Rfalconcam Forum

My friend who lives in the San Francisco Bay area, and who I have converted to a bird/crow/falcon watcher sent me this link about the 5 new peregrines who hatched.
Suzanne

http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2011/04/05/falcon-chicks-hatch-in-san-francisco-san-jose/ (http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2011/04/05/falcon-chicks-hatch-in-san-francisco-san-jose/)

   
San Jose City Hall falcon chicks: It's three males and a female

If falcons wore clothes, the baby chicks atop San Jose City Hall would be wearing three blue sweaters and one pink.

In his annual trek up to a ledge outside the 18th floor of the downtown building Thursday morning, UC Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group biologist Glenn Stewart banded the legs of the peregrine falcon chicks in an effort to study them in years to come. And he also determined their sex: three males and one female.

Stewart is thrilled that the Bay Area has an "all-time high" of 30 known peregrine falcon pairs roaming the skies, and he said there are about 250 known falcons in the state. That is actually not a low number overall, said Stewart, reminding people that these falcons are at the "top of the food chain" and eat hundreds of smaller birds each year.

Several falcon lovers and city hall workers came to witness the early morning event, where Stewart used a rope to scale along the wall of the City Hall building to get close to the chicks as their parents, named Clara and Esteban Colbert, squawked and yakked angrily as he neared their brood. One homeless man, who didn't want to give his name, marveled at this urban birding experience.

"This is natural beauty," he said. "It's amazing."

As for the four babies, San Jose children have already been invited to name the young falcons, and the winning names will be announced May 6.

This is mama falcon Clara's fifth nesting season in Silicon Valley. The popular falcon family, first spotted at City Hall in 2007, and their annual mating and birthing rituals, are tracked by devoted followers and can be followed on a live webcam at www.scpbrg.org (http://www.scpbrg.org).

The chicks are expected to learn to fly some time in the third week of May.

Yesterday, Sunday May 15, 2011, three of the San Jose peregrine juveniles fledged.  Their names: Ahote, Hermes and Unita.  It is with a heavy heart that I report to you that Unita, the only female in this clutch, suffered a collision with a building on her first flight, and did not survive. 

The first to fledge, Ahote, landed on a sidewalk outside San Jose City Hall, where a policeman and a bystander saw him, and called animal control, per our fledge watch procedure.  Animal control called our biologist from the Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group, Glenn Stewart, who came to the scene with other fledge watchers, and placed Ahote into our high-tech transport device (a cardboard apple box with holes in it). Ahote was escorted up to the roof of City Hall, where he was sprayed down with water to keep him from bursting out of the box and trying to fly immediately.  He was released onto the roof, and is still there. 

Hermes is on the roof of one of the San Jose State University buildings, and fledge watchers are there.

The fourth juvenile, Shadow, remains at the nest box. He slept alone for the first time in his little life last night. Clara, his mom, took care to feed him.  This morning he has been out of the box and up onto the ledge, flapping and looking over the edge, but he's back in the box at present.

Best wishes to Beauty and Archer, and keep us all in your prayers for successful fledging of our remaining three.

Debbie Z
Falconatic 1

So sorry Debbie about Unita, those first flights can be so dangerous. I wish the rest good flights and happy tales where ever they may go. Keep us posted.

I read it soon after you posted.  SJ is my birthplace and I go there in late June and always see the fledglings at SJSU.  The watchers are distressed at best.  It is very difficult as this group knows

I just learned that they haven't been able to find Hermes for a couple of days.  Anyone have updates?

Yes, there is an update

Hermes located on B of A bldg. Parent with him and breakfast has been served!

Good news!

There is sad news to report from the top of the San Jose City Hall building.

Unita, the only female falcon to be born earlier this year on the 18th floor ledge of City Hall, has died.

She was 40 days old.

"It takes equal measures of luck, skill and strength to survive out there," said Glenn Stewart, a biologist with the UC Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group, who monitors the peregrine falcons born in the Bay Area. "This was purely bad luck."

Stewart said Unita took her first attempt at flying Sunday, as her mother was returning to the ledge nest box with a pigeon to eat. Unita lunged for her meal, and apparently couldn't handle flying and grabbing for the food at the same time, Stewart said. She slipped and crashed into the Rotunda.

She was pronounced dead a short time later.

"She wanted to be first for the food," Stewart said. "But her feathers weren't fully developed. She probably had another two inches of growth. She should have waited a few days."

Unita is survived by her three brothers: Hermes, Shadow and Ahote, and her parents, Clara and Esteban Colbert.

The falcons are named each year by San Jose schoolchildren.

Members of this beloved falcon family have been living at City Hall since 2007. Their every move is monitored on a webcam and in person by Stewart and his scientific team, along with a group of volunteer falcon lovers, nicknamed the Falconatics.

This is not the first year a young falcon has died. As Stewart explained, learning to fly, or rather land, is challenging for young birds of prey, and they can die both in the wild and in urban settings.

A male falcon chick was found dead in May 2010, and in June 2008, a falcon female named Cielo died after she suffered a clumsy landing and crashed into City Hall. "The fact is, only the strongest and luckiest survive to breed," Stewart said. "That's why these birds lay four eggs each year."

Oh that poor girl, so sorry!  :(

The other three males seem to be doing fine. I wish them very good luck and hope to see them flying about SJSU campus in July.

 :crying:

Fly Free Unita.   :pray:

Two juvies on a ledge.

 :scaredblue:  Yikes!!!  :gum:

Not sure if any of you follow this falcon cam but there has been some drama here.  Clara and EC have 3 eggs so far and have been dealing with another intruding pair.  EC has now not been seen since yesterday, one egg is damaged and Clara is on cam looking lost and occasionally chasing off another falcon.

I haven't had time to follow them closely for a the past few seasons.  I hope it works out in the end...

Oh, no!  My hometown birds are in trouble.  Sounds like Blackwater all over again on the other coast.

Awful news! Last year weather, this year intruders!  :angel: Poor Clara.

