U of Alberta - 2009 / Damon & Radisson

[bev.]

Peter   and went down after 6:30pm again and did not get back until 9:30pm
We went down because of a weird picture on my screen. It all started off with dad bringing in a bite.



I thought , what the heck. Did mom come out and knock dad off the perch. Did someone come in and attack him.  Was it just the cam change . With the cams all at different times and the 30 second delay, I did not know what to think .  Radisson kept looking up and then down and over to the side.  So off we went.

When we got there we saw 2 falcons flying toward dads building and then one flew out south and the other, I believe Radisson, circled around the top of dads building and then went to the nest box and then back over around dads building and then out north. She seemed out of sorts.

We were very confused. I was not sure what to make of it all. Were we just paranoid.?Maybe!!!!!

Anyhow after awhile RAdisson  came back and went to the box and was out on the perch.(She was chupping) Then a falcon(I believe dad) circled over the nest box area with Radisson chu pping away.

 Dad went up on his tower and then Radisson flew over to the corner of her building (College plaza) and echupped again and again. She seemed very agitated .  Then she went back to the nest box and then out and flew around again and then went on the west corner of the Heart building. (adjacent to nest box) All  this time the male is still on his tower. she is very vocal.
Then he flew off and soared over to where Radisson was. Yup, they copulated right in front of us   that is what she wanted. Next the male (well we later realized it was Radisson) flew onto perch of nest box and then went in nest box. We had Peters computer with us and that is how we realized it was Radissson. They must have played a quick switch-a-roo from top to bottom. Dad stayed on the heart building and Radisson went over to the corner of her building and then up on her tower.

We then left and checked out Weber building and there were 2 females on the building. TG on one side and and other female on the other side. When I went to  take a picture the other female disappeared.  I say female because the biologist says it is one. I would not know. (another falcon)
WE had to go back to site as when I went to take a picture at Weber building I realized that I left the camera at the site.

So when we got there , DAd was on his tower, and Radisson was on the south corner of his building. We saw him turn in for the night but at 9:30 she was still on the corner and it was getting dark. so I guess no nest box tonight.
so what happened tonihgt is anyone's guess.
I will post a slide show in the nest frame and maybe you can figure out what happened.

[bcbird]

Still not back.  Maybe she just tucked in at one of her usual spots. 

[carly]

And back again..  Ok Radisson stop looking up and worrying me, it's past my bedtime and I need to see you tucked in safely 

arrrrgg out again...she better be playing tag with the male!

[carly]

Whew she's back, but looking back up again and looking a bit disheveled...see some feathers out of place there.  And right back out again...

[carly]

In and out fast, still looking up. Could it be people working on that helipad thingie 

[carly]

What is she looking at    Her head is crained right up.

[bev.]

A nice shot this  late afternoon

[bev.]

Yes, the female is Radisson.

 Sorry. On some sites they only allow you to post male and female and so I forget sometimes.

[ballywing]

Is the 'female' not Radisson, or are we not sure anymore? 

[bev.]

Just got back form the site. the female and male both in attendance.
When we got there the male was on the tower of his building and I could not see the female.  I am thinking now that she could have been eating.

then I saw and heard a falcon go onto front ledge of box. It was the female . She then made her way over to the west corner of heart building(adjacent to nest box.) after a bit she seemed a bit agitated but I could see nothing.  she then flew to  the tower right above the nest box.

The male  snuck into the nest box when we were not looking and the female flew off the  tower and around the top of heart building and then into the nest box. They seem to have to maneuver differently with that white structure beside nest box.
We had Peters work laptop with us so we could see them both in the box. The male then flew out and perched on the light on west corner of heart building.  The female remained crouched in the box for about 45 minutes.

They are never far away, I am seeing when I go down there now. So if you do not see them at least one is there.

I am outside but the laptop is there while we are doing the yard.

[bev.]

8:44
Radisson in nest box . :)sniffing around like they do. I have asked why but no one seems to know .That would be a Froona question.

I have an appointment this morning but hopefully will be able to swing over on my way back.

She is sitting down at right back

[carly]

Radisson and mate in the nestbox this morning at 7:09 am EST - bowing 

[birdcamfan]

I think you're right. She's still there looking out of the box.

[bev.]

This is the first time she is spending the night  Wahoo the biologists told me last year that when she starts spending the night we are getting close.

[birdcamfan]

Still in the same position looking intense. Rats! it's too dark to watch anymore. I hope there is an egg in the morning.