Radisson - 2015 / Smiley & Princess

[bccs]

"Well I agree with most of that Bccs but the fledging still makes me twitch I'm afraid ...  "


I understand the uneasiness at the choice of the nest this year.

But I do think that is a pretty good place for the kids to fledge from.
1. There are many buildings that are the same height or just a bit lower than the nest ledge.
2. Getting back to the ledge will be easier as they do not have to attain the same height as the
    nest box.
3. There are fewer buildings the same or even close to the height of the nest box, making it a
    bit more strenuous to get back there.

There are pros and cons to each site.
All I am saying is that it's not a death sentence for the chicks to be hatched and raised on the east.

[bev.]

maybe she will rethink her decision. we have seen them change locations before. Sherraton back in 2007 or 2008, the year before Rhea mea. left eggs and laid on other end

Think positive.

[The Peregrine Chick]

Where the egg was laid yesterday and where it has been blown to today by 1400h CDT

 

[The Peregrine Chick]

1351h CDT - egg has rolled northwards ...

[MayShowers]

I just want to say how happy I am for Princess and Smiley to have their first egg, even if she did choose the east-side nest ledge:)

[GCG]

Yes TPC, I now remember that in 2008, the fireman had to rappel down from the roof. 

[moka]

I have to agree with TPC, she is a wild wild bird. As she gets older, her hardwiring is probably stronger. Long term memory etc.

Let's hope for the best. We've seen tragedy and triumph at this site.

Good luck Tracy!

[ballywing]

This is the WORST news ever!!!  ....Just cannot believe it!! ...Princess, I love you - but right now I'm so mad  - What a terrible choice - maybe you've gone senile 

[photosbydennis]

Gallery for the Radisson Birds has been started and can be found here http://www.pbase.com/photosbydennis/peregrines_2015

[The Peregrine Chick]

0910h - Smiley has been on guard with the egg - he's on the drainage cap, egg in scrape.

0913h - Princess arrived and Smiley is now standing over the egg - not sure if he's protecting it or just continuing with his bowing activities.

0914h - Smiley left the nestledge, Princess really getting blown around on the ledge edge - camera is shaking as well.  

0919h - Princess is standing over the egg now ... too soon for a second egg I think, so I think she's just keeping egg 1 company.

According to the U of Wpg's weather station, winds and gusts have been increasing pretty steadily since 0700h.  Strongest gust so far was at 0906h, wind speed was 20km/h, gust was 64km/h

[The Peregrine Chick]

No idea what we are going to do about banding - maybe, maybe not.  Getting up there is time and weather sensitive and is only possible if equipment is available.  Unfortunately, 13/14 storeys is too high for a cherry picker.  We will wait and see how they do and as we get closer to the banding date (first half of June) we'll make a decision.

Let's not count our chicks before they are even laid - particularly on a day with a wind warning for southern Manitoba

From Environment Canada as of 0402h CDT this morning.
Within the Red River Valley, southerly winds of 60 km/h with gusts to 90 km/h are expected to develop later this morning. Locally reduced visibility in blowing dust is also possible due to the very dry surface conditions. Winds should begin to ease later this afternoon. Damage to buildings, such as to roof shingles and windows, may occur. Loose objects may be tossed by the wind and cause injury or damage. Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions due to high winds. Wind warnings are issued when there is a significant risk of damaging winds.

[GCG]

Awww... I'm disappointed that Princess chose the East nest. No protection from the rain, that's for sure. And you won't likely be able to band her chicks either, will you TPC?

Does this mean you will have to rappel down from the roof in order to band them? It would be nice if MTS or Manitoba Hydro would offer their "cherry picker" trucks. Banding them from the East nest can't be fun for you, TPC.

[Kinderchick]

Awww... I'm disappointed that Princess chose the East nest. No protection from the rain, that's for sure. And you won't likely be able to band her chicks either, will you TPC? Ah well, at least she's back in town, which is more than we could have hoped for at her age. And it's good news that her egg laying ability is still in tact.

[The Peregrine Chick]

Well I agree with most of that Bccs but the fledging still makes me twitch I'm afraid ...   ... I have had some ugly retrievals from the east side over the years.  Having said that Ty, Tupper and Vesper did well even though Vesper went down.  Hopefully Hillary and Tenzing did too but no way to tell of course.

If folks haven't seen this, GCG found this recently - Artic rain threatens baby peregrine falcons - I think this may be the only science done on this topic, though if you spoke with any project they would say the same thing but that is anecdotal reporting rather than scientific evidence

Princess is experienced and can get the job done under just about any circumstance in almost any location.  Rain is an issue as there is no protection on the ledge.  So fingers-crossed for a dry spring folks.

[bccs]

Well now. I know that everyone prefers the west. But as Tracy said, the east is good because the chicks do not get the hot sun during the afternoon and evening from the west.
I agree. The east is a great place to fledge from and there is great camera access to the nest. Not as close up and personable as the west, but we take what we are given.
Princess is a great and experienced mother. Let's just enjoy her decision.