It seems EC has been replaced with a new unbanded tiercel.  Watchers on the ground and manning the cams have confirmed it and Glen's report has been posted to BCAW.  Not sure what will happen now and the second intruder seems to be female and although the new guy offered Clara food, he was also seen bowing with the other female so it may not be over yet.


http://www.peregrinefalcon-bcaw.net/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=1076&start=80 (http://www.peregrinefalcon-bcaw.net/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=1076&start=80)

The apparently new tiercel: Yes, we have one. Whether or not there will be aerial battles anew tomorrow is unknown (and unlikely in my view). What we do know is that the resident female (Clara) has accepted food from the new male and been receptive to copulation from him as well. To my mind, that makes it a done deal.

Will the new tiercel adopt the existing eggs and any young that may hatch? If there were young in the nest, I would say yes, absolutely--he would adopt them. But what we appear to have is an incomplete clutch upon which hard incubation has yet to begin. Rather than have me make predictions I think we should just let things unfold with the knowledge that the eggs could remain in the nest for "quite some time" and still be viable. (Remember that under normal circumstances egg #1 sits un-incubated for about five days).

I guess IT HAPPENS all over!  :(  Thanks Carly

 Oh boy, makes me wonder what's in store for us!  :scaredblue:

Clara has 4 eggs this morning, it's being reported so it will be EC's for sure.  Let's hope that new female goes her own way and leaves Clara in peace and the new tiercel continues to be supportive.

http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_20105578/san-jose-city-hall-falcon-saga-better-than (http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_20105578/san-jose-city-hall-falcon-saga-better-than)  San Jose City Hall falcon saga better than a real-life soap opera    :(

I saw some photos tonight that someone posted a link to on BCAW of the intruding female, she's only a year old.  She's so sweet looking, I hope she doesn't hurt herself poor little thing.  Here is the link if you want to see her buzzing Clara.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gimlack/sets/72157629157255632/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/gimlack/sets/72157629157255632/)

New male falcon on top of San Jose City Hall is named: 'Fernando the rocket.'

http://www.mercurynews.com/bay-area-news/ci_20113821/new-male-falcon-top-san-jose-city-hall (http://www.mercurynews.com/bay-area-news/ci_20113821/new-male-falcon-top-san-jose-city-hall)

Rocket is a great nickname for a falcon!  ;D

Falcon fans in Silicon Valley and around the world have cast their votes and the peregrine falcons hatched last month on a ledge high above San Jose City Hall have been named.

The female is Hope and her three brothers are Horácio, Thunder and Cobalt.

City officials say nearly 1,250 people voted in the naming contest from names suggested by San Jose school kids. More than 80 students submitted names for the young falcons.

The female name Hope was submitted by a fourth-grade student at Ben Painter Elementary School.

The name Horácio was submitted by a third-grade class at Horace Mann School in San Jose, and the names Thunder and Cobalt were submitted by students at Ben Painter.

The students who submitted the winning names will receive a commendation from Mayor Chuck Reed at a future City Council meeting, passes to Happy Hollow Park & Zoo, and a school assembly featuring Glenn Stewart of the UC Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group.

"I'd like to thank all the San Jose students who took this opportunity to participate in this contest and learn about the world's fastest animals," Reed said in a statement. "The peregrine falcons offer people of all ages a great lesson about nature and conservation."

After Stewart earlier this month rappelled about 30 feet from the roof of City Hall to band the young falcons and determine the genders, a volunteer panel of judges chose 10 finalists for the public vote.

The contest closed Wednesday with 1,244 votes tallied.

In the coming weeks, the young City Hall falcons are expected to "fledge," leaving their nest and learning how to fly.

Clara, the mother falcon who first appeared on the City Hall ledge seven years ago, has given birth every spring

We were very fortunate in San Jose this year as all 4 fledged safely!

 :clap:

So glad! Don't like sad stories!!  :thumbsup:

 :clap: goodnews:

Wonderful news!

Caught both falcons at the nest for a moment this morning:

   

Great catch, Alison!

Thank you Alison!  :wave:

It was a misty, rainy, dark day in San Jose. One peregrine was on the wall; a little while later, the second falcon appeared out of the mist at the far end of the wall.

         

   

Then they flew off together, in perfect unison.

When I checked the cam early yesterday evening, I found Clara in this position:

   

A little while later, she laid her first egg:

   

California girls are early!  :clap:  Thanks Alison

Clara and FC have their first egg!  :2thumbsup:

California dreamin'!  :cool-045:

I can't wait for chicks there this year.  Congrats. Glad FCC is back or never left.

We West Coast-ers are sure celebrating these early egg arrivals!  San Francisco got their THIRD egg this morning.

Just for the sake of clarity, the male falcon, the tiercel, at San Jose who has wooed and won Clara this year is Fernando El Cohete, or Fernando "the Rocket".  We mostly just call him Fernando. Last year he displaced the previous tiercel, E.C., or Esteban Colbert, after the eggs E.C. fertilized had been laid. 

So this year belongs to Fernando entirely, and he has already taken turns sitting on this new egg.  Celebrate!!

Debbie

They said last year, after EC was displaced by FC, that EC was observed watching what was going on at the nest site but never interfered. Has anyone seen EC this year-is he still around?

Kris,  mw over at BCAW has reported over the past several months that there have been frequent sightings of EC at his favorite roosting spot on campus.  The most recent one she posted was from February 11th.  :handshake:

Thanks, Carly! I felt so bad for him last year watching his family from afar but life does go on. I hope he finds another mate this year!

Second egg today for Clara and Fernando:

      

                  :thumbsup:

Hatching is underway here, a pip was seen a few hours ago.  Since then Clara has refused to budge even when just offered a break by Fernando. 

Video here of the pip and looking closely to see the chick working on the pip from inside!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rZ-_1c9ug0# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rZ-_1c9ug0#)

 :clap:

San Jose..First Hatch!! Clara on cam eating egg shell right now and saw the baby quickly!!

D*!@#  Just missed it.  Had the window opened and was checking something else out.  Go, San Jose!

I noticed yesterday that at least one of the other eggs had a spot on it too so I expect we will see another hatch at least today.. :clap:

Thought I just saw two fuzzy, white bobbleheads.  I am being moderated so my posts haven't shown up.

