Manitoba Falcon Cam Forum
Other Peregrine Projects => USA Peregrines => Topic started by: skygirlblue on May 26, 2008, 11:57
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2008 NESTING SEASON
Great River Energy Power Station
http://www.greatriverenergy.com/ebc/birdcam.html
Excellent Streaming with sound....(and lots of trains going by ;D)
4 eggs were laid...the first hatch was this morning....pipping in another egg...I don't know if this second egg has hatched...
I got very lucky this morning and actually saw the hatch....prior to that you could hear the little one calling from the egg......you could see the pip in the egg and the little one moving behind it..mom was way too funny....she had food...and kept putting the food on top of the hatching egg...
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That third egg doesn't seem to be hatching anymore, please tell me I'm just being impatient?
Did I read that this is the place where Princess was born?
Is it known who these birds are?
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Yes, Earlybird, you are being impatient :D
The chicks don't usually hatch all at once, there is generally some time between them. Sometimes it is just a few hours, sometimes a day. Last year, the first of our chicks hatched early on a Monday morning, the last, Mistral, hatched on the Wednesday afternoon. Most hatchings, 40% according to the literature, occur in the morning. Certainly most of ours do.
So think happy thoughts, the third chick will probably be out by tomorrow.
And no, this isn't where Princess was hatched. She was hatched on the NSP Power Station in Minneapolis, Minnesota. There are lots of nestboxes on power stations in the US. The Elk River Station is, I believe, a biomass fuel plant that makes electricity from municipal refuse (plant matter and animal waste). Cool place to have nesting peregrines I've always thought!
As for who they are, I'm afraid I don't know, but I will find out for us all!
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hey everyone,,, feeding time at the Minnesota site... hurry and watch!!
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yes, fascinating. Skygirlblue, did you watch the feeding? It seemed as if only one chick got fed. Whats that all about I wonder, or maybe I just couldn't see real good.
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yes, fascinating. Skygirlblue, did you watch the feeding? It seemed as if only one chick got fed. Whats that all about I wonder, or maybe I just couldn't see real good.
Unfortunately, I missed the feeding...she could have missed one....but don't worry...they've got some reserves, left over from the yolk...
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Hey...I think we may have hatch #3!!!!
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thanks. Yes it seemed like the one little fellow squawked the whole time and ,, oh, they switched again, fun watching them fly away down below. anyhow hope that doensn't happen often. It was nerve racking watching, I kept saying , give him some too, lol, poor little thing. :)
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As I recall from last year watching P&T, feeding is a matter of who sticks their beak in the way. Doesn't seem there is an effort to make sure it's "fair" - it's all about learning to get what you need. I did find myself rooting for the one who kept falling over to get in there and get some food though.
I thought I saw third egg really starting to open up, but it could be my imagination.
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Ok, everybody...#3 is out and wet!!!! yippee!!!!
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Yay, it wasn't my imagination. How cool to get to see that!
;D ;D ;D
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Tracy -- do they spit??!! I was just watching this cam, heard a noise and at the same time something seemed to go flying out of the box (no, not a bird! lol). It really looked like the parent spit! Or sneezed and clear the nose -- gross. Do they do that?
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Tracy -- do they spit??!! I was just watching this cam, heard a noise and at the same time something seemed to go flying out of the box (no, not a bird! lol). It really looked like the parent spit! Or sneezed and clear the nose -- gross. Do they do that?
Spit, no. Fling feces, yes. They also cough up pellets - like a cat coughs up hairballs. Its all the undigestible material from the things they eat - feathers and bone mostly. Younger birds, when there is an infestation of grasshoppers will eat them and then you get green pellets with grasshopper exoskeletons. No kidding. First year I worked on the project, kept finding green pellets. Couldn't understand why there were no bones and feathers. Took me about a week to figure it out. ::)
So which end did "it" come out of?
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It appeared to come out of the mouth. That's why I thought it was a spit. I admit the cat comparison came to mind at the time, but it was in the form of hissing, not hairballs! It went flying out prob 4 or 5 inches over the ledge (head level) and shot straight forward. The parent didn't move much, as in flinging anything with wing or feet. I thought maybe it was telling something else that got too close to move the heck away!
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Zoinks - this cam is well lit at night! Not that birds will fly, but I assumed my cam window had frozen until I saw cars driving by! That means you early risers will always have a great view. I plan to be asleep (lord willing) when these birds wake up. But it's neat to know that my normal insomina will have a distraction!
:D
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Wow, another feeding in Minnesota! My , my, frustrating to watch, one little guy didn't get anything, or maybe just one bite at the very end. Goodness. :)
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Just spoke with Brenda who coordinates the falcon cam and the nest for Great River Energy at the Elk River Power Plant. This is only their second year with peregrines and their first year with live-streaming video and audio on the nest. They have three chicks hatched out (that's what you all watched yesterday) and another egg still being actively incubated. Both the adults are unbanded so no details on where they came from or where they have been I'm afraid. The upside of the pair being unbanded is that they are from a nest that we don't know about and that means there are even more peregrines out there! This year's female supplanted last year's female earlier in the season and she is now at another site not too too far away. The supplanted female's band number is 30 over B and I'll see if I can track down some more information as her band number is very close in the sequence to both our females, Princess at the Radisson and Holly out in Brandon.
Thank you Brenda for sharing the details. Greatly appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions. We'll all be watching and rooting your birds on!
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feeding time in Minnisota. Breakfast actually. :) Still one egg not hatched.
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How long has it been since the first egg hatched? At what point should we be worried that the last egg hasn't hatched yet?
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Monday, the others all hatched on Monday. Peregrine Chick says it can take a few days for all of them to hatch. More unusal to have a whole bunch in one day I think. I would not think it would be good for much longer however. Have a hard time catching up too as will be so much smaller. They grow very very fast.
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Monday, the others all hatched on Monday. Peregrine Chick says it can take a few days for all of them to hatch. More unusal to have a whole bunch in one day I think. I would not think it would be good for much longer however. Have a hard time catching up too as will be so much smaller. They grow very very fast.
Last year our chicks hatched Monday am, Tuesday am, and Wednesday pm and chicks from all three days survived and thrived. Most hatch within 24-48 hours of each other. The folks in Elk River, one of whom is a very eminent peregrine expert, were still hopeful when I spoke with them yesterday as the female is still incubating it. As time goes by however, the chances for it hatching decrease.
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well I just watched another feeding. :)This one was not as bad. Or should say it seemed more fair, looks like they all ate. Mom stood closer too. No sign of the egg, it was hard to see with the chicks all jumbled up. I thought there might be 4 chicks for a moment or two, but don't think so. Maybe they were all laying on and around the egg. Hope so.
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Can anyone help????
I've just turned my computer back on and have both our cam and Elk River up and for the past 40 min that I've been watching this Elk River adult has something stiff and white or silver stuck to its beak! S/he goes back and forth between calm and what I figure is agitated, shaking its head, putting its head under its wing at the back and in front, and this thing doesn't flutter, bend, move...It seems to be hooked onto its beak... I guess it's just wait and see, but I can't help but worry for this adult and how it'll affect it and the chicks. :'(
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ohhhhh I see. Its like a part of a bird or something stuck there. Can she open her beak? Doesn't look like she can. That is really not good at all. Oh my. I wonder how long this has been going on? You say you seen it over 40 minutes ago?
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You're right, there is. A feather stuck up her nose?
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Yup, at least 40 min. I've been watching her like a hawk (no pun intended!) and I was watching to see if she could open her beak and at one point I thought that I did see the beak open, but no sound came out. S/he's been really quiet, yet all its feathers are ruffled at the back and if you look at princess, she's completely unruffled, so I'm wondering if it's part of being agitated.
Thanks for looking... I sure hope it isn't serious.
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I really don't think it's a feather because it's so stiff and she's been tucking it under her wing and all sorts and it doesn't move at all. When she was facing more side ways, it almost looked like one of those metal can tab pulls, with the way her beak is going through it....bones maybe??
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I just want to see if she can open her beak. If she cant she is in big trouble, and Dad may not have a clue whats wrong. She is very ruffled up. If that is a can pull tab, she couldnt break that off she made have made it worse if she was pushing at it so now its way up her beak and stuck there. I haven't seen her open her beak once. :(
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Before I first posted, I'm pretty sure I did see her open her beak, but no sound came out and she only did it once, so I'm not 100% sure she did, but I was watching specifically for that and at the time was a little relieved. The picture quality is getting really poor now, so if and when Tracy does take a look, she'll have hard time seeing anything.
I wonder if they actually have anyone monitoring the cam, especially seeing as these two aren't banded...
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I just took a pic as well and will figure out how to send it to Tracy so once she's online she can see a little bit of it. This poor falcon, she's really tossing her head a lot right now...my picture is getting so bad though that I can't tell if she's just preening. I agree and also know, from my earlier look an hour ago when the view was really clear, that the thing is well and truly stuck onto her beak. :'(
I agree, we can't do anything from here and our worries won't help. We'll have to keep our fingers crossed it all works out well, without harm or too much distress to the mum or her chicks...
Thanks for looking with me! It's helped to share my concerns. :)
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I'm concerned it will stop her from feeding them too. Is there a dad around? I haven't actually noticed if there are two different adults there.
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yes there is two parents. but she has been doing all the feeding.every 2 hours or so
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I just sent Tracy the pic I took. She's still not online, but hopefully once she is, she'll be able to offer some reassurance from her experience and knowledge! So hard to watch and to know that this mum is going to have to get through the night like this. I'm hoping that the dad will bring in some food really soon, and hopefully the mum can attempt to get her own and see if the thing will budge if the eats. I am worried, too, like you that she won't be able to eat properly.
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well if the feeding was two hours ago, it wasn't on her beak then I take it? Must have happened after, or maybe it is some type of bird bone or joint. Hard to see now, but did look more silver, although the whole picture has got that silver greyish blue look to it.
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Heck, you're right! I can see it again. Darn.
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I keep hearing what sounds like dogs barking, but it has to be the chicks. She is just sitting there poor thing. Not even laying down. Yes its definitly the chicks, she isnt moving just staring into space. So sad.
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I didn't see the thing during the feeding, but she mostly had her back to me. Then when she did move around she had the remainder of dinner in her beak. I only noticed it when I came back in from watering plants...
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Well, I'm going to have to call it a night and get some shut-eye. I just wish our Peregrine friend could do the same.
I've been watching her now for just over 5 hours and in the last two hours, she still hasn't moved a muscle! She did blink and she did actually move her head slightly once or twice, but has always gone back to this same, statuesque position and remains all fluffed up, looks tense or at least not settled, and never ever closes her eyes for a snooze or looks around, or...whatever falcons normally do during the night. I keep hearing the chicks, very occasionally, and it doesn't sound like all three of them, but one or two. Mum never moves to settle in or gather the chicks up, or anything. She just stays stock still. There's been a slight breeze at times and I noticed that the white thing may not be as rigid as we thought becuase the bottom potion of it seemed to blow in the breeze a little bit.
Anyway, as most of you will get here before I do tomorrow, I just wanted to give an update as of 2am Minnesota and Winnipeg time and to let you know that she truly hasn't moved, nor closed her eyes, nor communicated or tended to the chicks apart from sitting on them. Sometimes it's only the blink of her eye that indicates she's living and breathing! She truly looks very uncomfortable and I can only hope that this observation is due to my own major lack of experience watching falcons, especially at night, rather than this Peregrine being in shock, or very distressed, or unable to care for herself or the chicks. Dad is still completely absent.
I'm glad you emailed the power plant, Liz. I so hope this mum and her chicks manage to hang in till tomorrow. The night still seems very long, especially if she continues to be a statue, sitting so tensely, geathers bulky and ruffled up and my eyes wide open.!
Another 20 min gone and she's till a statue in the same position as the last several hours....
Maybe there will be good new waiting in the morning! G'night all.
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Hey guys. I'm not really sure what it is you were seeing but I can't really see anything on the beak of the falcon thats in the nextbox right now. Maybe there has been a shift change and its the other parent, but the one that is in there now has been opening their beak a bit and has been shifting around a little bit. S/he is preening a bit at the moment actually. I don't know if this makes you feel any better but I'm not seeing any signs of distress at the moment. I also still see a bit of egg peeking out from underneath the adult so I don't know if that egg still hasn't hatched or if its just a leftover bit, but I'll keep watching for you!
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oh gosh, I am glad someone went and looked. I have been so upset all night. Only slept about 3 hours. Its 9am here and I was up until 3:30. I have been having coffee and surfing around, but could not bring myself to look this morning. Feelling helpless. Maybe I can stand to take a peek. I have to away for most of the day, so I didn't want to see her still like that and/or worse then go away feelling so bad. It is what happens when we watch nature, I know, but its sooooo hard. Need to take good long healthty breaks from this maybe so I have something else to think about, especially when we have something going wrong. I thought all nite, oh my,,, we may lose 4 possibly 5 falcons over this. We so wanted Tracy's input on this and we know she was talking to the person that is coordinating this nest box cam a few days ago,, so hoped she could get in touch with them and maybe give us some sort of news on it. Tough nite for Enraptured Liz and I, all caught up in it.
Thanks Falconista.
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I just peeked, this does not look like the same bird. I hope it is. The white around the throat and stuff looks different. Are you going to monitor the web cam for awhile? Maybe some others will too this morning and see if both parents are okay? They feed about every 2 hours, the other bird will come and sit on that first bar to the left and stuff, they squawk and make an awful racket when the other one comes around. The one last nite never spoke and couldn't open her mouth even, for hours and hours and hours, frozen like a statue like Enraptured said, and ruffled up on the back, and squatting awkward like with wings kinda kinked out and kids crying and she never budged. Horrid to watch.Fingers crossed for them all.
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I really really think the fourth egg shows pipping. I don't think I'm just being wishful. I hope I get to see it hatch! 8)
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Hi Everyone,
Just got on this morning and gritted my teeth before checking on Elk River. By the time I actually did pull myself away last night is was into the early morning hours, too.
I am soooo relieved to see those chicks moving underneath this adult and I can definatley hear them -- kind of a squeaky cry if I had to describe it. I can't tell if this is the same adult or not. I don't recall seeing those Princess-like white tufts on the crown of it head, but maybe that,s just down sticking out...it looks like rain came and it's quite bedraggled!
Unfortunately I have to be away today, but will stay watching for half hour or so. I haven't received any replies to the pms to Tracy, so no update on that so far. I pray this isthe same adult and she's all fixed up and back on track!
So glad those chicks are moving! I do hope that egg hatches successfully. After fearing they were all going to die or come to harm last night, it's so lovely to hear and see these chicks. A feeding would be ideal so we could see the other adult and hopefully relieve all our worries!
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Hey, I just spied the white thing on her beak! This is mum from last night. I only noticed it as it blew in the breeze, so at least the mum is looking more settles and has really moved position and is tucking those chicks under her. She shook her head a couple times, so perhaps she's still bugged by whatever that is, but maybe it's not really going to cause problems. We do need to see a feed, but I'd also really like to see her feed, just to be sure.
I do feel a little better, though, now that she seems to be doing ok.
Did anyone else see it?
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I still don't really see anything on her beak, but then again I'm not entirely sure what I'm looking for. Seems to be doing ok though.
Still haven't seen a feeding or shift change yet. But I think I see signs of hatching on that last egg! It's kind of hard to tell though. I'm going to keep watching and hoping for the best!
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Feeding happening right now (11:30am CDT)! So the little ones are getting fed. Either the fourth egg is hatching or there is a very stubborn white fleck on it . . .
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Finally the little guys get a meal! And boy are they hungry!
Looks like dad (I think?) just dropped off the food and is leaving it up to mom to deliver the goods to the chicks. At least she's getting a chance to eat a bit too.
Pretty sure we've got a pip in the egg but I don't see anything happening.
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I just caught the end of a feed...looks like mom did ok with it...kids were definitely hungry....the 4th egg does look like its got a pip...but that's just a guess...I'm not seeing anything on her beak...but I'm not sure what I'm looking for...hopefully, everything is ok now...gotta run (work is really interferring with my cam watching... >:( )...I can relax a little bit having seen the feed...
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For everyone looking for something on the female's beak, keep in mind that a peregrine's beak has two colours, which may look a bit distorted on the webcam image. On peregrines, the structure at the base of the beak (where it meets the head) is called the cere and that is where the nares (nostrils0 are located. The cere on peregrines is yellow. The beak itself is black.
When I was looking at the Elk River webcam, I couldn't see anything amiss so wondered if perhaps it the colour of the nare is washed out on the image and that is what was causing the concern ....
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Another feeding (1pm CDT)! Looks like both birds are using and opening their beaks just fine: one to give a series of robust squawks and screeches, and the other to feed the chicks. I couldn't see anything amiss.
Still one egg, no futher sign of hatching that I could see.
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Yep, a good feeding and all looks fine. They are still incubating the egg so hopefully it will hatch. Nice to see the three chicks all so actively demanding food! ;D
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Yet another feeding today at 2:15 CDT. Those chicks are getting plenty to eat!
Lunch was some kind of speckled brown and white bird, with head and legs still attached. Feathers flew! The feeding adult then disappeared with the leftovers.
I didn't get a good look at the egg, as it was behind the chicks.
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Hi everyone, just got back in gone most of the day. Thank goodness everyone is eating. To TPC there was 100 percent something stuck on her beak ,all the way around,,, like what ever it was had a hole in it and it was right over her beak. Like her beak was inside the thing, like she had drove her beak through a beer can tab and it was stuck there, She never moved for hours and had a great view of it. Looked horrid. Before I came on Enraptured had seen her for 40 minutes try to get the thing off. I looked at other pics of peregrines beaks last nite also to see what was what too. It was solid either metal or bone, and the very end at one point had white feathers stuck to it. I figured that the thing caught on her own feathers or the kids and stuck to it. But you know no wonder those chicks were hungry cause for sure they were way over due to be fed.
Thank the lord they are doing fine, because we were not overreacting, if you had seen what we seen, it was a sad sight. This all started way before dark so the light was not an issue, we tryed to see full screen and that was blurry to see what it was. Either way could see something stuck there, but could not tell what. I have watched that cam quite a bit and even after it was dark, as it is still well lit up, and she was acting so different last night and no bird I ever seen had a beak shaped like that. lol and the bird on the nest this a.m. did not have anything on her beak. I had stopped watching that cam yesterday as I was more interested in "our family in Winnipeg" but got drawn back in when Enraptured wanted a second opinion. He/she got me and Liz. Thanks for trying to waylay our concerns, hope you are not going to think of us as paranoid now. :) Who ever took those pics please send them. lol. :D
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I was glad to read during the day that all seemed well. Thanks again to those who checked and posted. I was so worried about what picture the morning light would bring to our screens. Seeing her sit there for hours without moving a muscle was truly alarming. I didn't get a reply from the Steward at the plant but I guess, one way or another, the problem is resolved.
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Watching mom right now...very interesting...I'm guessing she just finished a feed, not sure...she's on the 3 chicks and the egg...and a piece of "yukovers"...she's trying to eat, without getting off the kids, without benefit of her talons to hold the prey down...the kids don't seem the least bit interested ...she's trying to tear off pieces of meat...with little luck...well, she's either given up or had her fill...oops, maybe not...she's gonna try again...she just won't get off the kids so she can get a better grip on the food...well, that's just dandy...now she's gonna brood the chicks, the egg, AND the yuckovers!!!
I still can't tell if there is a pip in the egg or not.
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I can't tell either, but at least she hasn't given up on that egg yet!
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nothing , just the fan on my laptop. no wires humming, nothing. I thought at first the cam was frozen as mom was not moving but I seen the cars in the background, and then seen her moved, boys she looks stuffed or something. Keeps rolling her eyes!
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That egg's not really under her. Full view while she eats. Hope it gets stuffed back under soon.
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Hi all,
Just got back from a long day away and I'm so glad to read all the posts about how well the mum is looking and that feedings are going well (lots of flying feathers, it seems! Must have been rather graphic!) and that the final egg may be on its way to hatching. I hope at this late hour that I may get to have a peek yet. Compared to yesterday and last night with both cams, today was completely Peregrine free and it was hard to be away!
Well Liz and Deedream, all's well that ends well, thank goodness! And thanks again for all your support last night and today! I do wish the photo I'd taken showed things a little better, because to me it really did look like the beak was through something and then the 'something' continued out in front much further past the end of her beak. Gladly, it doesn't matter anymore! Yahoo!
Have a nice quiet night tonight, and hopefully both our peregrine families will too. There seems to be some lightening going on in Minnesota. The sound doesn't seem to be working, so I won't get to experience a virtual-thunder storm! The adult on the chicks doesn't seem bothered at any rate, except that s/he looks soaking wet.
Thanks, Peregrine Chick, too for responding to the photo and worries in the posts. I think last night's worries were also fueled by the huge helplessness we felt and I know my lack of experience also added to my own concerns.
I've just seen the egg, still tucked under, right beside a chick. I sure hope the egg hatches and the chick survives. I think today is the third day since the first hatchings, isn't it? More crossed fingers, I guess!
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Feeding time (noon CDT) - still see one egg. But, they are still incubating it so there is still hope!
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Glad to hear the Elk River female is in better shape, from the photo I was sent, I couldn't tell where the bird ended and the last of the light in the box began. You should know that these birds have a crop which on a human would be right about your collarbone. All the food they eat begins the digestive process there. I have seen birds with legs in their crop with the foot sticking out their mouth and it sounds something like your descriptions. On most dead birds, you will see their feet curled into an "o" shape, so it could have gone around her beak. It is unlikely to have been something like a beer tab because its just not something the birds would bring in, something they would eat or something that would be in the box. I suspect it was something more organic - bones probably.
A note about calling the Elk River Station - if they could easily access the box (and I don't believe they can), the female would bolt from the nestbox, the chicks would be left alone, possibly scattered due to her hasty departure and unable to keep each other warm. Remember they can't thermoregulate and can't be left uncovered long at this stage. Meanwhile the Mother and perhaps Father depending on whether he is close by or off hunting would be trying to defend the nestbox and their young. No way to catch her to remove whatever might be caught and it could perhaps be impeding her ability to fly or breath while flying. So while it is fine to contact them, assume that they are getting lots of the same messages. Leave the time and a description and if you want your name and number for identification purposes, but don't expect a return call unless they need more details or if they have time, and from experience, that is a commodity in short supply on these kinds of projects.
I will tell Brenda how dedicated you all are to the Elk River birds and ask her if she knows what it was. I'll also ask when they will be banding and if they plan to name the chicks. I'll post whatever I hear!
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Boy, she sure is noisy tonight!
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are you watching the feeding just now? Noisy and my goodness they have grown. Wow!
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Yep - very noisy and all getting their share! I am beginning to wonder about that egg though. It seems like it's been awfully long. But they are still incubating it, so who are we to ask? ???
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yes I was looking for the egg. Oh, I just seen something squirt across the screen.. did you see it? Came from the chicks and was white and flew thru the air real fast. The mom looked too. Someone pooped or maybe the egg is hatching and something squirted out of it? lol :)
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I don't see the egg anymore.
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Now that the rain has stopped and I have a new clear pic of what the beak looks like, there is still no doubt we were seeing something else the other night. Prob it was just leftover food stuck in her and perhaps dead feet curled, as TPC suggested. SO glad to see it's gone.
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I agree with you, Liz. Today I've been really looking to see if it could have been the beak or bad light, or whatever, but I agree. There was definately something on the end of her beak the other night and extended in front of her. I'm very glad to see it's gone too, and now that I now gross (even in the beauty of nature...) things like feet can stay sticking out of beaks, I'll be more calm and collected when I see something similar again (if, I do, that is!) ;D
The chicks look so cute and big! I saw a feeding earlier today and was so impressed with how thorough and fairly distributed it all was.... no more concerns in that area now either! Phew!
Looks like they're settled in for the night.
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Totally agree.. they all seemed to be evenly fed. And fed three times, actually! But now it's 11:55 and I can hear the train again... but more than that, the light is still glaring on them. Again, it's nice to be able to see them. But it's such a huge difference from Winnipeg, and seeing Princess settle down for the night with her brood. I feel sorry for the mum here and that flippin' floodlight!
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Yes, I feel sorry for her, too. I keep wondering if she keeps her eyes open because of the light or if the parent stays awake for safety, anyway. Without being able to see Princess or Trey, it's hard to tell.
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Not sure about that, but I've definitely seen P&T close their eyes. Tonight P had her head tucked into her wing, before it got dark. So I'm thinking that light here is keeping this mum awake when she should be resting.
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Good Morning y'all. I too watched this cam last night and agree with you both. Thank goodness that is all over. Did not see the egg at all, assumed it must be under the chicks, but now I don't think there was enough room for it to be, they did an awful lot of tumpling about and with all those feedings and the parent leaving them alone too to go fly off and bring back a snack, there was lots of opportunity to observe. Looked like something way over in the corner to the left, like broken egg shells. I can't recall if they cleaned up the shells of the ones that hatched or not. In fact we certainly don't see near the housecleaning here that Trey does. He is one in a million. Well one in 500 maybe, :) not sure how many perergrines are known to exist now. Raining here in NB for the weekend :(
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Morning Gang, I'm afraid the last egg in this nest isn't going to hatch at this point (or at least it would be one for the books if it did), its almost a week since the other chicks hatched and that is, in almost all cases, too long a period between the majority of the eggs hatching and the last one. We had 4 eggs this spring as well and Trey & Princess abandonned and removed it quite early, so it isn't uncommon. It may not even have been fertile and there was not chick to lose. We have also had a number of cases at other locations where the last chick to hatch has died within a day or two of hatching, so it may be quite a common occurrence this year. Will see if I can find out a bit more on how many were lost/never hatched this year. You are quite right though, the other three chicks appear to be doing very well! Should make for a great show come fledging! Haven't heard yet from my Elk River contact on a banding date and if they will be showing it online. When I do, will post a note.
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Another noisy feeding going on - and mom(or dad) is keeping the kids out of the sun in the back of the box. The egg is still around - I wonder when they will remove it, if ever.
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Oh yes, I can see the egg now. I guess it was just buried under its sibs last night. Interesting that the parents haven't given up on it yet.
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Just switched on about 10 min ago, noticed these chicks have been on their own since then - Where's Mom??? ??? - I know they're a couple days older than P&T's chicks but still seems a long time to leave them uncovered. Maybe it's warmer there than it is here. :-\
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Ok she's back - was gone at least 15 min but now returns with lunch. ;D Such squealing going on!! ;)
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Leaving the chicks alone isn't a problem at this age if the weather is warm enough and never doubt that the parents are only ever seconds from the nest and are always watching what's going on. One of the downsides of webcams on nests, is that you can't see what is going outside of camera range. If I had to guess, Dad turned up with food and Mom went to meet him and to scarf down some of the food herself before bringing it back to the kids. These birds are in an actual box, so its entirely possible that she was eating on the roof of the box and Dad was sitting on a roost site just a few metres away. That's what happens here - Trey spends alot of time sitting on the Radisson sign 18 stories overhead and Princess takes off across the street to the Sterling Building (northwest corner of Portage and Smith).
They sure are good looking chicks ... Mom & Dad are very good at their job.
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I've been checking in on the family on and off all day...I swear, I must be on the same scedule as the trains!!!! I guess they are used to it, but I've really had to turn my sound down. I've missed all the feeds, so I am glad to read y'alls report!!!! I have glimpsed the egg...I think...but that's all I've had...just a glimpse....I can't believe how much they have grown already!!! they are beautiful!!!
Well, mom's preening...and I think the kids are asleep....
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Good views of the egg right now. She's not even bothering to sit on it anymore, so I guess it's just a matter of time until it disappears. :(
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Good views of the egg right now. She's not even bothering to sit on it anymore, so I guess it's just a matter of time until it disappears. :(
True....she may just push it aside like I've seen in other nests....There have been so many nests this year where there have not been full clutches. I wonder if that is typical or unusual. Maybe somebody knows. And I know of at least 3 total clutch failures, if you count Utah...so sad...
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So I'm watching and I hear this weird sound. Mom had been outside and she popped in and settled against the chicks. Then the sound got louder and more persistent. I finally realized it was rain hitting the roof of the nestbox. Bet they're glad they have shelter!
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I had the same reaction, Pchemist. Wondered what the heck the sound was...
It's funny -- these chicks get fed a LOT, and yet everytime someone comes with food they screetch as if they're starving to death! :D
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LOL. Thank goodness human babies don't have projectile pooping! ;D ;D
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LOL. Thank goodness human babies don't have projectile pooping! ;D ;D
Haha thank goodness indeed! ;D It's amazing how far the little ones can shoot.
I can't believe how big the chicks have gotten so far. They can't even fit under their mother anymore (even though she's certainly trying!) It must be cold there today for them to be huddling so close together.
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I am getting to see a morning feeding and a great look at how these chicks have grown. Wow. Hard to believe they were just born 9 days ago. Last Monday.. They are getting a lot stronger. Oh boy, do they have any idea what today is going to bring? I hope we get to see some/all of the banding. If anyone watches try to take pics will you? I will too if I am here. I don't know how to record the video or I would, think I need to purchase/download a software pkg to do that and I am not at all certain which one or how to do that. LOL. Would love to be able to see what Mom and Dad do especially, hope someone stands by down below and videos all the dive bombing and antics. We would certainly be reminded that these are wild creatures I am sure. Happy viewing.
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Goodness, one chick wandered over to the nearest corner against the wall awhile ago, must be 10 minutes, Mom tryed and tryed to get him back, she left the other chicks and tryed. to no avail, she is now back brooding the 2 chicks and he is still in the corner. Hope its not too cold out. Boys Mom wants him back over with her. I can only see part of the chick, think it is curled up sleeping. Asserting independance all ready? lol
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I am watching this as well.
The chick in the corner keeps cheeping. In excitement? Confusion? Distress? It is continuous noise.
The parent keeps looking over at the chick, and now and then wandering over to perhaps try to nudge the chick back to the others, but it is not working.
Maybe when the next meal arrives the chick will find a way to get back to the others? Here's the snack arriving now . . .
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She went over and tried to get at him again but he wouldn't budge so she went back to the other two. He seems to be moving around quite a bit over there, but I'm not too sure what he's up to.
Mom just went out for a stretch then flew away.
One of the adults is back with food so the two chicks that are together are getting fed but the little one in the corner doesn't seem to notice that its feeding time. I hope he clues in before he misses his chance to eat.
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I'm just noticing now that the unhatched egg is still sitting in the nestbox near the two chicks. I'm surprised that it hasn't been disposed of by now.
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hmmm, feeding time and the chick in corner is Not moving. Other two getting well fed, wonder what in the world is wrong. Well can see it moving a tiny bit but does not seem to be trying to get over for anything to eat. Oh,,, its turned around, oh, thank god,, there it goes, doing a lot of stumbling, hope it gets right in there, ...
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Phew, all three chicks are now getting fed.
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Ah good, the little wanderer found his/her way back to the group for a snack! Phew!
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Whew is right, my it is nerve racking watching all that. I have to strain my eyes to see if everyone gets fed, thankfully enough for all and there was enough to go around, our little wanderer got lots too eventually. lol.
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The little wanderer is off in the corner again.
These chicks are definitely getting mobile and starting to explore their environment!
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Now there are two chicks exploring: one in each far right corner of the next box.
The adult in charge is paying no attention to them; instead staring very suspiciously at the camera (reflections in the lens?)
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All the chicks have trekked down the nestbox to the near side by the camera to join their camera-puzzled mom. How fast they grow! How soon they are mobile! And to think we watched them hatch just over a week ago . . . sniff! ;)
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One of them has been in the front right corner again for the last hour, but a parent came with food and it scooted right over to join in. It's amazing to see that their darker feathers are already starting to appear. So, the egg is STILL there? Wow.
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These kids sure are noisy!!!
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hey Liz, yes look at them all curled up sleeping. so sweet now. Have to keep remembering how many chicks are here, I see three, so asume ms/mr antitsocial has come back to flock for a bit? No mom or dad insight, must be nice weather there, it looks nice from the view to the left.
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Hi, deedream. Yup. it does lok nice out. And all three are there in the huddle. I guess if the egg is still there, they're on top of it. Which they seem to be a lot, because I often can't see it.
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They all look comatose! lol
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Elk River Banding slated for June 9th at 10 am (CDT). I think this is a typo and have contacted Elk River for more information. Will keep y'all posted.
The Chick
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Feeding time. And they are SCREETCHING!!!
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Well, these three are doing very well, and it's a delight to see! ;D Very mobile now, and exploring their nestbox. Under mom's watchful eye (and she's also providing nice shade for the kids). The remains of breakfast are still around.
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I've just tuned into the Elk River webcam, guess my heart is healing abit if I can watch these youngins. Man are they ever noisy when food gets brought to them. And yes Pchemist there sure are mobile.
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Lunchtime sure is a noisy affair! Nobody being shy about getting their share, either. It's amazing how big they already are. I'm assuming banding will be soon.
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Very glad I wasn't watching that, don't think my emotions could have handle that.
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Note to self: if you don't want a very screechy and loud alarm at 3am (5am nest time), then don't leave the birdcam up and running on your computer. Or at least remember to mute it.
Goodness gracious! it woke me from the next room!!! :o
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lmao too funny Pchemist. They are a noisey bunch that's for sure. I have the webcam up now actually and they are a noisy bunch. Funny to watch. But like someone else said in another thread not the same as our family in Winnipeg.
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Note to self: if you don't want a very screechy and loud alarm at 3am (5am nest time), then don't leave the birdcam up and running on your computer.
LOL, Pchemist. That is too funny. Yes, these three are an incredibly noisy bunch for such little balls of fluff! I am listening to Vinyl Cafe on my laptop and have the cam window open, and sometimes they drown out Stuart McLean!
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Well, today is a breezy dat but the chicks are in a pile in the back corner and seem quite content. Mom is hanging out on the ledge enjoying the breeze. I keep the sound on but low and always know when it's feeding time!
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I know it's already been said, but WOW! I cannot believe how big they are! (and yes, very noisy, lol).
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Well, a noisy lunch has just concluded and the chicks are heading back to the corner where they like to pile up. It's naptime, after all. :D
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It was pouring rain earlier here, but the sun seems to be out now. Mom is hanging out in the box with the chicks still though, so perhaps there is rain I can't see. Usually she's on the ledge (still in sight of the camera) these days. I wonder when banding will be? ???
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I received a notification that they would be banding the chicks on the 9th, but I think they must have meant the 19th. I emailed Brenda at the Plant but haven't heard back yet. I'm sure they will post a notice on the website and that it will get posted here shortly thereafter :)
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Yuck! I just witnessed mum (or dad -- although is he ever allowed in the box?) throw up one of those....pellet things of undigestible bird parts/bones etc....I don't know the name of it, but the equivalent of a cat hairball, I guess.
I wouldn't have watched except that I thought she looked like she was choking, or in some kind of distress and then I realized that she looks exactly like my cats do when they're about to throw up! And sure enough, that's what she did. Not to be too graphic or anything, but she looked at it for a moment, then kept opening, closing her mouth as if to say, "ew, that didn't taste very good!" , but like everything else, she's left it right there, right behind the chicks. They really don't mind what they're sitting in do they?!
Anyway that was another 'first' for me --- so much learning to do!
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chick teepee! ;D
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oh! the best example of mum intervening with dad bringing in prey and grabbing it from him with a lot of screaming before he could get any closer than the cross bar a hop away from the box!
And wow! Fiesty chicks grabbing the food away from mum, but she held her own and got it back. No qualms about grabbing food and playing tug-of-war with it and the other chicks, either! That one in particular must take after their mum's character!
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And now a second course in a slightly more orderly, but not less noisy fashion!
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well, I wrote too soon! Talk about bad table manners, grabbing food right out of your sibling's mouth! ;D
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I'm sorry, I just can't help posting 'cause this is just too good! In the past twenty minutes, these chicks have just been fed 5 (yes, 5!) courses of a whole bird each time (between them, not each!) Is that unusual? I don't think I've ever seen a parent come and go so many times for more food! Talk about full crops on those little chicks! They might actually fall forward due to the weight imbalance! ;D
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Okay child for your rude behaviour you must fast the wall for 5 minutes!!!!
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Anyone noticed the little one was sitting there opening it's beak but no sound?
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Poor guys, yucky weather and lots of lightening! I thought at first the camera was periodically taking still photos! :-[
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I am watching too, real bad thunder storm there. Wow... it is close. You can hear the thunder and see the lighting and its close. !!!!
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WOW -- that one was so bright it washed out the picture!
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What a scary storm
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really wild,, oh that poor bird. Look at her looking around! Oh my...
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Its like she is looking into the camera asking for it to all stop
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She must be used to these storms though, because in the past two weeks, I think this is the third lightning/thunder storm that I've witnessed at this nest, so they may have been even more frequent than that. (and I don't mean to sound hard-hearted, but just hoping she's used to it and ok!)
Hopefully it helps put the all night light in perspective for her and makes it seem better than this at least!
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I am on CNN, real bad weather out here and were tornadoes in southwestern Minnesota earlier, flooding all around,,, real bad weather...
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Oh my goodness -- those poor boy scouts!
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I wonder if this is why they were fed five times today -- maybe she knew the storm was coming and she wouldn't be able to go hunting for awhile. So she stuffed them!
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well it looks like this family survived last nights thunderstorms and rains. 3 bundles of fluff in a group hundle. Mom/orDad sitting out on a beam just out of view. Some shrieking going on from the adult I think. Calling breakfast in?
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Looks like they're banding!!
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LOL that third chick didn't want to go lol
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Awesome! I guess they bring them down to do it. I wonder how long it takes?
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Mom or Dad just came back to the nestbox and is making alot of noise, I can just imagine! "Where the heck are my babies!" Now it sounds kinda sad. :(
It'll be ok!
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Coming back, cleaning the camera lense, hahaha.
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Looks like they're ready to put the chicks back after cleaning the camera lense and some dead stuff out of the nestbox.
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I heard the woman say something along the lines of "here is your big sister" when she put the second one back, kinda wish they would have told the camera all of the sexes. Or perhaps she did and I didn't catch it cause those kids were being so noisy!
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Three part shreeky harmony for a bit, but all calm now. Can't wait to see mom/dad come back! ;D
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I'm really glad I got to see that! I had the window minimized, but all of the sudden heard human voices coming from the speakers. Confused me for a second, but then I realized what was going on.
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It is soooo funny seeing that chick yawn while waiting for mom and dad! :)
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Tracy, these chicks seem younger than when you banded ours last year. Is it just the distortion of the fish-eye lens, or do they seem smaller to you, too? ???
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Ooooh, I can see some flight feathers on the wings when they stretch! cool. 8)
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Tracy, these chicks seem younger than when you banded ours last year. Is it just the distortion of the fish-eye lens, or do they seem smaller to you, too? ???
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No they are more than a week younger than we band our chicks - they hatched out on the 25/26 May which makes them 18 days old. We don't band until minimum 21 days, usually a couple more "to grow on". Elk River however has a very experienced peregrine person working with them, so I have no doubt that they have it all in hand.
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Tracy, these chicks seem younger than when you banded ours last year. Is it just the distortion of the fish-eye lens, or do they seem smaller to you, too? ???
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No they are more than a week younger than we band our chicks - they hatched out on the 25/26 May which makes them 18 days old. We don't band until minimum 21 days, usually a couple more "to grow on". Elk River however has a very experienced peregrine person working with them, so I have no doubt that they have it all in hand.
Thanks. I knew they had to be experienced - after all, who just willy nilly goes up on a crane to grab chicks and band them??? I'm glad they cleaned the camera lens. They also removed the egg that didn't hatch. Glad to know my powers of observation aren't whacky. :D
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Tracy
Any chance of you finding out and letting us know the sex of the Elk River babies and if the people there named them? (or did I miss it ?)
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I can certainly see what I can do.
The Peregrine Chick
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Wow I have had this cam on for well over an hour and the chicks have been left completely alone. Seems long. One little one woke up and stumbled about and went over to the edge, did some shrieking, guess looking for Mom and/or food! :) Finally went back to the pile for more sleep.
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oh , Mom/or Dad has returned with Food. Oh my, had to turn my speakers down. They are really hungry. My goodness. Following Mom right around. lol
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HAH! nice poop shot over the ledge. Well done!
my my what full crops they have. ;D
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Lots of wing stretching and experimental flapping going on.... Looking forward to watching their flight feathers come in!
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And again, poor Mum is sitting there, staring at the light that's keeping her awake. Does she ever sleep??
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Absolutely frozen, and not moving! Poor girl! And MORE lightning -- what a tough life they have, too. The feathers on her head are all sticking up. Ruffled. But cars are driving by, so the pic isn't stuck. Her life sucks. She SHOULD let dad come in to help!
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So, there's a chick pile and a watchful mom. It's amazing that you can actually see changes in the chicks from one day to the next - they are bigger and less fluffy-white each day! :D
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It's incredibly windy there today. I had to turn down the sound because of the constant noise of the wind past the microphone!
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Growing those new feathers must be itchy business. There's a lot of preening going on in between nap-piles.
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omg did anyone see that, the 3 of them tugging on a piece of food all at the same time tooo funny
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Dinner TIME!
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Oh, that was TOOOOO funny! One chick went under mom's legs to get to the food! Mom took it away and restarted feeding, but that's enterprising behaviour! ;D
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Oh my god! Food tug-of-war is HILARIOUS! ;D ;D ;D
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holey moley, that crop is as big as the chick, nearly! Of course, I saw it gulp down a leg... which probably won't be staying down, I'm guessing. :P
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Chick pile!
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Looks like someone needs to get rid of some "undigestible" things. Plus deciding to be on top and spread its wings! funny ;D ;D
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Interesting. There is a chick pile of sleep for tonight. Mom appears to be choosing to be in the light. Clearly she could choose to tuck her head and be in the box and be shielded like the chicks, but she isn't.
All appears calm. :) See you all tomorrow.
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Actually, unless mum lays down, the top two-thirds of her is always in the light. She usually is closer to the camera and still lit up at night. If you look at the back of the box, it's all lit up above the chicks....so unfortunately, she's kinda stuck! Do adult peregrines ever lay down apart from the hunching down they do when incubating and 'sitting' on young chicks? I often wondered about that, but assumed they didn't, especially when 'guarding' chicks...which leads me to a 'dumb, I should probably know this' question -- if adult peregrines never lay down, don't their legs get tired?!?
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Projectile poop with sound effects - can't get any better than that! :D
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First time I have seen these three being feed and wooooow what a noise!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Just witnessed my first tug-of-war. You're right, it is hilarious! ;D I'm glad that they're big enough now that if one is getting the short end of the stick, s/he can find a way to get a fairer share.
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Wow, huge bulging crop on the chick closest to the camera! That grey skin area must be what TPC mentioned one time when describing how Princess uses that part of her to really keep the chicks warm....I might be getting a little confused on that, but I remember something about it and i don't think i've actually ever seen the bare skin part before... thought it was neat!
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I know the upper part of the nestbox is well lit at night, but we did see P&T both hunkering down and sleeping "face-plant" style (like the chicks do), so I'm assuming she could do that if she wanted. Don't know why the light seems to mesmerize her at night - perhaps she can sleep with her eyes open - I've seen people do that! It's creepy when people do it, honestly. :P
But, they surely knew the lighting conditions when they selected the nestbox, so I'll defer to their judgement. Especially since the chicks are doing so very well! ;D
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They just can't seem to get a break..what a violent storm going through right now!
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The lightning isn't frequent but it's intense.
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I don't know what it is about his year...seems to be a lot of storms, hence more rain!!!! At least they are sheltered!
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One of the chicks keeps looking at the camera, much like mom used to do. They're getting so big! ;D
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It looks like they've all had their tubbies and been pj'd, Mum's read them a bedtime story, and now they're all tucked in for the night!
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It amazes me how quickly things calm down after the craziness of a feed! They just lay down and relax, some in pretty hilarious "beach lounging" positions.
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That was darn funny! squeek, up, stumble, face plant into corner, re-sleep. I've had days like that! ;)
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I think you may be right! I think I said this in an earlier post, but when they were being 'put back' after the banding I heard one of the banders say something along the lines of "here is your big sister". So one girl forsure.
Also, I don't know if band color has anything to do with sex, but I saw (what I thought was) a purple band on one of the chicks who was sleeping faceplant style with legs sticking out and figured that purple is kind of a girly color...
'Fraid, girly colour or not, we don't have different colour bands for different genders. The purple band is the aluminium FWS band they use in the States, the other band, probably black over green since it is a Midwest nest is the band with the big numbers/letters that we/they use for identification. If you really want to start tracking whose doing what, read their band numbers, or at least make spot the difference (ie: one has a P, one has an X and it doesn't matter what the rest of the numbers are).
The two bigger chicks will be the females, the smaller the male. Last year's Radisson nest was very (very) unusual when it came to chick size, no one could believe us that the middle and smallest sized chicks were female (Taku & Mistral respectively) at banding. By the time they were all ready to fledge however, Mistral was as big as Chinook so she made up for lost time.
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Fascinating - it looks like one chick is nibbling leftovers off the other chick's beak! Which apparently got annoying, as chick2 pulled away a bit. Too cute! :D
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Hmmmm, must be time for food soon. The kids are all upright and looking outward, like they are waiting on a delivery. Except for the one who just face-planted into the corner by the camera again, that is... ;)
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Spoke too soon! Just as I posted, the other two chicks went face-plant into the other corner! Silly birds! 8)
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I didn't even think it would be possible to read their band numbers, maybe if I went into full screen mode. I'll give it a try!
I don't want to seem to facinated with the poop, but is it possible that they are aiming to get it out of the nestbox? It seems that they will turn around, stick up their butt and...um...shoot it over the edge.
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Oh man, they're so much cuter in full screen mode!
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"Pick a corner, assume face-plant position!"
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Oh'p! They're on their feet again! Some preening happening. Bedtime snack should come soon. Isn't it amazing how much you can see the dark feathers changing just day-by-day?! More coming in on the tips al the time. Apparently, they grow at night! Hmm, come to think of it, so do we -- guess that makes sense then!
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I just LOVE it when they use the ledge as a pillow! *tromp* *tromp* *tromp* *plop* ;D
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too cute seeing them laying their beaks on the ledge as a pillow, oh now they are sqawking, feeddddddddddddd us!!!!!!!!
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LOL -- Look at the one against the back wall. It's so splayed out, you can't even tell which end is up!
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What are you sitting there for? Feed Us we are hungry!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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One of the parents arrived with nooooooooooo food and the youngins were none to happy either, pecking at the adult beak hoping for food. The parent had enough of the screaming youngins that they left the nestbox and are now facing away perched on the beams extending out from the box.
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Adult looks to the camera, "Somebody help me pleasssssssssseeeee?"
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Down and dirty way of identifying the males chicks from the females - the male chicks will have less white fuzz on them. The males will be ready to fly 7-10 days before the females and by that time they will have a bit of fuzz on their heads, but the females will still have big patches (relatively speaking) of white on them still.
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Whoa - just got back to hotel and opened up the cam. There was a chick >< this close to the lens! startling. :o
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Pchemist, they've been a busy bunch scolding mom or dad, whichever, for not bringing them food when they want it.
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sounds like teenagers. always sleeping, eating, or complaining. ;)
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Screeching tug-of-war!
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This nest needs Trey! I can't believe what a mess of feathers it is. One chick was rooting around for something to eat, got a feather stuck on its beak, and after trying several times to get rid of it, appeared to just give up and swallow it!
Just saw a screeching mum come back, and looked surprised as two birds flew by right under the ledge. I think she thought she had one of them! She took off underneath, I guess after them, but they seem to have won cuz I don't see her back. I can still hear her in the distance tho, so I guess she's still hunting. LOL
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I think the chick just looking straight at the camera squawking is telling us it's hungry! :D
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I bet if I had sound right now I'd mute it. That chick looks LOUD! And it's right by the camera, too (which is adorable, of course). :D
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Audio hasn't been working all morning here either..maybe they pooed on the microphone :o
rotflmao!!!!
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Amazing how big they're getting. I thought I was looking at two together in a clump and it turned out to be only one!
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They look like they're panting or something, they must be hot? ??? Don't they need some water?? - how do they drink anyway? I sound like a real 'newbie' - well I guess I am! :P
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That's a really good question, and one I've never thought of -- glad you asked! It's prob as hot there as it is here.
TPC, awaiting your reply!
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They don't drink per say..they get hydrated from the food they eat..moisture from the meat I guess. When our chicks in Etobicoke were banded a few weeks ago they got squirts from a water bottle and we were told that was the first time they'd ever had water.
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I guess I assumed they got what they needed from their food, but it is a good Q for days when it's really hot, and esp when they're getting bigger like these ones. I can see hatchlings not needing any, but chicks are getting to be full-grown!
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Ya! - It doesn't seem moisture from meat would be enough anymore.. ???....Somebody please get them a nice bowl of cool water! ;D ;D
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lol -- look at those chins on the ledge!
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I'm sure Tracy will answer, but I found this peregine FAQ: http://www2.ucsc.edu/scpbrg/faq.htm
in it this was a Q&A:
Q. Where do peregrines get their water?
A. Peregrines get all the water they need for survival directly from the food they eat. However, they do like to drink water and bathe in it if it's available in a safe and secure location.
So, there you have it. :D
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lol -- look at those chins on the ledge!
HAH! all lined up! how cute.
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I guess they'll find 'real' water after they fledge. Still look thirsty to me though... :-\
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Post-dinner, pre-bedtime, snack!
I miss that noise!!!!!!!!
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They sure make short work of their snacks these days!!! :o Gimme-Grab-Gobble-Gone!!! :D - I agree, hope they fix that microphone!!
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lol all 3 are sitting there looking at the adult, "Hey are you gonna feed us or what? How can you come in here with nothing?"
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My luck they will fix it in the middle of the night, I will have forgotten about the window and not muted the computer, and I will get a screechy 3am wake-up call. :P
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"Hey you sure you're not hiding something in your beak there?" Hmmm "how about this tail?"
lmao Pchemist
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My luck they will fix it in the middle of the night, I will have forgotten about the window and not muted the computer, and I will get a screechy 3am wake-up call. :P
Wake-up call for work! REALLY early!! ;D ;D ;D
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Wake-up call for work! REALLY early!! ;D ;D ;D
[/quote]
You scared me there for a moment Liz, thought you were asking me to give you wake up call, never again after someone recently asked for a 4am wake up call!
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I'm seeing the chicks for the first time in a few days and can't believe how they've grown!
Interestingly, one of the chicks is mesmerized by the light like the parent was! Oh, well now it's preening, nope, back to staring at the light! I'm glad the other two are ignoring it! This is the first time I've seen the chicks without their parent in the box with them at this time of night...finally got squished out, I guess... :D
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lol. No, I meant Pchemist would get a really early wake-up call if the sound was left on, and the problem got fixed in the middle of the night! :D :D
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Yes, there is some staring going on with the kids. Compared to P&T, I really feel sorry for this group, with the light glaring on them non-stop!
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I don't know what that blazing light is - but it just seems way too much! Must be blinding!!! - How come that's on them all night long anyway, anybody know what it's from? ???
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Not a clue. It must be a security light for their parking lot, or something like that. I really feel sorry for them -- if you read back, we've been commenting on it for a long time, that it seems to keep the mum awake all night. Nothing like bedtime for P&T!
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Oh good, finally all three down for the count! PHew!
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Yes, thankfully they are!
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One down for the count, one fidgeting in the corner, one staring into the light. :( I think they need some sunglasses. :-\
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yup, sunglasses would be helpful! One's up again. Too bad mum couldn't come in and 'shade' the chicks from the light like she used to on warmer days!
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Falcon cam is freezing up after 30 seconds or so this morning and still no sound. I've checked other forums and everyone is reporting the same thing so before you start taking apart your computers I thought I'd post this to save some frustration.
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It's definitely not working. I tried refreshing it and it's playing the same thing over and over for 20 seconds, then it freezes.
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Yahoo! I finally am able to see the webcam (wouldn't work for me up until today)!! But what luck, it is freezing up!!
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Oh noooooo ! - Bad enough to lose the sound, we can't lose the picture too! - Anything goes wrong with the camera they probably can't fix it as it's right there in the nest? :(
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Its 1630 hrs (local time) and the Elk River Cam is operating just fine now folks - no need for withdrawal symptoms this weekend! :D
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hope so.. sad for you all who been watching regular since we lost TLC. I just keep checking in and out, not like with TLC. I was not working and here for like 20 hours a day , on puter that is,,,, watching both cams, Had too hard a time emotionally with losing TPC , to continue watching this cam regularly, felt guilty and all that silly stuff ( I know).
well then lets wait and see what TPC can help us out with tomorrow then. Hope to hear from her by tomorrow nite after she has visited Radisson nest box. ( ;) right?
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It's okay, dee. We all felt the pain of losing TLC.
These guys are fun to watch, and there's (noisy!!) sound. Sometimes we find it really scary how big they are and how short the box is, and they look too darn close to falling over the ledge! But so far they are safe and happy.
I hope the cam is fixed soon, because they are about to fledge.
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Sniff.........I was hoping the camera would have miraculously fixed itself overnight - ..sigh...we're going to miss alot this wknd. :-\ - At least they could put a message on the page or something, saying they're working on it, or they can't work on it - or anything!! ::)
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Me niether, just a big error message...
Deedream, I'd be really interested in hearing that story about the flying squirrel in your house!!! ... really!
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Webcam still isn't working is it? ??? It's been down since Friday. First it froze up, then it replayed the same 20 secs over and over, then the whole page wouldn't open at all, now there's just a black screen......right? - or is it just me? :P
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If it helps, I just tried it and couldn't see anything either ... could be because I'm on someone else's computer right now, but I don't think so ....
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Found this in the blog on an 'eagle nest site' I've been watching, seems everyone there was also watching the little falcons and here is what someone there posted in response to all the queries about the web cam being down.
"I spoke to a friend of mine in Minnesota, and he says there have been some power problems in the state because of the river and all the flooding in other states. GRE is the main power producer in the state and I think they have slightly higher priorities than providing entertainment to those of us out of state."
Never even thought about that :-\
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Halleluhua!! ;D :) Elk River cam is up (with sound too!!) Three big chicks all having a snooze...
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Sweet! my goodness they've gotten to the awkward phase, haven't they! ;D
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Yay ;D Thank you for the heads up LouLouBelle, I had given up checking! I can't believe how much they've changed in 3 days! I must admit I am addicted to the sound of them screeching - it just seemed so quiet without it!
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Found this in the blog on an 'eagle nest site' I've been watching, seems everyone there was also watching the little falcons and here is what someone there posted in response to all the queries about the web cam being down.
"I spoke to a friend of mine in Minnesota, and he says there have been some power problems in the state because of the river and all the flooding in other states. GRE is the main power producer in the state and I think they have slightly higher priorities than providing entertainment to those of us out of state."
Never even thought about that :-\
well there is a healthy dose of reality for us all. Best wishes and thoughts to everyone out there who is dealing with the harsh reality Mother Nature has dealt them. Sometimes we get so caught up in our own realities that we forget the hardships our cousins around the world are dealing with everyday.
suddenly the loss of the camera feed for a few days seems pretty insignificant in the grand scheme of things.
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Exactly Loriann- I think we all felt a little guilty after reading that - hee hee - brings us back down to earth with a bump!!! - However - VERY glad to have the cam back now!!! ;D ;D
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They sure have changed!!
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The squawking hasn't changed, has gotten worse I think, "Are you going to feed US or what?!"
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Wow! Look at all the black on them now. Holy smokes. Glad you guys posted and let me know its back up. Oh they are cute, soooo different in three days though, wow. is all I can say. No screeching as of yet but I am sure I will hear them soon. :D :D
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Boy, have they ever changed! Glad to have them back.
And just as I was wondering about the sound working, there goes the train again!
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Well just watched, well,heard really a feeding. LOl.Talk about hungry. Small bird and they chopped that up fast. My word. Mom/or Dad, looked to be the same size or even maybe smaller than them.. Must have been dad. They are still hungry. What a tug of war that was. Maybe more is coming, Mom/Dad just left again.
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SOOOOO FUNNY! I opened up the window and there is a chick's head RIGHT THERE looking straight on at the camera :o (yes, I know their eyes don't work that way). Thank goodness it wasn't screeching too!
And there's one in the back using the ledge as a pillow. Too darn cute! ;D ;D ;D
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Oh, cool - experimental wing-flapping has begun. And now I'm reminded that the fisheye lens really does distort things - that box is much longer than we think (or those wings are small, which I doubt). :)
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is there anything more comical than watching the chicks laid out on their bellies, beaks on the edge looking out at the big world! reminds me of teenagers flopping about, just a little bored and hoping for food!! very adorable :D
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They're very agressive in keeping the prey to themselves! Especially the one who did the original grab!
This parent seems to be sounding the alarm to his/her partner to hurry up and bring in some more food --- not sure why s/he doesn't go and get it ....oh, there it goes now. Sure did a long bout of screeching first!
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I wonder if they've started the feeding them less phase to prepare them for flight or if because of the storms and flooding there may be less prey around. Either that or peregrines are just always hungry!
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And neither parent has returned with course #2 yet! The two who got the most of the meal are konked out having their after meal, full tummy sleep, but that poor little one is still waiting....oh here comes a parent WITHOUT any food! So little chick pecks it's feet! too funny, but parent doesn't seem too worried about hungry tummies...
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I keep forgetting that although it's 10 pm here it's still light out in Elk River. It's so neat being able to watch the various stages of growth of these 3, any falcon webcam for that matter. How they changed soooooo much in the space of 3 days that we couldn't watch. Yes the reality check certainly brings us humans back to earth. I can only hope that the water recede and people can go back home and pick up the pieces of their lives.
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ANOTHER snack, and AGAIN one little brat grabs it & runs over the the corner, leaving the other 2 wondering where the grub went! Mom needs to teach her kids how to share! :o
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poor little one, just sitting there. going to bed with hungry tummy. its dark there now, have to wait for morning. Oh wait now, maybe he gonna snuggle in with his sibs. Yup, group sleep fest. Hard to watch when they all don't get there fair share, but guess thats how it is, which he would duck right under next time and grab the food, if he cant reach over go under! lol
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I recall Tracy saying they are hard-wired to be good siblings and parents, so I'm just going to believe that the one who didn't go grab food didn't really want it as much as the others. I'm also going to guess that I can't tell them apart too well (two of them, anyway) so I may be wrong about who got what. They all seem happy in the chick pile now, with mom standing guard! Now I'll make sure to mute the sound so I don't get an unwanted wake-up screech! :D
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9:19 EST and same thing again. Mom brings in food, greedy one grabs it and he's in the corner while the other 2 are crying for food. Mom's doing the alarm call again and greedy one is busy stuffing his face and no one else can get to the food. Oh..fight for food! The second one grabbed it away and he moved into the other corner and the meek one is in there trying but not having much luck - don't think there was much left to fight over >:(
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It's amazing how much they change even overnight! so much more dark feather color now! They all look happy and healthy to me, so I'd bet they're all getting plenty to eat. So cute! ;D
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The other 2 got to go after the pig in the corner hogging all the food.
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Woohoo...mom takes control of the feeding..go mom go! 8)
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I wonder what that interesting head-tilt motion means? Anyone else noticing this behavior? Like they cock their head sideways when looking at mom?
Perhaps it means, didn't you bring dinner???
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I think they look hot.
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Just checked in on the Elk River kids, they are all flaked out at the far end of the nestbox.
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When I first checked, all three of them were lying with their beaks hanging on the ledge. They looked hot and fatigué!
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Oh, man -- That wing span is getting SO big! I'm still surprised at how little room they have there.
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Yeah the wingspan is really quite something. Flap flap flap , stretch stretch stretch.
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It's interesting that there is always a parent on guard at night. Prob starts from the fear of owls stealing eggs (or whatever the egg threat is). I still feel sorry for her not being able to sleep with that flippin' light, and that Princess seemed to be able to sleep (head under wing), but Princess was always there too!
Now if only human parents kept such a good watch on their kids! :D
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I saw two of them flapping their wings at the same time, it was a bit crowded to say the least.
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Does that mom ever sleep? Would she go into the nestbox and cuddle down with her kids? It must be tiring perched there facing that light. I wonder where the other parent is. Do they take turns standing guard?
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Quiet morning. Whole lotta preening going on. That fluff is getting itchy!
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And I have to say, it was pretty rude for someone to shoot poop onto the camera lens! >:(
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They seem to shoot poop everywhere. At least they have some manners and not poop on their siblings. I've seen one get up, walked around another so s/he can shoot over the ledge. It must be fun cleaning that out at the end of the season. :)
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Poor dad. He tried to sneak in to feed the kids this morning. Mom came right away and grabbed the food from him and took off with it. I guess she was hungry and wanted that all to herself! She definitely wears the pants. ;)
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lunchtime, and everyone is being nice and orderly. Quite a change from the grab and run action we've been seeing!
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These chicks could use some ear plugs! - ::) - between the trains, boats & trucks sometimes there's quite the racket! - Course they're louder than any of that when it's chowing down time.. :P
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I thought I saw four once also, a couple of weeks ago. Sometimes it's hard to tell!
SO, I still think "two females, one male" is right -- two seem to be noticeably bigger than the other one.
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I just hope they don't do any more pooping on the camera or we won't be seeing ANY! :o
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too funny, girls facing out bobbing their heads and the little boy in the middle with his beak open... hilarious!
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Since I didn't see it (and not sure why I need to know! :P), is it the blur at the top middle of the camera shot?
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All lined up at the ledge, screaming for a bedtime snack!
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wow, feeding frenzy! I think just one actually got fed...
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SO, I still think "two females, one male" is right -- two seem to be noticeably bigger than the other one.
I've been thinking that, too, Liz, especially because one of them has more black feathers (so would be male) than the other two. I think TPC mentioned one time that males grew black feathers faster and so it's the females who have more bits of down showing by fledging time. Was it ever announced after the banding? I can't recall.
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8:43 am food came in, one grabbed it and ran in corner and ate it all while other 2 cried. I think that must be dad who brought it in, he seems kind of scared of them and just kind of drops the food and runs whereas mom seems to know how to control the situation.
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I only saw 2 chicks at Great River/Elk River this morning ... but now when I just went back all 3 are there again. ARGH! Did one fly and come back? Is it too early for that? There doesn't seem to be much room for one to hide from camera view now - in the 4 days that I missed seeing them they grew SO much. Can anyone comment on my chick mystery this morning. I swear I only saw 2 of them 15 minutes ago!
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The one that got the food went into the corner and napped after he stuffed his face - it's the corner closest to the camera so that may be why you didn't see him/her. I was watching so I saw him go in and kind of disappear. And yes they are too young to fledge yet.
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Pffft..another food drop and same little piggie grabs it from parent - tug of war - piggie wins and runs into corner but other 2 give chase and wrestle it away from him. Parent runs for life!
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:( Parent looses tug of war again for food. Parent tried though but they're too much for her now I think..one bird is a happy camper tho - other 2 sitting there stunned. I can see why they send their kids off happily in the Fall..hehe..probably need the 6 months just to recover from all the trauma!!
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The chicks all look like they are sporting mohawks with the way the down that is still on their heads.
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Heh..a little punk rock band with mohawks :P They sure are cute bunch of little brats, I will miss them once they are gone!
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Thanks Carly! It is hard to get spacial perspective with the cam - glad to know there is room for one to hide from the camera ... my heart won't jump into my throat the next time I can't see them all! ;D
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I swear the chicks are onto us - the way they stare into the camera and even peck at it. How long until these babies fledge? I'll definitely miss watching them when they leave. Any background on the age of the parents? Just wondering if they're a couple of younger or older birds.
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The chicks are 1 month old now so they should be ready to fledge sometime within the next 10 days or so.
Not sure if this is the same mom as last year but found this about her on the web:
http://www.raptorresource.org/blog/2007/07/great-river-energy-falcons-im-not-sure.html
Now that I've read this I'll have to check out her feet more closely!
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Fre5ia: "I only saw 2 chicks at Great River/Elk River this morning ... but now when I just went back all 3 are there again. ARGH! Did one fly and come back? Is it too early for that? There doesn't seem to be much room for one to hide from camera view now - in the 4 days that I missed seeing them they grew SO much. Can anyone comment on my chick mystery this morning. I swear I only saw 2 of them 15 minutes ago!"
When I first checked this evening I could only see two as well, and thought that one had finally gone over the edge. (finally, as in, I worry about it; not as in "at last!") It turned out the third one was at the far end and hidden by the one in the middle of the box. So I will be more patient next time before I panic. :) Just about took a few years off my life!
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None have fledged yet, they just still pile up in the corner where the webcam has a blind spot and makes you think there are only two when really they are all still there :)
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Little miss in front of the camera just showed off with an impressive preen job. Followed by some stretches. My theory on the chicks looking at the camera is probably because they can see their reflection off the glass. I saw one pecking at the camera.
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I'm sure you're right about that, but I think it's hilarious when I say something to one of them and it turns and looks at me like s/he heard!
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NO, you can't eat feathers, you stoopid bird -- stay away from the edge!
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I wonder if one of them do fall out of the box and a parent is nearby, would it swoop and grab the chick?
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It's so cool to hear them talk to their parents. They screech when they bring food and when they see them; then you hear the parent screech bach from further away.
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I wonder if one of them do fall out of the box and a parent is nearby, would it swoop and grab the chick?
Don't know about that. Seems doubtful tho, since they don't have hands. And I don't mean that in a snarky way! All they could use is talons and that might do damage. But TPC will tell us! Good Q.
Can you hear the parent now? She sure is screaming like she's starving to death! My air conditioning is running and the tv is turned up over it, so I can't hear those little things.
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They weigh more than the parents do right now so no chance of mom or dad grabbing them if they fall :o And I think dad is scared of them!
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They weigh more than the parents?? How is that possible? Chicks are fat and adults slim down? (Another species worried about weight!)
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I've seen pictures of falcons grabbing prey out of midair that are a fair size. But that'll be really something to see though.
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But they're not trying to save them -- they're trying to do damage! ;D
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The feed the chicks alot during the first month so they will grow. Now you will notice a cut down on food to slim them down and prepare them for flight. I did see that with our pair here and the mom is really slim and now that the chicks are juvies they have gotten much sleeker than they used to be. I did ask the same thing about them falling out of the ledge and that was the reply I got - having said that I think you are right about the talons and grabbing them. I have seen mom and dad here get under their wings when they first fledged to encourage them upwards though..which was pretty cool.
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Good point.
Am I imagining things but do males have a different call than the females? The high pitched screech being the female and the quick, more like duck quacks, male? Or do they make both types of sounds?
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Their lungs are sure getting stronger! They're starting to sound a lot more like mom & dad. Is it just me, or is there less food coming in fromthe restaurant?
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Heh..I noticed the same thing and thought oh maybe their voices are changing as they grow up! Honestly our web cam never had sound so all I'd ever heard from the ground was the adults until I discovered this web cam so I wouldn't know the difference. I can hear our falcons from 18 stories down ( not when they were babies of course) but honestly I can't tell the differnece in the voices but I bet Tracy could or someone else who spends alot of time with them.
One of the women I falcon watched with has been monitoring falcons for 10 years and says our female mom sounds demented..lol..I asked what she meant by that and she said her call is not normal and sounds more like a hawk with a cold!
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The mom is sort of mean to the dad too. Not really letting him near the kids very much (unlike Princess). Just wants him to "bring home the bacon". :)
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Yeah, this mum is amazingly territorial! You'd think dad had nothing to do with it. Maybe they're not a couple (he's just an intruder), and she went to a sperm bank! lol :D
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Yeah I checked earlier and all 3 were flaked out in the nestbox.
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Morning snack time - one grabbed it and went for the corner but the others were having none of that. Now it's three way tug-of-war! ;D
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It seems like the dad has to sneak in to drop off food which one of the chicks just yanked it from him. It was about 2 seconds before the mom showed up and dad quickly took off with his tail between his talons. :)
Nice to see the other two going after the one who grabbed the food; all three getting fed.
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One chick is getting the itch, has both talons on the edge of the nestbox and flapping. "Sigh"...they can't stay forever. :(
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It's now standing right on the edge while the other two are passed out. I think it's going to venture out.
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yikes, scary to see that chick sitting on the edge like that! I wonder if there is some kind of ledge out there - hope so!
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I think it's a parking lot right below (go into archived pix below under banding which shows them going up to get the chicks). Ohhh, a scratch, it's on one talon and very balanced. I wish that blob of poop wasn't there on the camera. :)
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that was a bit of a fright! watched that one chick tentatively check out the far side of the ledge, stand on it with a bit of a wobble, move back in the box to the closest edge, again stand on the ledge and back to the far side and up again! I think he/she loved the new view, peering around the far corner and bobbing the head. I guess we're in for a lot more of these daring acts before actual fledge. eeeek!
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The adventurous one appears to have less down on its back than the other two. Is that the male since they usually fledge before the females?
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I can't stand to watch! lol.. really though, heart pounding. I want to yet I don't. I jsut peek every now and then.. I am the kind of person who loves thriller novels and all that but watch a scary movie or thrriler movie and I am all slinked down, peeking between the fingers that I have over my eyes! Don't want to miss a thing, and don't, but think that putting my hand over my face is going to stop it! On here I have several windows open when watching and when someone gets too close to the ledge or when someone is getting left out of being fed and stuff, I find myself flipping windows real fast! I can't jump in and fix it , so I can't stand to sit and watch helplessly. Then I keep going back and checkin every few seconds. One thing I can say good about the new Vista is that you can flip back and forth pretty good. lol
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Well at least now I can watch for a while I couldn't watch any cams, the media player seemed to have a hiccup. Right now I've been watch the youngsters. Seems it is the male doing a long of wing flapping and one of his siblings seemed to screeched at him, "Knock it off will ya!"
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I'm noticing the brown color coming out on the youngster just below their mustache.
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Deedream, I hold my breath too but I remind myself that even if we weren't 'stalking' the little juvies, they'd be doing exactly what they are doing and we are privileged to watch, whatever may happen... eeek, I know. I've noticed the brown under the eye on the one who I think is the male too. He has taken a bold step today and repeatedly perched on the ledge. I'm amazed at the wings on all of them. Remember not too long ago when they only had little chicken wings and now.... wow. Sometimes Im just amazed at the close quarters and the necessity of wing flapping and running back and forth! Take a look at the new slideshow below the cam... Must have just been posted recently, maybe today. I wonder if we are about to switch to the outside the box cam?!
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Mom's keeping a very close guard tonight.
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just after midnight and big mama comes in to sit on the ledge beside the chick pile. She may be a nasty bird, but she has certainly done her job and protected her young, not to mention feed them and raise 3 healthy falcons ready to fledge. I agree she does sound demented at times but you've got to admire her!
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She sure is, not too often you see here sitting at the edge of the nestbox like that, not since the youngster have grown so much.
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just thinking the same thing. must be something's up! I love owl's but I do not want to see one anywhere around here!
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There was two of them standing on the edge looking around this morning. These chicks are getting ready to fledge any day now.
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You guys are right - the mom's squawk is quite annoying.
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Wow, I think I just witnessed the mom hunt. She was standing on the bar in front of the nestbox. I heard another bird's chirping, apparently so did she, next thing I saw was mom disappeared with a quick dive down. Not even 2 minutes later, the mom's back with that little bird for the kids. It had no chance.
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Mom just came right up close to the camera and stared at it. I looked for her bands and she doesn't have any!
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All three are leaning against the back wall, staying out of the sun. Not much movement, perhaps it's hot there today. It's certainly hot here today! already over 32C and not even noon yet. forecast high of 42C!
Anyway - they are also a lot more adult looking now. Especially the male - nearly all dark flight feathers on the wings. Getting close to fledging, perhaps!
And no, last I saw the second egg had not hatched.
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two hanging out on the ledge, one using it as a pillow (that one is probably one of the females, as there are a lot of downy feathers on her back). The lens is getting hard to see through, sadly!
All seems calm, and it's amazing how grown up they are looking.
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Did anyone see what happened to the 3rd chick?
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Did anyone see what happened to the 3rd chick?
No - I just checked in and see only two. I recall someone saying they can move past the camera and be out of view, but I don't know if they can still do that at this size. I definitely only see two - so perhaps our little boy has fledged!
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it certainly appears to be the case.... I just checked the pictures from last year and there is a photo taken July 3/07 showing 3 juveniles and it says that they had fledged but continue to use the nestbox. Hope he's okay.... and that he can fly back up.
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I am pretty sure the little one has fallen out...I just called Great Energy's emergency line...they are sending someone out to check on the status of the fallen little one. I asked that they please post something on the main webpage with a status. It will be a miracle if that happens ...
Let's all send up a few prayers...
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yay! thank you SGB! this site is so good except there's no way (I thought) to contact someone if something happens. I really hope he's okay. I've had it up all day and watching him being more and more daring and then next time I looked, he was gone. It must have happened between 6;30 and 8.....
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Has mom been back? Does she notice that she's missing a baby?
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I saw her briefly on the outer ledge at around 8. She and two remaining were all looking down.... then she left and I haven't seen her since...
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That doesn't sound good. :'( I really hope he's okay.
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It happened sometime before 9 eastern time...Mom has been back briefly...I did not see it personally but was alerted by someone else who had been watching the cam (long story)..anyway..can't say for certain that he/she is not right below the box or to the side...the person I spoke with at GR was very nice and didn't laugh at me...thank goodness...I'm sure Mine will not be the only phone call...please see the link below and it will give you an idea of what the nest box looks like and where it is located...if he/she did fall, lets hope its to that landing below the box...
http://www.greatriverenergy.com/files/banding1.jpg
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I'm not so sure that it was the male. The one farthest from the camera (now perched on the edge!) may be the male...
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that timing sounds right. my earlier reference to time is for Toronto time and I think Minnesota is one hour behind.
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I think you're right. One of the females fell out. I think the male is going to fly off soon. He just went over and stepped on his napping sister and started flapping and going to the edge. Chirped as if to tell her to go with him.
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Wow, look at the size difference between the male and female; they're sitting next to each other.
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if you look now they are side by side and the male is definitely still in the box...
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I think you're right. One of the females fell out. I think the male is going to fly off soon. He just went over and stepped on his napping sister and started flapping and going to the edge. Chirped as if to tell her to go with him.
I think they are getting very close to fledging, but not quite yet, in my humble opinion...still a little too much down on them..but I would think they should move to the perch very, very soon. I'm a little surprised they aren't already out there...but what do I know... :)
I'm off to bed...maybe some of you could call in the morning...They open at 7:30...but the emergency line is probably 24/7. I won't be able to to call again until I get home from work.
I can't imagine they would put her back in the box (if she's ok )for fear of forcing a premature fledge..but ya never know...
NIte all...
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I wish the outside cam was on. I think I heard some squawking from just below the box close to the cam and microphone... maybe it's just wishful thinking but I've now got the volume up (a bit) and I'm watching the other two when the squawking starts again..
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Go away for a few hours and look what happens :'(. I hope she is okay.
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So mom hasn't been around for over 2 hours? I'm starting to get worried.
