Manitoba Falcon Cam Forum
News, Videos & Other Webcams => Other Wildlife Cams => Raptor Cams => Topic started by: maggieblue on April 01, 2009, 14:05
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The European Kestrel nest went live last week. Rebecca and Nembo are just beautiful. The first time I checked this out I went "OMG :o what is that?", as this very beautiful and very pale bird came into view. I have never seen a Kestrel with such pale colouring. If you miss them live there are photos in the blog section.
http://www.birdcam.it/cam.php?camid=8&subpage=cam06.php
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Lovely view of Aria and Vento's chicks today with their heads peeking out from underneath mom or dad. The egg cam has been switched to the streaming with sound for even better viewing. I saw the adult carefully tucking that fourth egg back underneath so I guess they haven't given up on it yet.
The Rebecca cam has been fixed. :o She was a very busy little kesterel while it was off line as there are now five eggs and she was having great difficulty in trying to get them all underneath her. :D
5 eggs?? Oh my! Wow, good for her! I can't wait for little ones. So exciting!
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Yeah I saw the 5 kestrel eggs earlier today it was something to see mom come home and incubate the eggs!!
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I just check the Italian cams. Rebecca moved off the eggs and there are now SIX eggs. WOW ;D Looks like she and Nemo are going to be very busy :)
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on the italian site, there seems to be different looking peregrins ....Rebecca and Nombo for example... Rebecca looked more speckled all over .. are they a different type?
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Rebecca is a kestrel..smaller then the peregrine falcon.
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Oh they are not peregrines, they are .... Kestrels I believe. Aren't they beautiful! I think they are the ones that have 6 eggs incubating right now.
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Right now there is a double feeding going on with an adult at each end of the box. So now it is really, really crowded with all 5 in there. 8)
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I love the difference in feedings between when they were really tiny and now. Back then it was stuff ourselves til our crop is full and fall over into a deep sleep..now it's this look on their faces "Is that it???"...
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I love that look the chicks give their parents..."UH, is that it, no seconds?" ???
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Check out Rebecca and Nembo. The Kestrel chicks are hatching :-*
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Lol...I was just checking on the Italy crowd and went to the kestrels and saw one chick! ;)
...oh wait 2??? or 3??? lol! Wow it is 3 so far!
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Now that the kestrel chicks have hatched the Rebecca and Nembo cam has been changed to live streaming and the camera angle pulled out a bit for a better view. ;D I am not sure how many chicks there are now but there were 6 eggs. All that is visible are fluff balls and shells. ;D
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At the Rebecca and Nembo nest the 6th egg is just hatching. This is quite a long time after the others.
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They are soooooo cute. They will certainly have their talons full :P
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OMG :o There is a person with tweezers and food feeding Rebecca and Nembo's chicks.
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I just saw that...what's going on?? What happened to Rebecca and Nembo? I haven't been able to see this cam for a few days. ???
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I didn't want to say anything before but Nembo hasn't been seen for days. People were hoping that he was just out hunting. Rebecca has been out a lot, it is assumed hunting, and has only come back with little items, sometimes nothing, not enough to feed the chicks. This nest is at a school and from what I can gather from the translation there was a decision to intervene and provide quail. Let's hope that this is temporary and that the parents will return with food.
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Ack..oh no!
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Oh no... :'(
Rebecca certainly can't provide food and shelter for all these chicks...I hope Nembo is okay and that Rebecca can handle this with more food provided.
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Thank you for letting us know Maggie, everytime I've checked on them they looked all snuggly ... I had no idea this was going on. And thank you to the wonderful people who have decided to intervene and help the family!!
They are now up on my desktop..going to keep my eye on them for here on in!
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I'm also very happy that someone decided to interveen. Help out those you can't ask for it. :D
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Grrr..can't get the cam anymore. Well at least we know they are being taken care of. Must be hard to be a single parent bird and have 5 mouths to feed...gees. I hope Rebecca will be okay and hasnt' gone out looking for Nembo and falls victim to whatever Nembo did :'(
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Actually a single bird cannot feed that many chicks unless they are old enough to not require protection from predators/weather. If they were close to fledging, she might be able to pull it off because she could spend her time hunting for herself and the chicks. None of them would be very well fed, but they could probably all make it. Anything younger and its impossible for her to be able to meet everyone's needs, chicks would definitely be lost.
As for hand-feeding the chicks at the nestsite, neat idea, great that they have the access to the nest, required food, and expertise! With luck the chicks are old enough not to imprint on the people rather than Mom. I'll be very interested to see what happens .... Oh and by the way, that's a feeding every 4 hours day and night folks!!
