Rfalconcam Forum

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQg13mIFNDI&feature=sub

Now did that look friendly? I know Scout has been seen with another female but not friendly. Hope it's a male....another sad story. Poor Orville. Thanks jeanne.

Not sure what's going on there but I just saw 2 falcons. One on ledge, which looked like a female and 1 in the nest who kept e-chupping. The ledge falcon took off and the nest box falcon came out and looked around, while still e chupping, then took off.

2 falcons there now on ledge in the dark corner by the nest. Oh boy, hope it's a male. No aggression.

http://ohiodnr.com/wildlife/dow/falcons/live_ledge_video.aspx (http://ohiodnr.com/wildlife/dow/falcons/live_ledge_video.aspx)

I hope it is a male too.  On youtube, there is a mini battle video from earlier this month:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqWOQ8EkgGI&feature=channel

jeanne, I've been seeing the 2 together most of the afternoon....she seems interested but the other really doesn't. Kinda strange behavior. They def follow each other but no bowing or signs of an interest.

It's so hard when one mate is lost or missing.  I hope this works out for her. 

State Office Tower in Columbus, Ohio.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
New male finally shows himself!!!
The suspicion of a second bird is finally confirmed! Here's a photo courtesy of Margaret K. The male is the falcon closest to the ledge camera in this shot:

Over the past couple of days a second bird has been seen flying by and perching on the next ledge over while Scout has been very vocal and has been coming and going/in and out of the nest box. Also, Scout has been seen with prey on the nest ledge which would indicate some courtship behavior (the male catches prey for the female). But his failure to perch on the nest ledge has frustrated many watchers who have been anxious to get a good look at him! On Sunday, 3/21/10, he finally was caught on camera at the nest ledge! And the best news is he appears to be an adult bird! More information to come soon!

OH I'm so glad Scout has found a mate. Now it's Mariah's turn, unless she already has!

2 on ledge at Columbus this am

Scout has a nice scrape. She's overdue also. It's been about 4 weeks since new male came in.

Hi,

Scout laid her first egg in this season.


Greetings
Annette

Great Annette, I haven't checked this yet..That means Beauty will follow soon.

 :clap:   

 :clap:  Beauty will follow just as she did on Thursday! keep watching. They were a few hours apart.

Secound egg is laid.

 so is he still a mystery man or has he been id and I missed it?

The male is unbanded.

Scout has now three eggs.

 :thumbsup:     :2thumbsup:  3 thumbsup for 3 eggs!    :wave:

Wow, she's shootin them out quick. Beauty and Scout laid their first egg the same day and now she's 1  up...hmmm

I have an egg question:

Three eggs and a stone or four eggs?
It is difficult to seen for me.

4 eggs Annette, 1 was laid today...was 3 this am.

As of midday today, 4/14/10, there are now 4 eggs in the nest. So far, Scout has not been very focused on incubation duty. This lack of attention won't hurt the eggs as they will remain in limbo until they receive consistent heat through incubation. However, it will make estimating a hatch date a little tricky...

The new egg looks like it is lacking pigment on the end, or maybe is stained with feces. The other end in the shadows looks odd also, almost like it could be broken. However, if the egg is cracked it's very likely the falcons would have removed it from the nest. Or not(!). All we can do is continue to watch and monitor the situation to see how it plays out.

from the site

Thank you for answer.

State Office Tower in Columbus, Ohio.
Tuesday, May 04, 2010
The Forgotten Egg...?!
More and more we are noticing that Scout seems to be "forgetting" about the egg that lacks pigment. Oftentimes it has been left out at her side and not incubated while the other eggs are warm beneath her. This afternoon it is even cast off to the side away from the others. We can't say for certain what is going on, but I suspect that because the pigment it did have seems to have faded, it could indicate a “dead” egg. If the egg is infertile or the embryo has died then it isn’t developing as the others and so it would be a different weight/mass then the other eggs. This would make it not “roll” the same as the other eggs. The adults would be able to pick up on this difference when they are moving the eggs and settling down on them. It will be very interesting to see if it hatches but if it continues to be left out and off to the side it doesn't look promising. At least we can assume that the other 3 eggs are doing well!

