Manitoba Falcon Cam Forum
Other Peregrine Projects => USA Peregrines => Topic started by: dupre501 on May 25, 2008, 18:00
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2008 NESTING SEASON
www.dnr.state.oh.us/wildlife/dow/falcons/columbus.aspx
This site has both refreshed still images as well as live video with audio.
They have two cameras, one for the nest box and one for the ledge. The cameras are located on the 41st floor of the Rhodes State Office Tower.
I noticed that the ledge cam seems to be transmitting slower than the nest box cam, so if you see an adult arrive at the nest box you can quickly switch to the ledge cam and watch them arrive.
The nesting pair are named Orville (male) and Scout (female) and there are four chicks, which hatched around May 14.
Note: There is an 8 minute time limit on the live video, after that you have to hit refresh. This is to reduce the traffic on the site and allow more people to view the goings on.
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Scout has done so well this year as a mom. She started off slow but wow. I guess just like all new moms . 4 healthy chicks.
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Scout and Orville have really been doing a great job....the kids are starting to leave the nest box and explore the ledge....and they seem to be developing their own personalities....Banding is scheduled for this Wednesday...I'll have to find out the time and let you guys know...I hope it will be live!!!
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SGB, do you have any background info on "Scout"?
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SGB, do you have any background info on "Scout"?
I'll have to check...I'm pretty sure I have stuff on Orville....just can't remember about Scout...I'll go look...
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It's great to see the nest doing so well! Last year Scout and Orville's eggs did not hatch so there were no chicks to watch. I'm glad things worked out for them this year, they seem to be doing an amazing job!
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Banding should be Wednesday...hopefully carried live. Don't know the time yet, but will post it here when Donna Daniel posts it on the Columbus blog...
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Oh my gosh, I'm watching right now this is so cool to be able to see!!
Thanks for posting this skygirl!! ;D
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Just checke the nestledge view and its raining like stink in Columbus and one of the adults just hopped into the nestbox. The banding is about 1/2 done, don't know how much talking will be going on at the end, but I suspect the chicks will be back in the box in about 20 minutes.
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Tracy, any thoughts as to why they are taking blood from the chicks and what they hope to learn by doing so?
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The blood is for genetic testing by the Raptor Centre at the University of Minnesota. Its to monitor the genetic diversity of the population since in the US all the wild birds are reintroduced and they are a mix of subspecies - anatum, tundrius, pealei, peregrinus (Scots) and brookei (Spanish).
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Very interesting. Any trends as to which subspecies have better survival rates in certain areas I wonder?
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They are just about finished the banding and out on the ledge both the adults are patiently waiting in front of the nestbox. The rain has stopped so the image is great. One advantage of taking the chicks out of hearing/viewing range of the adults is that the adults are stressed more by the sound of their chicks calling out. We won't have that luxury I'm afraid, so we will be limiting our time on the ledge instead.
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Very interesting. Any trends as to which subspecies have better survival rates in certain areas I wonder?
The chicks aren't one subspecies or another, they are all of them. When the populations crashed, they (in the US) scooped up all the birds they could get their hands on and put them in a breeding program. Most the birds migrate as per anatums, though some with more Scots/Spanish won't migrate much or at all. Madame, the previous Radisson female, had Scots/Spanish in her (she was from Cedar Rapids, Iowa) and she didn't migrate from the time she arrived in Dec 1990 until she disappeared in 2004.
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Ahh ok, thanks Tracy! You so smart haha ;D
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1302 hrs (our time) - the Columbus project staff left the roof.
1303 hrs (our time) one adult ont he ledge immediately in front of the nestbox, other adult still patrolling overhead. Based on size (though I don't know how far away the camera is) it looked like the male in front of the box. Calm male actually, he wouldn't move off the ledge when the project staff came out, then hopped back on the ledge almost before the last one left.
The birds should settle down in anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes.
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Ahh ok, thanks Tracy! You so smart haha ;D
Me do for long time ;)
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That was just way too cool to be able to watch that process from the moment they went to get the chicks to the moment they took them back. Yeah Tracy I wondered if it might have been the male sitting on the ledge when they went to put them back in the nestbook. I can't imagine being inches away from the vocal youngins, I really would need to turn my hearing aids down in that situation.
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Well, I am glad some of you got to watch....I think I'm as pooped as the kids...I think that was Orville (Male) at the very end...the color was a tad distorted so I couldn't give the beak a good look over...(Scout's beak is very pale compared to Orville's) Both parents are still on the ledge, the kids are zonked in the box...Scouts in front of the box...peering in...I wonder if she is tentative about going in...this is her first time going through something like this. But she is usually the calmer of the two...she was probably the parent that stayed on the ledge while the "bad men" were out there...Orville was doing fly-bys. I have tons of pics...maybe I'll get them organized and put them in a slide show. I'm thinking they will probably post the banding on the Columbus blog once it is ready though...
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No reason why she won't go in SGB, when we put captive-bred foster chicks in nestboxes, the parents don't have any problem, they just move back in and adopt them.
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No reason why she won't go in SGB, when we put captive-bred foster chicks in nestboxes, the parents don't have any problem, they just move back in and adopt them.
That's always good to remember...but since I overly worry... ;D She finally made it back in the box about an hour and a half after the eyases were returned...she and Orville rarely left the ledge for a good while after the banding. The kids finally had a bite to eat around 5...
They cleaned both of the cam lenses and it looks like they repositioned the ledge cam. There's something different about it, but I just can't figure out what it is... :)
Brief slide show of some of the pics. Nothing fancy...
http://s204.photobucket.com/albums/bb123/mannereid/may%2024%202008/columbus%20banding/?action=view¤t=e83264c2.pbw
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Madame, the previous Radisson female, had Scots/Spanish in her (she was from Cedar Rapids, Iowa) and she didn't migrate from the time she arrived in Dec 1990 until she disappeared in 2004.
Tracy, do you really mean she stayed here all year around, even thru our awful winters?!!!!
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She did indeed. Her name was/is Madame and I used to be able to add her to the Christmas bird count when she held the Radisson territory. I'd come down during the count period and usually spotted her on the Radisson sign or on the nestbox. She used to have free range of the City during the off-season, so I'd get reports of her near Garden City, occasionally out in West Winnipeg and sometimes over the bridges near the U of M. Her first year here she hung out downtown in the winter, was escorted out of the territory in the summer by Maud the original Delta (Radisson) Female and she hung out with T-Rex (Trey's Dad) at the U of M. He fed her and four captive bred chicks that were being hacked out there that year. We were feeding them daily, but still, he'd hunt and shove food through the bars of the hack box. He was a great Daddy and an even better Mommy, well, except for the egg-laying part of course :D Trey has inherited his size (Trey's a bit bigger) and most of his colouring (Trey's got more white on him). His attitude is the best of both his parents (Madame's Trey's his mom) - aggressive when he needs to be (like when I'm banding) and tolerant when he needs to be (like when he incubated, I can get right up beside him to check the eggs and he'll let me get right beside him, then get off the eggs but won't leave the nestbox). Madame's temperament was similar (fortunately). However she never liked my trying to read her band numbers - I think she felt it was like I was trying to see up her skirt or something :o That's how she got her name, one day I was calling her all sorts of names as I was trying to read her band numbers and Madame was the only part that could be used in mixed company ;D
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Did I miss something big? Can anyone tell me why the nest box and ledge in Ohio appear to be empty? ???
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Can't see anything in the nestbox cam view, but the chicks are old enough to start wandering so its possible they are out and about, its a long ledge and I can see a couple of blind spots. At the moment, one of the adults is standing right in front of the ledge camera - can almost read the band number tha's how close it was to the camera.
Will see what I can find out though ....
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If you can't see the chicks in the box cam, check the ledge cam and keep your eye on the spot right under the camera - the chicks are sitting right there in the box cam's blind spot. Today, its just heads you can see. When they get a bit older they will be able to get up on the ledge, but not quite yet or at least not without some help from a sib!
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Thanks for the announcement yesterday just before the banding! I got it in my regular email and quickly got on the site and caught the whole thing - and with two windows open I was able to watch the parents on the ledge while also watching the banding. It was so neat. I felt badly for the parents, but it was so interesting to watch them wait together. I'm glad SGB reported when the feeding happened. I had to go before that, but I was wanting to see how long it would take for all to settle down and get back on track.
I don't envy TPC and anyone else out on the ledge for our banding. I imagine P & T will be rather upset! Earplugs, helmet, and body armour anyone?!?
Thanks again!
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I am not sure anyone posted the video of the banding event. For the interested, here it is, it is about an hour long.
http://www.dgsweb.state.pa.us/CMSUploads/vod/cms_asx_generator.asp?videoname=052208_livearchive_dep_falconbanding.wmv (http://www.dgsweb.state.pa.us/CMSUploads/vod/cms_asx_generator.asp?videoname=052208_livearchive_dep_falconbanding.wmv)
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Thanks for posting that, Aline..
The Fab Four are growing by leaps and bounds everyday. They are now spending the majority of their day outside the nest box, exploring the lower ledge. I just saw Scout arrive with large prey a few minutes ago...I swear it looked like she was trying to entice the kids to jump up on the upper ledge with her. (its quite wide, from a falcon's perspective..but very windy there today) But being a good mom she hopped down onto the lower ledge and fed them their feast..Of course all of this was my interpretation... ;D I love the way she continues to remain on the ledge...watching over her sleeping babies...
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New little "montage" of the ever growing Fab 4!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utqAxOpINqo
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That was a great montage Ty SGB for posting the link!!!!
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thanks skybluegirl that was a fun clip . ::)
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priceless footage, SGB! Your storytelling was great, too!
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Very cute video :) ;D
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That was great, SGB. Thanks for the giggles!
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Wow I just checked the webcam in Ohio, those four sure have grown. One is standing next to the webcam along the ledge and flapping it's wings like crazy. Talk about up close and personal. They sure changed in just a couple of weeks wow.
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Just a head's up to all...Keep your eyes on the cams....Sunday, the oldest chick will turn 40 days old. Fledging will start soon...The kids have really been flapping and running back and forth on the ledge. They are becoming quite assertive..grabbing prey from Scout and Orville...and even chasing the parents off the ledge...I'm starting to see more frequent fly-bys by the parents...coaxing them to fledge? I have no clue...but its been very cool watching them zoom by...
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Thanks for the heads-up SBG! I had to laugh, kind of in disbelief, when the chicks were grabbing the prey away from the parents and the parents looked so stunned, but especially when the chicks chased the parents off the ledge -- that really surprised me! Is that normal behaviour, do you know? Similar to teenage-like behaviour demonstrating independence, cutting of the 'apron strings' ?
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SGB, that was a super job you did - what a hoot!!!!! ;D ;D ;D I'm getting a bit worried at how many cams there are for us to watch - time management is becoming a problem! :P
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It's 3:02 EST or 2:02 CST Saturday afternoon and I am watching the Ohio webcam, I can see two youngins. One was on top of the webcam pointing into the nest box. Then another one was underneath the webcam. The one on the camera hopped down and has sure been doing a lot of wing flapping and squawking. Standing almost on the edge of the ledge at one p oint, makes me nervou watching.
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Finally, a young one has shown up again. Looking around, "Hey where is everyone?"
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ooops, he just looked to have walked off the ledge, but I guess there's a bit of ledge around the cam. Suddenly I saw wing flapping, and he sauntered back into view. Or at least the legs did. Neat how close up we see them. Thanks for getting me to look at this cam Eagle.
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lol your welcome :) I saw the band of this crew and hadn't checked in a couple of weeks, man did they ever grow fast. LOL I love watching them walking along the ledge, it's too funny. I checked this morning and they were all up close and personal with the camera, all you could see was feathers :)
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4:02 my time and I am now seing all four youngins. One on top of the camera at the nestbox, one on the ledge flappings it's wings and the other two were by the nest box but have since moved out of line of the webcam.
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1:38 here and all I'm seeing is a pair of legs and nice talons. ok, he moved and I see another way off sitting on the camera. Since I have no luck getting Elk River, this site is great, 'cause I love having audio. Another shuffle and now I see the other two. One fairly vocal as he shows off his flapping. Hmmmm why do I keep calling them he? What is the gender mix of this nest site?
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Two males, two females
The males bands starts with a c and the females start with an S if I remember correctly. Yeah now all I see it legs but I see the other at the other end of the ledge.
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It's one of the females next to the cam at the moment I just saw the S on her leg band
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Boy these four sure have a swanky pad :o and a nice big ledge to take flight from , I wonder if this make it easier for them ? :-\
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Did i miss it ???? I was waiting and now it look's like there are only 3 there :(
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Nope you didn't miss a fledging, one is by the cam, now two, one is at the other end laying down and the fourth is out of camera range. Female and a male I think next to the cam, female for sure, I saw her leg band. As they were coming over the female seemed to be saying "You sure you're doing that right brother?"
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Yep it's a female and the male "Boomer" standing next to the cam. :) Oh wow food just arrived and boomer and the female grabbed it from the parent and are now out of view of the camera but you can hear em What a scurrying to the food. Looks like Ohio is g oing to soon get some weather by the look of the background.
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Too funny, one of the youngsters is sitting just beyond the webcam squawking, it's as if it's telling the world it's woes of not getting any food from the last meal brought to the ledge. Or complaining about it's siblings , somebody feeeeeedddddddddddddd meeeeeeeeeeee.
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flap-flap-flap rest flap-flap-flap
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LOL and wow they don't believe in sharing do they lol that one is just standing there with the food at it's feet, oh there it's pecking at it now
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"Nooooooooooo you can't have any it's MINE!!" "Oh come on share" picking up a piece, "pfftttt that's just feathers not meat!" "Oh I got me a piece, I am going over here so no one can have it."
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Yes, really NOT good at sharing!
It's surprising how poor the quality of the video is today, and I think it's probably all to do with that grey sky! Usually everything on this site is so colourful and detailed, except when the sun is shining right on the ledge and then it's impossible to see....
oh, there we are, learning to share...
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hmmmmm "I wonder if I can sneak off with another piece?" Guess not.
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heh - naptime right in front of the camera. All I can see is a pile of feathers going up-down-up-down-up-down. 8)
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Ah, finally awake and further from the cam. Now it getting so dim near sunset it's hard to see how many are at the far end.
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Sorry I'm just now making it back over here...all 4 juvies still on the ledge this morning...they were quite active early...then took a nap...then 2 started playing around, chasing each other, going in and out of the nest box...but I did lose sight of #4...now they have taken up their usual favorite spot in front of the ledge cam....blocking EVERYTHING.... ;D...so who knows what's going on on the ledge...nobody better leave while the cam is blocked...I will be very upset...(like I really have control over it...)
Here are the band numbers and names...so you'll know who you're seeing if they get close enough..
S/73-Mistic (F)
S/47-Justice (F)
C/65-Columbus (M)
C/66-Boomer (M)
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Just a few pics from yesterday and this morning...
http://s204.photobucket.com/albums/bb123/mannereid/?action=view¤t=f6dad959.pbw
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Very short video of the action...of course, as usual, I missed the best stuff..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igbY-7v82k4
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Great video and pictures too skygirl! Thank you so much for sharing :D
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I suspect that Mistic fledged today...I have no proof other than not being able to account for her on the ledge from late morning until dark (there are several cam "blind spots")...There were 2 big prey drops this afternoon...and I never saw more than 3 juvies at one time playing "tug-a-war"...I emailed Donna Daniel with Ohio DNR, so hopefully she will have an update on her blog tomorrow...
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Justice is blocking the camera! (with her band easily visible). Move over!
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Justice is blocking the camera! (with her band easily visible). Move over!
Holey smokes! she listened! :o
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I understand why they do it, but that 8 minute timeout is pretty darn annoying. >:(
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Boomer (M) is the only one left on the ledge...Justice (F) fledged a little after 6 am today...
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When did Columbus fledge and was it successful?
(I read back a little bit, but couldn't see it mentioned anywhere -- sorry if I missed it!)
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Boomer fledged this morning at 5:59 am :'( :)...2 juvies also spotted today near the Rhodes Tower...just not sure which two..Scout and Orville have returned several times throughout the day...It will be interesting to see if the juvies are able to return to the nest ledge...its 41 stories!!!! I miss them already...but so happy they are testing their wings...but I am holding my breath...Pitt, Cathedral of learning lost one of their juvies yesterday...collision with a window...
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When did Columbus fledge and was it successful?
(I read back a little bit, but couldn't see it mentioned anywhere -- sorry if I missed it!)
Hope I get this straight...Mistic Fledged Sunday Don't know the time)...Columbus fledged sometime after 4pm on Monday...Justice fledged a little after 6 am Tuesday, and Boomer fledged this morning at 5:59 am.. I sure do hope I have that right... ;D
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Thanks, SGB! :) I'm relieved to know Columbus has fledged!
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A few minor setbacks at Columbus...Justice needed rescue and is back on the ledge..little Boomer had a run in with a window, :o but appears ok as of 3pm...Please see Donna Daniels update..complete with a few pictures of Justice and Boomer
http://ohioperegrinefalcons.blogspot.com/
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One of the youngins is laying right in front of the camera at the moment :) It's Justice, just got alook at her leg band.
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Well, I finally worked out how to use this forum. Anyway, Columbus took off the ledge about 2 minutes ago, leaving Boomer behind. They just had finished eating, after having a a major dust-up over the food one of the parents brought to them, which Boomer proceeded to eat right in front of the camera. Now, Columbus has returned; perhaps despite all their sibling fighting, they miss each other.
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Today's update...Well, Justice stayed put...who can argue with room service... ;D...but she and the rest of us got a huge surprise...Boomer made it back up to the nest ledge...now remember..The nest ledge is on the 41st floor of the Rhodes Tower. It appears they spent their day enjoying each other company.. Froona made several videos that are now posted on YouTube...here's one of them....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbpaTeMKEbw
No info on Columbus and Mistic...so, I'm going with the old saying, "No news is good news".
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Update~lots of fun on the ledge Saturday with Boomer and Justice..they really have very distinct personalities...for those of you who have time here are several videos:
The first 2 are very short...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJBTpxu2zCg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoyX43D1Zh4
This next video by Froona (which is long...but easy to fast forward) shows behavior between Scout and who we believe is Justice...Justice got quite aggressive with her mom while Boomer just calmly observed from the nest box...very interesting...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTS8v4vhtpQ
Now this is the surprise video...about 8:39 pm last night Boomer (I believe) left the ledge.....and returned about 15 minutes later. I have no clue why I decided to start recording at that particular time, but so glad I did...quality isn't great, and I had turned the sound off cuz I was on the phone..I could just kick myself that I had stopped recording about 1 minute before his return..I just didn't think he would be back...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aHojR440Qc
Well, its Sunday Morning..Both have flown...I missed it...I just couldn't drag myself outta bed..I will miss these two...but I'm sure they are out having a blast right now..it looks like a gorgeous day for flying...I just hope we hear something about the other two soon!!!
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Great videos, thanks SGB
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Quick update: Finally had 3 juvies on the ledge yesterday. Boomer and Mistic identified...not sure of the 3rd. This is the first confirmed sighting of Mistic in almost 2 weeks. Boomer has been a frequent visitor...The "kids" seem to still prefer the ledge next door to the nest ledge. We occasionally catch them (or a parent) flying to that ledge...or a parent leaving the nest ledge and going next door...
Scout and Orville have just started to return to the nest box together and the renewal of "vows" has begun...Scout and Orville did not migrate last fall, so it was really fun watching their frequent visits all winter...I hope they do that again this year.
That's it!!
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Hi, there has been a lot of activity on this site in the past few days as Scout and Orville renew their bond. It is awesome to see them both on the ledge and in the nestbox softly chirping to each other with heads low and appearing to be staring at each other for long periods of time. Definitely worth a check in to the Ohio site. I also love that the birds frequently stand obligeingly (sp) in front of the ledgecam so that we can read their band numbers! ;D
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After almost two years in rehab, Victory, the former resident female at this nest, was released today in southern Ohio. I hope she does not try to return to the Rhodes Tower, since I would hate to see Victory and Scout involved in any kind of territorial battle. I hope everything goes well for Victory now that she is free again.
http://ohioperegrinefalcons.blogspot.com/
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/victory5a.jpg)
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There are birds on the ledge and in the nest this evening. ;D I am assuming from the behaviour that it is Scout and Orville although I can't see the band numbers. I am really hoping that the former falcon for this site doesn't make her way back here as it would be terrible for either one of these wonderful falcons to be injured in a territorial battle.
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Oh she is absolutely beautiful, I'm so glad they were able to save her. What a lovely story and I really hope for a happy ending..talons crossed :)
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Happy news from Columbus this week. Just to recap, Victory, the former resident female, was released after two years in rehab. The biologists released her a few days distance away as there was concern that she would return to reclaim "her" nest where she had fledged young. So, lots of drama. Would Victory return? and what would happen when she did? Late Monday afternoon Orville and his mate of the last two years, Scout, were lounging around the ledge and nestbox when something caught Orville's attention. He suddenly started screaming and moved next to Scout who also started making very serious alarm sounds. After about a minute they both launched themselves off of the ledge. What was happening? Three and a half nailbiting hours later Orville and Scout (?) returned to the nestbox and spent some time there touching beaks. Very sweet! Had they just successfully defended their nest? I guess that we will never know that, however I am happy to say that the next day Scout came down the ledge and sat in front of the ledgecam where I could read her band number ;D Also, Donna Daniels, the wildlife biologist has reported that they haven't had any reports of downed peregrines this week so I would like to believe that Victory and this year's kids are all just fine. ::)
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Just wanted to pop in and say hello...Its been so long since I visited that I had to reset my password....geeeeez ;D..(busy with my own forum)..but did think of you guys and wanted to make sure you were up to date on Columbus...and that you knew Alcoa went live today....FINALLY...but as always, you guys are on top of it!!!!
Just wanted to share my final video of Columbus...I'm gonna eventually rework it and get out the kinks...but for now, enjoy....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DN6h4PMl1Bo
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This is a great summary of the chicks from birth to fledge. Well done, Skygirlblue! Of course, I was also watching this from work, so when the music came on I had to do some quick adjustment in order to avoid my boss's scruitiny and censure, so I think I will keep my computer on mute in future.
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This is a great summary of the chicks from birth to fledge. Well done, Skygirlblue! Of course, I was also watching this from work, so when the music came on I had to do some quick adjustment in order to avoid my boss's scruitiny and censure, so I think I will keep my computer on mute in future.
;D ;D
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What a wonderful video! It brings back so many great memories. Thank you. I love those closeups that the ledgecam provides. It is great that Scout and Orville are still spending a lot of time at the site so that we can continue to enjoy them.
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What a great video diary, you got me all misty eyed..hehe! Great to see you back with us SBG!
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Thanks for the welcome...so glad you liked the video...makes me misty-eyed as well....I hope our four are doing ok....I love having S&O come to the ledge everyday...but I think we'll all be holding our breath through the spring...I certainly don't want anything to happen to Victory, but I don't want there to be a territorial battle either...
If S&O follow the same pattern as last fall/winter...they'll continue to visit the ledge...I hope they are able to keep the streaming going as well...last winter when they had snow...you could see their little footprints on the ledge and in the box...
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This is my lucky day for peregrine falcon viewing at every camera I visit. A falcon, I think mom, is at the nesting site right now (2:48 MST), cleaning her feathers, looking about, and, I expect, preparing for her long journey south.
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This is my lucky day for peregrine falcon viewing at every camera I visit. A falcon, I think mom, is at the nesting site right now (2:48 MST), cleaning her feathers, looking about, and, I expect, preparing for her long journey south.
Hello Eli...if you are referring to the Columbus pair, neither one of them migrated last year and stayed pretty active at the nest site. I hope they repeat that again this year as they were fun to watch last winter...
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When I first looked at the Columbus nest site today I was shocked - there seemed to be two guys and two birds all crowded on the ledge; I couldn't believe it, so I went away and came back, but they were still there, and the birds seemed to be remarkably tolerant of the crowd and activity around the nest box. I read the blog from the wildlife biologist about repairs, but I still am not sure about what I was seeing - if no one else has seen this, then I will really start to worry.
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There's a blog entry on the site with information on the repairs now if you are interested in the details Eli!
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The falcons in Columbus, Ohio, are happy to give us a superb close-up this morning - you can count every feather! I am glad they do not seem to migrate, as this way I get my falcon fix until our migrators return from away.
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Very up close and personal, interesting perspective that's for sure. LOL
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And then she was gone! Wow what a nice treat watching the side of her at the webcam. :)
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There is an incredibly beautiful closeup view of either Scout or Orville (2 on the band which both have) on the ledgecam. ;D
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I haven't seen much of Orville and Scout lately, but today Orville showed off his feathers close up, and then both were on the ledge.
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/columbusoct241a.jpg)
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/columbusoct242a.jpg)
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/columbusoct245a.jpg)
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;D ;D ;D Wonderful pictures. Thanks Alison :) I love these two. It is also about the only place these days to get my Peregrine fix.
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;D ;D ;D Wonderful pictures. Thanks Alison :) I love these two. It is also about the only place these days to get my Peregrine fix.
I could only see one on the ledge today.
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/columbusoct277a.jpg)
There are still some peregrines around, visiting some of the nests. Here is a mini peregrine fix for you, Maggieblue.
Pittsburgh Cathedral of Learning: Dorothy or E2.
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/Pfalcon21a-1.jpg)
King Plant, MN: Brent in the nest, and Brent and Belinda on the railing.
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/kingoct2723b.jpg)
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/kingoct2789b.jpg)
Black Dog, MN: probably the female.
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/bdoct272a.jpg)
Cleveland: Buckeye.
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/clevelandoct2713b.jpg)
Fort Wayne, IN: Freedom and Roosevelt still frequently visit the nest box. Today the cam angle was changed, but here is Freedom from a couple of days ago.
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/fortwayneoct253a.jpg)
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Wow! Monitoring all of these sites must really keep you busy. I will have to check these out. Thanks :)
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The Ohio falcons have again graced us with their presence, at 11:23 Mountain Daylight Time. He/she is right in front of the camera again, but is being coy, so I cannot read the leg band. But what a nice set of feathers!
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Great shots! I wish our camera was still functional as mom and dad have been up on the nest box for the past week, every day so at least I get my fix daily..even though it's from 17 floors down and I have a sore neck from craning up to see them ..hehe. It went down to one degree last night and they're both still here and tonight they're calling for wet snow..they sure are tough birds. I'm out there shivering to get a look at them and they're just up there preening away like it's nothing!
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Carly, I wish your cam was still functional too - I miss seeing the falcons there! Any chance of the cam being fixed?
I'm not sure who is on the ledge at Columbus in the first two pics, but the one with the close-up feathers is Orville. In the last pic, he shows off his band numbers.
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/columbusoct2810a.jpg)
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/columbusoct2812a.jpg)
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/columbusoct2818a.jpg)
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/columbusoct2819a.jpg)
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/columbusoct2825a.jpg)
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/columbusoct2828a.jpg)
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Great pictures! thank you for sharing...every time I go to the Ohio site, all I see are pictures of poop! I always seem to miss the birds.
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An update from Donna Daniel on the cam situation:
Nestbox camera update
As most are aware the nestboxcam has been down for a couple of weeks now. The problem is with the computer that transfers the video from the cameras to our website and is severe to the point that the computer needs to be completely replaced. Fortunately though, this has happened in the “off season” so a delay of view shouldn’t cause too much unrest among all our falconcam fans out there.
Replacing the computer presents a challenge. Anyone familiar with state government and/or the present state of the economy can surely understand that we are dealing with very strict budgetary and purchasing limitations. Prior to this recent problem we had been tossing around the idea of changing systems to utilize a camera that transmits directly to the internet. If it is found to be a plausible option, this system could potentially result in fewer outages because of network problems. We ask everyone to be patient while we explore the options. Expect the nestboxcam to not be available in the near future but we of course would hope to have it back in time for next nesting season.
http://ohioperegrinefalcons.blogspot.com/
And a great pic of Scout with the update:
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/whittier_puddle3.jpg)
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Oh she's a beauty, taking a bath :-* :-* I'm surprised she's on the ground, the adults don't usually go that low! But then again they always seem to do what we don't expect them to..hehe.
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Scout is a beauty - I hope the fact that she is on the ground is not a bad sign; the biologist where I do volunteer work said that when birds of prey go to ground, it is usually because they are sick, or something is wrong. I certainly hope that this is not the case with this beautiful peregrine!
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Highly unlikely, they do go to the ground-water to get a drink and bath, seriously I doubt there is anything wrong with her.
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That picture reminded me of this one I saw on Alison's site - I forgotten about Titan and Hillary, check out these pics of them bathing together - just scroll down a bit til you find the start, absolutely beautiful shots of them frolicking in the water together!
http://www.falconcam-cmnh.org/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?37970.30#post_38942
I was told the same thing that they don't go to ground and probably in the city core they wouldn't as there are cars and humans to contend with. Maybe living in the dirty and smoggy, polluted city air has driven them to bathing..hehe..they look like they are having a blast..nice to see!
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Carly, I was going to post the same link to the spectacular photos by Chad and Chris of Titan and Hillary bathing. They take the most beautiful photos of peregrines.
Peregrines do come down to the ground to drink and to bathe, and I think that is what Scout was going to do in the photo.
Here are a couple of older photos by Chad and Chris. The first one is of Buckeye at Hilliard Bridge taking his bath - he loved the water! Very sadly, we lost Buckeye last year. Titan is Hillary's new mate. The second pic is of Hillary bathing a few years ago.
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/buckeyebathing2.jpg)
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/hillarybathing2.jpg)
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Love, love that second picture..that face is priceless, it just says..is it off me yet ;D ;D!! I think we have alot more to learn about these amazing creatures!
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Oh those photos, all of them, are priceless. In the last couple of years I've been quite taken with birds having a bath. So yeah I love seeing pics of birds, any birds, taking a bath.
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No sign of Scout and Orville and I don't blame them for not being home. It is incredibly noisy there this hour as there is a huge political rally that must be very close to this building. I guess they are not political peregrines. :D
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Haven't seen Scout and Orville, and when I checked the site today both cams were down.