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They are very young TPC, they just hatched last week I think? Not more than 10 days old I would think....Maggie can correct me if I'm wrong.
Rebecca was just back and now she's off...cam is on and off for me!
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An adult is back. I think that it is Rebecca and she seems to have food. She was around while the people were at the nestbox but no sign of Nembo. The chicks must be full as they are not begging for food. It appears that the humans left several mice behind as well so hopefully Rebecca will use them to feed the chicks. Think good thoughts here. :)
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At less than 10 days the chicks are at risk from exposure since they can't thermoregulate (regulate their body temps - hot or cold) until they are about 10 days of age. If they are 10 or older, she knows they can last for short periods without her, but not if there is rain or colder temps or hotter temps - she will need to be there to shield them. 10 days is the absolute earliest she could leave them alone - they still can't defend themselves or last long without her, but she does have a bit more leeway now.
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I should let you know that peregrines mostly won't "take" food that's been left for them - even if its fresh and exactly what they love best. Just so you know. That may be why they are being sure to supplementally feed by hand. However, it does depend on the bird and perhaps her circumstance/tolerance/drive to have her chicks survive ... going to be interesting to watch ...
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Rebecca and Nembo and family are Kestrels...does that apply to them too TPC?
Do all birds thermoregulate at the same stage - 10 days?
Rebeccas is there now looking after them and probably wondering where are the food came from ;)
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They are very young TPC, they just hatched last week I think? Not more than 10 days old I would think....Maggie can correct me if I'm wrong.
The first 2 hatched May 8th, then 2 on the 9th, and 1 on the 10th, so they are very young.
Rebecca was just feeding them so we will have to see what happens. From the translation it appears that the people who intervened think that they have provided enought food to last them through Saturday.
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Thanks Maggie...sorry I was posting same time as you and repeating ...lol .... I'm worse than a fussy mom!
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I think that I am the one who is worse than a fussy mom. ;D I am always worried when I see very young chicks alone for long periods which is why I have been translating their forum for a few days. The temperature must have been right for the chicks for the last couple of days as they have been on their own for most of the time and survived. I saw Rebecca come back at dusk yesterday. The chicks were obviously hungry, mouths open and one pecking at her. Eventually she just bundled them all underneath her for the night. :(
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Rebecca and Nembo and family are Kestrels...does that apply to them too TPC?
Do all birds thermoregulate at the same stage - 10 days?
Rebeccas is there now looking after them and probably wondering where are the food came from ;)
Don't know enough about European Kestrels to say for sure if their thermoregulate age is the same as peregrines - they are larger than our kestrels and merlins but not so large as our peregrines as I recall. I would think just based on body mass, its pretty close though. I will see what I can find out though ...
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Rebecca has been snuggled up to her sleeping brood for a while now. Nice to see.
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Pretty little bird that Rebecca ... cute chicks too ...
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Rebecca is giving the chicks a feeding with one of the specimens left for her :D
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Rebecca is giving the chicks a feeding with one of the specimens left for her :D
That's a very good sign. ;D
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It is a relief that Rebecca has accepted the "gift" mice. It was also a relief to see that the little guy got quite a bit of food as well.
The current temperature there is 25 C. These guys are forturnate to be in Rome and not Winnipeg or Edmonton. ::)
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Rebecca must have seen something from the nestbox because she suddenly flew out and a few minutes later came back in with more food and there's another feeding going on.
She's helping herself to one of the things left in the box now too. She seems a bit stunned, poor thing. Must be hard to realize your mate is gone and now you have to try and raise 5 kids..I wonder if like peregrines, they would accept a new mate now to help and would he accept the kids..assuming of course there are some other kestrels around for her.
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I wonder if like peregrines, they would accept a new mate now to help and would he accept the kids..assuming of course there are some other kestrels around for her.
Some do, some don't. Trey's mother, Madame, took a new mate (Trey's dad, T-Rex) while she was in mid-incubation ...
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5:56 am EST and the Rebecca/Nembo cam is down :(. Hope she and the kids are okay this morning.
I looked in on Rome and had a mini heart attack as the box is empty - no chicks at all until I saw a spot waaaaaaaaaaaaay down at the end of the skinny ledge so they must have a place they can make their way too from that ledge.
Still 2 left with Felix and Aisha...don't see number 3 back home yet unless he's back and one of the others decided to go.
