Rfalconcam Forum

I started watching the scrapes very early this year.  

Jersey:  My young Jersey City friend couldn't stay away and has seen Mom and Dad copulating and flying about.  The JC web cam is online, but moisture or something has made one camera foggy and the other cam got moved.  I don't think they can fix anything until the birds have settled in.  Window washers were on the east side of the building and that doesn't seem to be helping.

Water St:  Saw Rocky coming and going from the scrape.  Building crew reports three eggs.  Cam is not yet online.  They are working on it.  Should be soon.

Enjoy the pictures.  First two are JC, Mom then Dad.  #s 3, 4 are Water St, Rocky (I think)

Went down on Sunday, 3/28/10.  Stayed for a very short time at Water St and in JC.  Absolutely no outside action.  Water St has 4 eggs, JC had 2 as of Sat.  Maybe #3 came out of the pipe?

Stopped at Riverside Church on my way back up and got to see both.  I didn't go in and ask how many eggs they have.

Hatchlings,
There are three hatchlings and one egg.The third one was just hatched.I saw a feeding,
maybe the first?
http://falcons.55water.com/news.php
It's a nice webcam with a great view.

Greetings Carla




 :hatch1: :hatch1: :hatch1:

We thought we only had one hatch.  Did three eggs hatch during the day today?  I saw the egg shells.  First hatch was scheduled for today, Earth Day!!

Around 14.00 hrs NY time I watched the cam and saw two fluffy eyases,the third one hatched about an hour ago ,it was still wet.Greetings Carla

Woo Hoo!!  Three in one day?  I do believe.  There didn't seem to be any eyasses on Wednesday.

 bguitar

Four Hatchlings.!!!!
The fourth egg hatched last night/evening,but I wasn't shure.
Now there are four fluffy eyasses. :hatch1: :hatch1: :hatch1: :hatch1:

greetings Carla

Great news!  I couldn't get down there and won't be going down on Sunday.  Too many nest to watch right here close to me.  Plus, very little action from the street.  Most of it is on the web cam.

55 Waterstreet banding

Banding just started,they are now taking the eyases from the nestbox.

Greetings Carla

They are growing too fast,I think they are going to fledge the next week.And they where fighting over a peace of prey,and now they're waiting for more food.

Greetings Carla

We thought one fledged early this morning, but it must have hopped over to the other side of the ledge.  I'll be there this weekend.  Anyone who wants to come down and watch might find it VERY interesting.  If you come, PLEASE DO NOT GO AFTER A DOWNED BIRD OR TRY AND STOP TRAFFIC.  We call the building and they take care of it.

Now, no jokes about taking the red eye to get here.   :cool-045:

Went down again today.  All four accounted for.  The adults were flying back and forth and in and out of the scrape to get the first one to take the leap.  It will happen very, very soon.  Would have been good to go this morning.  South St. was closed on both sides for a run and there were lots of people around.  Met a couple more people who will be seriously watching at Water St.  Here are some pictures:

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%20Falcons/DSCN5065.jpg)

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%20Falcons/DSC_0027.jpg)

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%20Falcons/DSC_0055-1.jpg)

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%20Falcons/DSC_0161.jpg)

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%20Falcons/DSCN5003.jpg)

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%20Falcons/DSC_0106.jpg)

 :flash: :coolphotos: :thanks2:

I'll say....thanks Bonnie...you sure get around!  :o

Thanks Bonnie,
It's good to know there are people watching them fledge,and know what to do.It's very exciting watching the cam at this time.Thank you for being there and for the great pictures.Carla

Only one fledged early this morning.  When I left at 1:30 I checked in at the building and security told me there were only two in the scrape, but the cam shows three.  The first one went to Pier 11 next to the Brooklyn Bridge where two young men took its picture on their cell phone.

Then we saw a fledgling on the sign right over the FDR where it ends and merges with South St.  The bird stayed for more than three and a half hours when I had to leave.  We had heart failure when it seemed to  lose its grip a few times.  Here are a couple of pictures:  this is Stephen #58

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%20Falcons/DSC_0111.jpg)

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%20Falcons/DSC_0135.jpg)

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%20Falcons/DSC_0195.jpg)

 :coolphotos: :flash:

Yikes!! The first flights are  :heart:-wrenching. They are cute. Thanks.