Meantime, Chad and Chris have posted a few more bathing pics:
http://www.falconcam-cmnh.org/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?37970.50
Titan bathing:
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/titanbathing1-1.jpg)
On the previous page there are some beautiful pics of Titan and Hillary in flight:
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/titaninflight1-1.jpg)
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YEAH :) The Colombus ledgecam is back in action and there was even someone there who flew off, Scout I think. I was worried that both cams would be out of action until the spring so this is a treat. ;D
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Someone doing a feather closeup in front of the ledgecam this morning 8)
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I like to keep an eye on the Columbus falcon cam in case I am lucky enough to catch one of the birds dusting the camera lens for us; but I don't know what I am looking at right now - it looks like a giant sponge has moved into camera range. It may be someone cleaning. If someone else can figure this out, that would be nice.
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FYI....the ledgecam is now working (thank goodness!!) tho' it is fickle...both Scout and Orville continue to visit...Couple of pics from today...
(http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb123/mannereid/November%202008%20B/th_col021.jpg) (http://s204.photobucket.com/albums/bb123/mannereid/November%202008%20B/?action=view¤t=col021.jpg)
(http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb123/mannereid/November%202008%20B/th_col017.jpg) (http://s204.photobucket.com/albums/bb123/mannereid/November%202008%20B/?action=view¤t=col017.jpg)
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Nice to see Orville and Scout back on the ledge this morning ;D
They appear to be enjoying the morning sun after a few days of rain and snow.
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I was happy to see both Orville and Scout on the ledge today. They stayed for a while, then the one at the far end left. The other one left after the last pic.
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/columbusdec105a.jpg)
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/columbusdec1015a.jpg)
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/columbusdec1031a.jpg)
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/columbusdec1037a.jpg)
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/columbusdec1041a.jpg)
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And one is back this morning (9:00 MST). He/she looks somewhat agitated, looking around alot, and has very ruffled feathers, so I suspect that another bird was eyeing the ledge as a possible home, or place to perch for a while.
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Both adults are at the site right now for anyone who needs a peregrine fix. One is doing alot of preening lol
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Oh they are still there. It's not a nice day there so maybe they will be staying here for awhile :)
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One of the falcons is pressed right up against the camera, but it still is not possible to read the leg-band. It has a very healthy supply of feathers, and spent a good part of the morning grooming each and every one!
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Falcon alert for those of you needing a fix. ::) Scout and Orville are both on the ledge preening. Lots of nice feather closeups courtesy of Orille ;D ;D
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2009 NESTING SEASON
In case anyone is interested, one of the Ohio falcons is busy preening itself on the ledge - that is one big bird, so I assume it is Scout.
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One of the Ohio falcons is now sitting right in front of the camera. He/she is sitting in a lot of snow, and I don't know if the falcons are used to such weather down there. He/she looks abit chilly.
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One of the Ohio duo, Scout I think, is sitting on the nestcam preening while a snowstorm goes on. ::) It is intersting to see this pair in the snowy conditions.
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He's still there. I thought he'd be gone by the time I looked but he's staying put amid this snow that is falling.
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Every morning for the last few days our falcon friend has been at the nest site, for hours at a time; I am pretty sure it is Scout. I do believe she is getting her house in order for her courtship/mating with Orville, who flys in every now and again to see how the housekeeping is going.
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She might be housekeeping, but more likely they both are establishing/reaffirming their hold on the territory. US birds are starting to reappear on territories further south so Scout and Orville will soon have company ....
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She might be housekeeping, but more likely they both are establishing/reaffirming their hold on the territory. US birds are starting to reappear on territories further south so Scout and Orville will soon have company ....
The reports on the Columbus blog probably explain Scout's increased presence. New cams have been installed and both Scout and Orville were defending their territory against those human intruders. There is a great picture with the earlier February update.
http://ohioperegrinefalcons.blogspot.com/
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Opps :-[ The new cameras haven't actually been installed yet. See the blog for details.
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http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/wildlife/dow/falcons/live_ledge_video.aspx
The last couple of days Scout and Orville appear to have changed their habits. Scout has been spending time down at the ledgecam end of the platform giving us some great closeups of talons and feathers. Everytime I check in at least one and usually both birds are on the ledge. I wonder if they have the company TPC talked about and if there are some other peregrines in the area.
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It must be windy in Ohio - Scout's feathers are really flying today. She has been in front of the camera all morning, flexing her talons, glaring at birds who dare to fly by, and generally ensuring that the whole world is aware that she owns the patform.
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Scout and Orville have both been on the ledge for about the last hour. Scout in the scrape and now sitting in front of the nestbox. Orville arrived with prey in his talons and sat in front of the ledgecam for about an hour. Scout didn't show any interest so now he is eating. 8)
It must have been snowing across much of the U.S. north. Only a few flakes in Columbus, but snow in the box in Minnesota (Elk River), New York (Rochester), and Nebraska (Woodman in Omaha).
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they are both still there.. lots of vocalizing.. and lots of church bells bonging in the background.. looks cold and windy there.. not unlike here in Southern Ontario,. where our tempuratures went from + 10 yesterday, to minus 15 in less than 10hours.. brrrrr..
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So I just checked out Columbus at sunset and there were people on the ledge and WHOOPIE they have the nestcam working! Big cheer! Donna Daniels, the biologist, had noted that there could be eggs as soon as mid March so there was concern that if the nest cam problems were not resolved soon we would miss the whole nest cam view for the year.
Also, I hope that some of you were watching shortly after 1 pm on Sunday. Both Scout and Orville made a high speed landing on the ledge in front of the nestbox, ee-chupping (sp?) wildly. They hopped into the scrape but a few seconds later Orville came out again and launched off the ledge. Huh? I thought. What was that all about? and then I saw this bird, could only have been Orville, making incredibly high speed passes by the ledge, up , down, around, and a loop through the ledge space for a finale. :o Wow! I really envy the people who see these events live and have the whole view. 8)
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About that black thing at the back of the ledge...after the camera change I was worried about what it might be, but then I remembered that a corner of it had been visible for months with the previous camera angle. The new camera appears to be further back. When the woman (biologist Donna Daniels I presume) and the fellow were on the ledge the other day they would have been walking around it and therefore I am thinking it must be some permanent fixture. The new camera views are pretty disappointing so far. Lets hope that they can get the fine tuning done soon.
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Mom is in the nestbox touching up the nest.!
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Mom and dad both in the nestbox this morning. Dad found something to eat in there, but instead of eating it himself, he fed it to mom - maybe this is some kind of bonding, or mating ritual. Anyway, mom is alone in the box now doing some housekeeping, and dad has decided to retreat to the yard, so to speak.
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Wonderful to see these two together. :) I wonder when we will see eggs.
I see that the mystery of the dark blob has been revealed on the blog. Turns out it is a curved grate that covers a drain for the ledge. Whew! Now we don't have to worry anymore that it might be a dead bird.
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Scout has been in the nestbox for some time now, rearranging pebbles etc. I wonder if we will see an egg here soon
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Mom and dad both in the nestbox this morning. Dad found something to eat in there, but instead of eating it himself, he fed it to mom - maybe this is some kind of bonding, or mating ritual. Anyway, mom is alone in the box now doing some housekeeping, and dad has decided to retreat to the yard, so to speak.
Yes, food sharing/feeding is part of the pair bond and courtship rituals ... its a good sign that these two are getting down to business ;)
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Scout in the nestbox tonight. I think that we are getting close ;D ;D
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yes ... it sure looks like she's doing something. I'll keep watching.
As a kid I watched a chicken for a long time... waiting for it to lay an egg.
thankfully it happened after an hour.
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Oooh..she's a beauty :-*
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Ugg..strobe light web cam this morning ???
Oh my god!! An egg??? I may have just witnessed my first live egg laying...stupid cam ...grrr...it looks like it though..anyone else watching?
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Yup ...it's an egg...woot! ;D
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Good News. Yes, an egg ;D ;D ;D I just saw that. I am sure that Scout spent the night in the nestbox as she was there when it was getting dark and then at dawn. She was out on the ledge later in front of the ledge cam with a big bulge under her tail. Orville brought her breakfast (pretty gruesome closeup in front of the camera) and maybe that did the trick. I missed the actual moment the egg arrived too as I can't stand to watch that strobbing.
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I spent half an hour yesterday watching Scout in the nest, then had to go, so I missed the big event. I see her in the nest this morning, and the poor thing looks pretty tired; I am sure it takes alot of energy to lay eggs. Anyway, Orville is struting around outside on the ledge, fluffing up his feathers, looking for all the world like a proud father. I will now watch for a second egg - I hope I get to see this.
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First day of spring and first egg - how appropriate. Now, let the games begin - it's been a long cold winter and a long anticipated return of the falcons. Looking forward to happy, happy times.
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Right now the falcon is standing over the egg. She's been yaking at times too. Sometimes she looks like she's going incubate but doesn't totally go down. I am wondering if there is going to be another egg laying in the near future? I guess not she just went out to the landing.
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You're probably right eagle, she kept doing that for hours before she laid the first one. Kept crouching down and pushing and then she'd get up and go outisde, come back in, etc.. Peregrine labour :P
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Happy Spring to all my fellow Peregrine watchers. I've been feeling a little shy about joining in but will put my 2 cents worth starting here today. I observed Scout & Orville mating at 8:46 this morning. Just prior to that Orville was in the nestbox hovering over the egg just as you describe Scout has been doing. At first I thought he was Scout in labor but then he jumped out and promptly mated with Scout who was sitting on the ledge.
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come on irenekl, join in.. don't be shy, heck you are watching birdy naughty,, and commenting on it... how shy can you be? lol
jump right in, the water is warm, the company crazy, and the closets are dark.. And if none of that makes sense, you'll have to do some reading up on past posts...
oh and watch out for Carly, she wears long flowing robes and dances to the weather Gods.. sometimes it even works. :o
;D
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okay thats very funny. Birdy naughty! Haven't thought of it that way before. But cool when out of the blue there it is - they're doing it. Makes me curious now whether or not she is due to lay an egg today and they still mate anyway?? Also caught the Ostrich's at the Netherlands cam the other day. Much more graceful.
Anyway, I've been following the posts for the last year and some so I'm aware of what kind of nuts you all can be. And as for Carly and her flowing robes - go to it hon!
Oh and thankyou for the kind welcome.
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Scout and Orville won't start incubating until egg 3 then you will need to have sharp eyes to catch a glimpse of the eggs including any laid after number 3. So, 48 hours between 1 and 2 and probably 2 and 3 so look for incubating to begin about Tuesday-ish.
And the yakking movement (keep in mind I haven't seen it) might be her about to cough up a pellet rather than laying an egg.
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Scout was on the egg but Orville just arrived, they did some yapping to each other and then Orville took over. At least it's one egg from what I could see anyway.
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I've been watching Scout this afternoon, she seems so restless. She can't sit still for a minute or more. I thought for a moment I saw two eggs but I think it's still just the one.
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I agree, she did look a little restless today for some reason..maybe egg # 2 today???
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I think I see two eggs ;D
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Go Scout!
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Checking in on Scout after going out to get groceries. Two eggs? I hope so lol
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Wooohoooo we have two eggs!!!! Good for Scout!
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So...just watching a peaceful sunset scene with Orville in the scrape ...probably admiring the new egg...and Scout out on the ledge preening in front of the ledgecam... and then.. :o :o the lovebirds, as TPC would say, "at it" :o in front of the ledge camera. Then Orville flew off doing some fancy flying. Love these two.
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Awe....two little lovebirds!!! I guess they just wanted to put on a show... ::)
Should we put a rating on some of these threads :P
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Scout had a third egg late this afternoon sometime. When I checked in Orville (yellow beak is a dead giveaway )was busy admiring the three and figuring out how to get all three underneath him.
After another big day Mom was having some me time out on the ledge. :D
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Oh that's great!!! I missed it :-[ I was watching a few times today but didn't see that third egg... Darn this working for a living ???
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Is it just me, or is the focus a little short on the nestbox cam?
And out of curiosity, what's the difference between Scout's and Orville's beak colour? I admit that I have spent enough time figuring out which is which yet .... ???
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Every time I got a moment to watch the nestbox cam, I only saw two eggs or a Falcon covering them up...so I basically missed the entire event!
I'm going with everyone else... Orville does have a more yellowish color in the beak (sometimes hard to determine), but I always rely on the size.
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Is it just me, or is the focus a little short on the nestbox cam?
Not just you TPC, I can see it. They have a new cam system this year and have been having some challenges with it. One of the problems is a 'strobe' light affect that seems to happen once in awhile...peregrines in disco mode!!
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Is it just me, or is the focus a little short on the nestbox cam?
And out of curiosity, what's the difference between Scout's and Orville's beak colour? I admit that I have spent enough time figuring out which is which yet .... ???
Scout's beak is quite pale, almost a cream colour. The distortion on the nestbox cam makes it difficult to identify them when they are facing the cam so the difference in the beak colour helps.
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Ooohhh, the weather in Columbus isn't that great either from what I saw on the ledgcam...couldn't get onto the nestbox cam :( , must be down again due to technical difficulties.
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Weather still rotten today at Columbus, pouring rain. :( If Scout is on schedule we might see a fourth egg arrive later this afternoon. Scout and Orville have certainly been doing everything possible to make that happen. The ledgecam might need an R rating ::)
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Scout looks like she is laying the 4th egg ;D or maybe not . :-\Hope this isn't a false alarm.
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My gosh, the light show in the nest box in Ohio is unnerving; it looks like the worst lightening storm in history. At least it does not seem to be bothering our falcon, who we may have to rename Scout the disco queen.
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It's later, but still only 3 eggs.
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Apparently Scout laid her 4th egg!! I tried to check but the cam is doing the disco strobe thing... wonder if the eyases will come out dancing :D
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The cam definitely has problems . . . here is a pic of the four eggs I caught a few minutes ago. Orville is incubating at the moment. He's such an elegant little tiercel.
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/february%202009/columbusmar276a.jpg) (http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/february%202009/columbusmar274a.jpg)
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/february%202009/columbusmar2710a.jpg)
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I noticed that he also likes to nibble or move pebbles/gravel around kinda like what Trey does as well. It's quite amusing to watch actually... :D
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Must be a guy thing!
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I'm thinkin'....are they just bored or somethin'. Can't mate anymore so they play with gravel??? ::)
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Must be a guy thing!
:) Both males and females pick up pieces of gravel while incubating - I watched Mariah at Rochester do this for years.
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Must be a guy thing!
:) Both males and females pick up pieces of gravel while incubating - I watched Mariah at Rochester do this for years.
They are nest-making :D
They will continue to do this during incubation and brooding after the chicks hatch. Trey has been known to get so involved in "housekeeping" that he wanders off the eggs/chicks he's suppose to be incubating/brooding.
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That's why I made the comment about how Orville reminded me of Trey :D
Trey would do such a great job housekeeping while he was incubating, he would come off the eggs several times ::) I noticed Orville did the exact same thing..... 8)
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Something going on here. Scout was napping on the eggs and Orville preening on the ledge in front of the ledgecam. Orville started kaking and took off after something. Scout came out of the nestbox to see what was going on and took off too, leaving the eggs :o
O.K. They are back, both cleaning their beaks. And now Orville is taking a shift on the eggs. Whew!
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Someone must have 'dared' to fly through their air space.. ;D Bet they won't be making that mistake again ;)
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The eggs won't come to harm being left uncovered during the incubation period. Depending on the weather of course. If its warm and sunny on the eggs, we have had females here leave them uncovered (they were nearby) for close to an hour and the chicks were fine when they hatched, and all of them did hatch. At this time of year, wet/damp and cooler, a few minutes isn't particularly dangerous.
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I love these two!!!
Well, I love all of them really!
But I don't love any of them more than I love Trey and Princess....
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Nice save Allikat ::)
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It seems like our falcon parents have been sitting on these eggs forever - they must be due to be hatched any day now.
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I know, I think they are just about due. I can't remember when they started incubating.
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It seems like forever since they have been on those eggs. The most recent report from the biologist there says that she is expecting a hatch around next Thursday. ;D I really loved watching the young here last year. Hoping for another great year. ;D
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I believe there is a chick just now hatching in Ohio!
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I believe there is a chick just now hatching in Ohio!
Whoo Hoo! A little fluff ball! I wonder if it is hot there as Scout seems to be trying to shade the chick and eggs.
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I'm wondering too about what exactly Scout is doing. She's breathing heavily and her mouth has been wide open for awhile already. Looks like distress of some sort, heat or whatever. Maybe it's nothing.
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Could be heat or she could be coughing up a pellet. :-X
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Oh maybe. They do that? Cough up pellets? I didn't realize they actually swallowed them when they peck around in the gravel. I'm wondering now if there is a chick or did I confuse a white'ish smudge on the cam lense for a chick?? Did you see one?
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Yesterday it looked like there was a white spot on on of the eggs. It now looks like a white ball of fluff is there.
So exciting.
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Maybe it is a smudge...let's hope it isn't. I guess time will tell. I can't tell whether it is Mom of Dad on the eggs but he/she is panting (if birds do that).
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I believe - and TPC can correct if I'm wrong - the pellets are undigested bones, feather and cartilidge from birds they eat.
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It is warm in Columbus with a forecasted high of 88F. Hopefully Scout and the chick will be in the shade sometime soon. I did see her move the eggs to the back on one of those horrible rain days that they have had recently so maybe she will do that.
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Wow..that is hot and she's right in the sun...heat it is then, poor thing. I keep forgetting it's summery in other parts of the world :)
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yep, I'm sure she's just shading the eggs for temperature control and trying to keep cool herself. It's spring weather here, so I'm off to play in my flowers. ;D
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As it turns out there hasn't been a hatch here yet. ??? There was just a shift change and there are still four intact eggs. What looked like a chick turns out to have been a white blob on the camera lens. ::) So I guess we will have to wait a little longer.
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I believe - and TPC can correct if I'm wrong - the pellets are undigested bones, feather and cartilidge from birds they eat.
You got it ... :)
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Great to see both present and accounted for at sunset. Scout on the ledge and Orville in the box. ;D
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Scout is on the eggs now, and she is looking around alot, almost standing straight up, is very restless and agitated; I hope she is o.k., and that this is just a sign of an impending egg.
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Now she is all fluffed up and sitting right on the edge of the nestbox with her mouth open; to me, she looks distressed, but I don't know enough about falcons to judge.
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It's very hot there today, almost 30c and she's right in the sun so no doubt she's hot. She was like that yesterday in the heat as well. IF the air temp is 28c, think of it like this, she is surrounded by sides of the box so the wind is diminished and it's probably 35c for her.
Orville had moved the eggs towards the back a bit yesterday but she seems to like them up front.
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Now she is all fluffed up and sitting right on the edge of the nestbox with her mouth open; to me, she looks distressed, but I don't know enough about falcons to judge.
All peregrines pant to cool off. Adults can also go to water and/or shade whereas chicks will sprawl out on their bellies with limbs in all directions - the look like Wiley Coyote after a fall. And they will do the same when they start flying - I've seen chicks 2-3 weeks after fledging sprawled out on nearby roofs cooling off this way ... very funny, until one starts getting calls about injured peregrines with broken wings/backs that are "just lying there".
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Yes, I see now there was no reason to be concerned; Scout finally left, and Orville has now come in; he is looking at the fruits of their labor like he cannot believe the size of them; I am sure he is thinking, how am I supposed to cover these honking big eggs? I believe that he feels that standing over them is the best option at this point, and that is what he is doing, and he looks like he is sleeping on his feet.
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If he's standing, particularly if he's dropped his wing(s), he could very well be funnelling cooler air over the eggs (or his belly) - they, particularly the males since they are smaller, do that alot when the chicks are hatched ...
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I think Orville was giving them some air as Scout was having trouble keeping them covered and cool. They expect a hatch any day.It was almost as if Scout could hear some peeping and was looking for Scout to come back
Too bad their sound is not working right now. It is so great to hear the peeping in the shells.
Scout
(http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x135/fullbrandt/columbusapril27-1.jpg)
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Where are you????? I need you.
Looks like a puppy looking for mumma. Great picture!!!!!
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Scout is doing a whole lot of wiggling around over the eggs. I hope that it means that an egg is about to hatch. :D
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The projected hatch date is Wednesday so could be anytime as it's not an exact science. Not sure who is in the box now but they have been listening to the eggs so that is a promising sign! She/he seems quite into a pebble at the moment and is half off the eggs and no pips yet though. Reminds me of Trey, eggs? what eggs? there's a pebble out of place in this corner and look at this dust!!:P
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that is exactly what S2 was doing before each hatch.
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CArly,
Orville has an orange beak and scouts is wider and a light yellow. that is how I tell them apart most times
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Thanks Bev, I'm not very familiar with this site although I've certainly heard alot about this pair. This is my first time watching them. Last year by the time I discovered them the juvies had already fledged!
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The projected hatch date is Wednesday so could be anytime as it's not an exact science. Not sure who is in the box now but they have been listening to the eggs so that is a promising sign! She/he seems quite into a pebble at the moment and is half off the eggs and no pips yet though. Reminds me of Trey, eggs? what eggs? there's a pebble out of place in this corner and look at this dust!!:P
I know hey Carly...Trey with those pebbles. Ooooh, I see that pebble out of place waaaayyyyy over there, what will happen if I just go and fix it, oh there, that's better. But wait, there's another one, oh and another one.. What Princess, what? Oh right, the eggs :D
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I just watched and they the incubating falcon is sitting up quite high on the eggs always looking down at them. I think we're getting close to a hatch! Yay! ;D
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NOTICE: The first egg has just hatched!
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The female hasn't figured out that its more important for the chick to be under than the eggs ... ::) She'll get there but in the meantime I keep poking her with my cursor to get her to turn around and plop her butt on the kid ....
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This little one is soooo cute. Saw the egg hatch! ;D
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That's what I'm doing too...I keep trying to grab the eggshell and tell her to get the chick underneath her. ::)
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LoL..TPC, I could just see you with the cursor...hehe! I see a little bit of fluff under Scout.
It's so nice to be sitting and watching after spending the day running up and down the elevator to try to catch hatches and get work done...good thing I have an understanding boss!
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Why did this shell not get eaten?
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I knew there would be a hatch when I was at lunch(a long lunch) She is so funny to watch. It is warm there so if the chick is out a bit I imagine it will be O.K.
Last year we were all trying to shout at her through the cam about how to feed. ;D ;D
I used to poke at the screen until my husband told me I was wrecking it. Now I just shout at it.
We are a goof y lot aren't we. got to love us though.
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Yay..she's off the eggs and I see the little one sacked out against the eggs! ;D
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Umm...what the heck is she doing. The chick is starving and she's 2 feet away from it so she keeps eating the food??? Get closer mom..oh no!! Is she going to leave again?? Yep I guess so.
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Umm...what the heck is she doing. The chick is starving and she's 2 feet away from it so she keeps eating the food??? Get closer mom..oh no!! Is she going to leave again??
Don't worry....she really doesn't need to eat yet...she absorbed the remainder of her yolk before hatching....My first video....yipppeeeeee....I think Scout's feet were asleep....she can barely wak out the door....bless her heart...I hope its ready to post...may still be processing... ;D
video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UgDrXjzkhs
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nope its up and running right now
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Ok phew, that kind of freaked me out! Angel fed her little one about 2 hours after hatching..of course it was only a few bites but watching this made me nervous!!
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nice video SGB :) :) :)
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Great wing action in the video there SGB!
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Sooooo cute...At least I got to see this live ;D
I was watching her trying to get the little chick under with the eggshell and wasn't succeeding. Both TPC and I were telling her to get the new born chick under her and I was picking away at the screen with hopes that I could magically make the eggshell move ::)
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Umm...what the heck is she doing. The chick is starving and she's 2 feet away from it so she keeps eating the food??? Get closer mom..oh no!! Is she going to leave again??
Don't worry....she really doesn't need to eat yet...she absorbed the remainder of her yolk before hatching....My first video....yipppeeeeee....I think Scout's feet were asleep....she can barely wak out the door....bless her heart...I hope its ready to post...may still be processing... ;D
video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UgDrXjzkhs
Great video SGB...I still find it absolutely amazing watching these raptors with their little delicate chicks. Listening to them vocalize while feeding, feeding them while tearing apart their kill to feel their young. Truly awe-inspiring!
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Thanks for the video. I can't see any of the camera's at work. They have disabled the viewers. You made it possible for me to see the chick right after hatching.
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I was just on another site and apparently Scout does have issues sometimes with feeding her chicks, she thinks they will come to her and doesn't realize they are too young to walk yet. They said she did the same thing last year and again she left without feeding them :-\. She stands too far away, almost like she's afraid of them...very interesting. Obviously she figures it out at some point as they all were raised to fledge last year :P
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And we're over it now! Feeding of 2 chicks taking place ;) Oh they are adorable :-* :-*
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I think that chick number 3 just arrived!
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Oh excellent, thanks Maggie! I see the egg shell there :D
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Last year we were yelling at Scout to move further in. but she got the hang of it and all were fed really well. this morning she gave them big chunks. She will get used to it. she was a really good mom. Just a very cautious one. Making sure the food is of the right quality ;D ;D I know some of those.
I was just there and must have missed number 3
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Last year we were yelling at Scout to move further in. but she got the hang of it and all were fed really well. this morning she gave them big chunks.
Happy that I am not the only one who talks to the birds. There was (and maybe still is) a feeding underway but the picture is flashing so much that it was difficult to see. Scout was a little far away again and the chunks were pretty big :D
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Scout has another large piece of shell in her beak and is shifting around. I wonder if we are going to see chick number 4? ;D
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YES, four little chicks ;D ;D Now if she would only feed them. She is eating while the oldest 3 have their beaks wide open and are tying to move towards her.
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*sigh* She ate all the food herself. See it's not just me!!! Does Orville ever step in and feed them?
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I just checked in on Columbus and thought "Why are those 2 chicks sticking out from under Scout". And then I realized that it was Orville! I guess he was having a little trouble getting everyone fully covered. :D
Oops. Mom is back and everyone is under wraps for the night.
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YIPPEE....4 little ones...I finally caught a feed..nothing fancy and rather long...but glad to see...I found myself talking to the screen..."feed the ones in the back...you missed the little ones..."...boy I really do miss the sound...I hope they can try and fix it on banding day...of course, we will have missed those sweet little sounds...Oh well, I'm just glad I haven't seen "disco fever" tonight and that we've got a cam...
video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHRBJaFPtRA
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I'm so excited! These little chicks are soooo cute! :-*
Congratulations Orville and Scout!
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Just watched a major feeding session; I think one little fellow at the back of the crowd didn't get anything - he was looking the wrong way, and by the time he figured out that he had to turn around and push himself to the front, the food was gone. I hope next time, he is abit more aggressive, as I think that is how it works in Birdland.
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There was just a long feeding session and this time it appeared that the little guys at the back got enough too. All are now collapsed in a chick pile ;D
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Orville was just having a great time feeding the chicks, being so careful, too, when mom came stomping in and sent him packing.
I recognize Orville not just by his size, but the fact that the back of his tail is perfect, not a feather out of place.
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A foggy day in Columbus. Scout just defeathered second breakfast out on the ledge and is now feeding the foursome :)
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I love this family...love watching all the action. (of course while waiting for P & T)
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Must be hot in Columbus. The chicks are not in a pile. They are all sprawlled out apart in the nest. They look so cute.
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I love it when they do that!
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If you are interested there is an online poll to vote on the names for Scout and Orville's chicks. It is on the Ohio Department of Natural Resources homepage. The names were suggested by Ohio schoolchildren which explains some of the unusual choices. :D
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Default.aspx?alias=www.dnr.state.oh.us/wildlife
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Ooo, Ooo, wanna a peregrine named Zippy!!! ;D
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I like that better than Zoom Zoom, not much though :)
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I like that better than Zoom Zoom
Which auto manufacturer uses that in their ads? Toyota?
Exerpt from letter to banding office: 1 chick, male, Ohio, wild-hatched, coloured band Z/Z, aluminium FWS band 1234-12345, name Zoom-Zoom Toyota.
The perfect name for our car-crazy culture during a period of increasing prices for fossil fuels, no real alternate fuel vehicles and beginning to seriously suffer the effects of climate change.
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That would be Mazda, cute little black-haired boy in a suit saying zoom-zoom in a soft little whisper.
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The results of the naming contest have been announced and you will all be happy to hear that Zippy and Zoom Zoom didn't make the cut. ;D The chicks will be banded on May 21st and will be named Apollo, Aerial, Eclipse and Jet. It has been difficult to see much of the chicks since they put up the "privacy veil" (direct poop shots on the cam). If you look carefully on the ledgecam view though you may see them on the lower ledge area as they have been venturing outside of the box. Fortunately they can't climb up on the outer ledge yet. ;D
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Scout and Orville both on the ledge this morning and at least one chick just ventured out in that area under the nest cam. Let the adventures begin. ;D
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The chicks are going to be banded this morning at 10 am Eastern. It will be broadcast live on one of the two feeds. Due to some technical glitches they are not sure if it will be on the ledge or nest cam. Poor babies, they don't know what the day has in store for them.
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The banding is live on the ledgecam right now. And the chicks are noisy and not happy with all the fuss. :D
O.K., I know that this process probably won't cause any problems for the chicks but I can't stand to see them so upset so I won't be watcing any more.
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I wish they would concentrate more on getting the chicks banded quickly, and less on the media and PR; for the chicks, this is a terrifying experience, and all this handling and all these people around them - well, it is taking far too long.
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Our MNR would freak out at having all these kids stand there and pet the birds..I touched one last year and the woman literally screamed at me. And they don't stand around with them taking photos and giving interviews for so long...wow...our banding takes like 20 minutes from start to finish, bring em down, weigh them, band them, one quick photo op then back in the bag and back up to mum and dad they go.
Interesting to see the differences, not critizing or anything, just very different.
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Finally, back home...and not happy campers either :P Give em heck!!