Moderated? Your posts should show up right way.  :surprise:

San Jose is moderating my posts.  I just made my first post on that forum.  Haven't been on there for six years.

I think they're moderating everyone. I got an email that someone had been hacked via their forum. I haven't posted there in years either.

Ohhhh, I see, ok.  ;)

Hi everyone! This morning was banding day in San Jose. It has been announced that we have three boys this year, for the first time all the same sex.  Wahoo!  Here is the link to the nest cam: http://www2.ucsc.edu/scpbrg/nestcamSJ.htm (http://www2.ucsc.edu/scpbrg/nestcamSJ.htm)

We will announce later on when we get video up to Youtube.

 :star: :star: :star:

They named the 3 boys:
Striker
Orion
Comet

Then sad news was posted today (saw on BCAW)-

It is with great sadness & deep regret to inform everyone that, our Orion - 95/S - had an accident today, and is deceased.

Craig called to let me know Fish & Wildlife was downtown due to a report of a deceased Falcon juvie. Craig was not able to obtain any info other than the bird would go to the Wild Life Center of Silicon Valley, who we know then would notify Glenn.

I called Glenn to let him know the call would be coming, & if possible to please call me with the band info.

Through channels, Glenn was notified that band # 95/S was enroute to the WCSV.

Godspeed and Fly Free our Little Orion - you will reside in our hearts forever more.

Additional info by Glenn Stewart:

I do a lot of explaining how "these things happen" on our lists, but this was an absolutely natural event as I understand it. Orion was found with a second headless bird. Authorities (police and department of fish and wildlife warden) immediately suspected foul play. In fact, there was a mid-air transfer of food from adult to juvie. The juvie (Orion) flew to a perch to eat. The challenge of carrying the food (probably a pigeon but I do not know for sure) and sticking a solid landing while also gripping the pigeon ended with a collision with a building. Because there were two dead birds--one headless--some thought something bad happened. In fact, we had a juvenile falcon making good progress who had just successfully completed a food transfer had an accident. Pure bad luck--and that is usually what gets our youngsters. These things happen... We have two healthy youngsters. Forward. --glenn@scpbrg

Fly free, Orion.   :sorrow:

Aw, poor Orion! Fly Free little one.  Wish they were more careful but it's rough on them.  :(

The life of a Peregrine is not easy. I hope our own Orion is flying free somewhere.
 :sorrow:

He has to be he is a LEGEND

I am so very sorry to read about the loss of little Orion. Each one of these beautiful birds is so important; I love to watch them, and I hate to lose any one of them.

I hope we will some day hear good news of Rochester's handsome Orion.

Right on BC!  :yes:

The two brothers are doing well and sticking close to each other.  Last night one grabbed a pigeon from Clara and got it to the BofA building.  That building looks a lot like the Kodak Tower.  BofA is their prime hangout. They go back to roost at City Hall at night.

Pictures are up at

www.bonnietalluto.com (http://www.bonnietalluto.com)

Nice Bonnie, thanks for sharing!  :wave:

How cute, thanks Bonnie!!

First egg laid last night here around 10 pm last night - for Clara and FC!  :dance1: (Bev caught it first!)

 :thumbsup:

Hi everybody. I am proud to announce that San Jose, California has their first THREE of four eggs hatched this morning!   :clap:   :bravo: :happybday:

Here are some Youtube videos:

http://youtu.be/FJgtLFjcJ4Y (http://youtu.be/FJgtLFjcJ4Y)

http://youtu.be/BQxhTQceeTg (http://youtu.be/BQxhTQceeTg)

Welcome little ones! 

Congratulations  :clap: :the_wave:

       :congrats:  

 :congrats:   :wave:

That's great, congrats!!!!!

San Jose banding just finished...2 boys, 2 girls  :2thumbsup:

Wow, banding already and Beauty and Dot.ca's haven't even hatched yet!  I guess they're all on their own schedule. 

California vs New York  :gum:

Hi, Falcon friends. San Jose had scheduled their fledge watch at City Hall, where the nest box is located, starting Friday, May 16. However, this was one day too late for one juvenile falcon!  On Thursday, May 15, I was observing the web cam while working at my office up in Reno, and saw one male, Blaze, sitting beside one of his two sisters, Beatrix, on a low ledge near their nest box. Beatrix turned slightly, and **POOF ** Blaze was knocked off into space 18 floors up. I called our chief forum moderator and fledge watch coordinator in San Jose, Jody, and she answered her cell phone saying "I knew it was trouble when I saw it was you calling." We are dear friends, so I just howled at that!  :laugh:  But I informed her of what I had seen, and of course she had momentarily walked away from her computer and not seen it happen.

She immediately got on the phone, email and Skype and mobilized the BOGs (Boots on the Ground) in the area, called our biologist expert Glenn Stewart from the Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group, and everyone headed for downtown. It turned out someone inside the San Jose City Hall building had seen the little falcon glide down and land on the ground. He called Animal Control, and they came and cordoned off the area. Our BOGs arrived, Blaze was contained in an appropriate box, and Glenn arrived later (two hour drive from Santa Cruz). On examination, Blaze was not the least bit injured, so he was given an elevator ride with Glenn up to the roof of City Hall and released.

I arrived in San Jose the following afternoon with my sister, bringing lots of chocolate, and we stayed for four days of fledge watch. We were privileged to see three of the four juveniles fly, attempt to land, moth on the sides of buildings, fly again, find a better landing place, and twice land on the ground. We had our organized fledge watchers in place around the building, everyone on walkie talkies, and everything went just fine. Two more times juvies were taken to the roof top for release, and thank the good Lord, no one has been injured so far.  The fourth juvie fledged the day after we had to leave, so we missed that one, but had lots of opportunity to see the other three flying fairly well.