It's not a safe place for first fledges, but last year all four made it.  Keep fingers crossed

Water St kinda reminds me of Frodo cam...with the water right there and traffic..buildings were the main culprits at Frodo.

I watched the cam , didn't see a falcon ,sad, and now there is one on the ledge.
I had so much fun watching this cam and I hope they're doing well.
Thanks Bonnie for the pictures.
Greetings Carla

This morning there where two eyases at the nestbox,I wasn't sure the fourth one has fledged already.And now the cam is offline until next spring.I can't believe it.I wasn't ready for this.
Greetings Carla :( :'(

I'll be down this weekend and give a report.

Thanks  :flash:

There were two on Wednesday when they shut off the cam.  Today, there was one and she did not look at all ready to fly.  I believe Jubilee was sitting right there with her.  I am sure that when she finally fledges, her mother will be flying right beside her. 

We saw a second adult fly west between 55 Water St and Two NY Plaza.  I assume it was headed toward Battery Park or Bowling Green for a pigeon snack.  No sight or sound of the fledglings.  The building did not have to rescue any of them this year.  I assume they are all safe.

I'll be down again on Sunday.

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%20Falcons/DSC_0075.jpg)

Great Picture !

I am glad to hear they are doing so well !

Greetings Carla

Jubilee and Rocky are back for a third year.  Two eggs in the scrape 3-15-11

That's great Bonnie! Thanks and HI, how are you? Where ya been?

:2thumbsup:

Eagles occupy my time in the winter.  I've been checking in now and then.

Thanks Bonnie,

Great news.This cam is still one of my favorites.

Greetings Carla

Still only two eggs there. Not a good sign.

Why Bonnie, the 2nd was laid yesterday.

The second was laid 3-4 days ago.  Way too long between eggs.

Jubilee laid her second egg yesterday (3/16) at approximately 2:30 PM. Maybe 2 is it for her.

Today is the 19th.  I have to go check the web site.  I didn't look at post dates.

 Three eggs as of March 20.   Whew!  Had me worried.    :happy:

Jubilee has been sitting on four eggs since last week.   :clap:

 :wave:  Great news Bonnie!   :2thumbsup:

         Thanks Bonnie,I didn.t have much time to watch ,I was on a short vacation.


          Greetings Carla

Jubilee is ensconced.  First hatch eggspected on April 18 or so.

Thanks Bonnie,I can't wait.....

Greetings Carla

:clap:

First Hatch or maybe two.......
Starting daylight I saw the egg-shells,both parents on the nest-box.

Greetings Carla :hatch1:

Just checked.  Two hatchlings!!  I knew it!  When I couldn't get on the site yesterday afternoon, I suspected a lot of people were watching.  Last year they all hatched within 24 hours.

Dad just brought food. Way cute.

Two little ones!  :wub:

 :hatch1: :hatch1: Oh they are sooo cute! I can't wait for ours to hatch.  ;D

Third hatch,still wet.The mother was pulling on her/his leg , all I saw was its behind,the head was under the other one,so she started pulling the leg of that other one,then sat on them.It was a little scary but I think it's OK.Never saw that before.

Greetings Carla :hatch1: :hatch1: :hatch1:

 :the_wave:  ;D

Help !!!

There is too much wind ,one of the hatchlings was almost blown away,and was picked up just in time by the mother.Heavy weather!

Yikes. One of the problems with water St. High winds. The box is protected. I knew there had to be another hatch. Jubilee is one great mom and rocky is one great dad.

Not much wind where I am.

I can call the building if there is another close call. Email me with bells and whistles

OK Thanks.

Congratulations are in order today for Rocky and Jubilee, the proud new parents of four baby peregrine falcons (or eyasses, as they're properly known) on the rooftop nest at 55 Water St.

The couple, who have been together for several years and made their home at 55 Water in 2008, previously had four children almost a year ago, named Brianne, Ramona, Matthew and Stephen. The new chicks have yet to be named, though the DEP will likely be on-site soon to tag the baby birds.