Mum and dad both on ledge!
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I just caught the end of this with the return to the box. The chicks look extremely stressed (panting). Scout and Orville arrived back the second the humans left and must have been pretty stressed at having their chicks gone for an hour.
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The parents are extremely stressed; one keeps flying around, and cannot settle, while the other just does not know what to do. I don't think these biologists and their entourage should have kept the chicks out of the nest so long.
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Well that is over and done with, says the kids, now we can be left in peace!
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I suspect this is how they do it at this site and it works for them. I'm going to defer to the people who run the site on decisions like how long to keep the chicks during banding and how many photos and people to allow. It may well be that this is a key item for them in raising funds to keep their project going. I seriously doubt they would put the chicks in danger, no matter what we may think we see.
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I suspect this is how they do it at this site and it works for them. I'm going to defer to the people who run the site on decisions like how long to keep the chicks during banding and how many photos and people to allow. It may well be that this is a key item for them in raising funds to keep their project going. I seriously doubt they would put the chicks in danger, no matter what we may think we see.
If you ever have an opportunity to volunteer at a wild bird centre, you will see how stress can kill them - so, for the sake of the birds, there is no talking, and the blood work and inspection are done as quickly as possible. Of course, all the hoopla surrounding the Ohio banding raises funds, and the kids treating the chicks as pets works for them, but when public relations takes precedence over the welfare of the birds, you have to wonder if the end justifies the means.
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It may well be that this is a key item for them in raising funds to keep their project going. I seriously doubt they would put the chicks in danger, no matter what we may think we see.
I don't know how it works in State government in the U.S., but I would be surprised if fundraising was a part of the equation. I have never seen any fundraising requests on this site, and when the webcam computer needed to be replaced Donna Daniels talked about the challenges with the government budget. Private funding didn't appear to be an option. When I worked for a provincial government it was not possible for government departments to accept any funding from individuals or businesses. It appears to me to be more of a PR event and an attempt to involve the school children.
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I'm still going to leave it to the folks who run the project to decide. They clearly do this because they love the birds (no one is geting rich or famous here). Plus, it would be stunningly bad PR to kill the chicks in the process of banding them.
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getting government funds in the US is a matter of fundraising of a different sort. You build advocacy in a key constituency, those folks lean on their elected officials, and funds flow.
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Just a took a look at the nestbox...
Chicks are sleeping at the back of the box.
Mom is keeping a very watchful eye out right now..but all will be calm soon.
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Hi, missed the banding. Do they have a video of this?
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I don't know how it works in State government in the U.S., but I would be surprised if fundraising was a part of the equation. I have never seen any fundraising requests on this site, and when the webcam computer needed to be replaced Donna Daniels talked about the challenges with the government budget. Private funding didn't appear to be an option. When I worked for a provincial government it was not possible for government departments to accept any funding from individuals or businesses. It appears to me to be more of a PR event and an attempt to involve the school children.
I agree, more of a PR event. Our Project is a registered charity for exactly the reason MaggieBlue states, as a provincial government activity, they couldn't apply for funding for special projects or accept donations. We can as a charity but there is alot of work involved in running a charity so the trade-off sometimes is surprisingly even.
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This morning there was a feeding out on the lower ledge beside the nestbox (way in the distance). Now that the chicks have discovered the lower ledge I don't think that we are going to see too much of them until they discover how to get up on the outer ledge and pose in front of the ledge cam. ;D
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All is peaceful and calm in Colombus this morning. Orville is doing his best penguin imitation in front of the ledgecam and Scout is up on top of the nestbox. It looks like she might be napping. No sign of the kids in the box or outside. I am sure that they are probably napping on the lower ledge where we can't see them. Yesterday they were looking very interested in the upper ledge. It probably won't be too long before they figure out how to get up there and then the fun begins. ;D
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Check out the ledgecam at Columbus. There is a chick in front of it :o , so at least one of them has discovered how to get up on the outer ledge.
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The chick isn't on the ledge anymore. Scout is providing breakfast on the lower ledge and so I am sure that she has gone to get her share. From the bandnumber it was one of the females that was the adventurer. If I got the last number right then it would have been Eclipse.
Yesterday Scout was eating on the upper ledge with all four kids on the lower ledge. One was standing on top of the drain cover and all four of them were screaming and stretching their necks up as far as possible. Eventually Scout flew off with the leftovers. Poor babies. ;)
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It looks like there is another storm on the way here so all four chicks have retreated to the nestbox and are providing some amusing closeups in front of the nestbox cam. I am relieved to see that the little explorer made it safely back. 8)
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And what a view they get :D
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Eclipse is sitting in front of the ledgecam this morning, showing off her leg bands and the fluff. ;D
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I saw that..."insert whistle for view of the legs". What a beauty!!
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Someone is showing off their legs on the nestledge cam lol
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JUVIES ON THE LEDGE juvies on the ledge, sorry, I just had to say that. Not sure how many but, several juvies in front of the ledgecam. ;D ;D ;D
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Well Well Well....it looks all four are on the ledge showing off some leg!!!
AND....they are beautiful!!!! Well done Orville and Scout!
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And the only boy Apollo is out there with his sisters showing off his bling. ;D
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It's true, lots of Juvies legs on the ledge, until one decided to lean against the lens.
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I just saw four. ;D ;D ;D How wonderfull is this?
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Okay so now we get to see the wing feather of one juvie...instead of all four! ::)
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Lots of activity on the Columbus ledge this morning. Scout was feeding the four when something going by really caught their attention, four heads moving in unison. Then Orville landed in front of the ledgecam with a bird that was almost as big as he is.
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One of them spent much of the day parked right in front of the camera - it is fabulous to watch these four running up and down that (fabulous) ledge - wish ours had such a spot to fledge from!!
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They are all so beautiful!!! :-*
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Mom is just on the ledge now feeding one of the chicks. One of the other chicks came running down the ledge as fast as his legs could carry him, and stole the food, but mom grabbed it back and continued to feed the one chick. The other one hung around and tried to get in on the meal, but mom would not feed him anything; I don't know why - I guess she has her reasons.
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Mom is just on the ledge now feeding one of the chicks. One of the other chicks came running down the ledge as fast as his legs could carry him, and stole the food, but mom grabbed it back and continued to feed the one chick. The other one hung around and tried to get in on the meal, but mom would not feed him anything; I don't know why - I guess she has her reasons.
I saw a good part of that too. The really agressive chick was Jet (posed for the ledgecam). That was quiet a wild time. At one point Jet had managed to steal part of the meal and was eating it in front of the ledgecam while Scout was feeding the other one. Jet decided to have another go at stealing the whole dinner, ran over, grabbed it from Scout and started eating. Scout then jumped up in front of the ledgecam and started eating the leg Jet left behind. After a minute Jet noticed and ran back up to claim it. Scout jumped back down and started feeding the other one. Jet runs back screaming and trying to pull food out of Scout's beak. Scout flies off and Jet is still screaming at her. In the meantime the one Scout was trying to feed just sat quietly through it all. My guess as to what was going on here is that Scout was trying to make sure that Apollo,the only male got something to eat. His three sisters have been incredibly aggressive when food arrives.
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Oh, o.k., that is all good to know. What a fiesty bunch they are! Except, of course, for what I now know is the male. I gather, then, that the one who was sleeping in the nestbox was also one of the female chicks, and I missed her coming out to grab at the food once she realized what was going on.
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Lol...yes the girls will always steal from their meek little brothers. Good for Scout making sure her little guy is fed, gotta watch those greedy females :P
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One of Scout and Orville's kids is out on a wet ledge, flapping, flapping, flapping, going to edge looking over, head bobbing and running up and down the ledge. The other three are having a snooze in the nice dry nestbox with Scout standing guard above.
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A very beautiful view of the Colombus 4 out on the ledge tonight. Ms Jet is front and centre. ;D
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Scout and Orville have certainly raised four absolutely beautiful falcons!!
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If you are squeamish don't tune in to the Columbus ledge at the moment, one juvie ripping apart prey right in front of the webcam, and then other juvies trying to steal it. Who knows what you might see here. ::)
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Yeah, they get pretty feisty about that food these days!
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I'm pretty sure I just saw one of the nestlings become a fledgling - right off the edge! Hope he landed safely~!
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Here we go....the excitement of watching the juvies fledge and have our hearts stop!
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According to another site (Cleveland), Apollo is the one who fledged this morning. He was seen on the Huntington Bank around 10:30 a.m.
At 5 p.m. there was a fledgling on the Key Bank. I don't know if this is Apollo or a second fledgling.
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I checked the Columbus site early evening and it looked like 3 young Falcons way down by the nest box.
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Some incredibly bad news from Columbus today. Little Apollo has been found dead, drowned in a fountain. :'( :'( :'(
The full story is on the Columbus blog: http://ohioperegrinefalcons.blogspot.com/
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I just read that, heartbreaking. Always sad when we lose one but the way he was lost makes it just ... well I can't find the words :'(
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How awful. If only someone familiar with the recovery project and the 4 chicks had been around to watch their early flights. I fervently hope that the three remaining chicks make it.
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Very sad to hear about Apollo :'(
"Fly Free young Apollo"
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So sad about Apollo. When I read news like that I want to stop watching because I get so upset. I know it is life and sometimes crap happens. Also I read that Apollos fledge was accidental. He did not mean to fly off. He went off backwards. I hope the other three make it.
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Sad news, indeed. I saw him go off the ledge - it really did look accidental, especially as compared to Aerial's fledge yesterday.
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Just a quick update....The sad news of Apollos death has really rattled all of us...he was such a spunky little guy...and we had reports of strong flying...so his death is a mystery...drowning...I'm sure there is more to it than that, but I'm sure we will never know what happened......
Well, the girls have all fledged...
Video of Aerials Fledge, June 9th: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEJLU-7flls
Jet's Fledge, June 11th: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQqGwImNymw
I believe Eclipse snuck out on us very early June 11th....as none of us (cam watchers and watchers on the ground) Saw her go...All 3 girls were accounted for Friday Evening...no report yet from today...
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Skygirlblue, thank you for those videos of the fledges at Columbus. I am so sorry about Apollo. I saw on your forum how you phoned people in Columbus to go out and look for him after he went backwards over the edge. That was a wonderful thing to do.
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Skygirlblue, thank you for those videos of the fledges at Columbus. I am so sorry about Apollo. I saw on your forum how you phoned people in Columbus to go out and look for him after he went backwards over the edge. That was a wonderful thing to do.
I just love this pair...Apollo's tumble was a shock...but he was able to recover and a Cleveland forum member had gotten some awesome aerial pics of him...so his death was such a shock...
Yes, I'm afraid I drove Donna Daniels crazy this past week, flooding her emails...plus I was very lucky to be in touch, by phone, with some of the watchers on the ground...I think that is the only way to do it with this nest...watchers can't see the ledge and cam watchers can't see the ground...so it was a good system...I was fortunate to see the fledges...then I could call the watchers...it was fun....
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Geez! That's sad. I love this ledge for it's width. Always seems to give them lots of room to practice. My heart was in my mouth when the Dutch female was practicing on the grate. It looked like she was going to go over the edge a few times but luckily things turned out okay there.
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The camera image is a little blurry but I am pretty sure that there is a juvie on the ledge tonight. That is great news as this ledge is so high up (40+ floors).
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At least one of the girls is back on the ledge this morning in front of the ledgecam.
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The Columbus blog has been updated and there has been all kinds of excitement. Jet was rescued and after examination was returned to the ledge on Monday afternoon. There is a great picture of her with a summer intern. What an exciting first day on the job that must have been. :D Apparently there was quite the show on the ledge after that as both the other girls returned and Scout and Orville were making food drops. 8)
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Two of the juveniles are in front of the ledgecam, looking off the ledge and flapping. Unfortunately they have set off the blinking camera but it is still great to see them. Earlier I saw Eclipse's band and I am pretty sure that the other one is Jet.
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It looks like one of the falcons has became lodged just below the ledge - I cannot see the bird, but can see a wing flapping constantly. Has anyone else noticed this?
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It looks like one of the falcons has became lodged just below the ledge - I cannot see the bird, but can see a wing flapping constantly. Has anyone else noticed this?
I am not sure what you were seeing. I have watched quite a bit today. At one point one of the girls was at the left flapping her wings. I think that it might have been Jet practicing before having another go at flying. At the moment one of the girls is lying down in front of the cam. Scout and Orville have been delivering a lot of food that the girls have been fighting over in the vicinity of the ledgecam so there could be a pigeon wing flapping in the breeze. I am sure that if one of the girls was in trouble one or both of he parents would be there. They were both present when Jet was delivered back to the ledge yesterday and have been around a lot since.
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No, what I saw about 6 minutes ago was below the ledge, at the far end. It was constant for about a minute; now, it is gone, so I don't know if it was one of the chicks that got stuck there then flew off, or fell; I don't know what else it could have been. Now, of course, it is difficult to see this area, what with Sleeping Beauty right in front of the camera.
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I missed that. I will try to get a look if sleeping beauty moves, but I won't be able to watch too much longer.
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Now I can see the flapping wing again. I hope there is someone down there in Columbus who is keeping an eye on this site and can contact the biologist.
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I see what you are describing, Eli. It is under the ledge, definitely confirmed when sis got up. Now her new position blocks the view.
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Now I can see the flapping wing again. I hope there is someone down there in Columbus who is keeping an eye on this site and can contact the biologist.
skygirlblue and other folks from the BCAW are monitoring this site pretty continuously and contacting the biologist with information. Check out skygirlblue's post from the other day about their system for contacting people. I checked their forum and so far no one has raised any concerns. They have a lot of pictures of today's activities.
http://www.hostingphpbb.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1134&start=105&mforum=peregrinefalcon
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Someone has posted a note on the forum that Maggieblue mentions (Bird Cameras Across the World, or BCAW), saying that this wing below the ledge is the remains of Eclipse's meal.
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July 06 - Sad news - remembering Orville
(posted by Donna Daniel)
With all of the concern over the fledglings learning to fly successfully and avoiding windows and other obstacles, it is easy to forget that these same obstacles still present a danger to the adult falcons downtown. I'm sorry to report that Orville, our adult male, was found dead over the weekend.
A Columbus police officer found him in the street near W. Town & S. Gift St. Saturday morning, July 4. I have examined the carcass and noted a broken beak and blood in the cere, thus he likely collided with something and the cause of death would be head trauma. There aren't any tall buildings in that area of Columbus so he may have been struck by a car as he was cruising across the roadway. The death was certainly not related to Red, White and Boom held the previous evening.
Looking back on Orville's history - he fledged from the Dayton nest in 2003 and showed up in Columbus in 2004, replacing our then long-time nesting male, Bandit. He paired with our female at the time--Victory--but no eggs were produced. Victory and Orville produced 2 young in 2005, and 4 young in 2006. In 2007, Victory was replaced by Scout but eggs laid that season were infertile. Scout and Orville fledged four young in each 2008 and 2009 bringing Orville's total young raised during his lifetime to 14.
Now that Orville is gone, it opens the territory for a new male. While you may have heard that falcons "mate for life" this means something very different to people than it does to peregrines. Basically, peregrines (as well as other birds of prey and even Canada geese) keep the same mate for as long as the two are alive. However, when/if something happens to one of the pair, the remaining bird will readily accept a new mate. In the case of peregrines, sometimes a new mate is had in a matter of hours! There's no room for being picky or mournful when your "job" is to reproduce and carry on the species!
So the next order of business is to watch and wait for a new male to take over the Columbus territory. There are so many unmated falcons out there ("floaters") it could happen at any time. We may see a new male this week or it may be next March. We'll be sure to watch the cams for photo evidence of a new male and document any leg bands.
One final note on the fledglings - the three females seem to be doing great as evidenced by their returns to the nest ledge. "Aerial" (65/H) even made an appearance on Friday, so all 3 were accounted for last week. They should be pretty much able to hunt on their own by now so Orville's absence at this stage in the nesting cycle won't have any negative impacts on their survival. They can be expected to remain in the downtown area for the next several weeks but as they become completely independent, will eventually roam further and further from downtown proper. At some point later this summer they will strike out to parts unknown to hopefully survive and establish a territory of their own elsewhere.
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always sad to lose another one... :'(
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Oh... this is so sad. I've watched Orville and Scout raise their chicks for the last few years. It is very sad to lose another Great Male Peregrine. :'(
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Oh no, not Orville :'( :'( :'(
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This saddens my heart to hear of Orville gone.
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He was only six years old - nice track record of successful nests!!
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that's true - glad he got to pass his genetics along so much in a short life.
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And is it known if any of his progeny have yet reproduced successfully?
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I'm stunned that we have lost Orville so suddenly at only six years old. Such a handsome little tiercel, a wonderful mate for Victory and then for Scout, and a great father to his babies. What a sad day this is. :'(
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I agree with Alison. It breaks my heart to lose Orville, a falcon that I have been watching for the last couple of years. He was a beauty, and we will miss him.
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Very sad news......good of Tracy to point out the positive...
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A photo of handsome Orville:
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/July%202009/orville3.jpg)
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Orville had speckles just like Princess' ... going to have to check her family tree again when I have some time ...
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Orville (band black/green 12/P) was the son of Mercury (all black band 21X) and his mate Snowball (band black/green 3/*B, the former resident pair at the AT&T Building in Dayton, Ohio.
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And is it known if any of his progeny have yet reproduced successfully?
Orville's chicks with his first mate Victory were Sonic (P/07) and Shadow (P/08) in 2005. In 2006 they had four babies, Tempest (K/84), Thunderbolt (K/85), Velocity (K/86) and Zeus (B/03). Velocity sustained serious injuries and spent a long time in rehab before being released. I have not heard anything about sightings of the others, but that does not mean some of them don't have nests somewhere.
With his second mate Scout, Orville had four chicks last year: Justice (S/47), Mistic (S/73), Columbus (C/65) and Boomer (C/66). Since they are only a year old, it is unlikely that any of them would have nested this year.
This year they had four chicks once again: Aerial (65/H), Jet (66/H), Eclipse (67/H) and Apollo (50/A). Apollo died in a freak accident on June 9.
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Thanks, Alison. Zeus is a popular name!
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Great picture of Orville, thanks!
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I just love that picture of Orville....He was a beautiful tiercel! Fly Free Orville, you will be missed!
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....this has been such a sad week....Orville was my most favorite tiercel...and I quickly fell in love with this pair.....we are all going to miss him....
My Tribute to Orville (http://www.vimeo.com/5567158)
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A very beautiful tribute skygirlblue :'(.....he would be honored.
Fly Free Orville!
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That was beautiful SGB, you captured his spirit beautifully. It was far too soon for him to have left us :'( :'(
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Well if that don't make the tears flow, nothing will.
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Oh they were flowing....
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Mine are still flowing...and will for awhile, I'm afraid...
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I'm really sorry skygirlblue...Orville was a wonderful tiercel, mate and father. He will be missed!
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Donnas blog has updated today and she has spotted maybe a male hanging around there is a short clip here is a link to the blog and video
http://ohioperegrinefalcons.blogspot.com/2009/09/new-bird-sighted.html
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Even though Orville will not be an easy act to follow, I'm thrilled that another male has been spotted near Scout. Hopefully this will be the start of a new love affair and who knows, it maybe someone we watched grow up on the cams ;)
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Even though Orville will not be an easy act to follow, I'm thrilled that another male has been spotted near Scout. Hopefully this will be the start of a new love affair and who knows, it maybe someone we watched grow up on the cams ;)
I would be happy, if this is a new male of course, but if it's one of Scout & Orville's from years ago....now that would be grand wouldn't it!!!! :) (As Carly is perhaps suggesting) ;)
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after being away for 6 weeks there is so much to catch up on. But SGB that video just has me sobbing. this has been such a rough year for our beloved falcons that we have watched for years. Handsome from Statler. Kyver , Mariah hurt but dethroned, and the list goes on. We all know that this will happen some day but when we have watched them for so long it is hard. We get used to their their little quirks. And they become part of our family.
Edmonton has had a few rough years but I still have Miss Edmonton at Weber and Damon at Univeristy of Edmonton, and this brings it home to me that one day my bubble will be burst. I have watched them faithfully. so SGB although a new male will appear and we know one will, we will always remember Orville.
:'( :'( :'(
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It seems that the male seen at the nest ledge was probably just passing through. From an update on Donna Daniel's blog on September 21:
As summer winds down we're seeing more of Scout. Before she had been spending most of her time away from the nest ledge (and view of the cameras), however, in the past two weeks she has been seen more days than not. On 9/17 she was in the nestbox. It appears there is the beginnings of a new scrape in the fresh gravel. This is a factor of the amount of daylight during this fall season and not because a possible new male is in the area.
Speaking of such...there has been no sign of that second falcon that was seen last week so it is possible he was "just passing through" and has a territory of his own established somewhere else. With as many peregrines that are on the move right now for fall migration, it's possible we could be in store for a number of these teases! Regardless, the activity last week has surely renewed interest in watching! As always, we appreciate all of the extra eyes out there on the lookout for leg band information when the opportunity presents itself.
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I wish for Scout to find a great male for next season and form a strong bond! Orville was a beautiful tiercel and he has spread his genes..the purpose of life!
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An update from Donna Daniel today:
Not a whole lot to report over the past couple of months. Scout has been on and around the nest ledge fairly frequently and as far as we are aware, no new mate yet. This morning Scout visited the nestbox for a few minutes. When you look at the gravel there is definitely a large scrape (depression) she has been working on.
We have met with our web consultants to discuss camera options for next season. If all goes well we will have a new system in place by the end of the year to allow plenty of time to troubleshoot before the nesting season begins in 2010. At least that is the plan at this point. We'll hope things continue on schedule. Further updates as information becomes available!
And there is a short video of Scout: http://ohioperegrinefalcons.blogspot.com/
It's good news about a new camera system, since the cams this year did some strange things.
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2010 NESTING SEASON
If anyone is looking for a falcon fix, Scout is presently on the ledge in Columbus, looking very regal, and not too lonely without her long-time mate, Orville.
Link to webcam: http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/wildlife/dow/falcons/live_ledge_video.aspx
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Scout in the news this morning... :-*
http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/life/stories/2010/02/20/1A_URBAN_FALCON.ART_ART_02-20-10_D1_1AGKOSD.html?sid=101
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Oh how I hope one of the passing males will e-chup his way to her heart.... :D
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She's sitting on the ledge right now.......nice to see her!
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Scout has been doing a lot of echupping and flying off and then into nest box the last few days.
whether this manes a male is near by is anyone's guess. they do not always show up on cam, when we want them to ;) ;)
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I would have hoped, given the great location of this site that a new tiercel would have shown up by now. I know there is alot of time but it just underscores to me the lack of males. In other Ohio areas two longtime males have also recently presumably been lost and no one was there to take their place - one of the females, my own Lara had to leave her territory and fight another female (who sadly perished as a result and she was only 3 years old) to find a potential mate.
Here in Toronto - still 5 nest sites with no tiercels and instead 2 doing double duty. It doesn't give me the warm and fuzzies. Every time I read about an injured falcon down in the US, most times it seems to be a young tiercel. I wonder also if the falconers now being allowed to take juveniles are not also going take tiercels which will also contribute to the shortage while females sit alone waiting...
Yet I see Rochester and 1 or 2 other nest sites along the great lakes where tiercels are killing each other for nests. Are the nest sites we have not attractive to them? Perhaps when the program initially started up and there was a good population base to start with - they chose any nest site they could and now that their numbers are diminishing they are being more selective?
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Good points Carly. She looks kind of quiet and lonely there right now.
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I agree, saw her earlier today - she did look kind of lonely! Hope there is not a real shortage of tiercels!
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The blog reads that there is still tons of time for Scout to find a mate....a read it the other day.
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The blog reads that there is still tons of time for Scout to find a mate....a read it the other day.
Yes I know that but a few years ago, there would have been males fighting for the site is my point. There should be enough of a floater community to supply another male in a heatlhy population - I know the juvies migrate but in urban centres alot of them don't anymore and look at Quest, she's barely an hour from home - not much of a migration. It shouldn't be that you go a few years waiting on a tiercel - if that is the case, wouldn't they then still be endangered...get where I"m going with this.
I can see out West where the majority of the PF's migrate due to the climate that you'd have to wait until they come back but there have been several young females here that have spent the winter hanging out in trees and down by the lake...but no males...nada zip save for one juvie last September that we heard of.
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From the Columbus Blog Site:
March 05 - Cam seems to be acting up...
Still no evidence of a male but Scout has been pretty active this week. There has been several times she has been vocalizing and taking flight from the ledge in what seems like an urgent manner only to come back quickly and leave again. This seems to indicate another falcon in the area but since there's been no sign of another bird on the ledge it could likely be that she is defending the territory from another female that may be around. The cams show us so much more than we'd ever have the chance to see but there's a lot that they DON'T show, too! A reminder that the cams are no substitute for eyewitness observations.
Meanwhile, the cams have been acting funny. Oh, how frustrating! The nestbox cam in particular was flashing a plain blue screen. The blue screen is usually a result of the video feed being interrupted. My theory is perhaps there is some work being done in the building that is jiggling a cable and causing a break in connection. The nestbox is also now markedly pink-toned for no apparent reason. We're in the process of troubleshooting and hope to make some adjustments to camera settings next week. Thanks for your patience
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SGB has made a slide show (from kittenface's video) of Scout defending her ledge against a female intruder today. Link to BCAW post and scroll to her 'slideshow', really well done!
http://www.peregrinefalcon-bcaw.net/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=478&start=220
ps: There are no disturbing/gorry images on the slide show - for those who may be worried. I know I like to be warned about those types of things.
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Thanks, Carly, for the link. I went back to KittenFace's videos and was surprised to see how long the other falcon was on the ledge, while scout was in the nestbox, before Scout came out to defend and chase away. Those videos were on page 9 of the link you sent.
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I was watching this and did a slideshow. this is typical. At least that is how it was at Edmonton. the intruder feels things out and the defending female goes to box first. when Radison came she was on top of the box while Miss Balzac was in inside.
(http://s187.photobucket.com/albums/x135/fullbrandt/bev35/th_columbusmarch10-1-1.jpg) (http://s187.photobucket.com/albums/x135/fullbrandt/bev35/?action=view¤t=533524be.pbw)
Season is young and I hope Scout gets male soon.
A few picutres of when Scout came back
(http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x135/fullbrandt/bev35/columbusmarch10-12.jpg) (http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x135/fullbrandt/bev35/columbusmarch10-16.jpg)
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Thanks, Bev. Is that blood on her talon or just a shadow effect?
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I wondered about the red also but I have been watching that for a week now and I think it is the cam
so far so good. Would like to see a male though.
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Two falcons being sighted again...reported on BCAW thread. No one is sure if it's a tiercel or that intruder again... they are aren't staying landed long enough... One is back now...she's chupping so that is a good sign..please let it be a tiercel.
She's all quiet now and looking around...poor Scout, please let it be a mate for her. She's been so patient waiting. And off she goes again.
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Keep our talons crossed....Let's hope it's a tiercel comin' to romance Scout. :-*
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She's back and chupping again!
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Scout is on the ledge right now - I can barely see her, but she is there - still alone, unfortunately. I hope we will have something more promising to see by Monday; the biologist reports on the site that there has been another falcon flying around, but nothing solid yet.
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Two falcons on the ledge right now!!!!
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Hey Carly, is that a third one I'm hearing??
Uh oh, they're both gone now :-\
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No it was just the two I heard. He is handsome and looks like no bands. He went to the front of the nestbox and it looked like he bowed to her and then he took off. He's seems scared. They are supposed to do some repairs to the nest box cam...hoping they don't scare him off!!
BCAW caught some good photos of him!
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He's back on the ledge calling!!!
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She's been inside the nest box for quite some time, yakking her head off ;D
I'm not so sure about him being scared, rather as if he's saying to himself " wonder if I'm hooking up with another Princess? "
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Lol...good point ;D
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Hahahahahaha. every time he moves, she yells at him, louder all the time.
Think she's laying an egg in there??
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No, she's trying to get him into the nestbox - he hasnt' gone in yet! It's taken a few days for him to even come to the ledge! So good first step.
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Well he's moved to standing on top of the box. You can see he's looking around and checking it out.
Mark cautioned me yesterday when i was with the falcons..not to walk behind them nor to wave my arms above them. As a predator bird he explained, they not only hunt but are also hunted themselves so they don't like anything above them or behind them. If this guy isn't familiar with this type of covered nest box..it might take him a bit to get comfy with it. Our guys here nest on open nest boxes, no sides or covering so this type of box would be new to them too.
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He's an awfully large male though. Ranger in Cleveland, the new tiercel there is also quite large..almost as big as the female.
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Scout left the box, they were both beak to beak for a second and then stupid cam, I had to refresh and both gone now!
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Perhaps our male is abit nervous about his competition for Scout's affections; he likely is expecting that there is a male around who already owns this territory, so is wondering if there is a battle is in store for him. I guess he will eventually have to assume from Scout's come-hither looks and her enticing calls that he is safe.
This morning, it is really foggy there, so perhaps the two of them are laying low until things clear up.
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This male falcon is absolutely beautiful!!! I wonder who he is and where he came from? No bands or anything, too bad, this is where banding is so crucial. Hope he decides to stick around and raise some chicks with Scout!
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Have been watching this site off and on yesterday and today. Scout and MM (Mystery Man) were somewhat together yesterday, with her in the nestbox chupping and him on the ledge. Then they had to do some work with the cameras and it scared them away.
Today it has been occasional visits and flybys but who knows they might be visiting in other places.
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Just saw some mating going on on the ledge here ( :o), between Scout & MM (Mystery Man) - she's also been doing a lot of scraping in the nest box, looks promising for this pair so far...
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That a girl Scout and MM...This is great news!
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I will bring some videos over here later today but the male has been in the scrape. first time yesterday and they have been copulating quite a bit on the ledge.
sometimes right in front of cam, up close and personal ;) ;)
A few think he is from the uni there but I have compared lots of picutres and i do not think so. I would hate to see the young female there alone. There are a few people trying to watch and see if they see 2 at that site when there are two at Columbus.