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If the fallen chick is below, either on the lower ledge or on the ground, maybe Mom is staying with her??
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Got news from the eagle site from people who watch our falcons too: A girl just posted this there. Here is the link if you guys want to check, I hope it's true: http://wavelit.com/index.php?view=EagleNestLive1
"I just called and talked to the same Steve someone talked to the first call.
He said he "heard" it's alive, landed on a silo, whatever that is, and they folks are going to get the bucket truck and put it back in the nest tomorrow.
Oh, I am praying he is right!"
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Ahhh - I think she must have landed on the white silo which is right in front of the tall tower that the nest is on - quite a drop, but not nearly as bad as all the way to the ground!!! - Wish she didn't have to stay there all night but what can you do - hope she does stay put til help arrives tomorrow~! :-\
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I'm guessing mom is staying with the runaway tonight. No sign of her on the nestbox since around 8 Ontario time this evening.
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I hope she's staying with her little girl, what a good Mom she is. ;D - The other 2 in the nest can keep each other company tonight. They seem restless right now, probably wondering what's going on.. - I don't know how they ever get any sleep around there with all that racket going on, never mind the light blaring in their faces.. ::)
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maybe they're like human juveniles who can sleep through all kinds of noise and light! They do seem restless though I agree. I have noticed in the last week that one will stand up for a while and stare out into the night.
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They have slide show of pictures from egg to hatch and of the banding up today. Seems their names are Chase, Lightning and Bullet ::) Wonder if our little daredevil was Bullet??
The projected fledge dates they give are Jul 3-10 so I wonder if they'll risk trying to get the girl today - she may try to fly off and if they go up to the box it may scare the other 2 into flying? She may be able to fledge from the silo maybe ?
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Mom is back perched on the outer ledge. Male perched on edge and female flaked out but watching. hmmm, what will happen today. I hope they switch cams to the outer one today.
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our little boy sure does look all grown up! :D except for a little fluff on his wing, of course. ;)
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Doesn't he though Pchemist. Looking more and more adult like plummage each day. The mother sure is yelling now.
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Maybe the parent decided to feed the fledged chick. That could have been dad swooped by so quick, couldn't really tell.
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I feel sorry for the folks commenting at the site carly provided. It's not nearly as nice a place as our forum and I don't think they have their own personal TPC to help them learn stuff.
Though I'm admittedly annoyed that one of them called a falcon an eagle. >:(
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LOL -- really?! Ah well, I guess we were all beginners once.
I can't believe how much they've changed since Thursday, which was the last time I saw them. There was still so much white on them then.
I better go. Looks like all is going to end well. Later!
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I do agree with Pchem though, seeing their forum site really hits home how LOVELY ours is! ;D
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Crane coming up!
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that is one huge truck. fingers crossed! :o
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Uh Oh - Brother went out on the ledge! :o - Never mind, he didn't - I'm just paranoid ;D
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Can anyone capture the video of this for those of us who will miss the action?
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I see SGB is online maybe she will capture it all. I think I can hear the crane raising.
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oh the're both laying down now! Maybe they are scared and will stay that way. Oh I can hear something like a machine!
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Mom's starting to freak.
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Ooooo - Some screeching going on, the boy is on the ledge looking down again - I wish he'd go sit down!!! :P
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think one of the adults just flew off the roof, lots of squawking. now the little one is back out there gawking. lol.. oh dear.
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clearly both parents are unhappy! can hear mechanical sounds so hopefully they are going to return the chick soon.
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strange how the other one is just laying there. gosh, adults are freakin aren't they. The people either have the runaway, or are getting near her. Oh boy...
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Mom swoops into the pic now and then - maybe they're close by, I assume they'd put the fallen chick on the roof? How would she get into the nest though....I think we'll soon find out either way!
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the one on the ledge is just gapping. Wished we could see what he sees. Oh, one of the adults just flew up over.
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That boy on the ledge had better stay where he is & not get any ideas!!!! :o - OH he's looking UP now, they must be right there, the truck/crane noise is getting louder...
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Adult just swooped by and yes theymust be getting closer as it's gotten much louder
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This is nerve wracking! and I'm really having trouble getting any work done!
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Obviously the sister has NO curiosity at all!! ??? - Brother is just staring, mouth wide open.
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they will put one back only to have another one prematurely fledge!!
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he is really wobbling there, like he is ready to take right off!!!!!
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The little guy looks like he might try to go to the edge around the corner! Oh, thank goodness! he went back into the box. phew!
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Phew, brother is back in the nest - now STAY THERE!! - never mind, back on the ledge. :-\
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hes right back out there again!!!!!!!!What does he see? I wonder how high up they are? TPC has a message in the Peregrine Room, she wont be on today at all.
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Wonder if TPC knows what's going on, haven't heard from her on this thread, only the Radisson one early today. Brother is back in the nest - GOOD!! - ...Never mind, back on the ledge....sigh... :-\ - oop, back in the nest again. I can't keep up with him. :P
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Wow that was a close fly by the adult.
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Poor Mom will have laryngitis by the time this is done - and she'll need a good nap too! - ooh she just swooped by really close!
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oh he was sticking his foot out like he was gooing to walk on air. Then he used it to scratch his head. lol.. whewww!
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Does that thing have a manual crank or what? I wonder what's taking so long. Mom stopped squawking for awhile.
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I sooooo wish they had an external camera active so we could at least see what is going on. All the guessing is driving me batty!
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Seeing as the siblings both seem to be sleeping - now might be a good time for the crane to sneak the fallen chick back - easier said than done of course!!! :P
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I thought I heard some of that back up beeping sound a few minutes ago and wondered if they are still adjusting where to park the darn thing. Oh I heard it again just now!
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almost sounds like the runaway is responding to mom from behind the box.. ???
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Eek, parent comes with Lunch!!! - maybe that'll keep 'em busy for a while, no more ledge dancing!! ;D - Lots of screeching by Mom/Dad on the ledge though!
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Hm, who else is screeching out there? - it almost sounds like chick or the other parent is on TOP of the box?? ??? - what a racket!!!!
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gosh I see the food it dissapeared, never seen anyone eat, Ithink just one must have ate in in one or two bites. yes sounds like adult squawking, and another one from somewhere else squawking back!!!!!!!!!
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Oh wow, now EVERYONE is screaming - something going to happen any minute now???
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wow, all that activity I thought SURE something was about to happen. but noooooooo.
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its quiet again now. One chick laying down, one sitting in the far corner. Train just went by. Can't here any strange sounds.
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Yikes, parent comes back with ANOTHER snack! - then takes off with it again! ???
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That was seriously cool seeing mom (or dad) landing briefly then swooping away!
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Wonder where they went with the food? Down to the other chick? Hmm. Maybe to eat it themselves? These ones didn't act very hungry. Everyone too stressed out? Thats when I eat! lol
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my back with food again, then left with it, flew down below, squawking and going on, now flew back by , oh did you guys see that small bird fly by, lol, good thing the adult already had a mouth full.
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mom or dad just popped by with food but took off, maybe to feed Miss Runaway... ???
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back with food again, oh lets eat this time. oh, one has got it all to himself. Why isn't the other one interested? Odd.
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I am starting to worry that one of the chicks is sick. Cause its just laid there the whole time. and now its not interested in food or anything, got up and is laying in the other corner now, and the nosy one is eating the feast!
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akkk, put those wings down!!!!!!!!!!!!! My goodness. Stretching of wings just filled the box. I thought the wind was going to take him. He is looking at his sibling as much to say, what is wrong with you. Back to finishing his meal.
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I saw that one eating earlier, though - maybe it's just full and tired. I'm going to assume that until proven otherwise. :)
So... I got to my meeting and said "do you really need me here? Because some stuff came up over the weekend that I'd really like to get back to."
and back I am. :) I'm probably going to heck, but I didn't lie!
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I think the male chick got the last 3 snacks and the female isn't going after any of it. I don't hear the crane anymore...wonder what's going on. Have to go do my errands - I know I'll miss all the action as soon as I leave. Good thing I have all you guys to post the play by play while I'm gone. :)
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Hmmm - true that chick has been lying there most of the day - wow, that would not be good - one chick falls out, one may be sick, one is testing his wings & teetering on the ledge every 5 minutes! :-\ I hope that chick is ok - just really laid back or something.. ???
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oh it got up and stretched its wings and stuff, looks like it might be pecking at whatever bones are left. Doesnt want much to do with its siblling does it? Much stretching and flapping by both now. Goodness. Look at the feathers flying around.
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I think we may witness a fledging. He looks very strong and very interested in his wings.
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Woww really ready to take off. Oh my...
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He made it to another edge!!!!!
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Mr nosy boy really looks like he wants to jump - and now the other one is copying!!! Flap Flap - Yikes, nosy boy jumped onto the side ledge!!! :o
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Geez, at this rate, I hope there's going to be 2 or more chicks left when I come back! Oh my! The boy just got over & standing on the side rail.
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And she is clearly not sick - at least right now. She is flapping a lot too.
Oh! he flew back to the box! This is very exciting! ;D
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Oh thank god its back in!!!!!!!!! Heart attck.. and yes they both look healthy...... spoke too soon didn't I? lol
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Whoa - heart attack!! Brother flaps & jumps back into the nest - but looks like he thought that was lots of fun & wants to do it again!! :P - Can we PLEASE get your sibling back safe before you start these daredevil acrobatics!!!?? :P
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jeese, adult back with more food, then left again!!!!!!!!!! Was it just me, or didn't that food look to be still moving? Ewwwww!
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It is possible they aren't returning the sibling to the nest box, but rather to some place nearby where it is safe to learn to fly....
oh, back the side ledge! wow.... don't go yet!
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buddy out on side bar again!!! buddy is going somewheres today I think. Awfully concerned about what he sees down and behind the box, maybe he can see his sibling.
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YES, that looked like a live bird in parents mouth - poor thing!!! - And just how much food can these kids eat anyway?? - Brother back on side rail again - now he's found a fun game - flapping, wow looks like he could take off any second!!
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The other one in the box looks like they'd rather try and fly out the back of the nest box!!! Silly bird!
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whew! safe flight back into the box, again!
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oh he is back inside box again.. for how long probably not long. ;D ;D Exciting.
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Wow, just step on your sibling to get where you want to be! don't worry about it, just climb right over. Funny!
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Note about fledging - once they go, they are gone and probably won't come back to the nestbox. They may come near but generally don't come back and certainly not on a regular basis. If a chick were injured or grounded, the Project might put the fledgling in the nestbox as a safe location, but it may be easier to release from another roof with easier access for the human rescuers ....
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Thanks for the info, Tracy. We read somewhere that the chick had "fallen" (perhaps it was a failed fledge attempt) and was on a silo roof nearby. We also saw/heard a lot of crane activity, but it's all quiet now.
The male still in the box has nearly flown off a few times, but just goes to the ledge and flies back to the box. So, I guess we're on fledge-watch!
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Ah - so at this point we won't see the fallen chick back in this box then. ? :-\ - tsk and we've been waiting half the day LOL - plus at the rate the brother is going, he may be gone soon too. How quickly things change! 8)
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those 2 look tuckered out (or hot). A lot of activity for them today, not to mention us!! It's probably safer for all to put Miss Runaway in another safe spot rather than return her.... hope we get to see her perched sometime soon.
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thanks for following up Tracy. We're all very anxious to know! The position on the female right now is hilarious! Both legs splayed out laying on her belly. Very comical!!
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Hi TPC, yes we realized that the notice you had put about a chick fallen had been put on this thread by mistake. This here is another chick that "fell" yesterday afternoon. Its been talked about on another forum, and word was that it had fallen yesterday, it was alive and on top of a silo nearby and a rescue was going to be attempted today. The truck and crane came, about 3 hours ago now, we seen it and heard lots of machinery and noise, adults flew around and were very upset. This is not thesame chick you got the e-mail about a few days ago. :) :) Any info you can get for us about this chick would be gratefully appreciated. ;D
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Okay guys I was just reading that other forum and here is the news, I am copy and pasting this posts,, hope it was okay to do that.
Betchem (21 minutes ago)
Ok everyone..I just spoke with Brenda with GRE and she said the falcon baby is fine..the mom and dad are taking very good care of it..the baby has plenty of shade...at this point they are not planning on trying to get it and return it to the nest because it could cause it to fall from the silo and cause injury...she also said to expect to see the other babies to get out on the bar more often and scare us to death in the next few weeks...
Otter (21 minutes ago)
I called the Great River Energy people and she told me that the falcon that fell is fine. It is on the rooftop of an adjacent building and the parents are feeding it. It has shade. She said once it is better at flying it will probably go back up to the box.
here is the link again.. http://wavelit.com/index.php?view=EagleNestLive1
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the Elk river site now has a summary of the runaway and a very cute picture of her!
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I think the chick look pissed in the picture...kind of looks like a little bald eagle with that white fluff on top of its head. Dad's hanging out on top of the nestbox now after dropping off a snack awhile back. Glad the female had that to herself so I don't think she's sick. The brother is too full to fight her for it anyway. ;) Dad can hang out now since mom's too busy with the other one to shoo him off.
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Just checking back in with all you guys...you have been very busy today, indeed...I had come to post an update..(first chance I've had)...but so glad that you have already received the report about our fallen little one...WHEW...What a happy ending...
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Wow! I don't have a way to watch Elk River site on my Mac, but all of you, in these MANY pages over two threads, have painted the best word pictures as the events unfolded. Thank you all for such good reporting.
I gather we can all sit back now and relax a bit. Get that tea, coffee or beverage of choice.
Yesterday, was following some of the action from that eagle forum (sorry, forget it's official name), and quite agree that our forum seems a kinder, gentler place to be. Tracy and her shovel have accomplished a lot!
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I'm glad they put an update and a pic on the site!!! - So the runaway is a boy then!!! - looks like there's even a ledge to keep him from fallin off! - good!!! ;D
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Figures it was one of the males, they are always in such a hurry lmao
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Loulou, thanks for the heads up on the update at the GRE site, it was a relief to here the little one is safe and to see a picture - now that I've seen him I believe it .. :D.
I agree with you all about the eagle forum. Oddly enough, that was where I had heard about P&T originally and about the Great River cam. My boss knew I was crazy about the peregrine babies on top of our office building so she sent me a link to the eagle site thinking I would enjoy seeing the babies. Long story short, I poked through the forum and found a post about the Manitoba babies and the rest is history.
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Ballywing, why do you think it's the male? The posting on the site doesn't say one way or the other or am I missing something? When we saw the 2 remaining in the box last night, one was so much smaller and darker so I thought it was one of the girl's..... ???
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it says somewheres, after they were banded that there were two boys and one girl. Actually it says right beneath the pic that there are 2 males and one girl. soooooo If the ones left are one big and one small, then that means one of the small ones (boy) was the one that jumped yesterday. :) :)
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Ballywing, why do you think it's the male? The posting on the site doesn't say one way or the other or am I missing something? When we saw the 2 remaining in the box last night, one was so much smaller and darker so I thought it was one of the girl's..... ???
Well the update on the Elk River site said there were 2 boys and 1 girl - so I figured if there's a boy and a girl left in the nest, then the one who fell out must be a boy? - I think the smaller darker one is a boy and the bigger one with all the fluff is a girl..? ???
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yup,, boys are smaller, think of little Trey and big mama Princess. lol Boys fledge first though usually. even though they are small, i think we talked about that somewheres also, how they are not as heavy so its a bit easier maybe for them to keep themselves afloat,,,lol aloft, airborne, so to speak. ;D ;D
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it must be hot there, that one laying down is really panting. Poor thing. Looks so sad with her beak pressed up against the wall.
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got it, thanks. I misread that part and for some reason, have had it in my mind that we had 2 females, 1 male. That explains that skinny bird looking a little confused and forlorn (still cute tho'), on the silo. Thanks for the reminder. I have 2 sons, 1 daughter and for sure, boys always try to go first! Now we just have to figure out who is who. We were told the names but those names can be for either sex I figure! :D
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So glad they updated the site. The fluff on the displaced chick (I've decided that one is "bullet" based on my vast knowledge of these things and ... ah shoot. I just picked a name of the three) looks a bit like a bad mowhawk. talk about a bad hair day! :o
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hey check how many birds are in the box now!!!
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"There are 2 males and 1 female. Students from Vandenberg Middle School, Elk River, Minn. named the eyasses "Chase", "Bullet" and "Lightening."
Should we assume that's "respectively" and the girl is Lightening?
Yes, nice mohawk!! lol It would have been nice if they'd said which one this is -- you'd think they could see the band. I'm going for Bullet, too, PChemist! ;D Of course, if we guess this as well as we guessed the sexes... ::)
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that is one tuckered out bird, happy to be cuddling with his sis, having a very deep sleep....
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his brother on the other hand is so ready to check out the world!
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there are 3 chicks in the nestbox, one very dark, very still (too still) guy cuddled with his sister... one brother on the edge of the box..
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if that boy doesn't move soon, I'm going to be sick..
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When did he come back? I went out and missed it. Did he fly up by himself?
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i sure didn't expect to see him return. i was assuming at first that the 3rd bird was a parent
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oh no...
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Did anyone see him return? I haven't seen that bird move for a long time either. When was the last time mom or dad was around?
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i just saw the dark one that is sleeping blink ... it's probably exausted.
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So all three are there? That's great news! I'm going to assume that Runaway/Bullet is just tuckered out from his big scary day (got lost in the department store!) and is glad to be home, and is chilllin'. He got there by himself, so he must be okay.
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is that one or two birds laying there? my goodness. what did we miss?
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It was a big day for him. All that wing flapping tuckered him out. I guess if he wasn't alive, his sister should know. :P
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i was wrong .. it was the other one that blinked.
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okay the one in behind with a lot of white just moved and the black part in front didn't so looks like two birds alying there, but what is wrong with the one in front. Is that the runaway, maybe it is injured and sister is comforting it. I wish they would move!
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I didn't see him return, but I only was away for a moment and I couldn't believe my eyes. At first I thought it was the parent on the edge too but I then realized it was the runaway. He must have hit his head or done some other damage. I'm just sick about this.... please move.....
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The sister is really snugglling him.. oh my......... it has not moved and you cant see his body going up or down either. oh deer this is awful.
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the sister moved a while ago and the dark body moved only from her movement, I think they know..
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Are you worried about the one lying down or the one standing on the ledge? I can't tell from what's been said. The one on the "edge"?
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he's not breathing, I'm sure he's gone :-[
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I dont know. I am going to check out that other forum and see if anyone knows anything over there
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WTF, I'm seeing things! Sleeping girl just moved her wing and now I don't think there is a third one - oh man, I've got to get a new hobby!
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if the one that's not moving is the one that was running back and forth all day, he cook be just really really tired. I'm hoping that's it.
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I just took a look to see what you are all talking about, I only see 2. You all been staring at the computer screen to long today, you're startin to see things lmao ;D
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Only 2 as far as I can tell...one up and one down...
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I too have seen the wine falcon but when I looked and saw 3 I called my daughter and her boyfriend who also said they saw 3! That was so freaky!!
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TPC's gonna be shaking her head when she reads this thread. lol
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thanks Liz, I feel like such a dufuss.. Still happy to know that there are 2 in the box and 1 on the silo! Promise to wait 30 minutes next time before freaking out!
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I wished buddy would get off that ledge and back inside. He keeps wobblling around. She is going to knock him off with her wing flapping!
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This is really bothering me -- Chase sitting on the legde, staring at the light, just like (unbanded) mum.
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can you believe that 35 days ago, that big guy on the 'ledge' was an fluffball.. amazing!
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Yes, it's really amazing to me! And that last Thursday they were still looking more white than black. Stunned how much they've changed in the last 4 days!
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Well, right now Chase (boy) is on the box-ledge, and Lightening (girl) is face-plant napping at the back of the box. Seems calm for now, but we'll be watching! 8)
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Yup, seems like it's nap time - must have been that big breakfast that knocked them out. I'm working today so no cam.. >:( >:( - but will keep the forum open for any news. Have a good day all! 8)
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Lightening is really checking out the camera! she's pecking at it! ;D it's so cute!
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that was funny, little one looking in the camera, turning head this way and that, does my hair look alright? lol. Then as I suspected it must see itself cause finally had to bite at it a few times! very funny.
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That's what I thought, but wasn't sure. I can't imagine a stranger getting close, especially if the parents are around. Perhaps if the adult doesn't have food to offer, they get annoyed. Just curious because it seemed like odd behavior.
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mom or dad is very near, maybe even on top of the box or just down below with the other fallen chick. Pheewwww that was close, thought he was going. lol
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Mom or Dad just showed up out on a beam, no food. Oh my she is in the box jumped all over the chicks, everyone squawked, she jumped over the top of them and back out and flew off! Now that was different. Good heavens. Why that happened I don't know.
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oh my god - I think that nest box is getting too small - one of them just went out on the limb and came back in. I think it will go soon!
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lots of wing flapping by both, one jumped out on the beam and fluttered a bit and jumped back in. I am wondering if Mom is trying to encourage them to fledge maybe? Oh dear, heart in throat,,,, one back out on beam,,, lots and lots of wing fluttering, lost balance, oh my,, whew back in box.
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I think the parent maybe coaxing the chicks to fly by coming into the box like that and flying off.
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wing flapping from the outer ledge thing - really makes you think today is the day for the boy. I don't think the girl is ready yet - way too much down still showing on her back. Hope she doesn't give in to peer pressure.
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the boy did this in and out on the ledge , wing flapping for a couple hours or more yesterday as well.
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the second time the adult comes into the nest box and everyone gets very squaky - it looks like the chicks are chasing the adult out of the nest but maybe I'm misinterpreting it.
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I'll have to defer to Tracy on that one (mom trying to get chicks to fly). I thought it was up to the chicks, but perhaps the parents do give them a push. Eagles do sometimes.
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Does anyone have a button to switch to the outside cam? ;D
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Yes we have learned that peregrines do encourage them to fly and all that, just have never seen it, so I am guessing that that is what he/she was doing coming in the box like that, and squawking and stuff. Amost like she was saying come on, come on, come with me, and took off outside again. You can hear her or someone squawking from outside the box too. Maybe she is like, no there is no food, if you want food you have to come out and play. lol
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someone just did a fly by, could not see but you could hear. lol One chick standing looking out, one laying down with head resting on ledge. It is 34C here at my house blue skys sun shining for the first time since last Thursday and I am in here watching webcam???? I have to be crazy! lol
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I'm sure you're right - that the adult is coaxing them to leave the nest by going in and out. Pretty amazing.
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Looks and sounds very windy there today doesn't it? Thats why I think someone will fledge cause they will get out there on a beam, flapping and such and the wind will pick them up from under wings and they will go whether they intend to or not!
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Not much to post - it's naptime and very quiet.
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i remember reading somewhere that the parents will do fly by's with food to get the kids to fly after them.
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It seems very windy. I hope they don't try anything today because first flight in tough wind is not good. Right now the boy is on the box-ledge and the girl is napping in the far corner in the shade. It's been very quiet. The boy's feathers are really getting ruffled by the wind.
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Hmmmm. Parent flies in and wakes up the kids, but no food. Just sitting on the ledge areas (sometimes out of our view - man I wish the other camera were available!) and the kids are just standing the box in the shade like "what is your problem?"
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wow- both parents come by, have some food with them, and take off! kids wake up, look at them leaving and wonder what's happening! Now the boy is testing his wings on the box-ledge. :o
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Ha Ha - Maybe the parents are tempting them on purpose to chase the food?? :o
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I thought for sure he was going to go! Did you see that the parents had food but left with it.. Don't know if encouraging these 2 to follow or if taking the food to Bullet. Neat to see both parents!
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I noticed that while he was flapping his wings on the ledge, he is also lifting his butt so he's doing a handstand. I think he jumped back in because it was too windy...soon enough.
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Could Mom and Dad be hoping to get everyone in one place? That lower silo, where Bullet fell? Or maybe they are a bit unsettled still after finding they have two nests to supply with food.
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omg my heart was in my throat again watching that. I thought the wind was going to blow him off the ledge for sure, but man he was hanging on.
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Boy, this really looks like it could be it, he's out the flapping in the wind and holding on to the far ledge... and then he jumps back to the box.
Boy's gonna give me heart failure!
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Give us all heart failure. Now the female is stretching her wings.
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Oh my! I thought for sure that time! He was out on the sidebar flapping like crazy trying to get his balance in the wind...then jumped back in. Now he's got his sister flapping around too.
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Chase is really looking like he wants to go, but that wind... I'm surprised he wasn't blown right off!
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unreal.. holy I just came in to have a peek and my goodness, that was some balancing act, and it is so windy I really dont want them to try it in this weather! god knows where they may end up the wind blowing them way off course. Mom and Dad should know better than to encourage that in this wind! ( just kidding, its just too hard on my nerves!)
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Out the side bar in the wind and back. Sidebar briefly and back to the nest box, what's he think the wind is gonna stop anytime soon lol Back to the ledge, eenie meenie mineee mo.
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yes get in there and stay in there, have a nap so I can go back outside. lol... oh no, train going by, lets all get up and stretch and flap. big sister gonna get up and stand on the ledge. Oh no back out on the frigging bar,,,,,,,,, back in............... this can't last,, somebodys is going to fly the coop soon.......
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well mom or dad is near again, cant see them but can hear them. what is going on? get in your corners babies and have a nap!!
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back out on bar, other is in the corner near camera holy heart pounding old you know what! wobbly bobbly, turn one foot on one bar one on other, back in phew,,,,,,,,,,, no back out,,,,, oh my got way out there,,,,,,, oh turned and jumped back,,,,,,,,,,,, ackkkkkkkkkkkkkk
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Omggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg ggggggggggggggg I thought wind was gonna take him for a ride for sure that time, but he got back into the nestbox, heart in throat.
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this fellow is having a blast, like it is a new game,,,,,,jump out jump back, out back,, weeeeee what fun... goodness he is giving us all strokes. lol
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One of the parents just flew nearby, saw the shadow. Oh yeah I can hear em too
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little guy really screetching,, parents are near, you can hear them,,, they must be encouraging him to come out.......... oh my god..............
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It does sure seem like Mom and Dad think he is ready to fledge doesn't it?oh my food, someone brought food!!!!!!!!! Little buddy grabbed it and took it to the corner, little miss has nothing............ oh dear...... lots of screeching,,, Dad or someone flew off just before in the distance. Little miss is upset, shes hungry.
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"I'll take that food thank-you very much, I don't wanna fly yet, it's too windy"
Yeah it does seem that way Deedream. Sis is complaining that brother took the food all to himself, "Bring me more will ya"
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I think we're hearing Bullet down there putting in his 2 cents worth! Saying, watch out bro', look what happened to me! Hmmm, Mom back making the troups restless!!
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I wonder if there is statistics on time of day to fledge - like Tracy told us that most eggs hatch in the morning hours. I wonder if fledging is often an afternoon affair.
Oh my - food! He sure grabbed that fast. Maybe he needs more energy to make his first flight.
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"Hey where'd the food go" Didn't see sibling take off with it lmao
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Man that boy is turning out to be a pig lol Oh wow just saw one of the parents do a fly by. Hmmmm I think sis just got a piece of food
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little guy is eating right in front of camera but you cant see the food on floor. she is leaned up against wall as much to say,, welll i give up.. Oh Mom back with more food,,,,,,,,, jessseee he jumped over and grabbed that food too......... god now he is back in the far corner devouring that!!!!!!!!!! Poor girl has nothing at all. Get in there and fight for it. Ahhh good she has part of one.. lol yuck
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Good, sis grabbed some from piggy. :)
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Seems that now that they've had a snack they are flaking out for a nap.... *wipes forehead*
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One of the parents just arrived with food, and strangely enough it's feeding the kids, haven't seen this much, usually they just drop the food and high tail it out of the nestbox.
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Holy, I think that's dad. Look at how small he is compared to the female chick!
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just like the old days, feeding them individually...
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won't get too many chances to feed them like that...
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she is a big one! needs to go to the gym to slim down so she can fly!
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here we go again!
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Maybe he was trying to make up for lost time for all those times the female kicked him out lmao
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looked like he was trying to be a good dad. all quiet now, I guess they're stuffed and no longer interested in a lot of physical activity! Good!
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might've spoken too soon..
can see and hear a parent flying below likely going to Bullet
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Yeah been hearing the parent and the boy in the box is watching and replying by the looks of things
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OMG...daredevil did his wing flapping dance on one talon out on the sidebar! Then mom swooped by to see what he's up to.
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Hmmm... Mom really seemed to try to lure Chase out with the food, but in the end he got it in the box. Lightening just yelled a lot and isn't even near the food.
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hey I seen that he was right out on the outer edge of the two bars at the corner, dancing and wings fully extended wind tossing him about, him dancing, it was a sight to see, mom came by ,fly by and he got back in, it was as if she wanted him to.. oh my, mom/dad there with food, dangling it from mouth but oh shoot ,did one get it?, I am having a hard time seeing,,,,, one is in corner can only see bum think he has got the food, I am outside, with laptop,,,,,,, lol,,,,,,,, so bright i cant see hardly anything........lol
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look at those wings!
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peregrine chicks both just standing and lookin out the box. one on ledge one not. lol.. I have a baby chipmunk about 15 feet from me and my big male cat, it is laying on a rock in the sun,, hasn't moved for 5 minutes. oh as soon as i said that, and I did, say,, "what are you doing little chippy" then he finally went around behind a building,, my cat is ready to pounce thru the screen tent I think! lol
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Just have to comment here......have been reading these posts (yesterday at work....don't tell....) and since. talk about blow by blow commentary! Thanks to all of you, I wouldn't have been able to follow the (at times heart-stopping) action without you!
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he's making my heart race! Standing out there flapping with wings widely outstretched and just when you think this is it, he jumps back in!!
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Just wanted to stop by briefly and share a pic taken during that fateful morning. It was taken by a person named Mark, who works at GR. The fallen baby is in the red circle...this location is down and to the right of the nest box...so he must have done quite a bit of flapping to end up there...good for him...
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb123/mannereid/may%2024%202008/greatRiverrescue.jpg
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Oh my, the female is hungry and yelling for mom to bring food. :D
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Well, Ballywing, I know you must be close-by, since you were scoping out the Radisson! We'll know if someone approaches one of us while we're staring up in the sky on Portage (including Liz) that we're friendly phanatics!!
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thank you SGB for the photo. Poor little guy, I be t there was a lot of flapping and a very ungraceful landing! Do you know anything about the outside cam and why they haven't switched it on?
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one of my favourite views now. brother and sister side by side on their bellies heads on the edge looking out...
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it is probably just as well we can not see the other chick that fell, as she is all alone on a roof, with no shelter,,, hopefully the mom or dad sticks close by but think we would feel awful watching her.
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awwwwwww the female made a pit stop and then went and laid her head on top of her brother. Tooooooooo cute.
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silly bird is gonna roost? all night up there? lol..... looks cute sitting there, like he is on guard while sister sleeps. but we all know he is just mr nosy, and wants to be gone! lol
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buddy boy is still perched on the ledge, hasn't budged. Just the wind blowing his feathers a bit. Cute.. I am gonna miss these little buggers. My my, from now on whenever i look up and see a bird of prey, be it an eagle, hawk, osprey, owl, I am going to think, oh I wonder how Trey and Princess are doing, and Chase and bullet and Lightening and Radisson and..... well you know... all our webcam familys! ;) :) :)
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When I first got up this morning and checked the web cam, both chicks were in the nest. There was a bunch of noise a few minutes ago and I came to see if they were getting fed and there was only one chick left in the nest. I guess the other one decided to fledge, or at least I hope that is what he did. The one left alone in there is near the edge now looking over the side. I hope she doesn't decide to take off especially if she is not ready. I am assuming she is the female. She is flapping her wings like crazy right now.
I will have to keep cheking at work for updates here because I can't watch the web cam there.
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Good Morning all, good day for flying! Not only did Chase leave but he came back a few minutes ago!! He's now on the outside ledge, sis in the box looking out but not perched. I think she likes having the house all to herself... Looks like a little bit of wind, not as much as yesterday, his landing back to the box was solid!
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hi I must have just missed that, I turned on the cam and Chase (?) was out sittiing on the bar. Seemed quite comfortable. Sister in the box preening and grooming. After a bit of wing flapping and turning this way and that he kinda hopped flew back in the box. Wow do you guys think he flew somewheres and came back? Or did he hop out of site on those bars? I think there aer 3 or 4 bars out of our view. wow.
Oh, Mom or Dad here with food. Oh here, she hopped in and gave it to them. Big fight, tug of war. Each in a corner, not sure if they each got half or what. Mom stayed sitting on the bar this time.
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Mom sat on the bar for awhile, then walked hopped out of view out further on the bar. Oh my , twice a big tug of war. Female came over and grabbed the food that Chase had, much pullling and tugging, She finally got it and has it in the near corner, he is standing there shocked. At least I think I have them right, Oh he is reaching between her legs and under her, grabbing at food. lol.. Comical.
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they each grabbed at breakfast but one got more than the other and then attack and more tug of war - they're hungry! Now battling in the corner for whatever is left!
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now there is big fight in this corner, much screeching and tugging. areach, areach, areach. lol fight fight. good heavens.
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wow, that's the most battling I've ever seen, little sis is a fighter and a squawker! Chase may have been on the very outer ledge rather than flying. I went back and looked at the photos posted for last year and there is a second outer ledge and that is where he may have been perched earlier. I saw him return into the box from outer somewhere and he landed solidly and wings open so really can't be sure if he flew or if he was just out of sight ... Why don't they turn on that outer camera! ???
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yes Louloubelle, when I first turned it on, he was sitting comfortably on the side bar and then he straddled that, and the first one parrell to the box, then he finally half bounced half flew with wings opened back into box. So I wondered whereas you guys could not see him , just before that, I checked the time of your posts, and so it was just a minute or two before that, that you guys could not see him and that maybe he had ventured further out on the side bar out of view and was just makin his way back when I happened to click on. Probably. Cant imagine him fledging then coming right back to box can you? lol.... I am thinking he would go down,,, and land somewheres below on his first atttempt.
Well they are just sitting there hanging out. (I Managed to get a coffee. ) One is perched up on ledge, the other resting head on it. Cute.
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Ooooh - Parent sitting on outer rail facing nosy boy on inner rail. Maybe a conversation about the fundamentals of getting those wings flapping.. :P....Sis sitting safely in box as usual. 8)
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Hey, I think the one perched right now in front of the nestbox is the other chick! Check out the down on the side of the wing fluttering in the breeze. Big mama just dropped off some food.
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Now I can see mom there but the other one went over to the right sidebar when mom flew into the nestbox with the snack.
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lovely .... sis just backed up and pooped.
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one sitting out on the bar and the one in the nest tearing apart food. having a grand time trying to get its feet on the food and get at it!!! Getting a bit flustered too I think, stops looks around, how do you get into this thing? lol
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does anyone else have an urge to reach through the camera and pull that fluff off Lightening? it's driving me batty!
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wow, Chase looks all grown up. Glad it's not so windy today.
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Okay - Chase just hopped out of camera range - but I don't think he flew. He just went to the side-ledge we can't see.
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oh my, Chase just jumped out onto bar closest to camera, could only see his bum, and one more jump or flight and he is gone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Where did he go... Oh sister just face planted herself in the far corner. Is Chase gone, or is he sitting out there out of sight? Oh my.
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oh boy, MOm just came back, got in box, got the leftover food and is sitting out on the bar with it,,, can only see her tail feathers now, she is sitting where Chase had went. Is he still there can see her body moving, up and down, is she feeding him with it, or eating herself or what. darn Iwished we could see out there.
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she is back in box now with the food, eating it, little sister is looking from the corner. No sign of Chase. Is he gone. Lots of screeching.
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Mom is pulling apart food and feeding the little girl little bites just like she did in the old days. Where oh where did Chase go?
Mom out on the bar now looking around. Sis in near corner.
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Mom still on the bar, back to us. Sister looking very intently out of the box close to camera and down to the left, head bobbing, what is she looking at. Where is Chase. God. Mom does not seem concerned, she looks like she is sitting out there ready to go hunting.
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sister looking around and down, looks over at Mom, then back, looks at Mom, no squawking. If he left he did it very quietly didn't he?
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Mom still perched on the first bar with her back to us. Little Miss just face planted herself in the far corner again. No sign of Chase at all. No movements shadows or anything. It has been exactly 20 minutes.
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He's fledged. :'(
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I think he must have, Mom does not look around behind her at the bars where Chase should be sitting if he is still out there. Poor sister, looks llike she is devastated and face planted in corner. She is probably just full and tired. I dont know. Mom is still there. Longest I have seen her come and sit there also. Darn darn darn.
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Maybe dad took the boys out for flying/hunting lessons. I hope GRE will switch to the outside cam soon.
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Ack - I had hoped he'd wait til tomorrow when I'm not at work and can SEE stuff!! - oh well, maybe they'll switch the cams - and there's still Sis to see fledge - and maybe runaway brother too..? :P
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gosh it all happened so suddenly, he hopped out on the bar closest to the camera, and he had never did that before, well I never seen him do it there, and then, you could see half of him for barely 10 seconds then ............... gone. and then 30 seconds later in swoops Mom to the box to grab the food and take it out on the bar, then she got back in the box, helped sis eat and now just sitting out there acting unconcerned.
I hope he is okay. Maybe he is down on the silo with his brother. Yeah wished they would activate outside cam. Sis still sleeping in the corner.
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I am sad. :( I know they have to fledge but I am worried about him. Hope they have lots of volunteers handy to help out and that they will let us know what happens to them.
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Don't worry, if he crash landed, mom wouldn't still be sitting pretty. :)
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thats what I was thinking (hoping) she would have flew off to help or attend to him would she not? Or squawk a bunch and act all agitated? She is just sitting here so calmly.
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Mom doing a bit of stretching exercises now,,, lol,, looks like me before I go for a walk... bit of wing stretches, now oh lets stretch one leg wayyyyyyy out behind, oh that feels good. lol
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Mom just squawked and left...
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oh oh,mom just got all freaked out, turned around towards us and jumped, bounced out of sight, wings spread like she was taking off to the left. hmmm.
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little sis still sleeping in corner, head slightly turned towards us, pressed up against the wall.
can't hear any squawking from anywheres.
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well these parents will have there hands full wont they, with fledglings all over the place? Have to go teach them to fly and hunt and all that. wow. Maybe Mom went to help Chase fly or something when she took off like that. or maybe she just seen food on the wing and went after it. lol... Maybe, maybe not. Well I am off to get some stuff done, cant sit here on my thumbs worrying and fretting. Nothing I can do. ;) :-\
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I hear squawking close by and it isn't sis.
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That sounds like Chase. I think he is still on the side ledge out of view!
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oh someone is back , real close but out of view, sounds like Mom. lots of screeching. rakk, rakk, rakk, rakk.
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Yeah I was going to say the same thing, I wonder if Chase has just been sitting out of view all this time? It sounds like a younger voice lol
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Yeah - that is definitely an adult on the perch right now. I really wish we had the outside camera. But as my dad says, if frogs had wings they wouldn't bump their butts when they hit the ground - wishing gets you nowhere. Besides, I've got work to do and stuff to plan (July 4 is not only our Independence Day, it's also my fiance's birthday!) So, I'll leave it on and look when I can, and count on you guys for info and updates!
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that is sister right now doing all the yakking can see her beak moving to the sounds
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Yeah I suspect it's the Dad, the youngin still have too much barring down the front of them for it to be a youngin
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Yes, it may be dad. Can't see the bright yellow very well in the bright sun!
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Yeah I suspect it's the Dad, the youngin still have too much barring down the front of them for it to be a youngin
I think its Dad also... it is most definitly not Mom.
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one of the parents just brought sis lunch and she ran around a bit until she realized there was no one there to challenge her to it...
parent now gone, hmmmmm - what's going on out there!!
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poor Lightning - "hey, where'd everybody go?"
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Now sis has all the food to herself and she was still screeching while carrying the food in her beak lol "Do not come near me this is MINE"
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awww, pitiful little sis, sleeping all alone, no one around, eyes were open, now closed and snoozing..
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little girl still having a sleep. all my her lonesome. I keep hearing a falcon screeching every now and then near by but not real close, and every now and then out of the corner of my eye, movement catches my attention, so maybe someone flys by occassionally.
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hey I seen that fly by.. Looks of rakkking, and rakking, then big bird flew right over the top of the bars and kept going off into distance. Can still hear the schricking,,,, closer then farther away.
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don't see or hear anything right now. can hear a hum from some equipment .... sis is quiet sleeping, head in corner..
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can't believe how much this girl sleeps! maybe she's thinking she can finally get some peace with those boys gone!
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One of the parents just landed on the outer bars. You could see him/her flying up to it. Nice view of that. No one seems to be squawking either. So whatever they are doing doesn't seem to be about the birds.
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adult bird just flew off. listen here is a link I just found on another forum,, shows great pics of the outside of box and where the 1st chick fell and where it is sitting. they have it all circled in red so you really get an idea of what it is like outside that box and around.
http://wavelit.com/media/886/Great_River_Energy_Falcon_Falls_From_Nestbox/
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Our girl is now awake and looking below to see what's going on. She's parked in the middle of the nestbox, not too close to the ledge at all. She's smart sitting in the shade :) ..... now she's gone back to laying down at the back of the nestbox.
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good picture, thanks deedream. that must have been quite the sight when he fell, I imagine lots of panicked flapping for sure!
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Now I hear some squawking in the background. Wow are they ever squawking. Just saw two fly by below the nest box.
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When I look at that picture I think it must have been a failed fledge - else how do you fall but end up off tot he side by so much? In any case, it's helpful to see the outside view and have a sense of where things are. I just wish Chase hadn't chosen to leave from out of camera view! :P
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Excellent pic Deedream!! - Really gives us a good image of where the runaway landed. Wonder if he's still there??? ???
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I was thinking the same thing Eagle63, now I wonder if Chase went over to hang out with him ;D
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very cool, parent comes in with food, feeds a squawking girl, even squawked while eating, and then parent took the food and ripped off its wing and flew away (to feed the others?)
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she's now up and getting antsy. running back and forth and flapping - maybe thinks she doesn't want to all alone!
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another feeding, she's in the corner with her food and still squawking while eating...
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well well well, look who came back to fight her for the food!
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parent sitting out on the perch ignoring the 2 battling in the corner
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I'm assuming it's Chase and his landing was solid back in the box. Parent just left and bro and sis are eating in the corner!
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Cool, so Mr Nosy came back!! He's learned to fly but not to hunt yet I guess! :P
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just watched Chase go back to the ledge closest to the camera, step out and fly!!! Now sis is standing there, spread her wings and went, naaaa, back in the box to the corner to see if anything was left!
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yup, still dependent on parents for food. His last bite was a leg that he munched and munched until it all went in. eww
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ewww is right...I'm trying to have lunch myself...lol
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now she's looking down from the edge closest to the cam and crying... one foot on the perch, oh now the other, not a lot of confidence, just a lot of squawking..
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she looks very tempted to go, watching others flying, her little head following them all, almost looked like a tennis game there! Wings open but not confident on the ledge..
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OH, I hope she doesn't rush herself - she needs to wait til she's good and ready! :o
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So glad to see the picture, Deedream. Now I have a better idea of the scene of action you all describe. I sure hope Little Miss stays put for a bit.
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Little Miss made a bit of a show with some flapping and hanging onto the ledge closest to the camera but then thought the better of it and went to rest in the corner.
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Mom and daughter having a chitchat
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Yeah I was just going to say that must be the mother chatting with the daughter. I've noticed the difference in the breast plummage of the Mother compared to the father. Mother has more speckles above her breast whereas the father seems to be completely white from the throat down to the breast where you then see speckling.
lol daughter is looking at mum with her head almost upside down squawking as mum sits on the first rail preening. Daughter seems to be saying, "What are you doing playing with your feathers bring me some food!"
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Now daughter is really squawking with mum in the nest box poking around. Seems as if daughter is saying, "Get out of here this is MY space now." Mother is really rooting in the lower right hand corner of the box. Then looks at the camera, back to rooting, looks at camera, turns and face daughter and daughter really is upset. Wow she's looking for food pecking at mum's feet and next thing you know mum is out of the box.
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what the heck, is that any way to treat your mom?
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Yah, she got up and chased mom out! Maybe because she didn't bring food!
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too funny, daughter saying don't you go into my food corners! out!!
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Wow mum jumped back in momentarily but daughter shooed her out, mum is back on the rail, back to camera.
Now daughter has stepped towards the ledge and is squawking at mum as if to say,"Do not come back in here again until you bring me FOOD is that clear!" Even raising one foot to emphasize her point lmao but actually proceeds to do some preening. Short lived preening lol
Now she's doing some wing stretches, it sometimes seems like she's going to step up onto the ledge.
Time for a catnap, she just went and laid down in the far right corner.
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I guess being nasty to your Mom is tiresome business.... big flake out in the corner!
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The brother has returned to the box lol I can see his mohawk look now he's checking on sis lol he's still pestering sis and she's not liking it. Now she looks at him as if to say, "What are you doing back here?"
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he's lookin for food ... first he was picking at a toe ... then realized it was his own toes .. then started snooping around his sister .. who is totally ignoring him.
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awwwwwwwwwwww he's laying down with sis and keeping her company okay that didn't last long. He's now on ledge.
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wow, he's really confident for being a one day flyer! wonder why runaway brother hasn't come back up. maybe he flies from his new post and returns there...
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I am beginning to wonder if there is something wrong with little sister - her brother did everything to get her up and at it, including stomping on her head, pecking at her, and laying down on her and then beside her, but nothing worked. Either she is really laid back and loves her naps, or she is not feeling well.
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Oh she snapped at him when he was first pecking at her, I think she's just fine, it's just hot there I think..... just checked a weather map it's about 80-82 there.
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LOL...nice mohawk buddy! ;D
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Interesting notes in that blast of calling lol
Sis is now up and preening, bro is still on the ledge and the adult is out on the first rail, can just see tail feathers and wing tips.
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lol a feather floated near bro's foot and he thought it was food. Picked it up and went to the corner, lost interest is now back on the ledge at the bottomof the camera view. He lOoks like he might go to the rail, he just did.
Sis is still standing in the nestbox in the middle, doing some preening. I have been noticing how more defined her moustache has gotten, the black facial marking that extends down from the eye and beak. LMAO now she has a beakful of down feathers.
Someone on the rails is calling and sis is replying. There's an adult now on the other side of the rail, looks like it might be the female
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Very sneaky but that would explain why we keep hearing him squawking, he's so handy to the box.
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She sure just hussled mum out of there in a hure a moment ago, now we have someone else in the corner while sis is laying down. Can't get a good look at who it is, but sis sure is squawking, "How dare you come in here with no food."
Did anyone else see it when the parent was coming in along the rail and the girl literally turned her head upside down and watched?
Temper temper,she just kicked the parent out lmao
Now she's yelling at the brother whojust arrived back now he's picking on her and she's not happy. Okay he just stepped onto the ledge.
"Geeesssh are girl can't get any sleep around here."
Parent just flew away from the top of the nestbox by the sounds of it.
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mom couldn't get her up and out even after walking on her and she had a classic hissy fit, so juvenile!! LOL ;D
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It's the brother who stepped on her, I caught a good look at his mohawk lol Yeah that was quite the fit eh
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poster's on the Eagle Nest site say she has a fear of heights and are having a good chuckle at the reluctance of little sis to join her brothers and fly..
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Yes, I think mom's the one trying to get her off her fat butt and start flying. She yells at her everytime she comes in yet don't mind her brother there.
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clearly she's a Diva! She'll go when she's good and ready..
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Pretty funny how he has his tail covering sis's head while she's napping!
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he's showing off again, look sis, one leg!
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they're sure making a racket...I'm thinking maybe the parents are flying around with food and trying to get them to fly out and chase them for it
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She seems to be in a MOOD, that's for sure!! :o
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should've called her Thunder & Lightening. she even screeches when eating!
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well that's one way to convey your feelings. Lay down!
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Chase and parent chatting, I can't make her, she won't go!
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It's awfully quiet. Time for bed?
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Not time for bed - time for me to make dinner! (ah, the beauty of time zones....) :D
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it's a lovely moment. must be dad cuz when mom comes by there's usually a lot of squawking. I've noticed that when one of them lay where sis is laying, the light reflects in a weird way. When she moves, suddenly colour outside and detail... Get up girl!
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Boy is she ever GRUMPY!
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That girl is being downright mean!!
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That girl is being downright mean!!
She's bigger than him (+) and he can leave the box (-) = it all evens out! lol
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Maybe she gets it from mom!
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I've seen the mom get right down nasty with dad. :)
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I saw Chase fly back in the box after being away a long time but it may be that he was just sitting outside the box to the left the whole time. Like in the pic on the main page..
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Now Missy is throwing a little tantrum; look how she's just glaring at mom. :o
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I like how she looked at her talon as if to say, is there food here, no! Then gives the evil eye..
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What's Missy's beef with mom anyway? She still looks pissed at her even though she's not squawking at the top of her lungs. :o
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it's always Mom's fault! I think it's universal..
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It's 9am here and little temperamental (sp) Miss Lightning is getting braver everyday. She's parked on the ledge this morning. All is quiet though but she sure is looking towards the locations where her brother's picture was taken yesterday.
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Lightning is doing a lot of wing flapping this morning. Good thing she has the box to herself , there'd be no room otherwise.
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It's now 10am my time, had to step away from the computer for a bit and I see what appears to be one of the boys on the outer rail doing a lot of squawking. Hard to tell with the brightness of the sun though to be sure of who it is adult or fledgeling. Guess it was Dad, the way Lightning is squawking at the moment. "What are you doing here?"
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Pretty sure that's an adult because the bands on the chest are horizontal. Chicks are more vertical and more brown. Amazing Lightning just sleeps right through the screeching!
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Yep it was the adult and I can't tell if it's dad or mum
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Lightning doesn't care if it's Mom or Dad.... just doesn't want them in the box, clearly not a morning bird!
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That is so cool when you get to see one take off and the fly over the green space below!
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I didn't see but is that mom who brought breakfast? Was Missy nicer to her that she had food? :)
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I think Dad brought the food and then Mum shooed him away. I was just thinking as Lightning shooed mum out of the nestbox how territorial she's become in her young age lol
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The male has a very white chest compared to mom. Since the fisheye lens makes size hard to figure, that's the only way I can see to tell them apart.
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Lol...she sure is taking after her mom.
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One of the adults just arrived with a bird in their beak, screeching too, but Lightning didn't get up so the parent took off with it, must have taken it to the other two.
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Awww. little sis all by her lonesome splatted out in the corner.. :-\
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She is giving us a nice close-up by the camera. Very calm and quiet. I haven't seen Chase this morning - anyone seen him?
oh, back to the corner again.
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Nope, haven't seen Chase at all.
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She doesn't seem too anxious to fly off as long as food is being brought and she has a nice comfortable nestbox all to herself! ;D
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Lightening seems depressed, too much lying around - it's mid-day!! - she should be hopping around, sitting on the ledge, something!!!! :(
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Poor girl is probably scared to death of flying, just by the way she reacts when mom goes into the nestbox and tries to get her up. She's a late bloomer.
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She was sitting up and bright as could be when I got up earlier this morning, perching on the ledge, spreading her wings, running from one end of the box to the other.
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Maybe nobody's around to play with her... :'(
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Maybe nobody's around to play with her... :'(
Maybe she doesn't want anyone else to play with her in her sand box :(
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She sure doesn't seem very steady . kinda awkward when she starts flapping those wings. looked like she was going to fall off the ledge there at one point.
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When the last chick in the box is a female it is more than a little nerve-wracking to watch. They usually aren't quite ready to fly but they do not like being left behind by their sibs ... particularly if their sibs are now able to fly after the adults (part of their training to fly and hunt). For the last chick in the box its like everyone gets to stay up late except them :D
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And thats precisely how we lost "brooke" here in Mississauga this year.. her BIG brothers 'lured' her out of the box, and down she went in a head wind. poor baby.
we lost "Fern" the same way last year.
Boys.. >:(
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Don't panic anyone - she just moved int the back corner that is hidden from camera view. She didn't jump.
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Well, well, look who's up from her nap and perched on the edge looking around. Oh, mom just dropped by with lunch...screech, screech, thank you. ;D
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Wow, looked like Mom was dangling lunch for a few seconds from the outer rail, almost like 'You want it? - Come and get it!' - :P Phew, luckily she brought it into the nestbox. Sis isn't ready yet to go chasing after her snacks!! :o
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I'm beginning to think she's a no pressure kind of girl; she's back perched on the edge checking things out with nobody around bugging her.
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doing a few practice flaps..
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look out, then, oh what's this in the corner!!?
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She's trying to balance herself perched on the edge and flapping her wings at the same time. Lost her balance a couple of times before stepping back into the nestbox. More wing flapping. She likes to practice when nobody's around.
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Okay, that's enough for now...naptime!
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;D Yay! I just got the bird cam to come in. Little sis, sleeping in the corner on the near right. So exciting! lol
Yikes may be shortlived, storm is brewing, wind is up and clouding in. Thunderstorm now perhaps? Good heavens. Another power outage. Unplanned? Hmmmm.
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Mom's got to be wondering who raised this girl!?!
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Mum raised her, daughter watched mum kicking the boots to dad
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Yah, that's the way it should be! lol ;D
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Yikes she really sounds like she is crying doesn't she. I think that is Dad out there isn't it? He has a longer mouchtache and is pure white on throat and around. LOL now I know what you guys were talking about her squawking last nite!
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ahh she is not ready to fledge at all Mom and Dad, go get her something to eat!!! ;D ;D ;D
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ackkkk, they are really pushing her to get out of her box aren't they? goodness me..
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Mom's pretty patient, like all good moms, sitting there waiting for her to come out. This time mom didn't go into the nestbox.
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she is right up on the ledge now just screeching. crying, squawking, almost hoarse sounding. Adult (Mom or dad, help someone?) is just sitting on the beam, lookin around, as much to say,,,,,,, don't know what your problem is, daughter, get out here with the rest of us,, ..........lol.. oh adult just flew off, and daughter stopped in mid squawk!! too funny.. ha ha.
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oh so it is Mom then JL? I was thinking maybe dad with that long stache and lots of pure white. Okay.. good. ;D :D Thank you,, I have got to watch them again for awhile to get them sorted out.
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oh my she sure looks tempted to hop out on a bar doesn't she. Wow. She is much more comfortable on that ledge than she was just yesterday.. good, she is getting her nerve up.... but slowly now slowly... whoops,, was that a little jump.. goodness,, Oh god, dont be fallling.
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I usually judge by their size. Mom's much bigger than dad and if you look closely next time, Lightning is just a bit smaller than mom. Lightning is definitely bigger than dad.
I think she'll be okay; she'll take her time. It's inate for them to fly so she'll do it eventually. Just hope for safe landings!
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yes thanks JL.. I find it hard to judge by size when they are out on the beam and one is in box, so try to go by there faces, throats. Tracy used to point out different features for us to look for when we could not tell by size. But just being gone for 1 day, I was like,, well my goodness, is that Mom or Dad. thanks again.
Oh and for Lightening, guess I am getting nervous after reading Tracys posts and someone elses that said it is tough to be the last in the box, especially female, and that a couple times they fell to there deaths from peer pressure.
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OMG ,, well little miss happy now.. adult just brought supper, grapped it and eating in the corner,, starved right to death, making funny squawking noises. Ahhhh, this is what you guys heard last evening and today.. ha ha.. my oh my....
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Pretty sure that was mom. Did you get a good look at the size of her when she came in close to the camera? She's one big mama! :)
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omg,, there is a whole church choir going on now.. lol.. wow.. someone is on the beam out of view I think, and maybe our little chase on the roof yakking it up,, but holy cow, Lightening just screaming and others chiming in,, or is that an echo,,, ackkkkk ( hit the side of head,, I can't hear for alll the screamming... oh my) roflol
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What on earth ??? :o - Such a racket!!! - WHY do they not activate that outside cam??? - We're dying to see what's going on out there!! ::)
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I haven't seen her do that before, one talon holding on and the other scratching. another sign of a little more confidence..
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sheesh, back to hollering ???
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grabs her dinner and still squawking while eating!
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She's definately more confident today, standing up on the ledge more.
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I notice a big difference in her confidence since yesterday.. :D :D and now,, I have two howling cats, wanting to go out for there evening stroll about the yard on their leashes. lol and I have to take them one at a time, they don't want the other around when they go out. lol
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Gladly, she's pretty much down-free on her back and wings now, so I feel better about her trying flying. Hope she waits a bit longer though.
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I agree Pchemist. I notice that last years chicks were born a few days earlier than these chicks and they fledged by July 3 but still hung around the nestbox (according to the notes with the photo's) so this weekend looks like it very well be it!
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ahhh, can't take my eyes away! night is not time to fledge little girl!!
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very impressive wings there! She looks the part (until she turns tail and runs back in the box)!
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Yes, she sure is chomping at the bit to try out her wings! Maybe tomorrow? ;D....eeek - or maybe tonight!! :o. Hope not though.
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What a noise!! Is that her, or someone outside? Why would she be screaming into the corner?
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Oh it's her alright - something must have spooked her? - Wow!!! Maybe Chase is right outside, whatever it is she's really not impressed!! :o
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I see a tail in the lower left, likely Mom, so, must holler! Don't come in here!!
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I got up, can't sleep, had a peak at the cam. Lightning is up preening and a parent perched on the far bar right of the nestbox. I think it's mom; I only see the back of her. Mom's perched there motionless, probably half asleep herself. I'm glad Lightning isn't alone at nights. I'm going back to bed.
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Is today the day for Lightening?? :P - She's perched on the ledge and somebody is screeching at her from afar....'Come hither and fly with me' .......Happy July 4th to our U.S buddies!!! ;D
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Ahhh , good morning Ballywing, I was just getting ready to start a new thread and you beat me too it. ha ha. Had to try a few times to get the cam to work first before I could report in!
Lightening is standing right on the ledge, getting much more comfortable being out there isn't she? I too heard some screeching from outside the box as well.
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The position of the sun is making it difficult to see this morning, especially the bars and down below. Can hear screaching from time to time, comes close then goes away, fly bys perhaps. Lightening is sitting with a glare from the sun on her as well so not so easyto see her beak and tell whether it is her, squawking from time to time. She is not throwing any fits type thing yet. lol.
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No tantrums yet, she's nice & calm in the morning light, surveying the land. 8) - Stretching her wings. Just might be an interesting day! I hope the sunlight changes soon so we can see better!~ ::)
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Glad she's nice and calm as I have lots to do and can't watch as much today. Not only is it Independence Day, but it's also my fiance's birthday! We're having a cookout, so I have food prep and housecleaning (did some yesterday but still more to do) plus I need to work on the yards (mowing, weeding, etc). AND he wants my help working on the new house today! Fortunately, it's not forecast to be as hot as the last few days.
He isn't one for presents, but I got him one anyway. He was happy because it was a work-light thing he'd seen and coveted. Frankly, a new tool is always a good present for him. ;D
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Thanks for breakfast mom! :P
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Wow adult bird just flew over and down going very very fast,,,,,,,,,, unreal,, then came back and up flapping and landed on the outside rail.. woke sister up that did! Oh, adult brought food, Little miss hungry~ moaning and squawking and really pulling on that food. She has got the hang of it. Stand right on it and pull, pull! lol
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It was the mother who brought the food.
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I just figured out what she sounds like and what it reminds me of. when I used to go visit my parents with my dog, their dog would go nuts, kiyiyaing and yipping around the yard, my dog would go crazy too, jumping all over the seat and yiking and barking, yipping and you guys must have seen dogs doing that? lol. clear foolish and excited. That is how Little Miss acts to me!
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She's one big mama isn't she? Took up about half the nestbox.
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after some running around with the goody for a bit, doing what Momma does with the tearing and talon holding, she's definitely got the hang of it now! Just want to reach in and grab that one little fuzzy feather off her back while she is preoccupied.... ;)
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boys that didn't take long to eat that snack. Now where did everybody go? Back on ledge, licking chops. lol Can hear other falcons in the background.
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she seems to be getting really tempted to hop over on that side bar the same place that Chase started at doesn't she?
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Dad just did a quick hop into the nestbox before Lightning shooed him out lol
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Her voice sounds a bit hoarse today. Too much screeching last night (I know the feeling!) :)
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that was funny, and I knew this time who it was, lol,, he is smaller than her now,, lol, funny, not sure if he was going in to swipe the bit of food she had left in the corner or what,, she didn't give him a chance did she? lol
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He is sitting out on the bar, and she is giving him a talking to! Maybe saying, go get me some frigging food, don't just sit there, and don't you dare get back in my box empty handed again! lol
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Dad just flew off. Still around flying though or someone is. Lightening following them with her eyes, Oh, someone is back out of view, much squawking, oh they may have left again. More attempts to get her to go out and play perhaps?
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head looking up and constant squawking!
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Oh dear, she is soooo not a happy bird today! Well hasn't been for a couple days I guess. yes she definitely sounds even more hoarse than yesterday. lol. Oh my,, sounds like one of those whistles that a kid runs around with and you want to take it and throw it a long, long ways away!!!! lol
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Yeah whoever it is they are on the roof of the nestbox, hmmmm did they just take off?
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I know you're up there!
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hmmmmm she's getting closer and closer to that rail and watching all over the place.............. I think she's gonna go for it..... and then again maybe not. Some one just flew by squawking.
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she definitely got rid of her wobbles, she will be hopping out there very soon I think so too! Oh,,, someone just did a fast flyover. lol
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Wow sounds like she's got lotsa action going on today! - Let us know if anything exciting happens!! :P (If she fledges , who are we gonna watch???) :'(
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ew, that was still alive..
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oh dad just brought some food and Lightning goes "Gimme that!" Lots of screeching going on.
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Oh boy, Mom brought food, my my, I so happy, thank you thank you, squawk, squawk squawk. Err Dad sorry. lol,,,, yes seemed to be very fresh, yuk,, well she didn't seem to want too much of that. Hope it is dead now!
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maybe she's saving it for later.. or just distracted by the other squawking,,
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what are you waiting for dear, someone to come back and fight you for it? lol I know it is quite boring to eat alone. lol
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well there, did you just pull that feather out Louloubelle? lol
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sure does, its really a great day here in NB too. Have you all had a chance to read Tracys blog on the other website, on her adventure? In case you havent she has got a great teaser on there for us to start guessing some more about what they are all up too!! ;D
I wont comment on this thread about it, just wanted you to know in case some of you on this thread were not aware that she has started blogging about what she has been up to!
There is like 45 people or more on the forum right now. lol
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Oh dear - that one wasn't quite dead yet either. Perhaps dad is working to teach her how to hunt before she flies. There sure is a lot of turn-your-head-sideways-and-screech going on.
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Dad took lunch back!
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did he? I missed that, explains why she shut up and is now on the ledge preening. lol
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did he? I missed that, explains why she shut up and is now on the ledge preening. lol
yep - she was standing there and not doing what he wanted, and he jumped in and took it back - probably to deliver to more appreciative kids elsewhere. ;)
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Wow what a tug of war between Dad and Lightning, she sure put the feathers to him when he came back in. "You gave it to me and no you can't have it back!"
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No I don't think he got it, it's still laying in the upper portion of the view.
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okay,, I was sure she was going to jump on that near bar, if she does she will be gone from view probably for good.
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she still has food in the near corner as well that she did not finish from earlier. well she did a bunch of wing flapping and stretches,, looked like she might attemt to jump out on a bar, now just nosing around her box, may be eating what is in the near corner.
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From what I have seen of Lightning this morning, she still prefers that mom or dad feed her; she is not that keen on plucking the unlucky victim herself and then chowing down. So, she now has food lying around the nest. Mind you, she will fight for the food if she thinks the others want it. This reminds me of my dog, who may not want her food, but she does not want any other dog to have it, either. The more I watch the falcons, the more I see the similarities between them and our four-legged companions.
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okay, lightening up from a nap, decided to pluck some feathers out of her food in the near corner, does seem to be a pretty intact bird. plucking, spitting feathers not sure if she is getting any food yet or not. lol
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streeeeeeetch. sure seems like she want to go to the outer ledge, but just can't get up the courage. kinda like me as a kid from the high-dive board.
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I'm pretty sure I can hear her siblings in the background, calling out. Perhaps encouraging her, perhaps demanding food. who knows?
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hah! she stared straight into the camera, giving a great view of her fading mowhawk. too funny! ;D
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oh my I am going to have a stroke watching her!!
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shes awfully close to that side bar, can't even see her head now,, one little jump!
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oh, flap flap,, she wants to go so bad, she has almost lost it a few times. wow.. what I mean is changed her mind at the last second then struggled to get turned around and back in off ledge.
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Enough practising. Lightening laying down for a nap in the corner.... again...lol
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gosh I just sat back down too! Little dear is up on the ledge,, its seemed like she had one foot out as if she was going to try to step over to the ledge,, they,, nope, lets just clean our talons up instead. You can realy hear other falcons down below it sounds like and the screeching gets closer then farther away, like someone is flying about! She keeps looking down and around too, Suppose she is watching them, seems she thinks about stepping out every time one flys by. lol
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she is very curious to join Chase I think. she may go... yes, no, yes, no, ...
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OMG,,,, Dad there with food,, feeding little girl tenderly, she is crying and so excited to be fed..... oh my goodness..
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Looks like Dad brought food and stayed on the ledge and fed Lightning and then took the remainder away.... Of course she squawked through her whole meal and now a bit dumbfounded that he's gone WITH the food..
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well that lasted for all of 10 seconds... Dad gone ,, didn't see if she took food or not.. Lightening not saying a word... She was so excited,,, like a little puppy that had been abandoned and someone came back for her.... oh it was so sweet though. and sad. She was shaking all over.
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looks like a big hunk of food laying over there, but could be from earlier. :)
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yes, it's from earlier and for some reason, she isn't interested... I think that's why Dad fed her a short time ago..
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well she decided she was interested after all and tore it apart and ate all by herself. Now in the belly down, beak on the ledge position...
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gosh, everyone has abandoned this little girl. She has just woken from a nap, standing on ledge, preening, looks like she put a bit of gel in her feathers, Friday nite and all! lol. Really comfortable on the ledge. Lots of leg stretches, bit of wing stretching, hopefully she will wait another day to fledge, but she sure is curious about what she sees down below. Lots of head bobbing, and can hear others off in the distance.
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Lightening is still on the ledge! Very comfy. Still hear other falcons in the distance on and off. She still looks all around, guess she is watching them fly. lol
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My goodness, for the last five minutes, you can hear what sounds like two birds screaching, squawking at the same time , at first there seemed to be some flying activity although I could not see it, Lightening was looking and seemed to be following the sounds, now it is just squawking off camera, down below, up top, who knows where. Stops and starts pretty consistent like. The pitch sounds like how Lightening sounds when she is real hungry or all wound up in the box. Must be Chase and Bullet. It really does not sound like the adults. Lightening still sitting on the ledge.
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Wished they would give us an update on Bullet and Chase, have they been flying, how are they doing type thing. :)
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omg omg,, she is on the bar,, near us. omg omg,,,,,,
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Oh my, Lightning just stepped out onto sidebar.
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holy
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her gone! :'(
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yes she is gone.............
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oh my my... Oh I hope she is okay... my my,, I dont know what to say!! She could really see the others and almost did a head first dive a few minutes ago,, so she is gone......... cant hear anything now!!!!
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Did she fly away or fall or go onto the roof next to the nest box?
Did anyone see?
I here screeching right now...faint tho.
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I seen it all!!!!!!!!!!!! She was on the ledge, and looking,, read my previous posts,, she could here her siblings,, she was quiet herself not squawking, but started to get ansy,,,,,,,,,, Then I was away for a minute and heard her squawking and when I came back she was on the ledge attempting to jump over to the bar, the one close to us , same place that Chase disapeared to,, she did get out there, wobbled all around, then turned and got back in but almost fell, then she flapped about the box,, was all excited and did it again!!!!!!!!!!!! and this time she dissapeared.
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SH&$^(*)^_(^_)T!!!! Gone for 5 mins and I missed it?? >:( >:( >:(
;D ;D (happy for her)
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Did she fly away or fall or go onto the roof next to the nest box?
Did anyone see?
I here screeching right now...faint tho.
I hope she went onto the roof.... but that appears to be another jump for her,, so who is to say... look at the picture on the page of the outside of box.. for her first time jump, I sure hope she was lucky and the jump to the roof was successful, cause she is sure not outside on the bar,, we would hear her.
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WOW!
She could be on the ground. Hope she fiinds her way up (or down) again, like Chase did, so we can see she's okay.
Must be lots of people posting -- it takes forever! lol
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:'( WEll I sure hope they are all okay.. I am going to miss the little buggers. Really the last week I have had the cam on almost constantly , and I watched them hatch and all that. :'(
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I'm glad she finally went with her brother. She's been looking so sad and lonely. I didn't hear any squawks for help so I think she's on the roof exploring and is okay. ;D
That may be her on the side squawking because she can't get back into the nestbox.
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I hear her squaking..she may be on the side like her little bro when he first vanished!
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wow, parent just flew by,, fast..........
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Must have noticed she's gone! Who's that sitting on the bar now?
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It is lightening.. I seen her when she came back in from the side bar so you could just see her tail,, then she jumped with a big commotion it is her,, she is scared to death,, she is screaming see, she is scared.. oh my god...
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is that the "help me mom" squawk...dad?
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It's probably just a "bring me some freakin food scream" (and help me back to the box mom)
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Yes, it's her. And, to humanize it, she does sound scared. Like, "what the heck did I do and how do I get back to my bed?"
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Awww...I think she's so proud of herself. Look how steady she is, with her chest puffed out. ;D :'(
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she has got to try to get around to a side bar to jump back in... she wont make it from there I dont think.. :(
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That sure sounded like a 'help me, I've gotten out here and I can't get back' squak.
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This, everyone, needs a toast. Cheers to Lightning! ;D
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she went down..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! oh no..........
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Switching to full screen -- can't see y'all posting anymore. I agree tho, she does look steady!
DAMN -- gone again! Before I even finished!
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Ack...she just jumped over, hope she landed on the other bar...
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she jumped off to the side.. she's still there.. you can hear her ..
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yup .. sure looks like she went down. some yelling went on and down she went.
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Screeching sounds so awful.
Where did she go?
I wish we had someone there to keep us posted on exactly what is happening.
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liz, pam, eagle, dee, diane, val, and a few others.. check your email for new pictures of the hawk.
Will do -- thanks!
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Oh,, she is there,, see that..!!!!
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who's there?
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Yeah, we can see feathers to the left. It's Lightning, I think. (should that be "LightEning"? The site spells it w/o the E)
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I can hear squaking and what sounds like feet on the bar...I see a wing!
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she's playing peekaboo around the corner...
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yay! she's back and safe! cool!
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switch that darn outer cam on please...
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Is that her in the corner. There is white down feathers blowing in the wind.
That is here isn't it. She is back.
Go and lay down and sleep. My nerves can't take anymor of this.
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oh good ... she's back. She was probably just on the ledge where we can't see.
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Yes, our brave little girl is back!
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Okay, NOW I'm going to full screen for a bit, in case she does it again. Or do we think she's had enough excitement for one night and staying put?
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Is that her in the corner. There is white down feathers blowing in the wind.
That is here isn't it. She is back.
Go and lay down and sleep. My nerves can't take anymor of this.
you and I are so on the same page.. I am NOT enjoying this.. its is so nerve racking... I am trying to laugh and relax myself a bit,, but I get so attached. My cats think I am nuts, I have been jumping off the couch and just screaming myself..!!
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That a girl...even though you've been jumbing back and forth, you go when you're good and ready! Sounds to me like your siblings are just trying to encourage you....
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Your right, lots to look forward to. But it's hard not to get attached after watching her from a small little fluffball.
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Yeah, pick off those white feathers -- you're a grown-up now!
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get off that ledge and quit preening and twisting around on one foot you crazy girl.. I want to relax and enjoy my drink with my phanatic friends. It is past curfew anyhow.. get to bed!! lol
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you would think Mom or Dad would have come by and gave her a treat or something!! Bedtime snack.. reward for getting out there and back in! ;D ;D
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man, watching for days, go out for a few hours and all heck breaks loose! I opened the cam to see an empty nest :o then, hear screeching and pop! there she is - don't leave Lightning, I need a few more fluffy feathers to finish my pillow!! :D
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It almost sounds like her brother is knocking on the side of the nestbox or something!!!
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is she biting at her bands on that leg?
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there has been what sounds like one or two (Chase and Bullet) perhaps? squawking for a long time way off. Heard that 1/2 hour or longer before Lightning decided to get out on the bar.. She was looking down, and real concerned and I think that is why she got out there finally to see what was going on. It that the sound you are talking about?
Now the sound I am hearing must be from machines, cause a falcon could not squawk that steady for that long I dont think?
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I'm not sure of the sound....it just sounds like knocking...its not happening now but it was a couple of minutes ago!
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never noticed that knocking. Too wound up. lol.. That foot is really bothering her,, supposed she injured it out on the rail?
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Things have quietened down now. She is sure busy preening herself.
She does seem quite bothered with that one food tho.
I just wish she would get in the nest box so I can relax.
Before I thought she slept too much. Now I just want her to lay down.
This is like last year when Missy was alone in the box. I could not stop watching her. She made my heart stop so many times.
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I noticed that as well...let's hope she didn't injure herself :'(
Maybe she will decide to call it a night. . .but I'm not sure, she sure is leaning a lot...oh no more wing stretches!!!!
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I heard that knocking too Allikat and Lightning looked over this way at the camera when she heard it. Maybe Chase was biting on the side if he is still on that lower ledge or maybe from the top where the parents sit.
She frequently would hold that foot up and curl up her talons - I've commented on that before... I wonder if the bands bother her... ???
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No...no more knocking, not sure what that was! I'm wondering if it was her brother on top of the nestbox or at the side of it...Oh look at this...she has company!!!
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yup.. she has company now.... guess if you holler loudly and long enough someone will come by..girls always get their own way...lol
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Thanks LouLouBelle...I thought I was going crazy there for a minute!!! I was sure I heard knocking! I wonder what's going to happen now that she has company!!!
She sure is holding that leg out. . . but I noticed that as well with the Ohio falcons...so I'm not sure what that's all about. Maybe Tracy knows something!
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She has company on the outer side bar. No screeching tho. Can't see if who ever landed there is still there. Oh yes they are. Why is there no communication between them Doesn't she usually squawk and screech when one of them come near her.
That foot is definitely bothering her.
I guess that is Mom of Dad over there.
They should tell her to go to bed. It is 9:10 in Winnipeg...it is bed time. I need to relax.
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Just before Chase left, he would stand on that ledge and bite on the wood frame in a way that is consistent with the kind of knocking we heard. He's giving the signal to sis, come back out here!
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Went for a refill. Who was the company? She seems to be there alone now.
When she moves her head you can see one of the parents on the bar over on the other side.
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Went for a refill. Who was the company? She seems to be there alone now.
When she moves her head you can see one of the parents on the bar over on the other side.
