I did see a bunch of wild turkeys near Portage la Prairie. What would you call that?
Gaggle, nope, herd, nope, pod, nope, flock, nope.
Okay Loriann, Plate of Turkey! Thats hilarious. You made me laugh.
I detect some excitement...good for you BirdLover...enjoy. Any other Brandon Folks on here ?
Excitement doesn't begin to describe it. Will be heading down town after work tomorrow. Better remember to stow the binos in the bag to take to work. ;)
It sounds like Loriann. ;DWho me ? (** bats eyes innocently**).... I may do the 'muhhhaaaaa' evil laugh but there is a very distinct ECHO of it here that sounds suspiciously like CARLY.. ;) ( ** covers mouth with hand to muffle the 'muhaaaahahha'**)... ;D
Yippee-skippee,
Yippee-skippee,
If I could only count the number of times I have heard this... ;)
We'll be banding the Brandon chicks at 3 weeks of age but we have to wait for them to hatch (heck, we don't even know how many there are yet!) at which point any one in Brandon will be able to see the adults trying to take Dennis' head off on the roof. We can even set you up with a great location to watch all the attacks - not on the roof with us, but close enough that you will be able to hear and see all the action ...
We'll be banding the Brandon chicks at 3 weeks of age but we have to wait for them to hatch (heck, we don't even know how many there are yet!) at which point any one in Brandon will be able to see the adults trying to take Dennis' head off on the roof. We can even set you up with a great location to watch all the attacks - not on the roof with us, but close enough that you will be able to hear and see all the action ...Please let us know the banding date when it is available, I would love to make this trip.....especially if there is a rooftop to view from!
Sounds like I'll have a full car ;D ;D. I think I know where the vantage point is, but will take TPC and Dennis' advice. I also know of a good chinese restaurant that has a pretty good buffet for a reasonable price.I have a vehicle too, so (depending on the date), if I can go I can also take passengers!
Spent a lot of time there a few years back. If ya'll don't like chinese, I know where boston pizza is.
To make it legit, I'll have to pop into the office there, but I'll drop you all off before hand.
Sounds good?
With the number of interested people, we may need a "double decker" just to get there.
;D
;D
For those of you who won't understand Dennis' little very happy face, Dennis loves the bandings in Brandon for photographing attacking adult peregrine falcons!!
... hope they don't fly, they'd be an endangered species and then I'd end up being the The Piglet Chick ...
I miss everything....I will miss the banding of the Brandon chicks as well as the all important fledging of our very own P & T's chicks.
I will be watching via webcam but I won't be there as I am moving to Regina. I wanted to take holidays during the time of our chicks fledging as I wanted to be there....keep watch, be on guard with other phanatics. However, I won't be. But I'll get to watch and read all about it, thanks to all the devoted phanatics ;D
I don't think so...I know that they had falcons in Saskatoon at one point but don't know about that now..would have to ask TPC.
Funny thing though, when I went there a couple of weeks ago to check things out, I was checking to see if there was the potential to have nesting falcons. There are quite a few high rises there, close to water and lots of green space. Ya never know...maybe, just maybe!!!! :P
That would be wonderful TPC...Thank you for this!!!
;D As an aside, the Kinderchicklets were planting beans at school today and the beans were from McKenzie Seeds! :D How about that? Everything in the universe connects, somehow! ;)
As soon as TPC has a date set for the Brandon banding, I might be interested in a cuddly little spot in your car, bccs, if the offer is still available. All depends if school's out when the banding occurs. Sure does sound like it would be very interesting, to see up close and personal, not to mention, a whole lot of crazy fun! ;D As an aside, the Kinderchicklets were planting beans at school today and the beans were from McKenzie Seeds! :D How about that? Everything in the universe connects, somehow! ;)you're in kinderchick !! ;D
you betcha pchemist, gonna have to start a day early though. ;D ;D y'okay with that?
Heck no toots, y'all will share the driving ;D ;Dyou betcha pchemist, gonna have to start a day early though. ;D ;D y'okay with that?
you betcha. :) I'll sleep in the car. 8)
Pchemist, are you serious about coming to the Brandon Banding?! ??? Don't know you well enough yet to tell if you're kidding! ;) That would be a hoot! Would LOVE to meet yet another Phanatic! ;D
And yes, BirdLover, I did tell the Kinderchicklets about the falcon chicks on top of the McKenzie Seeds Bldg. in Brandon. Too bad there's no camera there yet. :(
May have a banding date for y'all tomorrow .... :)
Our Man in Brandon has let slip that he has come across another pair of peregrines outside the CityYes! That is great news,TPC! ;D
Woot, woot. I'm so excited! I'm goin' down there today to see if I can catch any action.Let us know Birdlover!!!
