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News: Peregrines
Alison:
A return to the wild: Rescued falcon set free at Ottumwa Generating Station
Ottumwa Courier / 3 August 2009
CHILLICOTHE — Two women behind the Ottumwa Generating Station were letting a killer go free.
Wildlife rehab specialist Kay Neumann spent more than a month with an immature peregrine falcon that had been rescued by Alliant employees.
“She was mostly dehydrated and hungry,” said Neumann, who specializes in working with birds of prey, or “raptors.”
These birds are instinctive hunters, killing and eating full-grown pigeons or quail. But the last time this peregrine baby was handled by humans, she screamed like she was the one being murdered. And if those assisting with the Ottumwa Generating Station banding program back in June needed a reminder that these birds-of-prey are not pets, one of the chicks slashed part-way through a worker’s thick leather glove. So when they found a drenched, shivering and grounded chick after a storm, the falcon’s actions — or lack of actions — let employees know something was very wrong.
They called Judi Johnson, the Ottumwa Generating Station employee who has taken the lead in watching out for the raptors.
“She let us walk right up to her, pick her up and hold her like a baby,” said Judi Johnson.
The bird was still too young to fly, and the mother peregrine falcon had three other young birds to care for. The best theory now, Johnson said, is that the baby bird might have gotten knocked out of the nesting box, located 300 feet up the face of the Ottumwa Generating Station smokestack. How could a two pound bird survive a 300 foot fall?
“Well, she may have flown a little bit,” guessed Johnson. “But she wouldn’t have survived the night if we hadn’t found her.”
Neumann agreed, both that the bird was in trouble, and that the immature bird’s wings could have functioned as a type of parachute during the fall. But without being able to fly back to the nest to Mama, and without the ability to hunt, Neumann had to keep the falcon longer than usual at SOAR (Saving Our Avian Resources), the nonprofit organization in Carroll County.
After the bird was in Intensive Care, she was moved to the flight pen, where she began to learn how to fly. The pen also allows birds to practice hunting and gain strength before being released. Neumann said this is the longest she’s ever kept a bird away from its mother and then attempted reintroduction.
“This is a first,” said Johnson before the bird’s arrival. “I hope for success. It’s been over a month. She could be accepted — or she could be rejected.”
But if that was the case, the extra time spent in rehab taught the bird both to fly and to find food.
But it was still a worry to let this “strange” bird loose at OGS. Would the other hunters recognize the long-lost family member? hen the baby was released, she began flying and calling out. At first, the response was not welcoming: An adult peregrine dove down to chase the “newcomer.” But after a tense few minutes, Neumann said, the pair went toward the nest. The adult allowed the bird to enter the box, and then went about its business.
“I was so afraid the mother [falcon] would kill her,” Johnson admitted after the release.
Neumann said the release appeared successful, and believed the returned bird would thrive.
http://www.ottumwa.com/local/local_story_216001320.html?start:int=15
Alison:
Peregrine falcon flies again after Sutton crash landing
Fallon, the wayward peregrine falcon, is flying high again after recovering from minor injuries sustained in a crash-landing. The juvenile bird of prey featured in the Sutton Guardian in July after taking a wrong turn and plummeting into a multi-storey car park. He was rescued by staff at Cheam Wildlife Care, in Frederick Avenue, and put in the care of licensed raptor specialists. Paul Morin, founder of the sanctuary, said Fallon was now ready to terrorise other birds again after being released back into the wild last week.
Link to story: The Guardian - Injured Peregrine Falcon Returns to the High Life
Birds-eye view: Fallon the falcon surveys the skyline before taking flight. Credit: Les Stocker/Tiggywinkles
Alison:
Peregrine falcon lands in Sutton carpark
Wednesday 8th July 2009
Peregrine park: Fallon the wayward falcon was missing a sat-nav as he crash-landed near hatchbacks in a multi-storey car park
When you are the fastest living creature in the world it is essential to have a trusty guidance mechanism. This juvenile peregrine falcon, named Fallon, is recovering after taking a wrong turn and crash-landing into a multi-storey car park in Sutton. Staff at Cheam Wildlife Care were amazed to find a member of one of Britain’s most endangered species after being called to the scene. They took Fallon, dazed and confused, to their privately-run sanctuary in Frederick Avenue before handing him to licensed raptor specialists.
Paul Morin, founder of Cheam Wildlife Care, said: “Soon it will be back in the air terrorising other birds again. It’s not very often we get called out to reports of a kestrel and return with a peregrine falcon. We are aware of several pairs in central and Greater London, where these magnificent birds have found a safe home. It is nice to see a bird of prey occassionally without straps and rings.”
Scientists have claimed that the peregrine, which kills its prey with a single blow, can stoop vertically at up to 186mph. After a population crash in the 1960s, its numbers have recovered steadily, with recent surveys revealing 1,500 peregrine pairs in the UK.
Alison:
20-year-old falcon reappears injured after yearlong absence - Part 4
More very sad news today. Handsome, the long-time tiercel from the Statler building, has lost his battle to recover. :'(
Sad news, Handsome, the Kiptopeke male who was recently found on a driveway in Amherst badly injured, has lost his fight to live. He survived for over two weeks post-surgery but fell ill and went downhill fast. This wonderful bird was the mate of Beauty at the Statler for many years and they gave us many babies. Beauty died a couple years ago.
I don't know when this happened. I spoke with someone at the Erie County SPCA last Friday and they had two falcons there at that time - Handsome and the Grand Island chick.
Alison:
20-year-old falcon reappears injured after yearlong absence - Part 3
I found an update on Handsome a few minutes ago, and it's good news:
Part of a report by Gina at the SPCA today:
". . . .And on a SECOND falcon note - the story that will be going up on our site tomorrow (or hopefully today, depending on how the day goes!) - the Statler falcon was stabilized enough to undergo surgery yesterday, and so far so good...! He ate very well after surgery, is trying to move around today....things seem great so far, and we're all optimistic. Here are a couple of the post-surgery photos I took yesterday that will be posted."
Photos of Handsome by Gina:
Talons crossed for Handsome to make a complete recovery. He is one of the great falcons.
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