Incubation in total takes around 33 days. We are in the final days before hatch, however, it was difficult to predict when the birds actually began setting full time so I don't have an exact date to expect hatch. My best estimate is that hatch will occur between May 16-19th. Keep in mind this is only a prediction and so could be off. Don't be surprised if hatch begins earlier and don't panic if hatch is late!

Beauty laid her 1st egg right after Scout, so we'll see if we have LOTS of hatches from the 16th on...or earlier. Funny, both had pale eggs too. They are both pretty much in sync with laying and hatching.

2 hatches today at Columbus..1 to go. She's a day behind Beauty.

2 babies

 Final Count: Two Chicks - Two Unhatched Eggs
The chicks aren't even a week old and they have already more than doubled in size. It is amazing how fast they grow! The nestbox is starting to get a little messy with feces. Soon, they will be pooping on the front of the camera housing and it may block our view. However, if the chicks stay towards the east end of the nestbox where they have been lately then perhaps the camera will stay cleaner longer!

There was concern yesterday that one of the chicks was "caught" at the rear of the box. Despite whatever was going on--if anything--all seems fine now.
If any of the remaining eggs were going to hatch, they would have by now. Scout may continue to brood them along with the chicks but as time goes on and the chicks continue to grow, the unhatched eggs will eventually be moved aside. It is possible the adults may even remove them from the nest.

She's right up there with Beauty...2 hatched and 2 unhatched.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Two peregrine falcon chicks living high above downtown were named and banded to help track Ohio conservation efforts.

The falcons, which hatched last month, were named Swoop and Spirit, 10TV News reported.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources showed the 3-week old falcons to school students.

http://www.10tv.com/live/content/local/stories/2010/06/08/slideshow_falcons.html (http://www.10tv.com/live/content/local/stories/2010/06/08/slideshow_falcons.html) Pics of banding

State Office Tower in Columbus, Ohio.
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
Banding Goes Great!
The Columbus banding event went extremely well. We believe, based on overall size that both chicks are females. The kids who won the naming contest were extremely enthusiastic to help put one of the leg bands on "their" falcon.

Believe it or not we sometimes get criticism from a few individuals for banding these birds. It's a shame that people do not undertand the significance of banding. The process is important for research purposes (how else would we know where our Columbus young disperse to and that it is Scout nesting in Columbus and where she came from?); and 2.) the actual banding event really helps to raise awareness about the species and wildlife conservation in general. Only a handful of people actually are able to attend the banding, however, live streaming the event makes it available to the world.

Regarding the naming contest, we are able to educate an entire school about peregrine falcons and increase the appreciation of the kids for wild creatures in their communities. Besides each individual student, through conversations the interest, knowledge and excitement is transferred to their parents, siblings, grandparents, friends, neighbors and so on and so on. Consider it an investment in the future!

While the chicks and adults may be stressed during the event they recover very, very quickly. We know from many years of banding many nestlings, that an hour out of the lives of these birds is well worth the exposure that the species receives resulting in increased education and awareness of people all over.

Here are the details on names/bands. Each bird received a purple U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service band on the right leg and a black over red band (b/r) on the left leg:
Swoop: 08/Y
Spirit: 09/Y

At some point in the near future we should have a video of the banding available on our website. It will take a little time for editing. As soon as it's ready and posted, I'll post the link here. Thanks to everyone for watching the banding! Now we prepare for the next stage--fledging! It won't be long!