Okay, looks like we have identities on our birds in Brandon ....
male is Zeus - 1995 wild-hatch from the McKenzie Seeds Building; resident male since 2002, two sabbatical years - 2003 & 2007. He has had three mates - I/*T (2002), Holly (2004-2008) - 10 chicks total todate = Donna (2008 nested in Saskatoon) & Terminator (2008-09 nesting in Grand Forks) are nesting, Obi-Wan spent the summer of 2006 in West Winnipeg with Lucy (2005 Radisson chick) but did not nest.
female is new - and a total surprise - its Hurricane from the 2007 wild-hatch at the Radisson and who was observed in Grand Forks this spring at the nest site of Brandon's Terminator. When we measured Hurricane's legs during banding, she measured as male, so we attached male bands. Appears that Mistral was tiny but a female and that Hurricane was too was female but that she was small and so were her legs! We were sure we had two males and a female that year, but it may be that we had one male (Chinook) and one small female (Hurricane) and one tiny female (Mistral). Taku was found to be a female during her necropsy but we couldn't sex her because she died before banding - and you can see how much our female this year has grown in comparison with her brothers! Also possible that 2007 was an all female year - three small females and one tiny female. All we need is for Chinook to turn up somewhere and we will know for sure!
Yikes. How often does that happen that is known, and is there any other way to sex the chicks at banding ? Are blood samples or some other relativly easy tests available ?
Further does it happen that a female may be driven off the nest, and 2 males raise a brood ?
WOW!!! That is so nice that Hurricane is in Brandon. That was the first year I watched the Falcons. I got so attached to them. It is so nice to hear one is doing so well.
One question Tracy. If she was banded as a male will the band be too tight on her leg?
Hi, This is my first post. :D ;D Is it the Town Centre in Brandon you are meeting. I would love to come and watch all the excitement.
Perhaps the wrong place to post...Hurricane related.Remember those shots like it was yesterday!
Mistral & Chinook did a "Crash & Burn" and both had to go for rehab. Would have been nice to have a close up of Hurricane.
Photos of the "Hatch of 2007" can be seen at this link.
http://www.pbase.com/photosbydennis/peregrines_2007
Cheers !
Hi, This is my first post. :D ;D Is it the Town Centre in Brandon you are meeting. I would love to come and watch all the excitement.
Yup, RCF, that is where we will be meeting. Look forward to seeing you all there.
Banding is set - next Thursday, July 2nd. Everyone meet at the parkade in the city centre (free parking) as we believe that is where we can set y'all up for the best view. Only Project staff will be going onto the building. We hope to meet everyone there at 10am. We need to meet the Brandon crew at 10:30 so that should give us enough time to get everyone organized before we need to get going.
Banding won't take more than 1 hour all told - you'll know when its finished as the parents will freak out (for a second time) when we return their chicks to them. We will then be heading off for lunch at the Double Decker as is our tradition and everyone is welcome to join us. We hope to be back on the road around 1-1:30 so that we can Bob Jones our bander off to his next gig!
When you have your transpo worked out, drivers pm me with the names of your passengers and I'll send you a map with all the pertinent information.
Ballywig, here's TPC's info about the banding date and timeOops, Thanks PMG - I musta missed that update! :-[
Oh, yeah! How is the ankle TPC? You taking it easy so you're good to go on Thursday?
Okay, looks like we have identities on our birds in Brandon ....
male is Zeus - 1995 wild-hatch from the McKenzie Seeds Building; resident male since 2002, two sabbatical years - 2003 & 2007. He has had three mates - I/*T (2002), Holly (2004-2008) - 10 chicks total todate = Donna (2008 nested in Saskatoon) & Terminator (2008-09 nesting in Grand Forks) are nesting, Obi-Wan spent the summer of 2006 in West Winnipeg with Lucy (2005 Radisson chick) but did not nest.
female is new - and a total surprise - its Hurricane from the 2007 wild-hatch at the Radisson and who was observed in Grand Forks this spring at the nest site of Brandon's Terminator. When we measured Hurricane's legs during banding, she measured as male, so we attached male bands. Appears that Mistral was tiny but a female and that Hurricane was too was female but that she was small and so were her legs! We were sure we had two males and a female that year, but it may be that we had one male (Chinook) and one small female (Hurricane) and one tiny female (Mistral). Taku was found to be a female during her necropsy but we couldn't sex her because she died before banding - and you can see how much our female this year has grown in comparison with her brothers! Also possible that 2007 was an all female year - three small females and one tiny female. All we need is for Chinook to turn up somewhere and we will know for sure!