I forgot to tell you all four names:  the males are Bolt and Blaze; the females are Halo and Beatrix. The schoolchildren of San Jose are invited by the Mayor's office each year to submit names, along with essays, songs, and/or videos. Then the camera operators and moderators narrow down the choices and create a poll on the forum for all forum members to vote. There are links to the kids' submissions too, so we can see them all online. http://sanjoseperegrines.editme.com/2014-Names (http://sanjoseperegrines.editme.com/2014-Names)   This site indicates all of the submissions, but the poll is closed, so you can't vote. But if you click on each suggested name, you will see the child's essay, drawing, song or video. They are delightful!

It is always heartening to me to realize there are dedicated falcon watcher volunteers who come together each year, each in their own role, to support the local falcons. You all know this dedication in Rochester, as I see the same thing in the members' discussions there.

I am thrilled to see the four eyasses on the Rochester falcon cam, and will be following them closely. The San Jose falcons are flying so much they are rarely seen on our falcon cams now; I am in withdrawal already.  Of course we share in mourning for the lost San Francisco fledgling Eliza  :(.  But we are watching their two remaining fledglings Lotta and Tera, wishing all falcon fledglings fair winds and blue skies.   

See you on the forum!

Debbie

:falcon:

Glad you got to see them live...it is such a thrill watching them discover the joy of flying!

Thanks for the update Debbie!  :foxbinocs:

Thanks Deb, glad the little one was OK. Nerves of steel watchers must have!!  Yay on the chocolate!! LOL

You might be interested in watching this NBC Bay area news story about the San Jose falcons and fledge watch. It shows the San Jose City Hall building, our fledge watch headquarters atop a nearby parking garage, and all my falcon friends, the fledge watchers (except for me - I had left a couple of days before this video was made).

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/video/#!/on-air/as-seen-on/Volunteers-Keep-Round-The-Clock-Watch-On-San-Jose-s-Newest--Feathered-Residents/260857931 (http://www.nbcbayarea.com/video/#!/on-air/as-seen-on/Volunteers-Keep-Round-The-Clock-Watch-On-San-Jose-s-Newest--Feathered-Residents/260857931)

As of this morning, all four fledglings are flying just fine.  :clap:

They are ranging out a bit farther from the nest box ledge, making them harder to spot around the city. This also means they are now rarely on the falcon cams!  There are two or three dedicated watchers who live there, who go downtown every day and report on our Yahoo forum what they have observed.

Here are more links to photos and videos about the San Jose falcons over the last eight years:

Still shots of the San Jose falcons taken through the web cam:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/23930319@N03/sets/ (https://www.flickr.com/photos/23930319@N03/sets/)

Youtube videos of the San Jose falcons through the years, the most recent just posted yesterday!
www.youtube.com/user/SanJosePFA/videos (http://www.youtube.com/user/SanJosePFA/videos)

One of our falconatic paparazzi who lives in San Jose and takes fabulous photos of the falcons there has this Flickr site:  he posts photos to this site almost every day.
www.flickr.com/photos/gimlack/sets (http://www.flickr.com/photos/gimlack/sets)

Falcon merchandise online store (which I designed after seeing yours):
www.cafepress.com/sanjosefalcons (http://www.cafepress.com/sanjosefalcons)

Have fun watching!

All the links worked for me except the Watcher video! It was just black! Fun stuff in there and the pics are nice from the cams! Thanks for posting.....good luck!  :2thumbsup:

First egg of the season (first 'known' egg that is) laid last night by Clara at approximately 9:59 pm!

 :clap:

 :hatch1:

No hatch. Clara has laid her first egg.

Oops!  :stupid:

The egg:

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/February%202015/sj-feb-20-1a-egg_zpsef809b2b.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/February%202015/sj-feb-20-1a-egg_zpsef809b2b.jpg.html)

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/February%202015/sj-feb-20-6a_zps38d15272.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/February%202015/sj-feb-20-6a_zps38d15272.jpg.html)

A sweet sight!  :yes:

8 days earlier then last year!!  :thumbsup:

Yep, Donna! Could be due to the continuing warm temps and lack of a real "winter" - I think the northeast got hit with it all!

We are now on "egg watch." #2 should come along sometime tomorrow morning (Feb. 22).

 :happy:

Debbie

Clara laid egg # 2 at 7:13 am Pacific time this morning! She and Fernando just did some e-chupping over the eggs in the nestbo. Then Clara left and Fernando is settling in on the eggs. He is a terrific Dad!

 :2thumbsup:

Debbie

 :star: :star:

The two eggs:

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/February%202015/sj-feb-22-19a_zps7239eb12.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/February%202015/sj-feb-22-19a_zps7239eb12.jpg.html)

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/February%202015/sj-feb-22-20a_zps85c5b559.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/February%202015/sj-feb-22-20a_zps85c5b559.jpg.html)

Is her former mate still around?

Lovely eggs!!!  :clap:

Kris, Clara's former mate, E.C. (Esteban Colbert) was seen several times last year hanging around the opposite side of the campus of San Jose State University, which is next to City Hall where the nest box is. However it is early in this season, and we don't hear from too many watchers yet. E.C. is a wild unbanded peregrine, as is Clara. Since he was displaced by Fernando as Clara's mate a couple of years ago, he sure could take off and find a new mate in a new territory. We are very fond of E.C., and will be interested to hear if he remains nearby. I will post here if anyone reports seeing him.

As a point of interest, Fernando is Clara's fourth mate in nine years. The first was Jose, who migrated away after the fledglings all dispersed the first season, and did not return. The second was Carlos, who also migrated and did not return following the second season.

Then E.C. showed up, and was with Clara for several seasons, and never left San Jose after nesting season. He fathered broods in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. After his and Clara's eggs were laid in 2012, Fernando arrived and battled it out with E.C. and chased him away. So that year Fernando was helping to incubate, feed and fledge E.C.'s babies! Fernando has also remained in the city of San Jose year round instead of migrating.

Our biologist expert reminds us that Clara is ten years old now. Wild peregrines generally are fertile and reproduce until they are about 16, so we have years to go!

Debbie

Yes, EC is the one I remember.  It was sad that year when EC lost to Fernando and he had to watch him raise his babies.  Fernando is a good mate for Clara and yay for the first eggs of the season!