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7:40 am EST and Rebecca cam is up - and wow they ate all that food that was left for them!! So much for it lasting til Saturday...let's hope they make another delivery today :'(
Chicks look bigger this morning although I can only make out 4 so far. Let's hope they are still there and the 5th is just under the pile. Mom is out, no doubt looking for food for them.
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Rebecca came back empty handed. I'm screaming at the monitor for them to bring them more food :'( :'(
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Rebecca came back empty handed. I'm screaming at the monitor for them to bring them more food :'( :'(
Rebecca stayed with the chicks for a while and has now left, hopefully to go hunting. The weather there is 24 with light rain. I have no idea what the food plans are, perhaps the people are monitoring to see how the hunting goes before intervening again. Or maybe they are out getting food. I don't know what the logistics would be for finding a big supply of mice. ???
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I don't know how they will help them feed the chicks for the next month which is apparently how long they will need to. From what I've managed to dig up on the web, eurasian kestrels stay in the box for at least 5 weeks and then with parents for another month or so until they learn to hunt.
A nest of 5 would require the parents to hunt approximately 7 times a day so as TPC said there is no way Rebecca could manage that all on her own. I'm just worried that in her quest to try and feed her babies, she will forfeit her own life. I know..it's nature..
Couldn't find much on behaviours of parents. They do mate for life but in the event of death they will take on a new mate but no details on whether that would happen in an event where the female/male already has a brood. They have an extremely high mortality rate as well, 70% don't make it to live 2 years.
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they are all awake now and grabbing at each other's beaks and necks...not sure if it's a sign of affection or because they are hungry. Rebecca has been out for awhile now.
The fifth one just lays there and barely moves...I don't think this is going to end well. :'(
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Just threw some Italy posts into the Italian tranlator and apparently they are going to deliver more food tomorrow. They feel the birds are ok with all the food they ate so far.
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That little one that's just laying there doesn't look good :'(
All the other chicks are upright and huddling close together and this one just looks weak. I know it's nature but very hard to watch. I really just want to put my hands into the monitor and grab them all and save them...Hopefully they will interveen before tomorrow or Rebecca comes back to the nestbox with some food.
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I agree that the little one doesn't look good. :( I don't think that I can watch anymore.
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More bad news, someone from Italy just posted on BCAW board the following, Rebecca is now MIA:
I can confirm that Kestrel Catering will make another delivery tomorrow. Unfortunately, there's now another potential problem - Rebecca has been away quite some time - much longer than we'd expect a mother with young chicks in the nest to stay away. Anxiety in the Italian forum is growing rapidly.
I don't have to go out now so I'll keep checking the cam until it gets too dark and I'll post any news as soon as we get it.
I've replied to Warbler's post and asked if he knew if they would intervene and possibly rescue the little ones if Rebecca doesn't come back before dark. I'm afriad that small one won't live until morning if mom isn't back with food soon. *sigh* Why do I torture myself so much :'(
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Oh no oh no!! :'(
I just want someone to come in and take the chicks to foster them. Oh Rebecca, where are you?
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Warbler just replied to my query, he said we should feel fairly certain that if Rebecca is not back by nightfall that Rome will intervene and rescue them.
I hope the little one can hang on that long :'(.
I've also emailed Italy...would you expect any less from me :P
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Oh I'm so happy that someone will interveen if Rebecca doesn't return. As you wrote Carly, I hope that little one makes it until then. So sad to see :'(
Good for you Carly...thank you thank you thank you for emailing to see that those little ones get looked after.
Too bad that someone just couldn't go and give a little bit of food before nightfall.
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Well it makes me feel better to do it even though I'm sure someone is watching them, after all what would be the point of a web cam if no one there cared.
It's just hard to be sitting half a world away and feeling so helpless. I know from all the things that happened here last year that's it not as simple as just strolling over and coming to the rescue in minutes but as you say 'hard to watch'. You don't want to watch but once you know it's hard to just turn your back.
I'm going to step away and have a quick lunch but I'll be back asap!
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Come on little guys/gals, hang on...help is the way!
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It's just hard to be sitting half a world away and feeling so helpless. I know from all the things that happened here last year that's it not as simple as just strolling over and coming to the rescue in minutes but as you say 'hard to watch'. You don't want to watch but once you know it's hard to just turn your back.
You are so right Carly. I still have the Rebecca cam open. I wish that they would leave them some more food now so that if Rebecca comes back at dusk she will have something to feed them. It will be in the upper 20,s for the next 4 days so I am sure that the chicks would be O.K. on their own for much of the day if they can support Rebecca in feeding them.