Sure would like to hear about what Mistral is up to. Great to have news about Hurricane!
Oh, yeah! How is the ankle TPC? You taking it easy so you're good to go on Thursday?
I will be, come heck or high water! Guess I shouldn't mention high water in this province right now :-\
so, how's Chinook?? ;D
so, how's Chinook?? ;D
Haven't heard anything from him lately, thanks for asking though :D
I'm so confused on who is where...I read TPC's post on Zeus and who he's nested with...I got lost after reading more.
So who is where? ::)
So has there been any word on Holly, I/*T, Donna, Obi-Wan, Lucy, Chinook, or Mistral?
Isn't there a Zeus and Hera pair in a nest, probably US? This is another Zeus, obviously, but it had me confused.
I don't have a head for names. How do you name the ones here in Brando,n TPC?
Sounds like a Larry conversation...so, how's Chinook?? ;D
Haven't heard anything from him lately, thanks for asking though :D
Yup, I truly was suckered into that one Larry.
TPC 1 bccs 0
The Brandon gang are the folks from Manitoba Conservation that oversee the pair in Brandon ...
HmmmGot any ya could lend us, oh techno god of the world??
Looks like the project could use some radios....
I have 4 sets, but after years of non use, battery packs need to be replaced. should have thought of it sooner, bugger >:(wanna go shopping tomorrow??
I was just thinking of it. But I'm not trying on the frilly things and heels like last time. :oI have 4 sets, but after years of non use, battery packs need to be replaced. should have thought of it sooner, bugger >:(wanna go shopping tomorrow??
OK TMI!
So full body armour so that he doesn't get hurt by a talon or two? What a wuss LOL
Ok, sigh, no underclothing shops this time.I was just thinking of it. But I'm not trying on the frilly things and heels like last time. :oI have 4 sets, but after years of non use, battery packs need to be replaced. should have thought of it sooner, bugger >:(wanna go shopping tomorrow??
OK TMI!
So full body armour so that he doesn't get hurt by a talon or two? What a wuss LOL
Thank you for the BOT BL ;)
Full body armour means motorcycle helmut and heavy leather jacket and sometimes (usually) leather gloves. Don't blame him actually, he has to climb up a ladder to the nest box which is affixed to the wall about 30 feet above the top of the roof. The "armour" means he only has to pay attention to staying on the ladder and extracting/replacing the chicks, not ducking the adults. Unlike the roof of the Radisson, there are no guy wires or walls to slow the adults down any in mid-attack run ...
there are no guy wires or walls to slow the adults down any in mid-attack run ...
TRACY TRACY Barb is talkin bout undies again :o :o :o :oAgain...... my darlin' boy you are such an cutie. :-*
Quotethere are no guy wires or walls to slow the adults down any in mid-attack run ...
;D
Working on a "New" game plan for this year ! Just need the Sun.
And just how many Folks are heading to Brandon for the banding ?Hey Dennis, got a car of 3 or 4. Need a ride???
And just how many Folks are heading to Brandon for the banding ?
OK, so that makes sense. I have the vision of the Radisson banding but know that the nest here is up out of the way of anything else so is not so readily accessible. He would need to concentrate on getting up and down safely with chicks. So, does he have a bucket that hangs from a belt to transport them down or does he do all the work up there by himself?
So I could pick up a set of walkie talkies, but don't know too much about them. Will a half decent price work or do you have to go high tech?
Don't know if anyone who is coming has kids (or grandkids) with walkie talkies, but if you do, snag them and I can give y'all a blow by blow description of what we are up to ...
The great thing about walkie-talkies is that all you have to do is press a button to talk into and release it to listen.So I could pick up a set of walkie talkies, but don't know too much about them. Will a half decent price work or do you have to go high tech?
Don't know if anyone who is coming has kids (or grandkids) with walkie talkies, but if you do, snag them and I can give y'all a blow by blow description of what we are up to ...
So it's Zeus and Hurricane in Brandon...excellent news!Yes! That is excellent news about Hurricane! ;D Can't wait till Thursday!
Nice to hear about Hurricane. so how is Chinook??? :) :) :) :)
Okay, I have to ask as well...so how is Chinook?
Good Heavens what a bunch of nuts... ::) :Phee hee
Good Heavens what a bunch of nuts... ::) :Phee hee
Banding is set - next Thursday, July 2nd. Everyone meet at the parkade in the city centre (free parking) as we believe that is where we can set y'all up for the best view. Only Project staff will be going onto the building. We hope to meet everyone there at 10am. We need to meet the Brandon crew at 10:30 so that should give us enough time to get everyone organized before we need to get going.