Thanks -- I'll watch for that.
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Ooh my...must be supper time!!!!
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I think that's Chase!
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I wonder if Mom and Dad are doing the fly by with food in their talons!!!
Wow, I hav got to turn the volume down!
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White feet, fuzzies on his mohawk and Lightning isn't giving him the boot!!
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here they go with the squawking and screeching.
Would love to know what they are saying to each other.
If it is her brother she is either happy to see him or maybe not?? ???
My cat has come to see what all the noise is.
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Chase is catching one shut-eye.. ;)
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okay....I don't know about everyone else...but I am just at the edge of my seat here (Winnipeg). I have been watching this instead of the Bomber Game, trust me, this is much more enjoyable!!!
Okay...now there a three!!!!
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It is him, isn't it? White fluff around the cheeks. Wish TPC was here to see and let us know!
Three? I only see two. Or is one on the outside bar?
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Awww..she's not alone anymore, guess all that yelling paid off!
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Parent on the outside rail..
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okay....I don't know about everyone else...but I am just at the edge of my seat here (Winnipeg). I have been watching this instead of the Bomber Game, trust me, this is much more enjoyable!!!
Okay...now there a three!!!!
Yup there are three now.
I am on the edge of my seat also.
Last time I checked the Bomber game...they were losing badly.
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yup....there would be three! Must be a parent as Carly wrote on the outside rail!
Well...I feel a little bit better now that they're all somewhat settled in the nestbox!
I'm thinking it's feeding time soon though!
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I wish they turn that outer cam on.
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LouLou Belle....All I know is that the Bombers lost...I had the game on but I gave up watching as the falcons got my attention more than the game!!! I know they came back with a couple of touchdowns but they didn't win!
Ohhhh wonderful...now she rests!!!
Heard the knocking again!!!!
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maybe bullet is going to find his way backin also.. wouldn't that be a hoot.. from thinking they were all gone to all of em coming back.. Wow.. this has been some nite!!!!!!!!!!
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Whewww
She finally laid down.
I am not as nervous with Chase on the edge...he has a bit more experience.
I wish he would settle down also tho.
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I think Bullet is having more fun biting the side of the nestbox!!!
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Whewww
She finally laid down.
I am not as nervous with Chase on the edge...he has a bit more experience.
I wish he would settle down also tho.
,
OMG LMAO I laugh at your posts Moonstar because you write just exactly how I am feellng too... and it amuses me to know someone else is a nervous wreck like I, ,
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well...at least Chase is trying to get a little shut-eye.
Don't like the fact that he's on the ledge trying to get a little shut-eye...
Okay Bullet, enough chewing on the nestbox! Please tell me that you all heard that knocking sound!!
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lay down Chase!
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You cry for me to come back and then you go to sleep..I'm outta here!
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Chase has decided to go back to wherever he came from.. he made that look easy hoppiing over there. Mom or Lightning did not blink an eyelash............. Well well. is this not the strangest evening we have seen on here in awhile?
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another night with Lightning in her favourite position, on her belly, beak on the ledge.. Love it!
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I think Chase went out to join Bullet and do some damage to the side of the nestbox!
I remember last year at the Radisson west side nestbox, Princess would always chew the top of the nestbox!
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box lit right up that time.. the shadows match the sounds...lol.. good call JL.. hey,, Chase is still there,, see his tail feathers??
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I think it's all three of the kids because they all have the vertical striping on the front of them and lightning is really upset now
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I think she is the one that just hid in the corner isn't she.. oh my,,, this is so sad to watch..
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Yeah it's Lightning in the corner
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Someone is def in the corner -- you're prob right that it's Lightning. Is it really the boys with her? Or the parents?
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Chase is on the ledge, the one on the rail was the last to come back and I thought it must be the Dad, but my cam blurred when they came in, so I didn't get a good look,, whoever it is,, bounced back out onto the bar after abit like a professional.
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Definately one of the boys ont he ledge, not sure who just side walked long the rail but I thought it ws the other bro but I could be wrong but looking at the tail markings I think it might be the kid.
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Lightning has not budged since I seen her dive into that corner, hope the stress isn't too much for her,, remember Tracy saying that stress affects them physically!!
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SGB knows how to contact them. I'll send her a PM about them (Elk River) thinking about it for next year -- too close and too scary. Everyone okay with that?
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The 3rd one is hugging the rail right next to the box at the bottom of the view that's why I think it's the 3rd kid
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Who's with her now? Left to make dinner...
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I think that's Chase
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Still chase perched on the ledge,, lightning is tidying herself up a bit.
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I love how Lightning has no problem with her bro but god help one of her parents if they intrude...
I wonder why Bullet has never come back.... would LOVE to have an update of him, a pic, a cam, ok, a microphone, a moving camera of the entire area commandable from my computer! Wooo, got on a roll there!! ;D
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I think Bullet has been back in fact I think that's him hugging the wall at the very edge of the nest box, if you watch closely you can see feathers moving a bit because of the light breeze there.
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you see all the traffic traveling in the picture ....... do you ever wonder if anyone them are as nuts as us?
I drive or walk down portage and automaticly look up at the raddison hotel.
right now two of the kids are sitting there looking out ... are people looking bad at them?
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all quiet on the Minnesota front - not to get too sentimental but we won't see this much more and although I want them to go and be falcons, I'll miss them - they've been a pleasure to watch since hatching and a very big consolation since the loss of the chicks at the Radisson (that I may never get over.. :(
looks very peaceful now...
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all quiet on the Minnesota front - not to get too sentimental but we won't see this much more and although I want them to go and be falcons, I'll miss them - they've been a pleasure to watch since hatching and a very big consolation since the loss of the chicks at the Radisson (that I may never get over.. :(
looks very peaceful now...
It is sad for our loss .... but ....we have foster children!!! ;D
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thank goodness Msdoolittle, we're all going to have (real) empty nest syndrome for sure...
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Ack!! - I turn on the camera - and ...'Empty Nest'... :o.... :'(
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I guess they all flew the coop this morning.
I don't hear any squawking or screeching...just mechanical sounds.
Great for the falcons (if they are all safe)...sad for us.
But like someone said...We have foster chicks...and hopefully it will be soon that we can watch them for a few weeks.
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Heh...I just woke up too and logged on and no birdies in the box! At least we know she's with her brother :D
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well I'll be darned it's an empty nest when I just logged on. Never know what a new day will bring eh?
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...and she's back...heh..she must have heard us missing her ;D
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okay think our girl is hungry perhap?? lol
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Look at her testing those wings!
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okay,, not another nerve racking day,, I can't take it!!
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Loll..I look away for a few minutes and she's gone again..hehe. I have to go run errands now but at least I know she's okay and just out exploring her surroundings so I can shop in peace.. ;D
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I can hear squacking, but nothing to see. Boy, it sure is windy again today!
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It sure is windy, I noticed that before, seems to have picked up. You can hear the wind, and see all those feathers in the box really flapping. All us quiet. All I can hear is the wind and that weird electrical sound. Hope all is well. :)
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Looks so empty...I'm still wondering why they haven't changed the cam view...must be something technical on their end. They've been so on top of everything else, I can't imagine that it is an oversight...Of course, with the holiday weekend, there maybe no one there to flip that switch, so to speak...
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About 3:35 Winnipeg time a parent brought food and wow did she appear fast in the nest box. She squawked like crazy for a while with her food in the corner. Doesn't look like she is eating it. She is just watching it in the corner. Every so often she screeches tho. I guess she is hanging out on the roof. She has sure mastered getting back into the nest box with no problem and she does it quickly. Looks like she is eating now. There is movement in the corner.
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I just switched cam on; is that Lightning eating in the corner? :D
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I would say it's one of the boys by the size and man is it ever windy out there.
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It's a howling. I wouldn't be wanting to fly around in that! :o
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That's probably this one is staying in the box lol doesn't even want to venture out into that wind
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checking in again after 2 1/2 hours. Wow, someone is in the box. You guys have not figured out who it is? He/she is laying down with head on ledge,, that was /is Lightning's favorite position. Does look a bit small to be her however. But the fish eye lens makes it hard to tell when they are way over to that side of the box. She is laying right where all the bird poo is on the camera lens so I can't say who, just that it is one of the kids. Still very windy. Glad one of them decided to get out of the wild weather. Not a good day for practice flights I would not think! :)
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Somebody (One of her brothers) just came to the nest for a visit and got royally yelled at by Lightning - sheesh she can be a grump. She wouldn't let him in & he had to fly off into the hurricane! :o
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Thanks ballywing I wondered what had happened as I saw no food ,boy she is crabby!!!!!
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Mom first had the food, she brought it in then the youngin came into the nestbox and took the food away from Mom. Just now they had a tug of war. She's back again, tug of war again, Mom won that one.
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Well that was before - a different screaming session. - This time there IS food in there, looks like Dad (?) brought it in - picked at it for a minute, then Lightning blazes into the box and grabs it!!! :o - takes off into the corner and has been screaming at whoever that is - ever since to get the heck out of there - which it looks like he did - but she's still shrieking. OH - then he comes back & tries to take dinner away from her again, Sheesh such a fuss! :o
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I can only imagine what these parents are going through...how much food to hunt and not enough time too hunt it....
Hmmmm.....don't hear anything, guessing all are fed!
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I can't stand the fact that we can hear them, but can't see them....
Well...think I'll check back in later on them!
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Juvie has returned...I just can't tell which one...
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I think it's Lightning. ;D
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Prob Lightning, judging from the few white feathers still flapping in the breeze.
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That was mom.
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Ouch....judging the reception mom just got I'd guess Lightning!
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Well, now...that was interesting...who was that?
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And then there were two...
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Her little cries are heartbreaking..sounds like a child crying there for a minute. TPC was right...the girls being left on their own are hard to watch.
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My...isn't she vocal...I thought it might have been dad!!!
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It sounded like crying to me, too. I think she wants Bullet to come and spend the night with her again.
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Well..she seems to be quiet right now...for a moment anyway!
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She looks so sweet sitting there....she shouldn't kicked family out of the box...but I guess that's that female falcon assertivenss kicking in...
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That's a juvie on the perch...I bet she ran her own brother out of the box...
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Yippee...bro is there with her...
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I can't believe she's being quiet and not kicking him out of the nest!
Maybe she finally realized that's she's lonely in the nestbox all by herself!
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Lol..I think he heard you..and she got her wish :D Yay now I can go to sleep and not worry about her.
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I can't believe how quiet she is... :o
Oh wow...now both of them are side by side.....sooo cute!
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That's how they spent all of last night.
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was away most of the day and the couple times I checked, the box was empty.. good to see sis and bro are together hopefully for the night. all tuckered out from their adventures no doubt!
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It would seem the youngins are choosing to roost at night in the nestbox which is probably a wise choice.
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I totally forgot to share this video..."Courtship". Seems only yesterday when mom and dad were preparing for their family...
http://s204.photobucket.com/albums/bb123/mannereid/animations/?action=view¤t=greatriver.flv
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Just about midnight-30 nest time, and two juveniles are in the box. one on the ledge, other just behind it (probably lightning). The on on the ledge has its head tucked back out of the light, but lightning appears to be sleeping ion the full light (eyelid closes sometimes). seems nice and quiet, and I will mute as soon as I post this so as to avoid the unexpected wake up call.
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Both Lightning and her bro are still in the nestbox. Lightning is laying down by the edge of the nestbox and her bro standing next to her.
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Mom just flew in with food but nobody's home...at least I think it's mom and not dad. She's looking around as if to say where did they go? She took a few bites herself and now is back on the perch calling with breakfast in her talons and she just flew off..hopefully to find one of the juvies to feed!
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If no chicks came for the food it must mean they fledged. Yesterday when one of the adults appeared with food Lightening came into the nest box so fast and just a squawking. You could hear her squawking before you saw her.
I will keep watching off and on today just incase they do come back.
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yes I watched chase and lightning until I was falling asleep in the wee hours last night. So cute to see them close and touching. last look was Chase perched on the ledge and Lightning laying with her head on the ledge. :) Every day, I remind myself this could be my last look at them. Empty box this morning as you say. Seems windy there again today. I wish them happy flying and godspeed. They very well may be back to the box several times yet, as I have read on other sites that juvies can and do return for quite some time to there nest site. Not always but does happen. So far Chase and Lightning are returning every nite and Lightning appears throughout the day as well. I wonder about little Bullet? Wished the website would let us know what is going on. Its been over a week since he fell to the silo, I know we thought we seen him one day, but are not certain. :)
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I have been hearing lots of shrieking and so on for the last 15 minutes. I know I heard Lightning for sure with her squawking and hoarse voice. lol and another bird was screeching at the same time. Maybe Mom or Dad brought breakfast/lunch to the roof for them. Shrieking was real close at one point I expected one to appear on the beam at any second. Seems to have calmed down now, but still here calls from time to time. 8)
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Dad came to visit the box for a bit. Now I hear some screeches in the distance and he's on the outer ledge with his back to us. I'm pretty sure it's dad (definitely an adult) based on a brief glimpse of a white chest.
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yeah if I had to guess I thought it was Dad, by the markings, however seemed kinda big. Did you notice he/she was kinda doing the scraping thing? Not ready to start again are they??? LOL.. Just kidding!!! lol Also seemed to be nosing around for leftovers.
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May be Lightning visiting now - never got a front view but that is a classic Lightning sleep pose in the corner. 8)
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Since they both came back the last two nights to sleep, I hope that means we get some more time with them. Maybe we'll get that outside cam tomorrow, and can watch what they're doing out there!
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wouldn't that be a nice surprise - I bet if they did switch it we'd get a lot more to watch, as they do seem to be hanging around quite a bit. *fingers crossed* :D
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one of the parents, I think Dad, just came to visit. Didn't bring food but did a little scraping and then looking around for food and then left. I'm glad they come back and check out the box occasionally and hoping Lightning and Chase will again stay for the night. The final days are indeed here....
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So far I haven't seen anyone today. But I sure can hear them! Looks like a storm moving -- getting dark too early for night.
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they are definitely around though - easy to hear them! Apparently I'm only looking when it's nice and sunny. :)
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I keep hearing really loud flapping and think someone is back, switch to that window, only to see nothing. Must be really close by. (And yes, the sun is out again!)
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I just saw someone's wing stretching out. They are on the bar right next to the nestbox but at the far left of the webcam view darn it.
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Someone is in the nestbox, think it's one of the kids by the look of the remainder of the mohawk look
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Is that Lightning, the Queen of the Castle...lol? ;D
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there is my girl!!!!!!!!!!! A little late but who cares........lol
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We have company!
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Not sure who it is, but I know it's one of the juveniles because I got a look at the front and saw the vertical brown bars
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I thought i hear someone on the roof, looks like they are choosing the nestbox again for the nightime roosting spot. It's about that time of the day to settle in their roosting spot.
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she is a big girl, and I am going by the markings on her head,,,,,, she is developing a bit of a crown type thing like Princees ,, on top of her head,, but the true, test will be when anyone else shows up, wont it, cause no one can scream quiite like are little teenage gal! lol. She reminds me of myself years ago after coming back from a rock concert or Nascar race.!!!..... oh,,,, we have company.........lol. Chase is that you?????? mmm, certainly not mom or dad, or little girl woudl be screaching her head off.lol.......... yeayyyyyyyyyyyy,, I am happy to see my juivies......... yes. puts a smile on my face.!
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holy ole she3iwelrkwerjweorweijrl you know what!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What fun!!!!!!! hA HA,,do we have all three juvies? must be!!!!!!!!!! Wow!!!
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omg they're all there!!!!!!!!!!!!!n All 3 back at the nestbox wowwwwwww what a nice ending to such a sad day!
Yeppers it's all 3 kids, what a sight :) How cool is that?
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not a peep or one word!!!!!!!!!! too funny.. has to be all three!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh I love it I love it~~~~~ been wondering about little bullet......... he is all growed up in the last week...... he he... wow.
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Oh it's definately the kids I got a look at all three of them from a front view as they were turning around.
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SGB is online maybe she can get a shot for us?
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Let's get mom and dad in for the family portrait! ;D LOLOLOL...one of the parents freaked them out...
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That IS all three of them!!! WOW!!!!!!!!!!
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Yeah I think one of the parents is around and they probably yelling, "Where's the food?"
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holy moly, must be mom or dad, yup someone is there, food. where is the food. man are we going to see big tug of war now.. gosh the sun is bad, hard to see, one stepped out, nope must have been parent. still all three juviees. he he.
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I hope they let Chase stay for the sleepover, too!
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I dont know guys would you dive into the middle of those three. they have the whole area covered..........lol..... mom dad has not got a chance........ lol..
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what a chorus!!! :)
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THat's definately lightning next to the webcam now, just the size of her says it all
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Wow...what a lot of noise. One is leaving...off to the roof. This is so cool to see all of them. I wish I knew who was who. They sure can make a lot of noise.
They are just so cute.
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All three there and very quiet. I am downloading it also. I can ask a guy at work how to send it and let you all know...if he knows. He is really good with computers..
Don't they look so sweet right now. It is like they know we are watching and they are giving us the best show possible before they all decide to fly off.
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this is so great, I don't want to go to bed now.. maybe I will leave it on all nite, and just go bed on the couch, and watch the kids, sitting there,,,lol....and yeah Pchemist i need to remember to turn the volume down if I intend to do that. lol
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Unless you want that early wake-up call!
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lol yeah don't forget to turn the volume down lmao or like liz said unless you want an early morning wake up call lmao
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(http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h186/Aline5033/Elk%20River%20Falcons/wmplayer2008-07-0622-11-14-34.jpg) (http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h186/Aline5033/Elk%20River%20Falcons/wmplayer2008-07-0622-31-12-32.jpg)
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I don't use RealPlayer. I watch with Windows Media Player and I capture screen shots with FRAPS, I use Photobucket as host site to be able to post on forums. But this is off topic and I will get my fingers slapped and my post erased and maybe banned from this place for telling you.
(http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h186/Aline5033/Elk%20River%20Falcons/wmplayer2008-07-0622-31-18-76.jpg) ;)
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thats totally Chase perched on the ledge, have watched him for many nites inthat exact position, and Lightning laying down with her head on ledge, as always, and tonite.... a bonus.,,,,,,,,, Bullet is back,,,,,, I am so so happy to see him so healthy, and obviously flying,, cause he was down below a few stories, and has figured out how to get back up here, and all that, I am so glad, I have been worried. He is still out on the bar, maybe he will come inside later for the nite. seems like a nice nite there anyhow so all should be okay. What a wonderful way to end my day to see this.
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Looks like Bullet and Chase are standing watch while Lightning sleeps. Ahhh, such good brothers. :)
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How wonderful this is! When there was big-time noise earlier we came in and watched and I told my fiance who was there and such. He also wants the outside cam turned on now! hopefully tomorrow. I'm so delighted to see all three hanging out together on the ledge! :D
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Sure is heartwarming to see the whole fam-damily hangin' out at the ol' stomping grounds!! ;D...If they don't get that outside cam going tomorrow I guess we're outta luck - maybe it's not working. ? Anyhoo, just when we thought they were all gone, it's a great bonus to be able to watch for a bit longer! ;)
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All the chicks have left the nestbox this morning. I turned on around 5:30 local time.
I expect we will see little of them now, unless the turn the outside cam on.
Great day to all.
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A chick is in the nest now with a prey, enjoying it. I can hear another one from a distance.
(http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h186/Aline5033/Elk%20River%20Falcons/wmplayer2008-07-0707-03-33-60.jpg) (http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h186/Aline5033/Elk%20River%20Falcons/wmplayer2008-07-0707-03-24-12.jpg)
Took prey close to the edge Plucking :D
(http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h186/Aline5033/Elk%20River%20Falcons/wmplayer2008-07-0707-01-36-75.jpg)
Don't want to miss a thing. Looking out the door. ;)
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This is too funny, a 2nd chick came with a prey, the first one ran to the corner bottom right, then turned around and stole prey from 2nd chick. This one got to the corner and stole the 1st prey, and first chick left with the 2nd prey.
(http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h186/Aline5033/Elk%20River%20Falcons/wmplayer2008-07-0707-11-53-78.jpg) (http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h186/Aline5033/Elk%20River%20Falcons/wmplayer2008-07-0707-11-56-54.jpg)
(http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h186/Aline5033/Elk%20River%20Falcons/wmplayer2008-07-0707-11-57-95.jpg) (http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h186/Aline5033/Elk%20River%20Falcons/wmplayer2008-07-0707-12-03-21.jpg)
(http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h186/Aline5033/Elk%20River%20Falcons/wmplayer2008-07-0707-12-08-93.jpg)
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(http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h186/Aline5033/Elk%20River%20Falcons/wmplayer2008-07-0707-13-00-18.jpg) (http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h186/Aline5033/Elk%20River%20Falcons/wmplayer2008-07-0707-14-53-29.jpg)
(http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h186/Aline5033/Elk%20River%20Falcons/wmplayer2008-07-0707-14-57-28.jpg) (http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h186/Aline5033/Elk%20River%20Falcons/wmplayer2008-07-0707-15-37-31.jpg)
Second chick decides he doesn't want to stay alone in the nest box, takes prey away to eat elsewhere with family ? ;D 6:15 local time
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All the chicks have left the nestbox this morning. I turned on around 5:30 local time.
I expect we will see little of them now, unless the turn the outside cam on.
Great day to all.
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LOL - Too funny!!! - Looks like these kids just don't want to leave home - and that's just FINE with us! ;D....Great pics Aline~ 8)
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It's really quiet. I see a truck/crane/big unidentified thing down below, and hear some noise that sounds like hydraulics. Might be keeping our family away. I'd love to think it's there to get the other camera going, but I'm sure they have other things to do, like run the power plant....
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yes I see that too Pchemist. wonder what they are up to today? Haven't heard any squawking for awhile. Hey I woke up around 5:30 my time, 3:30 elk river time, and Chase and Bullet were holding the fort down, perching, and little (big) girl was sleeping. Felt good all over seeing them there. I should have left the volume up and got a wake up call as I slept in. lol around 8 am I seen who I thought was Dad having a snack, but Aline thinks it was a chick. Great pictures Aline. It is so hysterical watching them run around the box isn't it?
Hopefully they will all be back again tonight. :) :)
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Yeah I just noticed that too Pchemist. Was wondering what they might be doing lol
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Maybe they could stop running the power plant just for a few minutes while they get that outside cam going? ;D - I'm sure nobody would mind.... :P :P
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the crane/truck/unidentified big thing is gone, and I'm hearing our family again. No sightings, but plenty of screeches.
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Oh look! An adult (I think mom) has brought some lunch and is screaming for everyone to come and get it. No takers yet though.
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holy mackeral, someone is back on the bar with a big catch in there claws. wow.. Who is that.. oh can here someone else. Lots of spotting on thechest is that a chick? my my..
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That's mom - banding is horizontal and she has a speckled chest whereas dad's is bright white.
dang she is a loud one!
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well, that's that. She took her food and left!
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That's mom - banding is horizontal and she has a speckled chest whereas dad's is bright white.
Same plumage variation between Princess and Trey!
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yup, but looked like she had white not really but not yellow, feet, was hard to see. Adults have very bright yellow feet, notice the chicks have not yet. lol... had to be mom though of course, big, and she flew around so easily. she just left again with food, guys for those of you at work. quite a catch she had in her feet. Funny to see her sitting on the bar with the food dangling down.
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yes, the male here reminds me of Trey a bit, although we don't see him too often. He has the big mouctache that comes way down the sides and is nice and white. With the mom and kids, I have to remember to look for vertical or horizontal striping. I forget that.
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Just saw someone go zooming by, screeching! - What a blast they're all having now, really enjoying the freedom but still sticking near home. ;D
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shes back!!!!!!!!!lol this time she put the food down on the bar. Must have been gettin heavy. Yes she seems to be squawking and saying come on,, kids, you want this or am I going to have to eat it? lol
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Ohhh - Mom comes with lunch and checks out the empty nestbox!! "Anybody there, I got the grub!" - nope, no takers. :-\ Poor Mom looks perplexed, what should I do with this food now??".... ???....sits for a minute pondering, waiting, 'Forget This!!' - and takes off with the snack. 8)
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jeeeze, she came back again!!!!!!!! Still has the food. LOL Nope gone again.. Where are those little brats! lol
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maybe she keeps going back there for shade? but I see it's not sunny there at the moment.
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no, she does not go in the box, and its not in the shade as you say,, she is lugging that food around with her everywheres.
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I hear distant vocals, but no one to be seen. I missed earlier sightings. ::)
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then by the sounds of it she's doing what the parents do to train their kids how to get their own food, training in hunting.
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someone came in for a quick visit. Had their back to me so I can't be sure it was a chick, but I think it was based on the landing. Sat for a moment then hopped out to the far ledge, out of camera range,
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been back at the puter for about 40 minutes, have heard lots of screaching,, and flying , coming and going have not seen anyone in box. I did see someone come in and leave again a few hours ago and didn't post it and no one else did either. Oh well. Seems they are all busy learning how to fly and hunt and all that fun stuff, thats all that matters, and that they are all okay. 8) 8)
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wow, someone just flew by,, ha ha,, has to have been one of the kids. squawking and going on and went by from right to left and down and wings spread but real wobbly like.. Fun, fun. lol
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Good heavens, all that racket - it must be Lightning!!! - BTW, TPC must be tweaking the forum as threads keep disappearing. ??? - Either that or I've lost my marbles. :P
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holy smokes gang, just sat back down and two peregrines came flying into the box, just kersmash, it was Mom (big and yellow feet, lol) and one of the chicks, don't know which one yet! The chick has got food!!! He/ she was carrying it.. Wow, wow , wow, talk about training session.. That is what it is I think. Now they are sitting there lookin around and listening for sounds of someone else maybe coming to steal it!! lol.... is it a boy or girl? not sure.. gosh that was fun to watch.. unreal..
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seems llike a skinny face like bullet? any thoughts ballywing? If its lightening she sure learned how to fly very fast. Cause that chick came in there with Mom just like he/she did it many times before. Wow. It could be her. my my.my..
yeah, its takin me awhile to find stuff on here.. Hopefully i will get the hang of it. right now I hate having to scrolll wayyyyyy down to the bottom of the front page to post for elk River. But it will be a moot point soon as they will be gone! 8)
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I think that's mum eating, isn't it? Gold chest. Can't see if the markings are horizontal or vertical. Someone came in with something very small in it's claw -- didn't even look like a bird. I think it was her. But then another came in and maybe they changed places -- not sure who had the handful.
Yes, ballywing, things are definitely moving around!
Oh, I forgot the photo of Bullet shows a gold chest too. So much for that ID! LOL
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Whoever that is has a few tufts of mohawk left on its head ;D - hard to tell now though! - my missing threads are back - but I KNOW they were gone before - I don't adapt well to change, learning curve etc... :P :P
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I think that's mum eating, isn't it? Gold chest. Can't see if the markings are horizontal or vertical. Someone came in with something very small in it's claw -- didn't even look like a bird. I think it was her. But then another came in and maybe they changed places -- not sure who had the handful.
Yes, ballywing, things are definitely moving around!
Oh, I forgot the photo of Bullet shows a gold chest too. So much for that ID! LOL
no yeller feet liz,, this ones feet are greyish white, and yup, tuffs of hair on crown, definetly a kid which one? hmmmm, maybe bullet. Lightening screams like she is hoarse. lol..... When they came in together, what I seen clearly was Mom for sure, big and yellow feet, ha ha, and this one, this one had the food!! a good sized something. lol..
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see Liz you noticed the gold on their chest markings, I notice it but can't tell the chicks apart by that. So maybe me thinking it was Bullet by his face shape( I can't explain it) and you by the chest gold, and me by the white feet,,,,, thats 2 for Bullet. lol..
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I saw someone's tail peek in! someone is sitting JUST out of camera range on the outer ledge. sneaky! 8)
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I thought I could see something too pchemist.. its getting that time of nite.. suppose they will all settle in the box again ,, be too cute, they seem to have had a great day flying around and Mom and Dad doing a bit of training to catch or get food in the air!
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glad they finally moved over for a better view! Gives me hope I'll get to see them all in the nest box later on. ;D
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One.... two.... where's the 3rd one lol Yeppers sure looks like they are using the nestbox for their roosting spot at night. Gotta love it.
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Sounds like someone has a belly ache ;D ;D
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lmao doesn't it though. For a moment there is sounded like they were all arguing with each other,just typical teenagers lol
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I love the way they are slightly puffed up while sitting on the ledge. I don't know why it makes me giggle, but it does. :D
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I was just looking at the radar and I wonder if they will be gettin t-storms?
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i am still up, don't ask why, lol, watching the kids,,,,, two in the box tonite, not sure where the third is,,,,,,, both sittin on the ledge, one is really doing some underarm deodorizing or something. lol..Lots of grooming. they seem to be close in size, is it Chase and Bullet? Lightning never made it back? Lots of training and screaching went on today so who knows. I really wished they would give us an update.!! Surely they have peregrine watchers and rescuers so why not post once in a while about what is going on?
The one nearest camera seems bigger (as the camera would make them seem) so i am not at all certain who is sitting there. Last nite, Bullet and Chase "perched" on the bars, ledges, and little miss lightning was in box with her head on ledge.. I am hoping the one nearest is Lightning, as I have grown very attached to her, and can't imagine her being out and about on her own if the bros are here! cant think about it, as I know stuff can happen in a flash! They are all "cute" and I love them all and watching them sitting there perched. I am sleeping on the couch again tonite, pchemist btw, and think I will leave the volume up a tad so I dont oversleep. Nite all!! :D :D :D
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Good morning. It's 5:00am my time, meaning 6:00am in Elk River.
Two chicks are perched on the nestbox ledge. A third one could be on the outside left hand bar.
(http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h186/Aline5033/Elk%20River%20Falcons/wmplayer2008-07-0805-01-07-31.jpg). ;)
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6:06am I think it was dad who brought a prey. Now, one of the chicks is mantling guarding it jealously ;D
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Thank you for the picture and the update Aline. I keep missing them now that I"m back at work so it's good to know that they are doing well!
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Mom swoops into the nest announcing that she has breakfast!! - 8)Nobody there but the next minute, here comes a kid to claim the prize. Grabs it & runs to the corner screaming & screeching. (MUST be Lightning) :P - she stands over the snack making all sorts of noise, but no move to eat it. Then sibling arrives, decides he wants it - NO WAY! :o - Lightening isn't in the mood to share, so sibling takes off and NOW she decides she'll eat. - So glad they're coming back to the nest for us to see their shenanigans!! ;D
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Did anyone see that? There are 2 kids in the box - I believe Lightning and one of her bros. They're pecking at each other's beaks, almost like they were giving each other kisses. Is that a social bonding thing?
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My guess is there was food left on their beaks. ;)
Two are now hanging out at the ledge. Can barely see the tail of one of them. No way to identify who they are with backs to me.
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Well I just tuned in to see two in the nestbox, one is laying down and the other, bro I think was pecking at siblings tail feathers and then a foot on the back as if to say, "I know you're hiding food let me have it!"
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no one is in the nest box, but someone is sitting on the rail on the left. keep getting glimpses of there tail. :)
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Ah, into the box for a visit. Now on the ledge. Could be Lightning as I see some down still on the head. Hard to know, though. And especially since the chick is sitting in that spot that makes the camera go funky!
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Such a lot of screeching going on! And a lot of head tilting. Wonder if she's watching someone below? And inviting them to join her on the nest box ledge? She sure is insistent.
Oh! It was to get someone to bring her food! Handed off from the off-camera edge! Wow!
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mom came in for a quick visit in the box, then flew out as someone nearby (likely Lightning) screamed at her. Then I saw a tail-shadow in the box and hear someone's talons on the roof. Very amusing. :D
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Lightning (I think) is on the nestbox ledge preening away. I've seen other activity today (quick visits, short naps, one meal) but haven't been posting updates because the forum seems a bit slow and because I've been doing what I'm actually paid to do... :-\
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well I have seen bits of the webcam today as well, and I few times there was someone in the box, or outside. Right now it sounds like someone is out of camera range on the left bar, again! Favorite roosting spot it seems. I wonder if its as hot there as it is here. 40C with humidex. Too hot to type or anything!! lol I had fun posting yesterday though. My mind and fingers need a break today. :D :D
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looks like niiiiiiiiice weather in Elk River. It's 24C and a little humid (for my taste) at 39%. No wonder they are hanging out in the sun!
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Someone just zoomed by screeching, but didn't drop in for a visit. I assume we won't be getting the outside cam at this point, what a shame - :-\- it would be great to see the whole family swooping around the skies!! - Maybe they'll come back later tonight to sleep. :D..........OH somebody is there now on the side rail - can just see the tail feathers wiggling around. 8)
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Two chicks on nest-box-ledge, looks like they are settling in as the sun sets there. I'm glad they are coming "home" each night so we still get to watch them. :)
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One bird perched on the balconny guard rail ;D
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One of the kids popped in for a quick visit. It's impressive in such a short time that the seem so very confident hopping ledge to ledge and flying off again. They grow up so fast! :'(
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There's another mid-day visitor hanging out on the outer ledge, but I can't tell who it is - back is to me. Sounds like Lightning though. There was just a flyby of a family member, too. Nice of them to get together for lunch. :)
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Seems quite windy there again today, someone is having fun flapping their wings in the wind and yet staying on the rail.
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The one who just landed on in the box was doing alot of squawking and I think it might be lightning, but I can also hear someone outside the box answering at times. Oh someone else is outside the box, one of the boys I think hard to tell with the lighting right now...
wow for a split second while someone came in with food I saw four falcons in view of the camera, 3 kids one adult. And the youngin in the box who stayed is squawking a bit, now went over to the rail at the side of the box and gone, flew off I think. One of the kids is still on the rail
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wow - all three were in the box! Now one just flew off the ledge, but that was cool to see! ;D
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Well, now I've seen everything. All the chicks were in the nestbox, making lots of noise, mom (or dad) came with food, and then dropped it! Everyone looked a bit stunned, and that sure stopped the noise. While all were looking down, the parent took off to see if she could (presumably) retrieve the food.
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Oh I'm glad you saw that Eli, I was thinking, "Did the food get dropped?" They sure got quiet quick eh
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Earlier today, oh around 12 my time , so 10 a.m. for Elk River, there was a lot of excitement. I could not post either. But anyhow,, Mom I think was doing some training. Coming in with food, Lightning woud jump in the box from the rail , and sass her something fierce, even nipped at her feet, and Mom had to jump and then go out on rail. Mom sat there, with food, then she got the food in her talons and took off. Lightning shut up then, she was just a yapping the whole time in the box. Lightning jumped out on the rail , watched her Mom flying around, then she took off, first time I seen her fly, then Mom comes back, could here the little one flying and screeching down below. Then she came back, Mom took off, lots of rail hopping, and another sibing was there too maybe both,, just lots of coming and going, and Mom lugging this food around. Seen the juvies flying down below a couple different times. Really neat. :D ;)
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Lots of activity mostly just off camera. Saw mom come into the box with some prey, heard Lightning screaming, saw mom take off presumably on a training mission... I can see a tail, and hear a lot of screeching. Hope the training flights are going well. :)
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Three at the box - one may have been adult, flew away just as I came in to see what the screeching was about. One juvenile with food in the corner and another out on the ledge screaming (sounds like Lightning). I can hear a lot of distant sounds too, so the whole family may be around for dinner time. :)
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Hmmm. One chick had the prey in the box, and was hopping around with it - almost like practicing taking off with prey. Then (after a looooooverly close up view of some feather plucking) the prey was left in the box and chick went to the outer perch. Second chick turns around, hops in, grabs prey, and flew out with it! :o
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:P it had a tail...looks like a mouse...didn't seem like they wanted it, maybe prefer the entrees with feathers?
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I'm sure it was a bird. Tracy has told us they don't do "ground" food. and I had a good (too good) view of the legs. :P
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Did you just see the balance beam walk lol
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I saw that too! First time I've been lucky enough to see them in a few days, I forgot how much I missed the screeching..it was kind of comforting in a weird sort of way :P
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Quiet again...they should be back in little less than 2 hours for their naps. I wonder how long the kids will use the nestbox to rest at night. They'll be going soon. :'( I'll miss them too. Do they migrate with their parents?
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If memory serves me correctly I believe the parents migrate first and the fledglings leave a couple of weeks later. Migration is a whole other fascianting issue when it comes to birds.
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Not sure on what their migration pattern is as they are more south than us in Canada and it may be milder there in the winter. In Etobicoke, Ontario the parents don't really migrate until late October or November (depends how cold it gets). The parents here last year were seen as late as November and then back as early as February. We even have pictures of them in the box surrounded by snow with talon prints in the snow leading to the box !!! The kids though are encouraged to go out on their own and explore the world in the Fall when the migration season starts if they haven't left on their own already.
Some articles I've read suggest that urban peregrines are not migrating at all or not very far from their home location due to the abundance of food and relative safety from predators in the city. Tracy would be able to speak to that much better though.
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Yeah TPC can correct us both on the issue of migration but you are correct, Carly, some are choosing not to migrate and if they do it's not as far as some of the Tundra Peregrines. I think each situation is different depending on location, weather, food supply etc.
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It's kind of cool because we're actually witnessing the evolution of pergrines right before our eyes as they adapt to all the changes we've imposed on them by destroying their habitats.
I wonder what happens when a peregrine from the wild meets a city peregrine ;D
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Don't forget pigeons are delightful falcon preys :P
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Yes Carly it is amazing that we can be witness to a comeback of a species we, the human race, nearly destroyed. And it's even more remarkable how some species adapt and make use of man made structures to continue what TPC calls the hardwiring, instinct to produce and the species to thrive.
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Three babies home for the night!
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Yeppers lol one is laying in the nest box the other on the ledge of the nestbox trying to figure out why sib is laying down lol oh my goodness
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I wish they turn that outside cam on. Quick, someone call GRE, it's an emergency! ;D
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lmao JL
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great group hundle, gosh,, gotta love it.. love seeing how the all get along then give the parents royal you know what when they show up.. so funny.. You can tell who it is just by the screeching.. Lighting is like....... hmmm ackk who is that, then, oh thats by bro Chase, hey come on in Chase no problemo......... if its mama or Dad, then look out! Big time......... ankle biting and get out get, get,,,,, I had a lot of laughs today watching them ALL.
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;D LOL...it must be Groundhog Day...I just saw that the other night! :)
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(http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h186/Aline5033/Elk%20River%20Falcons/wmplayer2008-07-0922-06-57-09.jpg) (http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h186/Aline5033/Elk%20River%20Falcons/wmplayer2008-07-0922-07-47-93.jpg)
Captures from 9:06 pm - 9:10 pm ;)
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(http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h186/Aline5033/Elk%20River%20Falcons/wmplayer2008-07-0922-56-11-10.jpg) (http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h186/Aline5033/Elk%20River%20Falcons/wmplayer2008-07-0922-55-11-10.jpg)
9:56 pm all three chicks home for the night ;)
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thanks for capturing that for us Aline.. Hard to describe at times to folks. :D such fun seeing all these big fat falcons hangin out together, and just the other day they were little fluff balls begging for food, feed me, feed me, now its like.......... get out , get out , get, out, who are you? how dare you , and just get out and away from me. Hilareous! Just. Now that they have fledged I am feeling not as nervous as before watching. I was expecting someone to fall to there death or something. To see them return time after time is so heartening for me.
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Good morning. Two chicks are perching on the outside ledge, and maybe the third one is on the left side. Likely ;)
Maybe all waiting for breakfast ? :)
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No one home, and I'm not getting any sound. :( How will I be alerted to look?
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Right, no sound! ??? - Hope they get that sorted out quick! - I know there's not as much to watch these days, but when there is - it's good stuff! ;D
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Really had to laugh yesterday. 3 chicks in the nest and 1 had a meal. Hopped onto the ledge outside and the other 2 were watching and hollering - then the one holding the prey dropped it. Complete silence as they all looked down. Where did it go?????
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Someone is back there again ... looking for a snack it appears.
Wouldn't it be nice if they had little name tags.
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lol...it's either mom or dad with the bright yellow talons...now I think that's Lightning that just jumped in, looks like she's squawking away...still no audio
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It was Mom in the nestbox hunting for scrapes of food, she looked like she was about to do some scraping when what I believe is one of the kids came in a shooed her out. Yep one of the kids, just got a look at the front markings.
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It was Mom in the nestbox hunting for scrapes of food, she looked like she was about to do some scraping when what I believe is one of the kids came in a shooed her out.
How typical - all the work & sacrifice parents put into their kids - now look what they get for it - no respect - yelled at & kicked out... :o :P
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I'm impressed you guys can see the foot color - doesn't come across well enough for me to tell. I have to see the front and look for vertical/horizontal to tell kid/adult. That and the kids are more brown, which I can sometimes tell. But the feet are near impossible for me to use (which means when backs are to me, I'm outta luck)
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I think that's dad in for a visit - got a quick glimpse and think it was a full-white chest. Now he's stubbornly turned his back on me. :P
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Looked like Dad in the nestbox and someone seemed to be coming in but missed and kept on going. I would say the kids sure are territorial when it comes to the nestbox.
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One of the parents was in the nest box just now, and one of the chicks just came in for a landing at a very fast speed, and hit the nestbox on the side, and fell. I sure hope the chick is o.k. - there is no way of knowing, and I am sure concerned for this chick.
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I think mom is on the ledge - trying to see and I think the chest is speckled.
I'm sure the chick is fine, Eli. Otherwise mom would have gone after it. Just wasn't graceful.
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Ballywing is right, it wasn't graceful but I am sure the chick is fine. No doubt they have bumps and bruises from their training flights lol
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I've been noticing the clouds getting darker in the background, took a peek at the radar and they are soon in for some rainand t-storms I would venture to guess.
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Looks like i was right about that one, they just had hail falling at Elk River.
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That is one WET juvenile!
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No kidding...one of the boys? Looks pretty windy. Maybe he's standing there trying to dry his feathers off. ;)
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That is one WET juvenile!
good thing there is wind - it's like a hair dryer, only for feathers.
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He's resting now and I see the sun is coming out but man is it every windy there now.
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One of the chicks is on the nestbox ledge and is preening away - gotta do a lot of grooming after a downpour! I think it's Lightning based on size, but the fisheye lens can fool you... If I had sound and she screeched, I'd know. But still no sound yet.
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No audio yet for me either but that sure looks like our pretty girl Lightning. ;D
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thanks for all the posts everyone. I'm back at the office and in court and it just doesn't seem appropriate to have the birdcam and the chance of 'ack!!' while court is in session! Sure would be funny though. Apparently no sound today anyway...?
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Who's that hiding on the left ledge? :) Is that you Lightning?
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Yes, it's her!
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LOL LouLouBelle yeah that wouldn't be good in the middle of court hearing a screeching falcon echoing through the courtroom.
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The third baby just landed. :) I'm so glad to see all three are still around.
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Yep they are at their roosting spot for the night.
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awwwww, just watched one hop in and line up with the siblings. How sweet! :D
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I keep thinking what a wonderful view this would be (it is already, but you know what I mean) if we were watching from the external camera. Then we'd see them all face on!
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That's exactly what I was thinking but you typed faster than me! ;D
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So nice to go to the web cam and see all three of them there.
I am not sure how to tell who is who but I am assuming that Lightening is lying down and the brothers are sitting on the edge of the nest box.
I guess something happened to the microphone, there is no sound.
good night to all and sweet dreams
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How come at night the feed from the cam is like in slow motion? It's not this slow during the day. :o
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It's because there is less light going through the lens.
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Well, when the lighting is bad the feed struggles. It's like this at night every time. Still nice to be able to see them when it's dark! 8)
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Ahh, all is right with the world! All home for the night.
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I'm not sure how unusual this scenario is - where all the fledged chicks come back to the nest every night......but I find it such a magical picture. - The 3 of them side by side in a row, bathed in light -their birthplace behind them, gazing together out on the new world in front of them. The slow motion makes it even more captivating! :D....Now if only we could see them from the outside !!!! :-\ - THAT would be quite a picture for Dennis!
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Do they eventually lay down to rest or stand there all night? :P Yes, it's too bad we can't see from the front, afraid that would be way too darn cute. :)
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Whenever I've seen them later at night, even 2am - they're standing - not lying down! :o My budgies don't lie down either now that I think about it - birds don't lie down to sleep! LOL.. :P
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(http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h186/Aline5033/Elk%20River%20Falcons/wmplayer2008-07-1000-32-27-28.jpg) (http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h186/Aline5033/Elk%20River%20Falcons/wmplayer2008-07-1000-55-31-68.jpg)
To answer your question... captures from last night. One was laying down at 11:55 Elk River time. ;)
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Anyone know which is which?
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(http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h186/Aline5033/Elk%20River%20Falcons/wmplayer2008-07-1023-20-38-65.jpg) Tonight 10:20 Elk river.
I don't know which chick it was. Maybe Lightning :-\ she seems to be the funny one. ;D ;D
I also added a 2nd slide show in same post frame as the first one.
I'm going to bed now... Past midnight here. Goodnight all ;)
(http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h186/Aline5033/Elk%20River%20Falcons/wmplayer2008-07-1100-43-32-29.jpg) All looking down ;D ;D
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(http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h186/Aline5033/Elk%20River%20Falcons/wmplayer2008-07-1101-06-41-17.jpg) Midnight + 6 minutes. All sleeping head under wing. ;) :D
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(http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h186/Aline5033/Elk%20River%20Falcons/wmplayer2008-07-1101-06-41-17.jpg) Midnight + 6 minutes. All sleeping head under wing. ;) :D
I started July 11th thread with same capture.
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Thanks for those, Aline. I think we think it's Lightning who lies down.
It is so great to see them all together at night. It's fascinating that they do that! I will be really disappointed when the time comes that I log in and they aren't there -- they're my evening fix. These three characters took the sting out of TLC.
I see we're back to cartoon characters! ;D I was kinda thinking the Three Amigos, myself.
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They actually sleep on the edge like that?! I understand why Lightening might prefer to lie down.
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someone asked if they stay standing like that all night. I leave the cam on. and always have to get up and go to bathroom, etc, and they are always still standing looking out, sometimes Lightning has her head on the ledge, but most of the time they are perched. Doesn't matter what time it is. Looks so cute. It seems they get out and about between 5am and 6am there time. They were all still there at 4:30 this morning, their time, but left sometime around 5am, I was making coffee and stuff so didnt see them wake up! lol I could only see one sitting way out on the bar on the right hand side, but now there is another one that just came in. Now one has moved out of view, but think there is still two there. Probably the third is out there too. I really miss the sound!!!!!!!!! 8)
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Oooh what a fabulous picture, they look so sweet. So glad to see them all safe and sound together :D
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One of the chicks has come for a visit. Did a thorough once-over of the nest box to see if anything interesting had been left, and is now engaging in some preening, near the camera. Looks a little breezy there. I'm so happy they still come visit us! ;D
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Oh, that was wicked! The chick went out to the far perch, and spread wings - the wind picked him up and he hovered a moment before regrabbing the perch, wings still spread! Did it a couple times before leaving view! So very cool! 8)
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ahhhwwww. I was sitting right here too and didn't see. :( Gosh I hate that there is no sound. It was great as it alerted us to something going on! :-\
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A chick is visiting again - looks like a male based on size. Got to see him land on the perch outside and then fly into the box - no more awkward hopping and hopping and then getting in. Getting much more confident! ;D
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Oh, another one is on the perch just out of view - you can see tail and wing coming in. It's clear they are having a conversation but we can't hear it! frustrating.
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That is a great picture of the sleeping falcons posted by Aline. I am thrilled to see that the kids (I presume it is the kids) are all safe and well!
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Heh - one of the kids is eyeballing the camera. What a great view! Wish I could capture images for you but I can't. Sorry! This is really adorable!
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Sound is back! ;D you may need to pause and play again to get it. I did so for another reason, but when I came back it was full sound (lots of wind).
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yey the sound whooo hoo!. There was a chick in the box laying down. Couple minutes ago, he/she got up with much screeching and jumped out on the rail. wow,, sounded really mad at someone. Can still here the screeching, not as bad but holy lifting..... upset or what? lol.. Must have been mom or dad. Seems siblings can do as they please. lol 8)
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I think all that screeching is them screaming for the parents to bring them FOOD, after all the parents have fed them all long and they come to expect it.
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hard to say eagle 63, I was thinking that maybe one parent had shown up "with food" but was not letting her have it, perhaps encouraging the juvie to go training again! lol Needless to say, these days, there is much screeching whenever a parent shows up. Lightning was ankle biting her Mom the other day. lol. With food, without,, you pretty well can tell when a parent is near. lol.
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Yay! - Glad to hear the sound is back, it's not quite the same without it~! ;D - Sounds like the kids are wanting to live at home & have Mom & Dad feed & support them!! ::) - Time to get out of the house guys!!! - although we really don't WANT them to!!! :P - I'm off to the Bomber Game - later Gang!! 8)
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Oh my gosh, talk about windy there. You of course can here it from the sound. But just now a bird tryed to land on a bar, wings spread,, he/she got almost on it, then the wind picked her back up a few inches, she then kinda glided over to anther bar, could see her wings still spread and wind seemed to be buffiting (sp)her still. can't see her now it seemed that the wind carrryed her away. lol..
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OMG one of the parents flew into the box with few, kids followed. Parents tries to get away withon of the kids yanking of the food and the food falls to the ground. Parents flies down, two kids follow, one was just on the railand just left,talk about action packed.
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Holy jumpings, thank goodness for the sound being back!!! One, two three juvies came piling into the box,,,,, lots of screeching , could not tell exactly what all the commontion was about, but I think one of them had food, then that one took off. The others shut up and looked down, and then another one left, finally the last one left after kinda sniffing around the box. Preety sure there was food involved and maybe one was a parent that had the food even. I don't know. It happened very fast. lol Fun fun. ;) ;)
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It was a parent with food, I saw it from beginning to end when the food fell to the ground lol
OMG that is too wild seeing the wind lifting them up off the rail lol
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Now what is going on? Been some screaming in the background. Now we have one, two birds in the box. No, we have one looks like dancing out on the bars.. really looked like it. So windy... You guys should se this.. OMG... Too funny, the wind keeps lifting them right up straight about 6 to 12 inches I think. Now all I can see is a wind flappin and seems the bird is still being lifted by the wind. Wow.... It reminds me of the picture of Marilyn Munroe with her white dress swirling around her, There legs look so long. Oh my this is too funny.. You guys got to look.. ;D ;D
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It's a riot watching this isn't it deedream!!
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Oh my , I am laughing so hard. They don't seem to mind it do they? Looks like a cartoon! lol
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I sure did!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is just dayum fun to watch. When they hope out to the first rail and the wind so strong their tail feathers are up instead of down. I am so glad I've tuned in :)
Yeah the "Adventures of Lightning, Bullet and Chase" I think not only do they mind they are having fun playing in the wind.
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The sound really added to it as well didn't it eagle? You could tell when they got a hold of the bars, there talons were scraping on them, but the ole wind just lifted them straight up, like something from a movie. Either way, that was the funniest thing I have seen in awhile.. :D :D ;)
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Good! Sound is back. I sent them an email early afternoon, maybe that helped. ;) :)
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Well THANK YOU ALINE! The sound with these guys just adds so much to there personalities, plus we get the heads up that something is happenin. YAY.. Cheers Aline.. I 'd buy you a drink if I you were near. We wil have to settle for Cheers. lol Or better yet.. Salute! ;)
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I couldn't stand the thought spending the weekend without audio ;) ;D ;D
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It's too early for bed. It must be the wind.
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Three falcons in the nest box. Is it ever windy there.
They are quiet now. About an hour ago there was so much screeching. It looked like they were all after some food and it looked like it fell over the side. All three are quietly sitting ther with their feathers blowing in the wind.
So happy they still come back to the nest box.
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This is looking more like a storm than just a strong wind. Did I see lightning?
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Hold on kids you are in for some nasty nasty weather
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I just looked a the radar and they are in for nasty nasty weather. Hold on kids and watchers.
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Boy! What a downpour... And they know where safe home is. :)
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Hope mum and dad are somewhere dry too.
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It's worse then yesterday and I saw hail yesterday.
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SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
Warning Issue Date: 802 PM CDT FRI JUL 11 2008
EASTERN SHERBURNE COUNTY IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA...
* UNTIL 830 PM CDT
* AT 759 PM CDT...RADAR INDICATED A LINE OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS...
CAPABLE OF PRODUCING NICKEL SIZE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS
OF 65 MPH. THESE STORMS WERE LOCATED ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 7
MILES NORTH OF ZIMMERMAN TO 7 MILES SOUTHWEST OF OTSEGO...AND
MOVING EAST AT 40 MPH.
* SOME LOCATIONS INCLUDE...
OTSEGO...
ELK RIVER...
IF YOU ARE IN THE PATH OF THIS STORM...PREPARE IMMEDIATELY FOR
DAMAGING WINDS AND LARGE HAIL. SEEK SHELTER NOW INSIDE A STURDY
STRUCTURE AND STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.
SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAN PRODUCE TORNADOES WITH LITTLE OR NO ADVANCE
WARNING. PREPARE TO MOVE TO A PLACE OF SAFETY IN A STURDY STRUCTURE
SUCH AS A BASEMENT OR SMALL INTERIOR ROOM IF A TORNADO IS SPOTTED.
REPORT ANY SIGNIFICANT WIND OR HAIL DAMAGE TO THE NEAREST LAW
ENFORCEMENT AGENCY...
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Yeah I figured that's what the warnings would be from the look of the radar
Link to radar
http://www.intellicast.com/National/Radar/Current.aspx?location=USMN0657&enlarge=true
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TORNADO WATCH
Warning Issue Date: 756 PM CDT FRI JUL 11 2008
ELK RIVER...GAYLORD...HUTCHINSON...
MONTICELLO AND PRINCETON.
http://weather.ibegin.com/us/mn/elk+river/warnings/ (http://weather.ibegin.com/us/mn/elk+river/warnings/)
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Oh no, not a tornado :(
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Elk River is in between the Letters of STC and MSP on the radar. A little north west of the MPX+ That will give you a sort of an idea of where it's located at on the map
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I think they sensed beforehand what was coming... I know they don't have internet to view the warnings ;D ;D
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Tornado watch, not warning. We often get that notice here with big storms.
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Located right in the middle of that system.
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I think they did sense a change in the weather. I think animals and birds having an uncanny ability to sense things that we don't.
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Yes but the worst of it seems to be to the south west of Elk River
and I would venture that where the Juveniles are the worst has passed. When you look at the web cam view it seems the view is to the north west, I could be wrong I am just taking a guess.
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I think the worse is over now.
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(http://s64.photobucket.com/albums/h186/Aline5033/Elk%20River%20Falcons/th_wmplayer2008-07-1106-42-04-31.jpg) (http://s64.photobucket.com/albums/h186/Aline5033/Elk%20River%20Falcons/?action=view¤t=39993106.pbw) Click to view slide show of all captures from this morning til now ;) :D
(http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h186/Aline5033/Elk%20River%20Falcons/wmplayer2008-07-1120-56-51-84.jpg) 7:56 Elk River. I think during the worst of the storm.
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Warnings & Advisories
There are currently no active warnings or advisories for Elk River, Minnesota.
It's all over. ;) They'll be able to dry their feathers with a little wind. :D
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well how adorable is that!? Log in and Lightning is having a good look in the cam! Wonderful to see her and her brothers in the box, what a treat!! ;D
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I was wrong the webcam view is due west, you can see the sun setting at the top portion of the camera. ANd you cn see the pavement below drying too wow.
Looks like it's lightning doing all the preening, rather fascinating to watch and bro is watching because.... he can pick up some tips? And now bro is scratching his ear lol Got an itch, got an itch.
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It looks like they've all fallen asleep for the night. They deserve a good one after this storm ;D ;D
(http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h186/Aline5033/Elk%20River%20Falcons/wmplayer2008-07-1122-14-04-01.jpg) 9:14 CDT (http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h186/Aline5033/Elk%20River%20Falcons/wmplayer2008-07-1122-44-44-98.jpg) 9:44 CDT
(http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h186/Aline5033/Elk%20River%20Falcons/wmplayer2008-07-1122-56-44-42.jpg) 9:56 CDT
Goodnight all ;)
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That slide show was terrific! Looked like a couple of shots were with lightening flashes.
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Great pictures Aline!!! ;D - I soooooooooooo LOVE that the kids come back to the nest every night, and often during the day too! 8) It's so nice to be able to keep on watching them, we'll really miss them when they go for good. :-\
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:D I think this is the cutest thing and it is so nice they all came home tonight
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All three still in the box. Two on ledge, one inside - all are clearly awake just now but I imagine that will change soon. So sweet.
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Ah! The third amigo has joined siblings on the ledge. So cool to see them all lined up each night! I'm really happy for the light now. ;D
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all 3 perched on the ledge, would love to see the view from the outside cam (have given up on that hope for sure..), and seem to be content for the night, all appears to be calm now after a very nasty storm a few hours ago.
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where's Aline when we need her! it's a beautiful shot right now, full moon, 3 juvies on the ledge, a picture to remember...
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Sorry I missed the moon last night ;D ;D But don't forget I get up a lot earlier than all of you ;D
(http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h186/Aline5033/Elk%20River%20Falcons/wmplayer2008-07-1205-29-13-93.jpg)
The kids are all lined up on the ledge this morning. ;) 4:29 CDT
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Someone must be getting some training this morning. An hour or so ago, Mom came into the box. Could here one of the juvies really screeching about this, just off camera. lol. Mom ignored whoever it was and just nosed around abit. Finally the juvie could not take it anymore and jumped , flew, threw herself into the box, of course Mom very smartly took off flying. This time the juvie leaped out after Mom and took off flying after her! Amazing to see.
Well I will be away from the puter for a couple days. :( . I sure hope these guys are still hanging out when I get back! Going "home" to visit my Mom so all is good though. :D Have a great weekend all! 8)
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Yeah I would say it's Mom in the nestbox at the moment, doing some preening.
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I agree - based on a slight view of the chest it looks like horizontal bands and a slightly speckled white chest. She may be waiting for a kid to show up for some training.
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well, that was a cool view of a take off and fly away! ;D
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Wasn't it just amazing to see that Pchemist?
Wow talk about Territorial kid, parent comes into the nestbox and the kid had been on the rail out of view of the camera and sure shooed the parent out. One of the kids is on top of the nestbox.
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Now we've got a kid (male, I think) napping with chin on ledge by the camera. Looks like a good place to be.
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You're probably gone by now Deedeam, but have a great wknd! ;D - you'll have lots of catch-up reading to do when you get back. :P
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Look at the colour of that sky! More storms today,I'd say.
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No storms on the radar in ELk River but there is here in Ontario lol
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Looks like the brothers are back in the nest box - one of them now standing where it makes the camera and the light go all funky. When they were side by side they were the same size it seemed, which is why I think these are the brothers. Definitely juveniles with their brown vertical chest markings!
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Nest is empty right now, can't see anyone out on the rails either. Guess they're having evening play-time - will check back later to see if the kids come home for bed time! ;D
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Somebody sitting on the ledge now, I think it's Lightning - still got some fluffies hanging off her.. ;D - She's calling to someone, and they are answering her back - been going on for 5 minutes now. Whoever she's screeching at hasn't shown up yet but they're definitely talking to each other! :P
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They've been yakking back and forth to each other all day lol
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All three back in the box - two using the ledge as a pillow while one is standing guard on the ledge (and falling asleep...).
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All 3 chiks in the nestbox for the night. One is on the ledge watching and the other two are laying down. ;) :D
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all 3 doing a little late night looking around, preening and one is perched and snoozing.. Weather looks calm :)
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All three fledglings are perched on nestbox ledge and sleeping. ;) :D
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Its been a very interesting morning...there has been a parent robin and 1 or 2 babies somewhere near the box. At one point a baby robin must have been right next to the mic. To add drama and suspense, a parent falcon was in the box, and occasionally would go to the perch...where the parent robin would dive bomb the falcon...Falcon took off and I hope parent robin didn't turn into breakfast. I'm still hearing babies somewhere, just no parent at the moment..Falcon currently on the perch...just can't tell if its a parent or a juvie...
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Click here to view slideshow (http://s64.photobucket.com/albums/h186/Aline5033/Elk%20River%20Falcons/?action=view¤t=88351042.pbw)
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Click here to view yesterday's slideshow (http://s64.photobucket.com/albums/h186/Aline5033/Elk%20River%20Falcons/?action=view¤t=88351042.pbw)
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(http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h186/Aline5033/Elk%20River%20Falcons/wmplayer2008-07-1304-44-56-37.jpg) at 3:44 CDT this morning. :D ;)
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Robin episode with parent falcon 6:20 - 6:25 CDT ;) :D
Click here to view (http://s64.photobucket.com/albums/h186/Aline5033/Elk%20River%20Falcons/?action=view¤t=fb4641ac.pbw)
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Adding my congratulations to Ballywing. It so captured the story.
So sorry that Princess & Trey didn't agree to foster....I'm just catching up here.
Good news though I have a Robin's nest in my garden with two eggs that I'm expecting to hatch in 2 weeks.....my grandchildren are visiting so I'm busy protecting the snowball tree(where the nest is) Momma Robin gets very nervous when the little ones are out there playing. I just pretend they are my falcon chicks!!!!
Marie
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First juvenile of the evening has come back to roost. Now looking out from the ledge watching for siblings. :)
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#2 just arrived, now where's the 3rd kid
speak of the devil there's #3
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And the third one. ;D
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The squawking is amazing. I asked Tracy on our little jaunt the other day if the noise we've been hearing on this web cam is normal - she said it was.....the only time I've heard P&T clearly was last year when they were doing the banding - could hear them from inside our office!
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Holy Smokes that says alot of how p o'd P&T were to hear them in your office.
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They were clearly not happy campers! We were trying to watch them out the window at the same time as on the live video - oops, not to mention working....... ;D
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Wonder if they establish a perching/roosting rank, who sit in which order etc. ;D ;D Nice to see them.
Leaving you on that thought... Goodnight all.
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LOL trying to work watch live video and watch out the windows, talk about multitasking.
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Ah, the three amigos are all lined up watching the night go by. Still no audio. If you do write to the webmaster, ask for the outside camera! ;D
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Hmmm, something must be interesting below - all three simultaneously went into a vulture pose, dipping heads down to look at something. Wonder what!
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I hope they do this every night all summer long!!! - such a charming picture the 3 siblings make - all in a row, such a pleasure to watch! ;D
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I especially like it when, like now, you can see their shadows cast on the nest box wall in the back. Seems quite artistic.
Hard to believe they were uncoordinated balls of fluff so short a time ago!
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Good morning! One chick perched on the rail and preening. :D
Audio is back this morning. First train at 6:01 am CDT ! :D ;)
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The squawking is amazing. I asked Tracy on our little jaunt the other day if the noise we've been hearing on this web cam is normal - she said it was.....the only time I've heard P&T clearly was last year when they were doing the banding - could hear them from inside our office!
Sorry for being behind, posting on the 14th on this thread.... Further to Pam being able to hear P&T when the chicks were being banded last year -- I asked Dennis (also during our jaunt) where he took the photo of Trey in the dive-bomb (on his site in 2007 pics, also the one in the book), and he and T said it was when they were doing the banding last year! Trey was REALLY protecting those babies from Tracy!!! LOL That would help explain Pam being able to hear them. :D
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Oh my goodness -- only one post today??! Does that mean they've left and no one has seen or heard them today? :( :(
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I hope so. But I have to think if there was nothing posted today, it's a sad sign. On the other hand, no one commented on that either (them not being around), so maybe just no one was looking today...
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I checked a few times and no sign of them at all today the times I looked. Must be out exploring but they'll come back, it's too early for them to leave yet surely, they haven't said goodbye yet :D
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Someone is there now -- but don't know if it's a parent or one of our Three Amigos. Prob our girl Lightning, I guess.
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From what I can see it's a chick, and from the size I think it probably is Lightning. Glad someone is home! :D
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SO glad to hear from you guys. I was starting to fret!
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2 of them on the ledge now. Lightning and a brother. So where is the missing sibling?? ??? Hope he shows up, it's going to be sad when they stop coming home for bedtime. :-\
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Good evening folks. I didn't see them fly in but it kind of looks like there's 3 tails...maybe they're all there? :o
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Good morning. 2 chicks perched on rail this morning. As I write this, one just flew away ;D ;)
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it's always fun to see them take off - wish I'd seen it (but that would have meant being up at 3:15am, so then again not). Nobody is home now. I won't be around for most of today, so if I'm not posting it's not because nobody's home. And eagle's out too, so it's likely to be quiet on this thread....
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hi there. I have had the cam on for a couple hours. all is quiet. No kids or adults around. Just that darn train and traffic is all I have heard. I too probably will not be around too much. I think it is getting quieter on the cam as well, maybe they all are venturing farther away to learn how to hunt and stuff. Cheers all.
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oh we have an adult in the box. Just came screeching in. i think it is Mom. No kids have arrived yet to shoo her out. She is just nosing around a bit. oh, she might be doing some scraping. yes think she is. kinda layed down in the gravel and wiggled a bit. lol. Now on the ledge looking around. Now on bar on the side. Hmm, Now what?, lol. Forum is loading pages slower than molasses in the wintertime, so I am waiting here to finish what she is doing. I hear what sounds like chirping. Sounds like those robins. OMG. Oh, oh, Mom just took off. Look out robin. Can't hear the chirping anymore either. Oh dear.
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One of the falcons just arrived back at the nest box - I could not tell if it was an adult or one of the kids. Now, just flew off - and considering how confident it was, I suspect it may be mom or dad.
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I heard the robins chirping awhile ago so hope all well with them.. Strange that they are so near the falcons isn't it?
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2 birdies on the rails facing each other right now. Not sure if it's 2 males or 1 male & lightening - no yakking or screeching going on, just nice calm friendly loitering. :P................oops one flew away. ;D
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looks like we are down to one tonight. One birdie in the box on the ledge perching. ahhhhh! :'( they are soon to be gone for good gang. darn it.
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Good morning all.
There was one chick when I checked last night. None this morning. Weather looks beautiful and it could be a factor. A bit like humans, they enjoy sunny days and they go out and play. :D ;D
They will start to roost near the nestbox.
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Saw the one Peregrine in the nest last night before I went to bed.
This morning there is none.
I guess they are finding different places to spend the night.
Have a good day everyone.
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Near the nestbox? well darn it why don't they turn on their outside cam. We have missed so much. I'm greedy, I want to see everything. lol.. Guess by now we know they aren't turning it on or they would have a long time ago. Would have be interesting to see though.
Its been so nice here too, and guess we all should be spending as much time as possible outdoors, I know I always have in the past, but this year has been my first for webcam viewing (never had highspeed here last year), so I have spent way too much time inside staring at my computer screen. Time for me to get my binoculars out more often and get outside. 8) 8) 8)
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Me too, was up at 3am and still only Lightning perched all by her lonesome. :-\ - We knew this day would come but didn't want it to. It was so nice seeing them all together every night. 8)
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Nobody home, and no sounds of anyone nearby right now. I wonder how long they keep this cam running? Perhaps until they migrate. I agree - wish they would turn on the outside cam! But you're right, deedream, at this late date it seems unlikely. :(
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Oh tis sad indeed. I kinda thought last week was special when we all were seeing them come back to the box to roost and they were all llined up in a row. I thought it might be just for a few days, if that , and decided to take the time to really watch them before they were gone. I didn't get a lot of sleep.. Laid here on the couch with the laptop going, falling asleep to the three amigos, all lined up in a row.. went to sleep with a smile I did however!! :D It is bittersweet. I know they are out there doing what they are supposed to be doing but I miss them just the same... :'(
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I too only saw one last night. Maybe if we all send emails to that address that was posted the other day, and beg for the outside cam, they'll change it?? Shall we start a campaign? 8)
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I see a chick perched on the rail :D
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One kid, Lightning? Still sleeping on nestbox ledge. :D ;)
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I heard distant calls, and I can see a shadow on the nestbox wall coming from a perched chick on left side, and Lightning who was perched on ledge is now on rail. :D ;)
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Nobody home, but I see a car paarked down below (waaaay down). Haven't seen that before - just the big truck things, so it's something new at least.
That lawn is always well kept, but I never seem to see the lawnmower. weird, that.
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Strangely enough, I have seen a guy riding around on a lawnmower down below. I would prefer to see the falcon chicks, but you take what you can get. I also have not seen or heard the robins in the last two days, so I hope they are o.k. I would love to see the falcon chicks a few more times before they leave for good - it is sad to say goodbye to them.
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Looks like it's rainy there. Hope all the family have found shelter. Wish they'd picked the nest box!
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OH! - somebody is on the ledge! ;D - probably Lightning? We don't seem to hear the screeching & chattering anymore, who woulda thunk we'd miss that racket!! :P
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Looks like Lightning! I'm sure it's a juvenile, and a windblown and damp one at that. Glad she came home to shelter! ;D
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It IS windy! - And if Lightning stays in the same position much longer, those blow-drying feathers are going to be stay sticking out sideways for good!! :P
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I was thinking that it should feel kinda weird to have your feathers all blown over to one side sticking out like that, but she isn't moving one bit. She's gonna have a bad hair day for sure!
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I see 2! :)
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Well, Lightning is not alone any longer - one of her brothers just came in, and after a quick hello peck on her tail, perched on the ledge. He looks pretty wet, as well.
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Ah, bummer. I get back to my office and nobody's home anymore. Then I read that there were two for a bit. Poop. I missed it.
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I missed it too! - they don't alert us anymore with their yelling & screaming - too quiet!! :-\
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Well, admittedly I have it muted often when I'm in my office - can't imagine what my colleagues would thing hearing that screeching! But when I'm at my computer I have the window up in the corner so I usually see stuff anyway. It's when I have to LEAVE (silly people, expecting work from me) that all the good stuff happens. >:(
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at least is has turned to nice weather - looks sunny and calm now. Of course that probably means they are out flying and having fun and we don't see them - but I'd rather think of that happening than think about them huddles up waiting out rainy icky weather!
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Nobody home at the moment, but did hear some chirping that is definitely not a peregrine. Maybe that means the robins are still okay.
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I just hear a lot of mechanical noises. Not sure what it is, but if I were a bird I wouldn't want to hang out in that racket either!
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All quiet. The black car/truck that was parked below all day is gone. Looks like a red vehicle of some sort is down there now.
Isn't that interesting? That's what you get when the birds desert you. Car talk.
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LOL, Pchemist. Well, at least we can find lots to entertain us! Did you send an email to the webmaster asking for the outside cam?
I noticed a truck parked down there all last night -- think it was black, if memory serves (and it rarely does! lol). Is that red thing a vehicle? I thought it was a piece of equipment, or a trailer bed for something. For the lawnmower, maybe? Yeah, I guess it looks like the front end of a vehicle.
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A fledgling landed on the left side, stretched a bit, then walked towards the right side, ventured to the extremity of the perch stick on the far right side. I think it is still there but out of view. ;)
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2am CDT and nobody in the nestbox :'( - haven't seen anyone in there all night....sigh...... :( - Glad they all fledged healthy & happy but sure miss those 3 musketeers!!!!
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A fledgling is perched the rail, and another is in the vicinity, I saw a flight. ;)
A few minutes later, I hear vocalisations from one or two of them, but can't see them, must be food delivery.
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Well, nobody's home now. *sigh*
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ooh! Someone just hopped in! I think it could be dad because he looks the right size and the coloring is more white by the head, but he won't give me a good view. Cool to have a visitor!
He screeched on the way in, alerting me to have a look. Thanks! :)
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Heh - he flashed me a bit of leg, definitely an adult. :D
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Well, what a pleasant surprise! One of the falcons just dropped into the nest box - by all the screeching, I will assume it is Lightning.
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Nope - it was dad. I could tell by the markings. Short visit though - just a quick tour of the nest box, a visit to the ledge, hop to the rail, and off he went. Nice to see him though!
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No problem, I miss them too...all that screeching and those tugs of war over the food - I had never seen that before and it was hilarious to watch. Amazing how we've all gotten so attached to the little brats :D
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Nobody in the box and it's (obviously) late night there now. Maybe someone will be there in the morning when Aline looks.
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Been away all week fellow Phanatics. Are the babes coming back to the box at night still? No one there now but wondering what's been happening at night.... :(
The 3 of them were there each night til about Tuesday, was so great to watch them standing in a row. ;D...Then Lightning was by herself for a couple nights......and for the past 2 nights - NOBODY! - .....sigh..... :-\
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No one in the nest this morning, presumably none all night.
I am not dating this thread, it may be the last, unless they decide to turn outside cam on.
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I guess this is the end. I kept checking last night and the nest was always empty.
It was enjoyable to watch them while they were there and we will have next year.
Next year we will have the Raddison to watch as well as Elk River and may more.
We phanatics will be very busy glued to our computers watching these wonderful falcons.
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:( Yeah I kinda figured they would be gone by the time I got back. I miss seeing em.
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Falcon alert! ;)
Too funny, maybe Lightning, came in the nestbox and did every corner, scratched here and there, funny looking. Lasted just a few minutes. ;D :D
I'm sure we will see them again... Like during bad rain storms.
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Looks cloudy. No action for me to see. Ah well. I was asleep (gladly!) when Aline issued her falcon alert. Perhaps later I'll get lucky...
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Falcon ALERT!!! in the nestbox... Now two
First in nestbox, but the other came with a prey and is perched on outdoor rail... trying to mantle ;D ;D and yacking away! ;)
It could have been Lightning. She left downward, maybe on the lower level. ;)
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Could that be Lightning? So glad to see and hear her...now gone! That was a quick visit.
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Alert !!! One is perched on the rail ;D :) ;)
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So sweet, presumably Lightling lying in the nestbox :D
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It is HAILING ! :'(
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She stayed there for a while watching and then she left for lower level. It is now raining very heavily,
but now I can see the road and cars go by, I couldn't a while back when hail was coming down. :'(
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Wow - I missed a lot! Now it's sunny and there are no falcons.
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Ooooh! I hear them! (that's as close as I've gotten today) ;D
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Me too!! - Sounds like somebody is doing fly-by's while chatting!! But no sign of anyone landing in the nestbox. :-\ - Maybe later! :D
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I'm definitely in withdrawl. Haven't seen them for days.... I think that nasty weather they had today is heading towards southern ontario and we'll get it sunday :-[
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One just landed on ledge of nestbox. ;)
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spoke too soon, somebody's visiting!
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Finally I get to see one of them, been checking in on and off all day. Thought I'd missed seeing them for the last time when I left on vacation. Nice to see the youngin looking so adult like :)
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any idea of who?
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I also think it's Lightning, I think that since she was the last to leave, she remained attached and sort of took possession of the homestead ;D
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I think so too. Wouldn't that be something if the boys joined her! One last time and all that...
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I'm definitely in withdrawl. Haven't seen them for days.... I think that nasty weather they had today is heading towards southern ontario and we'll get it sunday :-[
Yeah I was just looking at the radar and we might just get some of that nasty weather if it tracks towards us.
