MN / Great Spirit Bluff - 2016-22

[GCG]

Thanks for this information, Alison. We can only hope Travis is fine.

[Alison]

The resident female, Michelle (banded black/green P/87), returned to the nest, but up to this point, Travis (banded black/green 06/N) has not returned,

There is a male at the nest with Michelle, but it is not Travis. This male is unbanded.

I hope Travis is just a bit later in returning. He could have been delayed for many reasons. Travis will be thirteen years old this year, while Michelle will be eleven.

In the meantime, Michelle and the new male have been bonding.

[GCG]

They are presently running a video of retrieval of 4 chicks for banding. Quite fascinating. Two people are rappelled down to the nestbox. A crate is also lowered and chicks brought up to be banded with children in attendance. I am intrigued by their ability to rappel down this sheer cliff.

http://www.raptorresource.org/birdcams/gsb-falcons/

[GCG]

A video from the forum. At 2 min 25 seconds, Michelle is seen. At 5 min 55 seconds, Travis flies in and there is copulation.

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/84145647

[GCG]

There are now people posting on the GSB forum that the returnees are again Michelle and Travis and they are canoodling.

[GCG]

Update! I have checked their forum and saw a posted photo. Both are back and are "bonding".

[GCG]

  I am happy to report that as of this morning, I have seen up close and personal, a falcon sitting on the perch preening. I am going to love watching this cam.

[GCG]

2016 NESTING SEASON

I am certain this will be yet another interesting nest/cam to watch. Located on the side of a bluff in Minnesota above the Mississippi River. As I read, the falcons return late February, early March. Cam is live, of course after sitting through ad videos.

http://www.raptorresource.org/birdcams/gsb-falcons/