Banding won't take more than 1 hour all told - you'll know when its finished as the parents will freak out (for a second time) when we return their chicks to them. We will then be heading off for lunch at the Double Decker as is our tradition and everyone is welcome to join us. We hope to be back on the road around 1-1:30 so that we can Bob Jones our bander off to his next gig!
When you have your transpo worked out, drivers pm me with the names of your passengers and I'll send you a map with all the pertinent information.
All ready and waiting on the kitchen table. Y'all have my cell number.
What to bring to Brandon ....
binoculars - small or large, bring 'em all
camera, new batteries & extra memory cards - ask Dennis, you always take more photos than you think you will
sunblock, sunglasses & hat - Brandon's forecast is sunny & 23c
water - long drive and exposed roof on the parkade
money, debit card or credit card - for lunch at the Double Decker
cellphone - pm/email me with your numbers so we can find you if we need to
Sounds like a field trip ! Don't forget your permission slips...lol
winters can get pretty brutual can't they?But then we have Snowy Owls/Hawk Owls... ;D
I'm thinkin that ya better get a cart to haul around all that poop. Perhaps attach a doggie to it??What the He-"double hockeysticks" are you talkin bout woman ??
Ok, why does posts " leet " appear under your name??
Eye-spy, what are ya doing here??
what we wish, if we're truthful, is that we were visiting just now. :)Completely agree, Pchemist.
And just what were my thoughts on the Brandon Banding...well !Well said Bob, truly was an outstanding day. ;D
The Bison Burgers & Fries at the Double Decker are great ! Ice water...cool and refreshing...after time on the roof . Endless cups of coffee (hate having to ask for a refill)
A private area for the Phanatics...keeping the rowdy bunch away from the regulars!
Almost forgot...The Birds Performed Great...should have a couple of decent photos ??
Was great to put a name to the face and a...you know the rest !
Cheers !
Just call me BirdLiverSlip of the tongue, BirdLover! ;) Maybe you heard Dan-the-man call me Dinnerchick! :) Now we've both got a new name! ;D
I love reading everyone's posts from their experience today...I'm thinking I should of taken a sick day *cough, cough*! One of these days, I won't be consistent and I'll actually witness somethingYes, allikat, hopefully next time! We would have loved to have you with us! ;D
The drive home was
I'm so freakishly jealous it hurts! :P ::) ;DMe too Pchemist, me too!
I'm so freakishly jealous it hurts! :P ::) ;DMe too Pchemist, me too!
Me three!!!!!!!!!!!
And four!Gotta tell y'all that you were there with us. All of you got mentioned at lunch, really!! :-*
I'm so freakishly jealous it hurts! :P ::) ;Dme too
I wonder when we will see some of Dennis's pictures of the bandingYeah, Rapidcitymbfan! Keep on posting! You'll be a "hatchling" before you know it! ;D Don't know when Dennis will post some of his McKenzie Seed photos. Soon, I hope! ;D
He said it would be a couple of days to go through em all and posted.Thanks for that info, eagle63. I'm not surprised. He did take almost a million pictures! :D
Oh man Dennis....love those shots of all the aerial acrobatics!!!!
Amazing!! img 0050-1.... :o
Oh man Dennis....love those shots of all the aerial acrobatics!!!!
Amazing!! img 0050-1.... :o
That was one of my favorites too, allikat! splendid!
nice to see some faces with names, too. :)
I can only imagine what that experience would of been like watching those falcons do those acrobatics....WOW!
Some what surprised that mention of TPC new hardware hasn't been posted...I have a couple of photos that won't be posted till the end of the gallery ????
Kinderchick...what say you ??
Hmmmmm, sounds like a dare :P Wait for it TPC, and you're going to have to dig in a different spot ;D ;D ;DSome what surprised that mention of TPC new hardware hasn't been posted...I have a couple of photos that won't be posted till the end of the gallery ????
Kinderchick...what say you ??
Aaaaah, yes. Kinderchick and the 'chicklets have awarded me with my very own, shiny red "La Shovelle" and a lovely "chick" headband for when I use it. Where's Bccs, I'm sure I can find something of hers to christen my new Sandbox Toys ... :D
Question for Dennis,image 0307-1 .Is that still Zues or is it Hurricane? The photo looks just like an oil painting,you can see every feather on the wings and the colour is amazing.
What a lovely T shirt you are wearing in the photos, Tracy!
What wonderful pictures Dennis....as usual. The chicks are adorable. Tracy was a true mother when trying to calm the squaking one. Loved the t-shirt.
