only attacks when they have young close by!  

[msdolittle]

More sad news, according to the Ohio webpage, the new female is Clementine but last night (Tuesday the 6th) she was found dead on the ground so Columbus is back to two birds, one adult (Trooper) and one juvenile (Spirit).  Good news though, they believe Trooper and Spirit were observed at the Columbus nestsite this morning.

For more details check out their blog ... Columbus Peregrine Falcon Updates

How sad .. first Scout and now the new girl Clementine.

[Saoirse]

I completely agree that the responsible person should be charged and fined -- the loss of Scout was terrible and unnecessary. At the same time, I think it's fair to recognize the truth in what Sami posted -- ignorance about peregrine falcons is widespread, and education is critical. The worker could be any one of us -- panicked by a large bird attacking him, not knowing why or what to do about it. Granted, he did the wrong thing.

[MayShowers]

I agree with you Elaine L and Moonstar.  Hopefully they will find this person and the truth will find justice.

[Moonstar]

No, I don't think we should make any excuses for people like this.  Their attitude is, if it moves, kill it.  You can try educating people, but there will always be this type of person, who does not care, and has no sensitivity towards animals, birds, or the environment.  I hope they find him, and fine him.

I agree with you 100% Elaine.
I feel this person should be charged/fined.
I am so upset hearing that Scout's death was caused by a human.

[Elaine L]

No, I don't think we should make any excuses for people like this.  Their attitude is, if it moves, kill it.  You can try educating people, but there will always be this type of person, who does not care, and has no sensitivity towards animals, birds, or the environment.  I hope they find him, and fine him.

[Saoirse]

You're so right, Sami. I know that my first reaction was fury at the worker, but he probably felt very threatened by this bird dive bombing him for no apparent reason while he attempted to do his job.