Post picutres etc later ;)
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...I hope the cam that is facing into the nestbox is SOLIDLY fixed there, because SOMEBODY certainly likes perching on it... ::)
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Scout likes to perch on that camera. Always has.
Be back to post pictures
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...I'm wondering if Scout is trying to lay an egg right now?
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Expecting her to lay eggs any day now. Lots of canoodling going on on ledge
I cannot believe that I did not get back with pictures. Will try and rectify that soon
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No...there is nothing in the nestbox, just a whole bunch of feathers.
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...no, there isn't; it's just the way she was hunkered down there for a while, and appeared to be straining. Had me guessing (incorrectly, as it turned out...)
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They know we're watching ;)
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They know we're watching ;)
...that was her big "April Fool" joke - their repetoire is somewhat limited...
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I am finally going to post some shots. These are from March27
(http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x135/fullbrandt/bev37/columbusmarch27-3.jpg) (http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x135/fullbrandt/bev37/columbusmarch27-2.jpg)
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slideshow from March29
Male in box
(http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x135/fullbrandt/bev37/columbusmarch29-8.jpg)
click on picture
(http://s187.photobucket.com/albums/x135/fullbrandt/bev37/th_columbusmarch29-5.jpg) (http://s187.photobucket.com/albums/x135/fullbrandt/bev37/?action=view¤t=1c599c8b.pbw)
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yesterday scout in box
(http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x135/fullbrandt/bev37/columbusmarch31-3.jpg)
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now to go back in time. The nest box was many colors at first
(http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x135/fullbrandt/bev36/columbusmarch20-8.jpg) (http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x135/fullbrandt/bev36/columbusmarch21-3.jpg)
march20 scout march21 New male closest to cam, scout at other end
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Scout finally has first egg this morning :-*
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Great news for Scout and her mate!
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Scouts new mate is so cute. He seems unsure of what to do and really seems baffled that Scout chose this spot for her egg and not the corner
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Scouts new mate is so cute. He seems unsure of what to do and really seems baffled that Scout chose this spot for her egg and not the corner
...and it was such a nice deep scrape in the corner, LOL...
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...bev, he is kinda clueless - he was just back in the nest box, tried to tuck the egg under him, just wasn't sure where the heck to put it (saw him earlier with it under his wing) - I'm sure Scout is rolling her eyes & sighing...lots of training to do here...
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...3 eggs in the nest here now.... :)
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Do we have an identity of the male here? Or is he unbanded? Anyone know if he has a name or if he's getting one?
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In Bev's post #55 there is a picture of the new male that gives a good look at unbanded legs. The caption has male (phantom) columbus.
Maybe he is named Phantom?
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A contest was held for a name for this unbanded male and the name Trooper was voted on the most.
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Trooper & Scout it is!
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Trooper? :-X As in, Oh you're such a little trooper?! Blech, he's a bird of prey not a wimpy human. ??? ::)
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Trooper? :-X As in, Oh you're such a little trooper?! Blech, he's a bird of prey not a wimpy human. ??? ::)
...actually, it fits quite nicely - a trooper can be defined as "a member of a cavalry unit", and a scout can be defined as "a soldier who is sent to gather information about an enemy's position or movements"..... so they can both be military references...
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Trooper? :-X As in, Oh you're such a little trooper?! Blech, he's a bird of prey not a wimpy human. ??? ::)
...actually, it fits quite nicely - a trooper can be defined as "a member of a cavalry unit", and a scout can be defined as "a soldier who is sent to gather information about an enemy's position or movements"..... so they can both be military references...
Showing my age but I remember Gomer Pyle and to me it equates clumsy and dumb as a post but I see your point of view.
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...now you've brought to mind "F Troop" (which is showing my age) - but hopefully Trooper (and let's not mention the 70's rock band) will manage to live it down...
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Or Super Trooper by ABBA ...
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I like Trooper....I think it's very fitting! Good choice ;D
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I was kind of hoping for Phantom after seeing the caption.
Especially since TPC's reminder of Abba's Super Trooper, Trooper seems a great name!
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...Scout, sitting on the eggs here, is having a re-learning experience, trying to fit them all under her.... :D
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...lol, just saw Trooper bring a food package to the ledge and start calling; Scout flew in, yanked it away from him, and flew off again, without so much as a thank you. Trooper looks pretty confused... :D
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..so, this morning Trooper goes into the nest box & approaches the eggs, with an eye to incubating them, when Scout shows up, and harasses him out of there...later, he shows up with a food package, Scout yanks it away and disappears, leaving him looking bewildered; now, he's sitting on the ledge, there's nobody in with the eggs, but he looks afraid to move. LOL, it's tough being a male peregrine falcon... ;D
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Oh yeah, this is definitely one area where the ladies rule (as they should!) . . . poor Trooper will soon learn . . . ::)
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...hey, there were 3 eggs in there not an hour ago, now it looks like 4 - and i missed it! >:(
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No wonder she was in such a snarky mood
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...yeah, that explains a lot... :D
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...an eye on this nest all day - Scout did most of the egg-sitting today, she manages to huddle all 4 under her. Trooper is in there now; he keeps TRYING, but you can see the constant "WTF" look on his face as he tries to get all 4 under him and settled. He keeps doing that "rearing" thing to snuggle up to them, but he's doing it from too far away...I think he's pretty young...oh, well, either he'll learn, or Scout may start looking for a replacement... :D
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I'm glad that Trooper came along when he did. Scout waited so patiently for a new mate, and Trooper is a cute little tiercel.
A new poster on the Cleveland forum, Pascalger, posted a video of Scout laying the fourth egg. Here's the link:
http://www.valkvideos.nl/apr-14-4e-ei-full-forum.htm
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...little more impressed w/ Trooper this a.m., when I first checked in, Scout was sitting on the eggs, then she seemed alerted by something outside, and got up & left - the eggs were sitting in a perfect square (makes me think Scout may be a little obsessive) - anyway, a few minutes later Trooper came in to take over for awhile, and managed to carefully settle on the eggs without disturbing their formation, and (pretty much) covering them all - maybe Scout isn't so much obsessive, but more like "There - i've got them sitting just perfect for you, all you have to do is settle on them, and they'll fit - just DON'T MOVE THEM!!!"....
I'd hate to be Trooper if he moves them out of formation...
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Maybe when he gets older he'll grow a bigger butt and be able to fit them all underneath.
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Sure shows you the value of having an "old bird" to teach the young ones "new tricks"
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...just tuned in today, first time since Friday - they seem to be incubating only 3 of the eggs - the splotchy one has been pushed to the side, and the parents seem to be ignoring it. Has anybody else been watching this? When did they stop incubating the 4th egg? (It was the last one laid)...probably unviable, cracked shell or something, i guess...
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...of course, now that i've said that, whoever is in there now has decided to include the 4th egg in incubation, after ignoring it all day... ::)
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Someone on CMNH mentioned the other day that the white egg was pushed away and not being incubated at that time - think that was 2 days ago I read that.
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...and yet, now mom is back on it...go figure... :-\
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...whoo hoo, the nestbox cam has sound now! Just in time, hatching should be within the next day or so... :D
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Very cool, with the sound. 8)
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....eggshells visible! Mom hunkered down solidly (looks like it's cool & rainy outside, but dry inside) - haven't seen the chick(s) yet... ;D
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...chick (briefly) spotted! at least one chick here fer shur! ;D
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ok, 1 chick, 3 eggs left, mom's briefly left the nest...
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...dad came in, looking a little confused - picked up the broken eggshell, then dropped it, moved in towards the chick & remaining eggs, moved things around a bit (accidentally knocking the chick over, but I don't think it's balance is great at this point) - he did roll the eggs a bit, & I thought I saw a pip in a second egg - then mom came back, gave him what sounded to be a scolding & hurried him out... :D
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Definitely a pip in the second egg. Hatching imminent I think. As I've just been watching saw little beak poke through and piece of shell fall away. Going back to watch! :D
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...oh yes, chick struggling to get out of the shell! :D
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...two chicks out, currently looks like dad in the nest, still a little unsure, i think - seems fascinated by the empty shells, and not too sure about the chicks - the older one is already begging for food, and plucking at his chest - he picked up one of the empty eggshells, and it landed on his head for a few seconds (hilarious), and then he decided to get the chicks and eggs, and eggshells under him, then he chest bumped one of the chicks out from under him while trying to brood - now everything is set, and he's picking at the gravel - very antsy young dad he is - oops, now off everybody...extremely entertaining...
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...now that desperate "where is your mother" look... ;D ;D
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just checked in.....this is awesome entertainment!
One chick is half in, half out. Looks the bum out!
Scout with set Trooper straight....however, until that time, this is so cool!
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...wow, mom's taking her time with the food over at the side - princess would have been stuffing that chick by now...
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Very funny watching this mom! ;D She keeps looking down as if to say "What's all the commotion under there?! ;)
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...mom's doing a feeding - she seems to stay pretty far away from the chicks when she's doing it - they both lean as far forward as they can go, and fall over...
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...and now mom's leaned over so far, SHE fell over... :D
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Very funny to see them lying on their backs for a feeding, since mom won't come any closer! :D Reach, reach, little ones!
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...caught part of a feeding this morning, still only two chicks, but mom has figured out the distance problem, and is now sitting much closer to the chicks to feed them - no one is stretching too far and falling over, like yesterday... ;D
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...feeding in progress! - still only 2 chicks...
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I thought this was pretty cool 8), video has the chicks peeping inside the eggs. :)
"http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/Ui4nCTrYFes&hl=en_US&fs=1&name="
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That is a very cool video, indeed, RCF! 8) I have never seen/heard that before! I think the Kinderchicklets would really enjoy it! :D Thanks!
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..great news about the Radisson hatches! In Ohio, there are still only 2 chicks, and since they hatched on the 19th, it's pretty obvious the other 2 eggs aren't going to hatch, although they are still being brooded...one of the unhatched ones is the one Scout and Trooper were ignoring for a day or so...but 2 chicks are pretty good anyway, and maybe will give (probably) 1st time dad Trooper an easier time of food provision as they get bigger and more ravenous, than perhaps 4 chicks would...
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...oh, and for those who are interested in this kind of thing (YOU know who you are).....the POOP ART has begun! ;D ;D
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...chicks are napping on their own after their morning feeding, Mom's been doing her morning preening and yoga for the last 1/2 hour on the ledge, in the sun - must be a relief for her to not have to be on the chicks every minute now... :)
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The cam picture has a somewhat strange pinkish cast . . . Scout and Trooper's two chicks today:
(http://i1013.photobucket.com/albums/af254/wingshigh/Buckeye/Peregrines/May%202010/columbusmay261a.jpg) (http://i1013.photobucket.com/albums/af254/wingshigh/Buckeye/Peregrines/May%202010/columbusmay262a.jpg)
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It almost looks like they match the eggs ... :D
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It almost looks like they match the eggs ... :D
Is that pinkish colour coming from the lens filter? :-\ That's not their real colour, is it?! :o
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...there was a nice quiet chick-pile when i first tuned in this morning, with mom on the outside ledge - now the chicks are up and moving; flapping their little featherless wings and staggering around on outsized feet - lol, they look like some sort of awkward prehistoric monsters when they do that...
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It almost looks like they match the eggs ... :D
Is that pinkish colour coming from the lens filter? :-\ That's not their real colour, is it?! :o
...no, they are the normal off-white - that must have just been the light and shadows of that time of day, but i saw what you meant. They may not really match the leftover eggs, but they don't mind using the eggs as pillows and leaning posts...
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they look like some sort of awkward prehistoric monsters when they do that...
..."feed me, or i will destroy Tokyo!"...luckily, mom brought breakfast at 8:00 - chicks now well fed, Tokyo is safe for another hour or so...
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they look like some sort of awkward prehistoric monsters when they do that...
..."feed me, or i will destroy Tokyo!"...luckily, mom brought breakfast at 8:00 - chicks now well fed, Tokyo is safe for another hour or so...
Princess and Ivy will soon have a nest like that.
Watch out Winnipeg!
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Ahh, the butt-scoot :D
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One of the chicks is stuck outside between the nestbox and ledge and can't get free. He's been crying and yelling for a few hours and just now Scout fed the one in the box but not him. Honestly I know you all love her, but she's not the brightest falcon I've ever seen - her chick is in distress and she's fussing with dead eggs... I'm surprised they haven't starved to death yet, they are always hungry, small to no crops and she seems more concerned over those 2 stupid eggs.
Orville was the one who looked after her and the kids and now she seems lost without him and the new guy is ...welll new and he doesn't seem to be around much. It's getting painful to watch this nest.
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Awwwww! :'(
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Well after several hours, people over at BCAW and CMNH have been able to contact some people at the DNR so they are now aware of the problem. Hopefully the little guy can hang on and not hurt himself until help arrives.
Problem now is it's dark out and thundershowers are expected. Let's hope the little guy makes it okay overnight. I think his talon is stuck somehow under the box - hard to see but from the cam it looks like there is space between the nestbox and ledge and that is where he is wedged.
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Yes, I do hope he can "hang in there" till help arrives, carly.
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It would certainly help if Mom would feed him in the meantime......
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Can still hear the little one out there crying and squawking. I can't believe Scout never fed him... :-[
She's brooding the other one now in the nest box while the other one cries for help. Hopefully that help is on the way.
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Cam was cut a few minutes ago and rescue took place, two chicks in the box now :-* :-*
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Cam was cut a few minutes ago and rescue took place, two chicks in the box now :-* :-*
That's wonderful news, carly. :)
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...thanks for the update, carly! I'm rather glad i missed the drama - just before I went home Friday, the chicks were fine, and coming in Tuesday morning, the chicks are fine. Sorry you (probably) had heart palpitations over the incident... :-*
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What a relief. We can only hope that pair get their act together and the chicks survive.
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Both babies are getting fed right now. :-* :-* and just to add she's still trying to brood the one egg. ::)
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...according to the blog, the chick who got his foot stuck is fine, no pinching or breaking of the skin - when it's foot got into the crack, it made a "fist", and of course it couldn't get it back out. They stuffed a white towel (it's what they had handy) into the crack to prevent any more such incidents, but as was pointed out, they've never had an incident before in the 15 years hosting this site. Trust chicks (or kids of any sort) to get themselves into the most ridiculous situations... ;D Mom sitting with the kids now, after a feeding. Both chicks look good to me!
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...both chicks have been making brief forays out of the nest box, under the watchful eye of Scout - there was a great shot of her right in front of the nest box cam, looking (it seemed) right at the camera - actually she was watching the chicks maneuver around; chicks are now flopped, sated, in the nest box, with the remains of a meal between them. I'll also mention that Trooper brought in a food package that was HUGE - looked to be about 1/2 his size. Wow! :o
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...I'll also mention that Trooper brought in a food package that was HUGE - looked to be about 1/2 his size. Wow! :o
Well then, I guess he either "comes by his name honestly" or "he is trying to live up to his name!" ;) What a "Trooper" he is! 8)
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...dad popped in for a visit a few minutes ago, woke up the sleeping chicks, chattered a bit, then left - no food, nothing. ::) Chicks are sleeping again.
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...looks wet & rainy outside the nestbox today (probably much like Winnipeg this morning.) Both chicks in the nestbox, warm & dry (ok, dry at least, i don't know what the temp is in Columbus)...
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...Monday morning, chicks were fed about 20 min's ago, they are getting BIG, and you can see some of the adult(?) feathers just beginning to show....
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I'll have to read on the blog when they are thinking of banding!
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Banding day is tomorrow and the chicks have been named Spirit and Swoop Banding is at 10:00 am and will be shown live on the web cam. :-*
http://ohioperegrinefalcons.blogspot.com/2010/06/names-are-chosen-update-on-banding.html
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Banding day is tomorrow and the chicks have been named Spirit and Swoop
I like those names! :D
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...good names! The chicks are currently outside the nestbox, and are being fed; going to be harder to watch them now that they are wandering more, but they have still been coming back inside the box on occasion...
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...they are banding RIGHT NOW on camera...
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...pretty angry chicks... :D
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..chicks are back in the box; there is a very P.O.'d mom on the ledge, glaring at the door, daring anybody to come out again...the chicks are all calm now, or maybe they're just afraid to utter a peep (Mom is REALLY mad)...clever use of an umbrella by the natural resources guy, to keep the parents off of the banders... ;D
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...mom's got the chicks backed up against the wall - she seems to be inspecting the bands... :D
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Did anyone happen to capture/copy (or whatever the term is) any of the banding an place it on you tube?
I guess I can check when I get home. Can't watch any camera's here at work except for Edmonton.
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...mom's got the chicks backed up against the wall - she seems to be inspecting the bands... :D
Guess she wants to see just exactly what did happen to her chicks! :o Also, probably a very good thing that she was SO mad. She demonstrated that she is good at protecting her nest! 8)
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stills from banding - Bluefoot
(http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x135/fullbrandt/bev43/columbusjune8-2.jpg) (http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x135/fullbrandt/bev43/columbusjune8-4.jpg)
(http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x135/fullbrandt/bev43/columbusjune8-6.jpg)
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These are all wandering one
(http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x135/fullbrandt/bev43/columbusjune8-13.jpg) (http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x135/fullbrandt/bev43/columbusjune8-16.jpg)
(http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x135/fullbrandt/bev43/columbusjune8-18.jpg) (http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x135/fullbrandt/bev43/columbusjune8-19.jpg)
(http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x135/fullbrandt/bev43/columbusjune8-22.jpg)
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and back at last
(http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x135/fullbrandt/bev43/columbusjune8-27.jpg) (http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x135/fullbrandt/bev43/columbusjune8-36.jpg)
Wandering one closest to finger wandering one retreats to back
(http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x135/fullbrandt/bev43/columbusjune8-38.jpg) (http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x135/fullbrandt/bev43/columbusjune8-39.jpg)
wandering one almost looks like he is coming for a cuddle
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Great photos and slideshow, bev! :D Interesting, about the different coloured feet. 8)
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Scout and Trooper will be happy to see their chicks back and that they are safe!
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...great captures, bev - the 2 kids in the photos won the naming contest and the right to help band the birds. I don't know which was blue foot / yellow foot, but the names & tags are:
Swoop: 08/Y
Spirit: 09/Y
Each bird has a purple US Fish & Wildlife Service band on the right leg, & an black over red band (b/r) on the left leg...
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...oh, and they believe that both chicks are females....
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...great captures, bev - the 2 kids in the photos won the naming contest and the right to help band the birds. I don't know which was blue foot / yellow foot, but the names & tags are:
Swoop: 08/Y
Spirit: 09/Y
Each bird has a purple US Fish & Wildlife Service band on the right leg, & an black over red band (b/r) on the left leg...
Swoop....what a GREAT name. LOVE IT!!!
Isn't there a falcon out there named Spirit already??
Not sure on the rules/regulations on naming falcons.
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...yeah, I voted for Swoop - great name! There are probably a couple of Spirits out there, just like there are a lot of Froona's...
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just like there are a lot of Froona's...
Oh that's right.....there are a few Froona's out there. Forgot there for a moment.
Guess it really doesn't matter on how many falcons have the same name because they don't know what their name is, only we do. ;D
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Great slide show - love the scared little girl trying to be brave~
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...both chicks snoozing in a corner of the nestbox, looking none the worse for yesterday's adventures...one parent keeping watch on the outer ledge - looks damp - foggy? rainy? - out there today; maybe the chicks will stay inside the nestbox for awhile...
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Poor chicks looked totally traumatized. Wouldn't having so many people around make things worse for them? I know they can't count, but I would think you'd want to keep things as low key as possible.
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I was thinking the same thing, sami. What ALOT of people! :o Sure didn't look low key to me. ::) Poor chicks, is right. :(
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It was the same ordeal last year! There were some concerns on the length of time but, this is how things role with this site!
The banding event took approx. 2 hours +/-.
This is normal for their project!
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...two snoozing chicks in the nest, one parent on guard outside - everybody seems to have recovered nicely...
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The yellow foot one is Spirit and the blue foot is Swoop
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That chick didn't do a bad job of self feeding, either.
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...the chicks are pretty much running around outside their nestbox now, wingercising can be seen occurring, although it often results in face-plants; luckily, these chicks are nowhere near as self-conscious as cats - I've never seen an eyas with an "I MEANT to do that" look on it's face - (far more likely it'll have a WTF look)...
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The one outside the box didn't look too happy in the pouring rain around suppertime, though! Once it stopped, back inside!
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...feeding going on outside the nestbox, both chicks seem happy to let mom distribute the food to them this morning. She started with the one on the camera side of the nest box; the second chick, who was on the other side of the nest box, out of sight, came hurrying around when she finally realized what was going on without her...both look healthy and alert. Looks like an ok day there - little hazy in the distance, and cloudy...
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...checked in this morning, one chick napping in the nestbox - hard to know where the other chick is for sure, but i thought i saw some movement just outside the nest box on the ledge cam - i'm pretty sure the other chick is on the other side of the nest box. LOTS of brown feathers coming in now; mom on the outside ledge, looking alert but calm. All's well here right now...
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...havent' seen both juvies this morning, because one has been parked in front of the ledge cam for the past 20 min's. Good close-ups of her preening, probably trying to help along the molting of her baby down. Sharp looking talons... :o
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...saw a tag - that is Swoop in front of the camera...
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...looking for some way to distinguish the two, and it looks like Swoop (who's now lying down in front of the camera, staring into it, (I'm ready for my close-up Mr DeMille), with Spirit behind her) has the very pale feet, and Spirit's feet are much yellower. Don't know it that will change over time, but for now, it helps to distinguish them while they are running back and forth...
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..one of the parents is sitting in the empty nestbox, can't tell for sure but i think it's Trooper...my guess, just sitting in the shade, trying to get cool...i suspect chicks are napping, or they might have followed him in, looking for food...
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...nope, i was wrong, it's Scout... ::)...my bad... ;D
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...just had a LOVELY close-up of Swoop cacking up a casting (casting up a casting?) :-X - the things you see on these cams...
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...ewwww, and now Spirit checking to see if it was edible... :-X :-X
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LOL moments - parent came in with a food package, which was promptly grabbed by Spirit (I believe); Swoop then charged the parent, who (wisely) flew off in the face of such aggression; a struggle ensued over the food package - some back and forth grabbing, then they both had a foot on it as they both started de-feathering it - at one point, Swoop was pulling it up with her beak, but Spirit was refusing to leg go with her foot - the food package hanging in the air between them...action has moved off camera - Swoop ran off with it, Spirit in pursuit...
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...sisters are now sitting on opposite ends of the ledge - obviously not speaking to each other right now...no sign of the remains of the food package anywhere...ain't families wonderful? ;D
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...ewwww, and now Spirit checking to see if it was edible... :-X :-X
YUM YUM :-X ;D
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...plenty of wingersizing today, it's currently 28C & partly sunny in Columbus; when they do their run, hop, skip, beat wings, you can practically read their minds - "Look, I'm flying, I'm flying!!" Reminds me of nothing so much as kids playing airplane on a nice summer day...
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...Spirit's been wingercizing in camera view - proud mom Scout was hanging around for a bit (very lovely looking), then Spirit charged her (hoping to be fed?) and Scout took off...I've seen glimpses of Swoop wingercizing on the ledge; the latest blog says they're at 5 weeks, and could be fledging soon, though probably not before this weekend. I know it could happen around 40 days, but these are both females, and I thought that, since they are bigger & heavier, they may need a few more days to get their wing strength - any thoughts/info on that?
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Girls do tend to go later but it depends on the bird - weight and size, health, presence of siblings, experience of parents, etc... Two years ago, the female at my site fledged on Day 38 with her brothers, last year they all (2 males and 1 female) were still on the ledge being beak fed at Day 42. In Edmonton, Cassie I think didn't go until almost/or on Day 50 - she was a lone chick. Last year the Hamilton females were all over 1000 g's and we thought for sure they'd take forever to fledge and probably come down - well they showed us! They flew like champs!
I can't speak for all falcons - nor would I attempt too but in my personal observations at my site I've noticed that now that we have the same adult pair for a few years - the fledge periods are taking longer as they've gained experience. I'm guessing the parents adjust their strategy based on past years - for example we have glass buildings so the kids would typically hit the glass on fledging and get hurt and in some cases die but now that they don't push the young as hard to go early and let them stay longer, we have had no fatalities for three years now during fledge and this year none of the kids have hit the glass on their first flights. The first year I watched my pair - the female was very aggressive in trying to get the young to fly early, she still tries but doesn't push them as hard as previous years and seems to be willing to wait until they are ready to go.
The longer they stay, for sure the better to get stronger.
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...thanks carly ;D - I personally don't think the Columbus chicks are going this weekend; I don't think they've been doing enough wingercising - they just don't look ready to me. Mind you, I've been wrong before (LOTS of times...) (LOTS and LOTS and LOTS)...
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THANKS
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:'( :'( :'( :'( This is just hearbreaking :'( :'(
A Lot of Activity Today - Spirit (09/Y) was the juvenile that fledged this morning.
About 10 a.m. I received a call from Josh Williams from the Ohio Senate Office. He reported that a co-worker, Jason Phillips, noticed a peregrine just outside on a windowsill. He was able to give me the band number. The bird was not injured so I opted to capture her and place her back on the nest ledge. Thanks to Jason and Josh for taking notice and contacting me.
The capture happened without incident. I got back up to the 41st floor of the Rhodes Tower about 11 a.m. It is a bit tricky to put a falcon back out on the ledge when you know another fledgling is out there because you don't want to accidently cause the other bird to flush from the ledge. I looked out the door and saw Scout on top of the nestbox (squawking at full volume since she knew I was there!). At this point I had another potential danger: there was a chance that Scout would attack the bird as I put it back out. Scout wasn't about to leave so, I had to move slowly. I put Spirit in the doorway so she and Scout could see each other and simply closed the door. After a moment she hopped up on top of the nestbox with Scout. Mission accomplished successfully!
Fast forward to just after lunch. In the midst of trying to update the blog I got another call from downtown about a falcon on the sidewalk in front of the Rhodes Tower. Unfortunately this story doesn't end so well. It was Swoop (08/Y) and from reports it sounded like she was exercising on the ledge and then was gone from the ledge. Other accounts indicate she fell down to the ground with little or no flapping. As I have reported many times, flapping is instinctual so the fact that this bird came straight down would indicate there may have been another underlying issue. A necropsy will likely be done.
So, a busy day. Swoop's absence will be noticed much more by all of the fans out there watching than it will be by Scout and Trooper. They concentrate on what they see at the moment and so will focus all of their attention on Spirit. Hopefully she will be well fed and thus will wait to leave the ledge until she is good and ready.
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How sad. To have a chick come this far, and then something go wrong. Hopefully they will let us know the results of the necropsy.
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That is very sad to hear. :'( :'(
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Very sad news... :(
If the reports are correct that people witnessed Swoop go down with little or no flapping, then there's obviously wrong as Tracy keeps saying, "Peregrines don't fall" unless there is something seriously wrong.
Hopefully Spirit will be successful and fledge when ready and do very well.
It would be nice for Scout and Trooper to have a successful nest this year.
Good luck Spirit!
Fly free Swoop!
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Very sad news, indeed. Good luck, Spirit!
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Oh no, this is very sad. :'( I am so sorry to hear that, carly. :(
Tracy keeps saying, "Peregrines don't fall" unless there is something seriously wrong.
And yes, allikat, I do remember TPC saying that. Sounds similar to what happened to one of our Radisson chicks a few years ago... seemingly fell off the building, for no apparent reason. But turns out the chick had some kind of neurological difficulties before it fell. :(
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:'( :'( :'( :'( This is just hearbreaking :'( :'(
A Lot of Activity Today - Spirit (09/Y) was the juvenile that fledged this morning.
Other accounts indicate she fell down to the ground with little or no flapping. As I have reported many times, flapping is instinctual so the fact that this bird came straight down would indicate there may have been another underlying issue. A necropsy will likely be done.
It does sound like one our ours 3 years ago
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From watching the video Swoop was visibily upset when they returned Spirit to the nestbox. Scout was definitely kakking up a storm and Swoop headed to the ledge and did wingercize a bit but not enough to take flight. I really don't think it was ready to go yet and probably nothing wrong with it medically. Only my thoughts.
Thinking on this further, from watching previously and seeing both chicks running up and down the ledge and with no sign of any imbalance or seizure problems, I am surprised that this would happen the same day that the other new fledged chick was returned to the nest ledge.
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Decided to check out the BCAW site for comments as they all follow this site closely:
I am with you SGB; I am in total shock; I was out in my yard when my neighbor came up to me and said they were downtown; I am always telling them about our girls; that is when they told me - Patrice was driving down Broad Street and out of the corner of her eye she saw something fall from the sky - she thought it was a chunk of the building but it turned out to be Swoop. She said Swoop was laying intact on her back with her wings spread so she was trying to fly;
Of course everyone has a hard time believing what has happened as there were no visible signs of Swoop having problems.
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Also checked out the comments on the Ohio Webcam Site:
Possible Fledge This Morning
I haven't gotten any concrete confirmation but a couple of reports indicate that one of the juveniles may have fledged earlier this morning. The accounts indicated that the bird was flapping near the edge and basically fell off the ledge while turning around. Since then only one chick has been observed on the ledge.
At this point they have all of the feathers necessary for flight. So, even if the "take off" wasn't deliberate, once over the edge the bird will instinctively flap. It is important at this point to try and get leg band codes via the ledgecam to help tell which bird(s) are on the ledge.
This was the first one that obviously wasn't ready to fledge that went over the ledge and when it was returned to the nest ledge the second went over the ledge an hour or two later.
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From watching the video Swoop was visibily upset when they returned Spirit to the nestbox. Scout was definitely kakking up a storm and Swoop headed to the ledge and did wingercize a bit but not enough to take flight. I really don't think it was ready to go yet and probably nothing wrong with it medically. Only my thoughts.
