Today’s Fledge Watchers:

Morning/Afternoon – Dana, Larry O, Anna, Ron, Ryan, Dan, Willie, Carla, Joyce, Brian, Kathy O, Carrie and Carol P. (6:30 am – 4:00 pm)

Evening – Kathy O, Ryan, Carla, Willie, Joyce, Herbie, Dan, Larry O, Sue, Lukka (Carol) and Shaky (4:00 – 8:30 pm)

Weather:  Very Sunny, with temps in the mid 70’s.  A perfect day for a fledge!

*Please be sure to click on the picture to see the full image!*

I just had a feeling that Mike was going to fledge today and I and many other watchers were correct.  After being held back by Beauty yesterday due to the high winds, Mike was more than ready to take his first flight.

It happened at about 8:15 am.  Mike was at the north end of the wall and he was flapping his wings like crazy, and bobbing his head up and down.  Then, as Dana and I were watching, he took his first flight.  Mike headed north, towards the Powers Bldg.  We lost sight of him behind the Wilder Bldg, so we ran across the parking lot, trying to see where he went.

Just then, Mike was heading back towards the Times Square Bldg, with Beauty and Dot.ca following close behind.  Mike’s flight was strong and he quickly gained height.  He overshot the northeast wing ledge and ended up hanging from the metal grillwork.  Beauty landed on the column above the nest box and Dot.ca landed on the northeast wing ledge, very close to Mike.  Mike quickly got his feet beneath him and settled in for awhile.

After awhile, Mike decided it would be better to join his dad on the northeast wing ledge.  He spread his wings and attempted to fly over to Dot.ca.  But, he missed and fell down the face of the building.  Quickly he flapped his wings and took flight yet again.

Dana and I were on the move again, tracking Mike’s flight.  He ended up turning the corner of the Times Square Bldg, where we lost sight of him.  From in front of the Blue Cross Arena, we spotted Mike on a ledge near the top of the back extension of the Times Square Bldg on the southside.  He was safe and Beauty was nearby keeping an eye on him.

Dana remained on the southside to keep an eye on Mike, while I returned to Aqueduct St (aka “the hole”) to watch the girls, just in case.  We were joined by many watchers during the day.  You can see the list of watchers above.

Here is a picture showing the location of Mike’s first flights.

Beauty and Dot.ca did a lot of flight lessons for the new juvie and his two eyas sisters.  Once an eyas takes flight, they become a juvie or fledgling.  The flying by the adults was spectacular.  Wish you could all see what they can do.

I’ve been practicing flight shots with my new camera.  🙂

Kathy O, Anna and I walked around to the southside of the building to check on Mike.  We found Dana and she pointed out his location.  He was on the move.  Back and forth on the ledge, with wings out.  He was trying to get up to the roof above his ledge.  From there, he could walk all around the building.  Finally, he made his way to the roof.  Always under the watchful eye of his watchers and parents.

I ended my watch at 4:00 pm.  By the time I left, Mike had made it up a few levels and back to the wall on the opposite side of the building from the nest box.  He had a good view of his two sisters and he found some shade to take a nap in.

After I left, Mike finally made it back to the nest box.  Beauty brought in food and that is all it took for Mike to make the short flight across the front of the building to the nest box platform.  A beautiful flight and landing.  He joined his sisters for a small meal.

Here are some more pictures from my fledge watch.  Enjoy!