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So nice to see Lightning back again! ;D She looks so regal & content looking out over her kingdom! 8)
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I was just thinking that Ballywing, so confident now. That was the girl who laid on her belly rather than perch and took so long to get up and perch with any surety!
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Our little girl is all growed up.. :'(
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there you go getting all poetic on us again :-*
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so happy I checked back! Delighted to see Lightning visiting, looking settled in for the night, even. yay! ;D
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Empty nest this morning.
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I just caught a glimpse of (and heard) mom or dad scraping and E-chupping in the nestbox. I did not get a good look at the right talon, so I can't confirm who it was.
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I think it's a description of one of the vocalizations that has to do with territory. At least, that's what I've assumed in context when people have used it as it always seems to be associated with scraping in a nestbox.
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Depending on what the vocalizations were!
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You'll know it when you hear it. It sounds like a squeeky "E-chup. E-chup. E-chup".
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Woohoo! falcon alert! someone just walked in while I was reading this thread - I think it's dad (clearly an adult but the fisheye makes size judgements hard) but can't get a good look at the chest. Cool! ;D
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whoa, that was a quick visit. Just a jump in, stare quickly at the camera (while hiding chest markings, I might add, harumph), look out a bit, hop to rail, and take off.
I feel lucky to have been here at just the right time!
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good evening phanatics, hoping Lightning will strike twice with our girl spending the night in the box again. I woke up around 4:30 or 5:00am Toronto time to see Lightning hop out to the outer perch, look around and off she went.
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I don't think any of them showed up last night and have been checking in a few times today, still nobody... :-\ - are they really all gone? :'( not quite ready to give up yet - will keep checking just in case!
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THERE'S A FALCON! Holy moley. Sound is out, but when I opened it up a juvenile (probably Lightning) is in the box wandering around pecking at stuff!!!
;D ;D ;D ;D
Then, of course, she flew off. But I got to see one! Woohoo!
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Falcon on the ledge - back to me so can't tell who. But nice to see another visitor! Good break from painting my kitchen cabinets. :D
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A parent was perched a while back preening, think it was Mom. ;)
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We just had a visitor. And the sound is working again! Quick hop to the perch, a little preening, then off again.
Ya gotta be quick and lucky to catch a glimpse of them these days.
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Hm, I'd given up on this cam for the past couple days - but guess I'll turn it back on again - the sound definitely helps let us know if any visitors drop in!! ;D...........HEY!! - good timing! - 10 min after I turned the cam back on, somebody came & perched for a min, screeching away. Not sure who - maybe Lightening..? ??? - Great to see them whoever it was!!! ;D
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I happen to just click onto the cam (surprised they still have it running) and saw a falcon in the nestbox, poked around a bit and took off. I just saw the backside of the bird. The chicks are probably so grown now (all dark feathers, no baby down) that it'll be difficult to tell if it was a chick or one of the parents.
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It's still on, but I haven't had the great timing I had before. I can hear them sometimes (when the sound is on) so I still have hope for one last glimpse. The problem is, you never want it to be the last one!
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I hadn't seen any of the falcons at the nest lately, but late this afternoon one of the parents visited - I think it is the female. She didn't stay long, but did a lot of digging in the gravel in the corner nearest the cam.
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/graug31b.jpg) (http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/graug32b.jpg)
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/graug35b.jpg) (http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/graug36b.jpg)
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Very cool pics, Alison! Thanks much - great to see mom (I think) back to mark territory for the next time. :)
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I have been lucky enough this week to have seen a peregrine at the nestsite at three different times. One of the kids was there late this morning making a lot of noise. It is so great to get a glimpse of them again and know that they are O.K.. ;D
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Falcon alert...someone is just hanging out standing on the outside bar. ;D
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If anyone is watching, I think it's Mom perched out on the ledge right now. Her back is to the cam but I'm guessing by the noise she's making that's Mom. So they're still around.
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It's Mom alright - she went into the nestbox and scratched around a bit. Now back out on the ledge. Over 45 mins and still enjoying the peace and quiet looking out towards the road. I wonder if the chicks have migrated or are still hanging around.
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On their site it mentioned that the last sighting of the female last year was Aug 15. I guess they should be around for another couple weeks or so. Do the juvies usually leave before the parents? Mom stayed this time for over an hour before she spotted something (snack perhaps) and flew off. I've seen a few prior posts of Mom scratching/digging around the nestbox a bit. Guess she's wanting the same room next year. ;)
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The parents migrate first then the juvies will migrate a week or two after.
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Falcon alert. Mom is in the nestbox. The sound isn't working again however she is opening and closing her beak like she is vocalizing. Perhaps calling for Dad to come by for some bonding 8)
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One of the parents visited the nest box this afternoon. I think it's Mom.
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/graug93b.jpg) (http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/graug922b.jpg)
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/graug924b.jpg) (http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/graug938b.jpg)
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thanks for those pics Alison. Mom looks healthy and well. Great to see her. ;D
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One adult was at the nest this afternoon. I thought the female at this nest was the same one as last year, but according to the Raptor Resource banding report for 2008, she is new.
"Last year’s female, 30/B, nested at Sherco this year, so the female here is new. Interestingly, 30/B tried nesting at Sherco last year, but moved to GRE after her box was destroyed by lightning."
A new nest box was installed at Sherco, and last year's Great River female, 30/B, returned to her former nest site. She and her mate had four babies, three females and one male.
I didn't know the names or band number of the chicks at Great River until I read the banding report. The chicks banded were two males and one female. The female, band R/29 b/g, was named Lightning; the first male, band B/89 b/g, was named Bullet; and the second male, band B/90 b/g, was named Chase.
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/graug1111b.jpg) (http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/graug1113b.jpg)
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/graug1126b.jpg) (http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/graug1127b.jpg)
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Thanks for the pictures and the link, Alison. It's amazing what people have to do to get these little ones banded. Heights don't bother me, but some of those sites would make me think twice (or thrice) about trying to get to them! Thank goodness there are those who will.
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Thanks for the information, very interesting and neat to see how she went home to her original nest site..I guess home really is where the heart is :D
Great shots of our mom too!
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Thanks for the banding info. Good to know we've been right all this time, calling the female Lightning. ;D
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I see a falcon sitting on outer bar calling out (sound is working again). I can't tell if it's an adult or juvie. :)
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Someone is home again, sitting on the edge of the nestbox, calling out and looking down. :) It is difficult to tell who it is due to glare on the webcam.
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I can hear someone, but no one is in camera range. Glad the sound is working though - if it gets louder I'll know to come look. :)
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Boy, it's pretty clear no one is hanging out any more. There is a cobweb blowing in the wind!
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LOL...there's a pigeon laying on its tummy in the nestbox right now...maybe the falcons will drop by for a snack. ;D ;D
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Thoase pigeons must have a death wish. Are they given to trying to commit suicide?
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The pigeon came back again later today, and kept going in and out of the nest box.
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/graug215.jpg)
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Dang, I'm missing all the fun stuff and seeing cobwebs. >:(
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... ought-to-be-lunch-with-an-order-of-fries pigeons .... >:(
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Both adults were at the nest briefly today, but one left before I could even zoom in to save the pic. The other stayed for a little while.
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/graug2623a.jpg) (http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/graug2625a.jpg)
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/graug2626a.jpg) (http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/graug2629a.jpg)
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Love those pics, Alison - especially the staring-into-the-camera ones!
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There's a pigeon napping in the corner...better watch out for falcons! :o
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The pigeon looked very relaxed, and stayed for quite a while.
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/graug275a.jpg)
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Thanks for the pics! at least now I know what I missed. :P
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Well, what a pleasant surprise this morning! One of the falcons is perched on the edge of the nest box, relaxing in the sun. He/she looks fat and healthy and quite content with life. I can't see enough to tell whether it is dad, mom, or one of the chicks, but it is always a pleasure to see one of this group.
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It looks like Mom sitting pretty in the sun and preening right now. I don't think the pigeons will be dropping by. ;D
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Still there - surveying her world.
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Thanks for the heads up Eli! I miss watching the peregrines so much that even watching mom staring out ahead or below is calming :) :)
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weird. I hear sound like normal but the video feed is all messed up (like a frozen shot of a bad shirt - green with red, yellow, blue, and black lines)
Wonder if it's being taken down? anyone else having issues?
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If I refresh I get a new bad shirt each time. This one is pastel checks.
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Well, now the picture is back. And I'm watching an empty box.
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One of the adults spent time in the nest box late this afternoon.
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/grsept519a.jpg) (http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/grsept510a.jpg)
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/grsept528a.jpg) (http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/grsept530a.jpg)
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GRRRRRR. I Keep Missing All The Cool Stuff. >:(
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Falcon alert! There is an adult in the nestbox. I hope that it stays for awhile. :)
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Mom is out on the perch preening herself and enjoying the sun :D
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Adult is still there on the outside bar. I haven't been having trouble with the picture but I did think that I heard someone singing :o Did anyone else hear snatches of music? One thing that I have been wondering about since the juveniles left is why there only seems to be one adult and no bonding in the nestbox. Or have I missed something? In the early days I saw an adult a couple of times coming to the box and calling out on and off for about an hour and then eventually flying off. Is this a cause for concern? I hope that all of you knowledgeable people can provide some information on this. :)
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One thing that I have been wondering about since the juveniles left is why there only seems to be one adult and no bonding in the nestbox. Or have I missed something?
We've probably just missed the rebonding. The female will be the one you usually see on the nest box, they are very territorial and don't stray too far from home. Our mom here where I am is on the nest box every single time I check, day or night. Today I saw dad on the ledge over next to hers for the first time in over a month - other than that he usually perches on the other side of the building and keeps watch although I honestly don't see him around as much now that the young are gone. But if I hear mom alarm calling, dad will appear in a flash and help her defend the territory, then they get kind of cuddly afterwards and touch beaks and chat abit and then it's back to their respective corners..lol.
Peregrines are known to be somewhat of a 'loner' bird, they are also known as wanderers and will fly all over the country on their own. They will soon be parting for the year and heading out on their own until they both return next spring so maybe they are just looking forward to being free for awhile and soaring the skies ;)
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Carly, thanks for your response :) I feel a lot better now. It must be wonderful to be able to watch "your" falcons. ;D ;D
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It must be wonderful to be able to watch "your" falcons. ;D ;D
It is - every morning it's the first thing I check even before I enter the building I work in. I've become quite attached to them and i miss the kids too but I haven't seen them around for a few weeks so I'm just assuming they're off exploring the world and I hope to hear someday that they have their own little families.
I'm going to watch mom and dad daily this winter and keep a diary because I want to see if they stay all winter - I've seen them in February in the snow and as late as October last year but I"m wondering do they really stick around when it's minus 27? So we'll see...I've heard conflicting stories about them going/staying year round.
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:) Glad to see Mom sitting at the back of the nestbox out of the sun chirping away. She just called out now and flew off.
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hey I watched the other day after reading all the posts of piggeons etc, in the box. then finally that the peregrines were back. lol. Imagine my surprise to see Mom I think in the box. Nice to see someone familar. She was calling to someone, or something, just yaked away for over an hourl
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Whoopie folks ;D The Elk River couple were just back at the nestbox chupping at each other. It was great to catch this. Let's hope they are back here next spring.
A pigeon, a very lucky pigeon, had been picking around in the gravel a little earlier ::)
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It is raining at Elk River today and one of the adults is back sitting just outside the nestbox facing inward. Beautiful to see. I can't help but wonder every time I see one of them this month if it might be the last time this year.
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Yes I see the adult sitting on the outer bars of the nestbox. It's still raining and that's probably from hurricane Ike. I would gather a guess that it is the female. Nice to see even in the rain.
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I don't think it was the female perched outside in the rain. I watched it for a while and both feet looked normal, so I was guessing it was the male. The female has a damaged foot - I forget which one.
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One of the parents has been in the nest box again for over an hour sheltering from the rain and now he/she is basking in the sun. They look so relaxed :-* Probably dreaming of pigeon :-X
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Another visitor - an adult falcon digging around the nestbox. Looks a bit smaller so my guess is it's Dad.
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fiddlesticks. I need to just have it open again, I guess. But I'm delighted to hear they are still visiting. Today it's nice and sunny (and the train is loud!)
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No birds on the cam, but I hear calling ;D
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Falcom back in the nestbox vocalizing. ;D
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;D Bright and early, Mom is perched on the outer ledge quietly basking in the sun. Wonderful to see that she's still hanging around.
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Mom was back earlier scraping in the nestbox but I didn't post because it was a short visit. She's back again sitting on the outer ledge like she's guarding territory. Maybe she just don't like those pigeons hanging around. :P
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Mom, I think, has been back at the box for about 10 minutes, and making lots of noise. :)
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Yes, I see and hear her ;D
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I don't think it was the female perched outside in the rain. I watched it for a while and both feet looked normal, so I was guessing it was the male. The female has a damaged foot - I forget which one.
I was under the impression all season that the female was the same one as last year, who is missing two talons on one foot. When I read the 2008 Banding Report from Raptor Research, I found that there is a new, unbanded female at Great River this year. The female from last year, 30/B, returned to her former location at Sherco. She had moved to Great River last year after her nest box was destroyed by lightning. A new box was installed at Sherco, and 30/B and her mate had four babies at Sherco this year. Below is a pic of her babies, and a pic of one of the adults at Sherco.
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/shercochicks3a.jpg) (http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/sherco4.jpg)
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What a great report Alison, thank you for posting it. Sad to see how the weather all over North America has effected the wildlife this year but good to see the success stories as well :D
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Thank you Alison for that happy story and the great photos. :)
I have to admit that I kept looking at the feet of the Elk River birds and couldn't understand why I couldn't see anything wrong. Nice to have the mystery solved. ::)
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Mom's been around nestbox today. It looks very windy there. She's now looking out from the nestbox after scraping around a bit early. :)
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Mom's quietly perched and looking around. :)
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Mom is still around! Apparently the rain and the cold weather down there have not yet scared her off. I can see her tail perched on the edge of the nest box at 3:18 p.m. MDT.
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;D Mom's on the ledge enjoying the sun if anyone is still watching.
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Yes, I have been watching her preening and cleaning - I believe she is taking a good look around before she heads south, and she looks strong and healthy. What a pleasure to see her again before her departure.
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9:38 am EDT - Mom's perched on the ledge and enjoying the morning sun. I wonder if Dad's still around and if she's getting ready to leave. It shouldn't be much longer now we're into Oct.
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Just thought i would take a peek here as I have not had the time. Glad to see your female is still around also. but as the October winds start to blow they will go :) :)
We had a warm up here after some real nasty weather . Maybe you will also.
Nice pcitures and posts. :) :)
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:) Mom's been there all morning; she still is.
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Wow, Mom's been at the nestbox all day. I haven't seen her leave to hunt. She's still there. Is that usual behavior right before they migrate?
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She did leave this morning to hunt, and I saw a number of birds scatter in her wake. She came back a hour or so later, and hasn't moved. I think she is resting up for her journey, and at the same time, making sure she know the lay of the land for her return.
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It's totally amazing that they can etch that in their minds and find their way back!
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She's back! I was sure that I saw the last of her when she hung out almost all day yesterday; it shouldn't be too long now. It looks like she's enjoying the weather and doing a bit of preening. :)
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My, my, she's with her mate. Both of them are at the nestbox! Did anyone else see? She was on the ledge, then hopped into the nestbox, then in flew her mate onto the ledge. Now they've both hopped onto the side out of site and then I saw one fles off followed by the other. ;D
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I can't believe I missed this. I was watching her, she was picking around in the nest box, and then she was looking at something, but I could not see what - I had no idea her mate was around! And I looked away for one minute to do something else, and all this happened.
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Eli, all that happened in like 10 seconds. They were so quick. They dove off the ledge and disappeared in a second. Looking back I see my misspells. I was typing too fast because I was so excited and surprised to see them both at the nestbox. :)
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:) "Chup, chup, chup"...Mom's home! The sound is fixed! ;D
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Mom's still around - she's been hanging out on the ledge on and off this morning. :)
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;D 12:30 toronto time and she's still there, surveying her domain...
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One falcon was there this afternoon - I'm not sure which one. Both adults are still visiting from time to time, and last year's female, 30/B, has also been visiting recently. She is the falcon who is missing two talons on her left foot; she moved back to her former nest site at the Sherco plant this year and she and her mate had four babies this year, three females and one male.
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/groct723a.jpg) (http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/groct73a.jpg)
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/groct79a.jpg) (http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/groct76a.jpg)
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Interesting - I was watching one day, trying to figure out which one was in the box. I noticed the left foot as being different, but didn't get a really close look at it. Now that you say 30/B was back, then it was her I was watching. Any danger that the two females would tangle with each other at this point, or is that primarily in the spring?
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There's a falcon on the ledge right now chuping. :) It looks nice and sunny but the wind is blowing pretty hard!
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:) I just saw a falcon drop by for a short visit (about 20 seconds). Made a few short chups flying in, sat on the outer ledge and then quietly flew off. It definitely did not look like the same falcon in the pictures that Alison posted yesterday. It was longer, skinnier and had all its talons. For sure there are more than 1 of them still around. ;D ;D
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The falcons I posted pics of yesterday is 30/B. I wasn't sure at the time, because I couldn't see her feet, but I've seen other pics since and it is her. I hope she and the current female will not have any confrontations, either now or in the spring. The two nests are about twenty miles apart by road, less by falcon. The Sherco nest is in the small town of Becker, MN, while the Great River nest is in Elk River. Both towns are north and west of Minneapolis/St. Paul, in the general direction of St. Cloud, along the east bank of the Mississippi. Twenty miles would seem to be far enough apart to avoid territorial battles - I hope!
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This will be a hard call. I the female had a positive nest site this year you would think she would go back there next year.
She is maybe just visiting on her way through to migration. @0 miles is a long ways apart so that should not cause territorial battles. Our nest sites are much closer than that in Edmonton.
Keep your fingers crossed.
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There is an adult at the nestbox again at Elk River but I don't know these birds well enough to tell which one it is. :-\ I hope that it isn't the female from last year back again.
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Still looks blustery (of course, now it is December). But I'm glad the cam is just left on - this way we can keep checking back and be quick to spot when they return!
Which, annoyingly, is something like 4 months from now. *sigh*
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2009 NESTING SEASON
Elk River is still live and has the sound back up. A note was posted dated December to say that the Peregrines are expected back in mid March. Only one more month to go!
Great River Energy Power Station - http://www.greatriverenergy.com/ebc/birdcam.html
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Whoopie ;D A falcon just visited the nestbox. Just a quick trip in and then flew away. I couldn't get a good look at the legs so I don't have any idea who it was. It could have been any one of the three from last year or another peregrine altogether.
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The Elk River visitor may regret coming to Minnesota this week. I just checked on the forecast there and that area is going to be slammed by that major winter storm that is also going to affect southeastern Manitoba. Not a nice homecoming ???
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Oh, oh...5:25 pm and adult sitting out on the ledge!!!
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I checked this nest around 7:00 pm and there is a peregrine in it. The poor thing looks pretty cold with snow on it's head .Lets hope the weather warms up soon .It looks sad all alone probably wishing it was still in the sunny part of the world
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Same thing this morning Barb! Looks like a bad snow storm, it's just pure whiteout at some points and you can see how strong the wind is. And lone peregrine sitting in the corner - looks like it may be mom. I wonder if only one is back so far; hard to find food in that kind of weather - I hope she/he will be ok :'(
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Its 1505 hrs (Winnipeg) and all is quiet (and empty) in the box ... :'(
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I checked first thing this morning and several times during the day between work and no sign of the adult that was there. I hope she/he survived the storm okay. I did see she/he fly off yesterday once the winds died down a bit but it was still pretty bad, I thought maybe they are going for better shelter as the snow was blowing right into the box at that time.
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Haven't managed to catch anyone home at Elk River. I did think that the bird that was there was probably the Mom from last year due to the white patch above the beak, however maybe that was just snow ??? If it was the Sherco female passing through then that would be better news than no sighting at all. Here is a link to Sherco where someone is home. Maybe someone else can tell if this is the same bird. ???
http://birdcam.xcelenergy.com/sherco_day.asp?TOD=10
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Well it's 7:30 am EST here and I've got the cam up again, was hoping to see someone here since it's so early but no luck.
You are probably correct Maggie, that never occurred to me that it might be someone passing through and decided to ride out the storm here. I do not know that area at all and didn't know there were all those other sites around so that makes perfect sense. I did check your link and honestly I could not tell if that was the same bird. Your powers of observation are much better than mine as I didn't notice white on the head. All I could seem to focus on was 'holy cow' it's a total white out and that bird is shivering in the cold!!
Hopefully it will warm up there and our pair will return shortly - the web site indicates they usually return around mid month so we may just be ahead of ourselves or perhaps she found a warmer place out of the wind to hang out at until her mate returns.
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There were some posts last October about the Sherco female. Alison filled us in on the background of 30B. She had nested at Elk River in 2007 and then returned in 2008 to her original home at Sherco which is about 20 miles from Elk River. She has a missing talon and is also banded so she was identified when she visited Elk River last October. There was some concern that both females might return here in the spring.
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Good News! There is finally someone back in the box at 13:40 Central Daylight time.
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O.K., we may have a little drama here at Elk River as it appears to be 30B, the falcon with the injured left foot, who is here. She and another peregrine who is out of sight have been calling back and forth. I wonder if this is the male from the previous two years.
I checked the latest Sherco pictures and on one image only there was a pair of Peregrines in the box facing each other in the head low position. This may mean that another female has taken over the Sherco site. ::)
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Oh gees..I was out shopping and missed it all :( Maggie I have a question, did 30B bring her original mate from Sherco here when she moved here in 2007 for that one year or did she mate with the tiercel who was here last year with the other girl?
I did remember though that whoever was in the box the other day did not have a damaged foot, for some reason the foot thing stuck in my head and I did look at her feet. So if you are now saying 30B is back and the timing would be right - it's mid month and the other one is not the one from Sherco then there may be a battle unless the one we saw was a tiercel.
I wonder if by chance the female from here last year decided to play musical nestbox and went to Sherco? I wish peregrines came with labels :o lol...or LARGER bands we could read with the naked eye!!
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Ok there are 2 females there it seems - just checked the other board where Alison is and she has pictures and the one we saw the other day is not 30b. But the one I just saw is 30B they are saying....yikes.! I hope no one gets hurt :'(
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Its 5:00 CDT (Winnipeg) and the box is empty. Its sunny outside the box and doesn't look too breezy, so I rather suspect that everyone/anyone/whomever is off scaring up dinner, its that time of the day. They'll kill it, eat it, preen themselves, have a last buzz around and then bedtime ....
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6:34 EST and 30B just came into the box - now I can see her foot, poor girl :'( She has two toes (talons) missing and can barely walk- she literally hops from the outside beam into the box, kind of like a little long jump! I found some more out about her on the web, she is one strong peregrine! Apparently both of her feet were injured and the one with the 2 talons missing - all you can see are stubs and yet she has successfully raised up to 4 young at a time and done a great job providing for them! I guess as long as you have one good foot for grabbing and can carry your prey, you're set!
I wonder if the tiercel is around at all or just the 2 females? Maybe that's why there has been no conflict yet - no male to nest with. I'm kinda rooting for 30b now, I know, I know, that sounds bad but I always go for the underdog!
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This afternoon 30B was vocalizing back and forth with another bird and I am sure that must have been a male. He was probably on the outside bar that isn't visible on the cam. Perhaps he will reveal himself tommorow. ::)
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She was just calling to someone now Maggie before she flew off. I'm guessing the females wouldn't bother chatting to each other would they! Except to say..get out my nest box you cow!! ;D
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Ok there are 2 females there it seems - just checked the other board where Alison is and she has pictures and the one we saw the other day is not 30b. But the one I just saw is 30B they are saying....yikes.! I hope no one gets hurt :'(
Today is the first day I have actually seen a peregrine in the box, and it was 30/B. Carly, as far as I know she did not bring her mate from Sherco with her when she moved to Great River in 2007 after their nestbox at Sherco was destroyed by lightning. I also saw the pic of two peregrines in the Sherco nest box today, but couldn't tell who they are. Since the two nest sites are only twenty miles apart, perhaps the female from Great River is there.
I didn't know 30/B had injured both feet - I had only read that one foot was injured, and that it was probably a recent injury when she arrived at Great River in 2007, since the foot seemed to bother her a lot. She has a great deal of trouble walking; she has had a very hard life. She was born in Cleveland in 2002, and in October of that year she was admitted to the Raptor Center with head trauma. At that time she was unbanded. Later she was released at the Mayo Clinic.
I only hope there will not be any territorial battles at this site.
Here are today's pics:
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/february%202009/gremar151a.jpg) (http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/february%202009/gremar152a.jpg)
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/february%202009/gremar153a.jpg) (http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/february%202009/gremar155a.jpg)
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/february%202009/gremar156a.jpg) (http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/february%202009/gremar1513.jpg)
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8:02 am EST and someone flew in or should I say flew to the outside. Can't see who it is but I can hear the noise and it's a peregrine!
And it's 30B, she just hopped into the box. She has a feather on her beak and was chewing so she's just finished brekkie I take it. Now she's on the edge of the box chatting to herself it seems.
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So earlier today I didn't see anyone here but just caught someone in the box vocalizing. I think that it might have been the dad from last year who has a somewhat distinctive head. All I can say is that it definitely was not 30B as the left leg was fully visible and very much intact.
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7:52 am EST and peregrine on the wrungs outside calling to someone. They are hidden behind the GRE logo so I can't tell who it is >:(
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Oh my god, territiorial fight in the nest box :'( :'( Oh my god. I've turned it off, my hands are shking - I can't watch :'( :'(
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OMG :'( :'( :'( That was awful but I had to watch. The only positive is that they didn't appear to be injuring each other. For the most part it seemed to be a talon to talon standoff. More noise than anything. The falcon on the left ( a banded bird) with her back to the edge eventually managed to leave and the other falcon flew after her. Hopefully just to escort her away.
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I went back and I caught the end too, I couldn't stand not knowing and my thoughts are the same, let's hope it's an escort out.
I don't ever want to see anything like that again... :'(
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I don't ever want to see anything like that again either. I still think that it is positive that they weren't using their beaks. Now I know how Bev must have felt watching the battles in Edmonton. Let's hope this is all over and that one of them will go on her way without any serious injury.
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Someone was just back sitting in the spot that the Great River logo blocks and calling out. And flew away. I don't think that this bird was injured.
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Someone is back again and perched outside, back to me so can't see the feet but all quiet so far.
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Well who ever it is definitely not 30B as they have both talons intact. I hope 30b is okay where ever she is :'(
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there is someone in the box checkin out the digs. all toes accounted for.
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I think that it is Mom screaming out for Dad to come by ::)
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Yes it seems she has managed to drive out 30B - I really hope 30B is okay and just flew off and will be safe.
If I was the 'dad' I'd be hiding after listening to that scream fest this morning :P
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I hope that we hear something about 30B. I am really pulling for her. She has had such a tough time with injuries, loosing a nest box to a lightning strike, and now shut out of both her previous nest sites at Sherco and Elk River. Other than her foot injuries, she does appear to be large and healthy. Let's hope that she is O.K. and finds another nest site.
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I hope that we hear something about 30B. I am really pulling for her.
Me too Maggie, she is at such a disadvantage with 2 damaged talons, for carrying food with the one she was good but for fighting I'm guessing you'd be at a real disadvantage if you couldn't use them both. I'm hopeful she was smart enough to realize this wasn't a fight she was going to win and she just flew off and will find a new home. I'm going to miss her though :'(
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You guys might want to pace yourselves, there are always things to worry about when it comes to peregrines :D
As for foot injuries ...
if she can't stand, she's a goner
if she can stand and is still alive after the first year, she's doing better than 70% of the other peregrines hatched in her year
if she can stand, is alive after a couple of years, has had and raised young successfully, you can worry less, experience is a very good thing
As for territorial disputes...
alot (not all or not all the time) is sound and fury, dominance displays if you like. If one doesn't back down, then it gets a bit hairy and there is spitting and talons etc. And yes some disputes are to the death. They are also gender specific - females fight females, males fight males. So the bird that turned up that isn't 30/B, it could be the male, both genders are involved in nestsite selection and in nestbuilding (ie: making the scrape/scrapes) remember. If it is another female, 30/B may dig her talons in so as not to show weakness to a competitor. And if she can hunt/feed for herself, she can probably escort some usurping floozy out of her territory.
Think happy thoughts folks ... ;)
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And if she can hunt/feed for herself, she can probably escort some usurping floozy out of her territory.
Lol..Tracy, what a nice post to come home to, that just made me laugh out loud!!
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7:12 pm and there are 2 of the cutest little black birds running in and out of the nestbox, jumping on the wrungs and then to the top of the box..it's hilarious. I saw them here yesterday briefly but now they look like they've decided to 'buy' this house maybe..lol. Just adorable :-*
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Its 10:00pm CDT/Winnipeg and now I can see that there is a light outside the box that is providing illumination even at this time of night. Kind of nice ... was there last year folks? I don't remember ...
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Yes TPC...not sure where the light source is coming from but it was there last year as well :)
It's wonderful as you can watch the falcons all day and all night... ::)
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That cute little blackbird is back again today, sunning and preening on the ledge. Hopefully one of the peregrines doesn't catch her!
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Okay, I need to know what this "little black bird" is ... anyone manage to get a screen capture of it?
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ya .. she's cute, but best be careful.... she could make a nice little snack. :P
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Lol..I know! Her and her mate have been around a few days now. The first day they arrived was cute, it was like watching 2 little people choose a house - they looked it all over inside and out and started chatting to each as if they were saying "it's very spaceous and airy, let's buy it"!!
Tracy, I can't take a shot at work but will try tonight if she's home - she's black and has a long thin beak - I looked up some birds, might be a starling maybe.
UH OH PEREGRINE HOME AND UPSET...Black Bird Flew out pretty darn fast!!!!
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Has anyone noticed a male peregrine at this site at all yet? Seems only the 2 females and this one keeps crying for someone but no one is showing up at all. Wonder if the male is not back yet, he's probably laying up in a tree somewhere in South America! ;D
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Has anyone noticed a male peregrine at this site at all yet? Seems only the 2 females and this one keeps crying for someone but no one is showing up at all. Wonder if the male is not back yet, he's probably laying up in a tree somewhere in South America! ;D
I am sure that the peregrine on the outside bar that 30B was "sweet talking" back and forth with was a male. I wonder if there is ever a situation where the male takes off with the "losing" falcon.
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That's what I'm wondering, maybe the male took off with 30B especially if he was her mate from Sherco - maybe they were both displaced and not just 30B? and in that case he wouldn't really be bonded with this site.
Do you know Maggie?
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That's what I'm wondering, maybe the male took off with 30B especially if he was her mate from Sherco - maybe they were both displaced and not just 30B? and in that case he wouldn't really be bonded with this site.
Do you know Maggie?
Unfortunately I don't know the answer to that question and haven't been able to find out anything elsewhere. Perhaps when the 2009 banding report comes out we can find out. A long time to wait though :-\
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I tried to do a few searches on 30B and didn't find out anymore that we already know. One interesting thing though is I read a report on Minnesota peregrines from last Fall and apparently there are alot of tiercel floaters there as they determined given the number of nest fights so on the plus side - the peregrines seem to be increasing in population! So if the male did go with 30B, 'mom' won't have trouble finding a replacement!
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It is a beautiful day in Minnesota, and our Elk River falcon is on the ledge. I can't tell if it is the female or not because of the logo, which prevents getting a good look.
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Well, our falcon really started screeching about something, and was very agitated and moving about the nest, looking up and down, but I could not see what the fuss was about. I don't know if he/she was really upset about other birds flying near the nest, or really excited because his/her mate showed up. I hope it was the mate!
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I think that 'mom' has another challenger for her nest! That cute little black bird is back again acting like it's her house ;D ;D
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I have yet to see anyone. I guess it's because I don't check in til after work -- earlier in the day seems to be exciting!
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Did anyone manage to save any pics of the territorial battle a couple of days ago? I missed it, of course, and I'd really like to know which falcons were involved. It sounds as if 30/B has been displaced? I hope not - she has had enough difficulties in her life already, and she can't really go back to Sherco, since there is a pair at that nest now.
This pic of 30/B (sent to Raptor Resource by Brenda Hoskyns of GRE) shows the problem 30/B has with her foot.
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/february%202009/grefemale.jpg)
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As for territorial disputes...
alot (not all or not all the time) is sound and fury, dominance displays if you like. If one doesn't back down, then it gets a bit hairy and there is spitting and talons etc. And yes some disputes are to the death. They are also gender specific - females fight females, males fight males.
I have always read that territorial battles are gender specific, but it seems that at the Brighton, England nest yesterday there was a territorial battle between the resident female and a new male (who was actually born at that nest two years ago). There have already been changes at the nest this year - last year's unbanded male did not return, and a new banded male from Chichester, born 2005, moved in.
TPC, I'd be very interested in your comments on this battle - it seems unusual for a female and a male to fight. There is a video on the Diary page of the site:
http://www.regencybrighton.com/birds/
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Wow! I've never seen this kind of battle before so thank you for passing it on. A word of warning for others, it's pretty violent.
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Wow...not going to watch that and thanks for the warning :-X! That is strange isn't it? I wonder if the male was one of her offspring from 2007, would he fight with his mom? I'm going to poke through their logs to see if this female was around back then...
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Wow that was quite the fierce battle. I've never seen raptors battle before but man oh man it was unreal. Thankfully they both survived for another day. It's amazing what technology has done to capture not just the lives of the eggs but every other aspect of being the Prince of Birds.
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Wow...not going to watch that and thanks for the warning :-X! That is strange isn't it? I wonder if the male was one of her offspring from 2007, would he fight with his mom? I'm going to poke through their logs to see if this female was around back then...
That's a good question, Carly. It's difficult to know, because the female is unbanded. The site has only mentioned that the male is new this year - easy to tell because he is banded - but I think the female is also different. Last year the female was unbanded, but she had a slight beak problem; the upper and lower mandibles didn't quite align. It was noticeable, but not severe, and did not cause her any problems eating or feeding the chicks. She also had a lot of black on her beak. This year's female has no beak problem, and not as much black on her beak. This is only my opinion, and I haven't seen anyone else mention this possibility.
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There was also a territorial battle at the Alma, Wisconsin nest earlier this month. I passed on the information to Raptor Resource, who notified Bob Anderson and John. People at the Alma Plant checked the area, and found no dead or injured falcons. Bob looked at the photos I had saved, and commented that he didn't see either of the falcons try to bite each other's neck and that while there have been battles at this site in the past, they haven't found a dead falcon yet.
In case anyone would like to see the pics, here is the slideshow:
(http://s340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/february%202009/th_almamar515.jpg) (http://s340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/february%202009/?action=view¤t=9df2a4fb.pbw)
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The Brighton Battle was fierce - the worse thing about it was how close the talons get to the eyes. I don't want to see this again.
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Did anyone manage to save any pics of the territorial battle a couple of days ago? I missed it, of course, and I'd really like to know which falcons were involved. It sounds as if 30/B has been displaced? I hope not - she has had enough difficulties in her life already, and she can't really go back to Sherco, since there is a pair at that nest now.
I have been kicking myself that I haven't learned yet how to capture pictures or video from the cams. (Perhaps someone can give some advice in the technical section). I can give you a bit more information about the confrontation that perhaps Carly can confirm or correct. I happened to have the cam open while I was doing something else and caught some movement out of the corner of my eye. This turned out to be 2 birds in the box moving towards each other and then all you know what broke loose. Initially I thought that this would be a short confrontation but as it went on I decided to post to the forum to alert other people and therfore missed some of what happened. When I got there Carly had already posted and said that she wasn't going to watch. I wanted to know what the outcome would be and when I got back to Elk River the two falcons were locked together facing each other in an upright position. Each had their talons wrapped around the other birds legs so they were having to support themselves on their tail and wings. Carly described this as a screamfest and that is a great description. Take the worst sounds from the Brighton fight and multiply that by two. The banded bird which I think was 30B was backed up against the edge of the nestbox. This screaming went on for at least 15 minutes. At that point the falcon on the right started to lose her "voice" and her body posture started to soften. My thought was they were thinking, how do we get out of this! Suddenly the banded bird did a backwards drop right out of the box. The falcon on the right dived after her. I just had the impression from the face and body language that this was an "I am going to escort this floozy out of here" move. I didn't see either one of them down on their back as in the video and slideshow from Alison. Hope this makes it a little clearer.
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Maggie your description of the fight is right on. I did turn the cam off for a minute or two but because I was worried for 30b - I quickly turned it back on and caught the end as well. I would say I only missed a few minutes. I did see some attempted pecking at the start but they were both pretty good dodgers.
I too got the impression that they didn't want to hurt each other, I think TPC hit the nail on the head - it was more of a 'dominance display' and I would like to think it was an escort out.
I think 30b is alive - call it a gut feeling but after reading about Stelco coming back then I am going to believe we haven't seen the last of her. Given she survived being displaced at Sherco, she is probably smart enough to know when to back down.
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Alison: They posted an update on the big fight in Sussex and turns out they were wrong about it's identity. The old tiercel who had been there for 9 or 10 years and was found injured back in February and placed in rehab flew right home on his release and tried to get his site back and failed.
Poor guy, but he has survived and hopefully wont' try to come back for round 2. And I'm going to go out on a limb here and say you were right, this obviously was not the same female from last year - or would she fight her old mate ?
What an odd situation although last year at Port Colbourne the resident female did attack an intruding tiercel but only after he had injured her mate. Can't wait to hear TPC's take on this one.
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As for territorial disputes...
alot (not all or not all the time) is sound and fury, dominance displays if you like. If one doesn't back down, then it gets a bit hairy and there is spitting and talons etc. And yes some disputes are to the death. They are also gender specific - females fight females, males fight males.
I have always read that territorial battles are gender specific, but it seems that at the Brighton, England nest yesterday there was a territorial battle between the resident female and a new male (who was actually born at that nest two years ago). There have already been changes at the nest this year - last year's unbanded male did not return, and a new banded male from Chichester, born 2005, moved in.
TPC, I'd be very interested in your comments on this battle - it seems unusual for a female and a male to fight. There is a video on the Diary page of the site:
http://www.regencybrighton.com/birds/
Fights between females & males are territorial, its one bird driving off an unwanted suitor. Last year, Ivy hung out at the Radisson and Princess (his Mom) didn't drive him off but wouldn't go anywhere near him or let him anywhere near her. When Trey arrived, Ivy beat a hasty retreat and exited the territory before there was a problem (smart kid). Because males are smaller than females, they tend to avoid antagonistic situations with them - also, for a male to attack a female or vice versa is counter-productive from a genetic perspective, you may be evicting/injuring/killing a potential mate. Driving off an unwanted suitor is something else however ...
From the video, I suspect that the new male got himself into trouble by entering the nestbox when the resident female was there, no way she would give it up, regardless of the gender of the intruder. I'm surprised that such an experienced male would put himself at risk like that ... and that was a true knock-down-drag-out fight, surprised everyone (so far) has survived. Hopefully he won't be back ...
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I checked in quite a few times today and only saw Mom once in the morning however this afternoon I did hear peregrine sounds in the distance so perhaps Mr. Right has come along. The cheery little black birds have been around off and on all day. I think that Carly is right that they are starlings. They don't seem to have any fear of the falcons which is pretty funny as I believe that they are on the Peregrine "menu". ::)
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I watched the video of that fight...I can't believe that they both got out of that one alive :o
It was a pretty brutal fight but it just shows us (humans) what raptors are all about. This is their way of life and this is instinct to protect their territory and themselves. I haven't seen any activity in the nestbox since the fight so I don't know what's going on. Anyone else know of anything?
As per the The Elk River nestbox, I also haven't see any activity aside from the starlings dropping by. I have seen the falcon come by for long visits but I have yet to see two of them together.
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I have yet to see anything. Except the cars going by in the background, of course. harumph!
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I check but most time the surroundings are no descriptive but I did see the back of a falcon sitting on the bars outside the box lol
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I check but most time the surroundings are no descriptive but I did see the back of a falcon sitting on the bars outside the box lol
Early morning does seem to be when most of the action is. It is shortly before 7am and there is a falcon just out of sight calling out.
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9:03 EST and I think I just witnessed mating here. Mom was outside on the perch and I swear I just saw another peregrine momentarily land on her back, vocalizing, feathers fluttering and then both flew off one after the other. I'm a bit bleary eyed so not sure of exactly what I saw. Anyone else watching perhaps?
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9:03 EST and I think I just witnessed mating here. Mom was outside on the perch and I swear I just saw another peregrine momentarily land on her back, vocalizing, feathers fluttering and then both flew off one after the other. I'm a bit bleary eyed so not sure of exactly what I saw. Anyone else watching perhaps?
Darn, I missed all of the excitement ::)
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Heh..it was so fast, honestly if you blinked you would have missed it. I'm not even sure of what I saw - it happened so fast.
I was wondering if there was a male here yet, I guess if there is something going on - it's all going on outside the box. Wish they had cams outside!
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At 10:15 Mom in the box e-chupping and scraping. Now on the bar looking around. Hope that she and a male are "making hay while the sun shines" as the weather forecast is bad for the next several days - rain, heavy rain, thunderstorms and then snow.
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someone is on the rail right now, but all i can see is big old feet.... he or she is right under the logo on the screen.
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I think this is mom and the tiercel buzzes by once in awhile. I think they are taking Maggie's advice ;D
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Well someone is at the nest, think it's the female, she was in the box and then went onto the rail. She's vocalizing alot at the moment.
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I've finally seen someone there -- yippee! Now if they'll just get rid of their icon in the top left corner so we can see the ledge... all I could see was the bottom half of whoever was there.
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Yes finally..a falcon at the nestbox!! Still haven't seen more than one yet :-[
Hopefully there is a mate in sight or passing through soon!
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Someone in the nestbox, yelling at the webcam. Probably Mom but I can't be sure. Really windy there now.
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Looks like a female in the box at the moment.
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Falcon still in the nestbox..I think it's the female as well. She's been in there for quite awhile. Perhaps waiting for someone???
Looks miserable there right now...Very Windy!
She seems to churp when she sees her reflection in the camera lens :P
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Yeah she's still there and man is it every windy there today!
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That's one of the things I love about this site, when they seem to look right into the cam and make faces.
I'm worried about the weather now, they mentioned possible 'first' tornadoes of the season coming with those storms. They didn't say specific location but hopefully these guys will be ok.
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That's one of the things I love about this site, when they seem to look right into the cam and make faces.
I'm worried about the weather now, they mentioned possible 'first' tornadoes of the season coming with those storms. They didn't say specific location but hopefully these guys will be ok.
Call me crazy but I like to check on the weather here as there are a lot of storms in this area so here is the U.S. Weather Service forecast page for Elk River. The forecast has actually improved from this morning and doesn't sound too bad. Things are much worse west of Minnesotta.
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Elk+River&state=MN&site=MPX&textField1=45.3326&textField2=-93.5658&e=0
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I wouldnt' call you crazy Maggie, I'm the girl who called Australia when an disappeared out of the nest...so you are a long way from crazy girl :P
I'm glad you did it and thanks for posting that link. Although it's not exactly balmy weather, it doesn't sound as bad as they had indicated earlier..let's hope for weak winds.
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Yes, the weather is supposed to absolutely nasty in the south then coming North....I live in Winnipeg and we are supposed to get lots and lots and lots of rain, then some more snow, oh and then more rain >:(
The meteorologists are predicting lots of precipitation and some pretty bad storms through Minnesota then coming up to Manitoba...YUCK!!!
Brace yourself Falcons...just find a safe, dry spot and stay there.
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Doesn't look too bad there so far this morning. Mom has been back and forth calling to someone on the outside perch.
I hope our 30B is safe and sound somewhere too.
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I watched Mom for over an hour in the box this morning. She even took to dozing off but remained ever vigilant if there was any noise whatsoever, then would doze off again. Looks windy there but not raining/snowing.. No sign of the mate...
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It's kinda of interesting isn't it...The females seem to come back first waiting for the appropriate male to come along ::)
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Whoa Just caught the end of a visit by TWO peregrines to the box. And this time a male and female with heads bowed low. 8)
Unfortunately the sound seems to be gone, at least for me. They flew off together. REALLY TPC, REALLY
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I missed it darn!
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Oh well there will be plenty of more opportunities.
They are back!
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They're back, both of them!! Is the sound gone?
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There is one there! out on the perch so can't see much, but YAY! Sound still gone, but at least they moved the logo to a less intrusive spot. ;D
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Okay, I think y'all are just making things up ... every time I got to visit there isn't a peregrine or a "little black bird"! :'(
no only one.. but there was two in there this afternoon for a bit. kind of bowing at each other ...then i looked back a couple minutes later .. and they were gone.
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Tonight was the first time I've seen him in the box with her. I did see one earlier alone in the afternoon and I think it may have been the tiercel because he was digging - a little scrape maybe?? Now that they're bowing in the box together, we should be seeing more of them together.
I love those little black birds, they are so cute and lucky for them - they move fast..lol!
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There's two of them now!! One on ledge and one inside! Come inside!!
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Look at that two of them!!!!! Okay the other one comes in and the first hopped out. I'd say the first one was male. And the one in there now is female?
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Lol...I bet this is mom now, she loves staring into the cam ;D
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Now if we could just get a look at their bands. The first one I think had a band.
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Now if we could just get a look at their bands. The first one I think had a band.
Mom doesn't have bands, I'll keep my eyes on dad's legs next time. I've only seen him two times so I never noticed! Good catch eagle..you're aptly named 'eagle eyes'!!
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Well at least I think he had a band. We'll see in time.
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you are all seeing things... birds? what birds...
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I was just going to say I don't see any bands on Mom's legs but I think she might have one on her right. Not sure yet.
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you are all seeing things... birds? what birds...
Elk River, one falcon in the nestbox.
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Well no bird in the box now. I think I will go watch some tv.
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And apparently there were two in the nestbox today.... ;D
It's pretty windy there right now...a little taste of what we're about to get here in Manitoba >:(
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Yeah the weather isn't going to be very good there. There were two birds in the picture alittle while ago. Oh well. Hey I can watch tv from here, I don't have to leave my computer.
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I hope someone comes back soon. Gravel really isn't that exciting.
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I really love that this camera never times you out. I wish they all let you keep it running all day. (Thanks, TPC and Larry! And CBC, Shaw...)
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I wish that too ::)
Too bad the sound is out right now...not that there is anything there right now to listen to but you know what I mean :P
There's one camera that has night vision which is totally awesome!!!
Maybe one day CBC will have all of this and will let us watch even before the falcons lay eggs!!!
Don't misunderstand me TPC, I love that we have a camera to watch and thank the sponsors and CBC for everything!!!
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Oh yeah, so it is. I didn't have it on. Well, at least the lens is clean -- no projectile on it yet! lol
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Yeah YET...It takes some dedicated people to clean that nestbox out at the end of the year :o
The peregrines make it all worth it though ;D
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Good morning! 8:01 EST and someone just flew into the box..I miss the sound ??? I see their mouth moving but nothing is coming out..lol! Still very windy there, feathers blowing in the wind!
On another site, a very knowledgeable person posted a link to the Raptor Resource Project and they do mention 30b in it (specifically in the second link below) and her being displaced. The good news is there are about 18 sites in this area - including cliff sites where she could potentially nest so hopefully she's going to find a new home.
Here is the link and hopefully when they find out where she is we can all cheer her on!
http://www.raptorresource.org/blog/blog.html
http://www.raptorresource.org/new.htm
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The sound just came back on. Just in time to hear an eechupping (sp?) falcon. ;D
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There was just 2 of them in there. Is it me or for a minute does it almost sound like they are upset and you're not sure if they are friends or not? Lol..and they they tone it down a bit and one takes off!!
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On another site, a very knowledgeable person posted a link to the Raptor Resource Project and they do mention 30b in it (specifically in the second link below) and her being displaced. The good news is there are about 18 sites in this area - including cliff sites where she could potentially nest so hopefully she's going to find a new home.
If she finds a new site, which given that its still early in the year is very likely, chances are she will choose a nestbox site. We have found that urban birds tend (not always of course) but mostly tend to choose the familiar nest site configurations, i.e., a nestbox vs a cliff ledge. Its one of the reasons urban nestsites have done so well. The Raptor Resource folks are good at tracking birds, so hopefully we will hear soon.
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I do remember you telling us that before but I'm wondering because 30b was only banded when she was injured a few years ago - if she might have been hatched on a cliff herself. I guess we will never know :(
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Our Minnesota falcon was just in the nestbox, having a snack. Another falcon came in, grabbed the food and took off, but our first falcon did not seem to mind, so I presume this is her/his mate. I wish I knew if these are the same falcons from last year. And as the chicks from last year were banded, I hope we find out what happened to Chase, Bullet and Lightning.
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Our Minnesota falcon was just in the nestbox, having a snack. Another falcon came in, grabbed the food and took off, but our first falcon did not seem to mind, so I presume this is her/his mate. I wish I knew if these are the same falcons from last year. And as the chicks from last year were banded, I hope we find out what happened to Chase, Bullet and Lightning.
Hey Eli, I caught that too. 8) I think that we may just have seen part of the courship ritual as he appeared to be calling out to her to come and accept his offering. At least, I think that was what was happening and that would mean that things are progressing nicely here. Isn't it part of the deal to show that he can be a good provider?
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Our Minnesota falcon was just in the nestbox, having a snack. Another falcon came in, grabbed the food and took off, but our first falcon did not seem to mind, so I presume this is her/his mate. I wish I knew if these are the same falcons from last year. And as the chicks from last year were banded, I hope we find out what happened to Chase, Bullet and Lightning.
I wouldn't hold my breath Eli, we mostly don't hear anything about the chicks after they have fledged unless dead, injured (neither of which is good news) or nesting and identified, which doesn't happen as often as we'd like. And the highest mortality occurs in the first year. Now that I have been pessimistic, I will see what I can find out from my sources in case the Elk River folks don't mention it on the webcam site ....
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Looks like the female in the nestbox, I don't think she has any legs bands either. She been vocalizing a wee bit from time to time. Other than that, nothing to tell.
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Oh my gods, there really is a peregrine! :o
Its not a figment of your imaginations .... ;)
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We would never lie to the Goddess of the sandbox!
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Snowing in Elk River. Poor birds. The falcon in the box has been looking up sideways from time to time as if to say, what are these big white clumps dropping out of the sky? This is the same storm that is moving from Minnesota to Manitoba by this evening with 10 to 15 cm of snow forecasted for Winnipeg. I hope that the Radisson peregrines have a nice warm hiding place for the next couple of days.
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Mom on the perch in the snow :(
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Mom on the perch in the snow :(
I keep wanting to say ...Come in out of the snow.
It is snowing so hard now that you can hear it hitting the nest box. Yikes ::)
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I wonder if she's looking for dinner maybe? Or maybe she's wondering why dad is late with the take out ::)
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These peregrines are probably wondering what the heck is going on and why did they come back so soon :o
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I had the cam on my desktop at the office all day and watched peregrine #1 (think it was the female) sitting and vocalizing and watching and snoozing and saw peregrine #2 come in the box and I wasn't all that sure that they were happy to see each other.. but all was good and lots of action. too bad the weather has turned :(
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It looks a little bit better there now...can't really tell though! It doesn't look like the snow is falling anymore, and it's most likely coming toward Winnipeg >:(
I wonder where the peregrines go? I kinda surprised that they don't stay in the nestbox..seems sheltered but hey, what do I know....I'm not a Peregrine ::)
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Adult peregrines seem not to be enamoured of nestboxes. They need the gravel and the shelter, but they don't use them unless they have chicks it appears. And it seems to start pretty early - once the chicks are close to fledge age they tend not to go back into the nestbox either - or at least that is our experience with a variety of box types.
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8:24 am EST and it is storming there, blowing snow - low visibility. Mom just flew in and shook herself off, poor thing :(
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Storm seems to have passed through and it looks much better now. Someone perched in box looking peaceful and relieved! :)
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Mom and dad in box, bowing and chirping - looks like some scrapping.
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Mom & Dad just in box having a lively chirping session, no PG-13 action but they seemed to be talking about their day, the weather, .... and then one flew off!
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Lol..I saw that and I thought to myself, I wonder what they are saying... some mysterious peregrine mating ritual ???
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Both were in the nestbox having a lively and apparently harmonious chat, then the male took off. I am going to have to learn more about peregrine behavior, and try not to compare it to human behavior - after all, we don't expect the guy to take off half-way through a conversation; and the female seemed to be o.k. with this.
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she was sending him out for take-out. and a conversation with ANY woman has no middle part because there is no ending, only pauses for breath.. lol.. any man will confirm that ( if we give him enough chance to speak). ;D
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;)
No one on the ledge right now. There was earlier -- I think female from the size. It looked earlier like the clouds were lower than the camera -- something large and white kept flying by. But it seems clear now; dry, at least.
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I love this camera...I wish CBC would do the same!!! However, I posted in another thread that sometimes the anticipation is more exciting!
All I know is that The Forum would of exploded even more if the CBC cam was up and running (West side of course) the other day with a Falcon in it....Oh well! It's good to be different ;D
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So right. But did you hear that CBC "plans to cut up to 800 jobs as part of its strategy to make up for a $171 million shortfall in 2009-10". I guess we'll mostly notice in a change in news and programming, but it might also mean less resources for the cam. ??
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So right. But did you hear that CBC "plans to cut up to 800 jobs as part of its strategy to make up for a $171 million shortfall in 2009-10". I guess we'll mostly notice in a change in news and programming, but it might also mean less resources for the cam. ??
My fear exactly. Unless we can come up with a benefactor or whatever happened with the pandacam. I would hate to see the cam's hours restricted or go to some other solution to save money.
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My first thought when I heard about the CBC cuts was for the falcon cam!
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[My fear exactly. Unless we can come up with a benefactor or whatever happened with the pandacam. I would hate to see the cam's hours restricted or go to some other solution to save money.
What happened with the panda.cam?
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The Atlanta panda cam was terminated at the end of December 2008 due to budget cuts.
It is now back online as of last week due to a very generous panda cam fan who donated 10k for a server and due to Earthlink generously offering to sponsor the cam for 2 years in exchange for advertising opportunities with the Atlanta Zoo.
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Mom in box, squeeking up a storm and at one point she bent over and I wonder if she is getting ready for an egg... She is definitely getting bottom heavy.
Dad is here now too...more squeeking.
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I think she's in labour! She keeps crouching down and pushing a bit then gets up again! Either that or she ate a bad pigeon :P
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I think she's in labour! She keeps crouching down and pushing a bit then gets up again! Either that or she ate a bad pigeon :P
:o wow, if that's the case she is way ahead of last year :o
2008 Bird Cam Timeline
March 3: First falcon sighted at Elk River Station.
March 19: Courting activities observed.
April 23: Female incubated 3 eggs.
April 24: A fourth egg was laid.
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I'm probably wrong, now she is outside sitting but earlier she did do the crouch thing a few times and she had her behind up high and looked like she was trying to push something out..when I watched an egg laying last week for the first time, the female did the same thing but it went on for hours before an egg finally came!
So April 23rd last year, wow that is far off. They've been mating up a storm though, I know it takes time but that's a month away?!
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Didn't Tracy say that it would be at least two weeks after mating before an egg would be laid? Who knows what has been happening away from the nestbox, ??? but hasn't the courting behaviour been relatively recent? Less than 2 weeks?
Last year I watched the chicks hatching here and it was really 8) So...hoping for eggs soon. :D
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I think I'm in a time warp. I looked back through our posts and I only saw mating on the 22nd for the first time on cam...and yet it seems like ages ago. And yes the courting has been less than 2 weeks.
I think I'm watching too many nests :-\.
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Adult peregrines seem not to be enamoured of nestboxes. They need the gravel and the shelter, but they don't use them unless they have chicks it appears. And it seems to start pretty early - once the chicks are close to fledge age they tend not to go back into the nestbox either - or at least that is our experience with a variety of box types.
Some peregrines do seem to like their nest boxes. For instance, Nora, the resident female at Black Dog for many years, almost always spent the night in the nest box; she could be seen arriving home just before dark and leaving very early in the morning. The new female at Black Dog does the same thing. Also, Freedom in Fort Wayne spends most nights in her favourite corner of the nest box, and she too leaves at first light. I think if more cams stayed up during the winter, we would see more peregrines doing the same thing. It seems to be the female who likes to use the nest box year round.
Thank you for answering my question about territorial battles, TPC - very interesting information. Haven't been able to post before since my Internet connection has been barely there for the last week.
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I remember TPC was questioning the existence of a "little black bird" visiting this nest. I went back in my archives and found a pic of the little bird. Can't post any current pics from the cam, because all I can get for the last three days is a scrambled pic. The little bird looks like a starling, except possibly for the slightly decurved beak.
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/february%202009/greblackbird2.jpg)
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Yeppers that is a starling!
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that's the little fella i saw ... now i know what kind of bird it is.
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A lightning quick trip to the box shortly after 8 CDST this morning. Dad with food and Mom in hot pursuit. A quick food exchange in the nest box. If they hadn't been making so much noise I would have missed it altogether. ::) I was starting to get worried that I hadn't seen much of Dad in recent days. ???
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Me too Maggie and of course I missed this exchange because I was in the shower..lol. I saw some photos on another site of the two of them bowing to each other yesterday and I missed that too..lol!
I think they know we're watching and are being sneaky ;)
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Good to know the romance is still on ;D Little do they know how patient we can be :D
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4:06 pm EST, just got home from food shopping and mom has flown into the box :D... and she's back out..lol!
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I remember TPC was questioning the existence of a "little black bird" visiting this nest. I went back in my archives and found a pic of the little bird. Can't post any current pics from the cam, because all I can get for the last three days is a scrambled pic. The little bird looks like a starling, except possibly for the slightly decurved beak.
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/february%202009/greblackbird2.jpg)
Again, not a phanatic hallucination, there actually was a "little black bird" :o And I'm pretty sure it is a starling, as for the beak, that could be a case of something on the lens or a slight distortion due to light coming in from behind him. Nice catch!
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This pair made a longer and much quieter visit shortly after 10 CDST. They had their heads bowed for a much longer time and were making soft little noises. One stayed in the box and last I checked was still doing some home reno, rearranging the gravel.
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Last I checked, there was a falcon on the ledge...just hangin' out :D
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Nice to see lots of scraping going on here. :)
And just to continue today's weather theme, there is another winter storm warning for Elk River as well as a flood warning. :( Just a little trivia, but you can actually see the Missisippi on the wecam and it really does look high.
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Mom and dad both here, one inside the box and one on the outer rung...e-chupping to each other :D
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One of these two has been sitting out on the bar screaming for about the last 10 minutes. What a voice ::) Not sure what is going on.
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Mom sitting and watching the snow storm, she must be wondering why she bothered coming home :(
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Mom sitting and watching the snow storm, she must be wondering why she bothered coming home :(
That's for sure. It looks like a real blizzard there. :( I am glad that at least one of them is at the nest box.
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They are probably both at the nestbox, one in, one on or very near. Kinda standard peregrine behaviour - better that both aren't caught in the box by a rival or predator. Besides, other than for nesting, the box is of no interest to them, they probably spend more time on the cross-bar outside or on top than they do inside over the course of the year ... even when its raining or snowing, neither of which seem to bother them overly much.
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Just took a peek at the Elk River Cam and Oh Boy....it's a snowin' :o
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Took a look at the webcam and the only thing I can say is Yikes!
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They are probably both at the nestbox, one in, one on or very near. Kinda standard peregrine behaviour - better that both aren't caught in the box by a rival or predator. Besides, other than for nesting, the box is of no interest to them, they probably spend more time on the cross-bar outside or on top than they do inside over the course of the year ... even when its raining or snowing, neither of which seem to bother them overly much.
Thank you for the explanation; and you are so right that the snow didn't seem to bother them too much. As soon as it let up the one that was there flew off and a short time later they both flew to the box for a little bowing and e-chupping ;D All is well ;)
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still snowing but seems to be letting up.... no snow in the box though...
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saw Mama in the box this morning, snow has stopped, all peaceful..
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I wish I could say the same for Winnipeg... >:( & :o & :'(
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watched Mom again this afternoon, looked breezy but otherwise good. hoping to see eggs in the next couple of weeks.... ;D
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Someone is there now, doing some preening....
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oh, and some scraping!
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Mom, I'd say, judging from the size.
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Mom and dad were just both talking and bowing to each other. Lots of scrapping and digging and bending over this morning...wonder if she is getting closer to the big day!
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Mom is really working on the nest this morning, digging, selecting materials, and laying down in the scrape to make sure it suits her; I do believe an egg is imminent!
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Has it been two weeks since they started copulating? Usually takes that long. Anyone make note of when the birds returned .... or at least when they started to appear on the camera?
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The birds returned approximately March 5. They only appeared occasionally at the nest box during the first week or so, then gradually they appeared in the nestbox, sometimes together, during the last two weeks. It is only this week, I believe, that they have been making a serious effort at setting up the nest to their exact specifications.
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I think you are dead on TPC for this pair. The territorial fight was mid month, around the 17th I think? (Too lazy to go back through the posts) and then these 2 courted a few days and we saw oncam them making out on the outside perch...well a fly-by quickie..lol!
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Looks good then ... ;D
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watching Mom in the box and I know it's early but she sure looks like she's working on laying an egg! scraping and pecking and laying down.... hmmmmm
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That's exactly what I was thinking, LouLouBelle! And boy, is she noisy this morning!
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Yeah I was watching Mom doing some scraping and hanging out at the nest.
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looks like Dad brought home the bacon and Mom took it away! :D
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sigh Still no egg, I see...
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No :(
Soon.......very soon! Trying to remain patient and optomistic :P
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When it comes to birds one has to be patient, be it taking pictures or waiting for them to lay eggs lol Didn't I say something about patient in another location here in the forum.
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She's looking again like she's thinking about dropping something...
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Looks like a beautiful day at Elk River, but I heard it's going to change and be not so beautiful... good thing there are no eggs yet..
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All this angst and you don't even have eggs to watch yet ... good thing our cam isn't "on" yet ;)
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We're all trying to be patient.. Honest ::)
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Yes, we are -- it's just too exciting to be totally calm! lol
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well, we know what's coming and we are Radisson cam deprived! ;D
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Exactly LouLouBelle!
I'm starting to get jealous here.. ::)
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I am really enjoying watching her on this peaceful Sunday afternoon. No chaos, just chatter every once in awhile. I guess dad brought her food? I missed it, but she seemed to be eating whatever is in the front right corner.
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I didn't see him bring her food either, though that may have happened outside and she was just licking her fingers..hehe. She came in, did her crouching thing, made a few sounds then started digging, scrapping, picking up stuff with her beak . I had my fingers crossed..hehe...all in her own time I guess!
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Braxton-Hicks! lmao!
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What's she screeching about??!
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Not sure...me thinks she's hungry!
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hmmm.....well, right now the peregrine is just hanging out in the nestbox. Perhaps enjoying the sunset ::)
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and hasn't moved .. .just staring and not doing anything???
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She definitely ate. So it's the time between Braxton-Hicks and real labour? :) :) ;D
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Hey, look at the distinct lines of colour on this bird. I don't remember that from last year. Does anyone else, or is this a different PF?
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I think these are the same falcons, but I'm not certain of that.
I'm glad it's not just me Liz, this falcon has been in this position for a very very very long time and just staring out into the distance. I've been watching for 30 mins. and this one has not moved!
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lol! I know; I refreshed just to make sure! She acts like last years bird -- lots of not moving. I just don't remember that beautiful plumage. (No MP, plz! lol)
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Dazed by the bright light I would say! Oh she just moved her head a wee bit lol
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My gosh!
This falcon is seriously still! Hasn't moved in a very very very very very long time!
Perhaps you're right eagle, dazed by the bright lights ::)
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Only thing I can think of
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Only thing I can think of
I've never seen a falcon so still for this long!!!!!
I thought maybe, just maybe she was going to lay an egg, but what do I know???
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I remember Mom sitting still all night last year, staring out just like this. She's been in the same spot for hours. I think it was raining/snowing a bit earlier, maybe she's hunkering down waiting for the bad weather coming her way and continuing to southern Ontario tomorrow morning. That light is a blessing and a curse, great for us to see into the box at night and bad for them not getting a dark night for rest.
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Remember last year how Chase, Lightning and Bullet stared all night at the lights? Like a deer caught.., was probably said. Mesmerised. This bird is looking very used to staring at those lights...
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I do remember. I bet eggs by Thursday..
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Alright....eggs by Thursday!
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Thank goodness for the headlights on the road below, or I'd think it's been nailed to the perch!
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Is that falcon still just sitting there?
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Yup! Just like last year.
I LOVE the lines on this bird. Beautiful plumage!
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this bird is beautiful, maybe wintering in the south, maybe the glow of motherhood (soon to come), but she looks healthy and is quite at home sitting and watching...
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The counter on the camera says I've been on for 4h30m. She still hasn't moved.
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O.K. folks, go to Elk River, Mom crouched in the corner looking like she might be thinking about producing an egg. :D
Oh darn, sorry for the false alarm, as soon as I posted that she went out on the bar. I am still thinking that it will be soon though.
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Me too Maggie, I think today will be the day! She was in there for quite awhile this morning and she looks quite bottom heavy this morning.
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Elk River is back online and Mom is still hanging around in the box. ;D Lots of noise and commotion there though. I have never seen so much steam/smoke discharged from the biomass power station, clouds and clouds for quite some time. ???
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Well...it looks like it's another night of staring out into the unknown!
Sometimes I wonder what these raptors are thinking?
Hmmm... let's see here: "will this light ever shut off so I can stop sitting here staring at it?" :D
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I'm wondering if this falcon is going into labour??
A couple of times it just looked like she was but then nothing?
So, I"m not sure..kinda looked like she was going to take a big poop, more than once :P
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..kinda looked like she was going to take a big poop, more than once :P
She's been lookin constipated for days now and we keep thinking, this is it - I'm thinkin it might be her unique way of 'moonin us' peepin toms ;D
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Mom isn't in the nestbox as of 6:00 pm CDST but SOMETHING is there. At first I thought that it was just a feather blowing in the wind but it is something small and it's head keeps going up and down. Can anyone with better eyesight make a guess? Just something to pass the time while we wait, and wait ;D
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Where the heck is that egg that she's been working on since Sunday??! Maybe it's a breach-egg? (27 hours of back labour here!)
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Where the heck is that egg that she's been working on since Sunday??! Maybe it's a breach-egg? (27 hours of back labour here!)
she's a peregrine with a sense of humour ... she's messing with us .... :D
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I don't know Liz..I thought for sure there was going to be an egg today because she was sitting in that nestbox looking like, well you know ::)
Eagle seems to think that she's going to lay her first egg on Thursday! We'll see :P
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Where the heck are they? I haven't seen anything in 2 1/2 hours!
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Mom's back in the nestbox crouched down again.
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I can't believe it. After trying all kinds of things on my Mac to open this site, I just downloaded safari and it works. talk about simple. Now I can watch instead of just hearing all the exciting posts.
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I saw him make a couple of more scrapes today...
I thought that she was going to lay an egg today, just by watching her crouch down this evening.
I think Eagle called it....it just might happen tomorrow Eagle like you predicted :P
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Go Eagle...Mama has an egg this morning!! Just laid from the sounds of it!! ;D ;D
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Go Eagle...Mama has an egg this morning!! Just laid from the sounds of it!! ;D ;D
What a sight to see ;D Mom sitting there with the egg between her talons. Way to go Eagle! You called it ;D
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What with the depressing situation at the nestbox in Edmonton, it is nice to see a calm situation and an egg in Minnesota. I wish there was some way to find out if these are the same parents as last year.
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Did I call it? I don't remember lol
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that was me! last Sunday I boldly said, I predict an egg by Thursday.... Happy Easter!! ;D
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BIG apology LouLouBelle :) YOU called it.
So when do you think the next egg will arrive? No pressure though ;)
Happy Easter ;D
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I say, tonight and definitely by morning.... let's see if I'm on a roll!
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all I know is it was very nice to open the cam and see an egg! I've been so darn busy I haven't had time to read or watch, but I just took time over lunch to do so. HI! ;D
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I say, tonight and definitely by morning.... let's see if I'm on a roll!
Friday evening .... ;D
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I say, tonight and definitely by morning.... let's see if I'm on a roll!
Friday evening .... ;D
(http://i518.photobucket.com/albums/u346/kittenface_album/emotions/e29894f606e4dc079ef5b626d1c84f95.gif)I with you The Peregrine Chick Friday night couple hours after the sun goes down there
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I see mom out on the perch. I couldn't get on earlier but seems okay now and cars moving in the foreground so not frozen.
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still nothing... :( :( >:( I hope I don't spend the whole summer like this!
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We've got an egg at Elk River?
When did this happen? I can't believe I missed it. I miss everything :(
Eagle.....you called it, you said Thursday!
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Mom in the nestbox in crouch position :o
Dozing on egg now...I wonder if she's getting ready for egg 2.
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Bah..still only 1, thought for sure another was coming the was she was pushing her face in the pebbles and picking at them..she had a nice nap tho :P
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Oh...this is so exciting!!
Some falcons already have chicks and some have almost laid a full clutch and some are just starting.....
Decisions on which cam to watch??? So hard to choose :(
Can't wait for more eggs!
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still just the one egg. mom has gone to perch in the sun for a bit. :D
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Every time I've watched today I've only seen the egg -alone, with no parent nearby. It is possible to abandon an egg so early in the process? Is this usual?
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No worries, Mom was in the box most of the morning sitting on the egg. Dad brought mom food two times in the past few hours, she is outside on the perch..we just can't see her but when he came in with the food..that's when I realized she was out there the whole time. They are within range always, they would not leave the egg unprotected.
She only laid her first one yesterday and they usually lay an egg every 2 days or so.. so nothing to worry about - everything is on schedule!
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Every time I've watched today I've only seen the egg -alone, with no parent nearby. It is possible to abandon an egg so early in the process? Is this usual?
I've seen MOM and DAD there off and on all day. This is the site I have open day and night
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Thanks for the reassurance, all. Every time I looked today I saw the egg alone! I guess my timing was off. But now (7:36 EDT) a parent is back in the nextbox. Keeping my eyes peeled for the appearance egg number 2!
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You're very welcome! You won't see her there 24/7 until incubation starts but one of them will always be nearby until then.
At my site, after the eyases had hatched ... whenever I'd see the young alone, I'd get upset and think mom had abandoned them until I found the nest site and saw that mom was sitting right up on top of the web cam and dad on the next ledge over...lol..and there I was calling her a bad mom :P
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Mom looks like she's in the mood to lay an egg, all puffed up and in the position... :-\
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Looks like she's in her normal position. Dead stare into the light mode ::)
Well, maybe, just maybe she'll lay another egg :D
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This seems to be a regular position for these peregrines at this site. They just sit there and stare...not sure if they are captivated by the light or what but this is normal...
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Finally!!! I've never been so happy to hear trucks passing by! lol
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she is amazing .. really ... it's like she just zones out. she did look kind of puffy earlier ... i thought she was up to something.
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I know!!!
It's so strange to see that. I thought the same thing the other night, meaning, I thought she was going to lay an egg because she was staring out into the unknown, I was completely wrong. Apparently this is normal???
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It's normal at this site. They are mesmerized by the light, it seems. Last summer the three kids lined up together on the ledge and stared out all night long, night after night. Well, sometimes Lightning would take a nap, but I never saw the boys do that last year.
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Really weird. She did just do some preening so she CAN move.
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Why is it that both male and female falcons (the pair) don't stay in the nest together at night?
Just curious....
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If both the adults are inside at night and a predator came in, there would be no way for either of them to fight effectively. And not all adults stay in the nestbox unless they are incubating or brooding. At the Radisson, prior to the beginning of incubation, one adult would sit on the edge of the nestbox, the other usually below on the sign. And they don't really seem to like to be inside anything unless its the breeding season. I've seen them in the pouring rain right outside a nestbox long after the chicks have fledged and they ignore the dry box.
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Thank you TPC...great explanation and I know understand why.
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Watch their eyes - if they look "light" that is their closed eyelid. The snooze, as I call it, minute eyes closed, open look around, close again. For folks with cats as pets, same kind of thing that cats do when they are dozing.
They also close one eye when they want to look at something up-close - monocular vision for close up, binocular for distances. That cute little head tilt isn't actually for looking ahead but rather up with one eye.
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Mama in the nestbox this morning looking perky, alert and quite noisy!
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I remember why they close one eye, from last year. But I didn't know the first part. Thanks again for the knowledge, TPC! :D
And wow, mom is squawking away. It sounds like, "Honey, I really need to stretch my wings and, ya know, drop the kids off at the pool. Get your tail-feathers over here!"
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And breakfast is served ;)
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'squawking' away
How many times did I try to spell it and still didn't get it right?! lmao!
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come on, honey -- just drop that egg! :) :)
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come on, honey -- just drop that egg! :) :)
She's certainly bending herself into some interesting shapes isn't she? Peregrine Tai Chi ::)
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Egg number two ;D Finally :D
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I just tuned into the webcam and low and behold Mom laid an egg!!! She has 2 now! I saw her lay the egg, too damn cool!
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OMG..it was almost totally silent!! I always wondered if they made noise, you know like humans do when they're squeezing it out!! That was cool! Now I can go shower and go get food..lol..I was waiting on her :P
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Peregrine Tai Chi ::)
LOL, carly!
Yippee! Egg #2! ;D
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Is she exhausted, or confused? :)
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Mom hasn't moved a muscle. Wonder if she's tired or just doesn't want to move. Oh she's moving now, moving the egg I do believe.
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Cool, that mothering instinct just kicked right in!
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It sure did, she laying on the eggs now!
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After some fussing with the pebbles that took her off the eggs, Mom is off for a break. Two eggs clearly visible.
Dad just took over.
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cool - I open the cam, she's staring at it, squawks at me, steps to the side to show off the two eggs, then settles back in on top of them. 8) Great timing because now I can go get some yardwork done (why is it that weeds grow like weeds?)
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You're very welcome! You won't see her there 24/7 until incubation starts but one of them will always be nearby until then.
At my site, after the eyases had hatched ... whenever I'd see the young alone, I'd get upset and think mom had abandoned them until I found the nest site and saw that mom was sitting right up on top of the web cam and dad on the next ledge over...lol..and there I was calling her a bad mom :P
I can probably confirm that one of them is always near by on guard. I think it was the day that the first egg appeared. It was sitting there in solitary splendor with no adult within sight when one of those perky starlings decided to come by for a visit. ::) It hopped on to the near bar and was looking into the nestbox. About 2 seconds later mom arrived in a flurry of wings. Needless to say the starling took off in a great hurry and I haven't seen one visiting since. I have to say that mom didn't seem overly concerned though, just watchful.
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Guess I won the baby pool - ;D
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cool - I open the cam, she's staring at it, squawks at me, steps to the side to show off the two eggs, then settles back in on top of them. 8) Great timing because now I can go get some yardwork done (why is it that weeds grow like weeds?)