This is wonderful news!!!  I am such a believer in banding.  How else would we know such important information about these wonderful birds!  Wish we had banded Kaver.

me too!  :crying: :heart:

Very Sad News today for our friends in Cleveland, Terminal Towers - Ranger has collided with a building  :'( :'(   Let's pray he pulls through  :hurt:

Ranger Suffers Head Trauma in Collision with Building
Laura Jordan of the Medina Raptor Center relayed a message to the Museum that a falcon had been recovered on the sidewalk at the base of the Fifth Third Building at 600 Superior Avenue on Thursday at 9:50 AM and was being held in a box by building security. I retrieved the bird at 10:45 am. It was Ranger. He had apparently collided with the building and had collapsed on the sidewalk. No one witnessed the collision so we are unaware of why he hit the building. This is close to the territorial boundary between the Terminal Tower falcons and the Bohn Buildng falcons. So perhaps it was a territorial dispute.

Ranger was very groggy and had blood in his mouth and throat. Though able to stand and responsive to stimuli around him, he definitely was not ready to be released. I brought him back to the Museum and contacted Laura. We agreed that he needed veterinary assessment. He was transported to the Medina Raptor Center and then to Dr. Riggs. At last report (around 5:00 pm Thursday afternoon) Laura expressed deep concern over the head injury and gave a guarded prognosis. His condition had not improved over the course of the afternoon. If anything he was worse.

I will update as we learn more about his condition. We will all be keeping a close eye on SW and the three fledglings. There are numerous examples of a single Peregrine parent successfully caring for its late stage nestlings on its own. SW is clearly very experienced and should be up to the task.

 :(   I shall pray for him.    :pray:

Oh so sad...poor Ranger. Hope it's not serious where he can't be released.

Poor Ranger.  :'(

Poor little guy.  I hate these collisions.  I will pray for him

OH NO!  :'(

is there any news?

YES!!! Not looking too good for Ranger. From the forum:

 Update on Ranger
I talked with Laura Jordan of the Medina Raptor Center at 2:45 pm on Friday, 6/11/2010. She reported that Ranger made it through last night at Dr. Riggs' veterinary clinic and, though he is very serious condition, there is some slight indication of improvement. He will be returned to Medina Raptor Center for weekend care and then returned to Dr. Riggs for a neurological assessment on Monday. I will post an update on Monday regarding his condition at that time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRxnFB8OIHo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRxnFB8OIHo)

In the past few days I've gotten quite a few inquiries on the whereabouts of Trooper, the male. Folks aren't seeing him via the cams and are worried that he isn't around. He is present, he just hasn't been perching within view of the cams much. He is doing his part to care for the chicks by hunting. He is providing food but handing it off to Scout to feed to the chicks.  (Sounds like Archer)  :D

June 18

This morning marks the first time one of the chicks has made it to the upper ledge! I know folks will be worrying about a chick falling off the ledge and/or being blown off by a gust of wind. That is certainly a possibility given the nature of a cliff-nesting bird. However, in 15 years of hosting nesting peregrines at this site it has never happened so while technically it is possible it could occur, I would categorize it as not probable. While we hope it does not happen, keep in mind that peregrine falcons have been successfully raising young on cliffs (natural and man-made) all over the world for centuries and the species has been successful despite certain inherent dangers of that type of habitat.

A couple of points of optimism about the situation:
1) at many other sites the layout of the ledge and nestbox/tray puts the chicks closer to the edge much sooner than here in Columbus. As I have explained in previous posts, the layout of our ledge keeps them further from the edge until they are older.
2) their feathers are coming in so quickly that it won't be long until the chicks have enough flight feathers that even if one should happen to go off the ledge prematurely, it should be able to flutter to the ground. And don't forget, a week from now we will be talking about them flying anyway!

Another common question is what is that blob in front of the ledgecam? It is a "casting" or in other words a mass of undigested bones and feathers that the falcons expel after eating. It is very similar to an owl pellet but is called by a different name.

 :thumbsup:

Donna, Any news on Ranger?  It has been a while so I wondered, and no news is probably good news.  I hope.