Some what surprised that mention of TPC new hardware hasn't been posted...I have a couple of photos that won't be posted till the end of the gallery ?Kinderchick...what say you ??I say, go for it Dennis! Although I wouldn't want to risk being shovelled myself, with that bright red shiny new "La Shovelle" that TPC now has in her possession! ;)
Should be fledging about the time you are passing through Shock! If you get there, you don't need to look far, they will probably be within a couple of blocks of the McKenzie Seeds Building. My suggestion, go to the top level of the City Centre parkade, that will give you a better view of all the surrounding buildings and probably a better chance of seeing them.
OH NO, just read in today's paper that the MacKenzie Seeds building has been sold!!! :o :o They are supposed to be renovating the whole thing into apartments. Whatever is going to happen to our nestledge???? I am going to have to do some homework. Rapidcitymbfan, have you heard anything??
OH NO, just read in today's paper that the MacKenzie Seeds building has been sold!!! :o :o They are supposed to be renovating the whole thing into apartments. Whatever is going to happen to our nestledge???? I am going to have to do some homework. Rapidcitymbfan, have you heard anything??Hey Birdlover....maybe talk to Tracy about this.
OH NO, just read in today's paper that the MacKenzie Seeds building has been sold!!! :o :o They are supposed to be renovating the whole thing into apartments. Whatever is going to happen to our nestledge???? I am going to have to do some homework. Rapidcitymbfan, have you heard anything??Hey Birdlover....maybe talk to Tracy about this.
OH NO, just read in today's paper that the MacKenzie Seeds building has been sold!!! :o :o They are supposed to be renovating the whole thing into apartments. Whatever is going to happen to our nestledge???? I am going to have to do some homework. Rapidcitymbfan, have you heard anything??Hey Birdlover....maybe talk to Tracy about this.
Relax folks, this isn't news for us. And the new owner knows all about the peregrines and the Project. Now that its official, I will see if Brandon has more details, or if there are more details available yet. So don't panic, all is fine at the moment.
Why does Zeus have that dark patch on his chest? Has it always been there?
Zeus didn't have this patch last year. Perhaps TPC or Dan might have an idea ? I'm wondering if it's not from an encounter/fight with something ?
Is that the brood patch. I have not seen the picutres but I know our male had that also and I thought injury in a fight also. But I do think it is the brood patch. TPC???
Can hardly wait till I can view your pictures. I can see some that are small but I cannot click to get them bigger
from the small pictures i see that spot is in a different place than our males so not brood patch :-[ :-[
Does anyone know when these chicks will be named? ???
Was just downtown and I sure hope that the kids don't decide to take their first flights today! :o Yikes, is it windy. Gusts up to 46km/hr.
Actually they were all huddled away from the front of the nestbox so are out of the wind. One adult sitting up on the east side of the building beside the tower. Could have been Hurricane by the size of it.
More photos added to the Brandon Banding Event.Morning Bob, how're you doing today?
On a sad note...I have come to the end of the Peregrine Banding in Brandon. The last photo has now been loaded.Dennis, thanks again for your photography "obsession"! :-* I still am amazed every time I look at the photo of a parent dive bombing upside down!
On a sad note...I have come to the end of the Peregrine Banding in Brandon. The last photo has now been loaded.
This is when Tracy received her brand new "Shiny Red Forum Shovel" from Kinderchick.Fabulous dennis! ;D Looks a lot like Vanna White! 8) Sure hope it doesn't get shovelled! :P
Not a lot to report tonight. Although I hafta say, it's kinda creepy being up on the parkade ALONE in the evening.I know what you mean, BirdLover, I found it to be a little creepy myself, when I spent some time ALONE in the Radisson Parkade on Fledge Watch Patrol in the early morning a few weeks ago. :P Was sure glad to have the company of des, Saorise and deb when they were around! ;)
Those are wonderful names for the chicks. :)
Oh, so you knew ???Who knew what, BirdLover?
Oh, so you knew ???Who knew what, BirdLover?
Oh, so you knew ???
Really classy names! Thought I saw a flash of yellow on the leg of one of the chicks standing on the nest box roof but my binocs are really not good enough to be sure.
And who knows, maybe these names will be fortuitous and we will see all four on territories in a couple of years!! Trey & Princess' grand-kids ruling the skies over the Canadian Prairies and the US Midwest ... total aerial domination !!! ;D;D ;)
Fate,Luck,Kismet and Karma
QuoteFate,Luck,Kismet and Karma
Perhaps next year there will be a...
Did you just post the one? I got the one of the girl.
Have to create an account to view it.
I will go do that.
Have to create an account to view it.
I will go do that.
