MN / Elk River - 2008-22

[Elaine L]

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.

[Kinderchick]

Whoa, Elaine! What a description of the whole banding proceedure!

[carly]

If that had been Madame X in Hamilton, she would have removed the guy's shirt for him. 

 

[Elaine L]

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.

[Elaine L]

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!

[jadoo]

...wow, was she ever mad   ..pretty confident male, didn't pay the slightest bit of attention to her until the very end  ...loved the video!

[Elaine L]

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

[susha]

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.

[eagle63_1999]

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.

[Elaine L]

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.

[susha]

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

[Elaine L]

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. 

[mspeach]

Saw her feeding the little fluffs this morning, and feel better about things.     She has them all tucked underneath now.    Aren't instincts amazing!!

[Pam]

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!

[susha]

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!