This is all that is posted about Ranger

 Further Update on Ranger's Condition
As of Monday afternoon, Ranger has made very slight improvement over the weekend. He is able to perch but not walk. He has to be force-fed as he refuses food on his own. Laura Jordan of the Medina Raptor Center is worried that his vision is impaired in one eye. The more time he spends down in this condition means the more time it will take to prepare him for release should he make a full recovery. All of this suggests that Ranger is in for a long convalescence and will not be releasable any time soon. I will update when there are changes in his condition.

 Ranger's Condition
I received a voice-mail from Laura Jordan of the Medina Raptor Center about Ranger this afternoon Friday, June 18, 2010. He is still being force-fed and Dr. Riggs is concerned about possible lesions in one eye. Laura said that Dr. Riggs wants to see Ranger challenged in a larger enclosure next week to see if that might stimulate his appetite. It will also allow Dr. Riggs to assess his vision. I will update next week to report on any further progress at that time.

Thanks for the update!  :wave:

Heartbreaking news, two fell off ledge today at various times.  Little Swoop did not make it  :crying:

 A Lot of Activity Today
Spirit (09/Y) was the juvenile that fledged this morning.

About 10 a.m. I received a call from Josh Williams from the Ohio Senate Office. He reported that a co-worker, Jason Phillips, noticed a peregrine just outside on a windowsill. He was able to give me the band number. The bird was not injured so I opted to capture her and place her back on the nest ledge. Thanks to Jason and Josh for taking notice and contacting me.

The capture happened without incident. I got back up to the 41st floor of the Rhodes Tower about 11 a.m. It is a bit tricky to put a falcon back out on the ledge when you know another fledgling is out there because you don't want to accidently cause the other bird to flush from the ledge. I looked out the door and saw Scout on top of the nestbox (squawking at full volume since she knew I was there!). At this point I had another potential danger: there was a chance that Scout would attack the bird as I put it back out. Scout wasn't about to leave so, I had to move slowly. I put Spirit in the doorway so she and Scout could see each other and simply closed the door. After a moment she hopped up on top of the nestbox with Scout. Mission accomplished successfully!

Fast forward to just after lunch. In the midst of trying to update the blog I got another call from downtown about a falcon on the sidewalk in front of the Rhodes Tower. Unfortunately this story doesn't end so well. It was Swoop (08/Y) and from reports it sounded like she was exercising on the ledge and then was gone from the ledge. Other accounts indicate she fell down to the ground with little or no flapping. As I have reported many times, flapping is instinctual so the fact that this bird came straight down would indicate there may have been another underlying issue. A necropsy will likely be done.

So, a busy day. Swoop's absence will be noticed much more by all of the fans out there watching than it will be by Scout and Trooper. They concentrate on what they see at the moment and so will focus all of their attention on Spirit. Hopefully she will be well fed and thus will wait to leave the ledge until she is good and ready.

How very very sad. I usually keep up with all the nests but I'm so distracted. Poor baby. They are the same age as C & J too. Awful.  :crying:

 :( :heart:

After losing Swoop, today mom Scout has been found dead.  Only Trooper and the recently fledged Spirit now remain  :crying:

http://ohioperegrinefalcons.blogspot.com/

Oh that poor girl...such tragedies there lately. Thank you Carly, I feel real bad now. Callidora and Jemison..pay attention to the buildings!

Sweet girl, may  you fly free with the angels and your Orville :crying:

That is so heartbreaking.   :(

 :( :pray: :heart:

Oh NO! First Swoop now Scout. Very sad.  :o  :crying:

 I don't follow this site but happened to see this when I was looking for info on Warrior (there aren't any recent updates).  Trooper, mate of recently deceased Scout, has a new female friend identified as Clementine.  It didn't take him long!  No recent sightings of Spirit, their lone fledgling.

Clementine is Beauty's niece!  Her mother is Hathor, another daughter of Beauty's parents, Dorothy & Erie.