Falcons have been nesting at 55 Water St. since 1999, as one of 15 active nests across the five boroughs, and the building's website has been tracking their activity with a live BirdCam for several years. Though they're little more than precious fluff balls for now, soon, the eyasses will grow into fast-moving killing machines, diving for prey (like pigeons!) at speeds of 200 mph and using their talons to dislocate their victims's vertebrae.

From the gothamist

gory, but true---go little ones

i feel like they are my babies.  I'll be there when they fledge.

Baby Falcons Born on Financial District Skyscraper


http://www.dnainfo.com/20110426/downtown/baby-falcons-born-on-financial-district-skyscraper (http://www.dnainfo.com/20110426/downtown/baby-falcons-born-on-financial-district-skyscraper)

 :clap:  Terrific!  ;D

I can feel that with you.And I expect lots of pictures..................
Greetings Carla

Banding is May 12 at 10 am EDT.  They will show it live on the web cam.

:thumbsup:

Went down on Sunday and watched an adult soar in the bright blue sky around and around the building.  Pictures are coming.  Checked on the Little Guy and he seems to be active and a very enthusiastic eater.  Jubilee has occasionally only been feeding him. 

Baby falcons named after 9/11 first responders and U.S. soldiers



Four baby falcons nesting in lower Manhattan were named Thursday after first responders who died in 9/11 and U.S. soldiers killed or injured overseas.

The peregrine falcons hatched three weeks ago on the eaves of 55 Water Street - also the headquarters of Hope for Warriors, an organization that supports wounded service members, their families and families of the fallen.

Tina Atherall, the organization's vice president, decided to name three of the falcons in honor of servicemen.

The fourth falcon was dubbed Hope, a name chosen by the daughters of two brothers who were 9/11 first responders, NYPD detective Joseph Vigiano and FDNY fireman John Vigiano.

"I remember one family member saying, 'It's like they're protecting the city again,'" Atherall said.

The three other falcons were named "Austin," after Gunnery Sergeant Matthew Austin, who was wounded in Afghanistan; "Shattuck," after a special ops member who was injured in Afghanistan and has returned to service; and "Jordan," after Lance Corporal Jordan Haerter, a Long Island native who was killed in Iraq in 2008.

Naming baby falcons has become an annual tradition. Each year about four eggs hatch on the building.

When the falcons are 3 weeks old, a Department of Environmental Protection worker determines their gender and puts a band on each of the birds to track them.

"To me it's more than just a name being thrown on a bird," Atherall said. "There's a bigger meaning to it all."


NY Daily News

 :heart: :crying: :heart:

Yup what she said

What a wonderful tribute!

The names are even more fitting when you learn that the eyases typically fledge on Memorial Day weekend.  They make it back to the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial where they are retrieved by the building and put back in the scrape.  But they do that flying thing again real soon.

I was down yesterday and saw Jubilee and Rocky right before they shot off over the Hudson toward Brooklyn via the Brooklyn Bridge:

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%202011/DSCN0295.jpg)

VERY nice pic Bonnie! Thanks!!! :clap:

What a beautiful picture.Great catch.
I missed the banding,couldn 't come through,to much watchers I think.
But I'm happy with your pictures.
Thanks
                                                        :chick3: :chick3: :chick3: :chick3:

I was down again on Saturday morning.  The birds accommodated me.  They are so easy to photograph at only 14 floors up and I stay by my car right under them.  Just learned that they did not band the smallest one because he was ... too small!  Here is another link with photo story:

http://yojimbot.blogspot.com/2011/05/banding-falcons-of-55-water.html (http://yojimbot.blogspot.com/2011/05/banding-falcons-of-55-water.html)

And here are my pictures.  First is Rocky soaring around the building and next is Jubilee watching over the kids who are starting to peek over the edge!!

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%202011/DSC_0811.jpg)

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%202011/DSC_0827.jpg)

Beautiful pictures, Bonnie. thank you for sharing. 

 :ditto:

Great shots, Bonnie!  The one of Rocky overhead is outstanding.

Paul

Awesome pics Bonnie. Wow, they had to take Jubilee?? What a mom! Thanks so much!! Genders?

