Rfalconcam Forum

They had four hatches on the same day.  All four eggs hatched between 6 am and Noon.  I went to the chick check today and got some pictures of the female, male and eyasses.  All four chicks were very healthy and had full crops.  They are well fed.  That female is fierce.  She stooped on us from way up and came down alongside the building.  She pulled out just before she hit the door and us.

Enjoy the pictures.   And this is what you Rochester Falcon Folks have done to me!!  I can't get any rest now between eagle and peregrine seasons!!

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%20Falcons/DSC_0184.jpg)

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%20Falcons/DSC_0238.jpg)

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%20Falcons/DSC_0096.jpg)

Looks like they're feeding the one eyas. Was it medicated quail??   If I recall correctly frounce has been a HUGE problem at that nest.

Wow....very nice shots. What's with the last pic? Is he/she sick Bonnie? Was it not eating right?

Beautiful peregrine! :clap:

The last pic is of one of the four chicks getting the medicated quail.  The bird is definitely not sick.  They were all quite healthy and active.  Kathy Clark has been giving the medication early on for several years.  She has had losses from the disease and wants to prevent it.

Forgot to tell you that #1 is the male, #2 is the fierce female (could be Mariah's sister), and the last is one of the chicks getting its medicine in quail.  Mom got them all back under her wing later.  They had a very long feeding about an hour or so after they were returned to the scrape.

OK..yay...preventive medicine.  :clap:

Everyone is thrilled to find the offspring here and there.  Another of the falcons has been the resident female in Elizabeth, NJ for several years.  And she is as ferocious as her mother.

Mike and I are invited to the banding next Tuesday, May 25 probably at 11 am.  We have to be there by 10.  And we thought the chick check was the ultimate falcon experience.

Congrats!  :clap: have fun

Four very angry girls at 101 Hudson.  They are not happy with their new jewelry and they wanted a pedicure too.  Pics and video coming.

What in the world?

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%20Falcons/DSCN4821.jpg)

Band numbers are 00 over AE to 03 over AE

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%20Falcons/DSCN4853.jpg)

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%20Falcons/DSCN4858.jpg)

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%20Falcons/DSCN4871.jpg)

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%20Falcons/DSCN4873.jpg)

No pictures of the female.  She is way too fast!!  She looked like a bat streaking by the scrape and ledge door.  We named her Athena, Goddess of War, Wisdom and Philosophy.  But here is 2/6 (We named him Six Pack - Linn P is turning over in her grave)  He actually swooped at the invaders this time.

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%20Falcons/DSC_0008-1.jpg)

 :cool-045: :thanx:

Here's a link to my website with a short video of the kakking, err, banding.

http://web.me.com/talluto/Wildlife_2010/Jersey_City_Banding_2010.html#0

Oh how I  :heart: that Kakking....thanks Bonnie....nice video and slideshow!

Cool, Bonnie, thanks for sharing!  Looks like you didn't just get to attend...you got to hold an eyas.

 :wave:   Very nice Bonnie, thanks!    :good post:

Here's a report from my friend, Mike:

****Breaking News****

We had our first fledge early this afternoon! Kathy Clark got a call from an office worker at 101 saying the fledgling had landed on the roof on the 37th floor, NW corner of the building. Kathy had me go up to the office and observe the bird through the office windows. When I got there around 3:30 she was perched on the ledge, and there was a nice fat pigeon about 15 feet away on the roof that the parents had dropped for her. Dad came in and perched on the corner parapet to watch over her. She was screaming at him almost the whole time (he's probably thinking "she's got a fresh pigeon here, she just has to walk over to it!"). I observed her for almost an hour. She didn't appear to be injured and seemed comfortable where she was. She did alot of preening (even pulled off some of her white down and ate some of it!) and some stretching. Her leg feathers covered her band, and I didn't have my binoculars (this was all a spur of the moment thing), so I don't know exactly which girl this was (but most likely it's the first one that left the box on Friday and the one that was on the ledge yesterday evening and at noon in my last post). Dad left after awhile (probably to go hunt). She was still preening and occasionally resting her eyes when I left.

