Radisson - 2011 / Ivy & Princess

[Leana]

A number of times Ivy was in the nestbox today, don't know if he was defending or trying to entice Princess to pair bond. 

That's great to hear they are still coming "home" for the night!

Another newbie question from me... what does "pair bond" mean...? 

[Saoirse]

It's great to hear that they haven't totally deserted the nestbox; it's apparently still home base. At this point, any sight of the birds -- kids or adults -- is such a treat!

[The Peregrine Chick]

Yes, one of the chicks turned up this evening right on time.  Just before that, two flew right past the box fast and tight - don't know if it was kids or adults or kids and adults. 

A number of times Ivy was in the nestbox today, don't know if he was defending or trying to entice Princess to pair bond.  This is the first time he's done this this year, didn't do it yesterday, will have to see what tomorrow holds.

[allikat]

Hey TPC, I was wondering if the kids are still coming back to the nestbox at night... I know you can still check the cams and get to see what we can't.  Are Bea and one of her Bro's still coming back at night?

I was wonderin' the same thing! 

[Leana]

Hey TPC, I was wondering if the kids are still coming back to the nestbox at night... I know you can still check the cams and get to see what we can't.  Are Bea and one of her Bro's still coming back at night?

[Saoirse]

Birdnut, it sounds as though you had a great evening! Your post really helps make up for not seeing the birds now that the cam is dark. And what you saw wouldn't have showed up on the cam anyway, so bonus! I hope the fledglings stick around downtown for a good long while.

[MayShowers]

Thanks for the update birdnut.  Your explanation made me feel like I was there and could see it happening.

[birdnut]

The three young pfs put on a great show between the hydro building and the radisson last night between 6:30 and 7:15.  Beatrix even chased a couple of pigeons around.  Lots of riding the thermals and chasing each other.  At one point one of the boys was sitting on the Hydro building.  Beatrix flew by and he flew out right at her.  Just 3 kids out having fun in the summer sun!!

[birdcamfan]

I asked Tracy about PF's going to the ground a couple of years ago and she said they generally don't.

Oops! My mistake. I went back a couple of years and what TPC said was not that they don't go to the ground but that they don't spend time in trees. Sorry to have misquoted.

[The Peregrine Chick]

Does Tracy or anyone know if a falcon would fly down to the ground to retrieve its prey?  When will he/she give up and go catch something else?

Never heard of a peregrine falcon doing that, irenekl. As far as I understand, they catch their prey in mid air and then take it to a very high up location to prepare and/or stash it for later. But TPC would know the answer to your questions, for sure.

I asked Tracy about PF's going to the ground a couple of years ago and she said they generally don't.

If prey is large enough that they can't carry it and don't want to give it up, they will drop it and go down and eat it.  Hunting along the ground is the dangerous part because of the speed at which peregrines fly - but eating on the ground, so long as its got lots of space for them is not unusual.   T-Rex occasionally took his lunch to the grassy lawn in the U of M quad (on the south side of the Admin Building for those who know the Ft Garry Campus) back in the 1990s when there were no trees or things there, just wide open grass.  Students and faculty used to park themselves in the shade of the boulevard trees to eat lunch and T-Rex would drop in for a snack.  Not sure who was joining who in his mind.

Does Tracy or anyone know if a falcon would fly down to the ground to retrieve its prey?  When will he/she give up and go catch something else? 

Probably not in this case, downtown is rarely quiet/not busy so I'm pretty sure some other little carnivore or omnivore will find the meal in quick order and appreciate the "wind fall".

[Mother Hen]

the metal looking building across from the parking lot at the Winnipeg Convention centre is a favorite spot for one of the brids....I have seen him/her there quite often. I don't know the name of the building but it hasa a go Jets sign on it and the building is under repairs....

[birdcamfan]

I asked Tracy about PF's going to the ground a couple of years ago and she said they generally don't.

[Kinderchick]

Does Tracy or anyone know if a falcon would fly down to the ground to retrieve its prey?  When will he/she give up and go catch something else?

Never heard of a peregrine falcon doing that, irenekl. As far as I understand, they catch their prey in mid air and then take it to a very high up location to prepare and/or stash it for later. But TPC would know the answer to your questions, for sure.

[RCF]

Does Tracy or anyone know if a falcon would fly down to the ground to retrieve its prey?  When will he/she give up and go catch something else?

I can tell you I have seen a lot of untouched dead birdies, like Sora Rails and Killdeer (dropped prey) on the ground around the McKenzie site.  So my guess is they probably will not retrieve it and go looking for more. 

[Liz]

Good idea!