Sorry I didn't know that would happen ??? :-[
got the pictures they were taken with a small digital camera turned out pretty good for an amature eh rcmbf1
Hey bl, I think we all become like kids again.Watching our birdie familys is so amazing, a new experience - just like kids, cheering and hollering with delight. Nice to shed some of the "adult personna" and forget about ourselves and just enjoy.Ditto....well written B!!! :-*
Great update, thanks Rose. Exciting as all get-out isn't it?Exciting it is but also d--- nerve wracking!!!!
It's worth every moment of nerves to see them get better and better at flying. Before you know it, they'll be hunting with the parents.Great update, thanks Rose. Exciting as all get-out isn't it?Exciting it is but also d--- nerve wracking!!!!
It's worth every moment of nerves to see them get better and better at flying. Before you know it, they'll be hunting with the parents.
I'd say you nailed it Alli, now if only they could see you talking with TPC!!!! ;DHA HA HA..... :P
All this excitment is almost too much for this old girl!!! I just keep hoping every thing turns out well for all the chicks but nature must be listened to so I know what the stats say but I'm an optimist so I'll just think positive all the timeWell, you just hang in there, Rose, and keep thinking those positive thoughts! ;) Thanks again for the fledging updates! :D
ALL PRESENT AND ACCOUNTED FOR, MA'AM!!!
Lol...it's a wonderful feeling isn't it. ;D
YEP ;Dlucky lucky us ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Lol...it's a wonderful feeling isn't it. ;DYEP ;Dlucky lucky us ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
I was very happy to be able to report that. Have ya told her that I saw them all?
I'll be there again after work tomorrow afternoon to scope out the place. 1 ish if you are interested in watchin' together. ;)
I did, and I plan on havin' more too 8)and we thank you very much for what you're doing ;)
Thanks for the info and contact numbers TPC, now I can stop stewing about what to do if an adverse situation turns up and I'm around.
My worry is that one of them will do something silly when no one is watching and we won't be able to get there in time :-\
Just came from the downtown. Spent three hours there just watching. My golden girl is so beautiful. She is on the Scotia Bank building which is higher than the nest box!!! Our boy was hanging out at the base of the tower on the McKenzie Seeds building and Rose and I could only see one other on the building to the north of the McKenzie Seeds building. Zeus was hanging out with my golden girl on the SB building. No Hurricane to be seen at all today.
Not much movement by any other than Zeus and he was hunting, brought his meal back to the building and when he was done,there were leftovers, HE STASHED THEM ON A LEDGE!!! I didn't know that Peregrine's stashed their leftovers. I have learned something new today.
Bird lover didn't tell you we were holding up traffic coming into parking lot behind Mckenzies. we were strolling down the middle of the lane when BL gives a little yelp,a hop, skip and a jump and gets over to the edge of the road and the man in a white car drives slowly by with a big grin on his face, I guess he knew what we were doing. At least he didn't toot the horn or we might have gone into orbit!!! Just after that we were dive bombed by Zeus so you see there's never a dull moment when you're out watching the Birdies, especially if they Peregrin Falcon Fledglings.
Not much movement by any other than Zeus and he was hunting, brought his meal back to the building and when he was done,there were leftovers, HE STASHED THEM ON A LEDGE!!! I didn't know that Peregrine's stashed their leftovers. I have learned something new today.
Its called cacheing, and all birds do it, some more than others, some less.
Hello all..I got the opportunity to go up on the old phone building today and took some photos of the family..Mom and Dad were just perched on the McKenzie building and a young one must have known a camera was around because he popped up on the lower McKenzie building....:)
Lisa
http://s184.photobucket.com/albums/x33/kashka7/Bdn%20Peregrines/?albumview=slideshow
OK way to confuse the heck out of me TPC. Thought I was losing my mind, again. And here you were shovelling. :o 8) :P
I think the first fledge was on Wednesday was it not gang?
The large one being my golden girl. Also, she was the one on her own today.
Nice. Thanks TPC. We got a good look at the twins today and Luck is a perfect name for my golden girl. I was wondering if we knew which one she was.
It's hard to keep the camera in focus when you have someone swooping at you..
Thanks bl and rose, great updates. Happy to know the family is fine.
Thanks bl and rose, great updates. Happy to know the family is fine.Me too!
Just got home when the phone rang it was rcmbf, all she said was guess what and I knew right I'd missed again, but I got to see the last chick fledge :P ;D so there.
Just got home when the phone rang it was rcmbf, all she said was guess what and I knew right I'd missed again, but I got to see the last chick fledge :P ;D so there.
NaNaNa BooBoo ;D
Yahoo rcmf, you are all doing such a wonderful job of watching and reporting. And there's only 3 of you.
Hey gang, a huge big way to go for our Brandon fledge watchers. :-* :-*
Yahoo rcmf, you are all doing such a wonderful job of watching and reporting. And there's only 3 of you.