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The forum is now saying they may not be able to do anything until tomorrow. This is all so tragic. :'(
I do have a few thoughts on nature right at this moment but none of them printable >:(
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DIDDO Carly >:(
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Warbler just posted again, the cam will go off soon for the evening but they are meeting this evening to discuss: I suspect by morning there will only be 4 to rescue :'( :'(. I have to leave soon for an appointment but soon as I get home later I will log on to see what transpired. Hoping for the best.
Whether there's direct intervention this evening or not, decisions will certainly be taken this evening. There's a 'falconcena', where people on the forum get together and have dinner in a pizzeria or restaurant, in Rome this evening and the kestrels will be the main subject, I'm sure. The cam will go off fairly soon so none of us will have any more news at that point. All I can do is watch for after-dinner news and post it so that you can all see it as soon as you log on again.
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Rebecca just returned and I am pretty sure that she didn't bring any food with her as the chicks didn't react much. It is almost dark and she is bundling the chicks underneath her, or as much as possible anyway now that they are larger.
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Well at least she returned...
Not sure why she didn't bring back any food though...hope someone brings food to her and her chicks soon.
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I just got home, thank god she came home, I hope the wee one makes it to the morning til the food comes. And here is news from warbler and kim who live in Italy:
I'm in touch with the friends in Roma.
Tomorrow morning the catering service will be done and going on for all the needed time.
Were all afraid Rebecca couldn't come back.. what a day!
Well, she's back, but even if not, the chicks would be taken and saved, then released. Nobody will die!
Thank you all for your friendly concern
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Still good news!! Poor Rebecca.. you can only wonder how she feels coming back to a hungry bunch of chicks and she can't do anything about it. Let's all hope the young one makes it through the night and that tomorrow brings a large buffet :D
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Rebecca cam is down right now...grrr.. I checked the italy forums and she was home this morning and they posted some shots. The catering people should be there now so perhaps that is why cam is down.
Just went to the italy forums, I think the wee one is gone. They have photos of Rebecca with the others and looks like a possible feeding from earlier this morning and the wee one is just laying there not moving. In one shot mom's tail is covering him and he looks gone :'( :'(
The forum says the intention was to rescue him and take him away for care. I'd be surprised if it wasn't too late. I'm glad in a way the cam is not up, best not to see.
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Finally! Cam just came back up and lots of food stashed in the corner. No Rebecca at the moment and chicks are ini a pile so can't see to count. I hope they got the little guy out.
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I hope that they got the little guy out too. There is a lot of loud conversation going on in the background. Too bad I only speak tourist Italian. Will have to wait for reports.
I haven't been able to get the Aria and Vento cam this morning to see more ledge adventures. It was getting pretty interesting yesterday when food was delivered to the ledge and the 3 of them were manouvering around on that narrow space. They all seem to have a great sense of how careful they need to be so that no one goes over the edge.
In Bologna I can only see one this morning so perhaps there has been another fledge there. :-\
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Just checked Italy forum and the site admin says James took the little one out for care and they will keep us posted on his condition. (I used the on line italian translator so hopefully I've got it right!)
I think you are right about bologna too Maggie, I peeked in and saw only one this morning as well. Let's hope the fledge was successful ;)
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Woot..Rebecca just flew in with food as well...go mom! Can't even imagine how hard it is for her to feed them all and herself on her own and keep them safe from predators!
All four up and eating now!!
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Wow :o they finished off her kill and now Rebecca has grabbed one from the pile and is starting to work on it. They must be so hungry :'(
Oh something got her attention, she dropped the food and flew out!
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Awww so cute, just saw Rebecca peek her head in to check on the sleeping chicks so she is close by :-*
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Rebecca is back and feeding again. And how great to see the chicks with bulging crops ;D
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It certainly is! Just got out of the shower and preparing to head out for my own food ;D But can relax now knowing they are looked after for today at least :-\
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Decided to pull the Rebecca thread out of the Italy thread as its getting abit confusing. Where necessary, I will double up on posts so that we keep the chronological order.
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I'm watching the cam right now and Rebecca is in there with her chicks just keeping an eye out. What a momma she is! I hope she can't find a mate or the people there keep provided them food.
I'm also extremely happy to hear that the little one was taken away for care. I hope that little guy/girl has survived and has a full crop.
Four chicks just snoozing right now, with a mouse (late night snack) in the box.
Rebecca is beautiful! I'm cheering this family on!