They found Clementine dead yesterday after being witnessed diving head first into the street.   :(

Just a thought...
It could be much worse with Jemison...
We should count our blessings!

Clementine also died. That is very bad.  :o  :crying:

Turns out that Scout may have been killed by a worker weilding a broom while protecting her fledgling Spirit  :crying: :crying:


Witness: Worker struck falcon
Thursday, July 8, 2010 02:56 AM
By Jeffrey Sheban

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

OHIO DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
Scout, a female peregrine falcon, was found dead on Broad Street Downtown.A mother peregrine falcon found dead on Broad Street last week might have been done in by a worker wielding a broom atop the LeVeque Tower.

State and federal wildlife officials are investigating reports from at least one eyewitness to a supposed confrontation played out near the top of the 555-foot-tall skyscraper.

"The death of Scout is under investigation after we received some information from several people," confirmed Kandy Klosterman, law-enforcement supervisor with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources' Division of Wildlife.

Because peregrines are a protected species under Ohio and federal law, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is assisting in the investigation, she said.

According to a witness who works Downtown in a nearby office building and wants to remain anonymous, a worker was near the top of the LeVeque last Thursday placing colored filters over spotlights for the next day's Red, White & Boom festivities.

That's when Scout, an adult female falcon who roosted on the 41st floor of the Rhodes Tower, started to divebomb the worker, possibly because her lone surviving fledgling was nearby. (Another youngster, Swoop, had plummeted to the sidewalk and died in its maiden flight three days earlier.)

After several menacing passes by the bird of prey, the worker went inside and returned with a broom, according to the witness. The worker allegedly struck the bird in a subsequent pass, resulting in Scout tumbling to the street below.

A state wildlife biologist previously said the mother falcon might have fallen after striking an office-tower window while hunting prey.

Klosterman declined to comment on the witness' story but said the division would like to hear from others. Tipsters can remain anonymous.

"We do want people to come forward with further information," she said. "We've received a few calls, but it's still very early in the investigation."

Anyone with information can call the division's tip line at 1-800-POACHER (762-2437), or the District 1 law-enforcement section at 614-644-3925.

LeVeque Tower property manager Kate Zurawski said the worker in question was an independent lighting contractor and not one of her employees. She declined to name the company.

"We don't condone hurting or killing or doing anything to wildlife, including falcons," she said.

Harming a peregrine falcon is a first-degree misdemeanor in Ohio, punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and six months in jail. The state also can assess up to $2,500 in restitution to support its peregrine management efforts.

Peregrines, capable of reaching speeds of up to 200 mph, are cliff-dwelling predators that were nearly wiped out by the 1970s because of the pesticide DDT in their prey. Ohio and other states began efforts in the late 1980s to support the species, releasing young birds in the wild and building nesting spots atop bridges and office buildings.

Scout and her mate, Trooper, produced two offspring this spring. The surviving juvenile, Spirit, continues to be watched over and fed by its father.

Meanwhile, wildlife officials have retrieved another dead falcon from the central business district.

An adult female, recently spotted Downtown after the death of Scout, was found dead Tuesday at the intersection of 3rd and Gay streets. A witness told officials that he saw the bird dive headfirst into the street, possibly misjudging its altitude while hunting.

"While it is easy to dwell on what birds we have lost recently, I ask folks to not forget the successes," said Donna Daniel, a wildlife biologist with the Division of Wildlife, writing in her falcon blog.

More than 40 young peregrines have been hatched and raised Downtown since the Rhodes Tower nest box was installed in 1994.

 :wave:   Absolutely!    :handshake:

 :( :heart:

I would not want to be divebombed by a peregrine but perhaps construction workers could be trained if there is a nearby nest/fledgling.  I think umbrellas are used in some places and might be better but swinging anything can lead to this horrible thing.  Poor Scout, just being a good mom.  

And this could have been worse for Jemi.  Or for Beauty-- she was going crazy when Callidora was near construction workers.