I wonder too linderlou. It also seems strange both chicks would fall within hours of each other. I wonder how windy it was and if the area is prone to wind tunnels. I know we have nasty areas here where there are concentrations of high buildings densely pack together and I personally, being as small as a rag doll (as my friends would say) have often gotten caught up in them and literally been blown onto the street into traffic - it feels like a hand is on your back and you have no control at all so imagine a poor little falcon who has yet to have tested her wings.
It can't be easy to make a decision as to whether to return her to the ledge or not at that stage. That's part of the reason they do our releases at night - so the parents don't panic and so the released bird and any siblings up there don't panic fly or fall. They learned that lesson the hard way I'm afraid. Either way, I'm sure Donna must feel horrible.
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Sounds like half the fledges out there ... sometimes they go intentionally and gracefully. Sometimes its a case of oops and off they go. Hurricane who is out in Brandon got blown off the edge of the nestbox and she managed to get a nearby building ... she did fine and is now a second year resident female in Brandon who was happy to take our heads off yesterday when we banded her offspring.
Keep in mind that the chicks don't really fly for the first few days, they are big gliders and so long as they stay high, they are fine. Flying up is tough and takes some practice. Taking off from the ground likewise takes work as it takes practice, skill and strength, none of which the chicks have right away. Luck too plays a part in all fledgings!
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Bad luck then, for Swoop, and so sad to hear.
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There is a video on the BCAW forum that Queenie of the Hancock forum took of Swoop's fall. An obvious slip from the ledge when she started to run toward the nest box. The link is below and the post is the third one down on the page.
http://www.peregrinefalcon-bcaw.net/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=622&start=300
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That was hard to watch. It looked like a gust just lifted her off, and down she went.
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...i expect that with a chick with no experience on a windy day, one good gust could have banged her back against the building and stunned her - that could have caused the 'no flapping', i guess...
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I feel sick seeing this. I'm sure it happens more often than we realize. Lots of young birds don't make it through the first year. It's just hard to actually watch this and know what the result was.
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..i've been keeping an eye on the nest box cam here, and Spirit has been in the nest box most of the day, occassionally calling, but not doing much else...I'm very much aftraid she might be ill, or injured(?) from her unsuccessful first flight...anybody else been watching her?
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....aaaand now she's out on the ledge, making me look like an overprotective idiot. Well, I've looked worse. :D And now she's wingercising vigorously on the edge of the ledge, and calling. But she still doesn't look ready to go; her wingercising hasn't lifted her off the ground yet, and i'm put in mind of our fledges from last year, that would cling to the air vent and beat their winds so long and hard you'd think they were going to carry the vent cover off with them... ;D
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Looks like Spirit is doing just fine...a little wingercizing being done on the ledge.
Just keep building up strength in those wings Spirit....flap away, and fly when ready.
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Donna has posted an update on her blog, seems Swoop was not ill - she seems to have hit the building and that may have stunned her or knocked her out. I hope Spirit has had a good first flight.
July 01 - Spirit Takes Flight
This morning Spirit flew of her own accord at 6:04 a.m. - it was a deliberate liftoff from the ledge. Several folks were watching and saving video. This clip includes a slow motion replay at the end (thanks to Pascal for the clip). If you watch closely you can see one of the adults follow her from the next ledge over. We really like to see a falcon leave the ledge "on purpose" like this vs. an accidental fall as happened Monday to both nestlings.
More on Swoop...additional details are known now after video and witnesses on the ground have come forward. It appeared from the video that Swoop was simply making her way down the ledge when she lost her balance and went over the edge. Again, this is not an uncommon way for a peregrine to make its first flight. Eyewitness reports from the ground indicated there was no flapping when the bird was falling. When I retrieved her from the sidewalk I noted that she had an abrasion on the top of her head. I first believed the injury to have occurred when she landed. However, later reports from witnesses indicated she landed flat on her back on the sidewalk. Therefore we can figure that she must have hit the building on the way down. It is likely that the building strike may have stunned her or even knocked her out, thus the explanation to why she was not flapping as she fell. A very unfortunate incident but nothing anyone could have done would have saved this bird.
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It's a very sad thing what happened to Swoop :'(
but it sure looks like Spirit had a great takeoff....Happy flying Spirit!! :-* :)
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I was so happy watching the take off. Thank you for the link, Pascalger
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OMG...just came in and read the news..Scout has been found dead now :o :o
http://ohioperegrinefalcons.blogspot.com/
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How very sad. It's almost unbelievable that there should be two tragedies so close together at the same site.
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I was going to say the same, Sami. Very sad.
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That's why the median age for breeding peregrines is somewhere between 5 and 7 years ... the mortality rate may drop significantly after the first year, but there are natural threats everywhere.
It's too bad about Scout, as a three-year breeding female, she had definitely hit her stride raising chicks and was doing it very well. One possibility not mentionned was that she was checking on her chick and a wind shift threw her against the building - happens at cliff nestsites as well. I always wonder why it doesn't happen more often, though I'm very glad it doesn't!
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...what a rough year for Columbus; first Swoop, now Scout. Well, it's good to know that Trooper (and what a trooper) will be able to continue guiding Spirit, even though Scout is now gone. She taught him well; here's hoping he keeps up the good work!
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Yes, how very, very sad! :'( :'(
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OH NO NO NO.
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Yes, it is very sad. :'( :'(
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Very sad indeed :'( But they are hardwired to produce so Trooper will probably find another fine lady falcon.
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will Trooper look after the remaining chick?
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Yes he will continue feeding the juvenile and helping it learn the lessons it needs to.
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So sad to read this news about Scout. I certainly hope all goes well with Trooper and Spirit.
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Wow, this is bad news to come home to! Orville last year, now Scout and Swoop.....good luck to Spirit and Trooper!
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Oh, no! I come back from my move, to this. How terrible. Scout was such an experienced mother. Losing her is so sad. I wish I could come back to happier news - this is so depressing.
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It was really hard to see because of the glare but if Trooper has found himself a new female, good for him.
Now, we know that sometimes, courting a new male or female in the early stages of chicks hatching is a dangerous event for the chicks, but I'm not sure about having a fledgling involved?
How does that work?
Tracy....?
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Will the new female help with Spirit? That is not an easy question to answer - if it was a new tiercel we could say yes but with a new female not so easy. Some do help, others view them as a threat. Depends too on Trooper, if he insists on helping Spirit, she might come around but at this point all we can do is speculate.
Several people have contacted Donna and various bird agencies there for help so perhaps later today we will hear some news. They had no fledge watch save for one lone fan on her own checking from work when she can.
Perhaps now with a new female there, they will go out and check on Spirit given the circumstances.
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Several people have contacted Donna and various bird agencies there for help so perhaps later today we will hear some news. They had no fledge watch save for one lone fan on her own checking from work when she can.
Perhaps now with a new female there, they will go out and check on Spirit given the circumstances.
Only one lone "fledgewatcher fan"? ??? Too bad. :( Makes me realize how very fortunate we are here in Winnipeg, to have so many peregrine falcon fans interested in fledgewatching. :)
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Now that there is a new female there, will Trooper still look after the chick. The poor little chick can't hunt yet or even fly that well yet. I sure hope Trooper does not forget about him.
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More sad news, according to the Ohio webpage, the new female is Clementine but last night (Tuesday the 6th) she was found dead on the ground so Columbus is back to two birds, one adult (Trooper) and one juvenile (Spirit). Good news though, they believe Trooper and Spirit were observed at the Columbus nestsite this morning.
For more details check out their blog ... Columbus Peregrine Falcon Updates (http://ohioperegrinefalcons.blogspot.com/)
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OMG. Just when you think that things could not possibly get worse, they do. This site is suffering a horrible wave of bad events.
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That is such sad news. :'(
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This is unbelievable - how could so many things go wrong at one site?
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Wow, all I can say........very sad.
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:'(
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I check the Ohio site everyday and I can't believe the things that have been happening here. It is part of nature and life and we must accept it. I do hope that Spirit and Trooper have better things planned for their futures.
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Posted on CMNH today by someone and not surprised to read this, I found it odd that 2 adult females are both dead within days of each other and I've seen workers try to do this myself here to Angel. Many times they are on the roof and I've seen them purposely taunting her and jack.
Witness: Worker struck falcon
Jeffrey Sheban / The Columbus Dispatch / 8 July 2010
Scout, a female peregrine falcon, was found dead on Broad Street Downtown.A mother peregrine falcon found dead on Broad Street last week might have been done in by a worker wielding a broom atop the LeVeque Tower. State and federal wildlife officials are investigating reports from at least one eyewitness to a supposed confrontation played out near the top of the 555-foot-tall skyscraper.
"The death of Scout is under investigation after we received some information from several people," confirmed Kandy Klosterman, law-enforcement supervisor with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources' Division of Wildlife. Because peregrines are a protected species under Ohio and federal law, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is assisting in the investigation, she said.
According to a witness who works Downtown in a nearby office building and wants to remain anonymous, a worker was near the top of the LeVeque last Thursday placing colored filters over spotlights for the next day's Red, White & Boom festivities. That's when Scout, an adult female falcon who roosted on the 41st floor of the Rhodes Tower, started to divebomb the worker, possibly because her lone surviving fledgling was nearby. (Another youngster, Swoop, had plummeted to the sidewalk and died in its maiden flight three days earlier.) After several menacing passes by the bird of prey, the worker went inside and returned with a broom, according to the witness. The worker allegedly struck the bird in a subsequent pass, resulting in Scout tumbling to the street below.
A state wildlife biologist previously said the mother falcon might have fallen after striking an office-tower window while hunting prey. Klosterman declined to comment on the witness' story but said the division would like to hear from others. Tipsters can remain anonymous.
"We do want people to come forward with further information," she said. "We've received a few calls, but it's still very early in the investigation." Anyone with information can call the division's tip line at 1-800-POACHER (762-2437), or the District 1 law-enforcement section at 614-644-3925. LeVeque Tower property manager Kate Zurawski said the worker in question was an independent lighting contractor and not one of her employees. She declined to name the company.
"We don't condone hurting or killing or doing anything to wildlife, including falcons," she said. Harming a peregrine falcon is a first-degree misdemeanor in Ohio, punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and six months in jail. The state also can assess up to $2,500 in restitution to support its peregrine management efforts.
Peregrines, capable of reaching speeds of up to 200 mph, are cliff-dwelling predators that were nearly wiped out by the 1970s because of the pesticide DDT in their prey. Ohio and other states began efforts in the late 1980s to support the species, releasing young birds in the wild and building nesting spots atop bridges and office buildings.
Scout and her mate, Trooper, produced two offspring this spring. The surviving juvenile, Spirit, continues to be watched over and fed by its father.
Meanwhile, wildlife officials have retrieved another dead falcon from the central business district.
An adult female, recently spotted Downtown after the death of Scout, was found dead Tuesday at the intersection of 3rd and Gay streets. A witness told officials that he saw the bird dive headfirst into the street, possibly misjudging its altitude while hunting.
"While it is easy to dwell on what birds we have lost recently, I ask folks to not forget the successes," said Donna Daniel, a wildlife biologist with the Division of Wildlife, writing in her falcon blog.
More than 40 young peregrines have been hatched and raised Downtown since the Rhodes Tower nest box was installed in 1994.
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...couldn't believe it when i read that this morning; it's just not a good year to be a falcon in Columbus. And unless there's a video, anything about the worker hitting the falcon will probably end up as a he said/she said situation, and nothing will come of it (unless he was bragging to people about it.)
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More sad news, according to the Ohio webpage, the new female is Clementine but last night (Tuesday the 6th) she was found dead on the ground so Columbus is back to two birds, one adult (Trooper) and one juvenile (Spirit). Good news though, they believe Trooper and Spirit were observed at the Columbus nestsite this morning.
Oh no! :o :'( How can this happen again at this site?! :o ???
After several menacing passes by the bird of prey, the worker went inside and returned with a broom, according to the witness. The worker allegedly struck the bird in a subsequent pass, resulting in Scout tumbling to the street below
I guess this is how it happens! >:( :o :'( I sure hope that LOTS of witnesses come forth! >:(
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Very heartbreaking news :'(
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The sad part is, if the story is true, the worker may not have had any idea what the bird was that was attacking him or why. So many people are ignorant of the fact that peregrines are endangered, live in the cities, anything at all about them. Shows how important education is.
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You're so right, Sami. I know that my first reaction was fury at the worker, but he probably felt very threatened by this bird dive bombing him for no apparent reason while he attempted to do his job.
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No, I don't think we should make any excuses for people like this. Their attitude is, if it moves, kill it. You can try educating people, but there will always be this type of person, who does not care, and has no sensitivity towards animals, birds, or the environment. I hope they find him, and fine him.
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No, I don't think we should make any excuses for people like this. Their attitude is, if it moves, kill it. You can try educating people, but there will always be this type of person, who does not care, and has no sensitivity towards animals, birds, or the environment. I hope they find him, and fine him.
I agree with you 100% Elaine.
I feel this person should be charged/fined.
I am so upset hearing that Scout's death was caused by a human.
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I agree with you Elaine L and Moonstar. Hopefully they will find this person and the truth will find justice.
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I completely agree that the responsible person should be charged and fined -- the loss of Scout was terrible and unnecessary. At the same time, I think it's fair to recognize the truth in what Sami posted -- ignorance about peregrine falcons is widespread, and education is critical. The worker could be any one of us -- panicked by a large bird attacking him, not knowing why or what to do about it. Granted, he did the wrong thing.
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More sad news, according to the Ohio webpage, the new female is Clementine but last night (Tuesday the 6th) she was found dead on the ground so Columbus is back to two birds, one adult (Trooper) and one juvenile (Spirit). Good news though, they believe Trooper and Spirit were observed at the Columbus nestsite this morning.
For more details check out their blog ... Columbus Peregrine Falcon Updates (http://ohioperegrinefalcons.blogspot.com/)
How sad .. first Scout and now the new girl Clementine.
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I have been watching this site and very sad to hear all that has happened. :'( I have to say that if a bird is dive bombing you, anyone has the common sense would know that a bird or animal only attacks when they have young close by!
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Good point, Animalover.
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Unfortunately, there are a lot of people in the world who have absolutely no common sense. I, too, would like to see the guilty person fined. And certainly would like to see lots in the papers and other media about what happened. I wasn't making excuses for the worker, just pointing out that there are any number of people around who don't like birds or any other wild life. I don't like hunters, either, but that's another story.
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Along with the people who actively dislike birds or other wildlife, there are also people who are frightened of birds or other wildlife. I agree that common sense would tell a person that possibly the bird was defending a nest or young (also agree that common sense isn't all that common) -- but I think that common sense is a lot easier to access sitting at a computer than it would be with something attacking! I deplore what happened to Scout, but I'd like to hear the worker's side of the story too.
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I deplore what happened to Scout, but I'd like to hear the worker's side of the story too.
Hear, hear, Saorise. :) Yes, I guess it would be good to hear the worker's version of the story. But several peregrine death's at one site, sure sounds awfully suspicious to me. :-\
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I deplore what happened to Scout, but I'd like to hear the worker's side of the story too.
Hear, hear, Saorise. :) Yes, I guess it would be good to hear the worker's version of the story. But several peregrine death's at one site, sure sounds awfully suspicious to me. :-\
I agree with you Kinderchick about the number of deaths sounding suspicious.
I really do not want to hear the workers version. I see no reason to kill a bird. They only attack if they are protecting their young. I feel this person is a cold heartless person and he/she would have no problem killing anything.
I am very upset about this and how Scout died. It never should have happened.
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And, apparently this worker went inside to get a broom after Scout dive-bombed him, came back out, and used the broom the kill her. It was not even a spur-of-the-moment reaction. If everything is true about what this guy did, then hanging is too good for him, as we say out here.
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I deplore what happened to Scout, but I'd like to hear the worker's side of the story too.
Hear, hear, Saorise. :) Yes, I guess it would be good to hear the worker's version of the story. But several peregrine death's at one site, sure sounds awfully suspicious to me. :-\
Scout's death may require legal action but Swoop's death is a not unusual fledging accident, so nothing suspicious there. As for Clementine, one of their "fledgewatchers" observed her hunting and watched her crash - again, this is not an unusual hunting accident, peregrines are found with their prey in their talons in the middle of empty fields every year and its due to accidents just like this. Seems to have to do with hunting at high speed and what do you focus on, the prey as they try to avoid you or the ground as its rushing up at you. Clementine was not an inexperienced bird, so unfortunate as this is, its not a suspicious death either.
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I'd encourage all to read Donna Daniel's blog on this whole series of incidents.....it's available through a link on the webcam page.
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Thanks, Pam, just read through and saw today's note:
July 9 - Update on Spirit
Continuing good news on Spirit – I received a report that two falcons were soaring above the Rhodes Tower yesterday at about 2:30 in the afternoon. Spirit is really getting the hang of flying and gaining a lot of altitude in the process.
Update on Scout – many may have seen the recent reports in the media that the ODNR, Division of Wildlife and the US Fish & Wildlife Service are investigating the circumstances of Scout’s death. As this is an on-going investigation I cannot comment at this time. However I can say that progress is being made in the investigation and we hope to have the matter resolved quickly.
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I'd encourage all to read Donna Daniel's blog on this whole series of incidents.....it's available through a link on the webcam page.
Thanks for the pointer, Pam -- I just had an opportunity to read a few of Donna's entries and completely agree with you -- it's definitely well worth reading.
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New female in the picture again
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Doesn't take long - there must be a number of unattached females around there, just waiting their chance.
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...nice to hear there is yet another female possibly in the picture - these birds do NOT let the grass grow under their feet; just looking at the ledge cam, and there is somebody sitting in front of the nest box, but too far away to ID - and now they've headed into the nest...
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New female in the picture again
Oh, this is good news. Hope things work out! ;)
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I was reading BCAW forum, they think the new female has a juvie of her own. So there may be four falcons at the site. :)
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I was reading BCAW forum, they think the new female has a juvie of her own. So there may be four falcons at the site. :)
...blended falcon family?
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I was reading BCAW forum, they think the new female has a juvie of her own. So there may be four falcons at the site. :)
...blended falcon family?
The only way to be sure if there are four, is a web cam capture.......so who knows, anything is possible. ;)
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...blended falcon family?
Now wouldn't that be interesting?! 8)
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!!! Durand in Columbus, Ohio!!
July 18, 2010 - International, National and Local News
Kathy Reports:
Just a few minutes ago myself and several others from the BCAW Falcon board were finally able to clearly see the bands on the new female that has been making herself at home in Columbus, Ohio! She was spotted a few months back by Chad & Chris in Ohio so luckily I still had her information at hand.
Black 32 over Black X banded Pefa was produced at the Hamilton Sheraton hotel nest site last year in 2009, banded on June 2nd as a female at approx. 26 days old, weighing 1014 grams (empty crop) and was named Durand.
Her parents were Madam X and Surge - (Surge was hatched and produced at the Etobicoke - Bloor and Islington (Sun Life Centre) nest site in 2002.
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Way to go, Durand!
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Love to here about chicks who find their own new home. Good going Durand.
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Excellent News!!!
Way to go Durand!
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Thanks for the update, Carly.
Nice to know that one of last years juvies is making a name for herself.
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Especially since it's a Canadian Bird! I'm so pleased to hear that a peregrine from Madame X and Surge has appeared in Ohio. Come on Durand, you are young but this is great news!
YOU GO GIRL!!! ;D
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Both T & D in the house just now, lots of chupping going on then one flew off. 1:31 pm EST.
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Both T & D in the house just now, lots of chupping going on then one flew off. 1:31 pm EST.
Could these 2 actually start a new family, at this late date? Or maybe this isn't late, for this area? :-\
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Both T & D in the house just now, lots of chupping going on then one flew off. 1:31 pm EST.
Could these 2 actually start a new family, at this late date? Or maybe this isn't late, for this area? :-\
Bit late in the season for that now and Trooper is in 'dad' mode at the moment - not that he can't do the deed but nothing would happen now. They have lots of time to get to know each other and bond now though and next Spring she will be 2 years old and more mature.
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Thanks, carly. Here's hoping it works out for them to begin a family next Spring. :)
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...logged on to the ledge cam here this morning, as I occassionally do, to see if anybody happens to be there; usually not, but surprise this morning - looked like Trooper sitting in front of the camera! The face was out of camera view most of the time, and I only got a glimpse of the feet once (you'd think in 10+ minutes the bird would want to preen or scratch more than once), (I know I do), but I didn't see any bands, hence my guess that the visitor was Trooper. Whoever it was, the bird was healthy looking and very alert...nice to catch a glimpse once in a while...
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...logged on to the ledge cam here this morning, as I occassionally do, to see if anybody happens to be there; usually not, but surprise this morning - looked like Trooper sitting in front of the camera! The face was out of camera view most of the time, and I only got a glimpse of the feet once (you'd think in 10+ minutes the bird would want to preen or scratch more than once), (I know I do), but I didn't see any bands, hence my guess that the visitor was Trooper. Whoever it was, the bird was healthy looking and very alert...nice to catch a glimpse once in a while...
I managed to catch a glimpse a couple of weeks ago. But, all I got was a bum shot, so was unable to get positive ID. ;D Like you, I waited about 10+ minutes for some movement and was rewarded with only a flash of tail feathers when the birdie took off. Still, as you say...nice to get those fleeting glimpses.
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...logged on to the ledge cam here this morning, as I occassionally do, to see if anybody happens to be there; usually not, but surprise this morning - looked like Trooper sitting in front of the camera!
Oh, jadoo, how lucky you were! 8)
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...just back from vacation...logged in this morning, not expecting to see anybody, but there was a peregrine sitting there! (On the far side of the ledge, too far for positive id)... Apparently, Trooper and Durand have been seen quite often, strengthening the pair bond, and tidying the nest for next year...
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Wonderful, jadoo! :D No falcons on the ledge when I logged on this morning. :(
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...falcons again this morning, between 8:00 & 9:30 wpg time, Trooper sat on the ledge for quite a while, watching (probably) Durand flying around, then Trooper got into the nestbox for some scraping & inspecting. Trooper then left for awhile, but Durand showed up, and also entered the nestbox - her inspection was a little more intense, she kept checking out the ceiling as well as the gravel. Of course, I am just assuming it was Trooper (no bling) and Durand (bling) - I don't know them well enough to id by sight, but it was nice to see them hanging around for so long...
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1 PF sitting on the ledge now, can't see who it is as they're sitting behind the camera..enjoying the early morning sun
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...both falcons were on the ledge this morning; actually, to be accurate, one was on the ledge, anxiously overseeing the second, who was inspecting the nest box, and surrounding area - since the sound is on in the nest box, you could hear the soft squeaks that were being vocalized. Reminded me of somebody talking to themselves "we could put the couch here, and that corner could be the dining area...." etc... ;D
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Is that a huge scrape in the right hand corner of the nestbox? I don't think I saw that yesterday when I checked, but I could be wrong. :-\ Is it usual for peregrines to make scrapes and engage in courting & nesting behaviours in the "off season"? ???
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Is that a huge scrape in the right hand corner of the nestbox? I don't think I saw that yesterday when I checked, but I could be wrong. :-\ Is it usual for peregrines to make scrapes and engage in courting & nesting behaviours in the "off season"? ???
Yes it is normal for a pair to do this outside of the breeding season, its part of pair bonding activities. Both Princess and Ivy have been doing the same thing in the Radisson nestbox over the last week to 10 days ....
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...falcon on the ledge at 7:08 Wpg time...watching (probably) their mate flying around... :)
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...falcon appears to be Durand - she hopped into the nest box for a quick inspection and scrape in the corner, & I saw bling (so for sure it wasn't Trooper)...
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...now Trooper's in the nestbox; these two really love their housekeeping... :D
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...falcons in the picture for a good part of the day today - lots more lately than earlier in the season (post-fledging, that is)...could Trooper and Durand be hanging around the nest-site more because of the migrations? More peregrines flying through their territory, and they are maintaining their presence for as long as possible? TPC?
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Finally saw a bird sitting on top of the nestbox! :D Not sure which one, though. :-\
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...VERY lucky today - just peeked in for a look at 12:50 Wpg time, one bird sitting on the nestbox, and immediately joined by a second bird - the first bird (turned out to be Trooper) then hopped into the nestbox, and was joined in there by Durand - I got a brief show of their bowing and squeaking to each other! Then Trooper took off, and Durand has been in and out of the box since.....way cool!
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Darn! Just missed seeing them! >:(
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...groan...just watched both peregrines fly onto the ledge and immediately hop into the nest box, but the nest box camera isn't up - probably missing a great show.... >:(
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Nestbox camera is on for me, jadoo, but no birds in the nestbox. :(
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...yeah, mine came up a couple of hours after the fact, too... ::)
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...both Trooper and Durand were in the nest box doing their little bowing and chattering, just around 2:00 Wpg time :D - did you catch them this time, Kinderchick?
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...both Trooper and Durand were in the nest box doing their little bowing and chattering, just around 2:00 Wpg time :D - did you catch them this time, Kinderchick?
Darn, no, I missed them, jadoo! :( Had to attend a school related workshop.
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...durand in the box, having a nice time scraping...
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There's a bird on the nestledge that seems to be doing a little scraping with one foot and bowing... either that, or he/she is doing the "Hokey Pokey"! ;)
Don't know which bird it is, though. :-\ How can you tell which bird it is, jadoo? ???
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There's a bird on the nestledge that seems to be doing a little scraping with one foot and bowing... either that, or he/she is doing the "Hokey Pokey"! ;)
Don't know which bird it is, though. :-\ How can you tell which bird it is, jadoo? ???
...the only way I have of telling is if I see them in the nestbox - Durand has bling, and Trooper is unbling'd...saw them both today - Durand was in the box and Trooper was outside the box at the same time - this might have been what you were seeing; also, I'm not sure if this holds true all the time, but I think that, on takeoff, Durand tends to actually open her wings and fly off the ledge, and Trooper, perhaps lazier, tends towards dropping off the ledge...of course, I could be mistaken, I (very) often am...
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Durand is the one that 'drops' off the ledge :-* She's a gorgeous falcon and strong like her momma! Earlier this Spring she was hanging out in Cleveland near where Rocky and Lara (my girl) are nesting on a bridge and she got into a scrap with him when she tried to land on their nest ledge. She defended herself admirably for a then 1 year old falcon.
Chad & Chris on CMNH were lucky enough to get photos of the incident.
Scrolll down for photos: http://www.falconcam-cmnh.org/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?48559.30
Here is the banding info for Durand:
Black 32 over Black X banded Pefa was produced at the Hamilton Sheraton hotel nest site last year in 2009, banded on June 2nd as a female at approx. 26 days old, weighing 1014 grams (empty crop) and was named Durand.
Her parents were Madam X and Surge - (Surge was hatched and produced at the Etobicoke - Bloor and Islington (Sun Life Centre) nest site in 2002.
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Thank you, jadoo and carly! I will try to see if I can tell the difference btw the 2 birds, from your descriptions. :)
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I check in on this site quite regularly through this link: http://www.peregrinefalcon-bcaw.net/index.php
Scroll down to US Peregrines and click on Trooper and Durand.
If you want to see videos and hear sounds of them talking with each other on the ledge and in the nest box without actually catching them at the right time on their site, you may want to check the link out.
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...Trooper on the ledge near the camera right now; Durand (I'm assuming) aborted a landing earlier - it looks very windy there this morning...
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trooper just tried to take off, and aborted it, then went for a run along the ledge, popped into the nestbox for a minute (couldn't see anything, the nestbox cam wouldn't come up again >:() and now somebody's taken off - and somebody else has emerged from the nestbox! Crap - missed it all... :P
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Durand is the one that 'drops' off the ledge :-* She's a gorgeous falcon and strong like her momma!
...thanks, carly - I don't watch quite enough to easily distinguish between the two - i'm pleasantly surprised I noticed the differences in the take-off styles! ;)
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Looks like it's pouring rain there too, like here in Winnipeg... thought I might see a bird hunkered down in the nestbox, but no luck. :(
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...must be cool in columbus - whoever is on the ledge keeps lifting on foot off of it, to warm up, perhaps? I recall seeing this behaviour in the spring as well... :D
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...must be cool in columbus - whoever is on the ledge keeps lifting on foot off of it, to warm up, perhaps? I recall seeing this behaviour in the spring as well... :D
And here I thought that he/she was doing the "Hokey Pokey"! ;)
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...whoever is on the ledge right now has been assiduously preening for the last 15-20 minutes, which makes me think that they have just finished breakfast... ;)
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Aw... No bird anywhere in sight, when I finally have a chance to look. :(
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Managed to catch the preening on Friday, very nice!
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...Durand in the box this morning, doing a lot of scraping, cleaning and fussing - even scraping the walls with her beak, and pulling at a couple of marks in the wood...
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...she took a bit of a break, but is now back at it with a vengeance - that nest box is getting cleaned within an inch of it's life!! :D
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Didn't see any birds on the ledge or in the nest box when I looked today. But you're right, jadoo... the nest box looks clean as a whistle! 8) Unlike the nest box in Orange, NSW, Australia! :P
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...caught Durand cleaning up around the outside of the nestbox, too ( :o :o - busy bird, i could hire her!), then she took a break and was sitting on the nestbox cam...just a minute ago, had a lovely shot of Trooper, who landed right in front of the ledge cam, hung around for less than a minute, then swooped off again, followed closely by Durand - wonder if they were after something??...
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...of course, another possibility is:
Durand: Whew, I'm exhausted, I have to take a break here. Where is that lazy Trooper, anyway? I've been doing this all morning, all by myself, working my talons to the bone, scraping, cleaning, gathering up stray feathers and god-knows-what-all else, and he hasn't so much as done a fly-by...
Trooper (just landing): Wow, I just flew in from Toledo, and boy are my wings tired! Hey, honey, I see it's all clean now, what a nice job you've...
Durand: All clean, my tail-feathers, the whole inside ledge needs cleaning! You get over here right now!
Trooper: Oops, forgot something, gotta go!!! (Flies off)
Durand: Oh no you don't! When I get my talons on you..Come back here!! (Flies in pursuit)
...(sound of crickets)...