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Still watching and now she's feeding her little ones the mouse left in the corner and having some for herself. I can't tell if there is any more food or not for them to eat today... It's 7pm there right now and it looks like there are still a couple of tiny meals left in the corner for them. She's so cute talking to her chicks to encourage them to eat. They have collapsed in a chick pile but she still chirps at them to eat. Looks like they are full and now she is helping herself to the rest. ;D
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Just got home and there is an update a picture of the chick they took out, he's still alive!! Scroll down and it's on this page.
http://www.birdcam.it/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4125&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=15
Thanks TPC for making a separate thread, cause you know we are all going to worry about this family until they fledge safely ;D At least we're on topic of falcons this time, just a different kind ;D
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just in case anyone is interested in reading this web page in English, there is a site called BABELFISH
www.babelfish.com by yahoo.. on this page you simply type in the web page address of the italian site and it will change the entire page to english. some of it you have to read between the lines but you get the idea.
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Thanks TPC for the thread and Carly for the update. It sounds like little Alphonse is in good hands. :)
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Oh thanks Loriann!! Who knew... going to try it out now!!
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no problem carly. i use this site all the time for my work, but it suddenly occurred to me that the rest of you might not know about it... the translations are quite literal, but you get the idea,
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We are probably going to be shoed elsewhere, but another way to do it is to click on the url address at the top, when highlighted, rightclick copy, go to Google and Translate (under Other on the home page), paste url and choose a language.
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Heh..I've been cutting and pasting to translate blocks of text! By the way some of the people were asking if Felix the peregrine might have eaten Nembo :o :o Not sure why but someone claims they saw kestrel feathers in his mouth and the nest site must be in the area.
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Apparently Peregrines are one of the Kestrel's predators. There was a fair amount of angst expressed some weeks ago when Vento brought what they thought was a kestrel to feed his youngsters. :(
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Thanks for that link Loriann...It's wonderful!
Great news about the little guy! He is so cute!
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Getting dark now and Rebecca just came in for the night.
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Oh that's great! Glad to see Rebecca is coming back more often!
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Good news about the little guy that they are calling Alphonse. :-* His temporary caregiver Luigi reports that he had a good night and breakfast. The plan is to reintroduce him to the wild and they are looking for a nest with young of a size similar to his.
Rebecca was at the nestbox shading the chicks from the sun but has now gone out, perhaps to look for breakfast. There are still a couple of mice there if she needs them.
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Thanks for the news Maggie! Just woke up and am doing my rotation of morning nest checks..which seems to get longer by the week ..lol!
I see the 4 chicks napping and still food left so all is good so far!
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7:33 am and Rebecca flew in and it's feeding time :-*
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Rebecca is feeding the chicks again and all is calm. They are being very quiet, just the occasional soft chirp. The mice have disappeared from the front so she must be using the "gift" mice to feed them. This probably means that she still can't find enough food and that the folks there will have to continue the food drops. The chicks are looking good.
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I believe I read in the posts that they are prepared to keep supplying food to the nest until the chicks are ready to be on their own. They seem like a great bunch of folks and they're keeping everyone updated so I have no doubt this nest will succeed with their help. They know they have to keep Rebecca well fed as well as she's the sole source of support for the chicks right now...well aside from them but you know what I mean ;)
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Great news on little Alphonso!
I'm so happy and releaved that Rebecca and her chicks are being looked after so well. Good news all around!
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Yay..Rebecca came in and I think she has food in her talons!! Good job mama!!
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Wonderful to see her feeding her cuties...
I love the little chirps to her babes... :-*
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Did anyone ever find out what happened to Nembo? I was just reading back and didn't see anything that indicates that they know what happened to him. Just thought someone that follows their forum might know. Kestrels are one of my favorite birds and it has been heart breaking to see the challenges they have gone through here and at the Dutch site where the male also disappeared after a clutch of 5 eggs was laid. That nest was abandoned.
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One theory seems to be that the falcons..namely Felix of the Felix and Aisha nest may have had him for lunch...but no one knows. No body found so he may indeed have fallen prey to a predator. They've been nesting together for a few years according to the web site so no way he would leave her and the babies.
The claims about Felix are because someone noticed he had kestrel feathers in his mouth during defeathering the other day...they are still hopeful he may show up as of last nights posts I read. Some think maybe he's injured somewhere and can't get back to her.
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The claims about Felix are because someone noticed he had kestrel feathers in his mouth during defeathering the other day...