Three boys, one girl.  Thanks for all the nice comments.  I'll put up a post in Totally OT.  Something great happened to me last week that involves my pictures.

Oh yay for 3 boys!! So many girls, we need some men! Thanks.

Each year I manage to gather a different group of watchers at Water St.  I hit the jackpot this year.  My guys I picked up during eagle watching in the winter are avid NYC bird (raptor) watchers-photographers.  They were there from 6:30 am and did not see food delivery or both adults together. They did see some eyas activity on the ledge.   Just as we were ready to get away from the annoying helicopter activity, Jubilee went to her cache around the corner, prepared it and brought it in.  Two or could have been three different eyases did bounce back and forth.  I have a picture of one perched under the camera and out of web cam range.  Behind the bird is a well where the birds go into and out of.

Enjoy!

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%202011/DSC_0983.jpg)

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%202011/DSC_0934.jpg)

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%202011/DSC_0978.jpg)

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%202011/DSC_1014.jpg)

You can see from this goodbye wave that they are not quite ready to take the flight.  I almost typed plunge and thought better of that.  We DO NOT want them to plunge.

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%202011/DSC_1047.jpg)

If you want a fledgling fix here it is and it is not for the faint hearted.  These birds fledge right over a very busy highway in Lower Manhattan, the FDR.

I was down again this morning.  Yes, it was heartstopping.  Rocky tried to get one of them to fledge.  He jumped to and from the ledge repeatedly.  Our eyas was not buying it today.  Tomorrow could be another story.  It will be day 38 and two years ago one did fledge at 38 days.  That bird was a very strong flier.  And we saw a cormorant in the water behind us.  Nobody but the humans were bothered by the helicopters.  Let's see what tomorrow brings.  There will be throngs around because the birds are right next to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%202011/DSC_1203.jpg)

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%202011/DSC_1202.jpg)

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%202011/DSC_1204.jpg)

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%202011/DSC_1205.jpg)

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%202011/DSC_1206.jpg)

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%202011/DSC_1259.jpg)

 Great pics, Bonnie, and good luck with your fledges-may they all be successful!

I agree, when they fledge, you must go  :scaredblue:

dont fledge until youre ready baby, no matter what daddy says

Two of the eyases are really ready to fledge.  The one with the least amount of down jumped up to the perch on top of the scrape.  Of course we were in the lobby watching on the monitor.  We were finished for the day at 11 am and went inside to say hello to security.  They weren't letting anyone else in to watch the monitor.  And security came out and asked us to leave when we got there early in the morning.  But all is cool with us and the building.  So you will only get pics of the birds.

NOW for the important stuff.  Looks like our fluffy female (not she is a she) has a transmitter.  Check out the picture and let me know.  I emailed a few people to find out, but some of you may be able to get the news before I do.  I doubt that is a pigeon feather sticking out from her back.

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%202011/DSC_1484.jpg)

Great Pictures Bonnie,It's scary to watch them now,they're so close to the edge.Rocky should know better as a parent.Thanks.

PS.That picture below is a transmitter if you ask me.

Sure does look like a transmitter but who am I to say! Doesn't anyone know? Was it hush hush?

All I can see now is the litlle one,but no transmitter.Two days ago she was almost white.Now she is strenghten her wings.I don't see the others,are they on the playpen or is there a fledge already ?

I agree.  That little eyas was fitted with a trasmitter. Hope they used the same nail polish they used on Quest!   It's on for three years now! 

I saw one  on the cam,but not the little one,he/she has something looks like a transmitter.He /she run out of sight of the camera.Still don't know for sure.

Littlest one does NOT have the transmitter.  Definitely a transmitter on the one with some remaining down and pantaloons.  Two are very brown without much down at all.  The birds go into a well area just in front of the scrape.  And there is food stored in the west corner behind and under one camera.  They had been picking on whatever it is all morning while we were there.  Both adults have been flying around the scrape, but not with food.  And they did not bring in any prey between 6 and 11:30 am.

One or more could have fledged after 11:30.  We will just have to wait and see.  Two are really ready.

I'll put up some more pictures shortly.  Just made the first look through 620 pictures or so.