There is some strong evidence, e.g. pictures from Eric, that E.C. may be taking up with the female who frequents the Campbell water tower.  When visiting San Jose, I always check out the tower which is close to where I stay.  I have photographed the Campbell peregrine for a couple of years.

At least one hatch this morning:

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/February%202015/sj-march-31-6a_zpss6i7vxlw.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/February%202015/sj-march-31-6a_zpss6i7vxlw.jpg.html)

Wow, San Jose is always way ahead of the rest!  Congrats to them!!!   :clap:

Three fluff balls.

They have much nicer weather so they should be ahead of us Northerners!!  :yes:

Yes, San Jose is usually the first site to have chicks. Kentucky is also usually an early site.

But last year, the first chick to hatch in North America was in Mississauga, Ontario! Little Mason was the only chick to hatch there last year.

Clara and Fernando el Cohete have both been visiting the nest box recently. I have seen them together in the nest box, and a little work being done on the scrape.

This morning, one of the birds was on cam for some time.

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/December%202015%20-%20January%202016/sj-jan-13-1a_zpstasbiw4z.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/December%202015%20-%20January%202016/sj-jan-13-1a_zpstasbiw4z.jpg.html)

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/December%202015%20-%20January%202016/sj-jan-13-11a_zpsubecjn3q.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/December%202015%20-%20January%202016/sj-jan-13-11a_zpsubecjn3q.jpg.html)

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/December%202015%20-%20January%202016/sj-jan-13-12a_zpsct7kiaka.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/December%202015%20-%20January%202016/sj-jan-13-12a_zpsct7kiaka.jpg.html)

I wish I had the time to watch all the cams like I used to. This was always one of my favorite scrapes.

I remember having like 10 cams open at once. We have that many just on Rfalcon... :whistle:

The 2016 season has begun! Clara just laid her first egg!

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/February%202016/sj-feb-23-29a--first-egg_zpsn58qjq5n.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/February%202016/sj-feb-23-29a--first-egg_zpsn58qjq5n.jpg.html)

Clara with her egg, looking very proud. She was not even in the scrape for very long before she laid the egg.

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/February%202016/sj-feb-23-30a_zpsctvziujj.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/February%202016/sj-feb-23-30a_zpsctvziujj.jpg.html)

She's always one of the first!   :clap:

Can always count on Clara!!!   :2thumbsup: Thanks Alison!!!!

Yay for San Jose. Sorry to say I won't be visiting this year since mom passed in 2014 and her affairs concluded in 2015.

Clara and Fernando have their second egg!

Before daylight this morning:

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/February%202016/sj-feb-26-1b_zpsaxcelscz.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/February%202016/sj-feb-26-1b_zpsaxcelscz.jpg.html)

Fernando came in to have a conversation about the eggs:

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/February%202016/sj-feb-26-6a_zps0gok07ha.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/February%202016/sj-feb-26-6a_zps0gok07ha.jpg.html)

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/February%202016/sj-feb-26-5b_zpsn0kot6kp.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/February%202016/sj-feb-26-5b_zpsn0kot6kp.jpg.html)

Fernando studies the eggs:

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/February%202016/sj-feb-26-8b_zpsl0dxbrka.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/February%202016/sj-feb-26-8b_zpsl0dxbrka.jpg.html)

And can't wait to incubate:

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/February%202016/sj-feb-26-10b_zpsp2v1mwch.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/February%202016/sj-feb-26-10b_zpsp2v1mwch.jpg.html)

There was something in the air that night
The stars were bright, Fernando                } EGGS!!!!   :wub:

 :bguitar: :music: :mbanana:

Very cute, Donna!

Fernando has been extremely attentive to Clara this year, bringing her several food gifts each day. A few days before she laid her first egg, I saw Fernando bring her a food gift, which she immediately took, flew off with it, and ate the whole thing with great enthusiasm. About two hours later, Clara was checking the scrape when Fernando arrived with yet another food gift. I fully expected Clara to take it and leave, but this time, Fernando kept the food. He broke off pieces of the food and, very gently, fed Clara beak to beak. When he had finished feeding her, he ate the last few bites himself.

This morning:

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/February%202016/sj-feb-28-5a_zpsf7fvdfwl.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/February%202016/sj-feb-28-5a_zpsf7fvdfwl.jpg.html)

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/February%202016/sj-feb-28-7a_zpsp5xrs2f1.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/February%202016/sj-feb-28-7a_zpsp5xrs2f1.jpg.html)

Three beautiful eggs!

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/February%202016/sj-feb-28-9a_zpshif8veyg.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/February%202016/sj-feb-28-9a_zpshif8veyg.jpg.html)

 :heart: Oh, I love when they feed their mates  :heart:

Hatching is under way at San Jose!

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/April%202016/sj-apr-3-1a_zpsypaqyucz.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/April%202016/sj-apr-3-1a_zpsypaqyucz.jpg.html)

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/April%202016/sj-apr-3-6a_zpssbgtlgj0.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/April%202016/sj-apr-3-6a_zpssbgtlgj0.jpg.html)

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/April%202016/sj-apr-3-8a_zpsnd73mavk.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/April%202016/sj-apr-3-8a_zpsnd73mavk.jpg.html)

First glimpse of the chick, just to the right of the egg:

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/April%202016/sj-apr-3-12a_zpskerdxjum.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/April%202016/sj-apr-3-12a_zpskerdxjum.jpg.html)

The first North American chick of the year:

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/April%202016/sj-apr-3-25a_zpsfkyg7eug.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/April%202016/sj-apr-3-25a_zpsfkyg7eug.jpg.html)

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/April%202016/sj-apr-3-26a_zpsmqcefh9o.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/April%202016/sj-apr-3-26a_zpsmqcefh9o.jpg.html)

Two little fluffballs now!

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/April%202016/sj-apr-4-25a_zpspcozpfhv.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/April%202016/sj-apr-4-25a_zpspcozpfhv.jpg.html)

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/April%202016/sj-apr-4-26a_zpsfq571iwp.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/April%202016/sj-apr-4-26a_zpsfq571iwp.jpg.html)

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/April%202016/sj-apr-4-27a_zpsqswksvpq.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/April%202016/sj-apr-4-27a_zpsqswksvpq.jpg.html)

Then Mom was back in a flurry of feet and feathers to cover the chicks again.