As long as she stays put on that roof she'll be fine until she gets more strength. That section of roof is of decent size, and the office workers are aware of her presence and the situation in general, so they won't disturb her. Plus the parents will watch over her and make sure she has food.

***I posted that I didn't think it was a real fledge.  She got down four floors below.  The building is terraced and the birds have a lot of ways to be safe if they fall off the 41st floor.  I'll keep you all posted.  I'll be down on Saturday and Sunday.*****


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Well, the news is not so good today.  Where shall I start - bad news, good news.  Mike and I were out watching three of the girls doing their thing on the ledge around the corner from the scrape.  Well, not quite around the corner.  It is an L shape.  They can hop/fly between terraces on the 41st floor.  Which one of them did.

Then a passerby said they picked up one on Friday at 2 am and she was taken to a rehab center.  ????  We checked the Jersey Journal and discovered that our first girl had gotten down to the ground and was picked up by JC Animal Control after boys were throwing rocks at her.  Raptor Trust reported to the paper that she has bruises and a broken clavicle.  The RT has been wrong before in their diagnosis so we will wait and see.  But the bruises would be totally believable after a 37 story fall.  As would a broken clavicle.  The good news is that she can be rehabilitated. 

And the second good news is that as of 1:30 pm on Saturday her sisters were still on the 41st floor.

Never a dull moment with fledglings. As far as the boys throwing rocks at her, I don't know if I want to cry or scream! They need a good  whooping. Thanks Bonnie. Hope she does OK.

http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2010/06/a_young_peregrine_falcon_fell.html (http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2010/06/a_young_peregrine_falcon_fell.html) Here's the article

That is a long way down to fall... :(

Poor eyas/juvie.  :o

 :(   Little boys can be so cruel to wildlife.    :wave:

Can't - Child Protective Services will step in and punish the parents.  Madness!

True!  :hurt:

We have a successful fledgling here in Jersey City. She flew strongly with an adult right beside her one block north and circled back. She is now perched with her sisters on the terrace around the corner from the scrape. One adult kept trying to lure them out.  Still lots of down on the other two.

When I was at 101 Hudson with the biologist, building manager and Conserve Wildlife people talked briefly about a stepped up education program. I am sure the talks will get more serious now. I would like to spend a few hours with those boys and show them how to watch birds.

You go girl!  :thumbsup:

For the Whooping, but not for the bad behavior  :(
Carol
WV

Insanity - I know that I wouldn't have sat for a month

Here is a pic of the fledgling with one of the adults.  I do believe this is Athena (Mike and I named her, sorry Linn P) and one of her girls.  The bigger one is the fledgling of course:

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%20Falcons/DSC_0303.jpg)

The almost whole family:

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%20Falcons/DSC_0387.jpg)

And have you ever seen an upside down peregrine?

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%20Falcons/DSC_0300.jpg)

Update on our first almost fledgling:  She does have a broken clavicle that has started to heal on its own.  She will be in Raptor Trust for the next week until the x-ray technician gets back to take a picture of the break.  Until then it would hurt for her to fly and she would most definitely get into trouble again.  She is in a darkened room being kept calm.  My friend, Mike, said she looks good.  It is 03/AE or Barbie as I started calling her.

Nice pics Bonnie and thanks for  the update on "Barbie". Congrats on "Athena", lucky you!  :clap:

 :coolphotos: :flash:

Forgot to make a BIG NOTE that the upside down peregrine was really flying that way next to the fledgling.  I did not doctor or rotate the picture at all.

I'm sorry but I think someone needs to throw rocks at those boys so they can see what it feels like. grrrrrr  :hyper:

I have offered to go and give an attitude adjustment to the boys.  They would have to spend a day with me watching the peregrines.  After that they would never throw anything at any wildlife ever again.  Don't underestimate the power of a Kindergarten Teacher!!