Cause they know we HATE pulling them out!
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I can't wait for these little one to hatch!
This is turning out to be a GREAT year to watch falcons!
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yes TPC, you are the Queen! head bowed, wings folded... :)
I got a bit giddy after predicting the first one correctly ;D
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those eggs look good but a bit lonely... so, another egg by tomorrow...? So nice that the weather is co-operating and the parents can hunt and rely on some nice warm sun and shelter from the chilly breezes.
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Should be another egg tomorrow morning if she keeps the same schedule... :D
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I'm so glad she's hunkered down instead of up staring at the light.
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When I first looked in on the nest box this morning he/she was just staring into the light. I thought the camera was frozen but I could see the traffice moving. He/she were so still. Finally there was movement and then he/she took off. Still only two eggs. No one is in there right now. There is no sound this morning.
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Still just the two eggs. Someone (Dad?) is perched just to the far left of the picture, watching the world go by and getting feathers ruffled in the wind.
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Might be another egg coming soon, she's doing the tai chi poses again like before last egg came.
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Woot...3 eggs..go mom!! ;)
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She was really working on that for a while. Way to go Mom.
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woohoo! come back from a meeting, and just in time to see mom hop off the eggs and take dinner that dad brought. Three eggs and food delivery! ;D ;D
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jinkies, that was good timing. dad quickly nestled onto the eggs. had I walked any slower I would have missed it!
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heh. mom finished her meal and came back. Got back on the THREE eggs and promptly face-planted for an after-dinner nap. 8)
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I can't believe this...I missed it again! 3 eggs. Wow!
What great news!
This year is started off very well!
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I'm glad to see her again tonight hunkered down under the light, and not staring at it. And I gotta again say -- what beautiful colouring on this bird! :)
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still three lovely eggs, and sound is gone again. Which is probably a good thing - I had this cam on all day in my office and also had meetings in here all day. If the sound had come on it would have been a bit startling! :o
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Mom is very restless and about in the same position she was in when egg number two arrived, so maybe number four is on the way ;D
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maybe she'll stop at 3, remember last year she laid 4 and the 4th never hatched.... :-\
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FOUR lovely eggs this morning. Way to go Mom. ;D
She had her head down last night, looking like she was doing her Tai Chi routine but it was too dark in there to see what was going on.
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Just caught a shift change and a chance to see four eggs! Last time I saw anything there were only two, she's been sitting so still. I'm also wondering if the light isn't at a slightly different angle this year - or is she just crouched lower to stay out of it?
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Four eggs!!!! ;D ;D ;D
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That's great! I can imagine the food fights already.. ;D
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Any biologists out there? Does anyone know why they stop laying? Does it have to do with less copulations or is there some type of hormonal change? Maybe TPC knows (our "all-knowing" peregrine chick)
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Her hips are only so wide..!
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Any biologists out there? Does anyone know why they stop laying? Does it have to do with less copulations or is there some type of hormonal change? Maybe TPC knows (our "all-knowing" peregrine chick)
Don't know about all knowing, but female's available reserves, the length of time they are dependent upon their parents for food and the number of chicks that can technically be fed by two adults for close to two months after another month of incubation. Its a huge time and energy commitment. Mostly peregrines lay 3-4. Some lay more, but not always, and usually earlier in their lifespan as I recall. You've seen how much work it is to feed 3-4 chicks, they really couldn't support more than that every time ...
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just watched a changover and I think Dad is doing his duty, he did seem to have a bit of trouble getting all 4 safely under him...
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I love watching the male try to get all the eggs underneath him. Sometimes one will pop out and he will try and try again. So dedicated and wonderful to get those slippery little suckers under them safe and sound!
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he's got it now but he sure is observant of what's going on outside!
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It's really hard to tell...I think she/he is just hunkered down really close to the eggs. But still, the light is not in his/her face, so perhaps a good night's sleep or falcon naps.
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Looks like a beautiful morning at Elk River. Just saw the changing of the guard and the 4 eggs were safe and sound and now warmly under Mom (?).
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Nice to see Mom on the eggs and Dad perched right outside enjoying the sun. ;D
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Standoff at Elk River. :D The adult on the bar keeps making noise, sounds like a duck quaking at times, however the adult snoozing on the eggs doesn't appear to want to move.
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Shift change. I think it may have been dad who didn't want to give up his time on the eggs. :P
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Lol...that happens here too sometimes dad won't get up and mom yells at him and he just won't move! I think that's his way of saying, why should I do all the hunting - you get out there for awhile, I want to rest ;D
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Just like the typical male, not wanting to get up and go hunting. Must we females always be the one? lol
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I wonder what that's all about? Trey and Princess are like that as well. He, Trey, wants to do his part and is eager to do his part, but Princess would always kinda sorta in a falcon way to go away. TPC...any ideas or comments on this?
Sorry...didn't mean to bring in Princess and Trey in the Elk River Thread..sorry. Just seemed familiar!
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I wonder what that's all about? Trey and Princess are like that as well. He, Trey, wants to do his part and is eager to do his part, but Princess would always kinda sorta in a falcon way to go away. TPC...any ideas or comments on this?
Sorry...didn't mean to bring in Princess and Trey in the Elk River Thread..sorry. Just seemed familiar!
You are still on topic no worries. Depends on the individuals involved. T-Rex used to bully his females off the nest quite regularly so he could incubate. With his first female, that was fine with her, with Madame, she let him get away with it about 1/2 the time. Trey is not so aggressive as his Dad (who was hyper-aggressive) but rather more like his grand-dad, Pop, and he was a good Dad to all his young. Some females are more aggressive, some are less. Sometimes that why one rarely sees the male around the nest (unlike our rockstar). Some are more aggressive in defense of the nest, less aggressive, or let's say dominant when it comes to nest-site activities. Part of what makes them neat to watch ....
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Thanks TPC..great explanation! I guess all species are definitely individuals ::)
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TPC, it's great that you can see traits passed on. Physical are more obvious (e.g. P's crown); so glad you pass on the characteristics stuff. :)
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It sure is windy there today!
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How long can a parent be off of the eggs? The eggs have been unattended for quite awhile now. Well over 15 minutes. The parent was very restless and making chirping noises and then sat on the edge of the nest box for quite awhile until he/she flew off.
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Depends on the stage of incubation and the external temperature. I have watched one of our females off the eggs for close to 45 minutes when the sun was shining on the box and it was hot! I wouldn't worry too too much at this point ...
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She's back now :D
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quite a lot of nestkeeping going on (pebble movement). This is mom from last year, I believe, as the crown is there (much like Princess has). I'm nearly certain it's the same pair. And all looks nice and peaceful! Can't beat that. ;D
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I agree - she sure feels like last years mum.
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Its for sure her I've got pics from last year and this year and it is her (http://i518.photobucket.com/albums/u346/kittenface_album/emotions/yahoo.gif)
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Not to be the "bad guy" but plumage changes a bit each year, so unless you can see her band - find the most distinctive feature last year and her least distinctive feature and use those for comparison. The more you can get the better too.
Ivy in 2007 (heck not in 2008 either) didn't look like Trey as much as he does now ...
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Okay while I'm not sure this works, because when I looked at her in daylight I couldn't see it, but at night she has a wonderful white stripe along both wing tips. I keep saying this, but -- I don't remember that from last year, but she certainly behaves like mum form last year. I know, we have to see the band to know, but I still think... Love the white!
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yes, and I recall her having the same crown and general features as Princess while dad looked a lot like Trey (it's how I knew who was whom). But that said, it means that if they were not at this spot, I wouldn't know them - so it could be others who seem similar (not being of the bird persuasion). But, I still think it's them! ;D
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you know, we may have complained about the light last year (when they stared into it) but it is nice to have a nightlit nest cam to check on before bed! ::)
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There is lots of debate about lights at nests with cams - the light disturbs the birds because it obscures their night vision and infra-red lights have folks concerned because of the wavelength and whether or not it could do damage. (We don't have either and we won't use either - natural light/cycles is what you get in Mb). Think movement activated floodlight in your bedroom .... :o
Actually in 2007 we had alot of lightning storms while the chicks were in the box so there were many nights you could watch for a couple of hours and see the outline of the adults on the box edge ... kinda cool ... didn't know what you would get from one flash to the next ...
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In this case I don't think the light is there for the nest or cam - I think it's part of the security for a power plant. Those are typically well lit places.
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You are quite right Pchemist, it is - I asked my plant contact last year. We do however get questions from non-Forum folks who have seen nestboxes with security lights near them why we don't put lights on our nest ... should have mentionned that in my initial post :-[
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They don't respond to all the emails is probably more accurate. Remember there is easily a 100 to 1 ratio - for everyone 1 of you, there are another 100 people watching in that same minute. In a month or so, it may well be more than that. Less frustrating for you to just send an email with the information and your name and assume they will not have time to get back to everyone, particularly if 99 out of every 100 emails they get is about the same thing. That's why I try to post updates here and on the blog (now that I have control again!) because there is no way I would be able to get back to everyone who emailed during technical difficulties ...
oops, missed this ... and a number of places have no intentions of maintaining email update lists or the like because they don't have the time or inclination (or their employer's don't).
If something serious - and no, the cam not working isn't one of them - pm/email me and I can see about passing along a message to project person I was talking to last year. Serious qualifies as death, mayhem & destruction - remember the media axiom, "if it bleeds, it leads"? - add flooding and fire and you get the idea ;)
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as the days go by... waiting and hoping all 4 hatch this time. Mom is having a snooze (or Dad?) and got all 4 safely tucked away. Two weeks and it'll be quite a different show! ;D
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There is a terrfic racket going on at the Elk River nest; the male, I believe, is on the nest, looking out, and I presume it is the female who is outside who is so agitated, and you can hear more than one falcon out there; I wish I could see something outside the box.
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Maybe those cute starlings want their house back :P
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Looks like a nice morning at Elk River. Whoever is incubating has been calling out off and on for about a half hour. She doesn't seem upset, probably just calling out for a shift change. ::)
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Umm...just caught a shift change....are those 2 eggs with pips I see or are they dings, ??? Bah parent back on them now :P
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hm. seems a little early but hatch is expected this weekend!
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31 days today I think since she laid the third egg so not really, could be any day now. They could have just been the calcium marks tho which is why I asked in case someone else was watching, they don't exactly give you much time to examine when they do the quick change and the eyes can play tricks on you when you want to see something ::)
I'm still excited over the Brighton pair - I really got a birds eye view of the hatch today, she was facing the camera and had lifted up and I actually saw the leg coming out and the front half of the shell moving off the chick..it was really cool!
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Lucky you Carly! I hate that I can't see the Brighton cam when I get home from work...wish it was live streaming!
Anyway..getting back to Elk River :D
I think we'll see a hatch very soon here. I can't wait!
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Just caught a shift change and before that an egg rotation and eggs look beautiful and pristine now...we want food fights :P
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why am I so entertained by seeing a peregrine napping with its face planted in the gravel? ;D
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Welcome to the club PChemist!
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why am I so entertained by seeing a peregrine napping with its face planted in the gravel? ;D
I think we like this image of our lovely peregrines because it is so peaceful, safe, and happy.
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Lol...right off the eggs she came in her quest to get the nestbox 'house' cleaned up before the chicks come! ;D
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2 days and counting...
lots of housekeeping this evening.. ;)
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I can't wait!!!!
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I just saw another shift change and didn't see any signs that a hatch is imminent.
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Looks like it will be the weekend after all. Good something positive to watch over the looong weekend ;)
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Mom seems fidgety, but perhaps I'm just hoping I get to see a hatch today... ::)
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They changed the camera angle. ???
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Yes, I just saw this - I wonder why? There was nothing wrong with the other angle.
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This will be nice later but now we ca'nt see the eggs
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Strange timing to change cameras ???
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I imagine they are expecting the hatch and thought this would be a good view? Or perhaps they are just testing new angles? They rarely post any information on the site so we just have to guess... but it's still a great site!
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I agree, this angle is better, preferably farther away, when the chicks are older and out wandering/exploring the ledges...but for now, the nestbox is the better camera angle.
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and it is a good angle to stop the whole sun/dark issue we sometimes have, which is nice. seems very zoomed in which is nice for now but could be tricky later. I just saw mom with a pebble in her beak!
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someone is definitely fiddling with things, that's for sure.
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that's better - backed it out a little.
maybe they will make it like other sites where we get a choice of camera? that would rock! ;D
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seems a bit windy there today ...
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Wow..mama..what a big beak you have :P
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I see they zoomed back in, but also raised the camera a bit. This could give an excellent view of a hatch if we manage to catch it. 8)
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Great closeups but all that jumping around was making me dizzy :D The weather forecast is for thunderstorms, but on the weather radar it appears that they will go north and south of Elk River so all good. ;D
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I can't keep up - they keep changing the view!
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I prefer the regular view for now too; but wouldn't this angle have been great last year when the Three Amigos were lined up on the ledge all night long?! :D
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Umm..is that snow?? No, tell me it's rain please :o Judging by the look on moms face I'd say she's not a happy camper about it either!
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this angle will be excellent for the hatching. we were begging for this angle last year but they didn't use this cam. and yes, that is wet snow! poor things...
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Aww..poor mum and of course they will hatch in this weather. Well small mercies at least she is in a covered box.. Let us hope all the falcons in the are that are not and are out in theopen will be okay during this unwanted weather >:( :(
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It does look so miserable down there, my heart goes out to our peregrine parents. As Carly says, it will likely be in this weather that the eggs will hatch; I will watch tomorrow.
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Poor girl -- she looks cold, wet and miserable. And yes those babes are going to come shortly. Will spring ever come?
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Oh man, just checked the weather there and more bad weather moving through. Hang on mom. It isn't snow as it is warm but very heavy rain and more on the way. :(
Just looked again and it sure looks like SNOW although according to the NWS it is 15C there. :o
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Been awhile since I visited this cam, hadn't realized they'd changed the viewing angle. Recognize damp, annoyed bird look. Looks like she has some decent wind protection however - actually the cam is getting it worse right now, its being shaken by the wind and the rain means the peregrine is only an outline, no detail, from time to time!
Ah, nice to see someone else get suck with weather that sucks
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boy, it was really coming down and windy but it suddenly looks a bit better.... hoping that it is passing quickly. she does look peeved but staying right down on those eggs, good mom!
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I did a couple of screen saves of her at her most aggrieved (rightfully so) - will post in the photo gallery this evening as evidence that the weather can suck in nestboxes too!
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Fire up that camera again, TPC! Now she's all ruffled too. But it looks like nothing is falling from the sky now, and she's maybe going to scream, "Where the H-E-double-hockey-sticks are you??!!!! (And there'd be be TP on the roller!) and now... is she moving gravel, or eating flies?
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I'm really likeing this new camera angle..whole different perspective on her... Oh...a quick roll of the eggs and she's going to turn her back to us.
I'm guessing a poop shoot is next to tell us how she really feels about this weather ;D ;D
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Dinner and shift change!
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Watching Dad trying to get all the eggs under himself is hilarious! :D
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He's thinking, I have to check my contract. Did it say anything about snow?
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I think he missed the "hidden clause" at the bottom ;)
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The weather looks much better in Elk River this morning and it looks like someone is napping tight down on the eggs ;D
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She is 'shuggling (as TPC would say) alot this morning too. I love when they do that :D
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I love that too! I wonder if she can feel some movement from the eggs?
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I can hear faint cheeping sounds at Elk River. It is a little hard to hear with all the traffic noise so I don't know if it is some other nearby bird like a starling, or if it is coming from the nestbox ???
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I know what you mean. It's hard to tell sometimes. I think I"m at the point where I hear cheeping all the time now...even when I'm not falcon watching.. ;D
I'm also still keeping an eye on Mei Xiang and waiting to hear panda labour noises.... it's so noisy in my head ::)
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Noisy shift change with a wet looking bird shuggling down on the eggs. All 4 still look perfectly intact ::) I don't know if it will make any difference as far as the timing of a hatch is concerned, but Elk River is now getting this crummy cold weather too with wind and frost.
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just watched the shift change and no sign of hatching yet.... he did have quite a time getting all 4 underneath..
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as I recall, from first pip to hatch can take quite a while 24 hours or more? And once they pip they can be heard so the parents definitely would know what was going on.
I think that is mom - if these are the same pair as last year she has speckles higher up on her chest and his is more white. But I didn't see the shift change so didn't see relative sizes.
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Hatching can take awhile that is for sure. Too long however and the chick gets exhausted and doesn't make it out. She's and experienced mom so I'm sure she will "help" if needed. Haven't seen it myself but there are some reports of females that will give an egg taking awhile to hatch a bit of a roll to help the process along. I assume its intentional ...
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Four eggs, no chicks.
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Yep just saw parent take off...she's waiting until later because she knows we all had errands and things to take of today and didn't want to miss any hatches ;)
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Another shift change at Elk River. And still no signs that a hatch is near. Sigh :D
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about a half hour ago, parent bird left and it wasn't a shift change, and I saw a hole chipped in one egg and movement inside. although the wind is shaking the cam a bit, that egg moved independently. definitely the beginning folks!
;D
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hopefully I'll get another chance to see before nightfall but I'm betting there will be a fuzzy little one at sunrise!
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Sometimes when dad sits on our webcam his side feathers- the petticoat part- graze the lens and that's what it looks like...that's why I assumed it was feathers and maybe dad nearby awaiting a hatch.
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You are probably right. Interesting!
It's a good thing she's not in labour, or he might completely block our view for total privacy for the little Mrs. :D
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Something going on under her maybe???
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Maybe. LouLouBelle saw an egg moving. I didn't see anything. But the timing is right and she probably is - I hope! ;D She sure looks like it now!
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There is definitely something happening -- she just got up and shuffled thing again -- twice in a few minutes.
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There IS a lot of shuffling going on. But I only can see the eggs up front. Is the chick now at the rear?
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I agree, something is going on. I saw her rotate the eggs but she's very restless now...she's got that look...well ok it's a don't mess with me look but they always look like that..lol ::)
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There certainly is a lot of shuffling happening...don't know of a hatch yet :-\
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I thought I saw something white under her right wing (our left) when she stood up. Maybe it was her leg. I had it full zoom, so it's kinda blurry. Sorry, folks! Having said that, I muted the boob tube and cranked up the volume on the site, and thought I could hear peeping. (Nope, all's quiet out the window!) Or maybe it's a very soft chirp, like she's talking to the eggs. Now that's a good sign! :)
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And after all the excitement about a possible chick, she's gone right back to sleep and won't show us a thing!
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ugh - more snow!
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I'd bury my head if I had to endure that weather too. still hoping she'll give us a view before nightfall..
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Did you hear that?? She was talking to them and moving them around again...i feel a hatch coming on...
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She's doing a bit of nest cleaning and shuffling around a bit. She's offering glimpses, but still no good view of all the eggs together.
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I heard that...hey, what do you know, I didn't miss something! ::)
I can't believe this....when will the snow stop?
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I heard some little chirps... can't really see but I'm pretty sure I heard...
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I think I heard a little chirp or two as well. Can't see anything now they are in shadow.
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I guess we'll have to wait til sunrise. I sure won't be up then, but I know someone will! Hope there's a chick to report! l
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I really don't like this cam angle. Everything is completely dark. The light shining on the birds' faces wasn't great either, but for a while they had it down, but you could see some in the nestbox. Now there's absolutely nothing!
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early Sunday morning and I just got a look at the eggs, no action... ???
I was sure I saw a hole yesterday, could the cold temps affect the progress and is there a period of time that a chick must emerge once it has started? I got up early as I thought I'd get a nice surprise but no such luck and now I'm bewildered
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ditto..loulou, got mom up on the screen now. No worries about if a hatch had started, mom sometimes helps them along by pushing the shell away from them. The parents also keep them quiet warm, the eggs are in direct contact with her brood patch and will come out warm and stay warm. Ours hatched in cold weather as well, around zero degrees and they were just fine. It just means we won't see much of them as they will keep them covered constantly so they aren't exposed to the cold air. I'm not sure if there is a 'time' limit on them, that would be a question for TPC.
The light can play tricks on us, many times I've yelled hatch ..only for it to be the underwing of the falcons feathers or the light dancing on an egg making it look like it's hatching. I saw the eggs a few minutes ago, now keep in mind I'm still on first coffee but they looked in tact to me, the other day though I thought I saw pips...so you aren't going crazy....
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Shift change at 7:33 am.
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This morning I checked in on the Sherco and King nests which are both in Minnesota and about on the same schedule. It doesn't look like they have had any hatches yet either. The Sherco parent seemed restless, but could just have been trying to keep warm in the frosty temperatures. The King adult appeared to be sleeping, head tucked back but strangely one of the 5 eggs was mostly uncovered under its wing. Maybe the weather has slowed things down a bit for them all.
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It can take up to 72 hours from pip to hatch, so even if you did see a pip there is still nothing to worry about yet. :)
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Looks like we're all watching....and waiting....and watching....and some more waiting.
Hmmm...tap, tap tap,"sigh"...and more waiting ;)
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Much like Trey, whoever is on the eggs now is so focused on the pebble-moving that they've left the eggs behind them! ;D
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if only human males had the same diligent housekeeping habits!
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Yeah I've been watching this webcam today and that was quite the peppble searching by the supposed egg sitter lol
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there she goes again! (pretty sure it's mom, anyway). pebblepebblepebblepebble
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The feather stuck on her beak must be driving her nuts! lol
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you'd think so! but she seems much more interested in moving pebbles. :)
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mom is Seriously Fidgety. methinks hatch must be coming soon, because the weather doesn't warrant this level of fidgetiness. She's changed positions a ton (like every few minutes!), is vocalizing (maybe to say "get this dang feather off my beak!") and is generally "puffed". and there is, of course, the incessant pebble moving.
I really hope I get to see a hatch this year! ;D
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Yeah she's been very restless today, changing positions every minute or so.
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Clearly could hear the chicks at that changeover
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yup!
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Did you think the egg on the right toward the back had a white spot. (I could be seeing things..I was lying in the bath with the laptop on the toilet seat!)
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(I could be seeing things..I was lying in the bath with the laptop on the toilet seat!)
A true Phanatic ;D ;D
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you are too cute BCF! I had mine on the counter top while showering ;D
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Oh..oh ... I heard the chicks !!!
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Me too.
Caught the shift change...and chirp chirp chirp!!
I find them a lot louder today than yesterday... :)
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Oh so cool, I can hear them quite clearly now!! Wow..come out little ones...we won't hurt you :D
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You can definately hear peeping from one of the eggs, that is for sure!
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As carly says...come out little ones! We won't hurt you.
We just want to see you!!
Come on... :-*
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See you YES!
Hurt you , no.
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Did anyone see any pips?
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I haven't seen any but sure can hear the little peeping!
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Mum leave the pebbles alone, you need to concentrate on incubating those eggs lol
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Maybe the "veil" effect has to do with the time of day, as I see it's back again.
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Could be time for dad to settle in for the evening. It's 7:45 pm EST now.
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Maybe the "veil" effect has to do with the time of day, as I see it's back again.
I think so - probably a lighting/camera thing. remember on the other view how the camera would react when mom or dad (or later, the kids) blocked the bright sun and you could see much better in the nextbox proper?
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Back to snoozing!
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I love hearing those little chirps from inside the eggs...Come out little ones! We all want to welcome you into this world!
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Can definitely hear it loud and clear now.
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sure can. amazing (assuming that is what we think it is...) 8)
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Very loud and clear right now...perhaps we're getting close :-\
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I hope so - but dad seems awfully calm and unmoving, compared to mom all day (I think I've got the identity correct but it's hard since he won't show me his full breast to be sure).
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I understand why the changed camera angles..but I would much prefer the other camera inside the nestbox.
Too bad they couldn't provide with both options.
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hmmmm. that diamond shape thingy in the veil effect likely is related to the bright light we see from the nestbox view (which I also wish I had a choice of, but since it's freebie ... well, I'll just be glad for what I get. :) ). it's kinda otherworldly looking.
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I too am grateful. :) But it would be nice if they figured out that the 1st view is best until the chicks actually start moving around (after the chick-pile is finished) and then moved to this view where we can watch them looking over the edge and thinking about moseying out there. The other thing about this view - we can't see the bars. If that doesn't get changed for almost-fledge time, it's really going to suck!
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I hope so - but dad seems awfully calm and unmoving, compared to mom all day (I think I've got the identity correct but it's hard since he won't show me his full breast to be sure).
I think it's dad, too. There was a shift-change awhile ago.
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definitely dad. now that he's turned I can see the much whiter breast and very dark head (much like Trey - especially as he's all into the pebbles right now). Still just see eggs underneath. saw three as he resettled, assum the 4th is behind.
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Now it is mom on the eggs. Darn it wish at least one would hatch lol
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OH, the flicking the fingernail at the screen thing finally worked! I knocked the laptop over the edge of the couch, and it caused dad to slide off the eggs!
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Lots of movement this morning, saw the eggs quickly during shift change about 10 minutes ago.
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7:53 am and parent just left the eggs, lots of peeping heard right now but no one in yet to cover the eggs. From this angle I don't see any pips at all nor any cracks.
7:54 am Parent back in now and tucking eggs under her.
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Even with the wind howling you can hear the peeping sounds from the eggs ;D I hope that the wind dies down a bit before any hatches.
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Those peeping sounds are really loud now. I wonder if there is a hatch underway under there.
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All eyes are glued to Elk River lol
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And holy cow :o
they want out...seems a bit louder today as you can hear even through that aweful wind.
I guess it's just plain windy and miserable everywhere, oh well except for where Pchemist is ;)
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I was just comparing the wind noise on the cam to the howl that happens on the Radisson when the wind gets up, in comparison, we may never be able to put a microphone in our nestbox ... :'( ... would be much too loud to hear anything for much of the time ....
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Little one is yelling: "LET ME OUT NOW"
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not yet...mom has some pebble moving to do ::)
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And holy cow :o
they want out...seems a bit louder today as you can hear even through that aweful wind.
I guess it's just plain windy and miserable everywhere, oh well except for where Pchemist is ;)
it's sunny, currently 23C on its way to around 30C, humidity is 21% and dropping to probably 15% or less this afternoon, and winds are around 8kph from the south-southwest. :)
actually, Elk River looks pretty nice today. Sunny, not too breezy (and I imagine higher up it's breezier here too). I just wish they'd HATCH ALREADY. ::)
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tell me about it...with hopes, we'll have a hatch today.
I'm going to be glued to my laptop all day or in some cases, it will be glued to me. 8)
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Nothing yet :(
Can hear the little one peeping though
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Okay - I got a glimpse and definitely saw a pip and possibly saw more but can't be sure. :)
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During that shift change...pretty sure I saw a nice pip on the top of an egg.
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PEEK A BOO
(http://i518.photobucket.com/albums/u346/kittenface_album/april09%20part%201/apri%2009%20part%202/MAY%2009%20part%201/peekaboo.jpg)
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Shift change! Still no chick but a possible pip on one egg (it's still sort of hard to see though).
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I thought I saw a chick and 3 eggs, yes kitten or is that just a smudge and I want to see a wee head? Nope maybe not.
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Dad was figeting with the eggs, roll them etc and I caught what looked like a pip on one of the eggs!
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dad has been on those eggs all day... keeps rolling them around and I've seen a pip on one. I keep hoping to catch a hatch... but perhaps I'll just have to see a chick tomorrow.
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Well can sure hear the chick even though Dad tries to cover the eggs up.
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Ah, the 3:52 train, right on time! lol
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shift change, and mom is quickly on the eggs giving us NO VIEW. >:(
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hm, that was funny. one of those "phwoosh" sounds (like a hydraulic or something) happened, and clearly woke mom up. She jerked her head around and is now staring intently at something above the nestbox.
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I think the cheeps you guys are hearing are the adult peregrines' tummies not the chicks ::)
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Could be TPC, premature 'chirp'aculation! :D
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Loriann has been such a bad influence on this Forum ... ::)
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Yes, doesn't she just! ;D
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"Shuggling" -- what a great word. It looks exactly the way it sounds!
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Those eyes and ears are certainly perked up! I wonder what's going on?
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OK EVERYONE I SCREWED UP THAT WAS NOT A HATCH
I'm very sorry
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I think the eggs are very close to hatching. Mom got up for a few moments and I thought I saw white on 2 of the eggs. ;D
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Oh hey no worries kittenface. Can't tell you how many times I've yelled hatch or oh my god she's killing her kid..or... only to have egg on my face...it just makes you a true 'phanatic' :P
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Mom's doing the "jiggy" and arranging pebbles quite a bit. Perhaps a little anxious? :)
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I clearly see 2 pips in 2 separate eggs during this changeover.
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saw that too Carly, very clear!
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I'm watching too...come on little ones! Come on!
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I've been watching all day, took a break this evening for a while lol of course I'd miss two pips geeezzzz
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all still seems quiet, but I hope to see a chick in the morning. ;D
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6:12 am Est and hear lots of cheeping and see mom shuggling but no sight of anything yet as it's just getting clear there now.
Oh she lifted up a teeny bit and part of eggs and that's it. Now she's housecleaning a bit.
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Breakfast has arrived...grrr...falcon blocking view of nest...move!!! Ok he moves a bit and all eggs still....not that he was cooperating by giving me a good look. Gees hatch already ... I have to go out this morning!! :P
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Egg shell just got pulled out from under parent!!! 6:43 am
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WooHoo ;D Finally, they sure kept us waiting didn't they. Now we will be waiting for a glimpse of the fuzz ball or balls. Oh, shuffling around and another large piece of shell pushed out by the edge.
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There he/she is!!! :o
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Morning Carly ! I saw that too ! wee one is giving mom a hard time already peeking out from under her breast while she's trying to keep her tucked under... oh and there is the train.
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There's Two!!! :-*
Wah...I have to take mom for her eye exam this morning....so will miss it all!!
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Just saw that there are two! and as Lorian said, already giving mom a bad time, trying to wiggle out. They look very new, if you know what I mean.
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A parent just came in for a noisy shift change but the brooding bird wouldn't get up so the other one left. :D
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Lol...saw that..hehe! I have to leave now for a few hours :'( :'( Can't wait to get back already..!! Enjoy the happenings, maybe there will be 1 more by the time I get back ;D
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Mom just shifted a bit and I could see one little fluffy white one tucked underneath her breast.
There was a moment when Mom looked like she had hiccups . . . hiccups or another chick hatching? She didn't give us a good look, but I still see two eggs (I think).
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just caught a glimpse of 2 eggs under adults breast, one on our left is pipping. :D
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just got another peek under adult. seen one very squirmy white fluff ball with its little head bobbling around. lol. Adult positioned chick right beside the egg that is pipping. ;)
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Attempted shift change! She won't give up the prized brooding position. Two chicks and two eggs visible.
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I kinda figured that there would be a hatching when I got up but didn't think about 2! I did see one chick as it popped out while mom quickly got it underneath her again. Congrats to Mom!!
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that one is a trouble maker.. been 'popping' out since HE hatched. lol.. giving poor mom a lot of grief... ( boys ! BAH ). ;D
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Congrats to Mom & Dad at Elk River...I of course missed everything ::)
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me too, allikat. *sigh*
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Dad came to help out but she's still refusing a shift change. Much squawking at each other. Glimpse of one chick.
Maybe she's waiting for Dad to bring food?
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A good peek at two babes and two eggs, then more shuggling. No go on the shift change again.
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OK I got the picture right now I can't screw this one up::)
(http://i518.photobucket.com/albums/u346/kittenface_album/april09%20part%201/apri%2009%20part%202/MAY%2009%20part%201/Image-2.jpg)
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thanks for the picture! All I've seen this morning lots of sitting and shuggling. ::)
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ZOOM!!! Great shot of the babes, two eggs, one with a pip, as the shift-change finally happened. I guess food did the trick!
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Good photo, KF! Now we know where we are at with the chicks.
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Dad finally got the idea and brought in food. Mom grabbed and left and is now back to replace dad and feed the 2 beautiful little ones.
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Okay, i have to say, this close up is GREAT! really clear picture of the babes, the food (ew) and the interaction. ;D ;D
I'm assuming the other egg is behind the babes.
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The 2 cuties are barely keeping their heads up for a feed. :P
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This camera view has a great close-up view of the nest - I am impressed!
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Yes, the other egg is behind the babies, and it has a big pip in it too ;D I saw it when dad was there briefly.
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The other egg is between the two chicks.
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I love how when, after a few unsuccessful tries at getting food in the mouth, Mom just goes ahead and eats it herself. Well, she has been working hard all morning.
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feeding time .... and definately a whole in the closest egg
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Dad, need more food! ::)
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that was fabulous! but mom didn't have much luck getting food into the babes beaks... it was pretty impressive to watch. I'm delighted someone zoomed it in!
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Well from what I saw the other two eggs each have holes in them. So expect two more soon. LOL. Mom didn't take long to feed the two and get them back underneath her. Now I can go to the store!!
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Watched the feeding with a co-worker...Awesome!
We were both sitting here opening our mouths with hopes of helping the little ones have better timing to grab the food from Mom. ::)
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Bah ha ! thanks for that visual.. lol.. ;D :o
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Well from what I saw the other two eggs each have holes in them. So expect two more soon. LOL. Mom didn't take long to feed the two and get them back underneath her. Now I can go to the store!!
I was going to say this same thing but after yesterday I didn't want to jump the gun again
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Loved that photo kittenface, hope you got some of the feeding too ;D
Dad came back but has been sent packing again as he didn't have food :D
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Hear that faint skree? "Let me out, mum, you're suffocating me!"
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Hear that faint skree? "Let me out, mum, you're suffocating me!"
What a perfect description of that little noise ;D
Maybe they want to get out because the weather has finally warmed up. It is 57F with a forecasted high of 82.
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If she stays facing outwards, we might actually get to see the front egg hatch!
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One of the eggs was just peeking out from underneath mom and a big pip is visible. It might just be my imagination but I thought that I could see movement in the hole ::)
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One of the eggs was just peeking out from underneath mom and a big pip is visible. It might just be my imagination but I thought that I could see movement in the hole ::)
I was sure that I could see movement also. :)
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Now why doesn't one sit on the chicks and the other on the eggs?! That would make life easier for the one on duty. :D
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Mom is very upset about something. Hope that dad is around to take care of whatever it is.
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Did anyone else hear that? I've never heard that noise before ???
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Egg hatching 8)
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Clear view of a big crack along one egg with white fluff sticking out of it.
The camera zoomed in for a good view, but then Mom covered the egg up again and it zoomed out.
What an exciting day!
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Yeah the 3rd seems to be hatching or has hatched, not sure with MOM in the way lol She sure is turning alot lol
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Oh and there is Dad, mom is saying "where is the food?" "Go get some food will you Dad" "NOW"
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Get up! No... Get up! Make me :P
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Tracy, what would you call that sound? WIth both of them there.
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These two are just too funny ;D What a conversation they are having.
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They are having a conversation alright and the little one is speaking too lol
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"Get up, I want to count heads." "Where the heck is my lunch?! Then maybe I'll get up!"
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dad just wants to see his newest baby. :)
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Move dad we want to do a head count, but dad is saying, "Nope these are my kids I wanna seem em first!"
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Awwwww Dad seemed to look a little sideways at mom, and mom is saying "FOOD"
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such an attentive dad. sweet to see. :D
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So, who do you think is going to give in first?
Dad is being a little dense here and mum is a tad possessive. ::)
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TPC the sound the female is making is that to Dad or the kids? I don't recall hearing a female call like that.
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Tracy, what would you call that sound? WIth both of them there.
There is a technical name but I always forget it (will track down), I call it a "kissy" noise. Its an intimate noise between the adults, sometimes between adult and chick but the chicks are usually to loud & strident - its a two-way intimate vocalization, both do it or its not this noise. Its the noise the pair makes, when they are close, its quiet, affectionate (in the peregrine sense) and its intimate, its just for/between the two of them.
Help any?
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Thank-you that explains it very clearly!
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This by far the longest time that I have ever seen these two in close proximity to each other. I would really like to know what is going through their heads. ::)
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Great, now I feel like a peeping tom/voyeur.
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Took the words right out of my mouth bccs!
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Isn't going to stop us though, is it Carly? ;D ;D
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And the whole time Dad has been there the only thing I've seen Mom move is her head.
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I can't tell if this is an intimate moment or a stalement between these two. To me, it looks like the falcon outside, who I presume is dad, wants to go in, while mom inside does not want to go out. If this is indeed the case, I hope they can talk it over and compromise, but I guess I am thinking like a human.
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Okay, that's like keeping your kid in their snowsuit at a family reunion ...
Might be that the last egg is hatching and Mom doesn't want to get off/move much until its done - just a supposition, can't say what's actually going on of course ... ???
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That's because you are human, Eli, lol hmmmmm mom won't give up the seat. So Dad sits idly by.
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Good suppositon none the less TPC I suspect you might be right
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that's SHELL! I hope it's new shell and not old shell. :o
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I think she's right, mom munching on eggshell and moving alot before the shell went into her mouth!
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yea its intimate all right, the two falcons, the kids, and a million or so of us.. lol
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She is eating the eggshell now. So I guess she wanted to hang around for the hatch ;) Hope we get to see the new little one soon.
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I'm certain mom is eating fresh-eggshell stuff.
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I think we have a 3rd or forth egg hatched, as mom is eating it lol
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Okay Dad you have 3rd kid or fourth go get some food!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Dad finally blinked. He must have heard you Eagle. Another mouth to feed. 8)
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Yeah the cam is being moved in!!
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hmmmm I saw two eggs under mom, wonder if one is just the shell? Hard to tell though
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Mom..what a faker..I'll pretend another egg is hatching so I don't have to get up off the eggs..lol!! I saw 2 eggs during that shuggle :P
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Gee, you sure can hear the Canada Geese going by, loud and clear; they don't seem to bother our falcon mom, but it sure sounded like they were flying by about a foot away from the nest.
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yeah, but the train sounds close, and the motorcycles sound close, and we know it's all far away.
oh, my cam came back! glad I didn't miss anything much. :)
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Gee, you sure can hear the Canada Geese going by, loud and clear; they don't seem to bother our falcon mom, but it sure sounded like they were flying by about a foot away from the nest.
I must have missed the geese, or it might have been Mom. She has a very unusual call and half the time sounds like she is quacking when she greets the male, usually to tell him to go away. She really sounds like a duck half the time, sometimes a softly calling duck and sometimes a loud and very annoyed duck. :D
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LOL ;D
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Third chick just emerged! Still wet!
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Yup I counted a 3rd chick, I can see the fourth working at the egg lol
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And there are three. ;D The 2 oldest sound like they want dinner. Poor little new arrival is still all pink and wet.
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Last egg to go has a big pip in it.
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YAY!!!!
And Mum screams, "These kids are starving! For the 3rd time, where the heck is lunch??!"
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scrawny little bugger when it first hatches! soon it will be a fluffball though. :) then comes "the awkward stage" ....
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Dad you can toss one egg to the side, you just have one egg left to incubate and it won't be longer for that one either lol
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And Dad's in for the brooding, finally. First job: eating eggshell.
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There goes Dad eating the egg!
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Oh very cool, so different to see it so close up. Oh and little pink and white baby!!
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Second job for Dad: nest-cleaning. He's already at the pebbles and he hasn't been on the chicks very long at all.
Looks like he's having quite a job scooting the newest chick in underneath!
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O.K. forget about the eggshell. Figure out how to get that wet chick underneath you. :D
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Back to eating the egg, oh now scoot it under too, you don't have the room Dad!
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Now stay still, no eggs, no pebbles, just dry the little one!
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That is one fidgety falcon! He can't sit still at all!
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Nice bum shot Dad, how about covering up the chicks?
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Oh not another one that's scared of thier chicks...get closer!!! They can't be fed from that far...*sigh*
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I have....THE WORST timing ::)
*sign* just caught tucking the chicks under breast.
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OMG parent just arrived with some kind of a 4 legged critter with a tail. Mom has taken it off, presumably to prepare dinner, so dinner alert. She should be back soon.
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Dad just showed up with food, Mom grabbed it from him & took off! :o
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4 legs?? Really? Wow...I missed that but I'm stuffing my own face while watching... ;D
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Looked like a mouse.
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I missed that too - but I was under the impression that would be very unlikely? I'll wait for TPC to chime in on that one.
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O. K. Parent is back but without any food. ??? Ate it all herself? Didn't think that rodent was suitable for the kids? Hmm :P
I was really, really surprised when I saw it as I didn't think that Peregrines would hunt rodents.
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I guess Mom was hungry. :o
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She just fed the kids not too long ago, probably her dinner. New mum has to keep up her strength :P
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For people who may have been at work today without internet access - someone has posted a video of the events shortly after the third hatch at Elk River today with the still wet new arrival. ;D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bQ7Is06WK8&fmt=18
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We definitely had the rodent conversation last summer, and TPC said "no". hmmm...
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thanks, maggieblue - that was more of it than I had been able to see. SOOOOOO cute when the older chick had an eggshell helmet for a moment there. ;D
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A few pics of the Great River hatchlings (and parent) today:
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/may%202009/gremay193a.jpg) (http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/may%202009/gremay1910a.jpg)
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/may%202009/gremay1917a.jpg) (http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/may%202009/gremay1918a.jpg)
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/may%202009/gremay1925a.jpg) (http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/may%202009/gremay1927a.jpg)
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/may%202009/gremay1929a.jpg)
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Thanks Maggie for the video and Alison for the photos...and did you just see the shift change? 3 wee babies out in full view... :-* :-* :-*
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Oh...feeding time ;D Bonus!!
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yes. that is wonderful, but did you get a good look at the diner. It looked like another rodent to me. Have to wonder what on earth is going on here. I would think that the Missisippi would be a wonderful hunting ground for birds. ??? Love the images of the three beautifull chicks. ;D
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I want to push that chick facing the wrong way and turn it around!
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It's a torso - head, wings and legs missing. The hanging down bits (that look like legs) are what's left of those parts.
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Three newborn chicks alone now.`Not happy. It is however warm at Elk River at the moment. Hopefuly mom returns soon.
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HATCHING! THE FOURTH IS HATCHING RIGHT NOW!!!!! ;D ;D ;D
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Well honestly I didn't notice the 'specimen' in this case however I do recall at my site...in these early days, they generally get a small meal which is usually leftovers because they are so small and can't eat that much at this point.
Fourth egg is hatching!!!! Right now!!!
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Is that the unhatched egg on the far end of the nestbox or is it with the cute chick pile? If so, have the parents cast it aside as non-viable? :'(
I'm watching a live hatching right now. :-*
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kinda looks like a hermit crab right now... ::)
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OMG chick number 4 is hatching in front of our eyes. parents missing. Just 3 siblings for company. :o
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JL, there were four eggs, and the last is hatching right now. the other things you see are eggshell remnants from the first three chicks.
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I'm glad they switched the view or this hatching would be hidden by the chick pile.
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Chick hatching!!!!
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it's still 27C there, so no worries I imagine kinda surprised one of the parents hasn't come into view yet though.
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They are in the way!
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it is clearly hard work getting out of that shell, but success is near! 8)
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Oops, I guess that answered my question. :-[
That's amazing. I think we've got ourselves a healthy chick! :)
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woohoo! well done, little one. ;D
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Awww..the other sibs will keep it warm... :-*
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That calls for a celebration; I'm getting myself a glass of wine. ;D
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CHEERS!
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Incredible to see. But where are the parents? They have been MIA for quite awhile now. Thank goodness that chick number 4 has 3 siblings to greet him/her. Lots of chirps going on here now. :o I am starting to be concerned here.
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You know what they say about the first thing a chick sees? Does that mean this one thinks its sib is it's mum? lol
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Yes parents gone long considering they were all born today!
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Can't get the cam any more, just a solid black box.
Pics of the first three chicks:
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/may%202009/gremay1935a.jpg) (http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/may%202009/gremay1941a.jpg)
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/may%202009/gremay1945a.jpg) (http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/may%202009/gremay1949a.jpg)
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/may%202009/gremay1951a.jpg) (http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/may%202009/gremay1952a.jpg)
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/may%202009/gremay1953a.jpg)
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no need to be concerned as it is plenty warm there. No doubt the parents will be in soon. The other chicks can't keep the new one warm as none of them can thermoregulate yet, but the air is quite warm so it's all good. ;D
glass of wine is a fine idea!
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I'm not worried, being the good parents they are, they're nearby but out of camera view. ;)
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Not worried but it is kind of weird. Usually the first few days you have to pry them off with a crowbar.
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I don't know if I should be worried that it can't get out of the egg and will exhaust itself, or grateful because a parent isn't there to dry it off and it needs to wait.
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OK, mum - 15 minutes is enough time to have a shower and get dinner!
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By the way other boards say the dinner had 4 legs and a tail too...
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parent back now........... tuck in mode ....
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It could be. But we got a really good close-up this afternoon, from a different angle, and it looked the same but was a bird torso. TPC will let us know, I'm sure.
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Thank goodness. A parent returns and all tucked up ;D Whew
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Yay..glad mum is back! I've never heard of a peregrine eating mice or the like, they don't usually go to ground unless they are juvies and don't know better.
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Yes, cheers, everyone! Glad to see Mom back. :)
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Absolutely glass of wine time! Witnesing four chicks born in one day aftern many months of watching here. Whoo Hoo ;D ;D ;D
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well, I dug around on the 'net and there are places that say peregrines will eat rodents, but it is very rare and usually what people think is a rodent is a headless wingless bird torso (ummmm.. yummy?) with possibly some entrials dangling.
and with that, now I have to go decide if I still want to make my own dinner... :P
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Four chicks hatched . . . what a beautiful day. Mom is nibbling on a bit of eggshell now.
There's still one chick that keeps peeking out from under Mom. Wonder if it is the same chick that was doing that this morning?
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And yet again....I missed everything! >:(
Oh well! This is the fun part...watching the little ones!
Again...we watch, give the token head tilt and awe with an enormous grin on all of our faces.
I LOVE FALCONS!
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great shots Alison, thank you! yaaaaaa, finally!! I raise a glass ;D
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ahh, the 11:40 train... momma doesn't even flinch, babies tucked in for the night, breeze has picked up a bit, light illuminating mom's upper half and all is good for the night...
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came in to check, all is well, eggshell bits scattered about, and most importantly...
I turned off the sound. no early morning wake-up call for me! 8)
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I haven't seen a feeding this morning but did get a glimpse of the fluff balls. They are being quite vocal. ;D
Mom and dad will need to be velcroed down on them today as it is very, very windy. The forecast is for high temperatures and high winds. This sounds like Manitoba weather, going from frost one day to a heat wave the next. :D
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There is a feeding underway at Elk River. One little guy hasn't quite figured out how to get the right way round to get in on it. Hope he/she figures it out soon.
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Oh man, mom has left with the food and didn't feed the little guy. He/she didn't get any food and also got knocked on its back at one point, little talons waving in the air. At least it managed to get back up. :-\ Now an adult is back to cover them up.
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A few minutes ago dad had one of those hanging in the wind experiences. It took 3 tries to eventually land on the bar. The first time that I saw him try I thought that he had food but in the end he didn't bring any food in and after about a minute flew off again. ???
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the wind makes it sound cold, but it's moving up to nearly 33C there today, and is already reporting upper 20's. Suposed to really cool off tomorrow and be more like 19C for the highs the rest of the week. tomorrow offers a chance of thunderstorms! Glad these wee ones have a roof over their heads. Mom looks peaceful, but then a little noise and she jerks to attentiveness.
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Finally feeding time! (As the train goes by.)
The adult falcons are certainly getting buffeted by the winds when they are out on the perches. In the nestbox, their tailfeathers keep getting whipped this way and that.
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My God, one little chick got blown right over to the edge of the nest - I thought he was going to go over, and my heart dropped. Now two are at the edge. They can't find their way back to dad and the food.
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I turned away to talk to someone and when I turned back, two chicks were over by the edge. The parent keeps on feeding the other two. Was it the wind?!?
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Wow..the wind just blew the other 2 over... >:(
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and one of the little ones has yet to get anything to eat ... and one only got a little bit before he was sent flying over by the first little one ...
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The two who are getting something to eat are developing swollen crops, so they are ok.
Thank goodness for the ledge on the nestbox!
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GO chicks!
The two right by the edge are working their way towards the feeding, gaining forward momentum by using a faceplant technique.
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The wee one still isn't getting anything and I think food is done?? Oh now you get closer to them!!!
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the wee one didn't get anything to eat this time.... next time i guess. dad is trying to get them all underhim, but isn't doing a very good job this time.
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I don't think that little one on the left of screen did get any food that time.
It looked like Mom didn't want to brood right by the edge where they all gathered . . . and is now hoping she can convince them to move toward the back of the nestbox where she won't get as ruffled by the wiind.
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The food is gone, Dad has finally got them all back under him, but one chick did not get a thing to eat! I hope when mom returns, she feeds them again.
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I'm pretty sure that is mom on them right now - she has speckles higher on her chest and a faint crown (a la Princess) on her head, while dad has a more white chest and a darker head (a la Trey). But she's leaning over so far I can't be sure of the chest markings. And this fisheye camera means guessing size is pointless.
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Not all the chicks will eat at all the feedings. And no, the parents don't play favourites and they tend to be pretty good about making sure everyone gets the food they need.
The "little one" is it much littler than the rest? Was their a gap between hatch dates?
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All born yesterday TPC...4 hatches in 1 day!! I think he was the last egg to hatch so he's a few hours younger than the rest..like maybe 4 or 5 hours?
No maybe more than that. Two were born in the early morning, 1 a few hours later and he came last evening. So maybe 7 or 8 hours between him and first would be more accurate.
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I am hoping that there was a feeding very early this morning. If you check my posts from this morning you will see that the little one didn't get any food from early morning to when I quit watching early this afternoon. The parents were having an incredibly difficult time trying to land. I mentioned it in one post but I also saw dad drift by several times later without being able to land on the bar. Quite a wild ride they have had today.
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Then he may have had more food at the previous feeding and wasn't begging so much this time around.
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No he was begging, he got blown so far away and couldn't make his way back to dad..by the time the poor little mite made it back the food was gone and he cried and begged and he couldn't seem to get turned around the right way... One other took awhile to get back too and only got one bite from what I could see. It's so windy, the 2 of them got blown quite aways from dad and the other two at one point got caught by a gust that blew them right onto their backs. Thank the people who built the box, if that lip wasn't there, they would have blown right out of the box.
I think it was dad who was feeding, he was doing a 'Scout'...seems to be too afraid to get close to them like yesterday..I kept yelling 'get closer' to them, they can't reach that far yet!! ;D
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Is it me or is it getting windier there? Why is so windy? This is crazy!
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it's crazy windy there ... really ... when the chicks got blown over if it hadn't been for the lip on the nest ... both would have been gone. i guess in the wild they would have been gone for sure
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I don't think one chick really is smaller than the rest, although in a previous post I called her/him "the little one."
Perhaps the one who didn't get much to eat at that wind-blown feeding looked a bit smaller at the end of the feeding because his/her crop didn't expand. Or maybe it was the camera angle.
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That makes sense baffled..we are just overprotective 'mother hens' I think ;)
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it's nearly impossible to tell size differences if they are not next to each other because of the fisheye lens on this camera. And the difference between the first and last was longer than that - there were 2 hatched when I first looked in the morning, and the last one hatched in front of me in late afternoon (for me).
Mom (I think) has been playing peregrine a/c for a while, funneling wind over the kids. now she's leaving to bring back food! ;D
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The two right by the edge are working their way towards the feeding, gaining forward momentum by using a faceplant technique.
Oh what a wonderful picture that paints, Baffled! I sure wish I'd seen it. ;D
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And the difference between the first and last was longer than that - there were 2 hatched when I first looked in the morning, and the last one hatched in front of me in late afternoon (for me).
6:43 am was first hatch and last was 18:24 (6:24 pm) so you're right more like 12 hours...sure didn't seem like such a long day :P
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... it would be nice if they figured out that the 1st view is best until the chicks actually start moving around (after the chick-pile is finished) and then moved to this view where we can watch them looking over the edge and thinking about moseying out there.
I admit, I was wrong. I'd really love to be able to have yesterdays view, today! But considering the racket the wind is making in the microphone inside the box, the outside cam is probably shaking like crazy!
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heh - post dinner wind tunnel being provided to cool the chicks down. 8)
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Weather for Elk River, MN, USA
31°C
Current: Clear
Wind: S at 6 km/h
Humidity: 23%
Yeah right! In who's world?
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Mom is looking around and just called out for a food delivery. :D I hope that one comes soon so that we can get a good look at the chicks. At the moment they are peeking out from underneath her and peeping.
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There is a feeding going on at Elk River now. There had been a shift change a while ago. Dad didn't bring any food but covered while mom went out hunting.
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breakfast .. although parents back is to the cam
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The little guy was persistent and managed to get at least 3 bites towards the end of the feeding. Mom has taken the remains away, perhaps as a meal for herself, and the chicks are all piled up together and cheeping. And here is an adult to tuck up the chicks. ;D
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feeding time! ;D
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heh, I thought that one chick was going to sleep through the whole thing, but now all four are up and asking for food. however, sleepyhead isn't really into it and his/her crop still looks pretty full...
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now only two are still upright, and frankly one of them seems pretty half-hearted about wanting more food. the others have fallen over into a stupor already. 8)
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Ha ha! It looked like two of them took a nap in the middle of feeding!
And feeding is over and they are all falling into one big sleepy full-tummy pile of white fluff.
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oops, now there's three heads again. but the problem is, they aren't really opening their beaks any more! so, food is being taken away. chick pile is getting very still. just waiting for mom or dad to come back and keep them warm (or cool them off, whatever it takes there today...)
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Look, Dad's getting a chance to parent!
I bet it won't be for long . . . the mother falcon has really been hogging the parenting duties since hatch day.
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dad has a hard time fitting them all under him. little wonder they're already switching out.
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And just as I was posting, they switched out, and Mom is back on the babies.
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jeez, another feeding already! the kids are barely even making any noise and are hardly even asking for food. one of them is sleeping through it (again)! :o
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Another feeding! So soon?
The chicks are a bit half-hearted about this one. There's not the same sense of urgency.
Perhaps the parents are making up for yesterday when there were loooong stretches between feedings (because of the wind????).
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looks like our proud papa has figured out a way to get all four chicks tucked under him. way to go dad! ;D
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here is mom with an afternoon snack! ;D
They are definitely keeping those crops full today...
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another lovely day in Elk River. Got to see mom and dad together on the outer perches and then saw one swoop off down below - cool!
now dad (I think) is making a HUGE racket and has stepped off the chicks, who are making their own racket. somebody wants a snack.... ;D
chick tee-pee is very cute!
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feeding time and parent on other side of chick pile so excellent viewing of all four eating, so adorable!
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yes, finally they got feeding well set up for our viewing. ;) all four seem to be growing very well!
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I just LOVE seeing them swoop out below the box when they jump off the perch!!!!
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feeding time and parent on other side of chick pile so excellent viewing of all four eating, so adorable!
Both parents were there?!
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I've been seeing both parents in the box during feedings a lot this year...I thought that rarely happened ???
Good to know that all four cuties got their share...you feel so bad for the little ones when they are facing the wrong way with their mouths wide open..
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All four screaming of starvation! LOL
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"They won't stop screaming -- bring more food!"
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I can still hear them underneath adults breast...
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Sorry...I just realized I should of specified that it wasn't only at the Elk River site where I saw both adults in the nestbox during feeding time (both feeding their chicks)...saw it on the Ohio site, the Netherland site, Italy site and the England site. I just thought that was rare....???
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Really?! Wow! That is so cool! Lucky you :D
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Noisy good feeding going on here at the moment...I love listening to them ;D
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I love the way the adult chirps to the chicks while feeding.. :-*
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four face-plant chicks in four directions. heh.
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all is peaceful now, chicks in their pile, parent out on the ledge enjoying the sun preening... bliss ;D
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watching an early morning feeding, boys the chicks have grown in just a few days. my my. mom has her hands full with these four lively ones. lol. looks like a nice calm morning there.
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noisy feeding going on. One chick is behind the other three and sometimes gets up to ask for food but has such a full crop it topples over for a brief nap over and over. funny! ;D
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Another very noisy feeding at Elk River!
I haven't had time to watch the webcam since Thursday --wow those chicks have grown a lot! They are also much better at holding themselves upright, and aiming their beaks at the parent's beak to grab the food. They know where the food is coming from now, instead of just cheeping in vague directions. Go chicks!
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Another feeding so soon?
Nope, just Dad bringing Mom breakfast. She's off to eat, and he's not really trying very hard to get all the chicks under him. One of them has a crop so full she/he looks like a bullfrog!
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Another feeding. This one was relatively short.
We need to remind the parents not to stand with their back to the camera, blocking our view! ;)
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More food!
Dad brought a tasty snack, passed it off to Mom, and then flew away.
The chicks seems as hungry as ever. Boy, they are eating a lot today!
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He's such a good Dad, keeping the little ones and Mom well-fed. :)
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He's a great Dad, do what Dad's do, feeding his family!!
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Dad's bringing food constantly. He brought something awhile ago, Mom fed the kids and then he came back with a some food for Mom. She just took off to eat and now he's keeping the kids warm. ;D
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My first quick peek. they are so cute.
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Just got a moment to check on these little cuties....and they are still cute! :-*
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yes they are just precious fluff balls aren't they? Just give em a month though and they will be squawking and biting and running all around giveing us heart attacks though. lol :D
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what the heck is the honking goose sound? do the peregrines have a pet watch goose? HONK is not a sound peregrines make LOL
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YES!!!!
So true deedream, and I can hardly wait!!!
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Yeah...not sure on that one Loriann :-\
I don't get the low honk combined with falcon squack!
Perhaps we should call it "Squonk" :D
*sounds like the chicks are hungry*
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Yes the chicks are looking for food, but I swear there is a goose sitting just out of camera range, and every time the babes start making noise, you hear it HONK ! we have enough of the King of Turd here , i know what they sound like, and thats a flipping GOOSE ! :o
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Trust me...I thought the exact same thing. Where are the Geese? I don't see any. Unfortunately, it isn't a Goose. I've witnessed Geese up close, very very close in fact and I can honk like a Goose...(long story :-[).
But it is in fact the falcon that is making that very low sounding honk before the typical falcon squak.
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Perfect description, allikat!
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and honestly, you shouldn't be ashamed of being able to honk like a goose.
really.
*smffffffffflesnort*
honest. it's just fine. ;D
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Please can someone let me know?
Has anyone here seen a feeding today, I'm getting just a little bit concerned, I've been watching now for at least 4 hours and nothing maybe I missed something when I went to answer phone {I HOPE}
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Hi Kitten, I saw a very good feeding this morning when I got into the office around 7:30 ish. Very noisy and all chicks had a good share.
Sorry been busy with meetings and our banding going to start shortly...
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Kittenface, I saw the begining of a feeding this morning, can't recall exactly when. The chicks were restless and mom started calling out for dad to come in with food. That got the chicks excited and they started making noise so mom left briefly. Both parents came back, one with food and there was a feeding. I find it hard to watch here because there is that one chick who always seems to be in the wrong place or wrong way and has trouble getting food, at least initially. I checked in a while later and the feeding was still going on so I thnk that they had a good meal. ;D
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and honestly, you shouldn't be ashamed of being able to honk like a goose.
really.
*smffffffffflesnort*
honest. it's just fine. ;D
Thanks Pchemist!! I honk every time I see a goose...obviously when it's close enough to hear me. ::)
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Now I can go to work HAPPY
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Chicks crying for food on and off and mom;'s been calling for awhile for dad to come in but pickings must be slim cause no sign of him yet.
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I did watch the feeding early this morning and the little one that we worry about was fed well once Mom stepped around all four of them to get at him and feed him directly. Still nothing at this nest since then though. Those chicks have been howling for awhile now already. Notice mama several times searching the skies. Mama is calling out alot and the chicks get even more worked up. Ugh, I hate it when things don't go as i'd like them too. Have to head back to work soon and will look back here to see if anyone caught a feeding this afternoon.
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there's a feeding going on right now! looks like everyone is getting a share and all look very healthy and active! ;D
I like how one of them finally shoved everyone aside to get to the food - and the way they are trying to take it from each other's beaks!
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Hmmm.....mom just left the nest, either her or pa flew in after a minute with a very tiny morsel of something to eat. And I mean tiny.
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Yeah, they sure are active. I'll give them that but it sure was a small portion of food. And that honking....hadn't really noticed that before. Hopefully mom will come back with something more for them to eat.
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irenekl, I thought their crops looked pretty stuffed. Do you disagree? I put the image up full zoom to see (blurry, but still bigger). It was hard to tell a little because they faced the other way mostly, but when one turned sideways I thought I saw a nice big crop.
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Kids getting ready for the big feed now. :D
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another so soon? wow. Seems to me these kids are well provided for!
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Man they couldn't wait for food, they are all lined up!
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that was quite a poop shot! :o
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Mom just flew off to pick off a small bird (took her less than a minute). More food for kiddies! :o
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Another food delivery. This should keep the chicks happy for a while. ;D
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it's a little spooky when mom Looks Right At Me! :o
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Yes, I saw that, like she's reading our minds. :o
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guilty minds ;D
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Another feeding! :o They must eat about 10 times a day! :D
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They are growing chicks and Mom and Dad intend to make sure they do just fine!
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More food! Those cute bobble head chicks are going to be huge! ;D
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Another noisy feeding going on at Elk River ;D
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um excuse me, but i can't see when you have your back to the camera, could you shift around to the other side so we can watch dinner being served? >:(
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Free-roaming chicks on camera right now :) WOW - have they ever grown!!
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Dad is saying, "OMG, there's FOUR of them! This chickpile is bigger than me!"
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So this is what I think is happening (I know, you're all watching T&chicks!)...
Dad tried again to get them under him. Too funny. I think he's sitting on #4, but the other three, not a chance! They didn't even move either time he tried - he got no forward advantage on them. One even seemed to try to get under.. maybe he was just fussing, or maybe his head fell over, but it looked like he tried! lol They're all huddled up against dad. He should be calling the little woman any time now -- the kids need to go to bed!
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I love it when Dad tries to do his part :-*
He looks like he's trying so hard but they just can't all fit under you anymore papa :(
Be proud...your kids are growing and you're keeping them very well fed.
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Yup allikat, it's so cute! Now he looks like he's decided, "If I'm not bog enough to cover them, I'll build a nest of pebbles and keep the heat in that way!"
Or, maybe that there's some food (went back to look at the cam). Or, how 'bout that shot! Dad looks over right shoulder, "What the heck was that?!" lol
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uncovered, face-planted chickpile!
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That was short-lived! Now it's feeding time again.
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Amazing -- they went from sound asleep to obsolutely starving in 5 seconds, and the feed has been going on for ages! They are still screaming like last feed was hours ago! lol
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So now Dad is calling them in for the night. The best they can do is stick their heads under his chest! Gotta love Dad!
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uncovered, face-planted chickpile!
Where else but amongst a bunch of peregrines nuts would this be said with such enthusiasm!?! ::)
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Breakfast is being served at Elk River to an enthusiastic and lively bunch of chicks. ;D
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hmm, feeding time, but I only see 3 chicks, oops, thank goodness now I see four. Whewww. lol
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and yet another feeding! wow.
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very loud food party at elk river..... what a noisy bunch you'd think they were starving for heavens sake. Not sure what that is they are eating, but it was a silver gray color.. saw parent bring it in.. too small for pidgeon...
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Currently there's an uncovered chickpile here. Perhaps a feeding soon? Once chick was pecking at the beak of another chick. No food there, buddy.
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Just looking at the Elk River cam now..and still a chick pile. They sure sound like they are hungry...not too sure why as it seems that these four are very well taken care of. Maybe they are just a little chilly nd just want Mom or Dad to warm them up. Most likely not though, me thinks they have food and only food on their minds ::)
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Someone is nearby making lots of noise. Perhaps a parent perched close? Wondering where dinner is?
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Adult very near by...probably just on the outer edge of the nestbox calling out to mate for food!!! Should see a peregrine fly in soon here!!
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Parent is vocalizing: FOOD FOOD FOOD AND FOOD!!!!!!!!!!
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I'm checking ...usually you'll see the adult coming in when called!
If this one who's calling out flies off, you know food is on its way!
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Holy moly! You think they hadn't been fed in days, they're almost leaping for the food ::) ;D
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and dinner is served, and for once from the other side so we can SEE !
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What a loud dinner! The chicks are cheeping but the other parent perched nearby is still vocalizing. Complaining about how long it took? Giving thanks for the arrival of food? Just chatting?
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the other parent perched nearby is still vocalizing. Complaining about how long it took?
Allow me to translate for you: How dare you leave me here for hours with these screaming brats, after all I do for you!! They are unruly and undisciplined...they are YOUR kids...not mine!!
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Just turned on the cam . . . seems like the parent (can't tell who, back is toward us) is having a break and is perched looking out at the river. The chicks are in chickpile by themselves, but they've got some shade to keep them from getting too warm. Parent is strectching wings and tailfeathers . . . I bet sitting/standing over chicks all day gives one cramps! Looks like a beautiful morning in Elk River.
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Uh-oh, parent (still out on the perch) has started screeching/calling. Maybe breakfast is late? Or they want a break from chick-duty!
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Well that was interesting!
Dinner arrived around 10:30CDT. It was a blue jay. A fully intact blue jay. :-\
Mom pulled it into the nest box, but then seemed to be having trouble decapitating it and "butchering" it while the chicks cheeped at her. So she disappeared with it. The chicks quieted down.
I thought maybe Mom changed her mind and wanted the snack all to herself?
15 minutes later, Mom is back with "butchered" blue jay and feeding commences.
Questions: Does it usually take that long for a falcon to prepare a feeding? Don't they usually bring food into the nest already prepared?
Love the falcon cam--I see new things every day!
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Questions: Does it usually take that long for a falcon to prepare a feeding?
It can do, especially if there is some nibbling involved - heads (or what's in them) are adult delicacies for some birds. They take off head, wings, sometimes legs, a bunch of feathers then bring it in.
Don't they usually bring food into the nest already prepared?
Depends on the age of the chick. Younger chicks food usually comes ready-to-serve. Older birds, they will just drop off in some form, usually with lots of feathers for them to figure out what to do with it ....
Love the falcon cam--I see new things every day!
New dead things in particular - good identification on the blue jay!
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It must be pretty warm there today; the chicks are all sprawled out in the shade. :)
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The chicks change so fast. In one day these guys have gone from always being in a chick pile to suddenly all moving about the nestledge. Hey, we can walk, and let's go over to the edge and yell at mom for food, and maybe I will just climb over my sib, and, tired now, face plant by the wall. :D
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Feeding time, let's waddle over to see what's on the menu. :D
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Wow, I can't believe they're already out of the chickpile! It seems so much faster this year, but I'm sure it's not. ;D
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Now this is funny -- the chickpile has re-formed of its own accord! I didn't see it, but obviously some of them are moving themselves around --can't wait to see that! And there's one really pink tummy facing the cam! :)
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omg, they're already forming a line! deja vu to The Three Amigos!
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The chicks are getting to be fairly mobile now . . . spreading out from the chick pile, exploring the nest box a bit. Their technique is not great yet: still slow and unsteady.
They are all huddled in the far corner now except for one brave explorer who wants to see over the edge of the box.
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second feeding within an hour, all four at full attention and the competition is on! I'm amazed at how quickly they are growing and so much more stable (and adorable)..
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I'm glad to see them safely tucked into a beak-first chickpile! Parent on guard at the ledge. Good -- I'm worried about one of them getting too curious about the edge.
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there is a slightly fidgety chick pile in the back-middle of the box, while mom (pretty sure there) stares into the light from the edge. Actually, I think the adult's eyes are closed, but it's hard to tell....
mine will be soon. 8)
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looks like a lovely day at Elk River, saw a couple feedings this morning and those chicks are getting strong! another week till banding..
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sure does look nice. Mom is out on the perch and being fluffy. Chicks are sprawled and fidgeting.
all looks good, which is good because I've got too much to do today and can't stick to my screen! ::)
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holy! that was an impressive poop shot that nearly hit mom in the back! :o
wonder what her reaction would have been...
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I don't think she can get too mad over those cute little darlings, even if they poop on her. :)
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I get a chuckle out of the projectile poop shots!!
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whole lotta preening going on by mom on edge of box in the sun (pretty sure it's mom based on high speckles on chest). Kids are still in pile and you can see there are some dark feathers coming in and their wings are looking stronger. Amazing how quickly they change!
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no more detours!
must be warm in Elk River - the kids are separating and face plant-splayed out on the pebbles.
I know the feeling. ugh. hot here today too, and still humid (for us).
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I agree, Pchemist! ;D
It's time for some nest-cleaning. That is getting pretty disgusting.
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and, I have to admit, sometimes I wish I had the sound off when a poop shot happens. It's slightly disturbing to actually hear it. :-\
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SQUISH! LOL ;D
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What the heck are they all screeching about?! I was playing a game, and shut it down fast because I thought something bad was happening -- went in to look.
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dunno. mom or dad is on the perch (you can just see the tail to the left) and they were vocalizing a bit earlier before mom flew off (cool to see that). the chicks may be screeching "stop using me for a pillow, I told you no" over and over, since they keep rearranging themselves. ;)
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I know I've said this before, and I will probably say it again... I just LOVE when I get to see mom or dad swoop down below the perch and off into the distance. it is so freaking cool it's hard to believe. ;D
I wish this worked like my TV and I could rewind and pause and stuff. I don't ask for much!
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It is pretty cool to see that Pchemist...
I loved watching when the hunter came in with prey while one was calling from the ledge...Adult on the ledge would fly off to then swoop around to meet with mate to grab lunch and then we could see the adult from the distance fly up to the ledge with prey in talons. 8)
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lunch time .... and everyone is eager to get their meal
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They really are very cute and noisy bunch :-*
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Yep, I keep them on when I'm looking at the chicks in Wpg. That way, I can pretend that I'm hearing ours.
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Must ask TPC..what that 'duck' like calling indicates. It's not alarming, sounds like a steady quacking noise. ::)
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that chick pile is getting pretty big. little cuties
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Answered my own question, it obviously means 'more food please'...lol ;D
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Another noisy feeding ;D
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so there is one little guy who looks like he/she is trying to speak .. but no sound ... could it be trying to cough up a featherball?
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Oh I just saw a cute little yawn...we're phanatics :P
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That has GOT to be the cutest chickpile I've ever seen! :D
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And another feeding! Dad is doing a good job today!
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Yup, he sure is, carly!
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you know you're too familiar with a site when you hear a sound (while in another window) and you know you missed seeing a poop shot. ::)
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I hear a songbird in the background here. seems unwise to sing prettily near a peregrine nest site...
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Feeding time here, too! :D
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A noisy one too. The chick laying in the back doesn't seem too interested, maybe still full from the last feeding.
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Hmmm...they kinda look like they are wanting more ::)
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That small prey Dad brought was gone in no time. I think Mom went out hunting.
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Chickpile!
One chick wanted to be on the other side of the pile and just walked on his sibling's head to get there, ha ha! Typical sibling!
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Dad just brought home the bacon and a whole lot of squawking going on!
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squirmy chick pancake!
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No parents around for about an hour now!! ??? - Heard some serious screeching going on a couple times, but nobody showed up so far. :-\
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parent there now...don't know if there will be another feeding or not...
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Very peaceful and quiet chick pile with parent standing guard close by, looking out.
One little one just bobbled up sleepily and looked about before flopping over in the direction of the parent. Night night.
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Mom's making a huge racket calling for food for at least 10 minutes. Little ones huddled saying, "Mom, can you keep it down, we're trying to sleep"! :P
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Finally, breakfast is being served! ;D
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Oh, there's a little one with a feather stuck in his mouth. He's been trying hard to swallow it but it's stuck. Because of that, he didn't get much food either. I hope he doesn't get choked on it. It's still stuck in his beak. I'm hoping his siblings or Mom will pull that out for him. :-\
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I was just thinking the same thing hes trying to go to sleep now, I sure hope one of the others get playful and pulls it out
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did anyone check to see if the feather swallower got rid of his tickler? can't watch the cameras at work.... ( work? bah.. work )
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I was just watching them, and yes, I believe the feather is gone, and the chicks are presently doing a walkabout, or I should say a staggerabout, in the nest, with mom outside on the perch.
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Holy feathers flying, parents squawking, they just grabbed a big bird. :o
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..., and the chicks are presently doing a walkabout, or I should say a staggerabout,...
LOL. Wish I'd seen that!
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The kids were sleeping, Mom comes in with a fair size bird, started sweet chupping to wake up the chicks, too cute. Oh my, what a noisy bunch right now having their dinner. They seem ravished. ;D
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Mom jumps out onto the ledge and all is quiet...zzzzzz. :P
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"Hey, I don't want to be against that poop-shot covered wall! You went back there, you stay there!"
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I guess the loner realized it's warmer in the chickpile at night, not off on your own like in the daytime. ;D
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lots of chick roaming and wing flapping and of course, poop shooting! these little guys are active!
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And then again nothing like crawling over my sibling to get where I want to go.
Man oh man they must have just eaten their crops are sticking out lol
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Is it just me or does it seems that this year the chicks are being fed more often? Or is it because I'm watching too much :P
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well you know that time passes faster as we get older... actually, it was this week last year that these guys got banded...
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I might be confusing them with the Sheraton chicks but I seem to recall June 7-8 as the date ... I'll go and check out last year..
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You could totally be right. I don't remember them being banded -- guess I was at work. My memories are mostly of Lightning screeching at her parents everytime they entered "her" digs, and the Three Amigos lined up on the ledge all night. Except for when Lightning ditched them for sleep, of course! LOL
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Omg I remember that Liz, that was too hilarious!
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Yeah, it was the 2nd best to watch for me, after Little Missy, Chinook, and Hurricane. (Taku - where's that "head bowed" smiley?)
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This is when they got banded last year
June 12: Eyasses were banded by the Raptor Resource Project. There were 2 males and 1 female. Students at Vandenberg Middle School named the eyasses "Chase", "Bullet" and "Lightening"
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I thought last years hatched around the same time as these but I was very wrong they didn't hatch til May 26th I hope I can find out when the banding is going to be this year I didn't get to see it last year because of work I'll make sure I take the day off this time. I feel a cold coming on (http://i518.photobucket.com/albums/u346/kittenface_album/emotions/lol7.gif)
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Thanks, kittenface. :D
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No problems here kittenface. Four chicks faceplanted in the corner :)
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You know...if you miss one day, just one day, they change soooo much!
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These chicks are SOOOO excited to have dinner. What a racket! :o
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you think they'd never been fed, lunging up like that. poor starving baby birds..... lol
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These 4 are very energetic and so much fun to watch. They stop screaming as soon as Mom jumps out of the nestbox. When Mom's not in the nestbox, they're so quiet. She has them trained. ;D
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That she does...I can't believe how well kept these four little chicks are! Food is obviously not a problem to find!
They look and sound healthy and happy!
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Shhh...it's time for bed. :-* :-*
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Yes that's right...sleepy time!!
