MN / Elk River - 2008-22

[JL]

Another visitor - an adult falcon digging around the nestbox.  Looks a bit smaller so my guess is it's Dad.

[carly]

One of the parents has been in the nest box again for over an hour sheltering from the rain and now he/she is basking in the sun.  They look so relaxed  Probably dreaming of pigeon 

[Antiologist]

I don't think it was the female perched outside in the rain.  I watched it for a while and both feet looked normal, so I was guessing it was the male.  The female has a damaged foot - I forget which one.

[eagle63_1999]

Yes I see the adult sitting on the outer bars of the nestbox.  It's still raining and that's probably from hurricane Ike.  I would gather a guess that it is the female. Nice to see even in the rain.

[maggieblue]

It is raining at Elk River today and one of the adults is back sitting just outside the nestbox facing inward.  Beautiful to see.  I can't help but wonder every time I see one of them this month if it might be the last time this year.

[maggieblue]

Whoopie folks    The Elk River couple were just back at the nestbox chupping at each other.  It was great to catch this. Let's hope they are back here next spring. 
A pigeon, a very lucky pigeon, had been picking around in the gravel a little earlier

[deedream]

hey I watched the other day after reading all the posts of piggeons etc, in the box.  then finally that the peregrines were back.  lol.  Imagine my surprise to see Mom I think in the box. Nice to see someone familar. She was calling to someone, or something, just yaked away for over an hourl 

[JL]

   Glad to see Mom sitting at the back of the nestbox out of the sun chirping away.  She just called out now and flew off.

[carly]

It must be wonderful to be able to watch "your" falcons.   

It is - every morning it's the first thing I check even before I enter the building I work in.  I've become quite attached to them and i miss the kids too but I haven't seen them around for a few weeks so I'm just assuming they're off exploring the world and I hope to hear someday that they have their own little families. 

I'm going to watch mom and dad daily this winter and keep a diary because I want to see if they stay all winter - I've seen them in February in the snow and as late as October last year but I"m wondering do they really stick around when it's minus 27?  So we'll see...I've heard conflicting stories about them going/staying year round.

[maggieblue]

Carly,  thanks for your response    I feel a lot better now.  It must be wonderful to be able to watch "your" falcons.   

[carly]

One thing that I have been wondering about since the juveniles left is why there only seems to be one adult and no bonding in the nestbox. Or have I missed something? 

We've probably just missed the rebonding.   The female will be the one you usually see on the nest box, they are very territorial and don't stray too far from home.  Our mom here where I am is on the nest box every single time I check, day or night.  Today I saw dad on the ledge over next to hers for the first time in over a month - other than that he usually perches on the other side of the building and keeps watch although I honestly don't see him around as much now that the young are gone.  But if I hear mom alarm calling, dad will appear in a flash and help her defend the territory, then they get kind of cuddly afterwards and touch beaks and chat abit and then it's back to their respective corners..lol. 

Peregrines are known to be somewhat of a 'loner' bird, they are also known as wanderers and will fly all over the country on their own.  They will soon be parting for the year and heading out on their own until they both return next spring so maybe they are just looking forward to being free for awhile and soaring the skies 

[maggieblue]

Adult is still there on the outside bar.  I haven't been having trouble with the picture but I did think that I heard someone singing   Did anyone else hear snatches of music?  One thing that I have been wondering about since the juveniles left is why there only seems to be one adult and no bonding in the nestbox. Or have I missed something?  In the early days I saw an adult a couple of times coming to the box and calling out on and off for about an hour and then eventually flying off.  Is this a cause for concern?  I hope that all of you knowledgeable people can provide some information on this.

[carly]

Mom is out on the perch preening herself and enjoying the sun 

[maggieblue]

Falcon alert!  There is an adult in the nestbox.  I hope that it stays for awhile.

[Pchemist]

GRRRRRR. I Keep Missing All The Cool Stuff.