Kelly W- June 26, 2008 – (5-6 pm)
Another beautiful evening for fledge watching! I arrived to find a number of watchers downtown. Carol P. was also on official watch. There were a couple of falcons in view. Closest to us was Seneca who had been hanging out on one of the lower buildings for most of the day. She seemed content to stay put while an adult flew in with what Brian said was prey. Immediately we saw 3 juvies where the food drop was on the east
side of the tower.
Around 5:30 Mariah started flying around the tower and it took no time for Zephyr to launch into the air. For the next 15 minutes we were treated to a lot of fun flying and talon tag by at least 3 juvies in the air at once! Seneca kept her on eye on her family but showed no signs of moving.
Approx. 5:45 Carol P. heard one of the adults sound the kak alarm. Kaver or Mariah was off to the east above the river. We grabbed the binoculars and spotted a very large, dark bird that was not a Turkey Vulture. The consensus was that it was a juvie bald eagle and it was escorted out of the area rather peacefully.
At 6:00 I got ready to go but still had my eye on Seneca who had started to exercise her wings. She started off the building into flight and in the breeze, up she went! She was a little unsteady and I think a draft or two caught her off guard. We all held one collective breath as she went across State Street but then made her way back to the building. Her first landing did not stick so another small flight and she came in for a second attempt– she knocked her mom off her perch–but she stuck the landing! It was great to see what must have been only her second or third flight.
Kelly W.
June 27th, 2008 at 1:43 AM
A Bald Eagle in Downtown Rochester? Is that common these days? I don’t recall hearing of sightings there while growing up in Rochester. Glad the escort was peaceful. Guess it will take a while for Seneca to catch up with her siblings, but good that she’s pacing herself. Sounded like a fun watch, Kelly. Thank you for your report.
Barbara
(Los Angeles)
June 27th, 2008 at 3:13 AM
Bald Eagles are a lot more common now than in the days when they were suffering or just recovering from the effects of DDT – remember, tho’ it was banned in the early 1970s, it remained in the environment for long after that. Eagles at the top of the food chain accumulate more and need more time to get rid of the effects.
I love the reports, but is there some way we could have them appear chronologically according to when the watch was rather than when they are posted. Is this something the forum moderator/administrator can do or is it a) not possible or b) too time consuming?
June 27th, 2008 at 7:10 AM
Is Seneca, assumedly being the last hatched and the last to leave the nestbox, on track developmently?
June 27th, 2008 at 8:20 AM
Thanks Kelly for such a sweet report. We had a juvenile eagle in our yard a couple of eweeks ago. That is definitely not a common sight here on Cape Cod in recent years. It’s so nice that we are doing SOMETHING good environmentally that is allowing these former native populations to return,isn’t it?
June 27th, 2008 at 10:10 AM
Thank you, Alison. It’s heartening to know that some aspects of the environment are gradually recovering. Very well put, June. What a thrill that must have been to have an eagle pay a visit. My brother, in Rochester, told me there are even Wild Turkeys in downtown. That’s pretty impressive. The studies and programs are vital to the wildlife, as well as our own wellbeing.
Barbara
(Los Angeles)
June 27th, 2008 at 10:56 AM
ENB, I don’t think anyone’s worried about Seneca’s development at this time. If she has difficulty flying and/or can’t get airborne (such as after landing on the ground) she’ll be rescued by the fledgewatch team. GVAS usually has an avian vet examine and observe rescued fledges before releasing them if there’s any indication of an injury or health concern. They won’t release her unless she’s healthy enough to eventually survive on her own.
June 27th, 2008 at 1:11 PM
Thanks Rosamund for that info.
June 27th, 2008 at 6:52 PM
Thats a great report, thanks. Sounds like Seneca has a way to go, but she is getting it. Scarey at times for you to see things such as the juvie eagle..but unfortunately thats the things they will encounter. I pray they are all well and will be as time goes on.
June 27th, 2008 at 9:12 PM
@Alison- For initial postings of the fledge watch reports, we’re allowing the posts to appear in the order the authors write them. Many of our watchers are so fond of keeping an eye on the falcons that their posts appear late, so this gives them an opportunity to have their watch reports read and commented upon as soon as they’re posted. Every couple of days I’ll edit the older posts so that they appear in chronological order to the extent possible.
June 29th, 2008 at 1:46 AM
Thank-you, Jess.