Hi Alison! Just wanted to say thank you for all the updates you do! I, for one, appreciate it very much!  :clap: :wave:

I agree  :thumbsup:

Thank you so much, MAK!

Thanks, Carly!

Banding Day 2016 (Video posted on BCAW)

https://vimeo.com/164517133

Hi everyone. I bring an update on the San Jose peregrine family. This was our tenth year with our original falcon matriarch Clara, and her fifth with her mate Fernando El Cohete (Fernando The Rocket) on the San Jose City Hall building. We completed our longest fledge watch yet on May 22.

On May 11 our intrepid leaders Jody, John and Alicia set up a canopy on the open 7th floor top of the parking garage on an adjacent street with a view upward to the ledge containing the nest box. They were there at 6 am every morning for 11-1/2 days to equip the watchers with walkie talkies and send them to their observation posts around the City Hall bulding. We have several dedicated volunteer fledge watchers who spent their entire days there.

The juvenile tiercel, Zephyr, fledged on May 13. He spent the night on top of the rotunda in the City Hall plaza, not the most falcon-friendly place. It is made of glass, with lots of connecting wires and pipe-like structures. That night a school prom was held in the rotunda with Zephyr looking on.

The next morning Zephyr made a couple of short flights, one into a tree where he was harassed by some crows, and on another short flight he bumped a window and went to ground. The watchers had seen all this, and John came to his rescue. Glenn Stewart, our biologist of the U.C. Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group, was called and drove to San Jose. He examined Zephyr, who had a bump on his head and decided he would take him back to Santa Cruz for a little rehab. Zephyr had the bump iced down, was fed quail, and kept quiet for a couple of days and then was returned to the roof of City Hall in fine fettle.

In the meantime on the 14th while all this was happening I drove from my home in Reno to pick up my sister Jerrie in Antioch, then south to San Jose on the 15th where we checked in to stay in a private home through Air BnB. This is about 250 miles Reno to San Jose. The morning of the 16th we reported for fledge watch duty, and were able to see Zephyr pop back up on the edge of the City Hall roof that morning when Glenn released him. He had no further mishaps with his flights, thank goodness!

The falcon female fledgling Haley fledged on the 17th. Over the next few days she seemed to make a short flight, then sit for many hours in one place before taking her next one. Every morning on arrival the watchers had to relocate the fledglings in their new spots. Clara and Fernando were always close by, usually zooming in to fly near their chick when one would take flight. They also continued to bring them prey wherever they were, sometimes still doing the bite-by-bite feeding, sometimes dropping the prey and skedaddling out of there!

On the 19th Jerrie and I had to check out and return to our homes, but with light hearts, as we knew the fledglings were successful.

Fledge watch officially ended on the 22nd when the watchers declared both fledglings were flying well enough, able to gain altitude, and stick their landings.

These falcons have their own Facebook page where you can follow the action day by day, and see lots of photos of all the areas mentioned, and the falcons too, of course.

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

The local falcon fans there continue to report what they are witnessing as the fledglings take their flights and learn from their parents how to be adult birds.

I'm hoping you all experience the same successes as you prepare for your fledge watch in Rochester and will be closely following all of the action on the forum!

Debbie Z

Great job on the fledge watch!

 :clap:

Good news from a falcon friend on the ground - Craig just called Jody from downtown. He just witnessed a mid-air food transfer from Clara to Haley !!
Haley took her prey to the MLK Library, Zephyr following her - Clara is perched on the front corner, standing by. Haley eating her prey, Zephyr attempting to get close for a bite. Fernando came to land on the metal overhang on the next highest point on the building, he has a full crop. Flew & Craig said maybe to get another prey portion for Zephyr.

From FB

 :thumbsup:

Late on Friday night, when I was searching for an update on an unrelated subject, I came across a short article by Joan Morris which stated that a peregrine had been found dead in San Jose. The person who found the bird was asking where to report this, since the bird was banded.

From The Mercury News:

Peregrine falcon’s death should be reported

The bird’s death should be reported to officials who banded it

DEAR JOAN: On my walk the other day I came across two dead birds. One of them appears to be a peregrine falcon with bands.

The falcon appeared to be ready for lunch as it had feathers in its talons, and may have flown into the power lines or the telephone pole. Both birds were at the base of the pole.

I reported this to San Jose Animal Control with their online form and let them know I had pictures of the bands, but I have heard nothing from them.

I’m sure whomever banded this bird would like to be aware of its outcome. Can you help me let the proper people know?

Tim Toschi, San Jose

DEAR TIM:  How very sad to see such a magnificent bird lying so still. You should report the bird’s death to the United State Geological Survey’s North American Bird Banding Program at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Maryland. You can file a report online or call 800-327-BAND.

http://www.mercurynews.com/2016/10/27/peregrine-falcons-death-should-be-reported/ (http://www.mercurynews.com/2016/10/27/peregrine-falcons-death-should-be-reported/)

I could find no other information, so I emailed Glenn Stewart to see if he was aware of this. He replied, and said he would try to find out.

In the meantime, I had also emailed the author of the article, Joan Morris, in case she had any further information. I had the impression that she might either have, or have seen, photos. I included some information on this year's two juvies, Zephyr, banded U/75, and his sister Haley, banded 72/Z. I did not know if the bird which had been found was an adult or a juvie.

She got back to me, and sent me the photos she had. Very sadly, the bands showed that this was little Zephyr. I sent the information and photos on to Glenn Stewart, who banded Zephyr back in June of this year.

I had no way to contact the man who found Zephyr, and who was concerned enough to ask what he should do, so I asked Joan if she could pass on the information to him.

Poor little Zephyr. He had been doing so well until now. These beautiful birds are so strong in some ways, and yet so fragile.  :crying:

 :crying: :sorrow:

I'm surprised to hear this and shocked. Just shows anything can happen at any time in the life of a Peregrine. Very sad news!  :crying:

Fly Free Zephyr!  :heart:

How sad! Thanks for going the extra mile, Alison, to figure out who the unfortunate bird is.