Hey gang, a huge big way to go for our Brandon fledge watchers. :-* :-*
Thanks Bccs :)
just seeing if I can insert that picture from rcmf:
(http://www2.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=1058689021/a=1352593021_1352593021/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/)
and it turns out not. weird. (or, I did and it's blocked by my work firewall because snapfish is)
wonder what the guy who got dive-bombed was thinking? :oHoly crap or some other phrase along that line. ;D ;D ;D
McKenzie bldgOn left ( I guess thats a no brainer LOL ) & MTS Tower on the right
lets see if this works
Thanks Pchemist ;D
;D ;D Then rcmbf and I got a real treat, Zeus spotted a man on the roof of Princess towers (2 blocks away to the south) he took off straight over there circled the tower twice dive bombed him a couple of times and came back to his perch, on his way back he flew down 9th street right past where we were standing and about at our eye level. We were only about 10 feet away could see all of him very clearly this could only happen once in a life time so we were truly awestruck :o :o He flew right past us,so I guess he didn't consider us a threat. What an exciting morning!!!!
Well how about that, 8) I have a long way to go to being a fledgling ::)Nah, you will be there in no time!!!! That was our boy on the base of the clock tower and when I went out it was him and a sister. My goodness you sure could see a marked difference in their sizes :o :o
Well how about that, 8) I have a long way to go to being a fledgling ::)Yes, Rapidcity, as BirdLover said, "you will be there in no time!" ;D Remember when you were only an "Egg" at the Brandon banding?! Well that was only about 3&1/2 weeks ago! :o
Thanks Kinderchick :)Yay...you're a chick!!! Congrats!
Variety is good, prolly getting sick of eating pigeon all the time, cause there sure is lots of them. ::)
Yesterday, RCMF and I found the wings of a green winged teal and today Rose and I found a fairly fresh remains of a blue winged teal. So, they are eating ;D That much was confirmed LOL.
Stoopid pigeons...
Stoopid pigeons...
Yes, I seem to say that quite often, especially when I'm looking through binos ;D
Nice, one of the twins. We don't get to see much of them. So, YAY. See you tomorrow???
Not to start a huge off topic, but what the heck is a Junk Yard Party?
And that's all I know.....
and they will probably be gone by the following week.
Great day for you birdlover ;D. Even though you report everything you see and feel, it just doesn't quite do it justice. The joy in your heart, the sounds in your head and the great big goofy,silly smile on your face - that's the treasure. And no matter how hard we try, words just don't live up to the moment.
I appreciate the updates so much, but feel the distance. And have such empathy for those who have to see the falcons only through our words. Don't know that I could do that. Cheers to our sistas and brothas that have to live the moment through us, we love you guys!!!! This makes me try everyday to give better updates. :-*
Great day for you birdlover ;D. Even though you report everything you see and feel, it just doesn't quite do it justice. The joy in your heart, the sounds in your head and the great big goofy,silly smile on your face - that's the treasure. And no matter how hard we try, words just don't live up to the moment.
I appreciate the updates so much, but feel the distance. And have such empathy for those who have to see the falcons only through our words. Don't know that I could do that. Cheers to our sistas and brothas that have to live the moment through us, we love you guys!!!! This makes me try everyday to give better updates. :-*
Those of us living the moment through you guys are still getting shivers of wonder at what and how you describe the sights of these flyers. Thank you to all who are sharing their experiences.
I really would like to see a mid air transfer. That is my goal for the next little while. ;DWhen you see it, you will never forget it! Take it all it BL, I miss these moments that you're now experiencing!
I really would like to see a mid air transfer. That is my goal for the next little while. ;D
I really would like to see a mid air transfer. That is my goal for the next little while. ;D
I would love to see that too :)
Well, not as exciting a day as yesterday
Well, not as exciting a day as yesterday
Sounds exciting to me. . . I didn't know that the parents would or could support the chicks like that, but how amazing to see! I agree with Bccs, though -- you deserve it. Moments like those make everything worthwhile -- the standing around aimlessly with the street people, gawking up into the sky at absolutely nothing, trying to decide "is it a falcon -- no, it's a pigeon". It's all fun, but those moments are magic!
What with watching them and hearing about them, is it any wonder we're addicted to these gorgeous birds?