I would initially take that with a big grain of salt. Individual feathers are notoriously difficult to assign to a particular species of bird. Our birds eat shorebirds and there is no way on camera that we could tell one shorebird species' feathers from another shorebird species' feathers unless it had a yo-honking big purple spot on it. Besides, European Kestrels are not small birds - 32-39cm (body length) whereas peregrines are 34-50cm. Peregrine wingspan is greater and they weigh more however. So while not impossible, keep in mind that the kestrel is as capable a hunter/defender/protector as the peregrine, better some would say because they are smaller and quicker in the air at close quarters. The peregrines would risk serious injury to themselves going after the kestrel (and vice versa) something no predator can afford and their is no real profit in it - the kestrel/peregrines are not interested in each others chicks, they tend to hunt different prey (bigger bird = bigger prey items = more food) so not rivals in the strictest sense ...
I'd look for something much more mundane, collision with a building, a vehicle, high-tension wire ....
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Whew...good to know. I think they are just emotional over his loss...they've been watching the two of them for several years. Although I wonder how they can tell they are same as they aren't banded! Our poor peregrines get blamed for everything, kestrels, sheep....really!!
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Thanks, I wasn't sure if I had simply missed what happened to him but it seems like it's just a big mystery. I hope things turn out okay. She sure has her hands full with all those chicks.
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Oh my god, cuteness overload! Kim from Italy has posted 2 photos of little baby Alphonse (the rescued one) and he's just adorable.
On this page, scroll down and prepare to have your heart melted :-*
http://www.hostingphpbb.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=993&start=150&mforum=peregrinefalcon
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Both chick and keeper are adorable!
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Oh My Gosh!! little Alphonso is so sweet. That's going to be a lot of work for the keeper as TPC says...every 4 hours for a feeding.
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Both chick and keeper are adorable!
Hey Carly if you are unattached forget about that Aussie security guy. Go to Italy and visit Luigi! ;D ;D ;D
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LOL! Heh..I think in this case that would make me Mrs Robinson!! I'm too tired to do the maintenance and upkeep that requires..lol ;D
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Oh My Gosh!! little Alphonso is so sweet. That's going to be a lot of work for the keeper as TPC says...every 4 hours for a feeding.
Been there, done that ... on a rooftop ... at 2am ... ::)
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Isn't that called labor of love TPC?? ;)
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Can't see what's happening with Rebecca's family...cam seems to be out or something...I'll keep checking.
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Isn't that called labor of love TPC?? ;)
Its called something ... I called it something else as the wind was blowing up my tailfeathers on the roof at 2am ... :P
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Isn't that called labor of love TPC?? ;)
Its called something ... I called it something else as the wind was blowing up my tailfeathers on the roof at 2am ... :P
Let me guess...more like oh nelly...What the?
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I doubt that the word nelly would be used :o. Something a bit stronger perhaps
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LOL...I was attempting to make it a PG-13 comment ;D
hence the WT?
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No sign of cam for me but saw a SS from someone over in Italy and a few angry but polite posts because no food has been delivered and Rebecca is not having much luck with hunting.
They don't want to leave too much food because it will attract predators..quite understandable indeed as a nest with 4 defenseless chicks would be a field day for someone. Apparently they had left food outside somewhere for her but she didn't trust it and didn't go near it. All I can translate so far!
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I hope all will be okay...
I wish the cam was online so we could see but...maybe tomorrow :)
Thanks for the update Carly ;D
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No sign of cam for me but saw a SS from someone over in Italy and a few angry but polite posts because no food has been delivered and Rebecca is not having much luck with hunting.
They don't want to leave too much food because it will attract predators..quite understandable indeed as a nest with 4 defenseless chicks would be a field day for someone. Apparently they had left food outside somewhere for her but she didn't trust it and didn't go near it. All I can translate so far!
More importantly, Rebecca won't eat food that isn't fresh. Leaving more than she can go through in a day or so could put her off the offerings, even though she needs it. And it would be a case of trusted, that isn't where her mate would leave it for her so no reason for her to think it is safe/fresh. Its a dicey operation, hit-miss in fact ...
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Hehe..they posted more pics of little Alphonse being fed, and scroll down a bit more for one of him sleeping in a sock...sooo cute!! I'm so happy he was rescued and so impressed at how well taken care of he is...I know it's not an easy job!
http://www.birdcam.it/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4125&start=90
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Oh My Gosh!!!!!!!!
Little Alphonso is sooooo cute. I just want to :-* him all over..The pic. in the sock is absolutely priceless.
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Would have quoted this reply but not sure how to do this. Going back to Page 3 of this and Reply #44, and as was mentioned the amount of feedings these hatchlings need, it would seem that they are not going to be able to keep up with this catering. The mother is constantly putting herself in danger trying to provide food and tend to young and apparently from Reply #44 require attention from both parents in order to learn how to survive. One is safe, would it not be kinder to other 4 and the mother too pull them from the nest. Chances so far for survival do not look good. Only an opinion.