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chick pile in the corner and watchful (or mesmerized) mum staring into the light... feels like old times!
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looks like someone had good aime :P
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They won't be able to clean that until the chicks get band, darn! :(
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It should be if I figure right sometime this week that they will be banded, now if they just stop turning this way and shooting we can still see alot of the nest and kids
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last years banding was June 12, we have 9 days with poop!
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last years banding was June 12, we have 9 days with poop!
They also were hatched a week later last year,
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good research, kittenface! :D
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dang, I just got home and opened the cam and flipped out briefly when I didn't see chicks! Then I noticed that SOMEONE had done a poop shot on the camera and blocked the view, and the chicks were hiding in that corner.
that's just not right. :P
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oh, now it's dinner time and four BIG chicks are all lined up. nifty! 8)
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Have to laugh out loud at those kids. The noises, you'd think they were starving ;D ;D.
Dad couldn't tear apart the food fast enough and the chick in the back managed to steal food from two of its sibs in the front.
And as soon as the parent stopped pulling apart food, the kids stopped yelling. Way toooo funny.
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Wow, they polished off that bird in about 30 seconds and they're still hungry! Vanished! Not a feather left. :o
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Another feeding . . . just watch a skinny bird foot vanish down a chick's throat. :-X
Not to my taste, but the chick seemed to like it!
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Don't you just hate it when...all the action is where the poop is on the lens. ;D ;D
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based on the timing of banding last year and the size of these big guys now, I think we might see banding this weekend...
just guessing....
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based on the timing of banding last year and the size of these big guys now, I think we might see banding this weekend...
just guessing....
And then that lens on the cam will get cleaned!
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I decided it was just too gross to watch tonight! I closed it down about 5 mins ago. ;D
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it's like the chicks know that if they sit in a pile in just this one spot, we can't see them. ::)
mom or dad (too far to get a good look at coloring, but I think it's mom) is sitting out on the perch keeping an eye on everything. feathers are puffed up so perhaps it's a little chilly still. looks like rain though, too.
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When you gotta go you gotta go at least it wasn't on the camera this time
(http://i518.photobucket.com/albums/u346/kittenface_album/JUNE%2009%20PART%201/q.jpg)
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They dirtied up that spot on purpose; that's where they usually hang out. ;D I think that's Mom perched out there watching her babes. She has speckles on her chest that goes up further than Dad.
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I think so too, JL, but when they fluff up a bit it's a little harder for me to be sure - and the fisheye lens just messes with my sense of size/proportion.
sometimes they are so still that I think the cam froze, then I see the cars in the background.
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lotta wing flapping was going on. Hope they band these kids soon - they are getting really big!
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... - and the fisheye lens just messes with my sense of size/proportion.
Sorry Pchemist, but I love the fish-eye. It's close enough for me that it's not virtigo-inducing. Now, just waiting for the lens to be cleaned!
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I didn't mean that to sound like a complaint - the fisheye is a good choice because it expands our field of view and I do like seeing the perch (though right now I wish mom would come in out of the rain!). I just mean I can't tell size well. :)
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gotta say, were I to offer a name for mom right now, it'd probably be "Igor"
posture, mom - stand up straight! :D
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"It's bed-time and my kids need to sleep - turn off the darned light!"
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it is uncanny how the chicks now stay all hidden behind the poop spot most of the time. *sigh*
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Tell me about it...it's like they planned it ::)
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you know, they COULD change this to the outside camera like we had at hatch time. ::)
I'm really annoyed that all the cuteness is being hidden by poop! Can't wait for banding so they can clean that cam! You just know those chicks are looking at the cam in a cute way, and we're missing it.
*frump*
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Banding is set for Tuesday June 9th at 9 am
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Thanks for the heads up kittenface. Those 4 chicks look big and healthy. Good luck to the biologists tomorrow who will have to deal with that big mama. ;D
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notwithstanding the poop, every so often one chick will stand back far enough and take a good look at the cam as if to say, hey, what's that?!
tomorrow morning for the banding and lens cleaning, woohoo! then clear viewing!!! ;D
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I'm rooting for a change of cam back to the one from the front. :)
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I'm just rooting for no poop! a little windex and some towel and some serious scrubbing!!
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see, if they change the cam it's far less likely we get re-pooped on. ;D
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This is posted on the site (don't know when it came up because I had the window sized to the cam part only, and just now thought about seeing if they said anything and I didn't really think they would have because they almost never do but lo and behold there it was....)
Notice:
The Great River Energy Bird Cam will be down for maintenance on Wednesday, June 10 from 8:00 a.m. – noon (CST). It will be up and running as soon as possible.
Newborn peregrine falcons banded
Great River Energy, the Raptor Resource Project and Rogers Middle School’s After-School Environmental Explorers, participated in the banding of the four falcons on Tuesday, June 9. The falcons were born on May 19.
This is the third consecutive year that two peregrine falcons have made their home in a nesting box located atop the plant near the banks of the Mississippi River. The students from Rogers Middle School will name the birds.
so, it seems to me it's already down.... and they didn't tell us the genders, either! but at least we know all is okay.
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Sometimes its a case of having to do it and banding is the best time because you will already be harassing the peregrines - two birds, one stone so to speak. And who knows, they may have video-taped the banding and you all will be able to watch it over and over and over again !
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hope so, it was fun watching him retrieve the birds last year and of course, clean the lens!
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I know a scam when I hear one! They haven't been banded yet. Notice they didn't mention genders? They're doing it tomorrow when the "maintenance" is being done. Just watch - the cam will be clean and parent will be hanging close by.
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I know a scam when I hear one! They haven't been banded yet. Notice they didn't mention genders? They're doing it tomorrow when the "maintenance" is being done. Just watch - the cam will be clean and parent will be hanging close by.
I agree with you Liz. You would think if they banded them there would be a mention of gender and names the the kids picked. Nothing was mentioned. I guess we have no choice but to wait until tomorrow. I look forward to post here about what is what here because I can't see anything at work. I can get into the forum tho, so that is good.
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Probably names won't be picked for awhile, Moonstar.
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The name were to be picked by the school children attending the banding.
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THE CAM IS BACK!!!!
Four chicks in the box, parent out on the perch. same view, but lens is very very clean. My goodness they've changed! ;D ;D ;D ;D
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four faceplant chicks along the back of the box, two closest to cam facing forward and two farthest facing the back. everybody's in the shade and it's very sunny there.
a calm picture and nice to see.
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ahhhh now one has moved into the sun and is using the edge as a pillow. I'd forgotten how cute that could be!
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The chicks look so funny in their growing-flight-feathers phase: all scruffy and mangy. Adolesence ain't easy.
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nope. and it's gonna get worse before it gets better. it's so interesting when they are still mostly white fluffball buit you can see the flight feathers showing up giving a hint of the fearsome flyers they will become.
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Looking forward to watching these chicks practice their wing flapping as they grow into becoming "fearsome flyers."
Although, fledging is quite a nerve-wracking time. Remember last year when one chick sort-of fell out of the box onto a ledge below before she was fully fledged? These chicks better not participate in any of those kind of shenanigans . . . oh, who am I kidding, I'm sure there will be lots of drama and excitement as they learn to fly!
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Does this foot on the far chick look white to any of you?
(http://i518.photobucket.com/albums/u346/kittenface_album/JUNE%2009%20PART%201/babies-1.jpg)
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Chick feet tend to start out this sickly grey-green colour and as they eat more and more wild birds they yellow up. Times vary from chick to chick too. Chicks in captive breeding programs tend to have lighter coloured/grey-green coloured legs for longer because they are fed domestic birds - chicken/turkey/domestic duck will keep they grey-green, japanese quail is sort of somewhere between wild and domestic and there is some change with that. But its the wild stuff that really makes the legs/feet go that violent yellow they have as adults. Captive adult birds legs tend (general statement) have lighter yellow legs because of their diet.
Short answer, don't worry, they'll go yellow ...
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pretty observant though kittenface..,
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If you watch during feedings, you'll see how the adult legs are yellower than the chicks.
You can see that right now with the Radisson chicks getting feed--their feet are still whitish compared to parent's.
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Thank you all for reassuring me your all great
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Look at the size of the chick pile, and one isn't even part of it!
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sometimes when I'm trying to sleep I can't quite figure out what to do with an arm (like on my side, it's in the way). That's what it reminds me of with their wings.
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phew! Those two poo shots made me nervous - thought we were gonna lose the cam for sure!
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wow, look at the size of them, after only one day! and Big Sis is much bigger than the others. I've seen a couple of them look down at their band and just stare, funny :D
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I just saw a poo shot from above; a parent must be on top of the nestbox. That's probably why big sis is making all the racket. :D
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Still wobbly, despite their size. Spread wings, flap flap, faceplant. :D :D
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that chick is looking right at us! :o
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Happy to know that the banding went well and that the cam is back online ;D
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OR.. we are seeing it 24 hours behind and the banding, lens cleaning, naming, etc really did happen yesterday. hmmm
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Mom and the chicks late this evening:
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/june%202009/grejune101a.jpg) (http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/june%202009/grejune106a.jpg)
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Igor.mom is watching from the far ledge and all the chicks are piling up (though restless) in the far corner. Which is weird as they could choose to be where the light doesn't shine on them, but glad to see them all healthy and happy nonetheless!
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The wild bunch are just being fed. Probably not the first meal of the day. They always sound like they haven't been fed for days. ::) Yesterday I thought that the adult trying to feed them was going to be pushed right over the edge of the box. :D
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two chicks on cam side, two on the other side, three of four faceplanted, mom on the perch outside facing in and looking all around. a lovely sunny day !
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good names! love Big Bella (I have a preference for the name Bella, Italian for part of my name), and hope the Roger was named after Federer who I am a big fan of) and pleased they let us know what happened on banding day. They are so big and love the way they are moving around and sleeping laid out with their heads on the ledge looking out. Hoping all fledge and success is enjoyed once more from this site.
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for those who did not see it,
The falcons, born on May 19, were named: Bella (female), Roger, Royal and Edward (males). The Rogers Middle School Environmental Explorers named the birds.
and look! Three Boys!
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Awesome...1 femaleand 3 males!! Send the boys up to Toronto, we need more boys! I always tune into this site at least once a day just to hear the screaming...honestly I think it's an addiction now ???
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YES YES YES....3 males!!!!!
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The four chicks had some food: one chick took some food and ran off with it, pursued by another chick who tried to take it.
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/june%202009/grejune114a.jpg) (http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/june%202009/grejune118a.jpg)
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/june%202009/grejune1110a.jpg) (http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/june%202009/grejune1111a.jpg)
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/june%202009/grejune1117a.jpg) (http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/june%202009/grejune1120a.jpg)
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/june%202009/grejune1126a.jpg)
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Those chicks are getting so big - makes you wonder how they'll all fit in there when they are all trying to flap their wings pre-fledging! Could you imagine if there were FIVE like at some sites?
For the new folks to this cam, there are structures down below (couldn't find a decent pic on the site to show that) so even if there is an early fledge it's likely okay (like last year).
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yikes! that poop shot went just below the cam! I really don't want to have an obscured view!!!
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this must be big sis at the cam, given the smaller one next to her must be a boy and there are three (!) boys. or the fisheye lens is messing with me.
oh, now she's gone to the back and in the sun. little brother still by the cam though. and one other brother sitting tall in the corner - that always looks so cute.
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Here are 2 pictures I got last year from the father of the boy who built the nest
(http://i518.photobucket.com/albums/u346/kittenface_album/JUNE%2009%20PART%201/1-8.jpg) (http://i518.photobucket.com/albums/u346/kittenface_album/JUNE%2009%20PART%201/2-10.jpg)
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the cool thing is, the peregrines found it and used it!
thanks, kittenface. I wish I had the ones from last year after the early fledge happened, that showed where that one juvie hung out safely for a while. I think it was on that landing shown there though.
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there's a whole lotta screaming going on. Mom or dad landed outside clearly with a big catch. Which I assume they are preparing but the kids don't want to wait, so they are screaming for delivery!
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wow - mom came in with food and one chick stole it right from her beak and took it to the back corner. The other chicks pecked at mom's beak like "where's miiiiiine??"
slowly they are realizing what happened and are moving to the corner toget some of the catch.
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I saw that too -- hilarious! It was such a small biurd, no way was there enough for all of them!
btw - based on last year and Lightning being the one that slept more, Im thinking maybe Bella is the loner in the back..???
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dunno. that chick has a big crop, so that may be another reason for being a loner just now. the other three are clearly able to feed themselves! what a frenzy!
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heh. three bird pancakes and one standing guard. soooooooo cuuuuuuute!
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WHOA! mom is really into the cam right now! talking to it and pecking at it!!! amazing! ;D
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they really do look like little sumo wrestlers right now. too funny!
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very funny scene just now. 3 flaked out sleeping and one sitting staring out while Mom is perched on the ledge. the one sitting is so tired, that it's head slowly fell all the way to the gravel but the chick remained sitting... too funny :D
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Just saw a reasonably well-behaved feeding. No squabbles over the food.
You can see their breast speckles coming in nicely now.
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that may be, except all I can see right now is four chick pancakes.
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heh, came back to see the cam just in time for a poop shot, then the chick turned back around and spread wings and leaned forward as if to bow for the applause for such an impressive shot. 8)
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dinnertime! (again again).
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heh. three bird pancakes and one standing guard. soooooooo cuuuuuuute!
Ha! That's great. "Bird pancakes" belongs in the dictionary.
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'kay, when the light is low the cam goes all slow-motion strobe effect (as long time viewers know). this means a poop shot is briefly suspended in time.
for some reason that makes it even more entertaining.
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Stuff like that ends up on YouTube!
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A parent just dropped off some food, one of the chicks grabbed it and went into the corner closest to the camera. The chick is right up against the back wall keeping away from the other sibs. I can't tell if the food has been eaten since it was in the dark shadowed corner. Are they self-feeding already?
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I think they are self-feeding. Dad dropped off a live bird, Mom grabbed it and brought it into the nestbox and then flew off. Looks like they're helping themselves in the far corner. They're growing up so fast. :D
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Wow have they ever grown. It could be the camera lens but it looks like there is not much room in the next box for all of them. Can't imagine once they get their dark feathers and they really start flapping their wings. Will be quite the scene. But they are so cute.
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it is partly the camera lens, but it will still be crowded! They are really moving into the awkward teenage years with the new feathers coming in. soon they will look totally bedraggled.
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I love that look!! Bedraggled and awkward! :-*
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Is that a bit of blood on Mom's wing? I hope she's not hurt. :(
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I see what you're looking at, but she's sure not acting injured. maybe it's leftovers she hasn't preened yet? Or even a reflection on the lens? It will be interesting to see if it moves as she does.
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okay, looks to be just a cam reflection or spot, as it's not moving with mom.
whew! ::)
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I just saw that....whew is right!
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That is really weird.
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nah. it's "optics" 8)
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I know you're right. Did we see this last year? I don't remember it. I guess I need to know what you mean by optics. It's not really there, just an absurd accumulation of molecules?
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digital molecules ???
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optics is the way light reflects (bounces) and refracts (bends) with lenses and mirrors and such. Because there is a bright external light and a fisheye lens, it's not surprising to see some ghost images on the lens. it may have been moved slightly during cleaning, or the cleaning may have left a substance on the lens that now interacts differently with the light. I'm not sure if we saw it last year or not, but it wouldn't surprise me.
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There was something last year - pretty sure there was something about something stuck on the females beak?? or something similar as I recall.
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Yes, we thought there was a drink tab on mum's beak.
"ghost image" - that's the word(s) I was looking for. :D
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A feeding! all four chicks lumber over for their share. I think it's dad doing the feeding, and the chicks are all as big as him!!! :o
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must be warm in Elk River. The kids are all panting. There are some great close-ups at the cam right now. The awkard stage is starting in earnest!
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Yes, we thought there was a drink tab on mum's beak.
"ghost image" - that's the word(s) I was looking for. :D
Ah, the memories of that worrisome, long night! Liz, myself, and Deedream (has anyone heard from her this year?) were very concerned mum couldn't open her beak due to the long white thing, that did seem to move with her though... TPC knew there wasn't anything wrong, but I think we had a hard time convincing ourselves it was true because the visual was so hard to ignore (we did eventually :-[ give over to the greater knowledge and authority 8) of all things peregrine...thanks TPC!) -- it sounds like we now have an explanation for the visuals -- thanks pchemist 8).
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Yowza, they're all screaming their heads off!!! Snack Time! ;D
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hey everyone, just catching up on my reading, yes that night last year was gut wrenching, my goodness was up ALL nite worrying and fretting and one of us , not sure who, even tryed to call the power plant! It turned out, I think, to be maybe some left over lunch sticking out of her crop?? TPC thought anyhow, we sure thought it looking like a tab off of a can. That was an awful nite! I think it was a tab, stuck to the animals leg or what not which was sticking out of her mouth. Maybe it came off as her food got digested, we will never know and obviously she was alright after. Whew!
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(http://i518.photobucket.com/albums/u346/kittenface_album/JUNE%2009%20PART%201/hello.jpg)
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i love when they look at the camera. that's when you wish you had a microphone to talk to them
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microphone or not...I always seem to talk to the chicks and the parents! ::)
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hey everyone, just catching up on my reading, ...
Glad to cross chick-watching-paths with you again DeeDream! And thanks to Liz and Bcbird for letting me know DeeDream was 'around and about!' :)
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three chicks sleeping, and one looking at the cam.
I keep hearing that song in my head.... "it always feels like... somebody's Watching MEeeeee"
(I ain't got no privacy... ./~ ./~)
(old time ascii users will recognize the last items as "note emoticons")
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The Elk River chicks are all piled up together under the cam, providing some great closeups. ;D
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I CANNOT believe how much darker they got in one day!! My gosh, they grow like weeds. :D
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Oh I know Liz...I checked in this afternoon and couldn't believe what I was looking at :o
It's wonderful to see them looking so strong and healthy and LOUD! ;)
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It sure is! ;D
I am interested to see if they have any behaviours similar to The Three Amigos, the obvious one being the ledge-lineup! ???
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It's so weird...I know how quickly they grow and change but if you don't watch for a couple of days...WOW!!! I love falcons!
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(http://i518.photobucket.com/albums/u346/kittenface_album/JUNE%2009%20PART%201/HELPME.jpg)
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LMAO!!!!!!
That's a great shot..perfect timing and great insert quote!!!! ;D
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rotflmao omg that is just too funny. Good going Kitten excellant shot and excellant ad libbing too.
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I think something is wrong with one of the chicks...I wonder if someone will check it soon. It hasn't moved in a long while.
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Are you talking about the one up against the wall? If so that looks like Bella she didn't seem her usual self yesterday
(http://i518.photobucket.com/albums/u346/kittenface_album/JUNE%2009%20PART%201/untitled-13.jpg)
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Yeah that looks strange to my eye as well.
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Yes that's the one...one of the other chicks has been protecting her for the past hour. Do you know what happens when a chick dies like that, I am fairly new at this sorry.
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I don't what happens at this age, she's awfully big to be removed. God I hope we are wrong. :'( They are all strangely quiet and protecting her.
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She has been too quiet, can't even see her breathing...the others seem to know something is wrong, we have to wonder if they are aware...we have to let nature do it's thing I guess.
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Okay never heard that kind of call from a young one before, it was almost an alarm call. HAve the parents been around at all?
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Ok parent in with food and that chick not moving or breathing. Parent is surrounded and can't tell no doubt. One of the chicks stepped on her and she's not moving, I'm afraid she's gone.
I hope the parent will notice. :'(. Nope they didn't notice.
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Our only girl this is just terrible(http://i518.photobucket.com/albums/u346/kittenface_album/emotions/tr21.gif)
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Poor little girl, she made it so far. I wonder what happened :'( :'(
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They all seemed so healthy only a few days ago...I could not watch yesterday and now one is gone.
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Just spoke to Carol at the GRE to let them know, she will contact the appropriate people internally and advise them of what is going on.
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I do not watch here but when they were all snuggled during the night maybe she got suffocated???
Now they were jsut banded last week so to they can still check this out without fear of the kids flying right???
I cannot watch now but could someone pm when you find something out.
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:'( Thanks Carly. I was going to try to contact them too. There's two chicks hovering over her...so sad. They must know. I thought it was strange too that she kept squawking and wouldn't stop, as if to tell Mom she's not feeling well. :'( :'(
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The cam is down, maybe they're removing the chick?
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Let's hope so. Poor little girl :'(
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I do not watch here but when they were all snuggled during the night maybe she got suffocated???
Now they were jsut banded last week so to they can still check this out without fear of the kids flying right???
I cannot watch now but could someone pm when you find something out.
No way she suffocated being in a chickpile, doesn't happen. Could be a bacterial or viral infection or she could have eaten something that caused breathing problems or, or, or. Chicks at this age are hard to kill relative to a couple of weeks ago. I was watching yesterday and I can't say that I saw anything wrong with any of the chicks, but like most predators they tend not to show anything because they can't afford to be seen as vulnerable. Not that she has/had anything to worry about from her siblings, peregrines do not "practice" infanticide or siblicide. Hope Elk River will post the results, would be good to know from a management stand-point.
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The cam is down, maybe they're removing the chick?
There is a note on the webcam page saying that the cam will be down for maintenance today, don't know if that was there from before or if that is just the easiest way to take the cam down and not have folks worried and phoning them ...
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I just noticed that right now, don't think it was up earlier but I could be wrong. I was so focused on Bella that honestly I didn't notice.
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It was up earlier. I watched a feeding right before the cam went down. The other 3 chicks ate eagerly while the one remained motionless against the wall. :'( :'(
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I've been watching most of the morning to see if they would take her away and the note was not there...so I guess they did not want us to see them remore her...this is so sad. :'(
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(http://i518.photobucket.com/albums/u346/kittenface_album/JUNE%2009%20PART%201/HELPME.jpg)
At 20:17 yesterday all four looked okay. So sad to lose a chick.
I love watching them but hate it when something happens to any of them.
I guess that is nature and we can't do anything to change it.
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Chicks at this stage do voluntarily miss meals, I didn't see her this morning so I can't say what I think is/was happening, but our chicks have all decided that napping was more appealing than another meal. Our chicks get their first meal around 3:30 am, so that by the time most of us are logging in in the morning, they have had at least one if not more breakfasts ... is it possible she just slept through it? Birds die fast but this one is a little faster than I would have expected from a bird that seemed healthy (to someone a thousand miles away via webcam) such a short time ago. And the banders at this site are very experienced, they would have noticed obvious problems with the chick - hard not to when you have them in your hands ....
Hopefully we will hear more soon ...
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wow, quite a shock to read all this, and not nice that the cam is down... I hope you're all worrying for nothing and she was just asleep. I'm going to go with that until I know otherwise.
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Same here Pchemist. Not that I check in very often but until I know different I am not going to worry.
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On the BCAW board everyone noticed yesterday that Bella was not eating at all and she was very lethargic. This morning she was laying against the wall with what looked like eyes open but not breathing or moving even when the others stepped on her. Two meals came in and she laid in the same position not moving at all.
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This is very sad to read something may have happened to one of the chicks, :( I was watching at 5:30 am and all seemed fine. Lets just keep our fingers crossed everything is ok.
TPC...if they need to remove a chick because something has happened to it, how do they go about it without "stressing" or causing the other chicks to leave the nest box too early?
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The best way is to trap the chicks in the back of the box, not always difficult since they do it kind of naturally - think of our chicks the day they managed to get out of the nest-tray, they spent the whole next day or two velcroed to the Hotel wall for security. It might take some work, but they should be able to figure out a way.
And it will stress the chicks, but that won't be detrimental to/for them ...
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damn! she seemed so healthy and well.... doesn't help with the cam down and unable to have a look all day. very sad, is it too late to have a glimmer of hope?
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I wonder how far it was for the biologist to come out to the plant and go up to the box. Also and maybe Alison would know or TPC, would they want to test Bella to make sure it's not a virus in case the other chicks are infected too? Or would they jsut remove the one and then test and come back if necessary?
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I wonder how far it was for the biologist to come out to the plant and go up to the box. Also and maybe Alison would know or TPC, would they want to test Bella to make sure it's not a virus in case the other chicks are infected too? Or would they jsut remove the one and then test and come back if necessary?
I wouldn't want to speculate at this point on what might have happened - I don't have enough information. Whatever it was seemed to be very sudden. Something like Trichomoniasis, for instance, would not usually progress so fast. TPC may well have insight on this.
Bob Anderson of Raptor Resource is aware of the situation and is going to GRE today.
When I checked the site yesterday a few times, all four chicks were moving around and looked okay.
These pics are from fairly late in the day yesterday:
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/june%202009/grejune161a.jpg) (http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/june%202009/grejune163a.jpg)
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/june%202009/grejune165a.jpg) (http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/june%202009/grejune166aa.jpg)
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/june%202009/grejune167a.jpg)
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thanks for those pics Alison. I checked in late last night (11:00 pm Toronto time) and all were sleeping and wiggling but looked normal. Mom was close to the cam on the edge ... really wishing they'd bring the damn cam up!
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Thanks Alison. I hope the family will be okay and I hope Bob doesn't have too hard a time getting to the nestbox and doing what he has to do.
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For anyone getting this on cable (in Wpg), there are tornado watches in MN. I checked -- it's 144 miles due south of Elk River.
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Ack...oh no :o I hope everyone will be safe and sound.
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OH NO!!!!
Hunker down Falcons!!! And Humans!
I would be chasing if I was there but that's another story!
Oh please..NO tornadoes!!!!!
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144 miles -- a long way away. And a tornado doesn't suddenly head straight north. No worries, is what I was trying to say! :P
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I don't know what my eyes saw....I thought I read 14 miles away! Sorry about that.
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**taptaptaptaptap**...........*taptaptaptap*... c-a-m-e-r-a, PLEASE!
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Doesn't look like it's going to be back up tonight. Wouldn't imagine they'd be fiddling with it at this time of night. Darn.
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Good point, sami. Time to give up,
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Disappointing the cam is not up yet... and we still don't know how Bella is..... :(
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still no cam, not getting a good feeling about this at all... :-[
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Perhaps with the bad weather they had last night, they postponed until today. I don't expect it's easy to throw together a trip up to a nestbox especially as the chicks are older. The cam may just be off so that viewers are not distressed - especially kids - at seeing Bella laying like that in the box.
Hoping that is all it is and not that some of the others have gotten ill as well.
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Nope no cam yet. I don't want to say what I am thinking.
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I have decided to think the same thing I would had people not expressed concern. that it's annoying the cam isn't up, and we're missing seeing them go through the adorable awkward stage.
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I guess we'll find out as soon as the cam comes back... between the banding of the Radisson chicks, and checking every 20 mins to see if i could find anything about these babies, i got zero work done.... :-\ oops
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I went on line earlier today and read the Elk River newspaper, and on the power plants own news releases, nothing being reported, all being kept pretty quiet right now. :'(
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remember though, they've never been good about keeping us up to date on things at this site. could be the storms have kept the power plant folks busy with other things and letting us know what is going on, or even bothering to turn on the cam, just doesn't occur to them (silly people)
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can't help but wonder if the chicks contracted something during the banding last week...
nature hates a vacuum, with no notice one can't help but wonder...
Tracy, I know you had an exceptionally busy day but any news you may be able to get would be so appreciated by loyal watchers of these chicks..
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Amy, the webmaster at Raptor Resource, has now provided an update. We have lost one of the chicks, and the others have been treated for Trichomoniasis (frounce).
"We treated the three remaining babies for Frounce today. Of the three, one clearly had lesions in its throat (I'm sorry, I'm not sure which it was). The other two looked fine, but after having most of the Greysolon babies die last year, we didn't want to take any chances.
Thanks to Brenda H. for getting the medicine from the Raptor Center, and for Brenda and the other plant employee (I'll get his name tomorrow) for staying late and helping dose the babies. You guys saved them."
Amy
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Well well well. Not as bad as I thought it might be. Still sad to lose one. But at least we can hope for the remaining 3.
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I was just getting ready to post the same thing I did look it up and this is what I found on it
Frounce (or Avian Trichomoniasis)
Frounce is a highly contagious yeast infection of the digestive tract. Frounce is caused by a protozoan called Trichomonas which is frequently present in the crops of pigeons. For this reason, pigeon heads and crops are generally not fed to raptors. The typical signs of frounce are white spots in the mouth or crop, often described as "cheesy" or "white plaques." These alone are not enough to diagnose frounce as plaques could be candidiosis, capillaria, or even Vitamin A deficiency, but it is one hallmark of the disease. Other signs are head flicking, difficulty breathing, or even regurgitation of food. There is a particular smell to frounce. Green mutes may also appear. A bird may suddenly appear to be in yarak, even without other changes. A swab and wet prep on a slide will show protozoans.
Flagyl, Spartrix, Metronidazole, Entramin, Emtryl (encourages the lesions to drop off), or Carnidazole (or, less preferred, Enheptin) are typically prescribed for this. One common treatment now is to treat the bird with 25 - 50 mg/Kg of Metronidazole twice a day for 7 - 10 days and swab the frounce areas with a dilute Betadine or Nolvasan solution to try to remove some of the plaques. A single 250 mg tablet can be dissolved in 10 cc water. A 600 g bird can then be given 1 cc per day of this mixture. Another approach is to, basically, address the infection with a single dosage of 125 mg per kg of bird weight. The infection plaques will die and expose raw skin that will need to be protected from any other infection. Plaques in the throat may necessitate smaller bites or food more easily swallowed.
Birds who are untreated usually succumb to Frounce within 7 - 10 days. Great Horned Owls and Barred Owls appear to be very susceptible to this. Peregrines are thought to be less susceptible to this, so a Peregrine showing frounce symptoms should also be investigated for diseases which may give similar symptoms such as Capillaria.
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How sad. I hope the other 3 recovers. Thanks for the info kittenface. What jumped out at me was the head flicking. I did see one of the chicks do that; I assume that was the one that died. I assume that they have removed the chicks from the nestbox in order to treat them. How long would they have to treat them for? Would they put them back into the nestbox after treatment? Will the parents accept them and still care for them after they've been gone for a long period of time? Will the parents even hang around? :'( :'( ???
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I assume that they have removed the chicks from the nestbox in order to treat them. How long would they have to treat them for? Would they put them back into the nestbox after treatment? Will the parents accept them and still care for them after they've been gone for a long period of time? Will the parents even hang around? :'( :'( ???
They may not have removed the chicks from the nest box. Perhaps they would remove the one chick with visible lesions, but it would depend on how advanced the Trichomoniasis was. One treatment is frequently enough. Flagyl, an anti-Protozoan, is an effective treatment.
The parents would accept the chicks back even if they had to be removed from the nest box. They would not leave.
One example: a few years ago Athena, the single chick at the Woodmen nest in Omaha, was found to have Frounce at banding. She was taken to Raptor Recovery, treated and returned to the nest the following day. Both parents, Zeus and Amelia, sat outside the window where they had last seen the chick until she was returned. She made a full recovery and fledged successfully.
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here's hoping the other three make a full recovery. very sad but I'm glad to hear they intervened and provided treatment for them when it can help.
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Couple of things ...
We returned Chinook after 2.5 and Mistral after 1 week to the nestbox and nary a problem with Trey and Princess watching over them. We put captive bred birds in a hack box (they were about 10 days away from fledging) and T-Rex, Trey's Dad, immediately adopted them all and began hunting for them and shoving the food through the bars on the hack box. He also defended the site very aggressively. Not his chicks at all and he had no problem taking them in.
Have you noticed that you never see a head on any of the birds that Trey and Princess bring onto the ledge? You can easily see the feet and somtimes a wing or two, but no heads. And there were no heads lying about on the ledge when I was there.
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A special thank you to bleusoleil40 - if not for your alert here as to something being wrong at the nest site, we wouldn't have sprung into action so fast to go check it out and call the plant. Considering the one other had lesions, without your timely observation we would probably have lost two of them!!
The on-line community is full of wonderful caring people :-*
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very sad but not completely unexpected news this morning. at least we know now and are not wondering. great work everyone from the observers, to the alerters, to the rescuers and to the informers. much appreciated.
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Thank you Alison, Carly and TPC for the answers. Makes me feel a little better. I hope they update the website soon. :)
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Very sad to hear about the one chick :'(.
I hope the other three are okay.
Thank you so much for the updates on this site...we were all worried but did try to remain positive.
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that is very sad ... but on the up side, if the chicks were in the wild and the wasn't people watching over them all would more than likely have perished.
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I reiterate what CArly said.
that is why cams are important.
We get to watch these amazing raptors but someone somewhere will spot something that others have not quite noticed and the proper officials can be notified.
this has saved many an eagle and a peregrine
thnks-you to the global community and those that support it.
Kittenface ;D ;D
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yes - when I was telling the in-laws (bah, in-laws) about this nest this morning that was what I focused on. that were it not for the camera and the people constantly watching and reporting, very likely all would have perished and no one would know. how sad that would be.
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It is so disheartening to read about Bella's death; I fervently hope the other chicks recover and can be put back in the nest box soon - I do so miss this group! The irony of life is that we can have such a wonderful day with the banding of the chicks in Winnipeg, while at the same time we must suffer the loss of a chick at Elk River.
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A special thank you to bleusoleil40 - if not for your alert here as to something being wrong at the nest site, we wouldn't have sprung into action so fast to go check it out and call the plant. Considering the one other had lesions, without your timely observation we would probably have lost two of them!!
The on-line community is full of wonderful caring people :-*
Thanks to all of you...my friend called me to say that one of our chicks was not moving...so she's the one we should thank. We are happy we could at least save 3 of them.
But thank you for keeping us informed since we are in Ottawa and are kind of new at this ;)
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Good, sharp eyes bleusoleil! You and your friend!
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Wow, what an amazing story. Good on ya for being so observant!
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The cam is back up! Wow did they get dark in 2 days!! Looking good so far, 2 alert and 1 napping.
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I am delighted to see them back! Carly, did you see any sign of the adults?
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:o Wow is right, dark feathers galore! I'm glad to see they're doing well and they're keeping a close eye on them. Question: Are the adults affected by Trichomoniasis as well or are they pretty much immuned to it?
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gosh - so different so quickly!
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they sure have gotten dark... except the one having the nap is still fluffy white
nice to have them back online though... i did miss them
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so good to see these boys! very sad about Bella though. I remember I read somewhere that only 50% survive the first year.
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geez .. with bella gone ... i can't help watching the whiter one sleeping .... and my picture keeps freezing .. so then it looks like the whiter one stops breather ...
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He's breathing, I can see him clearly ...little body moving up and down. I should also mention that when I turned on the cam earlier before I posted..he was standing up a minute and then he tucked down there for a nap.
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and I saw his foot move when his big brother walked on him..
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The one napping is breathing msdolittle, no worries. :D
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oh . i know he's breathing.... but screws me up when the picture freezes.
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I would be vastly reassured if mom or dad showed up for a feeding, and the chicks gobbled everything down. Mind you, I believe I heard the parents a couple of times, but still...
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There we go, he's standing up! Show us your face cutie so we can see you are okay :-*
Hmmm..okay well wimpy little poop shoot will have do for now I guess..lol :o
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All three up and active now! Preening, picking out the fluff and spontaneous wing flapping...now we just have to worry about who will knock who out of the box first ::)
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Yes they are back...I am so glad those 3 are ok but we will miss Bella very much...fly free little baby girl.
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Bleusoleil40,
Would you please give your friend a big (http://i518.photobucket.com/albums/u346/kittenface_album/emotions/smthanks.gif) for me,
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Lol...food drop off! Guess we're now at the 'figure it out yourselves phase and the foodfight phase..uh oh..and I'll just stand here and alarm call until it's over :P
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Gees that was a paltry meal and little whitie only got 1 or 2 mouthfuls...step it up mom and dad!! :-*
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Lol...food drop off! Guess we're now at the 'figure it out yourselves phase and the foodfight phase..uh oh..and I'll just stand here and alarm call until it's over :P
Couldn't have said it better
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The GRE plant just posted an update:
Update for June 19, 2009:
The Great River Energy – Elk River Station falcon family suffered a loss on June 17, with the sudden death of the young female eyass Bella. It has been determined that her death was caused by a micro-organism called Trichomoniasis, which comes from eating infected pigeons. The remaining three eyasses have been treated with an antibiotic and are doing well at this time. We are monitoring them very closely.
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Boy they sure are looking at something out there
(http://i518.photobucket.com/albums/u346/kittenface_album/JUNE%2009%20PART%201/all.jpg)
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ha! food tug of war between parent and chick and chick pulls parent into the nestbox! but parent prevails and beak feeding them now.
nice to see.
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Mom had food and they saw it come in. They must have seen her preparing it somewhere after the hand off. There we go, a beak feed and little guy is first in line ;D
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love that shot Kittenface, reassuring! still very sad about Bella. I very much liked the idea of a big girl named Bella (kinda have a special preference for the name) and I was just starting to enjoy a big Sis with all those brothers!
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Its awsome to see the boys back! ;D
They look great, getting so big and starting to look like adults more and more!
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One chick has just discovered himself in the camera (reflection) he reminds me of those cards where they "blow up" the animals heads alot larger than the bodies ;D ;D
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all three are hanging out on the cam side of the box showing off their wings and new feathers. amazing changes happening!
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(http://i518.photobucket.com/albums/u346/kittenface_album/JUNE%2009%20PART%201/e-1.jpg)
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For those of you interested in knowing more about "frounce"
Alberta Agriculture & Rural Development Factsheet (http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex4444)
WARNING - these references have graphic photos
Michigan Dept of Natural Resources Factsheet (http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10370_12150_12220-27288--,00.html)
Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases: Birds - Trichomoniasis (http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/publications/field_manual/chapter_25.pdf)
Journal of Avian Medicine & Surgery - Diagnosis and Therapeutic Management of Trichomoniasis in Falcons in Saudi Arabia (synopsis & photos) (http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1647/2001-047)
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lotsa good close-ups at the cam right now. toooo funny!
;D
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Thank you for those factsheets Tracy...I can't believe how severe it (frounce) can become. I feel terrible for all birds that suffer from this...thank goodness some, unfortunately not all, can be treated!
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I wonder if the parents have it too then? A few pairs in the US have died from it in past years.
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I was wondering the same thing Carly but didn't really want to think it... :(
Hard to know...
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I doubt it, given they have still be here and feeding and you can hear them calling out. The kids have been watching something intently - I wonder if they are watching a parent fly and hunt?
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Food came in awhile ago. Two took chunks and feasted away. Parents seem to be fine. :D
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lotsa good close-ups at the cam right now. toooo funny! ;D
I got this a bit ago thought it was sweet The 3 Stooges
(http://i518.photobucket.com/albums/u346/kittenface_album/JUNE%2009%20PART%201/sweet-1.jpg)
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AWWWW...how cute are they?!!
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so adorable! all three sitting up still, and parent looking out from the perch outside. a nice family moment. :)
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my favourite view, all 3 lined up in a row with their beaks on the ledge looking out at the big world.. :)
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Kittenface, you should send a copy of that screen capture to the folks at Elk River ... they could probably use it on their website ....
Best to include when you took it just so they know.
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two looking out at the world, one in the corner dozing where we have a good look from the camera. That white fluff is rapidly going away...
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relaxing sunny and warm day in the nest box and all seem to be doing well. lots of wing flapping and lining up with beaks on the ledge to watch the world go by...
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all three laying down with faces to the light, one using the ledge as pillow. mom (or dad) sitting on perch keeping watch. it's really sweet to see.
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When did our babis grow up enought to be on the ledge?
(http://i518.photobucket.com/albums/u346/kittenface_album/JUNE%2009%20PART%201/ledge-2.jpg)
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first thing I saw when checking in this morning. up on the edge and looking quite confident! another week or two and it'll be a different world here...
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Yeah and one of them is trying really hard to fly right now... ;D
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This is the part I hate.....ledgewalkers!!!!!
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All three chicks were active today, and doing quite a bit of wing flapping.
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/june%202009/grejune229a.jpg) (http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/june%202009/grejune2210a.jpg)
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/june%202009/grejune2216a.jpg) (http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/june%202009/grejune2218a.jpg)
One of the parents arrived in the nest box, and was pretty much ejected by the chicks:
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/june%202009/grejune2221aa.jpg)
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;D Great pics Alison, of the 3 amigos. I looks hot there since the chicks are panting. These guys are hilarious. Parents' been just dropping food off and letting them duke it out for the grub. The screaming tug-o-wars are so funny. There's one that likes to stare into the camera and make faces. :P
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Ohhh I can only see one of the chicks in the nestbox...hope they are on the ledge off camera...this is so exciting (and scary) :o
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Where did they go! The one left sitting on the edge of the nestbox looks like he want to join his brothers...wherever they are. Keeps leaning forward, stretching the neck out, lifting a foot.
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They must be outside on the ledges :o
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this nestbox is full of surprises :o
based on what happened last year, we can all hope they are below the box on the edge and that the Elk River people will post a note (and pictures/!)
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The lone chick is standing on the ledge flapping his wings. He's getting ready for the big jump to join his brothers. They're 36 days old today. I'm always sad to see them go. :'(
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This is a picture from outside
(http://i518.photobucket.com/albums/u346/kittenface_album/JUNE%2009%20PART%201/1-17.jpg)
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36 days old, is that the same age as when they fledged last year? somehow it seems much quicker this year... ???
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I don't remember when they fledged last year. Yes, it does seem earlier this year. There's 2 now in the nestbox; I missed him coming in.
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Two - then one. Lots of screaming, and it looked like one swooped down from above and landed on the outer framework, out of sight. Then two swept off from above , down and away - parents, maybe?
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Yes, I think those were the parents, too good of flyers to be the chicks. The last chick still a bit scared to go but he's making some cute funny faces at the camera to amuse us. :P
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The remaining chick has certainly tried flapping, but then looks like he might overbalance and pulled back. Went and attacked the back wall instead.
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Parent dropped off a rodent for the remaining chick. I think a sibling followed the parent and landed on the ledge, looked at the meal being hidden in the corner and took off.
Last year the chicks returned to the nest for the night. Flying must be so much fun but home is where they feel safe.
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Weather Alerts issued by the U.S. National Weather Service
Last Updated 6/23/09 10:06 AM (PDT) - Public Severe Weather Alert
URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN 1206 PM CDT TUE JUN 23 2009 ...DANGEROUS HEAT INDICES TODAY AND EARLY TONIGHT... .AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR TODAY AND EARLY TONIGHT FOR HENNEPIN AND RAMSEY COUNTIES. A HEAT ADVISORY HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR TODAY AND EARLY TONIGHT FOR THE REST OF THE TWIN CITIES METROPOLITAN AREA. THE HEAT ADVISORY ALSO COVERS AREAS WEST OF THE TWIN CITIES TO THE SOUTH DAKOTA BORDER AS WELL AS SOUTH TO THE IOWA BORDER. IT WILL BE HOT AND HUMID OVER THE REGION TODAY WITH TEMPERATURES CLIMBING INTO THE MIDDLE 90S. THE HEAT COUPLED WITH THE HIGH HUMIDITY WILL GENERATE HEAT INDICES OF 100 TO 105 DEGREES
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Haven't been able to watch for a few days, and now there's only one in the box! I hope we have two successful fledges. If you see the other chicks flying about for sure, please post so that we can breathe easy. Go chicks!
Poor little chick. He's wondering where everyone went. Although, perhaps he can see them if they are on that little platform below and to the left of the nestbox where last year's chick ended up at first fledge attempt. Can't wait to see what happens next.
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One came back to hang out for awhile.
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They are out there just to darn hot I hear both of them screaming right this minute ;D
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Cam seems to be out now. Has the bad weather hit already?
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Cam's been fine for me all day. Only the one lonely chick looking out on the ledge, probably at his brothers. He did a lot of flappercise earlier but has not fledged.
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love the term flappersize JL!! gave me a good chuckle. cam's been working fine for me all day. still hoping for a notice from the Elk River folks regarding the other two... would be good to have confirmation that they are fine.
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Parent dropped off a rodent for the remaining chick. I think a sibling followed the parent and landed on the ledge, looked at the meal being hidden in the corner and took off.
Last year the chicks returned to the nest for the night. Flying must be so much fun but home is where they feel safe.
doubt it was a rodent. probably a de-winged and de-feathered bird with a limp leg mimicking a rodent tail. too many birds to hunt there to be bothered with going to ground for rodents.
cam is not working for me now though. :(
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:)first time posting here.Been watching a lot today in hopes of seeing the last chick take to flight...he seems to really want to go but just a little scared. think he's encouraged from his brothers below ;D Hope he has a safe flight
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What a shock to tune in and see only one left! I hope they update the note soon, and give us a pic like past year when Chase took off early.
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I hope so too, Liz! I wish they'd switch to that other camera, in fact! give us a better chance of seeing the others. :) (it's all about us, of course)
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Well..so much for my "ledgewalkers" comment...seems that two have fledged!
They just grow way too fast.
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#3 is seriously trying to get up the guts to go too!
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Oh.........................OH.......... ...flap flap flap flap!!!!
No..maybe not..hmmmm okay spread the wings....flap, flap, balance...nope, not yet!!!
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Oh.........................OH.............flap flap flap flap!!!!
No..maybe not..hmmmm okay spread the wings....flap, flap, balance...nope, not yet!!!
;D My thoughts exactly!!!...lol
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Good description! It's pretty funny to watch, eh? I'm assuming eventually he'll just slip off the edge and have no choice but to fly!
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ooh, freaky sound! Sounds like something from Star Trek. (duck and cover)
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Someone is sure kicking up a fuss just off-cam (kittenface, where did you get the other shot?) -- "COME ON!!"
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2 chicks in the box! looks like one is trying to tell the other, it's okay, flap and go!!
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I guess the other will be there soon. There'll be some chatting in the nest tonight -- by tomorrow, #3 will be ready to go. ;D
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I think you're right Liz..
what a quick season!
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Oh, poop! I thought it was a current pic. But just the same ;D ... where did you find it, because when I look at the site I don't see any of last years photos -- a couple of banding, etc. but no action shots??
The 2007 pictures has a couple action shots
Here is a picture the bucket guy sent me last year when the one went over the edge to soon they have alot of room behind the nest on the building,also look at the jungle gym they have to practice on all those bars will give them something to do for awhile
(http://i518.photobucket.com/albums/u346/kittenface_album/JUNE%2009%20PART%201/GetAttachment.jpg)
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What sound is that?? I've never heard it before!!
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OMG, I think I just saw an attack on one of them!
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Or is this a fight over food? I can't even tell what I'm seeing. Am I stuck in a loop, or is everyone else seeing this?
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Nope....I saw the same thing :o
I guess that's why it's called survival of the fittest!
Looks like one got a little bit but they one is still munchin' away and calling our to Mom and Pop for more!!!
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allikat, did you see what happened before? I saw something getting pecked on the head as I checked in (didn't see it come in) and then there was all this screaming... ICK! I hope I don't dream tonight Did anyone see all of it?
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OH...I must of missed that!!! ???
What happened?
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Thanks kittenface, that's great! I was hoping to somewhere find the photos of Chase out on the ledge after his early fledge. I'm surprised they don't have them all available. Or am I missing something?
LouLouBelle, I was thinking the same thing. Last year it seemed to take forever; this year -- click your fingers and it's gone!
Is this the one
(http://i518.photobucket.com/albums/u346/kittenface_album/JUNE%2009%20PART%201/gr039.jpg)
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No, but thanks for trying. Please don't go hunting for it, too much work :D. It was looking towards the box, and we could see where Chase was parked (older than this photo cuz he fledged, albeit early) to the right on the camera view side of the box.
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The sound on mine is still weird. Anyone else? It sounds like a bunch of crows sckwacking, or something. I shut it down, gave it a rest, and it still sounds the same. OH, it's The Birds!!!!
I give up -- have to mute.
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I think the sound is wind blowing through/around the box and surrounding apparatus - has the flavour of the wind as it blows through the louvres on the Radisson roof near the nestbox ... its a much gentler sound in Elk River but similar ...
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One more try for the night :P
(http://i518.photobucket.com/albums/u346/kittenface_album/JUNE%2009%20PART%201/gr042.jpg)
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The sound is weird at the moment...don't judge anything on the sound right now. Kinda sounds like slow motion martian talk...well not that I would know what that sounds like ::)
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but thats after the second one fledged (though a good picture)... there was an earlier photo before the other two left the box, showing where Chase was safe but lower down, being fed. I've been looking for it too.
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If anyone figures it out, please let me know! It's such a great pic. I think it was taken more to the left from our view of kittenface's -- there was more view to the right.
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Two juvies in the box, the other might be on the outside bar, behind an adult. The noise makes me think of some sort of concert - can almost hear words but not quite. A radio on loud with static? Something going on in the parking lot below?
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That might explain it! It's been sounding odd to me all night -- not the usual. And definitely wind.
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I don't like the look of the third brother tonight. His "body language" doesn't look normal.
Even having not fledged today he should at least be hanging on to the ledge and
flapping his wings for all he's worth. Instinct.
Hopefully daybreak will see him recover and soar.
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I have to agree with you Wilmaxx11. Have been watching them for about 20 minutes, two have moved out of view somewhere but #3 Bro. is not acting quite right to my way of thinking.
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Maybe I was too hasty with my observations as Bro.#3 is now wing flapping also.
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:(Oh ...I missed the first flight of the last chick as the nest is empty now.....hope they will come back for a visit and that they will be safe.
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I tuned in today and the nest is empty. We have 3 fledges!
I'm sad to see them go, as I love watching them hatch and grow, but still very happy for the chicks.
I wish them well on their new adventures!
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I miss them already. I hope they come back for a visit. Did all 3 come back to the nestbox last night? :(
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Anyone hear any yelling or screaming from any of them?
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Last year all three used to come back at night.
This morning there was one there. Parent broght in food, he grabbed it and ran into the corner with it. Lots of noise from both the chick and the parent at that time.
Not sure about last night.
Hopefully they do come this year.
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I haven't heard or seen them at all this morning.
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When I was checking at 5 this morning all three were there. One out on the "roost" and two sitting right on the edge of the ledge. Left for a minute and then there were two. Saw the second one leave but the third one didn't look too awake. Checked back in about 10 min and he was busy flapping his wings and once again I was away for a bit and when I came back he also ws gone.
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just heard a scronk or two over the sound of the generating station. They can't be too far away!
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I guess I was, thankfully, wrong about the last flyer. Maybe he was sulking about being left all alone for the first time.
Last year the chicks returned to the nest at night for a while.
When trying to spot them you sometimes catch them swooping by in the
upper left. Probably an adult with food and making the chicks work for it.
They also changed the cam so we can look back into the nest.
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??? jumpers ??? I don't see anyone at all...
anyhooo...I wish them the best :-* :-*
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I don't see them but I can definitely hear them. It looks like a nice day for flying lessons there. Too bad we can't see them swooping around.
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It drives me nuts that I can hear them but can't see them...but hey, hearing them is better than not :D
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We may have to settle for views of The Three Amigoes Part Deux! -- night time only, all three lined up.
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We may have to settle for views of The Three Amigoes Part Deux! -- night time only, all three lined up.
I sure hope they show up tonight
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I see some head movement just on the edge of the white inner ledge. Never saw
the parents down there b4.
Here is a video taken from outside the box. Notice the diff. vocalizations.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVpF9SIXgEo&NR=1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVpF9SIXgEo&NR=1)
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It looks like there's someone at the bottom left of the screen.
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Somebird has checked in for the night.
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Current Weather in Maple Grove, MN
76ºF
Sunny |
The weather is great there right now so it can't be that
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Did the "boys" come home to roost last nite?
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Did the "boys" come home to roost last nite?
This is all I got last night before the cam went down - 2 Home a hour or so before dark
(http://i518.photobucket.com/albums/u346/kittenface_album/JUNE%2009%20PART%201/june2009%20part%202/z-1.jpg)
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thanks for the pic, kittenface! Good to know they are coming home to roost and I have a shot to see them again. :)
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new note on the site:
June 25, 2009 update:
Our three male eyasses continue to thrive and are learning to use their wings. They spend their time near the nesting box (unfortunately out of our camera’s range). The adult falcons are still feeding the eyasses as they learn to fly and hunt for their own food. The birds often return to the nest box at night to sleep. The young falcons should remain in the vicinity of the power plant for another month or so.
so now we are sure that all 3 are well and we can keep checking in each night..
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2 in the box now looking very grown up!!
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All 3 of the boys are home tonight
(http://i518.photobucket.com/albums/u346/kittenface_album/JUNE%2009%20PART%201/june2009%20part%202/3-3.jpg)
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And that weird noise is back (if it ever left - maybe it was just quieter).
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They look so majestic sitting there. Can't believe they were so fluffy just a few days ago!
And that is a very weird noise..kinda creepy!
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It's just the camera. Kinda like slow-motion sound.
Glad to see the boys are hanging out at home!
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Thanks you Kittenface for the pictures! Was happy to see the "boys" are well. Just now had an opportunity to get on line, so nice to see they are all well after the weather we have been having all over these areas.
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The boys are home for the night. :)
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Thanks for the heads-up, JL! I'll open the cam again. :D
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They're screaming their heads off. :o
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They must be hungry! They are screaming where's our food!!!!!
Okay, these guys are whistle-screamers!
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Three lined up on the ledge -- look familiar? part deux!
And yup, that's what it sounds like! "No pigeon, I want ____ "?
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A duck? maybe?
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Me thinks Mom or Dad is above them on the left as all three are looking up at the same spot!
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The middle one is sure sqawking!
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OMG!!!!! Alright...perhaps Mom and Dad are flying with bait in talons?
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(http://i518.photobucket.com/albums/u346/kittenface_album/JUNE%2009%20PART%201/june2009%20part%202/up1.jpg)
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Ya..that's the spot I was referring to. Wonder if it was Mom or Dad up there?
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Pchemist, that digital anomaly (w/e!! LOL) is back on the screen -- pink spot that looks like wing damage.
No.. it's NOT wing damage. :)
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It's there again?!?!?!
It's gotta be the way the light reflects onto the cam!
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That is exactly what it is allikat!!!
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If my memory really was good, I'd remember where this topic is... but I don't.
As I recall, it's not on the camera. It's something to do with light refraction and digital cams and .... sorry, I was an English major, not Science. Pchemist, or Larry, or Dennis, or... will explain it better. :D
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oops (courtsey)
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If my memory really was good, I'd remember where this topic is... but I don't.
As I recall, it's not on the camera. It's something to do with light refraction and digital cams and .... sorry, I was an English major, not Science. Pchemist, or Larry, or Dennis, or... will explain it better. :D
I think I know what you are talking about Liz, but I'm not sure that's the case here ... the daylight has gone down and the bobbles are still in the same place and I would have expected to see it change as the light went down ...
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no worries. It looks pink to me - what do you think it is, TPC?
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no worries. It looks pink to me - what do you think it is, TPC?
First thing I thought of was ladybugs, how weird is that? Maybe its prey remains, anyone see a feeding frenzy late this afternoon?
If Liz is right, it is an optical digital reflection/refraction thingy, I really want to know why it looks like ladybugs or birdie bits :D
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even as the sun goes down it could still be light refraction/reflection on the cam optics, as I think it's more to do with the artificial lights of the power station than the sun (just my guess).
all three boys are on the ledge line up, and a parent is on the perch in front. nice family moment!
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I think Liz and Pchemist may be right, had a look at the cam and couldn't see the "ladybugs". Going to have to check it out later this afternoon/evening to see if it reappears! Maybe not ladybugs (or birdie parts) :'( ;)
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""optical digital reflection/refraction thingy""
technical term for BLOTCH ! :-X
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no action at the site, and no "ladybug" either... yet!
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At least one of the boys are home for the night. ;)
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All 3 home again
(http://i518.photobucket.com/albums/u346/kittenface_album/JUNE%2009%20PART%201/june2009%20part%202/q-1.jpg)
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Two home for the night. One on the edge and the other facing in from the close rail.
Obviously it's great to see them, but especially since for over three weeks I couldn't see this cam, and just checked again tonight. Nice to hear that train again!
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Two on the outside bar looking in. Looks like they're enjoying the sunset. :D
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I found 3 home tonight but all I got was the tail feathers of the third one
(http://i518.photobucket.com/albums/u346/kittenface_album/JUNE%2009%20PART%201/june2009%20part%202/tail-2.jpg)
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if it weren't for those random tufts of white, anyone would mistake those big guys for adults at first blush. I'm pleased that they visit the nestbox at night so we get a chance to see them as they become fully grown...
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That's okay..you got a glimpse of the tail feathers...
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Watching these guys on that itty-bitty bar makes the nestledge edge look pretty darn good! So long as our kids stay on the ledge and the edge ...
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Yes....as long as they STAY on that ledge.... Remain Ledgewalkers & talkers...
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I can't help but think that that itty-bitty edge made them leave early! the Radisson chicks hopefully will stay longer given their bigger area. Nice light, artificial and natural, on these birds this evening..
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Yes...as long as they stay on the ledge, best would be to go to bed in the gravel.....
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I think #3 is on the outer ledge on the far left, moooove over a bit so we can get a look atcha!
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Still only see tail feathers of #3, but very nice to know all three are here for the night.
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The "boys" are still roosting but as the sun comes up I am sure it won't be long before they are out and about. Nice to have them come back to their home so we all know they are safe.
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It's preen and clean before the day ahead. Won't be that many days that we will have the opportunity to see them. Have a safe day "boys".
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The boys are home for the night, two + the tailfeathers. They look so grown up. :)
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the 3 amigo's are back for the night, and looking healthy and well ;D
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Awww....the three stooges are just too cute coming home to sleep....must be that security of having a guaranteed roof over your head.
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I thought we only had 2 of the brothers this evening but I can see tail feathers of #3 on the far left... the weather looks to be calm and the big guys look very comfy back on the ledge tonight. Memories of last year and in particular, July 4th when they all stayed in the box staring out at the fireworks and not very happy about it at all! We shall see what Saturday brings..
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weird light in the park below that has not been there before.. maybe kids driving around in the park?! weird, and noticed by the boys..
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two of the brothers are perched on the outer portion, calmly watching the world go by (or sleeping, hard to tell really). Third could be there but there is no telling. nice to still have them visit.
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okay, where is everyone? I know it's not very exciting here but we had fun last year. 2 brothers out on the ledge, wondering where #3 is...
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only one brother tonight watching the July 4 celebrations in the distance... I seem to recall all 3 in the box last year quite freaked out the fireworks but not this year...
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You would be correct LLB!!!
Weird how timing works isn't it!!!
Still one just perched on the edge of the nestbox enjoying the view!!! :)
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I have been tuning in each evening within an hour before sunset and watch the brothers return. When the second one arrives, they smell, peck, not sure but they touch beaks.... kinda like hey, is that you, how are you doing? Two there now but one keeps looking up and I'm guessing maybe #3 is on the roof of the nestbox, hope so, didn't see him last night.
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Glad that you're keeping an eye on this site LLB...good on you!
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I saw 2 of them last night; none there tonight. They're usually on the ledge by this time to spend the night. Maybe they're gone. :'(
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GREAT NEWS...30/B IS ALIVE AND WELL!! Kittenface just posted on BCAW the great news and I know she'll probably come here too but I couldnt' wait to tell you..
I love 30/B and I know alot of you do too!! I was just heartbroken when I saw her in that territorial dispute, I was so afraid she had gotten injured but she not only survived, she's doing great and had 3 babies - 1 female and 2 males!!
Here is link to kitten's post: (scroll down a bit)
http://www.hostingphpbb.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1164&start=15&mforum=peregrinefalcon
What a survivor she is!!! Go 30B!!!
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Great news! ;D I'm so happy to hear it.
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GREAT NEWS!!!!!!!! Thanks for that update!
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Yes TPC. 30B was displaced in a territorial fight at GRE this year - remember the one with the missing talons we were all upset about. she is now at Excel Energy Sherco!! Although I believe she originally started out at Sherco a few years ago then the box was hit with lightning and damaged so she moved to GRE and I think she went back to Sherco last year but decided to try for GRE again but was told the box was already rented out to a new tenant :o. So she is back where she should be ;)
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these aren't the elk river names. elk river was schoolkids again, and the surviving brothers are (as I recall) Roger, Edward, and Royal.
I think these are the Sherco site names, which explains at least one of them.
Sorry for getting you all confused! 30B was displaced here in a nasty territorial scream-off some of us witnessed online back in March and we had not heard up until now whether or not she survived once the fight moved to outside or whether she had perished. I should have made a new topic.
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no worries, I was glad to hear the news! And TPC will clean it up with her trusty shovel. :)
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I found mom but something isn't right she was favoring her left wing and she about fell off the rail when she jumped out there its got me a bit worried
(http://i518.photobucket.com/albums/u346/kittenface_album/JUNE%2009%20PART%201/june2009%20part%202/july%202009%20part%201/Image-13.jpg)
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nobody there now, kittenface. I would think if she were injured she might stay there a bit? Perhaps not, as it is enclosed.
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no worries, I was glad to hear the news! And TPC will clean it up with her trusty shovel. :)
Not sure its necessary as we have subsequently explained the connection to this site and where she is now. Its actually a nice piece to add to this thread as she was here last year and folks remember her ...
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Would there be territorial disputes this time of year? I think not. ??? What might happened to her?
As I understand it, the territorial dispute was back in March, she lost and moved to the Xcel Energy Sherco Plant in Oak Park and nested. Her kids were banded successfully (and named) not so long ago.
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Would there be territorial disputes this time of year? I think not. ??? What might happened to her?
As I understand it, the territorial dispute was back in March, she lost and moved to the Xcel Energy Sherco Plant in Oak Park and nested. Her kids were banded successfully (and named) not so long ago.
Yes they were TPC ....and it wonderful to watch her at the Sherco Plant!!! Those chicks were adorable as all chicks are! :-*
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I got a couple more pics and it looks like she is ok I also got a juvie I think it must have been the heat or the juvie I saw SusanB reassured me she is ok
(http://i518.photobucket.com/albums/u346/kittenface_album/JUNE%2009%20PART%201/june2009%20part%202/july%202009%20part%201/Image1.jpg) (http://i518.photobucket.com/albums/u346/kittenface_album/JUNE%2009%20PART%201/june2009%20part%202/july%202009%20part%201/Image-14.jpg)
(http://i518.photobucket.com/albums/u346/kittenface_album/JUNE%2009%20PART%201/june2009%20part%202/july%202009%20part%201/Image2-2.jpg)
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Surprise, someone's out on the ledge. ;D I haven't seen any falcons around this nest in a long time.
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thanks for the heads-up, JL. It sure is nice to see a visitor! ;D
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Definitely a juvie, still have a bit of white fluff on him. It sure looks like a windy day there. :)
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I found mom home for a few minutes
(http://i518.photobucket.com/albums/u346/kittenface_album/JUNE%2009%20PART%201/june2009%20part%202/july%202009%20part%201/july2009%20pt%202/3-7.jpg)
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One of the parents paid a brief visit to the nest today:
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/July%202009/grejuly295a.jpg)
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I wonder if any of the juvies are still around.
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A visitor to the nest box in the late afternoon:
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/August%202009/gresept34b.jpg) (http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/August%202009/gresept35b.jpg)
(http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o337/quintara2/August%202009/gresept311b.jpg)
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Mom and Dad were here today
(http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt332/greatriver/SEPT09%20PT1/1-8.jpg) (http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt332/greatriver/SEPT09%20PT1/2-9.jpg)
MOM DAD
Short video of mom honking and talking to me: http://s625.photobucket.com/albums/tt332/greatriver/SEPT09%20PT1/?action=view¤t=falcongrenergycom.flv
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Short video of mom honking and talking to me
Translation: It's almost time for me to go for the winter. Will you keep my nestbox safe for me while I'm gone? Don't let anyone take it and thanks for helping my family this year !
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Oh how I'm going to miss that "SQUONK"!!!
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Oh my, that is the most wonderful thing I've ever heard and seen at the same time. No icon for "I'm stunned" but holy crap people, that's a piece of nature we are privledged to hear/see. Technology - thank you.
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Great video!
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HOLY WOW!!! That was awesome. Thanks for posting that Kittenface!
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How special is that! Thanks, kittenface!
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Fantastic! Thanks Kittenface.
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Great video. It was like she was looking right at us and talking to us saying exactly what was written in an earlier post.
Thanks.
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OUR LOVEBIRDS
(http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt332/greatriver/SEPT09%20PT1/3-4.jpg)
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:-* :-* E-chup, E-chup, E-chup :-* :-*
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Anyone else notice that the bird in the video was unbanded (as far as I could see at least) - was either of this year's pair unbanded? 'Fraid I can't recall at the moment ...
Neither of them were banded, this is the pair from this year and last I have enough photos and videos that I'm 99.9% sure this is my loving couple now I need to see them both again next spring
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2010 NESTING SEASON
Elk River has a new web site, I've sent the new cam page link to TPC so she can update the main cam post with it. Very nice new site!
Link to new website: http://www.greatriverenergy.com/aboutus/environmental/birdcam.html
Thanks Carly for the update! ~ TPC
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A fabulous new website, and no difficulties getting the cam picture either. I can hardly wait for the excitement and noise that this site provides during nesting season!
Thanks for posting this Carly.
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SGB said she heard a falcon off cam ten minutes ago here - have the site up now to see if one pops into the box!!! Woo...love this site and have been checking daily to see if anyone is home yet! This is is around the right time for them to come back!
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Woohooo...kittenface caught the first falcon home here!! He/she is sitting outside on the perch right now.. :-* ;D
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(http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab39/sheilahavoc/oct%202009/Nov%202009%20part%201/nov%20part%202%202009/dec%202009%20part%201/march2010/bbbbb.jpg)
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That peregrine is still checking out the nice clean nestbox. :)
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Our peregrine is sitting out on the ledge; still alone, but waiting for his/her mate! This is such a good site for close-ups of our falcons. Hope to see the other half show up very soon.
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it sure is a nice clear picture
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There's one big falcon sitting out on the ledge right now. I'm thinking it's the female. She's been around for several days now. I haven't seen the other but then again the camera view is limited. I haven't seen her go into the nestbox. She's yelling at something just now; perhaps her mate is around.
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Great sound eh JL?? Big happy grin on my face. ;D ;D
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Yes, she has been calling, and she sounds friendly, so I am sure her mate has arrived home and is close by; she has pretty well put out the "welcome wagon" for him, at least vocally.
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Let's hope those were mating calls. ;) ;)
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Oh it sure sounded like "I'm here, wanna dance?" to me anyway. ;D
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Well here is a tease for now big momma bowing and talking to her reflection in the camera ;D (click on image for video)
(http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab39/sheilahavoc/oct%202009/Nov%202009%20part%201/nov%20part%202%202009/dec%202009%20part%201/march2010/th_3152010.jpg) (http://s847.photobucket.com/albums/ab39/sheilahavoc/oct%202009/Nov%202009%20part%201/nov%20part%202%202009/dec%202009%20part%201/march2010/?action=view¤t=3152010.flv)
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Our female is back in the nest box, and she sure would like to get her talons into that falcon in the camera; she keeps trying to catch it off its guard, by surprising it with a sudden look, but, alas, this does not work. In between these sessions, she is busy making a scrape in the box. Still waiting to see her mate, who I am sure is out there pretty close by.
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Have you people seen my mate?!! :P Mom is in the house!
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4003/4442051722_2299e3fbfa_m.jpg)
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Our female was just in the nestbox, chupping away, looking up, then down, when I distinctly heard another falcon; so did she, and she took off like a shot. I think this might be our elusive male, but until we see the two of them together, it is hard to say with any certainty.
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She just came back, chupping away, and the other falcon flew up to the nestbox, then left; she then left the nestbox; this all sounded like a happy occasion, so I am pretty sure we will be seeing the two of them together shortly.
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hi Eli `wave~! I'm glad you caught sight of another falcon, I was chatting to mom and turned away and missed it but I did hear her!! I hope it's the same dad as last year!
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Well, our male is a shy guy! The female has tried to encourage him to join her in the nestbox, but so far, he has only tried a few fly-bys, with one quick stop on the outside perch. I hope we will get a better look at him soon.
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2are there here is a short video (click on photo)
(http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab39/sheilahavoc/oct%202009/Nov%202009%20part%201/nov%20part%202%202009/dec%202009%20part%201/march2010/th_GreatRiverEnergyAboutUsEnvironme-1.jpg) (http://s847.photobucket.com/albums/ab39/sheilahavoc/oct%202009/Nov%202009%20part%201/nov%20part%202%202009/dec%202009%20part%201/march2010/?action=view¤t=GreatRiverEnergyAboutUsEnvironme-1.flv)
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Thanks, Kittenface!
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Thanks Kitten! He always was an elusive one!
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That was great!! Thanks Kittenface ;D
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Momma's in there right now digging around the pebbles, looking at the camera, calling out and preening. I'm looking forward to see some eggs soon. :)
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Mama is there right now if anyone wants to watch this wonderful camera.
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Well, our elusive male finally showed up in the nestbox! I heard alot of noise, and checked, and sure enough, there he was, with his rear end facing the camera - I am pretty sure that was his rear end. He didn't stay long, and our female took off after him as soon as he left.
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Now, how on earth did I miss that? That one time when I minimized the screen, that's when it happened....oh Allikat, you do miss everything. ::)
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someone is in the nest ... now just sitting on the ledge ... chirp/chupping away.
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Our Minnesota Miss is just on the ledge, enjoying the sun, preening; no sign so far today of her mate, Mr. Shy Guy. But, she was very busy yesterday making scrapes in the gravel, so I expect that we will see more of him soon!
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Pretty Momma looking and chupping at the camera right now. Nice close up of the lovely specks on her chest. She's also busy scraping the gravel and laying down in it.
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They changed the view of the cam just awhile ago. Really cool. I just saw the male land on top of the nestbox with gift and female swooped down and grabbed it. It's great to catch all the action outside the nestbox. :)
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This nestbox is really fun to watch JL...plus we have the added bonus of sound. I find it really interesting to hear how they communicate with each other and their chicks.
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I'm glad they changed the view for now..until the eggs come anyway. It's fun to see them interact! I do love when 'mom' makes faces at the cam and honks at it..lol..she's a funny girl :D
I still miss 30B though and keep hoping we will hear that she's found a new home somewhere - maybe this will be the year :-\
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I still miss 30B though and keep hoping we will hear that she's found a new home somewhere - maybe this will be the year :-\
Carly, do you know where 30/B came from? I ask because Holly the previous resident female in Brandon was 31/B - she was from Fargo, North Dakota - sorry, her band was black over green - same colours for your girl?
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I still miss 30B though and keep hoping we will hear that she's found a new home somewhere - maybe this will be the year :-\
Carly, do you know where 30/B came from? I ask because Holly the previous resident female in Brandon was 31/B - she was from Fargo, North Dakota - sorry, her band was black over green - same colours for your girl?
As per Alison: Banded black/green 30/B, is originally from Cleveland, born 2002. She was admitted to The Raptor Center in October 2002 with head trauma, and later released at the Mayo Clinic.
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Thanks Carly - amazing to see a one digit difference on a leg band translate into a 1000 mile difference in release locations! :)
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Both falcons were just in the nestbox now, bowing and chupping to each other, but still no sign of an egg. These two are taking their time getting to know each other, I guess!
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There's a lovely falcon perched posing for the camera.
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Interesting new perspective - I'm not sure if I prefer it or not (thinking of the wonderful nest box views), but it would be great to see some of the out-of-the-box activity!
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The sun is setting and the female is still in the nestbox...hmmm... ;D ;) ;)
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Thats what I was saying over at BCAW HMMMM
Could this be the night?
(http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab81/FortStVrain/dark.jpg)
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what an ungodly amount of noise at this site ! and what was that dark shadow that just flew past? geeez...
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She's still in the nestbox at 5:42 am EST and looks like she's in a trance!
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She's still in the nestbox at 5:42 am EST and looks like she's in a trance!
Could it be that there is or are eggs?
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I checked earlier when Mom wasn't there and didn't see any egg(s); maybe it was the lighting. She's there now fixing her nest but I still don't see any egg(s). :(
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The resident falcon at this site has one magnificant dark hood....beautiful!!
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He is a good looking tiercel; he's been there most of the morning. The female was there earlier; I believe she spent the night. So hopefully, eggs are coming soon. Afterall, it is Easter. ;D
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Now the female is holding down the fort. She's perched right up close to the camera. She's got very pretty speckles on her chest. :)
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This is the site where no one has a band right ?? Or am I mixing it up with somewhere else ....
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This is the site where no one has a band right ?? Or am I mixing it up with somewhere else ....
No bands TPC, and we're sure it's last years mom that is back as she loves to makes faces and honk at the cam...lol!
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Mom is laying in the nestbox lookin awfully comfy... could it be that time? :-*
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Well she's up now and on the ledge, she's awfully quiet for her though. She's a lovely lookin girl :-*
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It looks like our Minnesota Miss is ready to lay an egg.
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whole lotta pebble-pushin' and re-re-re-decorating going on...... making it all just so
It's windy at this site too.. she nearly got pushed over backwards when she hopped up on the ledge and her belly feathers were all 'askew'...
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That is because we have a cold front coming through, it is windy here in London too.
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A visit from both with a bit of bowing and echupping.
I think it is the female that hangs around the most?
The weather looks much nicer than yesterday.
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It looks like the female is spending the night in the nestbox. ;)
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It looks like the female is spending the night in the nestbox. ;)
Still there there this morning, eating pebbles and looking like she swalled a melon :o Come on mom...you can do it :-*
Dad just landed on the roof with breakfast but mom seems to be telling him ..she's tied up at the moment. :P Lol, dad waits awhile and when mom doesn't move, he takes off with brekkie, she was not impressed..like cant' you bring it in and serve me! She waddled out up on the wrungs and jumped out of sight! After all an expectant mom has to eat! ;)
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I watched last night til around 3 and I think the way she acted it was around 11 to 11:30 pm her time
DRUM ROLL PLEASE ;D
(http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab81/FortStVrain/c-2.jpg)
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Figures, I watched and waited - went to meeting and now there's an egg!! lol! Thanks kitten, good to see our beloved mom finally has somethin to honk about ;D ;)
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Same here....I logged in this morning, went to that cam, saw her there and figured nothing was happening....of course, I missed it.
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Okay where did the one egg go? It either got moved closer to the wooden part of the nest box or god forbid some other bird took it?
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Dad shoved it up to the lip of the ledge here is another pic that Tine got
I have to admit I thought I was seeing things til she got this pic
(http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab81/FortStVrain/33aa7317.jpg)
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Whew, thank-you kittenface. I thought I was imaging seeing an egg at this sight.
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Yay, an egg! :) They're a few days earlier than last year's first egg. For those that haven't seen this, they've updated the website and added some gorgeous pictures from 2009. They can be accessed if you scroll to the bottom of the cam page. 8)
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Our female has been at the nestbox all day, sometimes sitting inside, mostly perched outside on the ledge, and for the life of me, I cannot see an egg. She is on the ledge right now, surveying her domain - no sign of her mate - and she seems unconcerned about the egg, so I don't know what's going on.
