MN / Oak Park - 2009-10

[Alison]

2010 NESTING SEASON

Neither Belinda nor Brent has been seen at the nest for some time. I wonder if the Great Horned Owls who are visiting the osprey nest have also been in the vicinity of the King Plant nest. I hope Belinda and Brent are okay.

The King Operator provided a great pic showing both nests:

[Alison]

The nest box has been empty lately, but both falcons visited briefly today:

Belinda:
 

Brent:

[Alison]

I hadn't seen Belinda for a while, but she was at the nest box today:

 

 

[Alison]

Brent checking on his domain today:

 

[Alison]

Brent, looking animated, in his only appearance today:

[Alison]

Wow...that's great news.  I hope Loree is okay too though.  One thing I like about this story is that it shows that death is not always the outcome of nestsite challenges.  I still hope 30/B is out there somewhere safe and sound and every time I read something like this ..it gives me hope.

I too hope that Loree is okay, and also 30/B. And a number of others who are among the missing . . .

Speedy and her siblings in 2003. The little guy in front is George, who fell out of the nest box. Bob Anderson travelled a long way to install a step up to the nest box, so that George could get back in if he fell out again.



Speedy in 2004, when she first arrived at Riverside:

 

[carly]

Wow...that's great news.  I hope Loree is okay too though.  One thing I like about this story is that it shows that death is not always the outcome of nestsite challenges.  I still hope 30/B is out there somewhere safe and sound and every time I read something like this ..it gives me hope.

[Alison]

In 2003, Mae, the beloved matriarch of the King Plant, had her last chicks. There were two males, Jay and George, and one female, Speedy.

In 2004, when she was still a juvie, Speedy challenged for the Riverside nest. She lost to the resident female, Mabel. In 2005, 2006 and 2007, she tried again, and lost each time. The last territorial battle was a particularly vicious one.

There have been no sightings of Speedy for some time, but today there is news that she is alive and well! Now six years old, she finally has her own nest site.

From the RRP site:

We got a note from Jackie Fallon of the Raptor Center regarding Speedy...

I thought you would be interested in knowing that a few days ago, the company (Amy's note: Colonnade Building owners) contacted me and told me that there is a new female in residence at the Colonnade building in Golden Valley.  The bird has been confirmed to be Speedy, 2003 bird from the King Plant in Bayport.  The band is b/g 30/E.  There is no information as to what happened to the nesting female Loree, who has nested her for several seasons.
 
Jackie

[allikat]

Gotta love the e-chup pair bonding!!  Oh how I love falcons!   

[Alison]

Brent was at the nest early this morning

 
a little later, he looked very interested in something              This is why: Belinda has just arrived (Brent on left)                 

 
Belinda, looking fluffy and beautiful

[Alison]

Haven't seen any of the juvies for some time; I think they may have dispersed.

Brent is still protecting his territory (although I think Belinda would have something to say about that):

 

[Alison]

Brent on the railing today; he stayed for a long time:

 

 

[Alison]

Brent making sure the scrape is perfect. This is another very clean and tidy nest - maybe Brent is related to Trey too.

[Alison]

Brent calling to someone not visible on camera:

[Kinderchick]

Here are the names for the three juvies:

Alex.      CBNum:   R/36.      FID: 1687-21378. F
Alida.     CBNum:   *U/*W.   FID: 1687-21335. F
Madison. CBNum:   *U/*V.   FID: 1687-21336. F  

Banded on 6/03/2009. This event marked the 1,000 falcon hatched at a power plant. The falcons were named by Mary, a plant employee who won the naming rights in an auction to raise money for United Way. The falcons are named after her nieces and nephew.

Great names and what a great idea for a fundraiser!