How awful for Scout, if this is true. Poor girl.

I wonder if the workers on buildings in downtown Rochester are being properly informed. Workers have been seen recently on the Crossroads building. Is it a coincidence that Jemison went down near that building?

Kinda makes ya wonder about the deaths of peregrine falcons. Is it all nature related or is man involved. Pretty darn sad if it's man, (of course not in all cases).

Great idea Janet!    :thumbsup:

I think it is a good idea about the pamphlet- definitely. That would educate and protect.  Also it builds more watchers if we can have some team work with the folks in the buildings.

Carol and I spoke with the crossroads building folks before Jemison went down. I didn't know that there was work done on the building at that time he was found on the grass.  The building manager located in the crossroads building likes falcons which was a help.  He is the manager for the telesca, crossroads and brick building behind the telesca (I think that might have been the building Jemison hit the second time but I'm not sure).  He spoke with the workers that were on the brick building behind telesca who were working on the roof when Beauty went nuts.  The workers were not wearing hard hats for one thing and the other was the concern about the falcons.  The manager went outside, saw Callidora and spoke with the workers. 

I just read the real cause about Scouts death.
She died not by a collision, but was slain.  :'(

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/07/08/witness-worker-struck-falcon.html?sid=101 (http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/07/08/witness-worker-struck-falcon.html?sid=101)

I am very sad about it.

I am with you Annette...how very sad  :crying:

As for educating the public, and in particular, the workers near falcons kids, I like your ideas Jeanne!  So many people have misconceptions about wildlife!  As a trail guide I take EVERY opportunity to educate the kids and adults about all the creatures, and our (human) impact. 

Suzanne

Hi falcon friends on the East coast.  I'm part of the San Jose, California falcon watching group (even though I live in Nevada).  Part of my contribution to our falcon and fledge watch efforts was to design a brochure about Fledge Watch to be distributed to businesses in the neighborhood that lets them know what's going on, and why there are people on the streets with binoculars, scopes, chairs, and all our paraphernalia.  It also lets them know who to call if they see a downed bird, etc. I would be happy to correspond off this forum directly with whoever would put one together for your folks; making a Word document or PDF that could be printed on demand would be easy since we've already done it.  Let me know if I may be of help to you.

Debbie Z
queeniequilter@yahoo.com  :wave:

I think it is wonderful - that said, I'm in MD, so I suspect that one of our local watchers needs to say yes, as they would be the ones maintaining, distributing, and "marketing" the falcons to the locals.

It's bad enough when nature takes one of "our most beautiful raptors" but it's just horrific when a human takes their life. This just breaks my heart knowing Scout could have lived a long happy life. I know it's not confirmed...just saying.

I feel the same way, Donna.  There are enough dangers out there environmentally but to come to an end this way is a crushing heartbreak. 

I just read interesting news of the falcons.

http://ohioperegrinefalcons.blogspot.com/ (http://ohioperegrinefalcons.blogspot.com/)

Update on Ranger posted on CMNH Forum posted August 13th:

We went out to the Medina Raptor Center to see Ranger on Tuesday. He looked good, as he was perched on the highest perch in the cage and was alert and responsive to movement as he tracked our hand gestures. We wanted to see him eating, so we observed him as Laura fed him, which is when his problems became apparent. As Laura dropped pieces of food into his cage, Ranger responded immediately by flying down to get the food. After he grabbed a substantial piece (not typical bite-size) with his beak he repeatedly picked it up and dropped it, pressing it in his beak before swallowing it whole. It was clear that he wasn't using his feet to secure the prey to eat, and Laura has had to cut the food into smaller pieces for him. After eating, he flew back up to the highest perch and very gingerly cleaned his beak on the perch (not nearly as aggressive in rubbing it against the perch as we have seen in the wild). And then he put his left foot up toward his head as if he wanted to scratch, but his foot froze in motion, then quivered, and then he lowered it again to the perch without scratching. We suggested to Laura trying to clamp the food to secure it to see if he's able to pull it to tear it and she plans to try that.