Fly free Zephyr!

Poor Zephyr!  And yes, thank you, Alison.  No doubt the San Jose falcon banders would want to know. 

So sad.  Fly Free Zephyr.   :(

 :crying: :crying: :crying:

Clara and Fernando el Cohete have been spending more time around the nest recently.

Beautiful Clara at the nest today:

(https://picload.org/image/roircawa/sj-feb-7-11a.jpg)

(https://picload.org/image/roircawl/sj-feb-7-15a.jpg)

(https://picload.org/image/roircawi/sj-feb-7-18a.jpg)

(https://picload.org/image/roircoga/sj-feb-7-23a.jpg)

(https://picload.org/image/roircogl/sj-feb-7-35a.jpg)

The 2017 season has begun.

 :clap:

First egg of the 2017 season!

Congratulations to Clara and Fernando el Cohete!

(https://picload.org/image/rlrgagii/sj-feb-21-2a-egg.jpg)

Clara with her brand new egg:

(https://picload.org/image/rlrgolwr/sj-feb-21-5a.jpg)

(https://picload.org/image/rlrgolwl/sj-feb-21-8a.jpg)

(https://picload.org/image/rlrgolwi/sj-feb-21-11a.jpg)

(https://picload.org/image/rlrgolww/sj-feb-21-15a.jpg)

(https://picload.org/image/rlrgocgr/sj-feb-21-16a.jpg)

 :yippee:

Clara laid her second egg on February 24:

(https://picload.org/image/rlacdaia/sj-feb-25-11a.jpg)

The third egg was laid on February 27:

(https://picload.org/image/rlacdail/sj-feb-28-2a.jpg)

The eggs are almost always covered:

(https://picload.org/image/rlacdaii/sj-mar-1-7a.jpg)

So although the fourth egg was laid before daylight this morning, I'm still waiting to see all four eggs together.

(https://picload.org/image/rlacdaiw/sj-mar-2-1a.jpg)

Wow, we are way behind on this site! 1st egg hatched today!!

http://youtu.be/qMtYwzWJV-s (http://youtu.be/qMtYwzWJV-s) Video of the first eyas and Fernando with refused duck, OH MY another Duck Falcon!!!  :scaredblue: :surprise: :o

Well they were called duck hawks way back. San Jose is always ahead of us since it's way warmer there.  :wave:

No, I don't mean behind in hatching, I meant in info!  They should be called "Pigeon" Hawks, rarely see them with a duck!!

I have been checking in on this site daily, and several times a day over the last few days, but not much was happening until this morning.

A little after 7 a.m., there was eggshell, but no view of a chick.

(https://picload.org/image/rcgwaria/sj-apr-2-1a-eggshell.jpg)

(https://picload.org/image/rcgwaril/sj-apr-2-4a.jpg)

Thank you for the video, Donna. It would not play for me, but I will try again later.

Fernando sunbathing, Clara on the nest:

(https://picload.org/image/rcgwarii/sj-apr-2-15a.jpg)

One precious little chick:

(https://picload.org/image/rcgwariw/sj-apr-2-17a.jpg)

There is a pip visible in a second egg:

(https://picload.org/image/rcgwarpr/sj-apr-2-18a.jpg)

(https://picload.org/image/rcgwarpa/sj-apr-2-19a.jpg)

(https://picload.org/image/rcgwarpl/sj-apr-2-20a.jpg)

No video but here is the sequence of events that the camop chose to share from the chick event yesterday: 12:38pm Clara had more prey, larger this time, appeared to be a pigeon, then 6 minutes into the feeding things got a bit serious & scary. 1 Chick began acting a bit odd. Stopped eating & began to wander aimlessly through the nest box, stumbling, then maneuvering on it's belly, kicking with feet & balancing on wings. At 12:52pm the Chick tumbled out of the box on accident, made it's way back in to the nest box at 12:53, went to the other side of the nest box, kicking the way across on belly. Clara having completed feeding the other 2 became more aware something was awry when the Chick in the corner began to have what appeared to be a seizure. Clara clearly concerned went to the Chick & stood by. The Chick turned & made it's way again, to the edge of the nest box, lost it's balance & tumbled out once again at 1pm.
Concerned & not understanding if the Chick was injured or sick. I called Glenn, together we watched events with the Chick unfold, while on the cellphones & watching the cam. Glenn said, while he is not a Vet, it appeared that this was possibly a toxin, causing some neurological issue. Possibly something the Chick ate. My question was, why aren't the other Chicks acting the same way ? Who knows, maybe this one got the brunt of what could have been... All we could do is watch & hope for the best.
Clara & Fernando close by the Chick through the ordeal, never fail to amaze me at what outstanding Falcon parents they are.
After 4 hours of sleeping on the runway just in front of the left side of the next box, at brief periods having stood, preened & pooped twice ;) The Chick was able to re-enter the nest box when Fernando delivered prey
5:08pm - a morsel, but this Chick had a few bites, appeared to be stable & on the mend. Wandering the nest box, flapping (with proper balance) & showing interest in prey remains (bones ;) I breathed a big sigh of relief
6:46pm Fernando delivered dinner, appeared to be a dove. Clara prepped, took to feed the Chicks & guess who was beak at the ready, getting their share & Clara paid extra special attention to ensure that Chick ate very well :)
All was well at bedtime !! Whatever happened appears to be over. Rest assured we will keep close eyes on that Chick & I personally can't wait until Friday morning !!! Then we will know who is what & who is who :)

From fb

Poor little one and poor parents!  I'm glad all appears to be well again. 

Pretty scary stuff!  :o

                 :o  Glad it seems OK now but scary to watch while something odd is going on!!

It’s two girls and a boy for San Jose City Hall’s resident peregrine falcons, Clara and Fernando El Cohete. But biologist Glenn Stewart warns this may be the last year people can watch the birds’ behavior online unless the aging webcam gets some serious help.

*This cam is big news, can't they fund raise??

