Rfalconcam Forum

My heart is broken, Viper is dead  :crying: :crying: :crying:

Very sad to report and finding the words isn’t easy, but Viper has died.

She was found on the road, blood on her talons, possibly a tussle with another female, her body is intact, there is a necropsy being done.


No word on what they will do, if anything about the kids if there is a new female.

https://www.facebook.com/LBWLPeregrineFalcons/ (https://www.facebook.com/LBWLPeregrineFalcons/)

       How very sad.. :crying:

and they have 4 babies!!   :( Another bad year for Falcons! 

Rfalcons better be darn careful!!

 :sorrow:

 :crying:

Several months after the tragic loss of Viper, a new female has shown up at the nest.

She was born at the Jackson, Michigan nest in 2010, and her name is Ella. She is banded black/red 79/Y. Her parents are Big Red (banded black/red 33/K) and Chayton (banded black/green C/57).

Recently her younger brother, Justice (born in 2012, banded black/red 08/P, and listed as a female) took up residence at the Detroit Zoo water tower with an unbanded female. A nest box is planned for next year.

One of this year's juvies, Bolt, was found injured at Detroit Metro Airport earlier this month.

“I am a biologist at Detroit Metro Airport and this weekend we had a bird strike involving a peregrine falcon with a USGS band on the right leg number 1156-26181 and on the left leg it had a dual colored band with black 11 on top and blue "C" on the bottom. This bird was not killed so I took it to a rehab facility. I thought this may be a bird the DNR was observing so I wanted to let you know”

UPDATE : Bolt is nearing a full recovery, appeared to have an injured eye/swollen right side of face, but sounds like is up and ready to get back out there! Was found on the ground at the airport and when approached didn't flinch, only blinked to show he was alive.

I am very grateful to the person who found him for helping him and taking him to rehab. I hope he will be okay; eye injuries are always a major concern.

 goodnews:

A visitor at the Lansing nest:

(https://picload.org/image/rolargcr/lansing-jan-27-8a.jpg)

(https://picload.org/image/rolargca/lansing-jan-27-10a.jpg)

(https://picload.org/image/rolargcl/lansing-jan-27-11a.jpg)

(https://picload.org/image/rolargci/lansing-jan-27-13a.jpg)

 :2thumbsup:

 :happy:

Meant to post this on Monday but wanted to wait until I saw something from Dina.  On Friday night Eckert was behaving the same way as Union City mom and by nightfall it was evident he was under attack.  No idea how long but the fact that egg laying was delayed might have been for awhile.  Same technique as Union City , swooping and aerial attacks and poor Eckert hiding in the box.  

On Monday a new male entered the nest box.  He's also a Michigan pefa, 6 years old named Tornado.

Heavy sigh...

Wow ..did not know that Tornado is Eckerts brother..wow!

Lansing Michigan Peregrine Falcons
11 mins ·

Welcome! ... Tornado!!!
Another twist in Lansing at our nest. Tornado has asked Eckert to leave , we have not seen him since last week Friday. As for the family tree, Tornado is Eckert's brother, a year younger, he fledged also from the BC Cobb Power Plant in Muskegon in 2010. (Eckert was 2009). This photo collage shows mating for this pair. Ella and Tornado. eggs soon?! stay tuned ...

One adult at the nest:

(https://picload.org/image/dgoadlri/lansing-sept-25-1a.jpg)

(https://picload.org/image/dgoadlrw/lansing-sept-25-2a.jpg)

Looks to be hot there too!  ;D

You're right, MAK!  91°F in Lansing today!  :happy:

(https://picload.org/image/dgoaoooi/lansing-sept-26-4a.jpg)

(https://picload.org/image/dgoaooow/lansing-sept-26-6a.jpg)

At least one of the birds has been showing up at the nest frequently, and one has been sleeping on the perch attached to the nest box on many nights.

I found both at the nest one day:

(https://picload.org/image/dadliwir/lansing-feb-11-4a.jpg)

There has been heavy flooding in the Lansing area. View from the nest box this morning:

(https://picload.org/image/dadliwia/lansing-feb-22-1a.jpg)

(https://picload.org/image/dadliwil/lansing-feb-22-2a.jpg)

I hope everyone, and all the birds, will stay safe.

https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/local/2018/02/20/meteorologists-grand-river-flooding-could-lansings-worst-since-1985/354205002/ (https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/local/2018/02/20/meteorologists-grand-river-flooding-could-lansings-worst-since-1985/354205002/)

YAY and WOW!!!!! :scaredblue:

As far as I know, the birds at this nest are still Tornado, born in Muskegon, Michigan in 2010 (both his parents are unbanded) and banded black/red 02/C, and Ella, born at the Jackson, Michigan nest in 2010 (a daughter of Big Red and Chayton) and banded black/red 79/Y. I could see Tornado's band numbers in the second pic.

(https://picload.org/image/daaaraaa/lansing-feb-24-3a.jpg)

(https://picload.org/image/daaaraal/lansing-feb-24-5a.jpg)

(https://picload.org/image/daaaraai/lansing-feb-24-7a.jpg)

Meantime flooding continues in the Lansing area and in so many other areas.  :(

(https://picload.org/image/daaaraow/lansing-feb-25-6a.jpg)

Not sure what happened here but Ella has a serious eye injury.  This is a tough site to hold under normal circumstances, will be tough if only one eye is working  :(

First post down:  

Posted to FB:  https://www.facebook.com/Peregrine-Falcons-Southeast-Michigan-164682993603101/ (https://www.facebook.com/Peregrine-Falcons-Southeast-Michigan-164682993603101/)

                  :(

Looks like it may be egg time or fake out time  ;D.  Can't see the 'eye' in question from this angle but obviously not interfering with normal activities.

New female on site since yesterday morning, young and unbanded.  They've been in and out bonding.  I last saw Ella sleeping on the perch.   Same female that was spotted a few days ago.