Three in the cam right now.  The one on the box perch is an eyas.  And you can see the littlest one in the left corner.  Another is perched on the ledge watching the helicopters.   The fourth is probably under one of the cameras.

They are just being fed and all four are in the nestbox,but this time I did not see a transmitter.I watched them very carefully , couldn't find anything.

Greetings Carla

Looks like my eyes are fooling me.

Ok ,one juvie on the scrape has some feathers standing up ,and now I see that transmitterthing again ?????
I don't say nothing anymore,to not confuse everyone.

She definitely has a transmitter, just saw it!  :clap:

Looks like a transmitter antenna to me.  :gum:

More pictures from the street:

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%202011/DSC_1878.jpg)

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%202011/DSC_1762-2.jpg)

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%202011/DSC_1384.jpg)

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%202011/DSC_1860.jpg)

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%202011/DSC_1473.jpg)

Great   pictures, Bonnie!  Love the one of the two youngsters looking down over the ledge!

Yup, amazing pics! Thanks Bonnie!!

 :yes: Yeah, what they said!  :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

And again great pictures.I love the one with the balcony,and the two juvies are too cute.Thanks
Carla

@Bonnie  

I know the eyasses were banded but were they given names?  If not, why not?  And what are the sexes?  (The falcon news section of 55 Water's website hasn't been updated since before the banding.)  

Have any fledged yet?  I checked the webcam earlier today and the only eyass still visible was itty-bit.  The nest is in a not-so-ideal location right above busy FDR Drive so fledging is always a big concern.

Thx.


EDIT: This topic has been moved and merged with the 55 Water Street, NYC topic

Welcome to Rfalconcam!

Somehow you accidentally posted this topic in the Rfalconcam Now area, which gets tweeted out to all the watchers.

This part of the forum is for what is happening on the cameras in Rochester at Times Square.

A moderator can move it for you, but I believe you want to be in the Falcon Web Cams (http://rfalconcam.com/forum/index.php?board=30.0) site.

Don't worry about it, as it can be a bit confusing at first... best of luck learning to navigate around, and feel free to use the Help (http://rfalconcam.com/forum/index.php?board=10.0) section if you are uncertain.

Please be careful when using rfalconcamNOW.  Putting an @ sign before name doesn't stop watchers getting tweets. Thanks.

To all new members, please read the topic pinned at the top of each section for guidelines on appropriate postings.

Shaky has done a great job of this, including for the RfalconcamNOW section here (http://rfalconcam.com/forum/index.php?topic=1033.0).

In short:

Hi, KSS  Starting with reply #38 you will get the names, sexes and what has happened during the past three weekends anyway.  As of Tuesday afternoon, there were four in the scrape.  One eyas/fledgling is now perching up on top of the box with the adults.  He has been going up and down.  The birds are ledging and they go down into a well area just below the cameras.  And they go to the west side of the ledge under one cam.  Adults have stashed food there.  The littlest one was not banded because he was too small.  They will definitely be flying by today.  For sure all, but the little guy by the weekend.  Yes, it is always extremely scary to watch them fly for the first time over the FDR.  One of my photog friends should be down today taking pictures.  I'll ask if I can post one or two.  Lots of people want to know how they are doing.

Great close up of the transmitter right now.

You might want to put this next sentence into the SHOUT BOX!!  The transmitter on Hope, the female, is Skye's.  It was refurbished.  They will put up the link to the tracking site as soon as she starts to fly.  The transmitter is working and is giving really good data.

The first male has fledged and is flying in and out of the scrape.  Apparently, all is going well right now.

Oh wow, nice. Our little Skye. Glad they can use it again. Thanks Bonnie, quite amazing huh?

Great News.I'm happy they used Skye's transmitter.And it's so exciting that they are fledging.I hope all go's well.

Greetings Carla

Hope, may you fly the skies safely.  I like to think that our precious Skye will be with you in spirit -- guiding you from danger.

Thank you for the great pictures Bonnie & so glad the transmitter is being reused. Hope wasn't injured was she or did they just decide to use it on her for tracking. And I see Skye had it before - I do not know about that story - is there a place with that info I can read about.