Update from my friend, Mike, who was down there today.  Our fledgling is doing very well.  Don't know if the other two fledged, but I suspect they did.  He had one on the east side of the scrape and did not know the whereabouts of the other, but the parents kept watching where they were all perched on Saturday and Sunday.  I have good feelings about the others.  Our first girl could be back as soon as Monday if her clavicle has healed enough.  The thought at Raptor Trust was that it would.

All three fledglings are doing well and flying high.  We should find out when the fourth will be back this afternoon.  Could be as early as Monday.

Our fourth girl is totally healed and will be going into a flight cage on Monday.  She should be back during the week.  The other three little maids have become very accomplished fliers.  We witnessed all three chasing Athena for brunch.  Six Pack lived up to his name and just sat on the other side of the building.  One girl circled that building about four times later.

Here are a few pictures:

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%20Falcons/DSC_0867.jpg)

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%20Falcons/DSC_0848.jpg)

(http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn291/talluto123/Peregrine%20Falcons/DSC_0879.jpg)

 :2thumbsup: :thanx:

That's great news Bonnie...thank you!

Those brats need to meet up with BB from Buffalo

We mentioned the boys again to the Jersey City police, who are intensely interested in protecting the falcons.

GOOD! Thanks Bonnie

Mike and I had the extremely exciting pleasure of returning our fourth girl to the top of 101 Hudson today.  She flew out of the box fast and strong.  Both adults were there to welcome her back.  We never did see all four together after the release, but we did see three apparently eating on the 39th floor terrace.  And then we had one on the roof top.  She took out after the male and put on a stupendous aerial display to show she could take prey on the fly.  Looked they had the leg and thigh of a big shore bird.  Looked like our biggest girl.  Her wing span is enormous.

I put together a YouTube video.  It is big and long.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9_HdbPyZ1I

Bonnie, that was FABULOUS!! Thanks so much, I enjoyed it. Yay for the little girl, glad she's OK and was released.  :clap: :thumbsup:

 :ditto:

I didn't realize you had a thread for NJ here.  I was just searching for the band ID's for our new Y&E male when I found the NJ website.  Did you know the female has only one silver US band and no band on her other leg?  I guess if the bird was injured at one time, it's common practice to just band it with a US band and no Black/Green to indicate it was wild?

Yup-the bi-color VID bands are only used on wild hatched birds banded at the nest.

We have all but one or two of her FW numbers.  Before 1999 or so not all peregrines got the colored bands.  She is at least 11 years and probably banded in PA.  Not all the birds banded that year got the other bands.  There is no chance they fell off or that a mistake was made with the record keeping.   Kathy Clark, NJ biologist, has contacted numerous people about the numbers we have for her.  She was banded on the east coast.

The fledglings must have flown on to better hunting grounds.  We have not had any sightings for a few days.  I went down 6:30 - 7:15 am today and saw nothing.  I drove around in a much wider area.  There is a canal where I'm sure the birds will have easy hunting.  After reading about Callidora and Jemison, I got up the energy to make the trip.  NJFW has no news, either, so that has to be good.

Not so good news to report.  Animal control picked up Mike's bird, 00, on Tues night.  The bird was on the rocks on the Hudson in front of Plaza 10 at 3 Second St.  The tide was coming in and it was getting scary.  Apparently security at the building noticed the bird.  She was taken to Raptor Trust where she looks well fed.  They can't do x-rays until Sunday.  As usual, when a bird is down like that it is reported as a peregrine, but that's not often the case.  It was this time.  Mike and I have been talking to the security folks at the buildings in the area, but this building is about 5-10 blocks to the north.  The Mack Cali manager also sent our pictures of the falcons around to all the buildings.

It pays to advertise.  We are trying to learn more details about the rescue and condition of our girl.

Keep us posted, Bonnie.   So good that people watch and get involved!

Mike is connected to Raptor Trust.  Our Jersey Girl has a broken humerous.  After xrays on Sunday, they will reset it and put in a pin.  She is very lucky to have been found.  I'll be there in October for their Focus on Raptors for photographers.  She might still be there.  Plus, I have an open invitation to go anytime.

