U of Alberta - 2008 / Damon & Radisson

[carly]

Actually, we do sort of know where they go during the breeding season ... here.  There are almost always young peregrines to found on our marshes yet there are no birds breeding there.  Not a bad thing, if the marshes had a breeding territory on/in them, then the young birds wouldn't be able to gain access. I like to think of the marshes as malls - a place for "teenage" peregrines to hang out and eat.   

Really?  That's so cool!  I wish ours would stay around here too instead of flying south but I guess what with us living in a concrete jungle there aren't many green places they can go to in Ontario unless they go North and it's cold there.  Where are the marshes in Alberta?  Are they in danger of oil pollution at all?   I need to look that up!!  Do the parents migrate there too or will they stick around the nest box until the snow comes?

I'm going to watch the annual migration here at the bluffs in 2 weeks for the first time - apparently last year during the second weekend of September there were 18 juvenile peregrines spotted amongst all the other migratory birds making their way south to head down the eastern coast.

[The Peregrine Chick]

Actually, we do sort of know where they go during the breeding season ... here.  There are almost always young peregrines to found on our marshes yet there are no birds breeding there.  Not a bad thing, if the marshes had a breeding territory on/in them, then the young birds wouldn't be able to gain access. I like to think of the marshes as malls - a place for "teenage" peregrines to hang out and eat.   

[sami]

I bet they have a peregrine casino down there and they just party for 2 years..lol!!

Now that thought does make me feel better!

[carly]

That's why I tell myself that they will go off together and meet up with other juvies and play and explore the world together ..I know it's delusional but like all of us I care too much and if I allowed myself to think of the reality then like TPC said..we'd be worrying for years! 

And since we don't really know what they do..who's to gainsay us    I mean really, they're going to South America most likely..all the peregrines in NA pretty much head down there..how much alone time can they have??  I bet they have a peregrine casino down there and they just party for 2 years..lol!!

[The Peregrine Chick]

Oh dear, it's back to worrying then. I don't know if the juvies would be any safer in a group, but I would feel better if they had company. Not that what I feel is going to make any difference to what they do. The hard part is not knowing what happens after they leave. It's not like they could send us a postcard or anything.

Since they probably won't be breeding until they are 2 or 3 years old, you are going to have a long time to be worried about these chicks Sami 

[sami]

Oh dear, it's back to worrying then. I don't know if the juvies would be any safer in a group, but I would feel better if they had company. Not that what I feel is going to make any difference to what they do. The hard part is not knowing what happens after they leave. It's not like they could send us a postcard or anything.

[carly]

Mark Nash told us that they know that some of the young migrate together but they probably don't stay together long - they get lost from each other or wander off on their own.  Other than that they really don't know as there is no way of tracking them once they are gone.

[bcbird]

I wonder, do young that fledge together typically migrate together, or do they become independent of their nest box siblings when they begin to hunt for themselves?

[sami]

Bev, the pictures and your descriptions are wonderful. How lucky Cassie is to have Hope to keep her company - and vice versa. I was concerned about Cassie trying to migrate all by her lonesome, but feel better that she might now have company. Assuming Hope decides to leave the same time Cassie does, that is.

[Alison]

Wow, Bev! What wonderful reports and spectacular photos! The ones of Cassie and Hope together are just incredible. Along with your descriptions, it's almost like being there. I wish I could see the juvies in person, but I'm so glad to know they are flying so well, and that they have each other.

[carly]

Welcome back bcbird, hope you enjoyed your time away and well said 

[bcbird]

Having caught up on two weeks of Bev's postings, I'm all over goose bumps at the pictures and descriptions she has recorded.  Two young falcons!  Imagine their exhilaration at sensing their strength and flying abilities growing each day. How amazing those precision flying shots look. 
Bev, the wonder and joy you feel as you watch them play is so well expressed in your postings.  Thanks for sharing.

[birdcamfan]

Beautiful...what more can you say!

[ballywing]

AWESOME photos Bev!!!!! ....What a thrill it must be to see them soar.... Love it!! ----I guess our falcon watching season is ending soon - sure hope P&T come back to Wpg next year, but at least we got to watch their grand-daughter grow & fly!!!... YAY!!!!~!

[carly]

Beautiful pictures Bev