Skye was the 2005 fledgling who was given a transmitter.  It was a project of the Migration Research Foundation.  Sadly, she only made it to early September 2005.  She died in Lucknow, ON.  You can find the full details on the MRF Peregrine page (http://www.migrationresearch.org/research/peregrine/project.html)


(Yes, Carol, we really do need to knuckle under & get the history project on track)

http://rfalconcam.com/rfc-main/skye2005SlideShow.php (http://rfalconcam.com/rfc-main/skye2005SlideShow.php) You can start here of Skye being fitted for the transmitter. Skye was from 2005.

Hope was not injured.  I think Chris Nadereski put it on. The building loves those falcons and so does NYC.  And Hope was named by two service families, so she has a lot of angels looking out for her.  I think she may have followed her brothers today. 

 

(I know.   ;)

My photographer friends were down this morning and Hope fledged.  Here is the email from Dennis Edge and his pictures.  He gave me permission to post.

Hi Bonnie,
Arrived there at 6:10 to find François already at the bench. One of the limo drivers that park there told him he saw a bird come out of the nest and land on the wall of the stairs that lead to the roof park of the parking garage next 55 Water St. We couldn't go up since a chain blocked the way. But eventually the chick jumped up on the railing of the roof park and we got good views and shots by going the street sidewalk
there. As you can see, it was the female with the transmitter and while we were shooting the chain was removed and people went up the stairs only to flush the bird. It flew just above our heads low and disappeared across the FDR Drive. Our hearts sank thinking it flew onto the drive. We ran around back to the benches to find it and thankfully it had made it over the drive but we did not see it again. We thought maybe it had flown onto the heliport building since both adults were circling above it but we didn't find it. As we left 2 chicks remain at the nest. An exciting, anxious morning.

See you,
Dennis

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%202011/Ladybackpack.jpg)

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%202011/Ladyoftransmission.jpg)

Thank you so much for this great report.I love to know how these falcons are doing.Thank Dennis for letting us know.I hope Hope is alright.Great pictures of her.

Greetings Carla

TY everyone for the information & I am very glad Hope is ok & has fledged.

And from Francois Portmann who was with Dennis Wednesday and Thursday:

http://www.fotoportmann.com/birdblog/2011/06/02/peregrine-falcons-55water-ny (http://www.fotoportmann.com/birdblog/2011/06/02/peregrine-falcons-55water-ny)

Love the pics, especially the 1st and 3rd. Thanks Bonnie. Good luck little ones, don't get in trouble.

Fantastically beautiful pictures, Bonnie!  Looking good so far!!

 :2thumbsup:  Wonderful pics Bonnie! Thank you so much. I love the first one. Just gorgeous!!!  :clap:

Friday Fledging Update:

First is from Francois Portmann who was there at 5 AM.  The picture following Francois' email is mine and shows the glass and panes that confuse the birds.  And second email is from Dennis Edge who was at Water St shortly after.

From Francois Portmann:

Today, for the 1st time I got to see a peregrine fledge!  Unfortunately, no photos, it all happened as I was arriving on site, camera in the bag.  The 3rd chick took off from the ledge before 6am, escorted by 1 adult and soon the 2nd. They all circled over the water and the fledgling headed back to  the bldg. to land. The ledges below the nest are slanted so he lost is grip and freefell 4-5 floors before getting on the wings. He flew towards 125 broad st and tried to land on the façade, missing its grip and dissapeared behind the trees of the Veterans Memorial.  I think they get confused by the horizontal lines and the glass of the structures, trying to perch on what looks like a beam or ledge.  First I couldn't find it, finally I realized that part has only columns so the first few floors have no walls and that leads to the ramps of the loading docks. He was there 1/2 way down the ramp.  I called security and left 3-4 mins to look for Dennis who was looking for me. As I returned (the bird had already come up to street level by the sidewalk) a maintenance guy was arriving  to "pick it up" with a bucket, not a good idea, it could hurt its wings.  As I'm telling him not to use the bucket a pedestrian passed by, flushed the bird and it flew towards us and FDR.  The "would be rescuer" grabbed my elbow as he took cover behind me. I lost a bit of balance and missed the shot.  I asked what was wrong with him and he almost cried out "I'm scared of birds". Seriously!  Eventually the fledgling ended up on the heliport pad and finally, flew out of sight to the eastern wall of Governor Island Ferry building by 7:15 under the guidance of an adult!  Hope you'll have some luck tomorrow.
  