Laura has him scheduled for a reassessment appointment with Dr. Riggs next week, which will include checking the previously diagnosed eye lesion. She is encouraged with his progress, as she said that he looks far better than he did and he is improving.

 :wave: Good news that he is improving. Thanks!  :2thumbsup:

Ahh poor Ranger, so glad he's improving. Praying for him.  :pray:

My heart is breaking...I just read about Scout...How horrible that she was slain...she was so beautiful and just protecting her little one :-(  I hope they find him guilty and he spends his days in prison....how could anyone hurt her or any animal??? Poor poor dear one...she is with the angels now and I know she flies in a better world now.....

State Office Tower in Columbus, Ohio.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Updates - This & That
We heard recently that Boomer (C/66 hatched in Columbus in 2008), has taken over the nesting territory at the Terminal Tower in Cleveland! The last time he was seen in Columbus was at the end of June, 2008. He had at least one collision with a window after fledgling so it is great to know that he has since fared well. Click here to review the fledging info from 2008. Be sure and check out the Cleveland Museum of Natural History's FalconCam coverage of the Terminal Tower nest and the associated falcon forums.

Durand and Trooper have both been making appearances at the nestbox every day or so and while there they have been demonstrating pair bonding behavior (bowing and vocalizing to each other). This activity is in preparation for next year: we are well beyond nesting season this year so there is no chance of another nest attempt in 2010. Both birds have also been working on the scrape in the gravel - again, this is bonding to/claiming of the site as theirs in preparation for next spring.

We also had a separate report of Durand "buzzing" around the 25th and 26th floors of the Franklin County Courthouse. Thanks to the Human Resources staff at the courthouse for snapping and sharing this photo of her on a window ledge taken on Tuesday, September 7, 2010!



Camera Update: In this the off-season we have begun experimenting with different camera settings to see if we can tweak the system to provide better viewing in late day conditions when the sun is in the west and the nestbox is in shadow. Bright sun shining towards the camera combined with a dark corner of the ledge confuses the iris of the camera and results in the dark corner being too dark to see any detail. The process of adjusting camera settings is by trial and error so expect that sometimes the image may not be ideal if the settings are not correct-viewers may notice the image being extremely bright or dark. Each time a setting is changed we will leave it for at least 24 hours to see how the image looks at different times of day/in different lighting conditions. We appreciate every one's patience as we work through this process of fine tuning the settings with the ultimate goal to make viewing our site more enjoyable in the long run.

Finally, the investigation concerning Scout's death is still ongoing. State and Federal investigators take the matter very seriously and are cooperating fully. Information, when available to the public, will be posted here on the blog but these matters can sometimes take a very long time to get through. No details or information can be disclosed until the matter is fully closed otherwise risk compromising the investigation. Thanks for your patience and thanks for watching the Columbus Falcons!

Poor Scout...every time I think of her being beaten to her death I cry uncontrollably.  I hope they punish this person to the fullest extent of the law....Actually how can this person live with themselves?  She was beautiful :-(

I agree with you.  It absolutely breaks my heart to think that she was probably killed because she was protecting her baby.  It breaks my heart and it infuriates me at the same time.

Of course she was only protecting her little baby. She was being a falcon and doing what she knew she had to. That horrible person should have just gone inside until she and the little one left.
If someone can hurt an innocent animal they deserve to be punished.

I agree. This was horrific! Poor Scout.

 :thumbsdown:   Ignorance pure and simple!    :(

That is so heartbreaking!!  It makes me angry that something like that can happen  :crying:

I cry every time I think of poor Scout :-(
She must have been so scared at the end  :crying:

We see such bravery on the part of these birds.  Scout, so much smaller than a human, but still protecting her baby.  Buckeye, sitting in the snow and wind to guard the eggs.  They are truly such magnificent beings.