“One of the females looks like it has some neurological issue,” Stewart said. “It’s having trouble staying upright. It’s a wait-and-see thing. Not every egg hatches, not every baby survives. That’s part of the deal.”

http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/04/28/san-jose-city-hall-falcon-chicks-gender-revealed/ (http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/04/28/san-jose-city-hall-falcon-chicks-gender-revealed/)full story

P.S. Unfortunately, there isn’t money in the budgets of UC-Santa Cruz or the city to upgrade the camera, which could cost about $25,000 for a full upgrade Really?????

Oh, didn't I tell you that it will cost $25,000 to fix Main Camera?  

I prefer cash.

In unmarked bills.

No cops.

You got it!   (http://www.picgifs.com/graphics/m/money/graphics-money-806645.jpg) (http://www.picgifs.com/graphics/) Shhhhh!

Our chicks have names!!!
60/P shall be called Finn - "Hero" or "Warrior"

04/Z shall be called Nova - An astronomical event that causes the sudden appearance of a bright “new” star, that slowly fades from view over several weeks or many months. Our babies are our bright new stars & they slowly fade from view to find their own territories.

44/R shall be remembered as Faith

(Faith is the one from last week who was wobbling, she didn't make it) Fly Free Faith  :(

Great names!  :clap:

Good morning everyone. I'm happy to report that the two San Jose juveniles have safely fledged!

The male, Finn, fledged Monday morning May 15, followed by his sister, Nova, the next morning. Boots on the ground report they are both flying well, with few mishaps. Their parents, Clara and Fernando, are sticking close by and providing their feedings. Once in a while one will return to the nestbox ledge, so they can be spotted on the webcam.

May all fledglings be as successful!

Debbie Z

                :2thumbsup:

 :clap: Thanks DebbieZ!  ;D

Fly well little ones!! Thanks Deb!!

Posted on the San Jose Facebook page on December 2:

Great falcon news!!

October 28, 2017, Lori Michel and myself were able to identify a falcon on Hoover Tower at Stanford campus. It was U/58, a male that came out of United hangar in 2014 who is the son of Cato (2012 Fruitvale) who is the son of Hiko (2007 San Jose) and Tremain which makes him the great grandson of Clara. Today, once again Lori contacted me and she said that she was looking at a juvie in Palo Alto. I met up with her and I was able to identify 60/P who is Finn, a 2017 San Jose bird. He had a full crop and looked great. John

The cam was down for a while, but is now working again.

(https://picload.org/image/drilalll/sj-dec-1-2a.jpg)

(https://picload.org/image/drilalli/sj-dec-3-1b.jpg)

Clara laid her first egg this morning right around 8:10 a.m. San Jose time! Congratulations to Clara and Fernando!

Clara had been spending a lot of time in the nest over the last few days.

Preparing to lay the egg:

(https://picload.org/image/dadllcia/sj-feb-22-3a.jpg)

(https://picload.org/image/dadllccl/sj-feb-22-7a.jpg)

One last push, and the egg is there:

(https://picload.org/image/dadllcci/sj-feb-22-10a.jpg)

(https://picload.org/image/dadllccw/sj-feb-22-11a.jpg)

(https://picload.org/image/dadllcir/sj-feb-22-12a.jpg)

http://sanjose.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=91 (http://sanjose.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=91)

(https://picload.org/image/dadliwii/sj-feb-22-17a.jpg)

(https://picload.org/image/dadliwiw/sj-feb-22-18a.jpg)

Hi everyone! This is Debbie Z reporting from Reno. The San Jose, California peregrines, Clara and Fernando, had four eggs this year, and just a few days ago three of them hatched! We are celebrating out West!

Debbie

Wow, they are truly the early birds! Thanks, Debbie.

                     goodnews:

Hi everyone! Yesterday was banding day for 2019 in San Jose. We have two boys and one girl! Now we have set dates for fledge watch: May 16 - 23, or until all three have fledged. I will be going from Reno to San Jose on the 17th to assist for three days and nights (have to get a motel room).

We have started a poll for naming these three. I’ll let you know when the names are selected and match them up with the band numbers. Here is the web cam address again:

http://sanjose.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=91 (http://sanjose.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=91)

Talons crossed for safe fledging everywhere!

Debbie Z

I’m pleased to report that the three San Jose, California Peregrine young have successfully fledged! It was cold and rainy for the five days I was there, but it didn’t bother the falcons in the least. We have one female and two males:
Annikah,12/AM  (left leg)   Red tape  (right leg)   FEMALE.
Cesar, U/38  (right leg)   Blue tape  (left leg)   MALE. For Cesar Chavez, the great labor activist & civil rights leader in California.
Naji, U/33 (left leg)  Silver (right leg)   MALE. Naji means “Survivor” in Arabic.

Here is a link to the banding video: https://vimeo.com/334361033 (https://vimeo.com/334361033)
This nest box is on top of the HVAC column on the south side of City Hall. The only way for humans to access
it is to rappel down from the roof, so the young are banded on the spot. The bander is Zena Gluck, PhD., our new wildlife biologist from U.C. Santa Cruz, who is taking over for Glenn Stewart, who has done this for so many years and is retiring. He was on the roof top to guide Zena, and everything went great!

Here also is a link to the website of professional wildlife photographer Nick Dunlop, who was also on the roof.
https://www.nickdunlop.com/Image-Galleries/2019-Photos/2019-San-Jose-Falcons-Banding-Day/ (https://www.nickdunlop.com/Image-Galleries/2019-Photos/2019-San-Jose-Falcons-Banding-Day/)

Cesar is the leader and explorer, the first one to do everything. He fledged on May 17, with the other two following in the next two days. As they are flying around downtown San Jose now, our watching thru the web cam rarely reveals a falcon in view, as it should be. I miss seeing them, though! Our forum moderator, Paula A. checks regularly, and posts to the forum if any of them are in view of the cam.

Best wishes to all in Rochester, and May your fledging be as successful!

Debbie Z
Reno

Thanks for posting!  :2thumbsup: Great names..may they fly high and stay safe!