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She did spend the night with her egg as she was on it this morning at 5:30 am when I woke up! She won't start incubating until egg 3 unless it gets really cold there.
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Mom and Dad were just in the nestbox together Eli..they must have heard us :-* :-*
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Yes, I caught them both together and I got to see the difference between them, too, as they had a short conversation and exchanged places. So all is right with the World, at least in Minnesota.
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Egg #2 just arrived ;D
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I missed it again! I was watching her in the nestbox, it looked like she was digging a hole to China, her rear-end was way up in the air and she was working furiously on a suitable hole-size, then I went to the Alberta site, and I guess that was when the big event happened. One of these days I hope to actually see an egg being produced!
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They just changed the view again, back to the inside of the nestbox. So, the eggs are now clearly visible.
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First the sound disappeared, now I can't get a picture. Anyone else having any problems with this site?
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Hi Sami, I'm watching the cam and see lights moving, though mom is immobile. No sound though. Have you got pop ups unblocked on your browser?
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Just checked the site, had a picture of one falcon and two eggs. Then the picture disappeared, screen went black. Not sure if that was because I just upset a stack of papers onto the keyboard or not. But no sound. and there had been sound up until this week. I might think it was the speakers, but they work for other things. The computer went down for a while yesterday, maybe that has something to do with the picture problem, nothing else has changed.
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Okay, maybe I'm not losing my mind. Picture came back, while I watched falcon flew off and I could hear them in the background. It's the sound of the powerplant that's missing! The sound is actually still there. And Mom is back on the eggs.
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Dad just brought in breakfast for mom, who was sure happy to see him. She yanked it out of his beak and took off. He looked somewhat sorry to see that tasty treat go, although it was all for a good cause.
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Dad just brought in breakfast for mom, who was sure happy to see him. She yanked it out of his beak and took off. He looked somewhat sorry to see that tasty treat go, although it was all for a good cause.
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Anyone know if there is still just two eggs? Every time I check in, mom (?) is incubating so I haven't seen the eggs since early yesterday.
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Cammie, I checked this morning first thing on this wonderful site; mom and dad were both gone for a bite to eat and some exercise, and there were still only two eggs.
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There's 3 eggs now! And dad is working hard to get them all covered.
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Mom is so tired now and who could blame her
(http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab81/FortStVrain/3eggs.jpg) (http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab81/FortStVrain/tired.jpg)
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Just checked at the right time and saw all three eggs. ;D
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(http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab81/FortStVrain/switch.jpg)
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Glad to see they are on top of the eggs now....I was a bit concerned when the one egg seemed to be sitting there all alone and uncovered!
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Maybe they are waiting for a fourth egg. Tracey explained about the timing in this process, last year. The first eggs wait for all to be laid, then the parents sit and incubate them. You can probably find these facts in last year's threads.
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Looks like she's in labour right now...another egg coming? :)
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Looks like it. She had a lot to say to the mister a few minutes ago.
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She still looks to be unsettled, working hard, panting, and occasionally using her talons to scrape away more gravel. More harsh words for her mate, who made a very brief stop.
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I guess that was false labour. She's off the eggs now, still just 3. :)
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Still 3 eggs first thing this morning. She has been restless all morning, on and off the eggs, shifting position, digging in the gravel and panting.
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There are now 4 eggs!!! Way to go you two!!!
I love watching the male come in, hunker down, move, shuffle, wiggle, nope not quite right, get up, move the eggs, hunker down, shuffle, wiggle, nope not quite right, get up again, move the eggs, hunker down, wiggle, shuffle, settle..... :-*
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House keeping alert!
Lovely view of the four eggs as parent shuffles pebbles a short distance away.
Now settled back on the eggs facing away from the newly arranged pebbles.
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Everything has been very uneventful at this site, which is perfect for our falcon parents; they are both very committed, they know exactly what they are doing, and they are relaxed enough to spend alot of time dozing on the eggs while waiting for the big day.
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There is a message on the Elk River website that the microphone ahs stopped working and that it will be fixed when the chicks are banded. So...no sound until sometime in June!
They also estimate hatching around May 14 or 15. I can't wait!
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There is a message on the Elk River website that the microphone ahs stopped working and that it will be fixed when the chicks are banded. So...no sound until sometime in June!
They also estimate hatching around May 14 or 15. I can't wait!
Ack! Oh that's more serious then as they usually just do something on their end and it works. I'm going to miss hearing the little ones peeping from inside the eggs and mom chirping to them softly to come out. Oh well as long as they are healthy and safe is what's important :-*
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...I'm going to miss hearing the little ones peeping from inside the eggs and mom chirping to them softly to come out. Oh well as long as they are healthy and safe is what's important :-*
You could actually hear them "peeping" from inside the eggs, carly? Do you mean as they were hatching? ???
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About 48 hours or so before they hatch the mom will start 'talking' to them. You would see her head down near the eggs and hear a soft chirping sound and they would chirp back to her...totally amazing kinderchick!
I have read that most birds do that and of course humans do it as well when pregnant - you know how they talk to their bellies or the husband does? Well the birds to the same thing apparently so that the birds will recognize the sound of their parents 'voice'. In bird species that nest in communal type environments, it's especially important so the baby will know who it's mom is amongst all the other females there.
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About 48 hours or so before they hatch the mom will start 'talking' to them. You would see her head down near the eggs and hear a soft chirping sound and they would chirp back to her...
That IS amazing, carly! :D Is that what is known as the beginning of "imprinting"? :-\
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About 48 hours or so before they hatch the mom will start 'talking' to them. You would see her head down near the eggs and hear a soft chirping sound and they would chirp back to her...
That IS amazing, carly! :D Is that what is known as the beginning of "imprinting"? :-\
Yes exactly!
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Yup, if you watch this cam regularly, there is the update below the webcam window stating that they are incubating 4 eggs and that they hope to fix the sound at time of banding.
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I seem to be getting sound okay. I heard the chupping earlier when Dad showed up for his shift. :)
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I've heard that at times, too, but the roar of the plant itself is missing.
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Ha Ha Sami....like the description, "the roar of the plant".
Can't wait for these eggs to hatch.
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I've been watching for about an hour this morning, and the Mother has been pretty restless: a bit of cleaning, and a lot of shuffling around and changing position.
Perhaps she's sensing some movement in the eggs, and we are close to hatching!
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...Perhaps she's sensing some movement in the eggs, and we are close to hatching!
Yes, Baffled... Website says hatch will be tomorrow or Saturday! :D
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Something is going on she is squirming alot eating gravel and looking under
(http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/2616/momxu.png)
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Yeah I noticed that too, and she is talking too.
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1/2 an egg shell was just thrown out from under mom !
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It's quiet right now....she has shifted around a bit but nothing is visible - especially with her tail right in the camera!
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2 babies
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Jsut caught a glimpse of a baby!! ;D ;D
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How about 2 now ;D
(http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/6816/34671645.png)
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Just got a great glimpse of two chicks and one egg still intact. Couldn't see enough to determine whether the fourth egg was egg or chick by now. Exciting times!
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Shift change!
Still two eggs, but one looked like it had a pip, so perhaps we'll have three chicks by the time the day is out.
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As far as I can tell there are 3 chicks and one egg. Little behinds and wings keep falling out so there is a lot of "shuggling" going on. The chicks are so soft, white and clean looking! Whoever is on the nest hasn't been still for a minute...........maybe another hatch soon? ???
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Mom? doing a great job of hiding the chicks while she reaches for gravel, and seems to be obsessed with eating it. At one point she leaned so far she rolled over, but with her back to the camera, so still no sight of chicks. Then she stood up, settled her feathers and turned around. There was one egg out in front of her. She looked at it for a moment, as if saying "What is that doing out there?", then rolled it back under, and actually stood high enough that I could see two chicks (could have been more, couldn't tell). Now she has settled down, except for the occasional glare at the camera.
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First feed that I have caught anyway ;D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pt-S3VxPY5Y
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It looked to me that two chicks were being fed, a pipped egg in front of them and another egg barely glimpsed behind them.
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Mom? doing a great job of hiding the chicks while she reaches for gravel, and seems to be obsessed with eating it...
Do peregrines actually eat gravel, like chickens do? ???
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Mom? doing a great job of hiding the chicks while she reaches for gravel, and seems to be obsessed with eating it...
Do peregrines actually eat gravel, like chickens do? ???
Apparently they do, helps with digestion...kinda like your fibre does for humans I hear. TPC, do I have that right?
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Here is the flip sami was talking about
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_4T-UCJ-eM
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Three bobble heads this morning.. :-* :-* :-*
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Feeding time! Three chicks quite eager, and the occasional faceplant.
Still one egg. It looks like it has pips, but no chick yet. If there is a chick, s/he is lagging behind.
I am reminded of the Shel Silverstein poem "I Won't Hatch":
Oh I am a chickie who lives in an egg,
But I will not hatch, I will not hatch.
The hens they all cackle, the roosters all beg,
But I will not hatch, I will not hatch.
For I hear all the talk of pollution and war
As the people all shout and the airplanes roar,
So I’m staying in here where it’s safe and it’s warm,
And I WILL NOT HATCH!
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That is so cute Baffled
Thank you for sharing that
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(http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab81/FortStVrain/may%20june%202010/feeding.jpg)
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...Still one egg. It looks like it has pips, but no chick yet. If there is a chick, s/he is lagging behind.
I am reminded of the Shel Silverstein poem "I Won't Hatch"...
LOL! Thanks for that poem, baffled! Yes, I do remember it! ;)
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I seem to recall last year or 2008, she had one egg that didn't hatch and she kept it around for quite awhile ... does anyone else remember that?
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yup...... I was going to say something about that before, but thought maybe I was wrong. Glad you said it, one year , one egg didn't hatch and the other one died,,,,,, was it same year or different years ?
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2008 one egg didn't hatch 2009 Bella only female died
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Just had a feeding at 7:35am EDT.
I could see 3 chicks clearly and lots of egg shell, so I'm not yet sure if that last egg was a dud and is now broken or if there was a small chick hiding behind the chickpile. Must keep watching!
After feeding, Father came into the nest to take his turn, but Mother only gave him a second or two before she arrived back on the ledge and glared at him, so he hopped off and she's now settling over the chicks. Poor Father didn't get his turn with them!
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All 4 now we are complete ;D
(http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab81/FortStVrain/may%20june%202010/d.jpg)
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Just saw the 11:05am EDT feeding. 4 chicks! (Great capture, Kittenface!)
The 4th was hiding in the back of the chickpile.
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Feeding time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wh25Yl0GL4A
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Thanks for posting this YouTube video of "feeding time", kittenface!:D Looking forward to seeing the same here in Winnipeg, maybe by next weekend! ;D
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The video was such a treat, kittenface. Thank you.
The way the parent so gently fed that newest little one, once it got itself turned around, was quite touching to see.
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Wow! Aren't they special.....so clean and white and begging for food.
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thanks for the video of feeding time Kittenface. Adorable ;) I haven't been able to watch much so far this year and I enjoyed my lunch watching that Mum ever so gently feeding her little ones...
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I really miss the sound from this nestbox....can't wait until banding day, then the sound will return.
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Just checked the web cam. Have these little babes grown! A week old and can only get their head under Mom ;D
Haven't checked the cam since hatch day so a big difference in size ;)
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(http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab81/FortStVrain/may%20june%202010/a-4.jpg)
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Very cute, kittenface! :D
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Dad can't cover them to save his life ;D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGe0CFf3d3c
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LOL...poor dad and poor chicks..where's mom they seemed to say ;D
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HAHAH
Love the video!
I guess Dad will just stand guard until Mom gets back!
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Dad can't cover them to save his life ;D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGe0CFf3d3c
Very funny video! ;D Group hug! Snuggle, snuggle! Gotta give dad credit for trying! ;)
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Dad can't cover them to save his life ;D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGe0CFf3d3c
Very funny video! ;D Group hug! Snuggle, snuggle! Gotta give dad credit for trying! ;)
Yeah.
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(http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab81/FortStVrain/may%20june%202010/great1.jpg)
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GREAT capture kittenface....so cute!
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well, one of these little guys has amazing aim!
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They changed the view from poop to seeing again
(http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab81/FortStVrain/may%20june%202010/greatriver.jpg)
Fair
Feels Like:79 °F
Barometer:30.12 in and falling
Humidity:26 %
Visibility:10 mi
Dewpoint:42 °F
Wind:ENE 9 mph
Sunrise:5:32 AM
Sunset:8:48 PM
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Well this is much better :D
I found it a little tricky looking through the poop-art! ::)
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A little bit of play
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvVKg2l1Iew
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Too cute! And loved the music, too ;D
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good one!
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A few pictures from today before during and after feeding
(http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab81/FortStVrain/may%20june%202010/great-2.jpg) (http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab81/FortStVrain/may%20june%202010/great1-2.jpg)
(http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab81/FortStVrain/may%20june%202010/great2.jpg)
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All those cute little faces! Every time I check in, they seem to be sleeping, or a parent is sitting on the edge of the box, blocking the view.
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Well they got banded today not info yet but should be up in the next day or so they also changed the view
this is right after they put them back
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCsfWiiwo8A
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Nice video kitten! So glad the sound is back! They looks so scared but now they are safe and home with mum!
The inside cam is back on too, must have cleaned the lens :P
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One chick just trundled up to the cam and proceeded to shriek at it. Got a good look down its throat! ;D Must be a female, from the amount of noise.
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Very happy to have the sound back on! And back to this camera angle...It's neat now to have camera angle almost the same as our Royal Radissons.. It's fascinating to watch them side by side, seeing the difference in development that 10 days or so can make... :) :)
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It's so much fun to watch and hear this crew eat! Two meals in a row, which they ravenously consumed and then yelled at parents to bring more!! All is quiet now... :)
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Love to have the sound back!!!!!
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The sound is great - what a racket!
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Screaming and eating
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVfy-K4Stt8
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Everyone is having a nice nap this morning - I guess all the screaming wore them out. So far, so good at this site - all chicks healthy and vocal. I believe it was last year at this time, or perhaps a bit earlier, the chicks had an infection and had to be treated, and I think one of the females died.
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(http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab81/FortStVrain/may%20june%202010/june%20july%202010/1-7.jpg)
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Lol..the apple doesn't fall from the tree does it ;D Look at that face :-* :-*
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Turn the speakers down ;D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2pmCKGkNlA 1:13
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=La9lrzNp4vE 1:08
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(http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab81/FortStVrain/may%20june%202010/june%20july%202010/a-3.jpg) (http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab81/FortStVrain/may%20june%202010/june%20july%202010/c-1.jpg)
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Thanks for the link kittenface, it only takes one to start yelling..... the rest join right in. ::) ;D ;D
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Who needs an alarm clock when you have elk river ;D
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LOL! Good one, allikat! ;)
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I only see two birds in the nest box :o :o did two fledge? Maybe two are out of camera range? ??? There doesn't seem to be anywhere to get updates on how these guys and/or girls are doing... :(
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Okay - when I tuned in again, there were thee "chicks" - they are so adult-like now! And then while I was watching, someone flew in. Thought it was a parent, but now I think it is a fledgling, coming home to cheer on the others!
:o :o :o
Could be wrong... ???
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I think it might have been a aprent who flew in awhile ago. I see the fourth chick tucked away in the corner...
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LOL! Good one, allikat! ;)
Falcon Overture ! How about that sound for a cellphone. LOL
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Okay - when I tuned in again, there were thee "chicks" - they are so adult-like now! And then while I was watching, someone flew in. Thought it was a parent, but now I think it is a fledgling, coming home to cheer on the others!
:o :o :o
Could be wrong... ???
No you are right here is a not so graceful return ;D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvHAMnQbGAk
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No you are right here is a not so graceful return ;D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvHAMnQbGAk
Thanks Kittenface! These are such a fun bunch to watch :) :)
Do you know how many boys and how many girls? I still haven't found that info anywhere ::)
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susha
I have tried to find out and nothing yet I'm think 3 males and 1 female tho and you know that big ole bully is the female ;D
If I hear anything I'll get right here and let you all know
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Thanks Kittenface! I agree - that loud and pushy one must be a female! Was she the one that flew off and sat on the rod outside the nest for awhile yesterday or was that one of the other ones?
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They switched the view for us
(http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab81/FortStVrain/may%20june%202010/june%20july%202010/Image-9.jpg) (http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab81/FortStVrain/may%20june%202010/june%20july%202010/GR-2.jpg)
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Looks like someone's "flown the coop" - I can only see three. Maybe that's why they swtiched the view...
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Looks like someone's "flown the coop" - I can only see three. Maybe that's why they swtiched the view...
A few of us over at BCAW wrote to them and asked them if they could change the view and we got a reply that it wasn't as easy as throwing a switch or pushing a button but that they would try so today we got our prayers answered ;D and yes there is one MIA but from watching I believe it is off to the right side
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Who needs an alarm clock when you have elk river ;D
ain't that the truth.....I love the sound on this site. One sitting on the 'outer ledge' now.
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# 2 Going
(http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab81/FortStVrain/may%20june%202010/june%20july%202010/6-3.jpg)
going
(http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab81/FortStVrain/may%20june%202010/june%20july%202010/7-2.jpg)
gone
(http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab81/FortStVrain/may%20june%202010/june%20july%202010/8.jpg)
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Love the look on those faces left behind!
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All 4 back for the night and mom is there with them
(http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab81/FortStVrain/may%20june%202010/june%20july%202010/11.jpg) (http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab81/FortStVrain/may%20june%202010/june%20july%202010/12.jpg)
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All tuckered out
(http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab81/FortStVrain/may%20june%202010/june%20july%202010/13.jpg)
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Love the look on those faces left behind!
Ditto, Pam! Very funny! As if to say, "Now where did THEY go?!" :o
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Love the look on those faces left behind!
Ditto, Pam! Very funny! As if to say, "Now where did THEY go?!" :o
That was my big laugh for the day seeing that picture!
Thanks, Kittenface.
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One of the two chicks still remaining in the nestbox just got a food drop from mom, but he/she won't share it with its brother/sister, so the battle is on. I think it is the female with the food, and her brother who is looking for a bite; she has such a large wing spread that she can keep him away very well. Oh, the drama of sibling rivalry!
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Video of them being cute as usual ;D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71WZA8SjkLw
(http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab81/FortStVrain/may%20june%202010/june%20july%202010/c-2.jpg)
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The camera gods on showing us alot more today
(http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab81/FortStVrain/may%20june%202010/june%20july%202010/change.jpg)
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Someone on the camera showed what it looks like where the chicks go
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHpD4vOZfwM
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Someone on the camera showed what it looks like where the chicks go
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHpD4vOZfwM
Tried the link, but it took me to a general page, can't find this video?? Tried a few search terms, but didn't come up with anything. Any tips are appreciated, would love to see this! Thanks!~
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Pam try this I messed the other one up somehow sorry
Oh yea turn the speakers down too ;D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kt3RTuyotQ
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Thanks! I love the speakers way up with these guys, it's hilarious! Very interesting to see the surroundings, looks like lots of safe landing spots!
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Thanks for the link kittenface. Looks like they have quite a large space to roam around and practice. :)
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All 4 home for the night
(http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab81/FortStVrain/may%20june%202010/june%20july%202010/aa-1.jpg)
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Pam try this I messed the other one up somehow sorry
Oh yea turn the speakers down too ;D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kt3RTuyotQ
Thanks for the videos, Kittenface! I love these guys and I love their screaming! Such characters. And how is it that can raptors be so darn cute?!? :-* :-*
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Short slideshow for now anyway ;D
(http://s852.photobucket.com/albums/ab81/FortStVrain/may%20june%202010/june%20july%202010/th_1-14.jpg) (http://s852.photobucket.com/albums/ab81/FortStVrain/may%20june%202010/june%20july%202010/?action=view¤t=92cccccc.pbw) CLICK
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thanks for the video and slideshow kittenface!
I log in periodically and just love this cam!
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Poor mom didn't even get a chance to finish cleaning food before it was taken awy from her ;D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjJHZV_lfss
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You would think the chick was starving!
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I love the look on those chicks faces, while mom was attempting to "prepare" dinner! ;D "Would you hurry it up, already?!" ;)
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All 4 here and fiesty not as loud as you would think
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvPZsQX685U
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The Elk River kids don't like to play in the rain.
(http://members.shaw.ca/ssavoie/june26.jpg)
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That is a very nice picture, 2kawaii.
Like kids lined up at the window waiting for the rain to stop so they can go out and play.
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Poor mom didn't even get a chance to finish cleaning food before it was taken awy from her ;D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjJHZV_lfss
Ungrateful kid!! >:( Rude too -not sharing!
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All 4 here and fiesty not as loud as you would think
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvPZsQX685U
So cute. "Hey! I can do that!! Watch me, see my big wings?!? I can fly too! Here I go...Here I go...See my big wings...here I go...." ::) ::)
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Thanks for sharing the fun, Kittenface! :)
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Thanks for sharing the fun, Kittenface! :)
Oh you so very welcome I just love this nest
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That is a very nice picture, 2kawaii.
Like kids lined up at the window waiting for the rain to stop so they can go out and play.
Love the picture of the 4 of them lined up in the box. It is priceless.
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It looks like this one has lost its colored band what do you think?
(http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab81/FortStVrain/may%20june%202010/june%20july%202010/noband.jpg) (http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab81/FortStVrain/may%20june%202010/june%20july%202010/noband1.jpg)
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Forget what I said about the band I saw it now it must have just be the lighting :-[
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Like the picture of the four lined up. so cute. Have been watching this lone one in the nest.
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Here's the "unofficial" banding report:
3 females - Journey, Falco, and Brooke
1 male - Henry
The Elk River area Journey Home School group watched and named the falcons this year.
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Well so far 2 chicks and one spider
(http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab81/FortStVrain/may%20june%202010/june%20july%202010/june%20july%20pt%202/4.jpg)
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Finally caught one of them flying and it was so graceful ;D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5I1ugh29bI0 37 seconds long
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Oh how they grow up so fast! *oh sigh*
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Well so far 2 chicks and one spider
(http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab81/FortStVrain/may%20june%202010/june%20july%202010/june%20july%20pt%202/4.jpg)
Commentary by allikat:
"Now, I know we're high up but, it's harder than it looks so, I'll go if you go!" :D
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Have they gone?!? Everytime I tune in now, there doesn't seem to be anyone around and I can't hear anyone... :'( :'( :'( :'(
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They are gone but there is still the one that comes around here is a video of mom/dad trying to get it to follow with food but it already was eating at the time it also sounded sort of like an alarm call towards the end
You can barely see it in the back to the right you can see its head moving as its pulling at the food ;D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIRNrGhGVNk
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(http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab81/FortStVrain/may%20june%202010/june%20july%202010/june%20july%20pt%202/Image2.jpg) (http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab81/FortStVrain/may%20june%202010/june%20july%202010/june%20july%20pt%202/Image3.jpg)
Well there are 2 home tonight Feathers are so pretty in the wind
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(http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab81/FortStVrain/may%20june%202010/june%20july%202010/june%20july%20pt%202/Image2.jpg) (http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab81/FortStVrain/may%20june%202010/june%20july%202010/june%20july%20pt%202/Image3.jpg)
Well there are 2 home tonight Feathers are so pretty in the wind
"What do you think? Want to spend the night here for old times' sake?"
"Okay, that's what we'll do - give our fans another chance to view our pretty faces"
Thanks Kittenface! Great photos, as usual and loved hearing the squawking again on the video!
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Here you go susha Hover craft falcon ;D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3uP6dVE7aM 33 seconds long
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That was pretty cool, 8) ;D Thanks kittenface
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I think there is 3 tonight
(http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab81/FortStVrain/may%20june%202010/june%20july%202010/june%20july%20pt%202/1-3.jpg)
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Pretty soft lift-off, though not intended, the chick seems to have figured out a good thing when it happened!
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Oh handsome DAD
(http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab81/FortStVrain/may%20june%202010/june%20july%202010/june%20july%20pt%202/dad-1.jpg)
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2 cuties home
(http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab81/FortStVrain/may%20june%202010/june%20july%202010/june%20july%20pt%202/aaa.jpg)
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Thanks Kittenface, reminded of the DeMortel site where something very similar happened. Great to see ;D ;D
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2 cuties home
(http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab81/FortStVrain/may%20june%202010/june%20july%202010/june%20july%20pt%202/aaa.jpg)
that picture is too cute .. looks like the one is peeking around the side of the photo.
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Mom was here for awhile today lookin beautiful as usual
(http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab81/FortStVrain/may%20june%202010/june%20july%202010/june%20july%20pt%202/mom1.jpg)
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Good video of the hover craft chick.
I am assuming the hover craft chick is okay and did not get hurt in the lift off that seemed to really surprise him/her.
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Good video of the hover craft chick.
I am assuming the hover craft chick is okay and did not get hurt in the lift off that seemed to really surprise him/her.
From What I saw it just went up and a few minutes later I saw it back on the rail
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(http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab81/FortStVrain/may%20june%202010/june%20july%202010/june%20july%20pt%202/juvie.jpg)
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Alittle bit of screaming and playing from today
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2Heen4ixcQ
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Couple juvies there for a bit today again
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5TRnAHKFqg
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I love how they come back to the nestbox for a visit!
Thanks for the videos!
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Poor mom came in and the juvie was having none of that ;D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiQoCM2Ww0g
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Here are a couple pictures from today
(http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab81/FortStVrain/may%20june%202010/june%20july%202010/june%20july%20pt%202/a-2.jpg) (http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab81/FortStVrain/may%20june%202010/june%20july%202010/june%20july%20pt%202/b-1.jpg)
(http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab81/FortStVrain/may%20june%202010/june%20july%202010/june%20july%20pt%202/d-1.jpg) (http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab81/FortStVrain/may%20june%202010/june%20july%202010/june%20july%20pt%202/e.jpg)
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Dad was there and a juvie started screaming and chased him away
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p25Oyna3fFU 35 seconds long
(http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab81/FortStVrain/may%20june%202010/june%20july%202010/june%20july%20pt%202/dad-2.jpg)
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Mom was there to
Now if I can get a good picture of them together ;D
(http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab81/FortStVrain/may%20june%202010/june%20july%202010/june%20july%20pt%202/mom-1.jpg)
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Juvie was there today for a bit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MG9KYi0BkI
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Yes, and I see that perhaps a friend, or a sibling, flew by, as he said hello before he decided to go for some rest and relaxation on top of the nestbox.
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They turned the camera off this is first time in 3 yrs that I've been watching it that they ahve turned it off
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They turned the camera off this is first time in 3 yrs that I've been watching it that they ahve turned it off
Oh darn! Sometimes I go on this camera in the middle of winter...don't know why, but maybe it's just wishful thinking that a falcon will be there. ::)
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This is absolutely one of my favorite cams. Other sites are so burdened with difficulties, what with the urban environment and everything else, so it is such a relief to come here and see the calmness of this nestbox, with or without the falcons. I wish they would turn the cam back on for the fall and winter.
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They turned the camera off this is first time in 3 yrs that I've been watching it that they ahve turned it off
Oh darn! Sometimes I go on this camera in the middle of winter...don't know why, but maybe it's just wishful thinking that a falcon will be there. ::)
I know what you mean I watched it all winter saw alot of snow but then sometimes you could catch the pigeons and starlings I watched it all winter its going to be wierd cuz it is the first thing I turn on and I've already caught myself turning it on when the computer gets tuned in ::)
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2011 NESTING SEASON
GRE cam is up and running and someone is home right now...on top of the nestbox!!
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And there is someone there right now; I cannot see any leg band.
This is such a good falcon cam, and I am glad it is up and running despite the snow and cold weather in Minnesota right now.
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I just got a good look at this falcon, and I believe that it is the same female as last year, based on the photos from the 2010 season.
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Falcon in the nestbox, I believe the female, doing some housecleaning and calling for help with the work, but no sign yet of a helper. So, she decided to have a snooze. I will watch for her mate to show up.
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Dad showed up from migration today!! He's been photo ID"d by the BCAW watchers and he and mom were bonding in the box just awhile ago!
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Thanks for letting us know, Carly; I saw the female off and on over the past few days in the nestbox, but no male, so I am very happy that he has finally arrived. And so is our female falcon, I am sure!
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Falcon in the nestbox doing his leg exercises just now. He is the male from last year, judging from the full black cap, and from the photos from 2010; he is the third photo in from last year, and a rather fierce-looking fellow he is, too, in this photo.
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Hmmm....it appears that Elk River got the snow Winnipeg was suppose to get. ;D
Was watching the birdies this morning at work, sitting in the snow covered box , it still snowing and icicles dripping down the camera shot....bird thinking "Now why did we come back this early???". ???
Couldn't get a screen shot on the computer at work but I can get one now that I'm home. Appears the sun has now come out for the afternoon and most of the snow on the box has melted; birdie looks much happier.
(http://www.members.shaw.ca/ssavoie/Elk River March 23.jpg)
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Here is our male from last year, a rather surly-looking fellow. He and his mate are both back this year. I hope the weather improves for them soon - I think he needs to have something to smile about!
(http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h343/Eli-oop/th_archive10_3.jpg)
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Our female was busy making a scrape in the nestbox this morning; she called for the male a couple of times, but so far he has not appeared on the scene.
The camera is really blurry these days, and I sent a message to Great River Energy, but so far have not heard back from them about camera adjustments.
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Caught mom laying her first egg at 8:22 am this morning... :-*
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Looks like two eggs now, 3:30 p.m. MST.
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It looks like our falcon couple here have decided that two eggs is all they can handle this year. Mom and dad have been taking turns brooding on the eggs, and I imagine they would not be doing this yet if they had any intention of producing more.
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It looks like our falcon couple here have decided that two eggs is all they can handle this year. Mom and dad have been taking turns brooding on the eggs, and I imagine they would not be doing this yet if they had any intention of producing more.
It's still a bit chilly there so when the sun is off the box - it's not unusual for a parent to be on them to keep them warm. The temps in the evening have been low 30's this week so that might explain it. They have the same weather we do and with the wind chill it can feel quite cold still.
If you watch Terminal Towers in Ohio, SW has been on the eggs since the first one she laid due to the temperatures there and she laid 4 so I'm still thinking we'll get our 4 here mom usually produces.
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Thanks for the info, Carly. It helps to clarify things, as I was a bit concerned that our prolific pair here were not up to the task this year.
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Three eggs this morning :-* :-* :-*
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Is anyone else having trouble finding the birdcam? I keep landing where it used to be, but absolutely no cam or any sign that it was ever there. I gather they were working on something, but don't know if the cam is gone for good, gone for a while, or just hidden where I can't find it.
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Is anyone else having trouble finding the birdcam? I keep landing where it used to be, but absolutely no cam or any sign that it was ever there. I gather they were working on something, but don't know if the cam is gone for good, gone for a while, or just hidden where I can't find it.
Was working fine just a minute ago when I tried. Sometimes they do change the address but we do try to keep it up-to-date on the Cam Link thread (http://www.species-at-risk.mb.ca/projects/pfrp/forum/programs/index.php/topic,632.0.html). Click on the link, then on the nestbox image. Started up right away for me, but she wasn't moving much so it took me a few seconds to realize that it was streaming ....
Hope this helps ...
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It was down all day yesterday - which sucked as egg 4 was due last night!
Then kitten said she had it up for a few minutes but I got nothing all day. Hopefully it's something they can fix fast
Lol...as soon as I hit post..the cam came on for me...working as intended now ::)
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Shift change and 4 eggs :-* :-* :-* :-*
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Kitten has just alerted us to the fact that Dad has been on the eggs since last night..no sign of Mom anywhere.
If anyone spots her please let us know as it's worrying to have mom gone for so long :(
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Dad just got up and left after sitting outside a bit, not a good sign. Mom where are you :'(
I've emailed the site to see if anyone is there and can check the grounds for her.
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Still no sign of the female. I have also sent a message to the contact at Elk River. Things were going so well here. This is so upsetting.
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Thanks carly for coming and asking I was on my way over and see you beat me to it, the more eyes the better right?
Keeping positive but it sure is getting harder while I watch sweet dad looking so tired and sad
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Yes the more eyes the better, I know alot of people here watch that site too. Thanks so much Elaine for sending in your email, every contact helps!
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There's a bird back on the eggs right now, but I don't know which one it is. :-\ Not good at all, though, if mom is missing. :(
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There's a bird back on the eggs right now, but I don't know which one it is. :-\ Not good at all, though, if mom is missing. :(
Still dad KC .
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Still dad KC .
OK, but please let us know just as soon as you hear anything, carly. :-*
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The male is still on the eggs, he is loyal and courageous, but he cannot do this by himself, and with no sign of the female, we have to assume she is injured or deceased, as she would never stay away this long. This is so heart-breaking. And no word from anyone at Elk River.
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The male got up, stood briefly on the perch and then flew off. He is now back after a few minutes, and is settling over the eggs again.
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Yeah not looking good here I'm afraid. I'll be up early tomorrow keeping watch. Thanks to everyone for watching with us, the more eyes the better.
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Oh this is so sad. :( If the female doesn't show up very soon, how long would the male try to do this by himself?
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He is still there, covering the eggs. He is often looking out, still hopeful. Think how hungry he must be after all this time.
So sad to watch.
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Still no sign of mom this morning. Dad took a break earlier but he's back on the eggs now.
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This is so sad! Is there any way that one parent can do this alone? :'(
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Great River UPDATE from Amy she posted for all to see at RRP
Kitten, I replied to your message but wanted to post so everyone knew. Mom is missing. Bob called around yesterday to try to find an incubator, and is headed up Monday with quail for the male. About five years ago Lolo, the female at Horizon, was injured and couldn't fly to the nestbox, but could flutter well enough to keep away from any people. Bob supplied quail to the plant manager, who put a quail out for Lolo and the male everyday. He incubated the eggs successfully while she healed. Eventually, she healed well enough to return to the nestbox and the eggs survived her absence.
We may try doing something like that again. I'll keep everyone posted.
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Thanks for the update Kitten. I'm sure there are many folks who are following this story closely and hoping for the best for this family.
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Oh, I do so hope that they can put a plan into action and it works out, not only for the eggs, which are so close to hatching, but for the female. The male is so dedicated, but he looks exhausted, and he is not spending much time looking for food, so he must be very hungry.
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When is the expected hatch date?
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Dad left at approx 12:36, came back at 12:46.
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Dad was off the nest for a little. I'm not sure for how long exactly, but when i opened the web cam the eggs were just sitting there. A few minutes later Dad returned and got all snuggled back in.
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When is the expected hatch date?
They only started incubation on around April 11th so at least 3 weeks to go.
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The male had been quiet quiet, dozing intermittently, and then flew off at 6:13, returning at 6:15 (forum time.)
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Dad still incubating right now but appears to be looking around. He must be very hungry. :'( Sure hope Bob is able to drop off some quail for him.
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The male is still incubating the eggs.
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5:49 am and dad is in the house.
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He's such a good dad! :-* :-*
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Is anybody else having problems getting the cam to work this morning? ???
I wonder if it's off coz they're doing something to help dad and the eggs...I hope so :-\
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Is anybody else having problems getting the cam to work this morning? ???
I wonder if it's off coz they're doing something to help dad and the eggs...I hope so :-\
Since the cam box is missing entirely vs just black, I would say they have disconnected the feed to the website entirely which probably means they are doing something or something has happened. Just my best guess.
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Thanks TPC. It's reassuring to know that they're likely doing something for that hungry and tired dad. :-*
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They aren't there yet, the site cam is black though but there is a wmp link I'm using and I can see dad dozing on the eggs. They are an hour behind EST so it's 9:30 ish there. Should be something happening soon I expect. (I don't usually use the alternate links as I respect how that can cause issues however I was worried so I have it up just for now.) They might be on site and preparing though I expect.
I'll let you know if anything happens. Poor dad just got up and had a hard time standing, his legs got tangled up under him but he's readjusting his position. Now he's eating pebbles :-\
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I tried the original link and it seems to be working. Dad is lying on the eggs and looking around a bit but very little movement. Sure hope he gets some food soon!! :-[
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This is just a suggestion from a coordinator of a similar project and while this will not be news or new to most everyone, I'm going to put on my coordinator hat and say it out loud any way.
Since GRE has taken the cam image off their official website that would seem to indicate that they are concerned enough about what is coming or could happen that they don't want to broadcast it live to the world. It is also entirely possible that they have been fielding so many queries/demands that they have had to take the image down purely for self-preservation.
Since you have the unofficial link and if you decide to keep watching it, my suggestion would be to not send inquiries or concerns to GRE or the project. When they have things sorted or things sort themselves out, we will get an official statement. As noted elsewhere on this thread, there are plans in place but no plan is foolproof and things that can go wrong do go wrong even when everything that can be done is being done and done properly. My suggestion is to just watch and wait and hope for the best. The project folks and GRE has been very good with/for these peregrines but too much negative publicity or public demands (particularly when we know they are working on a solution) could be enough to make all those involved reconsider the value of a cam on this nestbox - particularly when there are lots of peregrine cams out there now.
Do hope they manage to save the eggs and help out the male, he's had a tough slog of it so far, even though he's been through something similar in the past.
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Points taken TPC and no worries - I am not going to bother them with questions. Bob has an excellent reputation helping out the falcons, he's the biologist and he's saved many a bird in nests down there so I trust whatever they have planned will be in the best interests of the species.
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Thanks for your voice of reason (as always) TPC. We all want what's best for the birds, after all, and must just be patient, knowing that they're in good hands.
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The cam is still down. Watching and waiting.
There is now a notice on their site
The Great River Energy birdcam is temporarily unavailable. Stay tuned for updates.
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No updates yet on the GRE webcam site.
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I received a message from Elk River this morning (dated yesterday), saying that they are aware of the problem with the missing female and that they are working on it.
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Any more news? Nothing on the site.
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Any more news? Nothing on the site.
I have been wondering the same thing. ???
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Now, there is news on the website, and it is not good:
We're sorry to report that our peregrine falcon family is no longer nesting at Elk River Energy Recovery Station. The female falcon disappeared on Friday, April 22. Great River Energy staff searched a two mile radius and investigated the plant site and surrounding area for the female falcon. The male falcon attempted to incubate the eggs but eventually left the nesting box.] We're sorry to report that our peregrine falcon family is no longer nesting at Elk River Energy Recovery Station. The female falcon disappeared on Friday, April 22. Great River Energy staff searched a two mile radius and investigated the plant site and surrounding area for the female falcon. The male falcon attempted to incubate the eggs but eventually left the nesting box.
No other information provided. This is very discouraging.
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:'( :'( :'( :'(
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Oh, this is so very sad. :'( I wonder if there will be an attempt to rescue the eggs? ???
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Oh, this is so very sad. :'( I wonder if there will be an attempt to rescue the eggs? ???
Doesn't sound like it now KC but we'll see. I expect they'll just chalk it up to nature and hope he'll find a new mate?
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:'( This is so sad. This nest was always a joy to watch. It is better that it is only eggs and not chicks that could possibly end up suffering.
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I hope the male is healthy.
His instinct was so strong to incubate that he went a long time without eating.
Finally, his instinct for self preservation must have overcome his parenting urge.
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Something about this is not right. I know he'd have to abandon the eggs for self preservation but the site? I'm not buying it.
The fact that the biologists are silent speaks volumes - they are good people but perhaps they had no choice in the outcome - even though they wanted to help.
Look at Alcoa in Australia and how they tried to get rid of the falcons there...
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Is it possible the male is still episodically incubating, or are you concerned that the eggs were just taken, not rescued?
They don't want to show the cam, because they are getting so much public comment?
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Well first off, he'd never abandon his site..he migrates year after year to come home to this site. He was only incubating around 11 days...not too late to find a new mate and reclutch as they are later nesters ...like your birds out west. There are alot of female floaters in that area as attested to by the number of territorial fights/ intrusions over the years there.
Perhaps they didn't want to save the eggs and have people watch...no issue with that as it does happen. One mate dies and hard for a parent on their own and given they weren't far into incubation, no one would blame them I'm sure. If it was a few days to hatch, that's another story.
Maybe I"m reading too much into it but they just seemed to have turned the cam off and are saying 'nothing to see here now move along'. Perhaps it's someone with no writing skills but I"m worried as they recently took down alot of nest sites on their property citing the birds were interfering with power lines, etc so I'm hoping they aren't planning to do the same here.
If they want to save money by turning the cams off..I can understand that too, as TPC explained to us the cost so totally understandable. But no message saying if things change, we'll resume where we left off or anything.
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No more coverage would be unfortunate for us.
Actually removing the nest box would be a terrible thing to do as it has been so successful and productive for years.
It is heartening to think the male may have another chance this year, and it would seem ideal if it could be at the site he has known.
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Would he avoid this site if the eggs remain there, or will he remove them? Trey/Princess here have removed 'non-viable' eggs in past during incubation, I believe.
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Keep in mind that the female went missing!
The male was there incubating for days without food!
Instinct to eat will take over.
Perhaps the eggs were not removed and they do not want people watching an empty nest with eggs.
Let's not make assumptions just yet, however, it is unfortunate for the peregrine falcons to have lost out.
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On the Elk River cam site, with the sad update, is this notice which should help us remain hopeful about this falcon nestsite and cam.
Great River Energy's Elk River Energy Recovery Station is a perfect site for a nesting box because it is located in a peregrine falcon migratory flyway. The site, beside the Mississippi River, is also a draw because the birds prefer to nest in high locations near water. In recent history, power plants have had the best peregrine production rates in the Midwest.
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He was eating from his cache allikat. And I used to work for a power plant years ago - hence the cynicism but I will hope for the best or at the very least ...a better communications person :P
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I don't have any details, but its possible that the biologists have candled the eggs and know that they have failed and have removed them. The eggs would keep the male trying to incubate - projects used to use dummy eggs to keep birds on nests for short periods of time until chicks or fertilized eggs could be substituted.
And reading the original note posted here, it didn't say he abandonned the site (or am I missing a later note?) but rather that he left the nestbox. If the eggs aren't there, he won't be either.
As for turning the cam off, if the birds aren't there, there really is no point in leaving it on. The male might or might not come back. If another female were to turn up and he should try to renest, the equipment is still there. If he doesn't find a new mate, he could stick to the territory or he could take off to better feeding areas in a while.
We could hear more about the situation later or a new lady will arrive and we get to start from the beginning again ...
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I am very disappointed here. I wish they wold give us the facts and not wishy washy. sorry for being candid but this is does not weigh right with me.
They could have put in dummy eggs. all sorts of possibilities.
Shut up now BEV ;)
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I am very disappointed here. I wish they wold give us the facts and not wishy washy. sorry for being candid but this is does not weigh right with me.
They could have put in dummy eggs. all sorts of possibilities.
Shut up now BEV ;)
And maybe we will hear more. It is possible that the eggs are being incubated and they are going to wait and see what happens. Putting dummy eggs in the box when its just the male is hard to justify since he will keep putting his health at risk to keep incubating what he could believe are real eggs. No one would want to continue to subject the bird to more physical stress. It is very hard to tell what birds are going to do in cases like this. They go off pattern. When the biologists have a better idea of what he's going to do, if another female turns up, if, if, if.
The last point to make is that just because there is a webcam doesn't mean that anyone is responsible to share all the details with the viewing public. Elk River does provide some information on the goings on, but they aren't like the Columbus site or the CPF sites or even this site where we have chosen to share more details. But its a double-edged sword, being more forthcoming is time-consuming and from time to time its hard to justify the problems that can arise. :)
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SGB has had a response from Jennifer at GRE and she (Jennifer) agreed that SGB could post this explanation for all of Mom and Dad's fans and SGB and Kitten asked to post it here as well:
Thank you for your email regarding the Elk River peregrine falcons.
I can assure you that all of us at Great River Energy are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our female. She has been with us for four years and we considered her a part of our family. It is such fun to watch these little falcon families develop each year. We are so very sad that we cannot see that again this year.
One employee in particular keeps a very close eye on the falcons, monitoring their well being. When our female went missing last Friday morning, this employee – on their own personal time – spent much of the weekend searching the Elk River area for the missing falcon. We simply do not know what happened to the falcon. Sadly, we’re sure it was something tragic as that is the only thing that would keep her from returning to her eggs.
Once we determined that the female was not coming back we sprang into action. We wanted to do all that we could to help the male and those four precious eggs. Unfortunately, we were unable to obtain the proper permits needed to allow us to rescue the eggs. I can’t go into specifics as I do not want to point any fingers but, again, I can assure you that Great River Energy employees did all that we could to save those eggs.
I have been following some of the comments on the Bird Cams Around the World forum and realize that these birds mean a great deal to many people. I want to clarify that we did not attempt to remove the eggs and that the male falcon was not harmed in any way. He valiantly tried to incubate the eggs but in the end, he left the nest.
The decision to turn off our bird cam was not a financial one; there simply is nothing to see in the box at this time. We are hoping beyond hope that the male falcon (who has been with us for five years) will find another mate yet this year and return to the box to nest again. If that does happen we will turn on the cam.
We are dedicated to these peregrine falcons – that is why we set up the nesting box in the first place! :) We too hope they will return.
I hope I’ve cleared up a few of the unknowns for you and the other falcon watchers.
Best regards,
Jennifer
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nice to get the scoop on the nest. It was a very nice letter.
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Thanks for the post, Carly.
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Yes, thank you Carly for the post. Very nice to hear of the dedication/caring of the folks at GRE.
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Thanks to SkyGirlBlue and Kittenface for having Jennifer's thoughtful letter made available to our forum via Carly!
It's good to know the details, and even better to understand that this nest box is watched over by compassionate, dedicated people on site.
It sounds like the GRE people have some Phanatics on staff. Yay!
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Thanks for posting Jennifer's explanation as to the status of these eggs & the nest. Nice to hear what has happened and that an effort was made to attempt to rescue the eggs, but that it wasn't possible. Hope male finds a new mate, in due time.
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News from Elk River:
The male has attracted a female. They are engaging in courtship behavior.
The female is 2007 Dot (M56 blk/grn) from Black Dog, mother was Nora.
Apparently this was posted on the BCAW site from Brenda who is from GRE and was the person that searched for three days for the lost female. There also pictures of Dot showing her band numbers.
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A little wait, some watching and just a smidgeon of luck and we could all be watching the Elk River cam again in a little while.
I think I'll wait a wee bit longer though until I put Dot's name on the subject line ... just so we don't jinx it. :)
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The camera is up and running, and Great River has provided a message about what happened here. I hope we will see the male and his new mate, Dot, produce some eggs.
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Just got this email about Great/Elk River
Hi Jannice and Mary Anne,
I see you have already received the word that our male falcon found a new mate! We are so excited.
The other good news is that the cam went back on about an hour ago. Feel free to spread the word!
Brenda thinks (based on the way the birds have been behaving) that we may see eggs in a week or two. :)
Thanks again for watching,
Jennifer
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Well done Mr GRE!
Wasn't sure how y'all were going to do without the Elk River cam to watch - it was the one everyone turned to when we lost the chicks in 2008 ...
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Very very long bonding session
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unveRF1-Eoo
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What a beautiful love story video. Thanks for the link, kittenface.
It made me teary to watch this "pre-chick flick."
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Well nice to see that he found a new mate and the web feed is back online. :) She certainly is chatty!
Very very long bonding session
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unveRF1-Eoo
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Woo-hoo!!! So happy he found another girl!!
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No birdie in the nestbox right now. Darn. :(
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Falcon in the nestbox, having a look around at the scenery. I think it is the female, based on the fact that the it does not look like the male's head cap, which is totally black. Whoever it is, he/she seems very relaxed. I hope we will see eggs here, but I do not see any evidence of scrapes.
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To those of you who watch this site more diligently than I do, the male is unbanded correct? If that's so, it will make it much easier to keep track of who is who on camera since I know the female does have bands!
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Yes dad is unbanded TPC.
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Male in nestbox this morning. Very windy. Heard the train go by with that long, long whistle. All of a sudden female appeared, and joined him in box, lots of conversation and bowing, then male took off, much to the female's surprise, it seemed. Anyway, she perched on nestbox ledge and watched him flying around, putting on a show for her, I presume. Dot looks to be a very attractive, full-grown falcon. I hope they have eggs.
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First egg..just laid now..for Dot and Dad!!! :-*
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You beat me to the punch Carly. I figured they must have had an egg by the way the falcon kept looking down and then saw it when she turned more towards the camera.
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So glad you're watching too eagle!! :-*
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Just checking in and I see the egg, but nobirdie on it. Sure hope Dot or Dad show up soon and that there are more eggs where that one came from ;)
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That's wonderful news! 8)
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I am so pleased that things are looking much better now at this site. Dot is in the nestbox right now, looking around, up and down, so I expect that Dad is close by and flying around.
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I can't quite tell if there is a leg band, so don't know which bird is in the box.
The parent is standing over the egg and often looking down at it, proudly, I would suspect.
This is such a happy turn around for this site!
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Each time I've checked in this evening, I see Dot or Dad standing over the egg, but not doing much of anything else. Last night, somebirdie was standing over the egg and moving quite a bit so I'd hoped that it was Dot and that she was getting ready to lay another egg. But alas, looks like still only one egg and it almost seems as though the bird isn't quite sure what to do with it ::)
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Eggs are laid on average about 48 hours apart, so they are doing just fine so far (first egg on the 11th). Incubation won't start until the penultimate (second last) egg is laid, so y'all will still need to wait a bit longer ...
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Eggs are laid on average about 48 hours apart, so they are doing just fine so far (first egg on the 11th). Incubation won't start until the penultimate (second last) egg is laid, so y'all will still need to wait a bit longer ...
Thanks for this info, TPC, I just learned 2 new things about peregrine falcons! 8)
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The lovely Dot has been hanging about the nest box for most of the afternoon. She may be coming up to the second egg laying!
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She hopped in and inspected the first egg, then had a go at trying hard for another, with fluffing and "crouching" and shuffling, and then checking underneath.
Now she is back on the ledge contemplating life.
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Thanks for the info, TPC! I think I can see a second egg there now :)
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The lighting is sort of weird, but I agree with you, Susha, it looks like there are now two eggs!
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Aha, that could be why she was so unsettlede when I watched her earlier! ;D
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She is looking settled now, Sami, as she sits on the ledge. There are TWO eggs behind her, clearly seen, at last.
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Two eggs clearly visible this morning as falcon sits serenely on perch, gazing out towards the river (train passing!)
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Dot thought she'd try sitting over the eggs for a bit, but got distracted by nest-cleaning (in a manner reminiscent of good ol' Trey!) and hoovered her way off the eggs.
Now she's sitting in the box, but with her neck stuck out like a vulture so that she has a good view of what's going on outside. Now she's picking at her toes. Is she distracted because she's thinking of laying another egg? Whatever, she's feeling talkative right now!
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Still only 2 eggs. Dot is off them right now, perched on the nestledge, surveying her kingdom, I imagine. ;) Either that, or waiting to be relieved of egg duty by "?". :)
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Love this cam, and love the birds!
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Sigh, where would we be without the falcons?
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If Dot is following TPC's predictions she will be on egg laying duty in another 24 hours. She does seem happy to hang close to the nestbox between eggs.
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Still only 2 eggs. Dot is on the nestbox ledge again. She sure is a beautiful looking bird! :)
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Might be just two eggs :-\ Looks like Dot has started to incubate :) Thought I might catch a third egg being laid, but instead enjoyed watching Mom settling herself down onto the eggs.
(I think it's Dot ::))
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Maybe I spoke too soon ??? ???
She doesn't seem very committed to staying on those eggs.
Maybe there's another egg coming :)
I'm confused. :P
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Didn't TPC say that incubation could start after the penultimate egg? Maybe does she know she is about to lay her last egg this evening?
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Maybe I spoke too soon ??? ???
She doesn't seem very committed to staying on those eggs.
Maybe there's another egg coming :)
I'm confused. :P
She'll settle, just have to wait :)
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The calm, reassuring voice of reason :-* As always.
I knew you'd be able to tell us what was going on, TPC.
We so want this new family to be successful, regardless of the number of eggs :)
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2145 hrs (Wpg)
Just had a look at whomever is in the box right now and that looks pretty much like an incubation posture to me ... it may not be hard incubation right from the start, particularly if its warm outside but that bird is tucked down nicely to my eye.
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I noticed yesterday that Dad/Question Mark was sitting over the eggs quite a bit while he was in the nestbox, but Dot was still jumpy and moving about.
Early morning and THREE eggs visible!
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Whoo hoo!!! Three eggs! :-* :-* :-*
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Hooray for Dot and her 3 eggs! :D
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That's Dad on the eggs right now, I recognize his full black cap. Dot must have decided she needed a break and some exercise.
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How great to see that Dad back on a clutch of eggs!
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I couldn't agree with you more, bcbird! ;D
(What a silly expression! I actually could agree with you more - I agree!! I agree!!! I agree!!!!)
There, I agreed with you more, bcbird! :D
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Oh, Susha, you are so agreeable!
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The parent on the eggs just got up to stretch, but the eggs are in the shade and I couldn't see well to count them. As there was not mention of restlessness and possible laying last night, I would assume Dot stopped at three.
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I believe you are right, BCBird. Dad is on the eggs right now, looking very alert and full of pep, which is surprising, as I am sure it has crossed his mind at one time or another that it has been a heck of a long wait for the eggs to hatch this year! (Ha, ha).
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Oh, Elaine, he got a bit of a break while finding the new girlfriend.
That might explain the sparkle in his eye!
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Ha, Ha! That is very funny, BCBird!
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It is wonderful to watch this site at night, when our falcon on the eggs is sleeping, the traffic in the background is muted, there are soft lights in the distance, and everything is peaceful. What a perfect moment.
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Yes, I know what you mean, it is very peaceful, Elaine. :)
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Isn't it now...
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Dad is on the eggs; he is so very distinctive, with that black cap that covers his whole head, you can barely see his eyes. Dot must have gone for her morning constitutional; I don't care where she goes, as long as she does not go missing in action.
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Does anyone remember when these are due to hatch? I've lost track.
Thanks
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Does anyone remember when these are due to hatch? I've lost track.
Thanks
The site says around June 18th.
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It's the 18th and Dot is looking all fluffed out, talking to her toes (as TPC would say ;D)
Exciting, exciting!
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Not 100% sure but I think I might have seen a pip in one of the eggs. Mom sure is busy trying to get comfortable on those eggs.
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I can hear peeping, and I think I saw a pip. Dot is all puffed up like a puffer fish, and she is really restless.
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Definitely one little chick this morning, though Dot wouldn't stand up and let me get a good look - no matter how much I pleaded with her! Though when she was shuggling around I did manage to see one little one. Don't know if there was another or if it was just a piece of eggshell - if only she would stand up! Can't watch any more right now, have to get to church.
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Oh yes! I see the eggshell!! We have a chick it seems :)
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Two fluffies! Just saw them ;D ;D Looks like they're waiting for a meal. Dot did some kakking at someone and readjusted herself on her family - might be a feeding soon.
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Haven't seen a feeding yet, but just tuned in to see more eggshells. Mom is fluffed out a lot and keeps talking to fluffies under her. Can't see any sign of intact eggs, just fluffy white bits when she moves around. Could it be that we have four babies? :)
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Shift change. Three chicks and one egg ;)
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Hard not to think of 2008 when the Elk River chicks were the same age as the Radisson chicks ... and this year they are so much younger :)
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If the first lot of eggs had hatched (abandoned when the female disappeared), there would have been chicks closer in age. It's just fortunate that Dot came along in time for the second lot of eggs to be laid and hatched. Right now there looks to be an egg pushed aside - maybe just a large piece of shell. Dot keeps looking around but isn't about too move to let anyone get a look. (At least I think it's Dot).
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If the first lot of eggs had hatched (abandoned when the female disappeared), there would have been chicks closer in age.
I'm so glad you mentionned this Sami, I thought there had been eggs laid much earlier at this site!! Thank you!
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Seems to be three chicks under Dot, but she is really rough with them; I just saw her peck at one to move it further under her, and it did not seem to be moving at all; and I saw the male earlier as he came in, looked around, and left, and I am not certain if this was Dad or a different male, as this male did not seem to have the full black cap. I just don't know what's what anymore.
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Has anyone seen her feed them??
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I can no longer view this Cam at work, but I checked on the Bird Cams Around the World site to see what is happened here. The postings there indicate that everyone was worried about Dot and the way she was treating the chicks, but eventually she figured out what to do when the chicks crawled towards her, and she fed them, even though it wasn't clear whether she was feeding them or pecking at them. As of this morning, though, she seems to have figured it all out, and the site says that all the chicks are alive and have been fed. As for Dad, no one seems to know if this is original dad or a new dad.
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For first time Mums, it is not unusual for there to be problems in the beginning (tab a into slot b kind of thing) but when they do it, it clicks and its as if they have been doing it forever!
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Video of fourth chick hatching and for some reason the first few seconds the image is upside down. ::)
CLICK PICTURE
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/Misc%20US%20Falcon%20video/th_ElkRiverhatching.jpg) (http://s803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/Misc%20US%20Falcon%20video/?action=view¤t=ElkRiverhatching.mp4)
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Whether Dad or another male - sure hopes he brings food. Would hate to see another failure at this nest this year.
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Thanks, RCF, I've been remiss in checking this cam!
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Goodmorning folks. I've been watching a feeding this morning and this mom seems to be lost in terms of how to feed the chicks. She really struggles with which screaming chick should get the little bite so she ends up swallowing it herself. Over and over again. One chick in the middle of the feeding frenzy appeared to be dead then after quite some time got up but is now lying down again. I'll be amazed if four chicks survive and fledge. I found this early morning feeding hard to watch, 6:15'ish. If anyone else has observed a feeding I'd be interested to know how it went.
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Perhaps the chick that appears dead and can hardly get up to feed was only hatched overnight?? Not sure when the fourth hatch happened.
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I think all the chicks got fed at least a little bit, but they are just little and probably don't really need to eat a lot.
Video of 8am feed - http://youtu.be/Zy91pVbbT0M
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At least one of the adult birds seems to know how to feed. It may look like the chicks aren't getting much, but they are only a few days old, and we're probably getting used to seeing the massive amounts being swallowed by the Radisson four!
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Thanks for the link, rcm. I've been trying to see a feeding and keep missing them. So glad to see that all four seem healthy and well fed. I agree Sami - we're so used to seeing our big Radissons and getting-so-big Brandons as they all chow down so efficiently, that we easily forget the little fluffy, floppy pip-squeak stage!
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Caught a feeding a while ago - reminds me of the videos Tracy posted last year of Jules feeding! All four had their heads up, mouths open, I'm sure they will manage!
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Saw her feeding the little fluffs this morning, and feel better about things. She has them all tucked underneath now. Aren't instincts amazing!!
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All seems well here, as Dot and Dad have got everything figured out, and are working together very well now at feeding the chicks. Dad is on the chicks now, and is very recognizable with that large black cap.
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Can't tell which parent is on the chicks now, but whoever it is, has his/her head turned 'round and tucked behind wing. I've seen lots of other birds do this while sleeping/resting, but never a Peregrine parent sitting on chicks :-\ I love how we get to see so many interesting individual traits in these creatures by watching them on the cams :-*
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A report this morning on the Bird Cams Around the World site says that Dot is getting much better at feeding all her chicks, not just some of them, but that she is looking the worse for wear. She is likely a first-time mother, and is really frazzled keeping up with the demands of four chicks.
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I just tuned into Elk River when Mom went and go the food Dad brought back. She is like an old pro now feeding her little ones. Everyone got fed to the point they fell asleep.
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This family is looking great - four healthy and thriving chicks! So great to see after the loss of the first female and of the first nest. :-*
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A very funny video posted yesterday on BCAW of Dad and Dot. I guess Dad decided the chicks needed more food, so he came into the nestbox and started feeding the chicks, and Dot showed up, complaining loudly. I guess now that she has this whole "birthin' babies" process figured out, she thinks she should be the only one to feed them, but Dad ignored her. Almost the whole time Dad was feeding the clamouring chicks, Dot loudly carried on, but this is one dad who is not easily intimidated. At the end, he stuffs a piece of food in Dot's mouth, which silenced her protest, and he took off. This was hilarious.
Here is the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6MNsug-WqE&feature=player_embedded
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...wow, was she ever mad :o..pretty confident male, didn't pay the slightest bit of attention to her until the very end ;D...loved the video!
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For some strange reason, I am able to get this site at work; I cannot get the others, like the Winnipeg and Brandon sites, so go figure. Anyway, here is the message from the site about the banding:
The Raptor Resource Project will be onsite Friday, July 8 in the afternoon to band the four eyasses. The young birds will be removed from the nest during banding. Do not be alarmed if they have temporarily disappeared that afternoon. We will leave our Birdcam on during the banding so you may see the action!
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I am surprisingly still able get this FalconCam at work, and watched the video of the banding; sorry, I don't know how to post the video here, here is the link to it at BCAW Elk River Forum: http://www.peregrinefalcon-bcaw.net/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=988
If you watch, be prepared: this guy comes up on the cherry picker and yanks out two of the chicks by their legs, like a sack of potatoes. Then he comes back with a big stick, and I think, My God, what is he going to do with that stick? and he uses it to drag the other two closer to him. This was not a gentle, dignified banding, in other words. Meanwhile, Dot and Dad are flying about making lots of racket, but they did not attack. If that had been Madame X in Hamilton, she would have removed the guy's shirt for him.
No details yet as to the sexes.
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If that had been Madame X in Hamilton, she would have removed the guy's shirt for him.
;D ;D ;D ;D
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Whoa, Elaine! What a description of the whole banding proceedure! :o
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We have two males and two females. Here is the report from the Elk River site:
The Raptor Resource Project was on site today to band the four eyasses. The banding was a success, despite the hot weather. The eyasses – two males and two females – appeared to be healthy. The males are named Wayne and Hanson, after Wayne Hanson, Great River Energy’s former director of Minnesota generation, who recently passed away. The females are named Elisabeth and Skye, chosen from a list of names provided by students from Salk Middle School in Elk River, Minn. A group of students from the middle school closely followed the birds during the school year and a few students from the group attended the banding. The young birds will now begin to learn to fly and fend for themselves. We expect they will remain in and around the nesting box for the next several weeks.
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Just watched the youtube video of the Elk River Energy "Banding Day for Dot's Chicks". Tracy, if you get the chance to look at it I'm hoping that you'll respond with how you feel they handled the chicks there. If you would call the jerk that pulled them out of the nest a "jerk"?? or would you say what he did was perfectly fine?? If you say no comment I'll understand ;) ;)
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The guy who took them out was handling them pretty rough I thought.
At least the girl returning the chick was gentle when she put them back in the nest.
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Just watched the youtube video of the Elk River Energy "Banding Day for Dot's Chicks". Tracy, if you get the chance to look at it I'm hoping that you'll respond with how you feel they handled the chicks there. If you would call the jerk that pulled them out of the nest a "jerk"?? or would you say what he did was perfectly fine?? If you say no comment I'll understand ;) ;)
I watched the video twice and although not a "pretty" exit, the gentleman who retrieved the chicks did an quick efficient job. As to catching them by their feet, of all their body parts, those are the strongest - catching them by a wing could have caused damage, I try to avoid wings at banding at all costs. At this age, the chicks lash out with their feet so avoiding them is often not an option and he may have had them by the feet but they certainly had him as well (that's experience speaking). If you watch the video, it takes him 58 seconds to get all four chicks out of that box and into in the cherrypicker and while certainly don't a dignified exit for three of them, "pretty" isn't a requirement, safe and quick is. And watching the video, the chicks were never in danger, unhappy, but not in danger.
I can say that I wouldn't want to have to try to retrieve those chicks from that box, its not an easy angle and its a long box. I'd have probably tried to design a box so that such an awkward angle wasn't needed at banding. On the other side of the coin, the Elk River birds have had good success here, so perhaps 58 seconds of awkward exit at banding is an equitable trade-off?
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Now that the weather here as cooled down somewhat, these chicks are really showing their personalities, running around their nestbox, flapping their wings, checking out the Cam very closely, and generally being rowdy. There is a funny video on BCAW of them having lunch yesterday, and here it is:
http://www.youtube.com/v/uDhxXUqOtOY
From TPC: sorry, system won't allow embedded videos ... to view, click on the link
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Oh my goodness, they were just little cotton balls, and here they are with the dark feathers coming in! They grow up so fast!
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The Elk River nest is as entertaining as ever.
The chicks so love admiring their reflection in the cam lens.
Thanks you for finding and posting the video, Elaine.
So nice to have sound at this site.
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Great video Elaine! Thanks for posting it.
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Enjoyed that video Elaine........Thanks! Quite the wing span already. Many "armpit" scenes ;D
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Here's another funny video of these guys posted under the Brandon thread by "closet birder".
If you want to see a really funny display of "shplat", check out this video of the peregrine Dot's chicks at Great River Energy, after a truly disgusting lunch.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukOlnnlEbnQ
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Oh, I love the way the chicks rouse from their stupor with the loud train passing.
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Yippee!! They're back! What is that on the lens?!? ???
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Yippee!! They're back! What is that on the lens?!? ???
Looks like a spider web with some fluff caught in it to me. ;)
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Looks that way to me too rcf. And can you hear what sounds like a duck quacking occasionally. Strangest noise ???
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I love this site and am so glad it's back -- tks for the heads-up Suhsa, RCF and bcbird.
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For some strange reason, Elk River seems to have falcons that "squonk"!
It's pretty cute and funny, actually!
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For some strange reason, Elk River seems to have falcons that "squonk"!...
You're right, allikat, they do! LOL! :D
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My goodness that is one full nest box! Have they ever grown in the past 2 days when they were "out of sight"! They'll hardly have room to turn around in another week (of course by then they'll be perched on the edge). So great to see chicks again! ;D
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For some strange reason, Elk River seems to have falcons that "squonk"!
It's pretty cute and funny, actually!
ha .. i was watching Elk River and kept hearing a squonk and wasn't sure if it was them .. or some near by other bird ...
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For some strange reason, Elk River seems to have falcons that "squonk"!
It's pretty cute and funny, actually!
ha .. i was watching Elk River and kept hearing a squonk and wasn't sure if it was them .. or some near by other bird ...
Squonk? Squonk? This I have got to hear ...
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Tonight it truly is more like Quack, Quack! as in who put a mallard in this nest box?
Perhaps they installed a duck lure whistle to the next box at the banding.
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Didn't someone comment on the squonking last year or the year before. Maybe it's in the genes..or there is something weird about their microphone?
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I hope it is cooling off for these four: it is awful to be crowded in a nestbox when it is so hot, I am sure. It does look a little cooler now, and there seems to be a breeze. Those black feathers are sure coming in; we should see them out on the rung pretty soon.
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That is a whole lot of birdie in that nestbox!
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Poor wee hot birdies!! :P This is what happens, I suppose with such a late hatch! They should be flying by now.
(No "squonking" tonight ???)
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No, they are really not too active or vocal in the heat tonight.
It looks like the web has a not quite dead fly that intermittently appears.
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When Mom just arrived, and the chicks talked to her a bit (so nice to hear baby squawking again) I could've sworn that one of the chick's squawks ended with a bit of a squonk ;)
I think that the mic has a tendency to distort sounds (there's an intermittent sound now, a high-pitched sound, that I've heard before on this site)
Just happened again, a chick squawking, ending in a squonk ;D
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These guys are so cute. Four hungry, hot little chicks. Parent must've arrived off camera, lots of squawking by all of them, then parent must have flown off or just sat with nothing to offer - three stopped squawking and one just kept on going. Very funny and soooo cute :-*
One just keeps on yacking - must be one of the females ;)
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Just checked into this site after about a week and couldn't believe how they have grown. Tweenies!! Still have the puffaloons though. Sure won't be long now before they are out on the rungs and away. Will still have a few days of young'uns before they fly.
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I am really enjoying watching these guys! 3 of the 4 are almost always sitting and looking out. There is always one asleep (in fact at one point I thought there were only 3 left and I was wondering what happened!). They are at that gawky cute tween age. Feathers and fluff combined. And it sure is tight quarters in that nestbox. When one stretches its wings everyone else has to get out of the way. Oh look! There are 4 of them sitting up now! ;D Must be snack time soon!
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You know, I think this is the only falcon cam on our Forum that is still awaiting fledging. I am grateful we still have this excellent cam and a falcon family to watch, for a little while yet!
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Ditto Elaine! :) I was so sad when they lost the first female and first nest, but now that we have the second chance nest, it's great to still have babies to watch!
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One of the chicks was just wingercizing and cleaned out the whole nest by blowing away all the junky feathers and stuff :o
Two chiicks at the back of the nest, chowing down on some leftovers and two looking out, showing off their beautiful puffaloons - looks like one of the boys and one of the girls.
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One of the chicks was just wingercizing and cleaned out the whole nest by blowing away all the junky feathers and stuff :o...
LOL! Too bad the Radisson birds won't do that. They sure could use a nest sweep! :P
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I thought the same thing, KC! :P
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Has anyone been checking in on these guys? I calculated they are 37 days old today. This morning one of them was sitting on the edge of the box. They are definitely at that super (fiercely) cute age!!! ;D
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I haven't for a week. omg they are noisy! Must be dinner time. :)
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The difference between the one under the "C" and the one left of it, is amazing!
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There sure seems to be size difference! The one closest to the cam (I'm sure it's one of the girls) is a giant! :o
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I assume the giant is a female too :) Lots of windersizing going on - I can guess who's going first!
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Apparently I can't spell! :P wingersizing
Just like last night, there's one face-planted in the back. :D
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I can only see three chicks in the nest box ??? Is one hiding or...?!?
Giant girl is very intent on watching someone fly around. Little boy is sitting comfortably on the edge. I think that might be a lump of chick, sleeping in the back of the box...I hope.
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Quite often there is one chick lying down in the back. It first looks like only three, then they move around and you can see the fourth in the back. Don't know if it's the same one all the time, but since all four show up at other times, think maybe one just lies down so as not to get batted during the wingersizing!
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Can see clearly just two of the chicks this morning - could be one in the back corner, but don't know if there's room for two. Maybe there's been a fledge? Or two? Anyone know? Would have expected to see somebirdy out on the rung first, but they've always been inside when I've looked. They do look hot, maybe decided it was time to go out for fresh air.
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Only two left in the nestbox now. Looks like the 2 big girls. Guess the boys fledged this morning as they were all there last night. Is there anyone who monitors this nest? Anybody who reports on fledglings? Or do we just say goodbye to these cuties now?
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Other years if they fledged successfully they used to return to the nest box at night. That is what I liked about this site.
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Other years if they fledged successfully they used to return to the nest box at night. That is what I liked about this site.
YES - we had SO much fun with the Three Amigos a few years back! :D
I kind of miss the view of the road way off to the top of the screen - it was so interesting to see the headlights going by at night. The trains are still whistling by tho!
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I just checked the BCAW site and it sounds as though the boys are wandering on a roof to the right of the box that we can't see. They also said they think one might be a bit lower down and to the right because the ones in the nestbox keep looking that way. Hopefully they will pan out the camera and we'll get a better view of the area.
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Now that the boys have left, the girls don't look so huge! They're just two cute girls (with amazing wingspans) waiting for their turn to fly the coop!
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There are now definitely three birds in the box! So did only one leave and the other one was hiding or did two leave and one came back or... ???
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Hopefully they will pan out the camera and we'll get a better view of the area.
I miss being able to pick the view. Previous years I could choose between three cam shots. :(
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All four are back at home for the night. :)
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Looks like 4 to me. :D
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Doreen, I agree - there are 4.
;D They're looking so big/puffy. And like a tight bunch. Dedicated like the Three - nice to see!
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Yes...it's great to see!
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I have a very vague memory of the chicks being able to access the roof section outside the box without having fledged - could be a totally mixed-up memory, but they seemed to be able to jump out and over. Guess until someone actually sees one of them do something, we'll never know.
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Two large chicks left in the box - must be the two girls. Definitely look huge.
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This morning when I took a quick look (around 6:45am) the two girls were on the edge of the box and the two boys were sitting ON TOP of the box!!! Didn't have time for a screenshot, maybe next time. So the boys are still very much in the area...
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I have a very vague memory of the chicks being able to access the roof section outside the box without having fledged - could be a totally mixed-up memory, but they seemed to be able to jump out and over. Guess until someone actually sees one of them do something, we'll never know.
sami, you're right - they wingersize for awhile and then moved up top as they practise. We've seen it a few years now. :)
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Three of four home for dinner!
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I think I have some ghosting on the camera; 3 still there? Anyone else having a problem?
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One left
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The "ghosting" has been happening for a long time. It's a little weird to watch as you can actually see through the birds! It's a little eerie!
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Two in the box and I think it's Dad who comes in and beak feeds them.
Video - http://youtu.be/TFf0J8FH4n0
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/ElkRiverkidss.jpg)
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The two peregrine chicks watching something outside the nest box, probably the parents are flying around.
Video - http://youtu.be/SjCSCDPoOBM
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/ElkRiverKids.jpg)
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Thanks RCF for the videos. I can't view this sity anymore so I really enjoy the videos and pictures.
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Great videos rcf!
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Thanks for those videos RCF. I'm amazed that those two big girls still allow their parent to beak feed them, and the one in the back even just sits and waits patiently. Totally different from the Radisson chicks who grab and run with the food and don't share! And I just love the video of them watching the sky! There must have been more than one bird in the air because at times they are looking in different directions. Perhaps their brothers were showing off!
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Great video RCF thank you for sharing. :D
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There seems to be just one Juvie left near the nestbox, she seems to be looking all around.
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Looking as pretty as can be, I must say!
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There is a great video on the BCAW site, second to last entry on page 21. It shows the antics of one of the boys. So cute - a must see! Thanks to skygirlblue for that. :) (I tried to copy the link to here but can't figure out how to do that, if you even can. :P)
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Very surprised at the beak feeding at this stage. Is this unusual??
Yesterday saw two females in nest box with brother on top.......they were all watching the same thing.....left right, left right, left right. Like a tennis match.
So cute I was laughing out loud.
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There is a great video on the BCAW site, second to last entry on page 21. It shows the antics of one of the boys. So cute - a must see! Thanks to skygirlblue for that. :) (I tried to copy the link to here but can't figure out how to do that, if you even can. :P)
It is a very cute video. Loved watching him trying to decide what to do. The girls definitely like beaking at him.
Not sure if this will work.
http://www.peregrinefalcon-bcaw.net/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=988&start=400
Tested it and it takes you to the page but you still have to scroll down.
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Very surprised at the beak feeding at this stage. Is this unusual??
Yes, I was surprised to see beak feeding, as well. How old are these juvies? Does seem odd, given their possible age.
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All four are back for the night, looking charmingly peaceful. Giant girl, beside little brother on the box edge. One in the nest box and the fourth on a perch outside the box. :-*
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Four sleeping kids
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/Night.jpg)
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They're out of the nest box this morning, so can't see them, but I just heard some squawking, so they can't be very far away :)
Thanks for the capture of the babies asleep, rcf. I love that sight!