That trash guy cannot compare to them.  I am heartsick when I think of what happened to that sweet girl

These birds put the "human" race to shame...they are loyal to their mates until death takes one of them, so protective of their little ones, they are brave birds of prey yet possess such an inner sweetness.  That inner sweetness shows in the eyes of our dear little Jemison. Even when he must have been in pain he suffered so sweetly.
When I looked at the pictures of Scout again on this post feeding her little ones I am appalled that anyone could have done such a thing to that beautiful little mother.  :crying:
 Fly with the angels now sweet girl :falcon:

OK maybe I am a tad violent in my mind. Because I have a fantasy of hitting that bas+ard with a broom and knocking his sorry a$$ off the roof of a really tall building and see how he likes it then.
 :viking:
I apologize to all the gentle readers that fantasy may offend.
 :-\

 :heart: I know that inner sweetness that you speak of in Jemisons' eyes.  I looked into them at less than an arms length away. This encounter changed me forever!  :heart: :wub:

Trust me when I tell you the thought crossed my mind too...Only a real coward hurts an innocent creature.  :viking: >:(

What a wonderful experience that must have been!!  :heart: I love that little one, he is so special.
:wub:

  :heartspin:    It affected me in a very big way. I will love Peregrine Falcons forever!    :yes:

My Asian office mate, years ago, said that there is a saying that when a wild animal and a human's paths crossed they share a magical and mystical moment.  I thought of that with your post, MAK. 


Bird Crazy, I AGREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

 :hello:  It kind of felt magical and mystical Jeanne. Truly a touching moment!   :heart:

I am green with jealousy to have been that close to the little guy must have been wonderful. He does have a beautiful face. I hope he goes on to have a large family that we can follow when we get old and gray. I hope he settles somewhere there are watchers to let us know.

I hope so too...I would love to see him and a wonderful mate raise many sweet little ones who look just like him...He has the most beautiful face ever...filled with an inner peace and love.  :heart:

State Office Tower in Columbus, Ohio.
Friday, November 05, 2010
Interloper into the Territory!
Well, all has been pretty quiet so far this fall. Durand and Trooper have been seen almost on a daily basis checking in at the ledge, scraping in the gravel and otherwise maintaining their bond with each other and to the site. I have been continuing to work on adjusting camera settings to fine tune the exposure hoping for the end result of a better view of the nestbox on bright, sunny afternoons when that corner of the ledge is usually in shadow. More work is needed but I am confident I should be able to find a happy medium. Later this month we will be updating computers which should help keep the streaming from going down so often. Keep your fingers crossed and think positively for us that the updates and adjustments result in the improvements we anticipate!
Yesterday afternoon there was excitement on and around the ledge--a third falcon appeared and caused quite a stir with Durand and Trooper. Thanks to Mick in Seattle for capturing video of altercations on the ledge as well as dramatic fly-bys.



If you missed it (like I did!), below are links to 3 videos on YouTube that highlight the action. I believe the intruder was an unbanded adult female and is the bird closest to the camera in the second clip and in the photo above. Overall, it appears as though Durand and Trooper successfully defended their territory although we will continue to closely monitor all sightings of falcons via the cams to determine any changeover in individuals. I've said it before and will say it again: this is one instance where having these birds banded really, really assists in knowing who is who. Without leg bands it is so much more of a guessing game!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xjSZJYzMh4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xjSZJYzMh4) 1st

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b50g7bdVvNk (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b50g7bdVvNk) part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUrP3d8FG-I (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUrP3d8FG-I) part3

This went on for over 2 hours

Wow, now that was intense! For over 2 hrs.?! They must be exhausted. Thanks for sharing Donna! :gum:

They must be exhausted....that's a long time to fight  :o :surprise:
Seriously though I hope all will be well with Durand and Trooper...that ledge has seen it's share of sadness the past few months with Scout and Swoop's sad passing.... :(