The broken bone in our Jersey Girl is not in a good place.  She will be in rehab for 6 - 7 weeks.  And it is not certain if she will be able to be returned to the wild.  Here is the report on the NJFW Nestbox News:

http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/peregrinecam/jcp-2010nestnews.htm

I am considering getting a falconer's license just for her.  I have a great barn and numerous feral pigeons right outside the barn door.  It is probably a good bet that she will be there when I go for the Focus on Raptors photographers event on Oct. 16.  But one never knows about these falcons.  And, she is a Jersey Girl.

Oh that poor "Jersey Girl". Is she allowed visitors? I'd love to go see her if possible. Thanks Bonnie.

If she can't be released I'm sure she will be able to have visitors.  Until they make the decision, I don't think so.

Thanks Bonnie. If and when she can have visitors, I'd like to go visit her.

Of course I'll be posting the news here.  And Paul and Kathy post it on Nestbox News.  I plan on making one more trip back to Jersey City to see if I can spot any of the others.  But I don't think I'll be back at Raptor Trust until October for photographers' day.

Here is some great news about the Jersey City falcons:

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/peregrinecam/jcp-2010nestnews.htm

And my paternal grandparents are from Chester, PA, just across the border from Paulsboro!!  I was thinking about making a trip down there to see the area.

Our Jersey Girl with the broken wing who was found  and rescued just as the tide was about to swallow her, is doing well.  My partner, Mike, went to visit her last Sunday.  She is being moved to an outside flight cage.  It seems there is a chance she could be returned to the wild.

I was supposed to go see her, too, but I went to pick up Skittles, a scarlet macaw, instead.

Let us know and thanks...Skittles?? Cool name.  (http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d45/hawksrock189/skittles.gif)

And speaking of our Jersey Girl falcon, this Jersey Girl  :wave: is hoping to get a look at this little one at DeKorte Park in the Meadowlands tomorrow. Word has it this little friend is from one of the NYC nest box families this year..he/she has been sighted at the park hunting. A birding friend of mine saw her/him trying to snare a songbird the other day but came up talons empty.
This little one reminds me a lot of Jemi :-)   :heart:

Oooooh!  I want to go, too!  I have to tell Mike.  He goes there all the time.  Find out which scrape the bird came from.  Looks like it is not banded, though.

 :2thumbsup:

Nice Juvie FF...Thanks for the pic. Good luck, let us know.

I will try to find out some information if I am there early enough for the building to be open.
I didn't see any bands either...I wonder if this is not a bird from a monitored nest box???
It is a gorgeous falcon though and I am hoping I see it.

Mike has seen an unbanded juvie at DeKorte.  It could be the same bird.

Oh that is so exciting!  I think it is the same bird then...My friend saw it near the end towards the trash center..it was hunting but not having much luck. It was flying straight at the prey instead of swooping down at it.  Maybe I will get a glimpse of it tomorrow. :2thumbsup:

Bonnie,
I watched the YouTube video of the release and it is awesome. So heartwarming to see this beautiful little one reunited with her family and flying free again. I left you a comment too. I am on as SpringtimeSkies129.
I love the Raptor Trust...they have so many wonderful rescues living there. I have to get back there soon..it has been too long! :falcon:

Where can I find this video?

Hi Annette,
This is the link....try it and if it doesn't work Bonnie also has it linked a few conversations up in this discussion :-)
You will love it!
Ginny

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QD9TytH4qg

A really beautiful video. Thank you for link.  :yes:

Thank you Annette,
It is awesome and I even shared it with a friend in Belgium today...He loves these falcons too!
 :happy:

Well I went to DeKorte Park today and I didn't see the Peregrine. The sightings list in the lobby of the center show it was seen on the 1'st and the 3'rd.
I wasn't so lucky to spot it but I did see a beautiful yellow bird (warbler?)....I need to brush up on my "birding 101" LOL....or at least get out the field guide  :happy:  This bird also had a bit of orange on it's head too...it was very cooperative...didn't even flinch when I got up close to look at it.
I also saw egrets, gulls and cormorants....All in all not a bad day but I still wished I had seen that peregrine!  :falcon:

Here is the yellow bird :-)   ???