8)
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LOL! ;D Yes, jadoo, very funny commentary, indeed! ;D
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...both Durand and Trooper were on the ledge briefly a few minutes ago - Durand went into the nestbox to make sure everything was still ship-shape, and to do a bit of a scrape in the corner; Trooper meekly waited outside, then...TROOPER did the "famous" Durand drop, just as I'd seen him do it before - Durand came out of the box a moment later, looked around a bit, and also did the drop (but I think Trooper does it better!) So I'm NOT crazy (no matter what the nice men in the white coats keep saying...)
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Aw! I keep missing them! :(
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...Durand doing some tidying in the box this morning, then did a very elegant "Durand drop" off the ledge...so, TPC, what are the rules here? Durand seems to be really trying to make this "her" nestbox, but Trooper was here first, and actually helped raised 2 chicks with Scout, who was here before him, but who was killed this summer. So, in the spring, is it Troopers box? Or Durands? Or does it depend on who gets here first? Or on who may make a challenge? ie a new male shows up to court Durand? Or a new female shows up to challenge? Or is my question too confusing? ???
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Lots of great questions, if you ask me, jadoo! :)
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Was just checking BCAW and apparently Durand had to defend the ledge against another falcon today...they have some video of it posted up. Sounds like she is okay but don't have all the details yet.
Video and story start on this page: http://www.peregrinefalcon-bcaw.net/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=690&start=40
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...WOW that's some WILD video - poor Durand, working so hard to make that nest hers; well, maybe this will toughen her up for the spring, when things might get a LOT hairier, when there is so much at stake...
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...haven't seen anybody there this morning; wonder if they're hanging out & recovering somewhere else..
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...haven't seen anybody there this morning; wonder if they're hanging out & recovering somewhere else..
I would have expected to see them reaffirming their bond this morning after a successful nest defense but so far nothing save for maybe Trooper landing on opposite ledge earlier. I'm wondering if this is still on going and not yet resolved. When Beauty challenged Mariah, it took 3 days so until I see Durand back on her ledge and in her box...I'm holding my breath.
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" When Beauty challenged Mariah, it took 3 days so until I see Durand back on her ledge and in her box...I'm holding my breath."
...yes, but was that in the spring, when hormones are raging? Are "interloper" falcons as aggressive in the fall, during migration?
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I've seen Angel in a few altercations here these past few months with 'passer bys' and they typically take off within minutes when they realize the ledge is in possession. They don't keep going for 3 hours. She may sense a chance at victory. Given all the things we've seen on cam the past 2 years that weren't supposed to happen - I won't be happy till I see our girl.
Edit to add: Falcon just landed on the cam??!! Can't make it out but Durand usually sits there!! Mick has also just added that he taped a strange instance on Nov 2nd which included wailing and he feels they may have been aware of a third falcon at that time.
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...somebody was just in the box, then left, and now somebody is back on the ledge - haven't been able to id anybody...
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Me either, something is going on though. Someone keeps looking up.
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lots of feathers flying around, makes me wonder if somebody is dining on a nearby ledge; whoever is on the ledge now seems calmer (facing towards the building) but is calling out a lot...
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Maybe it's lunch and someone wants to share :-*
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...much calmer now - actual preening going on. Crossing fingers... :-\
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...much calmer now - actual preening going on. Crossing fingers... :-\
Yes she looks much calmer now and preening is good sign. She might just be on guard to make sure the interloper doesn't come back. Assuming it is Durand of course.
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Holy Smokes! :o Amazing fly-by video footage! Thanks for posting it, carly. I hope that Durand is okay.
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It's just amazing to watch falcons and their instincts to defend, survive and conquer!
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Bird on top of the nestbox right now. Don't know who it is, though. :-\
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Apparently no sign of Trooper since Nov 5, when he and Durand were protecting their ledge from an intruder. Hoping that he is alright and is just spooked to return to the ledge at this time. He took forever to land on the ledge when Scout was there, so hope it is just nerves keeping him away this time.
If he returns, should this topic be changed to Trooper and Durand?
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I've been watching daily too Linderlou and still no sign of him. No sign of Roosevelt in Indiana either - he's 16 years old and everyone is worried as he's not usually MIA like this. Here's hoping they are both fine and we see them on cam soon :-\
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...well, we'll keep our eyes open, hopefully they'll both show up soon...
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...somebody is calmly sitting on the nest-cam - probably Durand, she does like that perch...
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...she just hopped off the camera, seemed to be watching something/somebody (looked like she might have been calling, as well), hopped back on the camera for a brief moment, then back off, and after a brief hesitation and look around, did a "Durand Drop" off the edge - hope she was calling to Trooper...
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I guess these guys are gone now. :( Warmer climates were beckoning...
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...hi all, i'm back - wasn't really gone, but couldn't access from work. I can again, but don't know how long this will last. There was a great deal of hullaballoo at this site, Durand seems to still be here, and there is another falcon as well, unbanded, but there is a lot of speculation as to whether or not it is Trooper...he didn't show up for quite a while after the intruder dust-up, and the unbanded bird that has been seen with Durand, well, a lot of the Columbus people are thinking it might be a different bird (bigger?..different eye marking?...different call?) I won't give my opinion until I actually see the unbanded bird take off from the ledge - Trooper always had an interesting spin on the Durand drop, in my opinion. Anyway, nice to be back...
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Nice to have you back, jadoo! :D I was checking this site for awhile but stopped, when I wasn't seeing anything for a week or two. Please keep us posted if you do see/hear anything. :)
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...thanks, Kinderchick; I guess I'm used to the Winnipeg nest, where we don't expect any falcons after the snow flies, but Durand has definitely been hanging around the Columbus nest - saw her (a falcon? but definitely in all of Durands favorite spots) on the ledge yesterday, preening. So if you're having withdrawal symptoms, check out this site - mornings seem to be the best bet. Afternoons, not so much, especially since the shadows get deep up there at this time of year...
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...just some observations from the Columbus cam; Durand and the unknown male (some of the observers are referring to him as DV - Durand's Visitor) were both on the ledge for a while this morning. To recap, there was a kerfuffle a while back, with an unbanded intruder in the area. After this kerfuffle, neither Durand nor Trooper were seen for awhile. Then Durand showed up again, and an unbanded male(?), which initially was thought to be Trooper, came along as well, but after much observation and discussion, many people think this unbanded bird is not Trooper, hence the name DV (for now, I guess)...I was holding back on my opinion until I'd seen the unknown bird actually do a standing take-off from the ledge, since I think Trooper has a very distinctive take-off, and this morning I got a great look, and now, I don't think that this bird is Trooper. Now, this doesn't mean a lot (either my opinion, or the fact that this bird may not be Trooper) since it is winter, and Trooper may have gone south anyway, or maybe it is Trooper, and his behaviour is different when he isn't harassed by STARVING chicks like he was in the summer, but since he was unbanded, i don't think there will be any way to know for sure. Anyway, just rambling here...if anybody has feelings of withdrawal, remember this site usually has some sightings almost every day! :D
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Very interesting, jadoo! I'm going to check this site out tomorrow. :D
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2011 NESTING SEASON
No new info on this site - Durand and the unknown male still show up most days. A little frustrating on my end, I have not been able to pick up the streaming video (they probably changed the computer settings here at work, again) but I can get the 15-second updated pix, and, for those of you who can access the streaming video, the nestbox cam is now up and working, as well as the ledgecam. Anyway, i will be continuing my viewing, and reporting on anything new - there just hasn't been anything new. Hey, no news is good news! (It IS January, after all...) :D
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...durand and her flyboy (which is what they seem to be calling him) were both in the nestbox this morning, doing the bowing thing ;D...
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...lots more bowing (to Durand) and scraping (of the nestbox) by the male (who has pretty much been christened Flyboy) - looks like he's planning on staying for the long haul; it may get interesting if Trooper shows back up - lots of people on the website seem to think that Trooper might have migrated - could be some unpleasant scenes if he comes back to find an interloper...Happy Valentine's day, all!
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A falcon is sitting on the camera on the ledge as I write. I believe it is Durand, based on the size.
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Whoever the bird is they are having a preen right down in front of the nestbox - so about as far away from the ledgecam as you can get!
Thought I would check out the nestbox cam to see what the box looks like at the moment and if it will be easy/not so easy to tell if the birds have been busy making scrapes ... hard to tell because of the light, but that should improve with less cloud and longer days I think.
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Whoever the bird is they are having a preen right down in front of the nestbox - so about as far away from the ledgecam as you can get!
Thought I would check out the nestbox cam to see what the box looks like at the moment and if it will be easy/not so easy to tell if the birds have been busy making scrapes ... hard to tell because of the light, but that should improve with less cloud and longer days I think.
...i don't get the chance to watch as much as I'd like (work interferes a lot), but the columbus forum has a very dedicated band of nest watchers, and they have recorded Durand and Flyboy courting in the nestbox, as well as Flyboy doing some scrapes...you can check the videos on this here...
http://peregrinefalcon-bcaw.net/viewforum.php?f=21
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Posted from the Web Site:
Feb 24 - Nesting Season Nears
It's been a long, cold winter but every day we have a few more minutes of daylight. Even with winter-like weather still in the forecast, it will no doubt be spring soon. The peregrines have been seen at the ledge off and on throughout the winter and this morning they both stopped in the nestbox for a bit of bonding. (I saved an image but it won't seem to load at this time--will attempt to edit this post later and add it.)
So, what can we expect this year? Peregrines normally lay eggs in March and April. However, this is Durand's first nesting attempt. To recap, she hatched in 2009 from the Hamilton, Ontario nest. Being that she is a young bird it is possible she won't even lay eggs this year. Or, she could produce but they don't hatch. A lot can happen in the first year.
As for the male, because of his plumage and behavior it is believed he is a different individual and not the same male from last year (Trooper). As this male is not banded there is no way of knowing his age or where he came from. It is likely it could be his first nesting attempt as well. Again, we could be dealing with infertile eggs--or, everything could work out just fine in that we have a successful first-time nesting attempt with this pair.
Throw in another scenario and this male could just be wintering at this location and in the next couple of weeks could leave the area to return to an established nesting territory elsewhere. Or, if he is claiming Columbus as his territory there is still the possibility that Trooper could return and there might be a fight between them. Lots of things could happen but as we get closer to actual nesting season one thing is for sure - if there will be any upsets we can expect them within the next few weeks. So, it is important for all eyes to be watching to help determine what goes on.
Part of the fun of following these birds is the suspense and drama. As I often say, Stay Tuned...!!!!
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And the fun begins in Columbus ...
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And the fun begins in Columbus ...
Sounds as if the fun is beginning all over the place! 8)
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They were both in the box, this is Durand moments after Flyboy left the box. She has that "Where the heck did he go"? look. ???
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/Falcons-Rhodes%20Tower%20Columbus/Durand1.jpg)
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Falcon in front of the camera, very kindly holding out a leg so that we can read the legband, but all I could get was X over 0, then the camera blacked out.
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..well, no eggs yet, but Durand has been spending a LOT of time at the nestbox, with Flyboy hanging around - the pair have been observed canoodling, so everybody is hoping for some some egg-citement, but she is a young bird (first-time nester, I believe)...anything can happen at this point...I've only been able to get the 15-second still photos of the site, looks like the IT department here at work is taking it's security protections very seriously, darn it >:(...
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Durand has been on the ledge, or the top of the nestbox practically all day. It looks to me like she has been doing a lot of calling, looking slightly irritated, but no sign of Flyboy - at least not on my watch.
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Woohooo...egg in the box this morning!!!! :D
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(http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz79/skygirlblue09/March%202011/col1907.jpg) (http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz79/skygirlblue09/March%202011/col1904.jpg)
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Admiring the egg. How cute is that!
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...lovely!...nice to see Durand with her very first egg!..she's currently sitting in the box, eyelids drooping shut - obviously a tiring event... :D
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Well Durand just laid her second egg while we all watched. Interestingly she had moved her first egg out of the scrape earlier and laid the second one in it's spot however the scrape is so close to the back of the nest box she kept trying and trying to keep it warm but her little head was pushing again the wall. At one point you could see her looking at both eggs kind of puzzled and now she's left the box. The eggs are each in different areas..hopefully she figures it out and moves them together in one spot.
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...yes, Durand still doesn't seem quite sure as to what's going on, or where she wants these eggs to be sitting; maybe she wants them laid in one area and incubated in another. Another thing, Flyboy has been noticably absent for most of the proceedings (more like Fly-by-night-boy, I think), but he's probably young as well...it's an education for us watching these two young ones learning on the fly, so to speak...
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Unless the weather in Columbus is terribly cold, the eggs will be fine until she's pretty much finished laying. Not unusual for birds to not quite figure out what to do with the "roundy things". Jules and Beau (West Winnipeg) were very much like this last year - neither one of them had any experience but they figured it out in the end and were very successful. Sounds like Durand knows there's an, lets say, inconsistency with what she's doing and maybe with her next egg the penny (as well as the egg) will drop and she'll get all her eggs safely in one basket ;D
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...third egg for Durand & Flyboy - two eggs in one section of the box, the first egg sitting by itself in a different area - she may not quite have figured out what to do with the eggs, but they sure are arriving on schedule... ;D
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Looking at the web cam here right now. There are 3 eggs and they are all in different areas. A bird is there now and tried to settle down on two of them. He/she has been scraping in the nest and moving around and looking a lot at the eggs. He/she does not seem to know how to put them together. The bird has now stepped out ot the nest box and all three eggs are far apart.
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Hmmm... I wonder how they will incubate the eggs, when they are so far apart? ??? Do they eventually figure it out?
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Hmmm... I wonder how they will incubate the eggs, when they are so far apart? ??? Do they eventually figure it out?
I'm trying to have faith and hoping her hormones will kick in but she's due for egg 4 tomorrow so not much time. She keeps scrapping and kicking the eggs, honestly surprise she hasn't crushed one yet. She doesn't seem to have a brood patch yet though today we see she might be developing a bit of one. NOt sure if her hormones are quite where the should be? TPC? I know you have seen stuff like this before but honestly the male isn't even interested in the eggs and she has no clue either.
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...i'm sure it'll all work out, if not this year, then next - remember, this is Durand's first nest, and the peregrines have been figuring it out without our peanut gallery comments since forever... ;D ;)
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... peregrines have been figuring it out without our peanut gallery comments since forever... ;D ;)
I guess you're right about that, jadoo. ;) LOL!
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Durand is looking inside the nestbox while Flyboy is perched on the ledge. She looks like she is trying to figure things out, and he just looks clueless. I think that between the two of them, they will figure out what needs to be done with the three round things inside the box. It would be so much better than waiting until next year.
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Interesting....no bird in the nestbox now, someone on the ledge. Those eggs are certainly far apart from each other!
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Interesting....no bird in the nestbox now, someone on the ledge. Those eggs are certainly far apart from each other!
She's going to have trouble brooding these eggs as they are now! ::)
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/Falcons-Rhodes%20Tower%20Columbus/eggs.jpg)
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She's going to have trouble brooding these eggs as they are now! ::)
That's for sure! :o
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She hasn't started incubating (at least that's how it looks from the photo), when she does, that's when the eggs need to be together. First day, maybe two, one egg out or not all eggs covered and they can still do okay, but when they settle into hard incubation, she needs to keep 'em together.
Part of the problem seems to be that she has a couple of deep scrapes to use on opposite sides of the box. Get the eggs in one scrape and they should get the hang of it quickly enough.
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Well, we can only watch and hope that she gets it right!
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Heh...she hasn't incubated for sure. Instead of sitting on the egg, she leans into and scrapes! She's a champion scraper that's for sure! I keep thinking, she is remembering Hamilton and how deep the scrape there is and is trying to mimic it but it's very different type of pebble she's working with :-\
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Oh dear...oh dear...oh dear!!! :-\ Now I only see two eggs! :o
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I only see two eggs, as well. Where is the third egg? Unless Durand somehow pushed it over behind the far egg. Things are very confusing here this year.
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and no sign of any bird around - though Donna Daniel says that there are lots of spots where a bird can be sitting close by without being visible on the camera.
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Three eggs in sight again, no bird in sight though!
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Here is a link to BCAW, Columbus thread - Durand and Flyboy
She moved the egg back into view, you have to scroll down the page a bit. :)
http://www.peregrinefalcon-bcaw.net/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=896&start=380
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Scout just laid egg number 4. ON the plus side it's closer to egg #1 - so two on one of the box and two on the other. What will she do next I wonder. ??? ???
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...Durand...anyway, she's got two eggs in one section, two in another, maybe she's trying to decide which ones she loves more? ;D...if there was more canoodling, maybe she's not even done laying yet; but either way, isn't this the time she should start hard incubating? or...any kind of incubating? ??? ::)
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Yes this would be the time but I don't think she gets it yet. Both of them seem more like teenagers with runaway hormones and they haven't quite figured out what those 'red consequences' are yet.
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4 eggs, Durand (I presume) is just sitting in the rain outside of the box - guess she really is confused about this whole process!
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1400 hrs (local) - bird still tucked up on or just beside the nestbox cam ... not sure if s/he thinks the eggs are going to do something if they keep watching ... love watching first time nesters, everything is a mystery to them. I can't wait to watch them figure out what to put where and on which when the eggs hatch! :D
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She went in early this morning and scraped some more, checked both batches and has been outside since. The male did also go in and he appeared to lick one of the eggs or peck it...hard to tell and then he left. Sure is going to be interesting.
The temperature is going down to 4 degrees C there tonight and then 3 tomorrow night. I know that's not freezing or anything but would still like to see her on them. ???
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The temperature is going down to 4 degrees C there tonight and then 3 tomorrow night. I know that's not freezing or anything but would still like to see her on them. ???
You never know, the colder temps might switch on the lightbulb (so to speak) for her, who knows.
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when last I looked today, she had two eggs together on one side of a 'hill' and two on the other, and was still contemplating the whole situation - interesting...
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Maybe she'll take two eggs and he'll take two eggs ;D
'course, then who goes for take-out? ::)
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...bird on the ledge, and bird in the box this morning - looks like Durand is trying to brood! :D However, the eggs are still in two locations; as I've been watching, she's been covering the two eggs closest to the camera for a bit, then went over to the other two eggs, and inspected them, scraped a bit, then back to the first two eggs, and covered one for awhile, and is now covering both of them - not "properly" yet, but she has got them both under her and her wing...somebody on the site was questioning whether or not they could spot a brood patch on her chest, but i can't tell...
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.....aaaaand now she's out of the box, two birdies on opposite ends of the ledge...
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I think I saw a bit of a brood patch too this morning! She spent more time than normal in there and seemed to be trying hard to figure it out! And flyboy on the ledge too was a good sign! HOpefully if this continues today..they might figure it out!
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She is laying down on the 2 eggs and she's chit chatting..! She's getting it...now get the other 2 eggs and bring them over ....!!
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...whoops! I hope that that is just some darker speckling on egg #4, and not a crack...
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Well after much in and out by both parents..she's now incubating 1 egg!
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...i know i shouldn't laugh, but she just doesn't look comfortable like that, with her chest partly on the ledge, and her face plastered against the wall :D...
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As I watch, Durand has moved between the two egg groups twice; she settles down on one group, but keeps looking at the other group, then she went to the other group, and even tried pushing one of the eggs, but it still did not click for her. Now, she has just stepped outside on to the ledge, as she ponders the situation.
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Kind of fascinating, isn't it! She's way out on the ledge now.....
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Well, she's trying to incubate eggs on the left side of the nestbox right now, but she keeps turning around. Doesn't seem to be able to get settled. She's only incubating one egg on the left side at the moment. It will be interesting to see what happens.
The website reports the following...
If she does get around to incubating "properly" and then moves the eggs together at a later date their viability will be compromised. A successful hatch requires 32-34 days of consistent warmth.
Would her mate, Flyboy, be able to incubate the 2 eggs on the other side of the nestbox, while she is incubating the other 2 eggs? ??? Has this ever happened before? Just wondering?
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Well technically they could each incubate 2 eggs but then they wouldn't be able to hunt and keep themselves fed. So that wouldn't really work.
I've never seen two inexperienced falcons in a nest together before so a first for me. I have seen one or the other though - and I've seen a female and/or male lay on eggs and have one under the wing, one out the back..etc..and none or only 1 hatch due to inexperience. TPC has probably seen it all I'm sure.
No doubt by next year when both are more mature - things will be different. She's such a sweetheart and she's trying so hard :-*
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Well technically they could each incubate 2 eggs but then they wouldn't be able to hunt and keep themselves fed. So that wouldn't really work...
That's what I was thinking carly, but wasn't sure if one of them could leave the eggs alone for a little while, if it were warm enough, and head out for a little hunt. :-\
She's such a sweetheart and she's trying so hard :-*
Yes, it is sweet to see her trying so hard. :) I think that when she finally does get the hang of it, she will be a great mother. :D
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I suspect that the biologists or whomever might be considering a quick trip to the box ... I would. Doesn't take more than a second to put the eggs in the better of the two scrapes and then let her get down to business ...
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I suspect that the biologists or whomever might be considering a quick trip to the box ... I would. Doesn't take more than a second to put the eggs in the better of the two scrapes and then let her get down to business ...
Doesn't sound as if they're making plans for a trip to the nestbox right now. I wonder why not? ??? Here is what they are reporting on the website...
No one knows how this will play out--all we can do is watch and wait and wonder what will happen--the saga continues!
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They may have very specific rules in Ohio about interfering or perhaps they really don't want to disturb the birds while the weather is bad. Or perhaps as young birds they are concerned that they would/might abandon the eggs. My comment really should have been prefaced with, if they were my birds, because I would be familiar with their behaviour et al and my decision would have been based on my assessment of their response to being disturbed.
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OMG..Scout just laid another egg!!! It's with the 2 she laid on all night..OMG!! Maybe her hormones will kick in stronger now???
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...yes, just saw that; it's Durand, by the way...Scout was killed last year...
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...yes, just saw that; it's Durand, by the way...Scout was killed last year...
Gah..I knew that..lol..sorry was just so freaked out!! Gees...poor thing couldn't figure out what to do with 4 and now 5! :o
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Something else that occurred to me ... she (and/or he) know there is a problem with those two eggs and that is why they are on the opposite side of the box. Someone mentionned that Flyboy was inspecting or pecking at an egg - was it one of those?
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Yes it was TPC.. :-\ She did check on them this morning though and laid on them for a minute before going back to her new pile.
She also would occassionally try to move them and then look over to the other pile so I think she wanted to move them but can't figure out how.
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Case of scrapes being too "good". Only the start of incubation, so she/they maybe have a bit more time to get all their eggs in one basket ...
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And soon as I posted that, she's back on the other 2!! So seems to me she wants them.
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And soon as I posted that, she's back on the other 2!! So seems to me she wants them.
Never know, this could be exactly the kind of impetus she needs to finally find a way to get all the eggs together. Frustration is a wonderful motivator at times. Fingers crossed.
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Fascinating, almost painful to watch!! She sure is struggling.....
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...yes, apparently Durand has managed to get one of the two right-side eggs over with the rest - you may be right, TPC, frustration can be an excellent motivator.. ;D
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Woohoo..just came out of meeting and saw that!! What a gal!!
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She seems to be thinking about all this while on the ledge just outside of the nest box.
Maybe she is gathering strength to move the final egg.
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and again the question, how long can they be left unattended and still be viable? Would love to have seen her move that egg!
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Well now I see 4 (on left side) + 1 (on right side), all left unattended. No bird in the nestbox or on the ledge, that I can see. :( But this certainly is a good mathematical "visual" for teaching addition to my Kinderchicklets! ;)
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There has been a juvie intruder there for over an hour. Durand drove it off the ledge a few times, two were in the air for awhile..we think juvie and Flyboy and then Durand took off too. It's been pretty crazy ..that's why she's not there. I hope they dont' hurt themselves over it. The juvie landed on the ledge a few times and BCAW girls got some screenshots...going throught the posts to catch up the action now.
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There's an interesting post in "updated happenings" by Donna Daniel regarding the pros/cons of intervention.
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Flyboy came back twice but still no sign of Durand, and another falcon flew by...and Flyboy took off after it. Good lord, I hope nothing's happened to her after all this...
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Yay..she's back!!!
Pam: I saw Donna's post - very informative and very good points. She reminded me of TPC - a voice of reason amidst all the emotion ;)
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Got herself parked pretty much right in front of the webcam - three eggs are just visible to the left of her, but she's blocking the view to the far right ...
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Ah, poor baby, she really hasn't got the "shuggle" down yet ... the fifth egg is a wee bit closer now too ... seems to be on ridge between the scrapes so who knows, another day and she could get them all under her yet.
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She's improving with each hour though it seems..such a sweetheart :-*
Uh oh.. something startled her again and she jumped up. Wonder if that juvie is back!
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...wow...loads of drama here today :o...
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1808 hrs local
Durand is on her eggs or two of them at least. She has two under her, two under her breast which makes it look like she's wearing a coconut shell brassiere and the "last" egg which I think might just be a little closer to the rest of the gang than it was the last time I checked on her ...
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Yes that last one is getting closer. Thought I heard a canoodle earlier when they were out there... :o She's had a challenging day for a first timer, hopefully she'll get some rest tonight and make more progress tomorrow :-*
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1808 hrs local
Durand is on her eggs or two of them at least. She has two under her, two under her breast which makes it look like she's wearing a coconut shell brassiere and the "last" egg which I think might just be a little closer to the rest of the gang than it was the last time I checked on her ...
I saw that - quite a funny picture!
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She's trying so hard, almost looks like she's thinking..."oh man, this is for the birds", gets up and heads out, then remembers "oh, I am a bird!", and goes back in for another round!
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At first light this morning, Durand is incubating all 5 of her eggs ;D
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...she has been there a couple of hours now (hasn't quite figured out how to keep all 5 eggs underneath her), but she has been napping a lot; i guess with all the excitement of the intruder yesterday, and the frustration of having her eggs in two places, she is probably exhausted - but she does look more content now that she's figured out what to do... ;)
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Well, well, well! The eggs are together, more or less, but Durand is gone. Fly-boy has not come in to replace her. I think he is fairly clueless still, and I hope he realizes soon that he has a part to play in this new era of being a responsible father. I must give him credit, though, for having all the right stuff, so to speak. 5 eggs!
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I think it is Flyboy in there right now. He was seemingly pecking at the closest egg, and it looks damaged.
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actually, i think that's egg #4 - it had that mottling on it from the beginning; i thought it was cracked at first, too...
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...i suspect Durand finally said "You get in there and take care of those eggs!!!" - they way he's looking at them, i'm pretty sure she didn't give him any instructions on HOW to do so... ;D
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I see she is back on (and in more of an incubating than brooding position!). She was off for quite a while again this afternoon.
I never see Flyboy when I check in, definitely not the attentive type!
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He actually guarded the eggs for over an hour while she was gone earlier. He went inside a few times but didn't seem to know what to do but he did check the eggs out and then went outside and stood guard :) When Trooper and Scout were there, it was his first time too and I remember for quite awhile he'd do a similar thing, it took some time before he realized he should incubate the eggs but eventually he got the hang of it.
I know he's close by though as once in awhile I can hear them chupping to each other.
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At first light this morning, Durand is incubating all 5 of her eggs ;D
Oh, that's great news, at last! ;D
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...Friday morning, Durand is sitting on all 5 eggs, looks like she has the hang of it - lets just hope she doesn't produce another egg today...
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Yes, let's hope she does not! She does look a little more comfortable, but those eggs have been unattended quite a lot.......
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1320 hrs
Looks like its Flyboy in the box based on his behaviour described on this thread. He's guarding (not incubating) the eggs very diligently ::) He's a small looking male, 5 eggs is going to be tough for him to keep under him, particularly since he is new at the job. If you thought Durand was having a hard time, wait until he figures out he's suppose to help out.
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Durand has been sitting between the eggs for quite some time now. She's falling asleep off and on and is not trying to incubate at all.
Possibility of another clutch? It's still early in the season.
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Durand has been sitting between the eggs for quite some time now. She's falling asleep off and on and is not trying to incubate at all.
Possibility of another clutch? It's still early in the season.
That was actually Flyboy you saw earlier, covering for Durand who was on break. He tried to lay on the eggs once or twice but couldn't figure it out so I guess he decided guarding them was just as important!
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Sure is nice to see Durand tightly incubating her 5 eggs this morning. :) A look at the nestledge view shows heavy rains in Columbus right now... The website blog says that we will just have to wait and see what will happen with these eggs, given that Durand was initially sporadic in her brooding of the eggs and also the fact that it took so long for her to get the hang of it. Apparently, though, this is perfectly normal for a bird of her maturity. There was even some mention that perhaps some, if not all of the eggs could be infertile, given Durand's very young age.
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She looks like she has all the eggs covered.
Maybe just maybe there will be chicks this year. :)
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Durand is still on the eggs, but now she is looking around, calling Flyboy. I don't see any sign of him yet, but surely he will hear her eventually and provide relief and refreshments. I do believe they are getting the hang of this parenthood thing; hope it is soon enough and long enough for this season.
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I have checked on these two periodically, and while I can only view through the refreshed photo images and not the live streamline, I have always seen somebirdy sitting on the eggs. I have a rather soft spot for these two with the difficult start they had. :)
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There was an update on the Ohio Division of Wildlife Website that noted the following....
Eclipse is the same age as Durand. It will be interesting to compare her progress with nesting this year to that of Durand's. Back here in Columbus, Durand continues to shoulder the load of incubating on her own. She is leaving the eggs a few times a day, presumably to feed. The male is making several appearances and perching close by. We should assume that he is providing food for her, albeit off camera.
(Eclipse is another sighting and she has taken over a nesting territotory in Oak Creek, Wisconsin)
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Just too a quick look at this site, to be welcomed by Flyboy's rear end right smack on the camera. Durand is still on the eggs. I think Flyboy has not yet figured out his role here; I am sure that he is a good provider of food for his lady-love, but we need him to realize that perhaps a more "hands-on" role would be really helpful.