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And it's a good opinion, it crossed my mind and probably everyone elses too. Not sure what kind of facilities, funding, staff or laws they would have to help/prohibit that kind of thing there. I know they took out the wee chick but he would have died had they not intervened. Worth looking into though even if it's just for information sake.
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Thankyou for your reply. They are expending money and staff now and is it really going to help. It would seem that once you intervene in Mother's Nature's Way for one that the others would deserve the same. If they had been in the wild, none of them would have survived. It is the way of Nature.
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I was so happy to see the photos of little Alphonse. I hope all the little ones will continue to be fed and thrive, and that Rebecca will be able to care for them all.
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On the question of what might have happened to Nembo . . . he might indeed have encountered a predator. It is not impossible for that predator to be a peregrine, although it is not common.
A few years ago at Rochester, there was a family of kestrels fairly close to Mariah and Kaver's nest. The kestrels used to buzz the falcons, who ignored them. However, one day the male kestrel was buzzing Kaver, and Kaver suddenly turned in mid-air and caught him. :( Poor little kestrel. Mariah and the babies wanted Kaver to share his prey, but he would not.
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On the question of what might have happened to Nembo . . . he might indeed have encountered a predator. It is not impossible for that predator to be a peregrine, although it is not common.
Thanks for sharing the story of Kaver, Alison.
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Uh oh...cam is back up for Kestrels...ok whew..it's cam quality. Just saw bunch of pics on forum that are current of Rebeccas feeding her brood. They're just mushed into the corner together!
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Getting dark there and mom's not back home for the night yet :-\ The cam keeps lightening and darkening..I think they are trying to see if she's back too..but she's not, bad sign as she's not usually this late :'(
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Rebecca and kids all doing well. Kim from italy has been kind enough to post english updates on the BCAW board and some pictures too!
I also saw some shots of her feeding the kids a few times today on the Italy board, she does look tired though..poor dear.
As for food, they are catering steadily...they aren't leaving the food in the box which is why we dont' see it - due to the heat and the smells it would create in the box . They found a place outside the box where she trusts and she is taking the food so it's all good ;D
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Continuing good news here. Rebecca and Nembo's chicks are all doing well including the little guy that is being raised by hand. Kudos to all of the people who have been working so hard for the survival of these chicks.
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I just took a look and they are growing...the white fluff is quickly disappearing and kestrel colors are making an appearance. They look wonderful! Hope Rebecca's okay..
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Warbler from italy has now confirmed that Nembo died as a result of being hit by a car. He and Rebecca were together for 9 years.
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Sad news about Nembo, but nine years is a good run for any raptor! He's definitely managed to get his genes out in the world - and this year is a bonus for him!
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It is very sad but there is a very good chance that his genes are out there. Not including this year's five, he and Rebecca had 33 hatches and 28 banded offspring. Thanks to the people there it looks like the 5 this year have a good chance of fledging and perhaps also passing on Nembo's genes. :-*
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Thanks, always good to know what happened when it is possible. What a proliferative pair!
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Thanks for those figures Maggie, they certainly were prolific :o
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Very sad about Nembo...hate hearing that he got hit by a car. But the good news is, he is passing on his genes. Rebecca is raising four chicks, yes with some (a lot) of help from caring humans, but still...four strong chicks who are changing every day. And let's not forget about little Alphonso :-*...he's a trooper!
I have my fingers crossed that Rebecca will find a handsome new mate to help her raise more and more chicks.
Fly Free Nembo!
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Rebecca and Nembo's chicks were banded and weighed today. Based on weight they appear to think that they are probably all female. In any event they have named one of them Nembo Jr. And little Alphonse is now a very large Alphonsine. ::) I am not sure if they are still looking for a suitable foster nest. Rebecca and Nembo had been foster parents, so it seems fitting that another pair take on Nembo's last chick. :)
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Ummm...there is something wrong at Rebeccas. Go look, it looks like a dead bird ... with a chest wound. Good god I hope that is not Rebecca.
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ya ... that doesn't look good .... it wouldn't be a meal left there for the babies to eat?
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actually it looks plucked...
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i posted this before, but if you go to www.babelfish.com and type in the web address, you can translate the entire web page to english. The translations are a bit off, but you get the idea. It looks like dinner to me, different talons than a falcon.. Looks like 'take-out'.
adult in the box now..
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Whew ...there is mom now...maybe the banders left the other as a snack.
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Thanks again Loriann...sorry got a bit panicked when I saw that...!! Apparently they restocked the pantry when they banded.