Francois

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%202011/DSC_1878.jpg)

Hello Bonnie,

An update on the Peregrine family. I got to the benches at 6:15 this morning and thinking I'm alone on this outing I was unpacking my camera when I heard someone whistle.  It was François on the opposite side of   the FDR Drive and he was making hand motions indicating a fledgling was over there. After walking around and not finding him or the bird I returned to the entrance of the heliport and soon saw him again waving on the opposite side. Then I saw the bird on the pavement by the building just south the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Plaza as shown in the first photo. Soon the bird was flushed by someone and flew head high  between cars across the FDR  to the heliport  landing deck as shown in the second photo. This wasn't good
and we asked staff people if they would flush the bird before helicopters started coming in. The Peregrine then flew accompanied by the adults to a ledge on the water side of the old Governors Island ferry building. We didn't see it again. The bird was fledgling number 3 Which François saw fledge at 5:45 am as he approached the benches. He said it came out and down about 4 floors when swooped up and across the FDR, again accompanied by the 2 adults, before circling around back across the FDR to the plaza. I saw one remaining chick on the perch and we left at 8:30.

See you,
Dennis

These are pictures from Dennis Edge (aka Birdman of Tompkins Square Park)

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%202011/Chick3curbside.jpg)

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%202011/Thirdfledgling.jpg)

Great report and pics, Bonnie!  Scary fledge watch!  

I can't help it.  Rochester Peregrines and those Kodak folks before and GVAS made me do it.  I had to have my own fledge watch near where I live.  So here goes the Saturday Water St report.  Just bear with me.  Unless you have seen these peregrines fledge for real, you cannot believe the excitement.

Saturday was another interesting day to say the least.  No news is good news.  Just keep saying that over and over.  The building guys did not report that they had to go and grab one from the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial or pick up anyone from the FDR.  Knock on wood here folks.  I said it and it could come true.  But we made it through a few days.  We did see the one still in the scrape, but he is not moving about very much, yet and he still has quite a bit of down.  I don't expect fledging before Monday.  And Jubilee will not leave his side.  She is there constantly.

We saw a fledgling on the Marine Terminal (aka Governor's Island Ferry Terminal) and Rocky made a food drop atop 4 New York Plaza.  So we assume the other two were on 4 New York Plaza.  Quite likely.  If the adults can get them up there, that's where they remain and practice their flying skills.  Dennis and Francois are pretty sure the one at the Governor's Island Ferry Terminal (next to the Staten Island Ferry Terminal) is fledge number 3.  It probably stayed there all day yesterday, during the night and this morning.  Quite another likely happening.

The transmitter will not start giving good data until our Hope moves a bit more out of the area.  So if she is moving atop the buildings, it will look like she is staying in the same place.  Kind of like your GPS.  You have arrived at your destination and it is still a half mile away.

Pics are of Rocky watching over fledgling number 3?
(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%202011/DSC_2041.jpg)

Number 3 at the Governor's Island Ferry Terminal (aka Marine Terminal)
(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%202011/DSC_2011.jpg)

Now tell me if this doesn't look like Jubilee has an antenna too  (totally likely given she doesn't get out of the scrape during banding):
(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%202011/DSC_2005.jpg)

 :clap: :thumbsup: I love so far so good! Thanks Bonnie.

Thanks Bonnie,great to hear you where there.I love the pictures.
And is that realy Jubilee with a transmitter ? I can't believe my eyes.Well the more we know about the Waterstreet falcons the better.

Greetings Carla

I doubt very much that they put a transmitter on her. Probably camera trick.  She could be carrying a rat. That is a much better explanation.

I agree Bonnie, that looks too far down on her tail to be a transmitter. One trans is good for now.

Now I see........It's her left wing.......