One of the kids, and I'm thinking it was Luck, tried to fly to the Scotia building and was not getting the height that she needed and here I am saying, "c'mon, get up, get up.." and Hurricane swooped down off the ledge and got under her to get her back up and they circled around til Luck could get onto the McK building. So, now I know what y'all are talking about when you say the adult gets underneath to help the fledgling get height. Very cool to witness. :oWow! What an experience to witness that, BirdLover! I had no idea that a parent would or could do that! :o
I just get too excited!!! ;D ;D ;D:o :o :o :o
I just get too excited!!! ;D ;D ;D:o :o :o :o
Update from Dennis who just passed through Brandon ....just a note about the annex. It's directly north of Mkc building across the lane and connected by a loading dock and tunnel above the dock. When the kids first fledged the twins (kismet and Karma) hung out there, when we walked by you could see just their heads looking over the ledge. The other two preferred to be higher up at the base of the clock tower or Scotia bank building.
All birds accounted for at the McKenzie Seeds Building ...
adult 1 - on the MTS tower
adult 2 - on top of clock tower
kid 1 - on light on clock tower
kid 2 - at base of clock tower
kid 3 - on annex (lower level) on south side
kid 4 - on annex (lower level) on north side
Think I got all those locations right from his message, I'm sure he'll correct when he's back if I'm way off. He also has some distance photos that might show something but y'all will have to wait until he returns to find out if any will be posted.
Rose, you sure had a good morning -- how great to see the kids flying like that, especially with Zeus involved, too. Experiences like that make all the "didn't see a thing" visits worthwhile, don't they???They sure do!! and I've had a few no sees in the last few weeks
Great report Rose, has the dopey grin left your face yet?
Question for TPC. When and how did the McKenzie nest get started? People keep asking and I don't have any real answers,it would be nice to be able to tell them. :)
Here's the image you were trying for ... TPC
Thank you TPC . But what's a hack site?Question for TPC. When and how did the McKenzie nest get started? People keep asking and I don't have any real answers,it would be nice to be able to tell them. :)
The McKenzie Seeds Building was used initially in 1990 as a hack site but the nestbox was installed on the building as well since it was such a perfect location for peregrines. The first wild nest was in 1993 when they had one female chick and then they added a male captive-bred foster chick. After that we pretty much had 4 chicks every year, give or take a couple of years with only 3! We have had 5 pairs in Brandon I believe ... Mufasa & B1, Mufasa & Phoebe (our big producers), Zeus & Holly, Screech & Holly (no slouches in the producing department either) and now Zeus & Hurricane. I think that was all of them but will check to be sure ...
Thank you TPC . But what's a hack site?
Thanks, TPC for both those pieces of info. I am glad Rose asked about the hack site as I didn't know either but was shy to ask. I am keeping some of those posts of yours in a separate folder as they are wonderful to look back over but sometimes I have trouble finding them in amongst all the postings. ;)
That's my golden girl (056)!
Where were ya standin' Dennis? You had to have been on the parkade to get that luncheon buffet. That was COVERED with pigeons last time I was down there.
I still cannot view th pictures but i am sure they are great.Sorry you can't view the pictures bev, you'd like the luncheon buffet and the pictures of the kids are really good.no it's not really that dangerous in the falcon's area but the parkade is totally desserted after 6pm and all doors are locked. The only way to the upper level is up the ramp.So as in most cities discretion is the better part of valour if you are alone.
Is it that dangerous where your falcons are at night.
I guess we are lucky to have one of our nesting pairs on the campus.
glad you got sight of all the kids.
Just keep looking over your shoulder, BL. You may not see a bird but it drives everyone else crazy - which is always fun! ;D Right, alli?No kidding.. When someone looks up, we ALL LOOK UP! :D
Hey, was just downtown and one of the family was sitting on the southwest corner of the building. Not sure who it was as I didn't plan on being there so didn't have my binos.
First time I have seen a peregrine in over a week so was pretty pumped to see it.
;D ;D ;D
The Mckenzie building is on my way to work, so I do look every morning to see if any of them are around. On Friday when it was pouring rain ::), I saw one on the northwest roof (think it was one of the kids) and this morning I saw one perched on the west light on clock tower. I never see any of them after work. :(
Today after work around 3:30, I was going to the bank which is about a block from the McKenzie building. I saw one of the kids chasing pigeons and making a lot of noise. :) After I left the bank and was driving down 10th street I saw feathers falling from the sky. I'm thinking someone caught their supper. ;D ;D
Another happy day for me today! Was downtown to catch the bus and looked up at the MTS tower only to spy an adult preening. Am sure it's an adult as I got right under it and there was no brown on it that I could see. ;DHooray for BirdLover! Another sighting of one of our Brandon Peregrines! ;D
Yes, Kinderchick and I saw it again the next day!! I just get a big silly grin on my face when I see any of them. ;DI hear ya, BirdLover! Same thing happens to most of us, I think, especially as the sightings get few and far between! ;)
Oh, It's October 1st. Should this be a new thread? ???