Banding info on the chicks thanks to Catbird:
DESIREE '
ANELLO H171983 ALA:131 MM, PESO 263 GR RING H171983 ALA: 131 MM, WEIGHT 263 GR
DIAna: Diana:
ANELLO H 171985 RING H 171985
ALA MM 125 PESO:250 GR ALA 125 MM WEIGHT: 250 GR
NEMBO JR Nembo JR
ANELLO:H171982 MM115 PESO:245 GR RING: H171982 MM115 WEIGHT: 245 GR
FEBO Febo
ANELLO H171984 ALA MM 119 PESO:224 GR RING H171984 ALA 119 MM WEIGHT: 224 GR
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Wow..go Rebecca..she's preparing the feast now :o
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ah, Nembo junior.. a fitting tribute.
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Sorry, I should have warned people about the dead bird in the box. :-[ I had a bad moment when I first saw that too.
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No worries Maggie. I had read your post about the banding so right away went over to see the kids and saw that and thought..ack!!! It woke me up though, didn't need that second cup of coffee this morning :P
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THats funny.. i was just thinking 'bet Carly is awake now'.. lol.. :P
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Rebecca is home and feeding the chicks now. Warning - that big dead bird is still sitting in the middle of the nest box. ::)
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Oh thank you know who.... :o
I instantly put my hand to my mouth as I was gasping for air!!
Thank goodness.
I'm very happy that all 4 chicks, who are changing so quickly are doing well and the Rebecca is also doing well!! ;D
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There must have been another food delivery to the box today. Lots of gruesome dead bodies all lined up in a row. :P
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Wow..the chicks are starting to look like mom now...nice brown coloring! And saw the food ... I'm really impressed at how well taken care of this family is by them over there!
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Don't worry if you check in on Rebecca and Nembo's chicks and only see 2 in the nestbox. Two were removed this morning and are being looked after. The people managing this felt that once the young fledged Rebecca would be unable to keep up with feeding all four.
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How would they decide which two should be taken?
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Same gender would be my guess, they'll continue to develop and fledge at the same rate ...
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Thank, TPC, that makes sense.
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I just read Kim's post in English about the removal of the 2 young ones. Apparently there is a concern that Rebecca is getting too thin and is looking exhausted (no doubt!!)hence the decision to remove the 2 and hack them. It is hoped she will slow a bit and start taking care of herself more now with only 2 to look after.
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I hope this will help Rebecca...I haven't seen her for awhile. I know I've written this before but it's wonderful to know that this family is being well looked after. I wonder how little Alphie (Alphonso) is doing?
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Wow..go check out Rebecca's two remaining girls. They are beautiful, looking just like their mama now. I have to say that Eurasian Kestrels are a stunning looking species :o
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I know...aren't they wonderful!! I'm so pleased how well they are doing!
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Has there been any news on Rebecca and her chicks, oh not chicks anymore...kestrel teens and Alphonso?
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Has there been any news on Rebecca and her chicks, oh not chicks anymore...kestrel teens and Alphonso?
There is news on Alphonse today, posted by Kim on the Cleveland forum. The little guy is doing well. He is staying with Luigi, the falconer who has been caring for him. He is a beautiful little kestrel.
Photos by Luigi.
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/August%202009/alphonse2.jpg)
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/August%202009/alphonse1.jpg)
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Oh he's beautiful Alison! Is he going to keep him then?
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They don't think he will be released, but I don't think it has been definitely decided yet.
All of Rebecca and Nembo's other chicks survived too.
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I'm glad all the other ones survived and I hope Rebecca finds a new mate and comes back next year. It was really great watching this family in spite of all the hardships. I didn't know much about kestrels until I started watching her and Nemo. It really opened my eyes to how much they go through to survive.
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Oh Alphonso is a beauty!!! I am sooo happy that all of Rebecca and Nembo's chicks survived! Thank you to the volunteers that cared for them.
I hope Rebecca finds a mate and raise more beautiful chicks...
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Great news, our plucky mom from last year has a new mate and is back at her nestbox! Two of the eggs have hatched already as of this morning. Thanks to Kim of Italy who posted the news over at CMNH and I found it there!
Her new mate is named Cirro...so happy she has not only survived after such a hard year but she's thriving!!
http://www.birdcam.it/cam.php?camid=26&subpage=cam08.php
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Excellent news!!! I followed this girl last year pretty much everyday. She's a superkestrel. ;D
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Rebecca sure looks like a beautiful Kestrel. Thanks for posting this webcam! :D