Greetings Carla

Yup.  See it now, too.  Camera trick. LOL.  :hysterical:

I did go down for about 45 minutes until the road was blocked off for a 5k run. I was afraid I would get blocked in and there was no parking.  Saw Jubilee and Rocky and one fledgling on One New York Plaza first low terrace closest to the Governor's Island Ferry. Chances were good thst all three fledglings were there.  The adults flew between One and 55 Water St.  Our youngest did come out on the ledge a little.  It should fledge by Tuesday, maybe.  Just hope it stays safe.  Pictures will come later.  No more photo bucket.  People are stealing my pictures from there.  Gotta learn to use Shaky's converter.

Hi Bonnie,
I'm getting better, got there at 5:30 this morning followed shortly by François then Xavier. One adult was on the perch and the chick was just under in the box.
It then started to ledge while flapping its wings from one end of the nest site to the other. I thought "this is fledge day" but as we waited the adult flew out and the
chick settled back in the box. Barbara Saunders of DEC showed up and called the camera operator who said the chick had a pigeon in the box. So, not today.
We left at 8:30 and will return in the morning. I think tomorrow has to be the day. 2 shots from today.
See you,
Dennis


****pictures are coming and Dennis has named Hope, Our Lady of Transmission

and since Hope is wearing Skye's transmitter, perhaps the name should be "Our Lady of the Skye Transmission".     :wub:

I'll ask Dennis to rename her.  Dennis doesn't know about Skye. 

Well we will see if these stay out of those free ringtone, wallpaper, photos sites.  I marked everything private.

Here are pictures from Dennis Edge.  I am sure Francois Portmann will post his on his web site and that you can get by searching for Francois Portmann Water St peregrines.

Our last eyas in the scrape.  Tomorrow should be the day.  Jubilee has been keeping him in the scrape.  Mother knows best.

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%202011/Chickwingsout6-7.jpg)

Jubilee flies off after delivering a pigeon.

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%202011/Remainingchick6-7.jpg)

And Our Lady of the Skye Transmission taken last week when she fledged.  Still no word.  I couldn't find time to call the building.

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%202011/chick2stretches6-2.jpg)

Beautiful pictures Bonnie. Thanks for posting.   

Good news, bad news.

Our fourth bird, Girl, yes, girl, fledged today between 9 and 11:30 am.  I called the building at 1 and she could not be found in the scrape.  She was there up until 8:45 am when Dennis and Francois left.  Then my other friend who was watching the cam saw her take w very big wing flap and she was gone.  She was banded much later than the others.

There has been no signal from Hope after she fledged.  Dennis and Francois reported that she did make it over the FDR and the adults were circling behind the heliport, but chances are she went into the river.  We are holding out hope for Hope that she made it up to one of the buildings and has just been under an eave or overhang. 

Oh, it doesn't sound good about Hope with no signal coming in, does it?  :(

I am sad about hope at this time. There is a slim chance she made it, but given she is a she with a couple extra ounces and the report from the street ...

Oh no! This is why 1st fledge is so frightening. I pray they find her.  :( Another reason why watchers are so important. So sad.

I am a little behind in my readings of the posts, but I truly HOPE that Our Lady of the Skye Transmission is somewhere  safe and sound.    Fly High little Hope/Sky transmission!   

No more news of Hope?   :(

I've been wondering too but have been afraid to ask.

I have no news about Hope.  All I know is the transmitter stopped working around the day she fledged.  My friends saw her fly over the FDR toward the heliport which is on the east river.  They never saw her after that.  And the few times I went down I couldn't stay long because of various celebrations and no parking.  I only saw one, possibly two heads on One NY Plaza and our little girl was still in the scrape that time.

How sad. Poor Hope. Fly free, little one.

And nobody couldn't go to see what it was happened?

She went on government property behind a locked fence

So sad!!!
She already was one of my prefered, with her transmitter... I was eager to follow her like I had followed Quest all these years!!!

Saw an adult on Two New York Plaza.

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%202011/JerseyCityPeregrines20111of1.jpg)

I thought I heard kakking.  Saw pigeons really disturbed around Peregrine Square (Bowling Green Park) four blocks to the west of Water St and right by Battery Park.  At first I thought they were three of the fledglings.  I get excited.