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He may want to be hands on, but keep in mind how much smaller males are ... he literally may not be able to get the eggs under him. Trey used to have problems at times with four and he was very experienced! Maybe that Durand is just going to have to be the one to do most the incubating this year. Madame (Princess' predecessor at the Radisson) did most (80-90%) of the incubating with a couple of her mates as I recall ...
... sometimes being an overachiever is not a good thing :-\
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Could successful incubation be affected if Durand is off the eggs several times a day, and with no backup covering from her mate?
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Got to think it would be a factor! Doesn't look like he is quite getting the hang of it!
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Could successful incubation be affected if Durand is off the eggs several times a day, and with no backup covering from her mate?
Depends when she's off. Madame, Princess' predecessor at the Radisson, was known for regularly being off the eggs and it didn't affect incubation. Now, it was usually when it was warm/hot and the sun was on the eggs which maybe she just understood how to use effectively, can't really say. Can say, she often left the eggs uncovered in the mid to late stages of incubation.
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It will be very interesting to see how this unfolds....
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Does anyone happen to know if Flyboy has started to help Durand with the incubation yet?
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Does anyone happen to know if Flyboy has started to help Durand with the incubation yet?
If by help you mean is he providing her with food and guarding the nestbox when she is on breaks then YES. If you mean is he actually incubating the eggs yet...NO, not that anyone has seen as of yet. She is pretty much doing all the incubating.
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...yes, i'm curious to see how many, if any, eggs hatch...she's pretty consistent in her incubating now, but, as evidenced by a nearly 3 hour absence the other day, Durand may be getting a little frustrated at doing all the work....
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Falcon pairs seem to communicate very well, going by what I have seen on other sites, notably at Wilmington, so I am wondering if Durand has told Flyboy to get on those eggs and stay there, and he has found excuses not to do so because he is still young and seemingly immature. Methinks if he does not get on the job of egg covering, she will dump him before next year's breeding season. Of course, this is just my way of looking at the situation.
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It does take the boys some time to get the hang of it. Took Beau a week-ish if not maybe a bit more before he was effective at incubating. Ivy was a bit better but he had an experienced female to show him. Durand and Flyboy are both first-timers and he may literally not be able to get 5 eggs under him. So long as the weather is cooperating, the eggs won't be hurt by time uncovered - we had a female who did it regularly back in the day.
One more note, different birds, different amounts of incubation. We have had males and females who share equally (Princess & Trey) and those that did not (male T-Rex and Burnsie - T-Rex did 75% of incubation). Age and even when pairs change can change who incubates the most - seems as though Princess is incubating less than she did when she first hooked up with Trey.
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Something just upset mom. I can only get the refreshed still images, but mom had come back into the nest, settled on the eggs, the her head was up and she was gone.
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Mom was gone for just shy of one hour, :-\ but is back now.
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...just popped in to check things out on this cam, and on their forum; Not looking good... Durand has spent a LOT of time off the eggs lately, in and out of the box, and on and off the ledge, and according to their forum, nobody can recall seeing Flyboy for at least 3 days...hard to tell, sometimes, because although he was in the box a couple of times after Durand got the hang of things, he never did any incubating; also, there are plenty of ledges nearby that he may prefer, but the tone of their forum is one of worry. (Having said that, i should also mention that the members of that forum do tend towards near-panic sometimes ::) ...just saying..) Anyway, upshot is that most of the watchers are concerned that the eggs are no longer viable, if they ever were. It would be too bad, but really, it is Durand's first year, so she's just struggling up the learning curve, she'll do better next time... (and I suspect Flyboy may have just booked it - I never warmed up to him anyway...) ;)
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Oh no! Really?!? I have been noticing, when I check in, that the eggs do seem to be uncovered a lot, but I figured it was just bad timing on my part :P
Rats :'(
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She's been off the eggs for over 6 hours today already. :-\
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...hey,carly, i went back to columbus forum to catch up on the goings on, and saw that you replied to Jook's posting, but called Jook "jadoo' and added your own comments to my observations on this forum - LOL - Jook must be wondering who jadoo is - either you need some sleep, or you'll have to start limiting your forums (but please stay here with us!) ;D (ps, this is the only forum i post on...)
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She's been off the eggs for over 6 hours today already. :-\
This doesn't sound good at all. :(
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Too bad. This website has had a lot of bad luck over the past few years.
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When I checked in this morning there is still no one sitting on the eggs :(
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Of course, I no sooner send post that there is no one on eggs, and Durand is back.
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Poor Durand, she's not really incubating anymore. :'( I'm sure she would be a good Mom, but with no help she needs to look after herself first. She went in and sort of lay on the eggs, but not for long. She's perched on top of the box preening.
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/Misc%20%20things/MissD.jpg)
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Donna has new and informative blog up this morning about possible reasons for Durand's behaviour.
http://ohioperegrinefalcons.blogspot.com/ (http://ohioperegrinefalcons.blogspot.com/)
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It would have been nice to have five eggs hatch at this site, but considering all the circumstances, I guess this is too much to ask. I still feel, though, as if we have lost five chicks.
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This site really has had a rough couple of years, doesn't look too promising for this one either!
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No bird on the eggs right now. Too bad. :(
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Yep. Too bad! :-\
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As Donna said in her blog:
The best scenario is we see at least 1 egg hatch, or the worst scenario is still good in that the eggs do not hatch but Durand got a lot of good nesting practice in preparation for next year!
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Morning and looks like she didn't spend the night on the eggs. She wasn't there at dark when it feel and no sign of her when dawn broke this morning. Unless she snuck in and out during the night. Did hear her chup up a storm before she took off last night so she must have taken off to join someone she knows. First time we heard her vocalize in days.
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New post from Donna:
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Eggs Alone
Unfortunately, things continue to deteriorate at the nest. For the majority of yesterday afternoon, overnight and now this morning the eggs have been uncovered. Further, Durand has been away from the ledge more than she has been present.
Earlier this morning she was observed scraping in the corner of the nestbox. This is typical site-bonding behavior that normally occurs prior to nesting and again later in summer after the young have fledged. The fact that she is exhibiting this behavior now is another indication of shifting hormone levels. Even though we categorize these actions as "abnormal" at this stage in the nesting cycle, in actuality abnormal actions can be the norm with a bird that is not yet fully mature as in Durand's case.
We will give her a little more time and continue to observe what transpires. If things stay on this track then in the coming days the eggs will be pulled and examined to determine fertility.
posted by Donna Daniel at 5/10/2011 09:50:00 AM
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The eggs have proven to be infertile (see web site blog by biologist). She also reports that there was no sign of Durand or Flyboy when she was at the Rhodes Tower.
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The eggs have proven to be infertile (see web site blog by biologist). She also reports that there was no sign of Durand or Flyboy when she was at the Rhodes Tower.
Awwww! :'(
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They are first-timers so its not unusual - unfortunate for us watching, but not unusual for them. And they have managed to find each other, take over a territory and figure out the first part of raising chicks. Next year they will just need to figure out the post-hatching part!! :D
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The eggs have proven to be infertile (see web site blog by biologist). She also reports that there was no sign of Durand or Flyboy when she was at the Rhodes Tower.
That is sad. :'(
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For those of us who do not have enough time to visit "Bird Cams Around the World" regularly, there is news here at the Rhodes Tower. The male who was here lately, the one who was so clueless about incubating eggs, does not seem to be around anymore, and there is a new male on the scene, a young falcon named Matrix, a banded male who was born in this state last year. Matrix has been visiting the nestbox and ledge, and he and Durand have appparently being exchanging some "come hither" looks and coy conversations. Everyone hopes Matrix will stay around as he is such a charming, handsome fellow.
(It seems that now that it is difficult for me to regularly access video streaming on all our precious falcon cams, I have had to find another fix, and "Bird Cams Around the World" is it.)
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(It seems that now that it is difficult for me to regularly access video streaming on all our precious falcon cams, I have had to find another fix, and "Bird Cams Around the World" is it.)
Great place Elaine, they post a lot of pics for lots of different places.
Pic of Matrix
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/Ohio.jpg)
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What a handsome fellow! Is it too late to hope for a nest at this site, TPC?
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thanks for the update!
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What a handsome fellow! Is it too late to hope for a nest at this site, TPC?
Pretty much I would think - if they laid right now, 1 month+ incubation takes them to mid-July, 45 days until fledge takes them to the end of August/beginning of September. That's leaving it a bit late.
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Very handsome fellow!
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Here's a video of Matrix talking to the camera or giving it what for.
http://youtu.be/ObE3hCcB-Ws
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He's kind of a skinny fella, isn't he!!
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Lean and trim bachelor! 8)
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He's kind of a skinny fella, isn't he!!
He is certainly that, but mainly due to he is only in his 2nd year. A very young male, I think from reading he was hatched in 2010.
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...i LOVE his legs, he is a real cutie; hopefully he'll stick around, and they can get better acquainted and establish a nice strong bond. Please no more eggs this year, let's give Durand a rest and let her have some fun with her boy-toy ;D
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never heard of a falcon being called boy toy lol
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RCF, I enjoyed that video mightily.
He has interesting markings. Lovely little 'eyebrows' and light markings on the back of his head that remind me not so much of Princess' crown, but more like a poorly grown mullet!
What a cutie!
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RCF, I enjoyed that video mightily.
He has interesting markings. Lovely little 'eyebrows' and light markings on the back of his head that remind me not so much of Princess' crown, but more like a poorly grown mullet!
What a cutie!
He certainly is a cutie!
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Both Durand and Matrix have now been observed on the ledge, together. The video on the Bird Cams Around the World (BCAW) Site shows Durand on the ledge this morning, and Matrix comes swooping in and lands on the Cam. She heads straight for him making lots of noise, and I could not tell if she was saying get off of there before I tear you apart, or hello, handsome, where have you been all my life, but, anyway, she continued with this just below the Cam, and he seemed to be listening, so I don't know if she was telling him what she is looking for in a man or what, but shortly thereafter, he revealed that he had a treat for her, and then he took off with it. I think this piqued her interest. Later, they are again both on the ledge, so I think they are beginning to establish a routine.
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Here's the video Elaine was talking about.
http://youtu.be/JO10xYWXnX0
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I think hello, handsome, where have you been all my life! ;D
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Whatever she was saying, she certainly didn't mince words, did she!
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I think hello, handsome, where have you been all my life! ;D
I agree Doreen, she seems mighty interested - did you see that run?!? :o
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I agree Doreen, she seems mighty interested - did you see that run?!? :o
Yep, that was a good run. :D
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Just caught Dot and Matrix on the ledge together, and much bowing was going on, until Matrix suddenly took off. I do believe this boy is playing hard to get. It seems to be working, as Dot, once she got over the surprise of his quick departure, ran to the outer edge, looking after him.
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Just to let everyone know, I have been keeping an eye on this site through Bird Cams Around the World, and the courtship between Matrix and Durand continues. He may be young, but he knows how to attract the ladies, and I do believe that Durand is quite smitten. He also plays hard to get, which, as we all know, is usually successful. We will see if this long hello continues, but at this point, it looks good!
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Great to hear!
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Very good to hear. :D
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Durand and Matrix are still spending time together at the Rhodes Tower, and you can view some visits to the nestbox, some bowing, and some coy looks between the two of them (on the BCAW site). This has to be the longest courtship ever. But the main thing is that they are bonding, and this bodes well for the Spring.
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Thanks for the update, Elaine!
I'm going to try to check this story out on the BCAW site!
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2012 NESTING SEASON
Is there ever alot of fog and rain here on the Rhodes Tower this morning. But, it is still possible to see a falcon in the corner, keeping as dry as possible. I think it is Durand as she most often selects this spot. The biologist paid a quick visit to the ledge last Friday (see blog), and she says that both Durand and possibly Flyboy were there to welcome them. Durand apparently was willing to let the ledge people do their work, but she was very keen on supervising operations.
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two birds at the nest right now. One right by the camera. Can sort of see the band. Not sure of the colour but it looks like 3 over X. On bird is sitting on the roof of the nest box.
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two birds at the nest right now. One right by the camera. Can sort of see the band. Not sure of the colour but it looks like 3 over X. On bird is sitting on the roof of the nest box.
I think you are seeing Durand.
Durand 32/X. Durand – daughter of Madame X and Surge – fledged from the Sheraton Hotel nest in Hamilton, Ontario, in 2009. She arrived at the Columbus nest on July 11, 2010.
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Durand on the ledge and male on the box.
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/ColumbusDandM.jpg) (http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/ColumbusDandM003.jpg)
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Nice band number image RCF - no question about her identity at all. :D
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On the BCAW site, someone indicated that Flyboy's favourite perch was right on top of the nestbox, near the edge, so it is distinctly possible that this is him in RCF's excellent photos. If it is him, I do hope that he has matured and does not take off again when he sees that fatherhood entails responsibility!
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If it is him, I do hope that he has matured and does not take off again when he sees that fatherhood entails responsibility!
I have not seen any mating of these two, maybe they are going where the cams cannot see.
You can see Durand in the background beside the nest box - http://youtu.be/wkOR7V4PDy8
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/ColumbusDandUM.jpg)
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I have not seen any mating of these two, maybe they are going where the cams cannot see. :D Well, just because you don't see it, doesn't mean it wasn't happening and here is the proof.
Durand and egg. :-*
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/Durandandegg.jpg)
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Okay, that is egg number one in nest number three in the last 24 hours (nice catches RCF).
Might be interesting to see if these birds are nesting earlier than last year or if they are on schedule - since we have questions what our birds will do with our early warm weather this spring, data from previous years at other sites might prove useful.
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This male is sticking around, not like Flyboy from last year. maybe if it is the same bird he has matured some what. :)
http://youtu.be/LlG8A6b6NFo
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/ColumbusDandUMEgg.jpg)
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Okay, that is egg number one in nest number three in the last 24 hours (nice catches RCF).
Might be interesting to see if these birds are nesting earlier than last year or if they are on schedule - since we have questions what our birds will do with our early warm weather this spring, data from previous years at other sites might prove useful.
2011 stats
Durand 32/X. Durand
Unbanded male, known to us as "Flyboy."
First egg laid: 4/3/11 (total of 5)
Eggs abandoned: Early May
Flyboy disappears: Early May
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That is definitely earlier for Flyboy & Durand ...
2010 (Trooper & Scout) - first egg April 8th
2009 (Orville & Scout) - first egg March 20th
2008 (Orville & Scout) - banding was June 4th so say chicks were 22 days old, hatching would have been about May 12-13 + say 30 days of incubation would put egg laying between April 8th and the 12th.
Seems like there is a range of laying dates for this location so I suspect that being together all winter has helped to get the ball rolling a bit more quickly - 2009 was the other "early" date and it was an established pair who I believe spent the winter in Columbus ...
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It'll be interesting to see whether this is a trend in other nests, given the earlier than usual spring weather.
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Found this today and the first line in the article made me smile :D
Peregrine falcon-cam at Rhodes Tower back online
posted: 27 March 2012
One of central Ohioans’ favorite ways to kill time at work is back in business.
The first peregrine falcon egg was laid yesterday morning in the nests on the 41st-floor ledge of the Rhodes Tower, meaning the live FalconCam is ready for your computer: http://ohiodnr.com/wildlife/dow/falcons/columbus.aspx.
You also can check out the nest in the bell tower of the courthouse in Bowling Green, home town of the BGSU Falcons, of course.
If the falcons aren’t active, you can watch a recap of the falcon banding from 2010.
A typical nest holds three or four eggs that are mottled dark reddish-brown, according to the state Department of Natural Resources. Both adults incubate the eggs, which usually hatch in about 33 days.
When the eyas are 3 weeks old, Division of Wildlife biologists will examine the birds to determine their gender and take a blood sample to track DNA and possible chemical contaminants. Biologists also equip each bird with metal leg bands to identify them.
The birds will leave the nest by the end of summer.
Link to the story: Columbus Dispatch = Peregrine falcon-cam at Rhodes Tower back online (http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/03/27/peregrine-falcon-cam-at-rhodes-tower-back-online.html)
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Very Good News.....the unbanded male (soon to be named) has been incubating the egg. He is a cutie!! :-*
Durand can be seen standing on the ledge in the video - http://youtu.be/YJG7_iX34Fw
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/ColumbusMale.jpg) (http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/ColumbusMale002.jpg)
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(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/Columbus2egg002.jpg) (http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/Columbus2egg003.jpg)
Durand laid her second egg about 3:10pm
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Durand on the ledge, looking around. She looks very bottom-heavy. Maybe this means another egg is due anytime.
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Mating on the ledge this morning so more eggs to come!
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Chance and Durand have a third egg, as of this morning. I hope that Chance starts to have better luck in covering all these eggs; so far, he is still trying to get the hang of it, and usually one egg is sitting off by itself while he tries to get his rump positioned properly.
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Chance and Durand have a third egg, as of this morning.
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/columb.jpg)
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Everything is going well here with Durand and Chance (formerly Flyboy). He is more mature this year and has figured out what to do with the eggs, and is giving it his best shot. Expected hatch day is May 6.
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Everything is going well here with Durand and Chance (formerly Flyboy). He is more mature this year and has figured out what to do with the eggs, and is giving it his best shot. Expected hatch day is May 6.
Elaine - are Flyboy and Chance the same bird? I thought they were different birds ... please let me know so that I can update the thread subject lines - thanks!!
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Tracy, there is not yet absolute agreement (on BCAW) as to whether this is Flyboy or a new bird; most of us believe it is Flyboy, based on his behavior, but no one has been able to confirm. But the reason they changed the name from Flyboy to Chance was because they felt it was the same bird, and that he needed a new, luckier name. If I hear of anything that clears this up, I will be sure to let you know.
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Tracy, there is not yet absolute agreement (on BCAW) as to whether this is Flyboy or a new bird; most of us believe it is Flyboy, based on his behavior, but no one has been able to confirm. But the reason they changed the name from Flyboy to Chance was because they felt it was the same bird, and that he needed a new, luckier name. If I hear of anything that clears this up, I will be sure to let you know.
Thanks!
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Tracy, there is not yet absolute agreement (on BCAW) as to whether this is Flyboy or a new bird; most of us believe it is Flyboy, based on his behavior, but no one has been able to confirm. But the reason they changed the name from Flyboy to Chance was because they felt it was the same bird, and that he needed a new, luckier name. If I hear of anything that clears this up, I will be sure to let you know.
Thanks!
He seems to perch in the same places as Flyboy did, but they may never know if the male was the same male as last year because neither one of them have leg bands. :-\
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...apparently there is some concern on the BCAW forum about the male not showing up to do his fair share of duties very recently - she's been calling, and he's not showing up...
...also, hatching should be soon, and I've noticed Durand seems to be looking and listening, and occasionally talking, to the eggs...
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Looks as if the 3 eggs have been left alone for now. So, perhaps Durand has gone off hunting for food to store in a cache close by, if her eggs are about to hatch and Chance is not pulling his weight. :-\
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...she wasn't gone long, maybe 5-10 min's, then she landed on the ledge, pulled a feather off of her talon, then headed into the box, where she is trying to get herself settled with the eggs, but seems too agitated - she is constantly moving and repositioning herself and the eggs... :-\ ???
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According to the BCAW Forum, there has been no sign of Chance since the morning of April 30. This was the same time as he, as Flyboy, disappeared last year, they say. There is some speculation that he may still be providing food to Durand while he patrols his territory, but, understandably, everyone is worried. There is no one, really, in Columbus who regularly watches this site, so we have no way of knowing what is going on. All very troubling.
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Well, let's hope and think positively that perhaps Chance is just waiting for those eggs to hatch. We can't assume, but, let's all hope that things will turn out.
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...it may be my imagination, but durand looks much less agitated this morning; she was gone for about 15 min's earlier, then back and right back on the eggs; if she went for a meal, I can't see her spotting, hunting down, catching, killing and eating her prey in that short a time, and then come back relatively calmly. So, either a) she didn't eat...or...b) she had food stashed somewhere...or...c) chance (or some other male?) brought food for her, but didn't take over in the nestbox.
Any other options I might be missing?
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...it may be my imagination, but durand looks much less agitated this morning; she was gone for about 15 min's earlier, then back and right back on the eggs; if she went for a meal, I can't see her spotting, hunting down, catching, killing and eating her prey in that short a time, and then come back relatively calmly. So, either a) she didn't eat...or...b) she had food stashed somewhere...or...c) chance (or some other male?) brought food for her, but didn't take over in the nestbox.
Any other options I might be missing?
Chances are (no pun intended) she was retrieving food from Chance or from Chance's cache of food. We have had males that don't participate in incubation as much as others (or the females won't let them). Last year the only time Beau could incubate was in the middle of the night so unless we check the cameras between midnight and 2am we rarely saw him. He never brought food to the nestsite and he never hung out there. When we moved Polo after banding, he was around 50 to 75 percent of the time, they both were. Beau couldn't participate last year like he did in 2010 because Jules wouldn't let him. Now that was at a non-optimal nestsite. We have had males at the Radisson that I almost never saw either - Simba was Madame's mate for two years and I almost never saw him in the nestbox and rarely on the building. Didn't seem to bother Madame any and she was happy to share incubation duties with Pop, T-Rex and Trey. Every pair operates differently - it could be that she feels he's too "new" at this and is not letting him participate - or he may not want to participate like Simba - or he participates at night like Beau - or he's off defending the site - or something else entirely. So long as she keeps incubating, she is getting food from somewhere and that would mean he's still around.
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...thanks for the insight, tracy - also, these are both relatively young birds as well, and they didn't have a successful nest last year. With two such inexperienced birds, it may take a while to get things right...
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The biologist, Donna, has a report on the website this morning; she says that expected hatch date is about May 6 (http://ohioperegrinefalcons.blogspot.ca/). She does not say anything about Chance or his absence from the nestbox, so I will presume that perhaps, as Tracy says below, there is not necessarily a problem.
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...looks to me like there is a pip in one of the eggs, front and centre, right now! :o
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..and I quickly went back to see durand plant herself on the eggs again, so I can't get another look! >:( :D
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I have just been looking, and I think you may be right, Jadoo. Not only that, but I think I saw the egg move. Of course, I have been known to be wrong before.
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...there are still 3 whole eggs there this morning - looks like we were both wrong Elaine :P unless, of course, that is one LAZY chick...
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According to the blog on this site, Chance has been MIA now for awhile now. There's been a report of a Peregrine hitting a window and then flying off, so there's specualtion that it might have been Chance. No injured or dead Peregrines have been found though, so nobody knows what's happening. I've been checking in periodically today and the eggs have been alone whenever I've checked :'( Is it possible that Durand has abandoned them, knowing that she alone wouldn't be able to care for them? :( So close to hatching...
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Spoke too soon. She's on the eggs ;D Hopefuly, I've just been checking in at the wrong times!
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...i've been checking in fairly often during weekdays, and although i haven't seen the male here in some time, i've found that durand is usually on the eggs; also, except for a brief spate on wednesday or thursday, she doesn't seem agitated at all, and doesn't look hungry or anything like that...i don't know if you have been following any of the commenters on bcaw, but some are already calling for some sort of intervention, even though their biologist has tentatively guessed at may6th as an approximate hatch date, and that's not even until tomorrow...they (the commenters) worry a lot over this particular site...
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From Donna Daniel's blog, who is a wildlife biologist with the ODNR Division of Wildlife
Male MIA?
http://ohioperegrinefalcons.blogspot.ca/ (http://ohioperegrinefalcons.blogspot.ca/)
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The ledge cam there is not working. The nest cam is. There was just a bird there but it took off. Eggs are left unattended right now. One is a darker colour with white spots on it.
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5:37 wpg time and Chance is not there, just eggs. Earlier today she was off the eggs for over an hour, half shading them as the panted to cool herself. Must have been very hot up there today.
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7:43 pm eggs are unattended. I don't think this is a good sign. I don't think there will be chicks here this year.
So sad. This site has had so many problems the last few years.
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The latest news at BCAW is that there is possibly a new male falcon in the area. Now that the ledgecam is working again, photos have been posted of a couple of flybys of a falcon. Durand has been on the ledge and in and out of the nestbox, kaaking away at this visitor, and she does not seem to be fearful or distressed. Everyone would be happy and relieved if this is, indeed, a new male, who intends to stick around; Durand deserves a good partner, whether the eggs hatch or not.
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Durand
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/durand.jpg)
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A second falcon flying by Durand's ledge ;D
Flyby at 1:43 in video - http://youtu.be/ZFaYwYNbDkM
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/durand002e.jpg)
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We have a male. He is young, but seems to have his wits about him. He just finished visiting the nestbox. There is a video of him from BCAW:
http://www.peregrinefalcon-bcaw.net/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=1268&start=0
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...and again, it sorta looks like a pip in one egg, but i've been fooled here before ::)...
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...no go on the pip...Durand, although apparently on the eggs overnight, has not been on them for most of the morning; I don't think this clutch of eggs is viable any more. There is a new male coming around now, and the BCAW crowd watching this nest seem thrilled - me, not so much - it is another juvenile male...I don't know where any of the adult male "floaters" are around this area if this nest is in such a prime spot, but it seems like only very young males are showing up, and i really think that Durand and this nest site could use an older, even slightly more experienced male...sigh...
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I agree with you Jadoo. Things do not look good here. :'(
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This site has really had a rough few years.....
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...durand occasionally comes back, looks at her eggs, looks over her shoulder, and heads off again - she's REAAALLY making a play for somebody out there... :P...obvious she's a young bird herself - hasn't she learned that the smell of desperation is SURE to put off potential mates ::) ?
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Ha, Ha! Jadoo, you are so right, isn't that the way it always is in life? And, it is certainly true that since our experienced male died and our experienced female got killed by a guy with a broom a couple of years ago, this site has gone nowhere.
In the present situation, I wish they would have taken the eggs out, replaced them with dummy eggs, and incubated them. Then, we may have had fledgings. But I don't know how these people operate down there in Ohio, I guess they have different ideas.
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...just as well they didn't, though, since if there is a new young male there, then the other young male (Chance? Flyboy?) is probably gone, and I'd hate to see two extremely inexperienced young falcons try to raise fledgelings, especially if you don't know if the new male would accept them, or if Durand would accept a new male while there are young in the nest (remember, Trooper wouldn't have anything to do with the first new female (Clementine?) while he was still raising whichever chick he was raising (Spirit??) - there's been such a high turnover of falcons at this site, which is why I'd MUCH rather see Durand take up with an older male, who may actually have some experience at this, than whoever has shown up this time... :-\
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...whew...as the world turns here...(as the falcon stoops?)...
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Just checked the camera. The ledge cam showed a falcon sitting on the nest camera. When I looked at the nest cam the eggs are in a different position from the last time I looked.
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From what they say on BCAW, Durand is torn between taking care of her eggs and getting involved with the new young male falcon. These eggs were so close to hatching; I don't think they will hatch now, but maybe she knows something we don't.
Falcon is in the nestbox right now, looking around, but I don't think it is Durand - it is banded on both legs, and I don't think she is banded on both legs.
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From what they say on BCAW, Durand is torn between taking care of her eggs and getting involved with the new young male falcon. These eggs were so close to hatching; I don't think they will hatch now, but maybe she knows something we don't.
Falcon is in the nestbox right now, looking around, but I don't think it is Durand - it is banded on both legs, and I don't think she is banded on both legs.
I think that is Durand she has a black band 32/X. Video - http://youtu.be/xkgP1Q_GwvY
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/32overX.jpg)
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Apparently from what I have been reading at BCAW, the eggs are forgotten and these two are on a honeymoon. It sounds like Durand has gone gaga over the new guy. Assuming he sticks around, too bad he is not older; that is what is needed at this site. Durand deserves a lasting relationship, though, so I hope they are both still here next breeding season. But still, what a shame about the eggs.
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...was watching for a while this morning, Durand was (again) shading her eggs (somewhat sleepily) when the young male showed up on her ledge - there was some chupping, and a little bit of bowing, but, he's so young, the impression I got was him saying "Can Durand come out and play?"... :P
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Reports indicate that there may be another female around. The male is there, too. Durand has been assuming what looks like a defensive posture in the nestbox. If a female on scene, there could be problems. As if there was not enough to deal with here.
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The latest from BCAW is that the new young male who came to this site about a week ago (after the disappearance of Chance) and has been courting Durand, has now been identified. He is Spark, the grandson of Orville and Scout. In case everyone does not know this, the great Orville and Scout were the resident falcons at this site until two years ago, when Orville hit a vehicle and died, and Scout was killed by the guy with a broom on top of the building.
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Grandson of the great Orville & Scout is really lovely news. I hope this changes things to the good permanently for this nest site.
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Let's hope for the best for this site, it's time for good news here! Orville and Scout were a great pair.
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...durand and spark continue bonding - they were both in the nestbox this morning, doing mostly typical courtship behaviour - squeaking and bowing; however, I was a little surprised - most of this type of behaviour I've seen (and I'm NOT any kind of expert) has been at a bit of a distance - it's usually like one PF doesn't like the other to get TOO close, but Durand and Spark were actually going beak to beak. Odd, unless Spark is harkening back to his (fairly recent) youth and is looking to Durand to feed him... :)
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...durand and spark continue bonding - they were both in the nestbox this morning, doing mostly typical courtship behaviour - squeaking and bowing; however, I was a little surprised - most of this type of behaviour I've seen (and I'm NOT any kind of expert) has been at a bit of a distance - it's usually like one PF doesn't like the other to get TOO close, but Durand and Spark were actually going beak to beak. Odd, unless Spark is harkening back to his (fairly recent) youth and is looking to Durand to feed him... :)
So, this might be a really stupid question, but is it possible that this is one of Durand's kids from last year... ??? ::) Does that ever happen?
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Durand had a failed clutch last year, so no this would not be one of her kids. :)
Spark 32/B is the son of Boomer and SW (and grandson of Scout and Orville in Columbus) - fledged from the Terminal Tower nest in Cleveland, Ohio, in 2011. He arrived at the Columbus nest on May 7, 2012.
info from BCAW - http://www.peregrinefalcon-bcaw.net/viewtopic.php?p=159778#p159778
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Thanks for the info RCF. I couldn't remember what happened at this site last year. The BCAW site says that they're still wondering if these two might nest this year...I thought that the year after fledging was too young for a PF to begin nesting ...Am I imagining that info? ???