Actually the orange shows up better in this photo. Any ideas?  :confused:
And the egret is pretty cool too!  :2thumbsup:

My first guess is prothonotary warbler, though the wings don't seem as gray as the picture-the female's wings are lighter.

From Cornell's All About Birds (http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Prothonotary_Warbler/id)

male female


Adult Description

    * Large warbler, small songbird.
    * Head and chest deep yellow, almost orange.
    * Eyes black. Back greenish.
    * Wings gray and without wingbars.
    * Belly and undertail white.
    * White spots in tail.

Immature Description
Immature like adult, but duller and more greenish on back and head.

Any other thoughts?

 

Maybe a Blue-winged warbler...but what do I know?

My first guess is prothonotary warbler

Oh my word! The things I do not know! Sweet wee bird - but I bow to those who could even begin to make a sensible guess... At this time of year, who knows what might turn up as migration continues apace. How wonderful to be in the company of such a creature!

The yellow coloring is right, but the blue winged has a dark stripe from beak to eye...the mystery bird doesn't.

I'm still not convinced I'm right, though.  Something about the shape of the face...

Hi everyone...I have been looking in my Peterson's field guide and this is a mystery bird indeed!
BUT the closest I can come to is the Prothonotary which would be wonderful!
They should wear name tags !!!  :happy:

Mike's juvie, #00 or Michaela as I call her, with the broken wing was definitely put into an outside flight cage over the weekend.  Fingers crossed here that she will be flying free shortly.  Although I would love to see and photograph her during the Focus on Raptors Day at The Raptor Trust on October 16.

what about a yellow warbler

It's the little details I fail to look at. Your a better birder Ei.  :clap:

This one's a possibility too, but I was checking the gallery of Lloyd Spitalnik for possibilities-he takes a lot of great photos in Central Park & has a whole section just on warblers (http://www.lloydspitalnikphotos.com/v/warblers/)-and all the front views he has of the yellow warbler show reddish brown streaks on the breast...

 

People pointing out the little details I missed is how I learned...keep pacticing!

This is one of Lloyd's prothonotary pics...

What cute birdie.

I thought of a yellow warbler too but as Ei said they have the streaks on the breast.
I am still thinking prothonotary...I am having the photos printed and taking it to the naturalist that writes the column in the newspaper and see what the verdict is.
At any rate this was a cute little one and it was fun to see it.   :happy:

This looks a lot like my bird.  Thanks so much for all this great information :-)

Oh Bonnie...is she a falcon?  How wonderful that is getting well  :clap:

That little bird was wonderful to see and be near. It was a special treat to be so close to it :-)

We released our #00/AE (Michaela) in Jersey City today.  She is flying high, strong and deftly.  We watched her for two hours.  We are hopeful she will leave the area very soon.  She showed agility as she got away from her agitated mom.  Six Pack lived up to his name and just watched and then left.  There was some communal soaring and mutual preening between mother and daughter.  Pictures are coming.

That's good news, Bonnie!!  :clap:

Fantastic Bonnie, another happy ending.  :pfalcon:

 goodnews: :halloweeen1: :ghost:

We are holding our collective breaths that she gets out of that area before being seriously pummeled by her parents.  Everyone realized after the fact that it was mistake to release her in that area.  The problem was that NJ Fish and Wildlife has had successful late releases there.  Just not this time.  So keep your fingers crossed for a little while longer.  Mike will be there today and tomorrow.

On a very good note, there was little hope she would ever be able to successfully fly again.  She is one tough big gal.

Here is a video of Friday's release of 00/AE.  If you get upset by territorial aggression, don't watch it.  00/AE appeared to be just fine when we left after watching her for two hours.  Mike went back on Saturday and the adult female was calm.  There was no sign of 00/AE.  We hope she flew the coop and is out of JC.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uc8a95nGXE

I hope she made it out too...poor girl...strange how the parents forget so soon. :(