State Capitol - 2016 / 19K & Alley

[Alison]

Guess who's back in Texas! Lewis, son of Alley and 19/K, has been spotted again at his winter home around the Anadarko Building in The Woodlands, Texas. Now four years old, he looks great!

Photo by Linda Kuhn.

[The Peregrine Chick]

Best news all week!! 
Welcome home 19/K

[Alison]

A nice article from 1011now.com on the release of 19/K:

Injured peregrine falcon returns to Lincoln after recovering from injury



LINCOLN, Neb. Monday was a very exciting day at the Nebraska State Capitol. Injured peregrine falcon 19/K was re-released into the wild after recovering from an injury.

Enthusiasts gathered on the Capitol lawn to welcome the falcon back to Lincoln.

He was carried up to the 18th floor of the Capitol and let go. After that, he successfully circled around the Capitol for several minutes before landing on a ledge on the 14th floor.

The male falcon has been staying at Fontenelle Forest Raptor Recovery since June. He was found on the ground in Lincoln on June 6 with a dislocated elbow.

He spent the last several months being treated by Raptor Recovery and recuperating at its facility near Elmwood, Nebraska.

“They can't tell us what happened to him, but our veterinarian was able to get the elbow back into place,” said Betsy Finch, Rehabilitation Manager at Fontenelle Forest Raptor Recovery. “A dislocation is a very serious injury so we were lucky that he was able to be repaired.”

His mate, Alley, has been living alone since his injury. Experts say they are hopeful the two will reunite without issues.

“Based on past experience, I think they will reunite,” said Finch. “This is what happened with the Omaha peregrines about three or four years ago. The female in this case was injured and they reunited after she was released.”

19/K and Alley first nested at the capitol in 2005. They've raised 23 young falcons over the last 12 years, including this year’s lone offspring, Dinan. 19/K and Alley are the only peregrine falcons that have successfully nested at the Capitol.

http://www.1011now.com/content/news/Injured-peregrine-falcon-released-in-Lincoln-after-recovering-from-injury-395722101.html

[Alison]

Alley returned from wherever she had been. She and 19/K are now reunited, and have been flying together.

And Papa, it seems, is hunting already. He brought in his own lunch.

[Alison]

Fontenelle Forest Raptor Recovery has done a wonderful job of caring for Papa over the last four months. He looks in great condition.

I hope everything goes well for 19/K and Alley from now on.

Photos: Fontenelle Forest Raptor Recovery.
 

[Alison]

Papa Soars Again!

Before he was taken up to the 18th floor to be released, 19/K was brought outside and taken out of his carrier so that the group of people assembled to watch, along with at least three television stations, could take a look at him close up. From the comments I heard on the live feed, he really impressed people with his beauty.

After a few minutes, he was taken up in the elevator to the 14th floor, and from there to the 18th floor, where he was released by Fontenelle Forest Raptor Recovery. He did not hesitate, and flew strongly around the Capitol several times before heading out of view. It was a beautiful moment to watch.

Papa did a little vocalizing when he was at ground level, but Alley did not appear to be in the vicinity.

Betsy Finch and Joel Jorgensen with 19/K:

 

19/K flying high above the Capitol:

 

[Alison]

The date and time have now been set for Papa's release. From Fontenelle Forest Raptor Recovery today:

Great news. 19/K will be released at the state capitol building on Monday at 10:30 a.m.!

Can't wait to see him back home with Alley!

[RCF]

From the Lincoln Journal Star

One of the state Capitol's longtime resident falcons has recovered from a dislocated elbow and could return to his nest as soon as Monday.

19/K, a 15-year-old peregrine falcon, was found injured near a grain elevator at 26th and Fair streets in Lincoln on June 6 and has been in rehab since at Fontenelle Forest's Raptor Recovery in Elmwood.

The center moved him to bigger and bigger flight pens until he graduated to the largest about three weeks ago, said founder Betsy Finch.

"He's been flying really well, so we think he's ready to go."

She will coordinate with officials from the Capitol and Nebraska Game and Parks to arrange a time to release 19/K.

The falcon will join his longtime mate, Ally, whose most recent chick hatched in May.

http://journalstar.com/news/local/capitol-falcon-could-soon-return-home/article_6bd678a7-743d-5dd0-ac2a-bf0bdb327d8b.html?utm_content=buffer8fa2f&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=LEEDCC

[Alison]

There is an article today in the Lincoln Journal Star (which I cannot access without a subscription). The few words I could see stated that Papa (19/K) could be released as early as Monday.

One of the state Capitol's longtime resident falcons has recovered from a dislocated elbow and could return to his nest as soon as Monday.

There has been nothing about this posted on the Fontenelle Forest Raptor Recovery Site so far.

[Alison]

A couple of days ago an unknown peregrine was in the vicinity of the nest box while Alley was on top of the box. Was this the Channel 10 bird? Dinan? Someone else?

Too far away, and too unclear, to be able to tell.

[Alison]

A wonderful update from Fontenelle Forest Raptor Recovery this afternoon on the progress of 19/K:

Great news about the recovery of 19/K, the Lincoln capital building peregrine falcon that was injured earlier this year!

We'd also like to take this opportunity to notify everyone that we'll be winding down this Facebook page over the next few months. All Raptor Recovery updates will be posted on the main Fontenelle Forest page in the future. It will help us simplify our operations - one page is much easier to manage than two - and allow us to answer your messages and questions in an even more timely manner. We appreciate your support and are very excited about the future!

19/K has been moved to our largest flight pen and is doing very well! Watch as Betsy Finch, Manager of Raptor Rehabilitation, checks in on his progress as he flies from one end of the pen to the other.

19/K is one of the peregrine falcons that lives at the state capital building in Lincoln. He was found on the ground with a dislocated elbow earlier this year. The injury was repaired and he has been recovering at our rehabilitation center. Barring any setbacks, our Raptor Recovery staff is hopeful that he will be released in the near future.

If you'd like to make a donation in support of our care for 19/K and injured raptors throughout the state of Nebraska, follow this link and mention Raptor Recovery or 19/K in the comment box:

https://8913.blackbaudhosting.com/8913/Operating-Individual

It made my day to see Papa flying so well and landing perfectly in the largest flight enclosure. What a great place for him to complete his recovery!



Video at this link:

https://www.facebook.com/FFRaptorRecovery/posts/1422464714449460

[Alison]

A peregrine showed up on the sky cam at Channel 10 news in Lincoln this evening. The bird appears to be unbanded.

I don't know whether she (?) is looking for a home, or is just passing through. Not a great time for a new bird in town, with Papa still in care and Alley on her own in Lincoln.

[Alison]

I believe it is likely that Dinan has now left home to begin his life as an independent peregrine. He spent the night of August 20-21 on a ledge below the nest box, and as far as I know that was the last time he was seen in the area around the Capitol.

If he has indeed moved on, I know that he is as well prepared as any young peregrine could possibly be. He has received the best and most comprehensive training from his Mom, Alley. She has taught him all the skills he will need for life on his own. Dinan seemed to love learning and flying with his Mom every day.

He has had the benefit of all her wisdom, knowledge and experience. I wish him a very long and successful life. May he fly safely always. I hope that in the future we will hear of him with a nest and family of his own.

[burdi]

There is an unofficial report that 19/K could be released within the next two weeks. Of course, that cannot yet be confirmed, but talons crossed that this could happen.

If so, he will probably be released within his home territory.

Thank you, Alison. Talons crossed!

[Alison]

There is an unofficial report that 19/K could be released within the next two weeks. Of course, that cannot yet be confirmed, but talons crossed that this could happen.

If so, he will probably be released within his home territory.