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This is from yesterday. Something is going on below the nest and the two female chicks are very vocal.
Video - http://youtu.be/VnfffBQ3_ys
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/Loud3.jpg)
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4 pm One was in the box and two on the roof. You can't see the ones on the roof very well because the elk river logo is blocking the view.
Video - http://youtu.be/O7ZJCi58zrU
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/Loud4.jpg)
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This is from yesterday. Something is going on below the nest and the two female chicks are very vocal.
Video - http://youtu.be/VnfffBQ3_ys
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/Loud3.jpg)
Didn't realize how high I had the volume turned up (don't really think it was all that loud) when I checked out the video - I'm sure the neighbours could have heard the chicks, even with all doors and windows closed!
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Bahahahaha, oh thank you rcf for this wonderful video.
Gotta love the girls, nobody, but nobody gets in their face without them giving royal heck to the offender..... girls rule ;D
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HAHAHAHAH....loved it!
Female falcons are sure ....... um..... nice! :-\
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These guys are so cute - all lined up in a row, settling down for the night. Three facing out and one facing in.
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All 4 lined up, then a parent flies in around 11 pm Pacific coast time, and all juvies start screeching. After a check around for a few minutes, parent flies off.
Same thing happened last night. Wonderful to see 5 peregrines all together.
A little noise now, some preening.
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I'm so glad you've seen them -- everytime I check in, they've flown the coop!
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I spoke too soon -- dinner time!
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All four are there now, with a lightening storm going on in the background :o. The birds seem very unimpressed 8)
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My pic isn't great - there was an eye floating around until the stream caught up. Is it just me or are others having a pb?
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Three chublettes sitting there!
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No eyes in my view, Liz (except the Peregrine eyes of course ;D)
;D
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Looks like it's storming
Short Video - http://youtu.be/jrBvRRVgDpA
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/ELK.jpg)
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Yup Rcmf, it sure is clouded over.
I am just so glad to see them; in the last week, there's one if I'm lucky and mostly none.
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I'd love to see them lined up like the Three Amigos (it's a square!) but it's great just to see all four there. :)
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And the picture is now clear :D
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I'd love to see them lined up like the Three Amigos (it's a square!) but it's great just to see all four there. :)
Now it's a triangle! :D
This is too funny: tiny, fat, fat and a spare (kinda fat).
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So, last night, the last time I checked, before shutting 'im down, there was just one juvie, settled in for the night it seemed. There's only one again - looks like the same one. One of the girls I'm thinkin'... ???
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There's someone there right now :)
Make that sometwo!
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I saw two, too, a few minutes ago. Now there seems to be only one again ::)
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And still just one. Gotta be a female!
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Right now she's looking headless :P Oops - there's that pretty head :-*
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Too funny - I was about to make a headless comment, and it's half an hour later!
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Still just someOne. Giving it up for tonight. I don't know if it's Elisabeth or Skye but, good sleep chublette!
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one again now
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I've been watching her off and on, wondering if anybirdie else will show up. I forgot they had names, Liz ::)
I wonder, Elisabeth or Skye. Beautiful girl, whoever she is :-*
The great thing is, this camera doesn't stop and we can watch as long as she keeps coming back ;D
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So, I wonder if she's lonely. Doubt it. That's humanizing ::)
More like "I've got the house all to myself and can watch as many movies as I want and can eat all the popcorn"
:)
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One at home!
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She's gone. Heard her fly in. She stretched, sat on the nest box roof for a very short time and took off. Not ready to call it a night I guess!
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she's ba-a-ack!
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heard her arrive again :)
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flapflapflap!
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Still sitting on the roof (eating alligator pie?) :D
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(LOL) Maybe she'll spend the night up there 8)
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(LOL) Maybe she'll spend the night up there 8)
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/ELKG.jpg)
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Great photo - that's exactly the shot!
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And the endless sound of steel on steel.. Time to give up, I think!
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Yeah, not as much fun when we're looking at her back :P
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One of the young ones at the nestbox this morning, just chilling out. I think, judging by size, that it is one of the males. A very relaxed look on his face!
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Our girl is back, headless again, but on the box edge instead of on top ;D
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But this time she's in the box not on the roof, and she still looks headless! That's creepy.
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She's just got her beautiful head tucked in. she's not creepy, just comfy! :-*
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No one there, headless or not! ;D
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Friday night - they're out partying. Adolescents ::)
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Still empty. :'( Guess she's joined her siblings, wherever they've been spending the night. The folks on the website say that they stay close to the nest box until migration, but out of cam range obviously :P
It'll be interesting to see if she stays away now. If so, I'll miss her, headless and all :-*
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headless! lol and ick!
We used to be able to choose which of 3 cams we wanted to watch. I miss that!
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susha, there's "Wayne and Hanson, after Wayne Hanson, Great River Energy’s former director of Minnesota generation, who recently passed away. The females are named Elisabeth and Skye." Not sure who we are or aren't seeing!
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Well, I wish we could be seeing one or two or all of them :'(
Having the three cams would definitely be a bonus. Oh well. We'll just have to check back tomorrow I guess. Did you see the odd lightening flash in the sky? Almost time for me to pack it in. Your movie must almost be over, Liz :)
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All quiet on the river front. Not surpiring I guess, in the day.
No, I didn't notice the lightening. I must have been... doing something else.
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Darn, no juvies in sight right now. :(
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Just checked the cam and I don't see anything except gravel.
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Looks like the cam is off for the season :'( The message says that the falcons have left the nestbox and asks us to return in March.
Guess you got to see the empty nest just in time, eagle!
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2012 NESTING SEASON
Elk River camera is up and running. It is still pretty chilly there, lots of snow on the ground. I am really looking forward to seeing our falcons return here, and hope to see the return of Dot and Dad, who did such a good job after the heart-breaking disappearance of our resident female last year.
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http://www.greatriverenergy.com/aboutus/environmental/birdcam.html
This link worked for me ... ??? Though I did think it wasn't until I saw a car scooting along the road on the left ...
Just so folks know, RCF's second link requires Windows Media Player to work ... so if you don't have viewer software on your computer or are having problems, go to the main link (the one above) as it doesn't require a viewer to work, it just runs right from the GRE website.
Thanks for tracking down that viewer link RCF!
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Now all we need are some birds!
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If anyone needs Windows Media Player to view this site, here's a link where you can download it ....
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/products/windows-media-player
Also has information on how to view Media Player files on Macs ...
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It is much warmer and sunnier in Elk River today. The ice has disappeared off the river. This is the only camera that I can view without difficulty here at work, and I am suffering from falcon withdrawal. Come on home, Dot and Dad!
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The birds are back, but no confirmation as to who, except that BCAW thinks it is the male who is banded, but the female, not. Looking at this morning's photo from BCAW, I think this is the male, and that it is Dad, but I leave the final I.D. to the experts.
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Looks like a falcon in the nestbox, but it is really too dark to see if it is indeed a falcon or another bird. To make matters worse, I cannot tell if I am looking at the front end or the back end. But it is a bird.
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Looks like a falcon in the nestbox, but it is really too dark to see if it is indeed a falcon or another bird. To make matters worse, I cannot tell if I am looking at the front end or the back end. But it is a bird.
Well, it sure looks like a falcon to me ;) ;)
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/ElkRiver.jpg)
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According the BCAW, these two got right down to business this morning. Still no positive I.D.: Dad and Dot, or not?
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A falcon was again in the nestbox tonight. He/she was looking hard at something outside, then took off like a shot about 9:00 p.m. MDT. Has not yet returned, so I hope everything is o.k.
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I caught a food exchange this evening and they are very loud. ;D
Video - http://youtu.be/CscSnuySgeA
It also looks like the larger bird has no bands and the smaller one has bands. Dot was banded and Dad wasn't. So these may be two different birds than last year. ::)
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/NoBands.jpg) (http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/ElkRiver0034.jpg)
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The male has a black/ black band on his left leg, so he is a Canadian bird. ;D If I recall correctly isn't there a cam for inside the box, and then we could probably see the number. ???
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/Y006l.jpg)
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Though I love the idea of it being a Canadian bird - and a male one at that (we have very few males that have been reported elsewhere in recent years) - it could also be an older Midwest bird from the time before they went multi-coloured (black/green and black/red) or it might even be a bird from further out east - some of whom may still use/definitely did use black bands at one time. All wild birds in the beginning of the project were black bands north/south of the border - they have just produced more and needed to expand their numbering and the multi-colours made it easier to ID.
I will love hearing what his band number is when its finally read!! He's got kinda high speckles on his breast, might even be one of Princess' - after all, she's originally from Minneapolis ...
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The female (I think) was sitting outside the nestbox for a long time this morning, looking just beautiful in the bright morning sun!
She just started fussing/turning/screeching, hopped into the box briefly, but her mate arrived in a flurry of wings and they both disappeared out of sight.
Yay Falcons! So excited for another year of birdcams!
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I think I'm seeing courtship behaviours!
The two birds flew back to the nestbox. The smaller (male) entered first, then the female followed, facing him. He bowed lowed, bobbing his head, down into the gravel, keeping it very low all the time (in what might look like a submissive position if they were dogs, not birds). He used short squeaks and peeps.
She faced him in the nestbox, keeping her head high, but sometimes bringing it down low to his, beak to beak. She screeched up a storm. Lasted about 5 minutes.
Is this part of the "scraping" courtship behaviour mentioned?
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That's what it sounds like to me, Baffled! Lucky you, to have seen such a great show!
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I think I'm seeing courtship behaviours! The two birds flew back to the nestbox. The smaller (male) entered first, then the female followed, facing him. He bowed lowed, bobbing his head, down into the gravel, keeping it very low all the time (in what might look like a submissive position if they were dogs, not birds). He used short squeaks and peeps. She faced him in the nestbox, keeping her head high, but sometimes bringing it down low to his, beak to beak. She screeched up a storm. Lasted about 5 minutes.
Video - http://youtu.be/NyJ-TYMOk7I
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/ElkR.jpg)
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Yup, certainly does look like courtship is underway! Great photo, rcf! :D
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I think I'm seeing courtship behaviours!
The two birds flew back to the nestbox. The smaller (male) entered first, then the female followed, facing him. He bowed lowed, bobbing his head, down into the gravel, keeping it very low all the time (in what might look like a submissive position if they were dogs, not birds). He used short squeaks and peeps.
She faced him in the nestbox, keeping her head high, but sometimes bringing it down low to his, beak to beak. She screeched up a storm. Lasted about 5 minutes.
Is this part of the "scraping" courtship behaviour mentioned?
Yes this is courting behaviour but no not "scraping". Scraping is when one of the birds drops to their belly and starts using their feet and breast to actually dig out a scrape in the gravel. Most often its the male and he'll do it often.
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Yes this is courting behaviour but no not "scraping". Scraping is when one of the birds drops to their belly and starts using their feet and breast to actually dig out a scrape in the gravel. Most often its the male and he'll do it often.
Thanks for explaining, TPC!
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I think I might have seen some scraping by the male this morning!
He's in the nestbox, alone, uttering the same kind of short squeaks I heard yesterday. He is walking around the nestbox, squeaking, stopping to look out every now and then. Twice he squatted, lowering his chest to the gravel, then shuffling forward. Then he stands up again. Once he seemed to mimic the bowing low pose he used yesterday when the female was in the box with him. Mostly though, he is squeaking and peering out of the box (hopefully?! :-)).
This is fascinating. I don't usually start watching the webcams until hatch-watch time, so I've never witnessed the courtship behaviours before!
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Hi Baffled. Thank you for reporting so vividly what you see and hear.
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Yes, very good description of the male possibly making a scrape, Baffled. Thanks! 8)
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We have two falcons who have been hanging around here for the last few days. They go in the nestbox, bow and scrape, talk to each other alot, and generally carry on like they are getting ready for parenthood, but, that is it. I hope that the old hormones click in soon and we see something besides talk.
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Noisy mid-morning food exchange!
These two lovebirds are certainly courting . . . let's hope for some eggs soon!
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These two birdies here do not seem set on how to move their relationship to the next level. They seem to like the nestbox, but are not entirely commited to it. Right now, the male is at the nestbox, doing a very thorough job of preening and cleaning, looking around, generally enjoying the weather. Maybe they are crazy about the nestbox and have been having many romantic encounters out of camera view; I hope so, because we all want to see some eggs.
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These two birdies here do not seem set on how to move their relationship to the next level. They seem to like the nestbox, but are not entirely commited to it. Right now, the male is at the nestbox, doing a very thorough job of preening and cleaning, looking around, generally enjoying the weather. Maybe they are crazy about the nestbox and have been having many romantic encounters out of camera view; I hope so, because we all want to see some eggs.
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/ek.jpg)
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I can't believe how emotionally invested I am in these two birds . . . and how emotionally invested I am that they, uh, participate in some adult activity soon! :)
I think we need to pipe in Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On" to inspire them ;)
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Ha, ha, Baffled! That is very funny, and I agree!
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I can't believe how emotionally invested I am in these two birds . . . and how emotionally invested I am that they, uh, participate in some adult activity soon! :)
I think we need to pipe in Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On" to inspire them ;)
LOL, Baffled! Great suggestion! ;D
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I can't believe how emotionally invested I am in these two birds . . . and how emotionally invested I am that they, uh, participate in some adult activity soon! :)
I think we need to pipe in Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On" to inspire them ;)
Love your idea, Baffled! ;D
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Hey, Baffled, you never know what they are up to just off stage...
They might be humming that tune along, but keeping the on camera view PG 13!
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Hey, Baffled, you never know what they are up to just off stage...
They might be humming that tune along, but keeping the on camera view PG 13!
You are right, bcbird, they probably are up to all kinds of shenanigans, but are camera shy. (I know that I would be camera shy, if there were folks on internet forums commenting on my technique!)
I'll say this for the male bird though, boy, he is persistent. I check in every now and then and he's often in the nestbox, squeaking eagerly, letting his romantic intentions be known. He is definitely in determined courtship mode.
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I do hope that we have this pair, or any pair, settle here soon and get the show on the road. This is one of my favourite nestboxes: the cam is clear, there is sound, you can see most of what is going on, and at least for me, there has never been a problem accessing the web camera.
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Falcon at the nestbox. I believe this is the male we have been observing for the last week (he has a heart-shaped white area on the left side of his face). Boy, that wind is really stirring up the old feathers.
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(he has a heart-shaped white area on the left side of his face
Wow, that's a easy way to identify an individual - nice when they have those kinds of markings!
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...he has a heart-shaped white area on the left side of his face...
So does my little dog, Elaine! Hope we don't get the 2 mixed up! LOL! ;)
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Two birds in the box this morning. The male bowing and vocalizing while the female just seemed to glare at him, as if to say "what are you waiting for?!?" She then flew off and he followed. I can't see a scrape in the box, but my view isn't that clear... ::)
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There's a falcon perched on a ledge outside the nestbox, calling out very loudly. Had to turn my speakers down... I cannot get the webcam on the link that you have posted, TPC, but can get it on the link that rcf has posted. Would you be able to put this link on the "Elk River - Link to Webcam" board? :-\ http://falcon.grenergy.com/
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There's a falcon perched on a ledge outside the nestbox, calling out very loudly. Had to turn my speakers down... I cannot get the webcam on the link that you have posted, TPC, but can get it on the link that rcf has posted. Would you be able to put this link on the "Elk River - Link to Webcam" board? :-\ http://falcon.grenergy.com/
I have done so KC but I don't have any problem accessing the cam using the link that is on "link to webcam" page - only difference is that one opens up a player before running the other runs from the GRE website and includes information about the site/birds ... so folks if you have problems accessing this cam be sure to try both links!!
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Guy's in the nestbox, bowing his head and looking questionly at his Gal who's just sitting on the perch, looking at him. He just flew off. ???
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...I don't have any problem accessing the cam using the link that is on "link to webcam" page - only difference is that one opens up a player before running the other runs from the GRE website and includes information about the site/birds ...
Yes, I do like being able to access the original link that you have provided, TPC, which includes info about the site and birds. But I cannot seem to locate a webcam on that page. I seem to recall having the same difficulty last year but can't remember why. Where it seems that there should be a webcam, all I get is a blank blue box to the left of some words that read "Great River Energy Birdcam" and a photo of a peregrine falcon. Don't know what I am doing wrong. :-[
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You probably aren't doing anything wrong KC, it is probably your browser software or a permission or something similar. Chances are if one person has a problem, others do too.
Send me a pm and we'll see if we can't get it sorted.
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Empty nestbox at the moment. I really like this site too, Baffled.
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...I don't have any problem accessing the cam using the link that is on "link to webcam" page - only difference is that one opens up a player before running the other runs from the GRE website and includes information about the site/birds ...
Yes, I do like being able to access the original link that you have provided, TPC, which includes info about the site and birds. But I cannot seem to locate a webcam on that page. I seem to recall having the same difficulty last year but can't remember why. Where it seems that there should be a webcam, all I get is a blank blue box to the left of some words that read "Great River Energy Birdcam" and a photo of a peregrine falcon. Don't know what I am doing wrong. :-[
I have the same problem. I'm using the other link, but don't have the same clarity when I open it up to full screen :(
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If you are going to the original website and are getting everything except the video. Try goint to Tools, then Compatibility View.
Hope that helps!
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This year I am going to the old web address we've used in the past but the webcam comes up blank for me too. I then pressed Home, scrolled down and went to the webcam from there. Opened up fine. Not the way I used to do til just a week or two ago.
http://www.greatriverenergy.com/aboutus/environmental/birdcam.html (this is the page I end up on to view cam)
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For folks who are looking for the webcam links, please remember that there is a special "link to webcam" page for this site ( Elk River board's main page (http://www.species-at-risk.mb.ca/projects/pfrp/forum/programs/index.php/board,49.0.html))
This "link to webcam" page has all the links that work this year plus viewing information as well as information on the projects, blogs, galleries or whatever. The idea is to provide a one-stop shop for basic information so that folks don't have to keep searching through threads or having to repeat information every year.
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Here's a question (or three!):
I've been watching this cam for several weeks now this year, and it always seems to be (based on my intermittent viewing) that male who is initiating courtship, at least in the nest box. He seems the most persistent and usually hops into the box first. So hopeful! So persistent! Is this typical, in terms of gender roles, for peregrines?
Also, how long does the courtship behaviour continue? Until copulation? Until egg-laying? Until the birds actually start brooding, sitting on the eggs?
Do we have any more information on who these birds are this year? Are these last year's? Do they have a record of a successful nest?
Aw, gee, they are so beautiful and fun to watch . . . :) I'm so happy that I can "preview" these birds until Princess and Ivy appear on screen (always the main event!)
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I'm not sure what's going on here, seems strange but one of the birds has black bands it looks like so it's a Canadian bird. Looks like the male but can't be sure as I can't seem to catch them together.
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Carly, heres info on the black bands from Tracy a couple weeks ago:
Though I love the idea of it being a Canadian bird - and a male one at that (we have very few males that have been reported elsewhere in recent years) - it could also be an older Midwest bird from the time before they went multi-coloured (black/green and black/red) or it might even be a bird from further out east - some of whom may still use/definitely did use black bands at one time. All wild birds in the beginning of the project were black bands north/south of the border - they have just produced more and needed to expand their numbering and the multi-colours made it easier to ID.
I will love hearing what his band number is when its finally read!! He's got kinda high speckles on his breast, might even be one of Princess' - after all, she's originally from Minneapolis ...
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Thanks Irene, I musta missed that. And oh I do hope it's one of yours! Wouldn't that be something :-*
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Oh yeah, that would be something! So many of us on the forum have always paid close attention to this nest so I think we kinda deserve it. ;) Either way, good luck to nesting at Elk River this year.
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Some serious nest-cleaning going on now!
Reminds me of our good ol' Trey . . . fond memories :)
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Somebirdy is there now.
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Hmmm... that was a quick visit. No bird there now, that I can see. :(
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Same when I went back in - rats!
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Come on you two!! You've had your fun. (we think ???) It's time to settle down and start a family! :D
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I'm beginning to wonder if these birds are nesting somewhere else?!? ???
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I'm beginning to wonder if these birds are nesting somewhere else?!? ???
Its still just April ... they have lots of time yet. If they haven't nested (here or reported elsewhere), then you can give up hope for this site this year :) Having said that Alice and Zeus (Brandon 2) were later than that even though they were successful, they were pretty darn close to pulling it off.
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If they haven't nested (here or reported elsewhere), then you can give up hope for this site this year :) Having said that Alice and Zeus (Brandon 2) were later than that even though they were successful, they were pretty darn close to pulling it off.
Sorry, TPC, you lost me ??? Did you mean "if they haven't nested - by a certain time - "? like by the end of May or...??
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If they haven't nested (here or reported elsewhere), then you can give up hope for this site this year :) Having said that Alice and Zeus (Brandon 2) were later than that even though they were successful, they were pretty darn close to pulling it off.
Sorry, TPC, you lost me ??? Did you mean "if they haven't nested - by a certain time - "? like by the end of May or...??
Sorry tried to include two thoughts in one description.
Meant to say:
a) if they haven't nested by the end of May in the nestbox then they probably aren't going to nest in the nestbox this year.
b) if they haven't been reported nesting somewhere else by the end of May, they probably aren't going to nest anywhere this year.
But again that's the norm, there have been pairs who nest later but that's usually because they arrived later or they lost their first nest and are trying again.
Hope that's clearer :D
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I knew you meant to put in a timeline, TPC. Thanks for the clarification.
Looks like we might be getting an egg soon! Dad and the female (is it Dot?) were chupping awhile ago as he offered her a songbird, feathers and all. She didn't seem to be interested, so he left with the untouched lunch and now she's moving around the box as though she might have a plan ??? Looks like she's cleaning up...and she looks a little bottom-heavy...
Wishful thinking on my part maybe... ::)
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I know this is a bit long, but it shows her picking pebbles and doing some scraping. It just looks like she may be getting ready to lay an egg.
http://youtu.be/QwUfakPpjAw
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Now she's just standing in the corner of the box.
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She has a very puffy rear end, so surely this means something. I hope she is planning to pop out an egg very soon. Maybe I have it all wrong, and she is just relaxing and snoozing.
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At least she's not leaving the nestbox :). Do birds experience "labour" when they're about to lay an egg?
Could it be that the contractions (they must have contractions of some kind ???) could have stopped for awhile..and she's resting up for the real thing?
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At least she's not leaving the nestbox :). Do birds experience "labour" when they're about to lay an egg?
Could it be that the contractions (they must have contractions of some kind ???) could have stopped for awhile..and she's resting up for the real thing?
Generally they do, they get a kind of thousand-yard-stare and look "constipated". I know that sounds anthropomorphic, but its that kind of stiffness and distractedness that everyone seems to be able to recognize for some reason. And the females usually stay that way for a few minutes after the egg is laid as well. (no surprising really!! :o)
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If she is in labor, it looks exhausting and maybe quite painful for her. Will it ever end? The poor girl, she must be wondering if it is all worth it.
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If she is in labor, it looks exhausting and maybe quite painful for her. Will it ever end? The poor girl, she must be wondering if it is all worth it.
Or she's just napping and doesn't care she's got humans worried about her ;)
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She's out of the box and perched on the edge now, looks like she's napping.
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Now she's gone ??? or out of camera range at least. Where'd she go with that egg?!?
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Generally they do, they get a kind of thousand-yard-stare and look "constipated". I know that sounds anthropomorphic, but its that kind of stiffness and distractedness that everyone seems to be able to recognize for some reason. And the females usually stay that way for a few minutes after the egg is laid as well. :o
Yes, it's the "I'm going to put my mind into getting this thing out of me" also known as "I am NOT having ONE MORE CONTRACTION, darn it!"
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Well, now I think it's just the young felow in the nestbox ???
He and his lady-love were both there awhile ago, then I thought he flew away and she stayed, but that looks like the boy in there now...
anybody??
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There was only one when I first checked in, and still. I'd say it looks small (so, male) but it's kind of hard to tell with the shadow. Certainly very protetive - I keep saying, Move over so we can see!
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Looked like the male to me, susha, but I'm not absolutely certain. :-\
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Just took these screen captures and both are there, one perched on top of box on far right. Hard to see the one falcon on top so I took two captures, one with two birds and one with only one in the box.
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/elk3.jpg) (http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/elk002.jpg)
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It's funny that with this bright light, it looks like a reflection from glass around the ledge and not just the wall.
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I can't see the one on top, rcf, but I know that you know what to look for. Whoever is in the box, is looking very forlorn, there in the shadows :(
It seems that the fella has been trying to coax the girl to settle down and she just doesn't seem to be ready. Maybe we'll be surprised and see an egg tomorrow - that girl we saw earlier was definitely carrying something in that booty of hers! ;)
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First egg :-* ;D
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We have an egg!
And I just saw a food exchange, so Dad's making sure that Mom has the energy she needs after that long night of "labour"!
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The egg has landed, and once again, I have missed it. I watched her lots yesterday afternoon and last night, but I just have not been lucky enough to see the happy event.
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Just think, 24 hours ago there were concerns that this pair weren't going to nest here at all ... ;D
Nothing like keeping their viewing audience in suspense! :D
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To my eyes, it looks like she has two eggs! And is working on the third! These two have gone from "when is something going to happen" to what looks like 3 eggs in the last 24 hours. Maybe I am seeing things, I don't even know if this is possible.
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To my eyes, it looks like she has two eggs! And is working on the third! These two have gone from "when is something going to happen" to what looks like 3 eggs in the last 24 hours. Maybe I am seeing things, I don't even know if this is possible.
I think you are right Elaine ...
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(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/elkriv.jpg)
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Empty nestbox now, and it looks like still just one egg . . . perhaps the second egg we thought we saw was the shadow of the snack that Dad brought earlier? She didn't seem to eat much of it; she was slowly picking away at it for over an hour . . .
But yay for egg! :D
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video - http://youtu.be/yraQ-X7di-U
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/REDD005.jpg)
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Super video, Rapidcitymbfan! Thanks for sharing.
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The egg has landed, and once again, I have missed it. I watched her lots yesterday afternoon and last night, but I just have not been lucky enough to see the happy event.
I'm in the same boat Elaine L. I'm always in the wrong spot at the right time. :-\
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Woo Hoo!! An egg!! Thanks for the photos, rcf - I'm at work today and can't access the cam, so it's nice to be able to see that elusive first egg on your pics!
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To my eyes, it looks like she has two eggs! And is working on the third! These two have gone from "when is something going to happen" to what looks like 3 eggs in the last 24 hours. Maybe I am seeing things, I don't even know if this is possible.
I just checked the nestbox and all I can see is 1 lonely egg and no bird in sight.
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Here is some news today from the people at Great River Station:
"This is a new pair to our nesting box. The male falcon’s name is Sawatzke. He was banded at the Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant near Monticello, Minn. in 2009. The female falcon is unbanded."
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Thanks for the info, Elaine! I wonder how long it'll take Sawatzke's girl to lay another egg... ::)
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Lonely egg still visible! :)
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Parent there now.
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Still just one egg this morning.
I saw Mrs. Sawatzke worrying at the egg a bit, rolling it from side to side, hovering over it, then going and sitting beside it, until finally getting it right and settling over it. I wonder is she is a new mother? Maybe just fidgety.
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She seems to be peaceful now...and resting up for the arrival of that second egg I hope! ;)
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I have some odd like reflection that makes it impossible to see into the box.
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She's sitting there looking kind of dreamy. I predict a second egg in the morning. Okay, totally wishful thinking... ::)
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Here is some news today from the people at Great River Station:
"This is a new pair to our nesting box. The male falcon’s name is Sawatzke. He was banded at the Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant near Monticello, Minn. in 2009. The female falcon is unbanded."
How about Elke for the female? :D
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egg number 2
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Yes, I too just saw that there are indeed two eggs now! :)
Phew, in my excitement my language became so formal! I meant to say: yay two eggs! ;)
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i actually saw her lay it, but had to run to the gym for a swim.
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Thought it was coming because of the way she was stepping around, and the feathers under her tail were fluffed. She now looks pooped !! Or maybe "recovering" is a better word to describe her.
TPC, I think Elke is a beautiful name for our lady here.
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TPC, I think Elke is a beautiful name for our lady here.
I like Elke as well, TPC. any sinificance to the name? Is there a Sawatzke and Elke somewhere? Os does it just sound good?
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...just a play on Elk River, I think, although, wasn't there an Elke Sommer? A beautiful actress in the 60's?
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Indeed there was a beautiful actress by the name of Elke Sommer back in the day. I think she was married for a while to Peter Sellers - could be wrong, though. I think Elke is a great name, too. We must ask our friends at BCAW to consider naming our female here Elke, it seems so appropriate.
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Of course that's what she meant :-[! Half the time I don't even pay attention to where these cams are...just know my favourites and this is definitely one of those! As soon as I opened up the thread, I realized.... :-[
I also remember Elke Sommer and I do believe that she was married to Peter Sellers...
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Yup, "Elke" is just a play on Elk River and since she's unbanded, unlikely to have been given a name already. Also the kind of name that the Elk River folks might be interested in co-opting, never know!
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Elke Sommers was married to Joe Hyams, a writer. She filmed with Peter Sellers. (He was married to Britt Ekland who looks a lot like Elke Sommers). Her maiden name is Baroness Elke von Schletz. Elke would be a lovely name for the new girl here!
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Elke Sommers was married to Joe Hyams, a writer. She filmed with Peter Sellers. (He was married to Britt Ekland who looks a lot like Elke Sommers). Her maiden name is Baroness Elke von Schletz. Elke would be a lovely name for the new girl here!
Wow! You are up on your Hollywood actor stuff, bcf! ;) LOL! Yes, Elke is a perfect name for her.
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Third egg for the Elk River pair. :)
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/elke3.jpg)
screen cap by skygirlblue from BCAW
http://www.peregrinefalcon-bcaw.net/viewtopic.php?p=183482#p183482
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Lucky you! are the eggs visible or is a parent there?
The parent is sleeping on the eggs. :)
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/elke004.jpg)
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Thank you, rcf.
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Yay! A third egg! Last time I checked, there were still just two...my view is fine, Liz. Parent is sitting peacefully on the "pre-kids"! ;)
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Now I can see a face, so I guess it's working now.
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Someone on eggs, and some feathers floating by so maybe the other parent close by and preening.
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Three beautiful eggs visible this morning as parent takes a break for breakfast.
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Sawatzke is a very attentive male. Almost every time I look at this site these days, he is either on the roof or on the rung outside the nestbox, keeping watch over the Missus.
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This morning it was Sawatzke on the eggs, while the missus/Elke watched from the rung outside!
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Does anyone know if there is a 4th egg??
Wish we could get rid of the spiders and their webs. Wonder why they pick the cams...maybe the heat given off (?) Or it must be the bugs attracted to the light that give the spiders a fine meal.
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I can now answer my own question. Mama Elke finally unglued herself from the eggs to jump to the perch and give the legs a streach.
Saw three eggs.
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Thanks for the updates. By the time I usually check in, they're tucked in for the night and I see nothing exciting. :)
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Sawatzke is on the eggs right now; these two have been doing a really good job of trading off/taking turns. What a relief, after all the problems we have had elsewhere. I hope things continue to go well here, it is such a great site!
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Someone is sure making a LOT of noise offscreen!
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They have zoomed the cam into close-up as of yesterday. This will be great when the chicks arrive; we will be able to see every little detail of the family.
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Good news, Elaine. I love this site, but hadn't checked for awhile. I'm looking forward to watching this family :)
Thanks for letting us know about the better view. ;D
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Yes, Susha, I really like this site, too. With all the turmoil going on in the falcon world at other sites, it is such a relief to come here and see all peace and serenity. I hope I have not spoken too soon! I don't want to jinx Mr. and Mrs. Sawatske (Or Elke and Sawatske)!
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Webcam view sure is foggy here this evening. Can barely see a bird. :(
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Sawatzke is in the nest box right now, and he looks very disconcerted; and no wonder, there is some funny noise that I can't make out, and neither can he, it seems. He jumped out the nestbox, looking up, went back in, very alert right now. The noise almost sounds like something has come loose from up on top of the nestbox; of course, now that we would like to see what is going on outside the box, we are in close-up mode.
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Wow, have they ever zoomed in! Thanks for the heads-up, Eli.
Ditto, it will be great when the chicklettes arrive, but it's a bit bit eerie with the adult at full zoom isn't it?!
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There is some ungodly racket going on here now. It does not seem to disturb Mrs. Sawatske (or Elke), but she seems to be looking at something. It sounds like a combination of a drill and some grinding instrument. We can't see the larger area to see if we can identify the noise, so perhaps we will get an explanation later from the folks at Elk River.
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The last egg was laid on April 29, so I expect that we should have hatching on Thursday or Friday of next week. We will have an excellent view of the hatching with this great camera close-up!
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Elaine, I didn't hear it then, but was it like neverending train brakes screeching on rails?
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Liz, no, it wasn't like the train brakes, I am used to that noise now; this was more like someone was drilling a hole through concrete. Last time I checked, there was no noise, though, so I don't know what this was all about.
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We're used to awful noises at this site, but that's not one I recognize - I guess they're doing some work there.
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For those of who have followed this site and knew the previous resident female, Dot, you'll be happy to know that Dot has been located. Kittenface at BCAW received an email that Dot is nesting at City Hall in Minneapolis. There is no webcam; however Dot was identified by her band numbers.
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For those of who have followed this site and knew the previous resident female, Dot, you'll be happy to know that Dot has been located. Kittenface at BCAW received an email that Dot is nesting at City Hall in Minneapolis. There is no webcam; however Dot was identified by her band numbers.
Interesting that she should move (females like to stay put at sites they have been successful at) and manage to nest the year she moved.
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I am happy she is o.k., and as TPC mentioned, it is interesting that she changed nest sites; I cannot imagine what she disliked about this site, as it seems so perfect to me, but I can't think like a peregrine falcon. I guess we will never be able to find out what happened to Dad, her mate last year, as I don't think he was banded.
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Okay, since the middle egg was laid on April 27, incubation started about then. Therefore, ... plus 33 days approx.... means that hatching could start as early as... (thinks hard)... TOMORROW!
Of course it will probably be later, but...maybe...
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Okay, since the middle egg was laid on April 27, incubation started about then. Therefore, ... plus 33 days approx.... means that hatching could start as early as... (thinks hard)... TOMORROW!
How many eggs do we have here? If its 3, then the incubation date starts the 2nd egg was laid. If 4 then the date the 3rd egg. Second last egg is the penultimate egg and incubation generally begins when penultimate egg is laid. Having said that, Princess and Jules both got down to business right on schedule. Hurricane however did not. Here there was a huge gap between egg 3 and egg 4 and Hurricane wasn't interested in incubating at all for a couple of days after egg 3 was laid. Brandon incubation counts for me starts May 4th, 2 days after egg 3 and 2 days before egg 4.
The rest of your calculations are fine - if 27th is penultimate egg lay date, then add 31 to 35 days to get the general range, so May 28th to June 1st is probably when hatching will probably start. New pair correct? Could take them a few days longer if they didn't get going on incubation as efficiently/effectively as they might have with more experience. Best to watch the behaviour of the bird on the eggs, fewer shift changes and lots of spinning.
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Tracy, there are 3 eggs here, and the second one was laid on Friday, April 27, so we should see chicks sometime between now and June 1, as you say. These two are new here, but they work very well together; they are very attentive, and shift changes are accomplished quickly and easily. They seem like such an experienced couple, it makes me wonder if it is possible that they arrived here together from another site, but I think this would be very odd.
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These two are new here, but they work very well together; they are very attentive, and shift changes are accomplished quickly and easily. They seem like such an experienced couple, it makes me wonder if it is possible that they arrived here together from another site, but I think this would be very odd.
Odd perhaps, or maybe not so odd, Dot has moved to downtown Minneapolis and there is no reason for her to have done that given how well she did at this site. Losing a mate is part of the game, that's how you get successional patterns like the ones we have on our sites, even our unsuccessful sites. I've had males abandon their lady friends for other sites, but the ladies stayed behind even if it meant not nesting. But then we had Cowboy and Kate - neither were known to have survived even though he was 10 then and she was 5, yet they arrived together here in Winnipeg and tried to nest. They knew what they were doing, just not a great year to do it. Mayhaps, Sawatzke & Elke come in later that Dad & Dot did and this year it was reversed (minus Dad) so Sawatzke & Elke were able to take advantage of the opportunity. Had Dad & Dot returned, S & E could have been given their eviction papers and we would be watching a different pair. Hard to know. But I will say that if both S & E look experienced, then chances are they have done this, at least once, before. Birds may be good nesters at a young age, all the things we are watching right now, there is as much artform as instinct in it and inexperienced birds have the instincts but not the artform, that only comes with experience.
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The Sawatzkes' are looking somewhat restless today; perhaps a hatching is imminent? I got a look at the eggs abit earlier, though, and I did not see any evidence of a hole or crack line.
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The Sawatzkes' are looking somewhat restless today; perhaps a hatching is imminent? I got a look at the eggs abit earlier, though, and I did not see any evidence of a hole or crack line.
Often one won't see anything on an egg, just Mom pushing eggshell out from underneather herself. Spinning around and using her beak in what looks like an attempt to tuck the egg back under her. The movements are the same, just so much more intense and frequent. Think duck swimming - all looks relatively calm on the surface but underneath there is all manner of action going on!
When I had a look at her just now, she was calm, no eggshells showing, panting a bit in the sunlight. Did notice lots of bugs flying in the air in the space between the camera and Elke (I assume its Elke). Depending on what they are, they could have been annoying the birds. Peregrines get cranky with their mates, their nestbox (our birds would nibble), flies or whatever was stupid enough to hang out in the nestbox with a cranky peregrine. I remember one year watching Princess snap after flies for days. Have no idea if she caught any, but hopefully it was stress relieving!
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...inexperienced birds have the instincts but not the artform, that only comes with experience.
Like any good love story! (not to anthropomorphise!) ;)
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I notice that Elke is a different looking peregrine with a lot of white feathers above her cere. I don't think I have seen another quite like her.
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/ELKRM.jpg) (http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/ELKRF002.jpg)
Sawatske Elke
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You're right - good catch! I think it makes her very pretty.
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I notice that Elke is a different looking peregrine with a lot of white feathers above her cere. I don't think I have seen another quite like her.
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/ELKRM.jpg) (http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/ELKRF002.jpg)
Sawatske Elke
Quite gorgeous actually!
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(http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh538/dupre501/2012Jun1-1540.jpg)
Eggs all lined up in a row at 3:40 p.m.
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Thanks so much for the photo, dupre! :D
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Still no hatching here, and I have been looking forward to seeing it. Of course, as soon as I go to bed everything will start to happen.
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Elke has moved off the eggs to do some hoovering and I can only see two eggs :o. Is it the camera angle and one egg is hiding behind the other?? ??? No sign of a hatch...
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Susha, all the eggs are there, it is just the cam angle. Elke has been very restless, up and down, touching the eggs, listening. I think a hatching is soon to happen!
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Thanks Elaine! I'm excited about the imminent hatching!
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SGB on BCAW has posted a pic with a pip in an egg. :)
http://www.peregrinefalcon-bcaw.net/viewtopic.php?p=194073#p194073
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Here is video of the chick in the egg chirping. :-*
http://youtu.be/Fdrn3FcRaC4
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Sawatske
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/sawatske.jpg)
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Sawatzke fast asleep (well, as fast asleep as a peregrine can be) on the eggs right now. Get as much rest as you can now, Mr. Sawatzke, as you won't have time later!
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We have eggshells
(http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh538/dupre501/GRE2012June31927.png)
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... and now we can see one chick between two eggs
(http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh538/dupre501/GRE2012June31940.jpg)
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First hatch for Sawatske and Mom :-*
http://youtu.be/sYPUbAc0OP0
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The second chick is hatching :-*
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/Secondhatch.jpg)
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(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/Secondhatch002.jpg)
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Nice shots RCF!
Here's another one at 9 a.m. - Two chick butts and an egg.
(http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh538/dupre501/GRE2012Jun40900.jpg)
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Great shots of the arrival of the chicks, RCF!
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OMGosh, RCF. The picture of the second chick looks like an alien!!
Thanks for all the pictures and videos you do.
Looks like Swatzke has been in the nest...he doesn't quite know what to do....sort of standing around and over the chicks and egg, not incubating. Funny. (What are these noisy white fluffs anyway??)
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RCF! That is the best shot of a freshly hatched chick that I have ever seen. Very, very informative to me. Thank you for all your efforts!!!
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I guess it is pretty safe to say that these two are new parents. From the reports on BCAW, it seems that mom is kind of a klutz, walking on the chicks, and Sawatzke still is too stunned by their appearance to be really effective. Apparently mom fell over while trying to feed the chicks, but she got herself straightened out and no harm done. It is possible that the third egg will not hatch, which would not be a bad thing, as these two have enough to handle with two chicks. Such is the way of life: new parents just have to learn as they go, whether falcon or human!
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These two are pretty cute. :-*
Posted by kittenface on BCAW
OH how sweet dad didn't want to give up the babies to mom
http://www.peregrinefalcon-bcaw.net/viewtopic.php?p=195296#p195296
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So cute! He's talking away to the babies and they're talking away to him and Mom just stares him down and moves in quietly and firmly...
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Perhaps he had to finish the bedtime story before he could give up his spot?
This clip demonstrates clearly the size difference of females over males.
She really didn't have to say a word!
Thanks for posting the clip, RCF.
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These two are pretty cute. :-*...
Posted by kittenface on BCAW
OH how sweet dad didn't want to give up the babies to mom
http://www.peregrinefalcon-bcaw.net/viewtopic.php?p=195296#p195296
What an amazing video to watch! What a special relationship these 2 PF's have with their chicks and with each other. Thanks for posting this video of kittenface's, RCF. 8)
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Thanks, RCF, for the links/photos!
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We now have the inside nest view. :)
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/elkkids.jpg)
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I love this view. One parent inside with the kids and one parent outside, watching over them and waiting for orders for take-out.
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Looks like a hot evening in Elk River 8)
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These guys are just way too cute!! ;D
http://youtu.be/2rOw7q78QpU
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Way, way too cute! And your videos show that cuteness so well RCF!
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It's a Girl!!! Actually, 2 girls... possible future mates of our Radisson boys???
From the Elk River website:
June 25, 2012
The Raptor Resource Project was at the Elk River Energy Recovery Station today to band the two eyasses. Both falcons are female and appear to be healthy. They are now named Scout and Larissa! We’ve posted video and photos of the banding on our Facebook page. Check it out!
http://www.facebook.com/grenergy
The photos of the banding on their facebook page are really cute!
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Eyasses banded and a window wash Great River Energy Peregrine Falcon 6/23/12
VIDEO = http://youtu.be/f-JQXb232kk
Published on Jun 25, 2012 by greencashew
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Noisy girls when eating ::)
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Definitely hot there - chicks are really panting :P
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Both chicks have flown the coop. They could be outside and below, or on the top of the nestbox, but until/if they move the cam to allow a fuller view, we don't know where they are.
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Both chicks have flown the coop. They could be outside and below, or on the top of the nestbox, but until/if they move the cam to allow a fuller view, we don't know where they are.
Thanks Elaine, I think someone on BCAW tried to contact somebody to have them change the view, that was a while ago though.
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Parent is on the perch outside the box, looking very relaxed this morning, so the girls must be close by :)
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There is some concern on BCAW over the last two days that we are only seeing one chick. No one knows if the other one is close by, or not, as we cannot see anything outside the nestbox. But there was alot of alarm calling yesterday by the adults, and lots of looking down, so it is possible that the other chick came to ground and the people at Elk River Energy were looking for him. No report yet on the Elk River website.
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The chicks hatched June 4th according to the GRE website which puts their age at 42 days old - even for females, that is fledging age, so likely she took her first flight - on purpose or by accident, they both count as fledging.
I seem to recall that they have had pretty good fledging rates from this site (correct me if I'm wrong here folks) so likely she found herself somewhere close enough to humans that one or both of the adults had a meltdown as a result. Or it could have been that she fledged just fine and someone was nearer the nestbox than the adults like and that is what they were protesting.
I'm sure we'll hear soon if there has been a problem or motality.
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Both girls are sitting on the edge of the nestbox, as cool and calm as can be 8)
Good to know they're both fine :)
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2013 NESTING SEASON
The camera is up and running!
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Very exciting! Thanks Liz!
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Falcon was spotted at the nestbox in Thursday (March 14), BCAW reports, and the report is that it might be Sawatzke; but I looked at the video, and seemed to me that this falcon was big, so perhaps it is Mrs. Sawatzke. (http://www.peregrinefalcon-bcaw.net/viewtopic.php?f=319&t=1510&start=0)
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Falcon at nestbox again today, according to BCAW; cannot be confirmed if it is Sawatzke, or a newcomer. I hope the show is finally on the road, here; it is abit late in the season for this site.
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(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons%202013/Elk%20River%202013/elkriver002.jpg)
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The birdie has a black green band on his left leg so it may be Sawatzke. A sub adult showed up this evening and the two of them were having a bond session in the box. When they were done she left in an abrupt way by falling straight down the front of the box. Don't worry she's okay!! ::) ;D
VIDEO - http://youtu.be/HmmGnWDK3ng (http://youtu.be/HmmGnWDK3ng)
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons%202013/Elk%20River%202013/sawat0098.jpg)
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Thanks Elaine and RCF for the photos.
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Good to know this site is up and running!
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A falcon on the edge of the nestbox, so still I thought at first the picture was frozen. I think it is the female judging by the size, but I cannot see bands, and I do not know who this is.
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A falcon on the edge of the nestbox, so still I thought at first the picture was frozen. I think it is the female judging by the size, but I cannot see bands, and I do not know who this is.
I think she has a black/red band and we will probably have to wait until the cam person returns to work and zooms in to see her bands. ;)
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons%202013/Elk%20River%202013/gre.jpg)
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This is Mary Ellen and was hatched on a cliff. :)
Left Mary Ellen f 2012 Queens Bluff
Winona county, MN cl 04/25/12 05/15/12
JMF 06/04/12 w 816-38602 1807-77654 wpr ?
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons%202013/Elk%20River%202013/gre005.jpg)
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Good spotting and closeup, RCF!
Beautiful female hanging out in the morning sun this morning (right now: 11:05 CDT). She has quite an obvious "crown" on her head.
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Mary Ellen spent a few months at the Xcel Energy Black Dog Power Plant before she was put out by an older female peregrine.
http://www.species-at-risk.mb.ca/projects/pfrp/forum/programs/index.php/topic,3362.msg90851.html#msg90851
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There's courtship behavior going on right now.
The male is in the nestbox, bowing and scraping, while the female watches him from the outer perch. Lots of noisy squeaks from both birds.
Do we know if the male is Sawatzke again?
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Do we know if the male is Sawatzke again?
Sawatzke's band number is black/green H/34.
This screencap is from BCAW. I believe this is Sawatzke, what do you think? :)
Click on the link for a much larger pic. http://www.peregrinefalcon-bcaw.net/viewtopic.php?p=233096#p233096 (http://www.peregrinefalcon-bcaw.net/viewtopic.php?p=233096#p233096)
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons%202013/Elk%20River%202013/gre006.jpg)
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One thing I do with bands I don't know well (or at all) is find another photo of the band where the number is clearly visible and compare the position of what you can see.
What would make me wonder is the position of the (assumed to be) "H" on the top, it is very close to the rivet seam, which is closer than that usually. Think of the band in a square - the middle of the back side is the seam, the numbers are on the two sides of the box and the front side of the box is blank. If you look at it that way, the letter almost seems to be running onto the seam which is the kind of thing that makes me exceedingly cautious about who it might be.
If you can find a photo/screen capture from last year, compare where the seam is relative to the numbers on the bottom since there are likely two and the letter above should be centred over the two numbers. Hope that makes sense. It may just be the way the band looks in this image, but maybe not. This is exactly the kind of case where I say "I couldn't get a good look at the band" :)
That is what I would do at least ...
For example - check out this photo of Niobrara's band and look at the positioning and think of the box ...
http://outdoornebraska.ne.gov/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/IMG_0123.jpg
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I checked in on this cam several times yesterday, and was rewarded with three views of mating behavior. All three times, both falcons were in the nestbox, bowing and squeaking at each other.
The female seems to like sitting on the edge of the box at sunset.
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Falcon on the edge of the nestbox just now, I believe it is the female, Mary Ellen. She looks so young. Her skirt is flying up and around in the breeze. She loves to sit there and look around, checking out all the action, she looks so interested in everything. Ah, youth! I hope this all works out this year with her and, I suspect (I don't think there has been any confirmation yet), Sawatzke.
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I hope this all works out this year with her and, I suspect (I don't think there has been any confirmation yet), Sawatzke.
Great River Energy's "Birdcam News" post directly under the video indicates that yes, they have confirmed the male as Sawatzke (Swatzke?).
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I've observed in the past few days that these two birds engage in courtship behavior several times a day in the nestbox.
Question: How long does the bowing behavior go on for a pair? For a few days? Weeks? Only until actual mating happens? Right up until the eggs are laid?
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I hope this all works out this year with her and, I suspect (I don't think there has been any confirmation yet), Sawatzke.
Great River Energy's "Birdcam News" post directly under the video indicates that yes, they have confirmed the male as Sawatzke (Swatzke?).
Thanks Baffled! :)
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Thick, wet snow falling this morning in Minnesota. Poor birdies.
I hope the weather warms up a bit before next week's egg watch!
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From the webcam page
Birdcam news
April 1, 2013
No April Fool here – we have falcons in the nest box! A male and a female appear to be settling in. The male is named Sawatzke, band H/34 black/green, he hatched in 2009 at a power plant in Monticello, Minn. and nested in this box last year. The female is named Mary Ellen, band 11/X black/red, she hatched in 2012 at Queens Bluff.
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These birds have definitely "settled in."
Everyday they exhibit courting behavior a number of times: typically the male invites the female into the nestbox, where they bow and squeak to each other for at least a minute. When the male leaves, the female then makes scrapes with her belly and feet.
Both falcons appear to enjoy perching near the nestbox. The female seems to be there more often, even when snow is falling hard. (Although no one was there the other day when the snow was very thick and wet.)
I have not seen any food exchanges within sight of the camera.
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Just saw a food exchange in the nestbox (male to female) when I happened to "wander by" the cam.
No egg yet.
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First egg this morning at 6:30am!! :-*
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons%202013/Elk%20River%202013/elkegg2.jpg)
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Yes, egg!!
I checked in an hour ago, and saw Mary Ellen in the nestbox in the distinctive sitting-over-an-egg posture and knew that it must have happened.
Thanks for the pic, RCF!
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The inside cam is now working and there are two eggs. :-*
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons%202013/Elk%20River%202013/elkriv002.jpg) (http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons%202013/Elk%20River%202013/elkriv.jpg)
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Woo hoo!! Great shots, RCF! ;D
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These two have three eggs now!! ;D
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Just watched a chick hatching :o Might be the first one - Mary Ellen has almost finished eating the shell and still-wet chick is loudly announcing his/her arrival!
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First hatch!!
Video http://youtu.be/iy8hLEoepDk (http://youtu.be/iy8hLEoepDk)
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons%202013/Elk%20River%202013/ELKRIVERHATCH0033.jpg)
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Thanks Susha and RCF for up to the minute news coverage!
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Sawatzke gets to babysit. :-*
Video~http://youtu.be/wcZTTs6aX3U (http://youtu.be/wcZTTs6aX3U)
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons%202013/Elk%20River%202013/sawatzke.jpg)
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What a great screen capture, RCF!
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Second hatch for Sawatzke and Mary Ellen.
Very short video of Mary Ellen removing the shell from her chick.
http://youtu.be/DJxafzbYdbI (http://youtu.be/DJxafzbYdbI)
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons%202013/Elk%20River%202013/ELKRIVERHATCHnumber2.jpg) (http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons%202013/Elk%20River%202013/ELKRIVERHATCHnumber006.jpg)
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I haven't checked in on these two for a while . . . happy to see two healthy chicks.
Have the parents decided that egg is non-viable, since it's not under cover?
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Hmm, well I looked in this morning that saw that the egg was broken on one end, but not under the mother.
Then I looked back just now after a few hours, and the egg has disappeared with two chicks visible. So I guess it wasn't viable.
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Mary Ellen and the two chicks ~ http://youtu.be/_fDgg2Soy8o (http://youtu.be/_fDgg2Soy8o)
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons%202013/Elk%20River%202013/elkriver2kid004.jpg) (http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons%202013/Elk%20River%202013/elkriver2kid005.jpg)
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Lots of yelling going on right now from both parent and chicks ;D
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Kids are hungry but Dad has not delivered.
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The two healthy eyasses at this site were banded on June 28th. A male and and a female - Lucky and Patricia :)
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5:45 pm
Mary Ellen keeping watch over her territory.
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons%202013/Elk%20River%202013/elkriveroct162013005.jpg) (http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons%202013/Elk%20River%202013/elkriveroct162013004.jpg)
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Not sure how long she was there, but she's gone now.
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons%202013/Elk%20River%202013/elkriveroct162013009.jpg)
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2014 NESTING SEASON
Apparently Mary-Ellen was spotted in the nestbox in mid-March ... last year she was observed at the box on March 19th.
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Lots of squeaky chuckling and shuggling over the eggs this morning. Might a hatch be imminent?
Also, Sawatzke just arrived for a shift change, but Mary Ellen stayed glued on the eggs. After some discussion, he left and she stayed in position.
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I'm thinking any minute now, Baffled! This is a fun nest to watch ;D
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Sawatzke took over for several hours this afternoon; and now Mary Ellen is back on the eggs. Definitely one egg with a pip. She tapped it with her beak gently before covering the eggs to start her shift.
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Lots of gentle chirping to the egg, and frequent checks underneath going on .
Then it was shift change so able to see the pipped egg was still intact.
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Hatching in progress. The chick is peeping back as it struggles out of the egg!
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Out! and Mary-Ellen is eating the shell.
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:-* :-*
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/Elk%20River%202014/ElkRiverchickspeepingMay172015.jpg)
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Hooray! ;D
I had a feeling that today was the day!
I missed the hatch, as I was running errands. Thanks for catching it, RCF!
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It sounds like there is more chirping than just from the little one. I wonder if another egg will hatch - early?
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Just before the first hatch Sawatzke was on the eggs. Something caught his attention and he left the eggs for maybe 15 seconds. In that time the eggs/chicks were quite loud, as soon as he was back on them, they quieted down.
Video - http://youtu.be/FWASozHv9_g (http://youtu.be/FWASozHv9_g)
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/Elk%20River%202014/ElkRiverchickspeepingMay172014.jpg)
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There must be another hatch now, as I am watching it live and the chick has its little head in half of the egg.
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Yes, that *is* a second one! :-* :-*
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Now there are three! No wonder the "eggs" were chirping so much.
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Now there are three! No wonder the "eggs" were chirping so much.
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/Elk%20River%202014/ELKRIVERTHREEHATCHES002.jpg)
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Looks like one baby was lost overnight. :'( Only one egg and two flufflies this morning when Mary-Ellen fed them.
Looks like they had Robin for breakfast.
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/Elk%20River%202014/ElkRivertwofed002.jpg)
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/Elk%20River%202014/ElkRivertwofed.jpg)
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Very sad. :'( It is such a privilege to be able to watch these wonderful birds, but difficult to see when things don't go well.
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Lunchtime!
3pm and two chicks eagerly feeding, with one egg still to hatch.
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Another feed just finishing.
Two eager chicks, still one egg without any obvious pips.
Previous meal (around 3pm CDT) was quite a large bird, plain black back with white front. (Maybe a water bird?) This meal was much smaller and lighter coloured.
As in the previous feeding, the female (Mary Ellen) fed the chicks.
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And another feed at 6:45! Those two chicks are having a busy afternoon eating! Still one egg.
Not much of the feeding visible, as Mary Ellen is blocking the view of the chicks.
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It is interesting to see that Mary-Ellen takes the remains of the meal out of the nest.
This is not the right place to post this, but I have been watching Pa and Vievie's family of four in the Netherlands, and the meal remains were rarely removed. A number of times, they all settled in on top of the leftovers after the chicks were fed! I guess this is just the characteristics of individual birds?
TPC: How soon after hatching must/should the chicks be fed?
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It is interesting to see that Mary-Ellen takes the remains of the meal out of the nest.
This is not the right place to post this, but I have been watching Pa and Vievie's family of four in the Netherlands, and the meal remains were rarely removed. A number of times, they all settled in on top of the leftovers after the chicks were fed! I guess this is just the characteristics of individual birds?
TPC: How soon after hatching must/should the chicks be fed?
First feedings are usually within about 6 hours depending on time of day (middle of the night mostly they don't fly/feed) or weather (raining they will wait out if they can)
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It is interesting to see that Mary-Ellen takes the remains of the meal out of the nest.
This is not the right place to post this, but I have been watching Pa and Vievie's family of four in the Netherlands, and the meal remains were rarely removed. A number of times, they all settled in on top of the leftovers after the chicks were fed! I guess this is just the characteristics of individual birds?
TPC: How soon after hatching must/should the chicks be fed?
/quote]
Pa and VieVie were the same last year - very, very messy housekeepers!
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A feeding that started just before 3pm CDT reveals that the final egg has hatched; however, only two chicks were visible eating. The new one may have been hiding on the other side of the chick pile?
There was still some eggshell in the nest. Sawatzke nibbled on it while there was a break in the feeding when Mary Ellen flew off to butcher the meal. Now the meal is over, Mary Ellen is back on the chicks and consuming the egg shell.
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I caught that too Baffled. :) Sawatzke sure took off when Mom came back hee hee!!
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/Elk%20River%202014/Elkriverhatch.jpg)
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Mary Ellen really has been glued to the eggs and chicks these past few days. Sawatzke occasionally gets a chance to visit with them while she is finishing the meal, but she really doesn't let him do much except provide the food right now. He barely gets a few minutes with the chicks before she's back to send him away again. Maybe she'll allow him to be more involved when the chicks are a bit bigger?
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There was just another feeding but I could not see the little one in the middle being fed. It appeared that its head was stuck down between the other two, who were eating. S/he seemed to be chirping a lot, though. Oh. Someone just came with more food, but the little one in the middle still didn't get anything. Only one had a little food and then mom/dad took off with the meal.
I hope the little one gets its head up next time and gets fed.
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(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/Elk%20River%202014/Elkriverhatch.jpg)
Like the dots! Good idea! ;D
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Morning feed..... Mary-Ellen gave one chick a leg which he/she eventually spit out. All three were sitting up and begging for breakfast.
:-*
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons%202013/Columbus%20Falcons/ElkRiverMay202014001.jpg) (http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons%202013/Columbus%20Falcons/ElkRiverMay202014002.jpg)
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The chicks get their third feed in under two hours! :o
Sawatzke brought the meal, then dropped it down from his feet as he sat on the perch. Mary Ellen flew off to collect and butcher the dead bird (it was reddish--Cardinal? Robin?), while Sawatzke spent some time with the chicks. All three chicks feeding eagerly.
ETA: later at 1:40pmCDT, another Cardinal appeared as a snack. Sawatzke is getting a chance to be with the chicks while Mary Ellen butchers the meal. These chicks are getting lots of food today!
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Sawatzke brought the meal, then dropped it down from his feet as he sat on the perch.
Yesterday was not Sawatzke's day. I caught the beginning of a feeding before 8:00 a.m. and saw him dragging a robin around the back of the nest a couple of times. On the last round, the robin's foot knocked the smallest chick onto its back. Good grief!
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Yes, Sawatzke is sometimes a bit awkward/clumsy in the nest. :P
Here's some more information about the lost chick, from the Great River Energy site:
We’re happy to announce that four eyasses hatched this past weekend. Sadly, one of the eyasses was found dead outside/below the nest box. We reviewed the birdcam footage and discovered that early on May 18 Mary Ellen was on alert and quickly left, and returned to, the nest box three times. We suspect this action was in possible defense of an owl. Mary Ellen knocked one of the eyasses out of the nest box during this activity. The three remaining eyasses are safe inside the nest box.
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... We suspect this action was in possible defense of an owl. Mary Ellen knocked one of the eyasses out of the nest box during this activity..."
Aw... this is too bad. :'( Glad to hear the other 3 are okay, though.
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The three chicks are scheduled to be banded on Friday at 10:00 a.m.
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Chicks being taken for banding. I think I heard them say all three are female. :)
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/Elk%20River%202014/ElkriverbandingJune62014003.jpg) (http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/Elk%20River%202014/ElkriverbandingJune62014001.jpg)
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/Elk%20River%202014/ElkriverbandingJune62014002.jpg)
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Tuned in around 10. Find parent watching the chicks at the front of the box. One of the chick complains "I could really use a snack right now" and got the others going for a while. Parent picks at leftovers in the box but there isn't much to work with to feed them. The chick settle back down for a nap and at around 20 after parent flies off on alert, and you can hear them yak-yaking in the background. We get a view of two ladies in helmets being moved over to the box in a lift,by a third guy operating the lift. Everyone is wearing safetly helments. One lady is in charge of the camera taking pics of the chicks. The second lady has a tupperbox and carefully loads the chicks into it, covers them up with the tupperlid and off they go from our view screen. She mentions that she thinks two of the chicks might be girls.
With the chicks gone, one of the parents (I think the same one who was in the box) comes to land on the back perch by the box. They sit there making a strange "sighing"/meow like noise. It sounds like he/she is depressed ??? Believe the people doing the banding are just below the box somewhere because adult bird keeps looking down.
At about 11 parent flies off. By around 11:05 the chicks are safely returned to the box.
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It was Mary-Ellen with the kids. Here they are returned home.
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/Elk%20River%202014/ElkRiverbandingreturnJune62014001.jpg) (http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/Elk%20River%202014/ElkRiverbandingreturnJune62014002.jpg)
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/US%20Falcons/Elk%20River%202014/ElkRiverbandingreturnJune62014003.jpg)
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Videos of the retrieval and return of the Elk River Chicks. The one woman said two girls and a boy. ;D
http://youtu.be/kfxMgr_OKmk (http://youtu.be/kfxMgr_OKmk)
http://youtu.be/aFLhHYHTdJA (http://youtu.be/aFLhHYHTdJA)
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This is from the Raptor Resource Project on FB.
They named the chicks Meeker, Bullet and Andee. Some will be able to see this, not sure if it is public. You may have to scroll to see the photo, plus they said there would be more photos when avalable. :)
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Raptor-Resource-Project/103786266324668?fref=photo
Gary Kleis, operations supervisor at GRE, with Meeker, a falcon he named for one of Great River Energy's plants. Gary can add falcon handler to his resume. We banded one male (Meeker) and two females (Bullet and Andee). I'll have more photos later today!
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I'm sad to hear about the babe that accidentally got turfed out of the box, but glad the other three are doing well.
I look forward to another summer watching this nestbox! :)
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RCF thanks for the you tube videos. :)
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Thanks RCF! Thumbs up!
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Thanks for the photos, RCF. They are so crisp! :)
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Cam's up and there's a bird on the nestbox ;D
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Their aspect ratio on their camera is a little squashed.
2015-03-26 at 1:33 pm
(http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh538/dupre501/2015%20public/2015-03-26%201333.jpg)
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Birdcam news from the cam page.
March 2015
On March 8, Mary Ellen 11/X, returned to this nest box for the third year.
Male - Brooklyn 65/M, (2012 hatch from Colonnade Golden Valley in MN) identified March 18, 2015
I added a bit more info on the male. They also have an egg. :-*
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/ME%20EGG003.jpg) (http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/ME%20EGG002.jpg)
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Thanks for these photos and info, RCF. It looks like Mom posed for this shot.
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Second egg for Mary Ellen and Brooklyn
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/ME2NDEGG003.jpg) (http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/ME2NDEGG005.jpg)
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Thanks, RCF. I love watching this box every year!
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They have five eggs here now!!
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/5%20eggs%20elk%20river.jpg)
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Woaw! This is going to be fun this year :o
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First hatch some time this morning with another egg with big pip in it. ;D
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/ELK%20BABYk.jpg)
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One active chick visible and a huge pip on another egg--that one won't be long now!
Mary Ellen is chirping to the eggs, and the little one is chirping back.
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Looks like another hatch!
Mary Ellen is eating some shell right now, but the chick is covered.
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The fourth chick hatched around midday today.
One egg left, with a mark on it that could possibly be a pip, or perhaps just nest dirt.
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(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/Elk%20River%204%200045.jpg) (http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/Elk%20River%204%200044.jpg)
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Nice captures, RCF!
I've noticed these past few days that when Mary Ellen returns to the chicks after a meal or shift change, she pauses and looks down at them for a while before shuffling over them. I wonder what her bird brain is thinking?
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Probably wondering what she is going to do when the other one hatches. That will be quite the crowd to try to keep under her.
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I've noticed these past few days that when Mary Ellen returns to the chicks after a meal or shift change, she pauses and looks down at them for a while before shuffling over them. I wonder what her bird brain is thinking?
Just like the old woman in the shoe, who had so many children she didn't know what to do! :o
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Does anyone know if the 5th egg hatched? I never seem to catch a shift change when checking on this nest.
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Does anyone know if the 5th egg hatched? I never seem to catch a shift change when checking on this nest.
No, there is still one egg. At this point I don't think it is going to hatch. Four is plenty to feed. ;)
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It would have been cool to see five but I agree with RCF, 4 is a lot to feed and as they grow the box gets pretty crowded.
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Thanks, RCF. All I ever see is big pile of white fluff under her, and I couldn't see the egg. Mary Ellen is going to be busy with her babies, not just feeding them but keeping them sheltered. :)
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Yes, the fifth egg is still there and still being included in the "shuggle" when the adults get all the chicks back under after a feeding. But it looks like it won't hatch.
Four is quite enough!
ps: they were playing with the cameras today and testing out the angle that looks front-on into the nestbox, preparing for when the chicks are older.
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Banding on June 3.
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Last pic kid went and lay down behind the other three.
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/great%20river22.jpg) (http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/great%20river003.jpg)
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/great%20river002.jpg)
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They all look extremely well fed. :)
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They banded these four yesterday...three females and one male. :)
Females:
Sky - 1947-20052 D/49
Lettie - 1947-20053 D/50
River - 1947-20054 D/51
Male:
Landyn - 1156-14927 E/34
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They all look extremely well fed. :)
Holy moly! They sure do look well fed! :D
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2016 NESTING SEASON
From information at another forum they are pretty sure Mary Ellen and Brooklyn are the returning pair. Plus they have an egg...... :)
Here is the new link to the cam
http://greatriverenergy.com/we-use-energy-wisely/environmental-impact/peregrine-falcon-birdcam/ (http://greatriverenergy.com/we-use-energy-wisely/environmental-impact/peregrine-falcon-birdcam/)
Video of them bonding in the nest https://youtu.be/BiDiK9ZnOGI (https://youtu.be/BiDiK9ZnOGI)
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RCF, is there something we have to do to be able to access the cam? When I click on the link, the cam isn't there...When I tried to sign up for the newsletter, thinking that they must require a sign-up, it wouldn't let me... ???
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RCF, is there something we have to do to be able to access the cam? When I click on the link, the cam isn't there...When I tried to sign up for the newsletter, thinking that they must require a sign-up, it wouldn't let me... ???
It works for me but you can try this link susha.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uL2x9d8ELMU (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uL2x9d8ELMU)
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Thanks for sharing this site, RCF! I too, am able to view.
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Thanks RCF! I tried the link from my work computer and it works, so I'll try it again when I get home. The youtube one works from work as well...
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Well, still can't get the regular link from home computer, but am able to view the Youtube one, so have bookmarked that link. Thanks again RCF! I like this nest.
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Three eggs, one is an Easter egg!
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Blondechik_2010/2016%20USA%20Peregrines/ELK%20RIVER%203%20egg.jpg)
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This is from a employee at ELK River.
Typically we have had the falcons migrate in mid November, Mary Ellen 11/X stayed at the nest box until 1-9-16 before she migrated south, so she was only gone for five weeks.
Mary Ellen returned early this year on 2-20-16 and on 3/3/16 Brooklyn 65/M returned, same pair of falcons from last year and courtship occured.
This is Mary Ellen's fourth year and Brooklyn's second year in the GRE nest box.
The first egg was laid on 3-22-16 at 7:20 a.m. and the second egg was laid on 3-24-16 at 7:40 p.m., we should see the third in the early a.m. on Sunday.
The photo is of Brooklyn asking if Mary Ellen wanted a break.
http://www.peregrinefalcon-bcaw.net/viewtopic.php?p=388872#p388872 (http://www.peregrinefalcon-bcaw.net/viewtopic.php?p=388872#p388872)
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MAY 11, 2016:
We are sad to report that we do not expect the peregrine falcon eggs in the nest box to hatch as they are long overdue. Several factors could lead to this type of outcome; they could have frozen during an early-spring cold period or they could be infertile. It is Great River Energy’s policy to not interfere with the natural occurrences in the peregrine falcon nesting box.
We have decided to turn off our birdcam until the 2017 season.
Thank you to all of our faithful birdcam viewers!
http://greatriverenergy.com/we-use-energy-wisely/environmental-impact/peregrine-falcon-birdcam/
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This is indeed sad to hear. Thanks for sharing, RCF!
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2019 NESTING SEASON
Four eggs hatched here on May 8th and 9th.
https://greatriverenergy.com/we-are-a-cooperative/the-cooperative-difference/environmental-impact/peregrine-falcon-birdcam/ (https://greatriverenergy.com/we-are-a-cooperative/the-cooperative-difference/environmental-impact/peregrine-falcon-birdcam/)
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2020 NESTING SEASON
Looks like there won't be a cam in Elk River this year ... from their website ...
The Great River Energy Elk River facility is being demolished. Brenda Geisler, our falcon caretaker, worked very hard to get the falcons a new nest box on a structure that GRE is building just for them. However, the site does not have a camera right now and will be offline for 2020. We are looking into ways to return the livestream, which, thanks to Brenda and IT specialist Tamara, was one of our first.
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Employees install nest box for falcons
February 14, 2020
Work to provide a new home to the peregrine falcons who usually nest at Elk River Energy Recovery Station has begun.
With decommissioning of the Elk River power plant underway, employees chose a new site for the falcons to return to for their typical nesting period from mid-February through March, depending on weather patterns.
Line technicians from Great River Energy’s Big Lake transmission service center set a pole with a platform, nest box and camera on a hill atop the cooperative’s native prairie, adjacent to the power plant.
The project’s next phase of work involves getting the camera that will monitor the falcons’ nesting activities operational. After this is completed, the falcons are expected to occupy the nest box.
The Elk River Energy Recovery Station was taken out of service in 2019 and is being decommissioned.
https://greatriverenergy.com/employees-install-nest-box-for-falcons/ (https://greatriverenergy.com/employees-install-nest-box-for-falcons/)
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For those that may be interested in a little background about WTF plants and why the GRE Elk River plant is being decommissioned ...
Minnesota WTE plant closing after county turns down offer to buy for one dollar
Cole Rosengren / Waste Dive / 26 Nov 2018
Great River Energy (GRE) plans to close the Elk River Resource Recovery Project in Minnesota, as reported by MPR News, due to financial challenges caused in part by declining energy revenues. This includes a 1,000 ton-per-day refuse-derived fuel operation, a 29 MW power plant and an ash landfill.
The utility had approached multiple counties, including Hennepin and Anoka, about potentially purchasing the site. Sherburne County, the final option, decided against it during a Nov. 20 meeting. Even with GRE offering the facility for $1 and promising to cover any potential closure costs through 2020, the lack of necessary tonnage was a primary deal breaker.
With the region's other WTE facilities largely operating at capacity, an estimated 250,000 tons per year of waste is now expected to end up in one of four area landfills. The Star-Tribune previously reported this may shorten their average remaining permitted lifespan to six years.
Dive Insight:
The Elk River site has been processing waste into RDF since a 1989 retrofit and GRE took over the full operation in 2010. GRE, a cooperative, recognized this presented an "extremely unusual decision" for the county and appears to have made the deal as favorable as possible. In addition to the $1 sale price – along with the assumption of $5.4 million worth of closure expenses and $4 million in employee severance through the end of 2020 – it also offered a two-year power purchase agreement weighted in the county's favor.
Yet the facility needs 320,000 tons per year to remain financially viable and has seen its incoming stream steadily decrease since at least 2013. According to documents provided to the Sherburne County Board of Commissioners, only 140,000 tons were guaranteed by GRE during its proposed two-year bridge period. In a memo evaluating the proposal, the county's solid waste administrator wrote that “unless additional guaranteed tonnage are secured in writing, this project will lose money," and "result in fiscal loss to the county."
That same memo also recognized “the overall benefits of processing solid waste rather than relying on indiscriminate land disposal is undisputed,” in keeping with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's (MPCA) waste recovery hierarchy. According to the Energy Recovery Council, the state has seven other active WTE facilities. GRE won an operating contract for one of those sites, owned by Hennepin County, over incumbent Covanta in 2016.
Following the EPA's own national hierarchy, MPCA recently went so far as to start enforcing a decades-old law requiring waste go to WTE facilities with slack capacity, such as GRE's Elk River site, rather than to area landfills. Waste Management (which owns three of the four local landfills) and Republic Services (which owns the fourth) sued, and the matter is pending appeal. Meanwhile, Waste Management plans to begin exporting tonnage from one local site in Burnsville out of state in advance of shrinking capacity.
While Minnesota handles a larger portion of its waste via WTE than landfills, this is not the national norm. Outside of select regions, WTE is still the minority option, and new or expanded projects remain challenging for a host of political reasons. GRE's Elk River facility will now join a list of at least three others — in California, New Jersey and Florida — that have announced closure plans in 2018.
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From the Raptor Resource website:
This year’s female is once again Breezy 31/P, joined by her mate Brooklyn 65/M. The two are nesting on a tower built especially for them by Great River Energy. The camera is not live at this time.
Egg Laying
Egg #1: March 28, 2020 @ 7:00 AM
Egg #2: March 30, 2020 @ 4:47 PM
Egg #3: April 2, 2020 @ 7:20 AM
Egg #4: April 2, 2020 @4:57 pm
Hatch is expected to begin around May 5
There weren't any additional updates on the website - if the chicks did hatch about May 5th they should be fledging or about to fledge shortly now ...
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Thanks for the updates here, TPC.
The Elk River nest box had been one of the non Manitoba sites I liked to follow.
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2022 NESTING SEASON
From our friends at GRE ....
March 23, 2022
Great River Energy’s long-term peregrine falcon residents returned in late February to the Elk River, Minnesota, nest box. Brooklyn, the male, returned for an eighth year and Breezy (pictured), the female, returned for a fifth year. With the help of an Eagle Scout and the Raptor Resource Project, Great River Energy first installed the nesting box in 2006 atop Elk River Energy Recovery Station. The nest box was relocated in early 2020 to a platform above the native prairie on Great River Energy’s Elk River campus. Since 2006, 46 young falcons have fledged from the Elk River location.
I only know that Brooklyn & Breezy had 4 chicks last year but nothing on outcomes ...