U of Alberta - 2009 / Damon & Radisson

[bccs]

Great big cheer and thank you to the Edmonton gang. Your reports are wonderful; I feel like I'm there with you watching. to everyone.

[BirdLover]

Great report bev. Thanks     Love to hear that Froona is getting stronger.  And those boys sound like they are quite a tax on poor ol' mum.

You have nothing to apologize for!!    You have done such a terrific job of keeping an eye on the kids and we really appreciate the effort and time that you have dedicated to this.   We can be patient about pics.  From the descriptions that we have been getting from the ground crew, we can picture what has transpired there.  And, it sounds like you truly have had your hands full this year.  I'm just glad that my first watch has been uneventful but thrilling nonetheless.

Hope you have a great day.

[carly]

Morning Bev!!  Thank you for the update.  Happy to hear the trio are all doing so well!!

[bev.]

good morning everyone

I am slow getting started today and am just heading out.

We were down at the site last night and Becky and Dave showed up as did Barb and a friend.

This to me is the success.The number of people that are watch ing our beloved falcons.
For the last few years it  has just been  Peter and I
I will write a report of the fledge watch later today and I am going through all the pictures

It was wonderful last night. We had a great display put on by the the 3 kids.  Frona is getting to be such a strong flier. Of course , I love watching them but my heart skips a few beats every once in awhile when they swoop down or come close to a building. I worry just a bit too much but I am getting better.
Frona tucked her wings in and veered down. what a sight. We saw her do not too bad a landing in the breeze.
Mom was up on a crane watching them nearby.

Mom was stooping pigeons by Newton Place and Mr. Red thought he would help but caused her to miss a meal . she was not happy. I thought mom was clearing the building for the kids to catch the pigeons but Peter said nope. Mr. Red got in the way. I am sure he thought he was helping or was just making sure he got first dibs.
what personalities they have.
when they were playing tag in the air , you could clearly hear Frona.
when we left at dusk, dad was tucked in and 2 kids were on Newton place and one was on Windsor aprtments and then flew off. We are assuming he went toward Newton place also.
had checked earlier to see if mom tucked in and she was not there but she was probably tucked in as we were leaving.

I hope you will forgive my tardiness with the pictures. I did not realize how tired I really was. We also had company and we were babysitting this weekend also
Draeton just turned 9 and he can sure pick them out.
Even my daughter now understands why I do this . So success all around.
Well I best get down there.

I want to give till this weekend with morning and evening shifts and then  we will watch at our leisure.
have a great day

[carly]

Great update Mr Bev...glad you guys are initiating another generation of the 'Bev' Family into the falcon watching tradition..you can never start em too young!!

[BirdLover]

Thanks so much Mr. Bev.  Appreciate the update.  Glad to hear that we have another recruit.  How old is he?

[bev.]

Now that Becky is "hooked" I'm sure she will keep you up to date when Bev or I can't.  We haven't posted for the last couple of days as we are baby sitting our grandson.    He came down to the sight with us last night and seemed to enjoy watching the birds, chasing the rabbits and the squirrels and eating dinner.  This morning when we took him down there he was able to find them with no problem and did not hesitate to point them out.  We were treated again to a 3 way game of tag and yes, Bev "still" thinks that the boys are picking on Froona.  But as Becky said, she gives as good as she gets, but I think that Froona holds a special place in Bev's heart.  We always feel good when we see all five of the birds at once, to make sure that everyone is OK.  I observed dad stooping pigeons.  What a show he puts on.  Last night the kids flew with the pigeons instead of stooping them.  They will soon learn that they are dinner and not flying friends.  We know that soon they will soon start moving out, but usually will come back in a night.  We will try and make sure that they are "tucked in" for the night.

Even after watching them last year, we are learning so much more this year.  It continues to amaze us how the parents watch over their chicks, how they train them and how they play with them.  They are awesome birds. 

Bev will write an update tomorrow on how the fledge watch went. Off to the site to watch yet another show.

[Kinderchick]

Yes, Becky, thanks for the fabulous update, now that you have been "activated"!

[carly]

Thanks Becky and welcome to our crazy world!!!  So good to hear what's going on with the kids! 

[BirdLover]

Thanks for this Becky.  Much appreciated when we can get even a snippet!!

[Pchemist]

Thanks for the update!  Sounds like a great show.

[Becky M]

Yay Ive finally been activated!

Last night around 9pm, just when it started to get really windy and ominous, we were treated to a 3-way game of tag among all the kids. Bev was complaining that the boys were picking on Froona, but in my opinion, she was giving as good as she got! Red still has a habit of knocking others off their perches, but seems to have learnt that mom is not one to be messed with! On my way into lab this morning, I saw a juvenile on one of the arts buildings, but did not see anyone else (hey, my binoculars were in my bag!). Once I finish the work I have to do today, Ill go back outside to see what our feathered friends are up to, hopefully in time for lunch shenanigans! Yesterday morning, we saw one of the youths chasing a group of 4 pigeons, he was doing well, but didnt seem to know what he was supposed to do to "get" one - I imagine they will figure that out this week, and then the pigeons will have a lot more to watch out for. After watching him give chase for awhile, Froona flew off and distracted him with a brief game of tag, and they settled on the Education building, which is certainly becoming a favourite spot for them!

Glad to finally be able to check in, and will keep posting now that Im able

[allikat]

A new month already?   And it's August....where does the time go?  Oh I know, it goes to watching the falcons 

[bccs]

Nice work Carly . Sounds like things are going well in Edmonton. Nice to hear the the gang are enjoying, rather than worrying.

[carly]

Thanks for the report Bev...sorry you guys got wet...

Edit to add:  Ack...just read the news..people died in that storm in some parts of Alberta...didn't realize it was that severe..  Holy...glad you guys and the falcons are all okay..hope Damon was in a safe place too and Miss Edmonton!