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...I thought that the year after fledging was too young for a PF to begin nesting ...Am I imagining that info? ???
I'm pretty sure I remember TPC saying that, susha, but I could be mistaken. :-\
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...I thought that the year after fledging was too young for a PF to begin nesting ...Am I imagining that info? ???
I'm pretty sure I remember TPC saying that, susha, but I could be mistaken. :-\
Most birds don't nest in their second year (so spring following their hatching) but some do. Alley in Lincoln is one.
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There appears to be a new egg in this nest .
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There appears to be a new egg in this nest .
There were three eggs in Durands scrape and to me it looks like the one may have been rolled over to a different spot.
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That could be but I thought the old eggs were more deteriated than this one but you could be right
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(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/fargo002.jpg) (http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/fargo004.jpg)
This pic is from yesterday From today
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...yep, i also think that the egg is the old one, just moved over... ;)
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There were three eggs left in the nest. So I agree, looks like one of them has been rolled to a new position.
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Update on this nest
The nestbox was also cleaned, old eggs removed and gravel topped off and smoothed over.
http://ohioperegrinefalcons.blogspot.ca/ (http://ohioperegrinefalcons.blogspot.ca/)
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Spark has breakfast and Durand shows up for leftovers - http://youtu.be/BQ2dmf5TTt0
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/spark.jpg) (http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/spark002.jpg)
Spark Durand
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2013 NESTING SEASON
Durand just laid her first egg. :-*
video by skygirlblue http://youtu.be/EC0tMjteflg?t=4m25s
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons%202013/durandegg.jpg)
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Second egg this morning for Durand and Spark.
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Just went to this site. Someone is on the eggs and a big dead feathery thing is on the ledge.
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Spark on the eggs. :-*
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons%202013/ohioeggs002.jpg) (http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons%202013/ohioeggs.jpg)
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Just went to this site. Someone is on the eggs and a big dead feathery thing is on the ledge.
Spark brought this for Durand around the time the 2nd egg was laid. She came out of the box and left the ledge without eating it. Not sure if she ever got to it or not.
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Durand has just laid her third egg. We'll see how Spark does getting them all covered. ;D
VIDEO - http://youtu.be/6h5b11QRSWg
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons%202013/durandthreeeggs.jpg)
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Spark showed up with a snack not long after the third egg appeared. :-*
VIDEO - http://youtu.be/OHe9yXxHDek
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons%202013/Columbus%20Falcons/sparkanddurand03242013.jpg)
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Oh, he is much much smaller than she is ... that's a great shot for comparison!
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Four eggs for these two!! ;D
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons%202013/Columbus%20Falcons/durandfoureggs.jpg)
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Wish these two well this year!
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We need a good year at this site. It has been a long time since things went well here.
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I agree Moonstar! :-*
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On April 26, 13 there is the following update on Spark & Durand
According to the calendar we should be getting close to hatching. So far though, no signs. I will continue to monitor the site closely today and through the weekend and will provide updates over the weekend if/when something occurs.
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On April 26, 13 there is the following update on Spark & Durand
According to the calendar we should be getting close to hatching. So far though, no signs. I will continue to monitor the site closely today and through the weekend and will provide updates over the weekend if/when something occurs.
Spark on eggs, you can hear peeping coming from under him!!
http://youtu.be/lMA_3kyT1jY (http://youtu.be/lMA_3kyT1jY)
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First hatch for Durand and Spark this morning !!
Spark
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons%202013/Columbus%20Falcons/Sparkandbaby.jpg)
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Wonderful news for Spark & Durand :-*
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I just was looking at the web cam here and the chick that is hatched is away from the eggs and the adults was trying to cover the eggs but was ignoring the chick. The chick was moving, trying to lift itself up. I hope things are okay there and the parent will bring the chick back with the eggs. It does look very warm there.
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I've been trying to keep an eye on this site this morning and there has been a lot of "shuggling" with the parent going on. Since it warmed up (I believe Durand) hasn't been as tight to the eggs or the chick. I did see that the chick had a feed at around 9:45 this morning, so I was happy to see that Durand is starting to catch onto the feeding part. (now i have myself second guessing whether or not it is Spark or Durand currently on eggs/chick ???)
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Just checked this site again. All is well. Chick and eggs all under the parent. I do not know who is who there. ???
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I had a heart wrenching moment. The parent was just dragging the chick around the nest to get it away from the eggs, then stepped on it to get back to the eggs to cover them. It appears that the eggs and chick are back undercover, but the poor little thing sure is having a rough start.
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According to the blog attached to this site, Durand is doing well at learning how to feed and care for her new baby. Spark has been successful with the feeding and the blogger reassures everyone that the little one is doing fine. I see a fair bit of shuggling going on now and the noise that the chick is making sounds very strange, but that could just be the sound system :P Blogger also says that this little guy/girl could be the only hatchling this year, but insists it's still too early to tell. I sure hope these two are successful with their wee one, even if it's a solo :-*
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There is still only one chick at this site and it looks like it is doing well. I just watched Durand feeding and she is getting to be very good. She is still trying to keep the chick and the three eggs covered.
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From the site's blog:
It appears that Durand is finally ready to give up on the eggs. (In this picture they are spread out...however, as I write this Durand came in to brood the chick and pulled one of the eggs under her again!) At any rate, the chick continues to do very well. It has grown to the point that for much of today it was able to be left uncovered! Each day it gets a little more mobile, taking short wanderings around the nestbox. It's daily routine is pretty much along the lines of: sleep, eat, chirp, sleep, sit up for a bit, chirp, wander, sleep, eat, sleep, eat again, wander, sleep, chirp, sleep, sit up, chirp, eat, sleep... you get the picture!
I'm so glad there's a healthy, thriving chick! :-*
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By this point there is almost no chance those other eggs are going to hatch, it is just too long an interval. In another 3 days this chick will be able to thermoregulate and the parents will stop coming in to keep the tot warm so if one/some of the eggs did hatch, it would be difficult for the adults to accomodate both/all chicks with such a difference in age/stage.
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Two days ago
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons%202013/Columbus%20Falcons/Durandeyas.jpg) (http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons%202013/Columbus%20Falcons/Durandeyas002.jpg)
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Today
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons%202013/Columbus%20Falcons/babycolumbus.jpg)
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Video of Durand and Little One
http://youtu.be/hMpUIzhLIp8 (http://youtu.be/hMpUIzhLIp8)
video by skybluegirl
(http://bulk-share.slickpic.com/album/share/TLFNLYEYMMygmm/4363750.0/400/p/sweet006.jpg)
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Not sure Mom isn't saying, "sit back on your butt or you'll tip over!"
That is one full crop!
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I just went to this site and can't see the chick, only the three eggs that never hatched. I guess the chick could be in the areas tha camera does not show.
Has anyone else checked this site out today?
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Here are some snippits from the blog on the website. There is more information on the blog (between my ...'s) where the layout of the nestbox, camera's and ledge are explained in more detail.
Everything continues to go very well with the chick. It is growing fast! It is also advancing in its development such that it is becoming more mobile, preening, and vocalizing. It is mobile to the extent now, that it has strayed out of camera view a few times, causing mild panic in more than a couple of viewers....Even though the chick will wander, it will consider the nestbox its "home base" and return there if it feels threatened, to be fed (at least for now) and to sleep at night.....Bottom line, please remember there will be times when the chick is NOT visible. Two cameras on the ledge are nice but they do not offer 100% view of all nooks and crannies of the box and ledge.
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Little ones there now, snuggling with Mom and his egg siblings ::) Durand just won't give up on them...
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I just went to this site and can't see the chick, only the three eggs that never hatched. I guess the chick could be in the areas tha camera does not show.
Has anyone else checked this site out today?
He/she is back with Mom this evening. ;)
(http://bulk-share.slickpic.com/album/share/,IOg4NhOUT4NUi/4394902.0/400/p/columbus.jpg)
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:) Glad he/she is okay.
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Update:
The naming poll is now closed and the winner is...Zoom! Thanks to all of the students who submitted names and the over 3,500 people who voted!!! The banding is scheduled for Tuesday, May 21st at 10 a.m. and will be shown over the live stream. We will let you know which feed (ledge or nestbox) when we get the details worked out.
Yesterday afternoon the chick ventured out of the nestbox and was out of sight of the adults. This confused Durand and to compensate she went back into incubation mode and even offered food to the eggs! This peculiar change in the adult's behavior continued into the evening. Even though the chick was not in any danger, we made the decision to put the chick back in the box late last evening due to the cool overnight temperatures. All seems very "normal" this morning.
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Durand from Ohio & VV from De Motel sure are odd with the mothering thing.
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I agree, Irenekl! New moms I guess...still figuring things out ::)
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Zoom has been banded and they are just putting him/her back on the ledge (wouldn't you know I missed the actual banding)
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It's a girl!! ♀ It's nice that they let people come and watch the banding. :) I guess it is still stressful for the birds regardless of how many people are there. :-X
Here is a link to three videos of the banding posted by skybluegirl from BCAW
http://www.peregrinefalcon-bcaw.net/viewtopic.php?p=249838#p249838 (http://www.peregrinefalcon-bcaw.net/viewtopic.php?p=249838#p249838)
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons%202013/Columbus%20Falcons/columbus006.jpg) (http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons%202013/Columbus%20Falcons/columbus005.jpg)
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons%202013/Columbus%20Falcons/columbus007.jpg)
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Here is a video of Zoom chasing Durand off the ledge. ;D http://youtu.be/_i_NauxbQ8g (http://youtu.be/_i_NauxbQ8g)
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons%202013/Columbus%20Falcons/zoom.jpg) (http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons%202013/Columbus%20Falcons/zoom002.jpg)
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons%202013/Columbus%20Falcons/zoom003.jpg) (http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons%202013/Columbus%20Falcons/zoom004.jpg)
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She's pretty feisty. Hope when she leaves fledges, she doesn't do the "Durand Dive".
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2014 NESTING SEASON
Great news, Spark & Durand are back for the 2014 season. They have four eggs this year. The first hatched on April 26/14. As of the morning of April 27/14, there were two chicks. The third chick hatched on Tuesday April 29/14.
The last report on the web blog was:
Both adults are doing an excellent job of caring for the clutch--Spark is providing food while Durand is doing most of the feeding and brooding. There are currently still only 3 chicks hatched. While it is possible the 4th egg may still hatch, as more time passes the chances of having 4 chicks does decrease. But, only time will tell and we're certainly not ready to say another hatch won't happen. Stay tuned...
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Chick pile there right now with an adult sitting outside the nest box on the ledge. I can't believe how they have grown. You can see dark feathers already.
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Chicks were banded yesterday. I think there are two males and one female. I read the blog this morning at home. I can't access the blog at work but I can see the cams.
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From their Blog
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Great Day for Bling!
Dart (male) black/red: 38/D (USGS band is purple, yellow legs)
Blaze (female) black/red: 48/Z (USGS band is silver, yellow legs)
Hoshi (female) black/red: 31/Z (USGS band is silver, blue legs)
http://ohioperegrinefalcons.blogspot.ca/ (http://ohioperegrinefalcons.blogspot.ca/)
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Wow, banding already! Seems early but probably right on time for this site. Shows how far behind our kids are.
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Hoshi, one of the female chicks accidentally fledged here. They are assuming she is okay and the parents are feeding her where ever she is.
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Thanks for the update Moonstar. I've been away and hardly had a moment to check in here, nevermind all the other cams I'm interested in.
I hope they can find the fledged chick and know its oaky.
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Hoshi Report!
We have confirmed Hoshi's location and she is OK!
http://ohioperegrinefalcons.blogspot.ca/ (http://ohioperegrinefalcons.blogspot.ca/)
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Thanks for the updates!
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So good to have some good news.
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Hoshi, one of the female chicks accidentally fledged here. They are assuming she is okay and the parents are feeding her where ever she is.
Weird...for quite a few years, there have been several accidental fledges at this location.
Is it due to over eager chicks, wind gusts, not enough for their talons to grip to?
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Hoshi, one of the female chicks accidentally fledged here. They are assuming she is okay and the parents are feeding her where ever she is.
Weird...for quite a few years, there have been several accidental fledges at this location.
Is it due to over eager chicks, wind gusts, not enough for their talons to grip to?
Could be A, B, C or a combination of all three :)
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Hoshi, one of the female chicks accidentally fledged here. They are assuming she is okay and the parents are feeding her where ever she is.
Weird...for quite a few years, there have been several accidental fledges at this location.
Is it due to over eager chicks, wind gusts, not enough for their talons to grip to?
Could be A, B, C or a combination of all three :)
Good point!
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Columbus Peregrine Falcon Blog Update
Hoshi (31/2) attempted flight sometime yesterday and was recovered from the ground last evening. This morning she checked out ok so the decision was made to put her back up on the Rhodes Tower.
http://ohioperegrinefalcons.blogspot.ca/ (http://ohioperegrinefalcons.blogspot.ca/)
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Thanks for the update RCF.
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Good luck!!! Easy on the early fledging... ok there chicky!
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Thanks for the update, RCF. Interesting blog!
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The male (Dart) fledged this morning.
Video by skygirlblue http://youtu.be/tfgUe4iW1gw (http://youtu.be/tfgUe4iW1gw)
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Do we know how the chicks got their names?
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Do we know how the chicks got their names?
They had a naming contest.
Another BIG THANKS goes out to the students, parents, teachers and faculty of Griffith Thomas Elementary School for participating in the Falcon Naming Contest.
http://ohioperegrinefalcons.blogspot.ca/2014/05/great-day-for-bling.html (http://ohioperegrinefalcons.blogspot.ca/2014/05/great-day-for-bling.html)
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Do we know how the chicks got their names?
They had a naming contest.
Another BIG THANKS goes out to the students, parents, teachers and faculty of Griffith Thomas Elementary School for participating in the Falcon Naming Contest.
http://ohioperegrinefalcons.blogspot.ca/2014/05/great-day-for-bling.html (http://ohioperegrinefalcons.blogspot.ca/2014/05/great-day-for-bling.html)
Thanks - I missed that in the blog. :)
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The last chick, Blaze fledged this morning about 6:00 am. Apparently it was a good fledge, not an accident. No reports about any of the chicks as of yet. They are hoping for reports tomorrow as everyone heads back to work.
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Blaze one of the female chicks has had to be rexcued 3 times since she fledged. After this last rescue they decided to send her to re-hab in case there is something wrong that is not visible to a regulare check they do when a Peregrine needs to be rescued.
Here is the link to the blog there if anyone would like to read it.
http://ohioperegrinefalcons.blogspot.ca/
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Thanks for the update!
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There was an update on the Columbus Peregrine Falcon blog about Blaze:
We have received an update on Blaze. It appears that Blaze has an issue with her keel. For those that don't know, the keel is an extension of the breastbone. The keel provides an anchor where bird's wing muscles attach, this provides the leverage needed for flight. Not all birds have keels, flightless birds lack a keel structure.
The vet who examined the bird did say that since she is young, it is possible the keel will reform or she will build up enough strength to overcome her injuries. But nothing is for certain.
Right now she is at a wildlife rehabilitation facility where she has an 80 foot flight cage. She can fly the length of the cage, but it's difficult for her. She needs time and that's what we are going to give her. She is eating well and able to maneuver to high perches without any assistance. We will update the blog as new information becomes available but for now she will stay put and hopefully recover for a release later this summer.
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Thanks for the update. Glad she will be okay.
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2015 NESTING SEASON
Not sure who is at the nest, but I saw and heard two peregrines - one in the nest and one who landed on the ledge in the snow. There was some chatter, probably because someone came without breakfast ::), before the newcomer flew off. It is so wonderful to see and hear peregrine falcons again. 8) The nest cam is down but I saw the interaction on the ledge cam.
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I just went to the Ohio web site. Saw one bird there. Ledge is full of snow but one bird was beside the nest box.
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There's bird there now :)
Ledge is still full of snow, but he or she is sitting on the nest-cam looks like.
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I just went to the nest site camera at Columbus Ohio and a bird is laying int he next box as if they are incubating an egg. Just heard chirping noises and a shift change. There is one egg there.
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The egg was laid yesterday Mar.19/15. Another one should be anytime now.
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Durand (female) and Spark are the resident birds at the Rhodes Tower. :)
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Two eggs at Rhodes Tower now. The nest box camera has sound.
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As of today, Durand and Spark have four eggs.
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I hope they all hatch this year.
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Looking elegant while incubating:
(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/April%202015/columbus-april-18-1a_zpsja62v8mo.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/April%202015/columbus-april-18-1a_zpsja62v8mo.jpg.html) (http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/April%202015/columbus-april-18-2a_zpswze9yepx.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/April%202015/columbus-april-18-2a_zpswze9yepx.jpg.html)
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Durand and Spark have two chicks; will post pics later.
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Two adorable chicks! Durand sitting proudly. I love this sight. Mom PF looking as if to say: "Look what I (we) made" :-*
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Looking very proud of the two sweet little chicks:
(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/April%202015/columbus-april-26-7a_zpssssdyxbk.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/April%202015/columbus-april-26-7a_zpssssdyxbk.jpg.html) (http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/April%202015/columbus-april-26-8a_zpsradnqmgx.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/April%202015/columbus-april-26-8a_zpsradnqmgx.jpg.html)
(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/April%202015/columbus-april-26-9a_zpslpflrqo8.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/April%202015/columbus-april-26-9a_zpslpflrqo8.jpg.html) (http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/April%202015/columbus-april-26-10a_zpsdn5rm16f.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/April%202015/columbus-april-26-10a_zpsdn5rm16f.jpg.html)
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The chicks were fed:
(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/April%202015/columbus-april-26-17a_zpsya7saj5m.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/April%202015/columbus-april-26-17a_zpsya7saj5m.jpg.html) (http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/April%202015/columbus-april-26-19a_zpsykkemoa3.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/April%202015/columbus-april-26-19a_zpsykkemoa3.jpg.html)
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There has been a third hatch this afternoon. :)
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Columbus Peregrine Falcon Update
A little after 5 pm today, the 3rd egg hatched!
http://ohioperegrinefalcons.blogspot.ca/ (http://ohioperegrinefalcons.blogspot.ca/)
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There are now 4 beautiful balls of fluff at this site. :) :)
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There are now 4 beautiful balls of fluff at this site. :) :)
Durand just fed them and there are still only three chicks and one egg yet. ;)
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/Columbus%20Mayi%201.jpg)
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Wow, that's an alert little gang! :D
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They banded the birds here yesterday and have names for them but the names are not attached to the band numers yet. They have a video of putting the chicks back in the nest box afer banding. They use a huge umbrella to keep the parents from attacking them. Fun to watch.
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:) One male called Bolt. The two female chick's are called Flash and Storm.
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As a transplanted Ohio Buckeye, I can tell you for sure, these names are appropriate for the area. ;D
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Here are a couple screen caps from the banding video. ;D
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/COLOHIO1.jpg) (http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/COLOHIO003.jpg)
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/COLOHIO004M.jpg) (http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/COLOHIO002.jpg)
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From this morning
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/col%20%20002.jpg) (http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/col%20%20003.jpg)
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/col%20%20004.jpg)
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As a transplanted Ohio Buckeye, I can tell you for sure, these names are appropriate for the area. ;D
LOL, gemcity! Your comment gave me a chuckle! :D
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Just went to this site. It is raining there right now. Could see a bird at the end of the ledge by the nest box. Closer to the camera is a bird lying on its side with with no head. Looks big but that could be because it is closer to the camera. I guess one of the adults brought it there and just left it. There is a chick in the nest box. Wow he/she has almost all dark feathers and just a bit of white fluff.
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Checked this site. Chicks have moved to outside the nestbox. Two camera views, one inside, one outside.
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Bolt (banded black/red N/34) fledged this morning. He was seen during the day on the Huntington Building, being fed by a parent.
No further sightings so far. I hope the little guy will stay safe.
The two girls were on the ledge a few minutes ago; Storm is banded black/red 46/Z, and Flash is banded black/red 37/Z.
(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/May%202015/columbus-june-5-1a_zpssxk72zze.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/May%202015/columbus-june-5-1a_zpssxk72zze.jpg.html) (http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/May%202015/columbus-june-5-3a_zpsg6j3vfks.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/May%202015/columbus-june-5-3a_zpsg6j3vfks.jpg.html)
(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/May%202015/columbus-june-5-4a_zpsasy28eip.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/May%202015/columbus-june-5-4a_zpsasy28eip.jpg.html)
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Bolt came back to the nest ledge this evening. 8)
No reports of Bolt until almost 9 pm when he came back to the nest ledge! Not only is it great to see a fledgling return but it great to know they are doing so well so soon in their flight career.
http://ohioperegrinefalcons.blogspot.ca/2015/06/bolt-comes-back-to-ledge.html (http://ohioperegrinefalcons.blogspot.ca/2015/06/bolt-comes-back-to-ledge.html)
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Very well done, Bolt, to make it back to the ledge last night!
Bolt is gone again, and one of the girls fledged this morning. According to the blog, they were not sure which one, but I could tell that it was Flash who fledged. Storm is still on the ledge.
Showing her band numbers:
(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/May%202015/columbus-june-7-18a_zpsvngvrizm.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/May%202015/columbus-june-7-18a_zpsvngvrizm.jpg.html) (http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/May%202015/columbus-june-7-19a_zps3xgqodvb.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/May%202015/columbus-june-7-19a_zps3xgqodvb.jpg.html)
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2016 NESTING SEASON
Somebirdie sighted this morning. Cam is live. Had an up close and personal view. Great view of bands. Cam view of nest, a possible scrape.
http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/falconcam
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One falcon seen on a perch in the ledge cam. The other is seen inside on the nest cam preparing the nest. Reports say they prep and mate leading up to the first egg is laid, approximately third week in March.
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I can't seem to get to their web cam. It could be because I am trying at work. When I click on the links I only get the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
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GCG reports black band 32/X on left leg on bird today. According to her information this is Durand so I have updated the subject lines. Hopefully Spark or another nice gentleman will be back shortly ...
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I can't seem to get to their web cam. It could be because I am trying at work. When I click on the links I only get the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
Hi Moonstar. I too, get this on occasion. I use a laptop at home. I found when this happened, I needed patience and it did respond after a wait. Check the Baltimore sight They too winter there as well.
http://chesapeakeconservancy.org/peregrine-falcon-webcam
Another beautiful site to enjoy is the GSB, Minnesota cam on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River.
http://www.raptorresource.org/birdcams/gsb-falcons/
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Reminder to everyone - please do not cross post to other boards, it makes it too difficult for folks to keep track of what is going on where. At the moment there isn't much going on so not a problem but as we get busier it will be ;)
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I can't seem to get to their web cam. It could be because I am trying at work. When I click on the links I only get the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
Hi Moonstar. I too, get this on occasion. I use a laptop at home. I found when this happened, I needed patience and it did respond after a wait. Check the Baltimore sight They too winter there as well.
http://chesapeakeconservancy.org/peregrine-falcon-webcam
Another beautiful site to enjoy is the GSB, Minnesota cam on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River.
http://www.raptorresource.org/birdcams/gsb-falcons/
thanks GCG
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Both Spark (male) and Durand (female) are in view on the ledge. According to their blog, the mating has begun and a scrape is seen inside the nest. Usually the first egg is laid in late March. :)
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The cam is not in service for now. Has not been for 2 days. I have sent an inquiry. ???
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The cam is not in service for now. Has not been for 2 days. I have sent an inquiry. ???
Could be lots of things from as simple as the connection is unplugged (you have no idea how much wiring there is in commercial buildings these days - we lose the spy cam regularly because of it and our cables are marked) to they have pulled the link on purpose to replace hardware (often easier to pull so folks don't get caught up watching when you have work to do) to they are upgrading to a new service to handle the traffic - Columbus is a very busy site so that would be easy to imagine them doing. This last one could be entirely out of the biologists'/projects' hands, particularly if it is through a government site based on my experiences - they can be very slow and again, better to just leave going live until its done rather than have it up much as we'd like to see and then pull it down and have folks panicking while the work is done.
So it could be a quick fix (plug er back in) or it could be a kindness for falcon-hungry viewers ;D
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Thanks for your response, TPC! I now have a better idea of how this works. I sincerely hope for a quick resolution.
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Today the following message was posted on their blog. Phew!
"Unfortunately, there has been a hiccup in the live streaming process and both cams are currently down. We have word the cams should be back up and live by the end of today. Sorry for the interruption"
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Update!
"EDIT 3/8/16 8 am - cams still down...we are hoping for the best but the resolution is out of our control. Thanks for your patience" :(
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Early days yet folks, nice as it is to see who's back and when, the real fun is when Mom and Dad get down to business. Given how popular the Columbus cam is and that it is Ohio's premier falcon cam, I would be surprised if it stays down for long.
Be happy folks birds are starting to come home and we'll all be seeing our favourites soon!
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Apparently the returning male is "Spark".
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COLUMBUS PEREGRINE FALCON UPDATE
MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2016
Server Issues - Cams Still Down
Unfortunately, I don't have anything new to report...the cams remain down due to server issues. IT folks are working on it but I do not have any estimate of when it may be resolved. Of course we hope soon!
http://ohioperegrinefalcons.blogspot.ca/ (http://ohioperegrinefalcons.blogspot.ca/)
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After more than a week, both the ledge and nest cams are up and running. As a bonus, there are two eggs. Now to settle down and watch paint dry. A camera shot on their blog shows both eggs.
http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/falconcam
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Good news! !
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;D There are now three eggs and counting????
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In case anyone has tried to access this cam in the last few days, there appears to have been problems. I made an inquiry and they responded this morning........
"we are working with the Ohio Channel to get the live streaming back up and running today. Thank you for your patience"
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The nest cam is running and according to their blog and a photo, there are now 4 eggs. Ledge cam is still now available for now.
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The nest cam is running and according to their blog and a photo, there are now 4 eggs. Ledge cam is still now available for now.
Unfortunately neither cam is running as of a few minutes ago; just two black rectangles.
Even when the cams were supposedly fixed, they worked only intermittently, and the full screen option was gone.
Hope they will be fixed soon.
The four eggs (pic from the blog):
(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/February%202016/columbus-mar-21-1a_zpsxit2xgfa.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/February%202016/columbus-mar-21-1a_zpsxit2xgfa.jpg.html)
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Thanks for posting the photo, Alison. We'll learn later is our patience pays off. :)
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Cams are still down. Just another pic of the four eggs, from the blog:
(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/April%202016/columbus-four-eggs-1a_zpsw9wlygvd.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/April%202016/columbus-four-eggs-1a_zpsw9wlygvd.jpg.html)
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;D Two eggs have hatched at this site. Both hatched this morning. Two down...two to go!
Video of first hatch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fv3FaUHFSdk#t=38
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The fourth chick hatched yesterday ;D
First full clutch for Spark and Durand :-*
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(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ot5uzqwsK9I/VxoQoTewY8I/AAAAAAAABlw/GZmj_TfEdsQP3iM-MvtyDXYkrwpm-ZYCwCLcB/s320/feed.PNG)
Great photo of a feed including #4
(modified to add command to display photo - TPC)
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The chicks are sleeping alone in a cute ball of fluff. One has only a slight covering of fluff. Papa came in and ran off with some leftovers and now appears to be keeping "watch". Not sitting, but just standing and watching. ??? First hatch was one week ago.
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It appears that Durand's mate, Spark, may be missing.
From the blog:
Monday, October 17, 2016
Spark MIA? New Male?
Fans have reported the possibility of a new male in the downtown Columbus territory and concern over the lack of sightings of the resident male, Spark. The lack of observations of Spark are not necessarily cause for concern at this time of the year. Courtship and nesting occur in late winter into spring and outside of this time frame some peregrines do migrate (remember that the Latin name for peregrine means “wanderer”).
So it is possible that Spark has migrated out of the area and in his absence another male is investigating the territory. There are any number of falcons out there (called “floaters”) that do investigate territories as they can, especially during migration. These floaters can be unmated falcons or falcons with a territory that just happen to be migrating (perhaps Spark is investigating another territory wherever he may be?).
It is also possible that the other male came into the territory and battled Spark for it. In that case, the lack of sightings of Spark would indicate that the new male was the victor. However, most territorial battles occur between females and the lack of this other male’s assertiveness in accessing the ledge (and lack of witnesses downtown of such an altercation) would imply that a territorial battle did not occur.
Peregrines maintain the same mate from year to year but quickly find a replacement when/if something happens to one of the pair. Therefore, the current situation may just be a case of when the cat’s away (Spark), the mice (Durand and the new male) will play-so to speak!! The birds have no loyalty to a mate if the mate is not present. Having the cameras running even in the “off season” definitely helps us see more of what goes on. But don’t forget, the downtown territory is large and the cameras only show about 25 feet of ledge space. Therefore, a lot of the daily action and interactions of the peregrines can and does go on outside of our view.
Our role is to watch and learn and note what players we have when nesting season comes around again early 2017. Any photos confirming leg bands on a peregrine that is not Durand (or a peregrine lacking leg bands) will be helpful in tracking which male(s) are confirmed in the territory.
To review, Durand's leg bands are: right: silver USGS band; left: black/black 32/X
Spark's leg bands are: right: purple USGS band; left: black/red 32/B
Only time will tell if Spark or the mysterious visitor--or another male altogether--will be the resident male next year. As information becomes available, it will be shared here.
I think it is very unlikely that Spark has migrated, since he has never done so before. He has always stayed around during the winter.
I hope that he has not been in a territorial battle with another male. Unfortunately, battles between males are not uncommon; I have seen a number of those take place on cam.
I hope that Spark, son of SW and Boomer, is okay. He has been a wonderful mate for Durand and a great father to their chicks.
From where I am, the Columbus cams have not been working for several months. Either an error message states that the whole site is down, or when the site is working, only black rectangles are visible where the live stream should be, so I have been unable to keep up to date with this site.