Rfalconcam Forum

Eyasses are due to be released from their pen on Tues, Aug. 18.  Anyone who is an experienced fledge watcher is needed.  You can google Richmond, VA falcons or

http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/falconcam2008/

The link is really to the 2009 falcons.  It is quite a story.  I am sorry if others have posted the history.  I didn't mean to duplicate.

Thanks for the info!  I always look for the juvies when we go to the Richmond Race in September, so with a little over 3 weeks - I'll be watching!   :thumbsup:

I can't wait for them to be released!  They look so anxious to take off!   :hyper:  They won't be hanging around that ledge long!   ;)  I look in often and if I could be over there I would sign up for some watch times for sure!  My Sailor Son lives in Virginia Beach in the Navy :notworthy: and now in Iraq  :crying:  :bow:  But I am super proud of that guy!  So he won't be of any help either!!  Will hope from here all is GREAT with the remaining 3!

Annie - Prayers for your son and YOU!   :)

BLESS HIM!  :angel:

Hi,


Is the release on a webcam to see?


Greetings
Annette

Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Fledging

Our three young falcons have grown quickly. Only a few scattered tufts of down remain and their juvenile plumage is almost fully grown in. Peregrine falcons typically fledge between 40-45 days after hatching.

The door-opener apparatus will be installed on the pen door on Tuesday morning, August 18th. This will mark 47 to 48 days since hatching for these falcons. The extra time ensures full feather development, and allows these birds to strengthen their flight muscles before attempting their first flights.

The “apparatus” is comprised of a weight, bungee cords, and a plastic bottle of ice attached to the pen door. As the ice melts it releases the weight and the door is slowly pulled open by the bungee cords. Depending on the temperature on the release date, the door should open about 2-4 hours after the trigger is attached. We have used this method successfully for three years. Though the adults become aggressive when we attach the device, they quickly calm down after we leave. Past releases have gone very smoothly, with the chicks typically walking from the pen or flying to the ledge, surveying their surroundings for a few minutes or hours, and then taking successful first flights.

DGIF personnel and skilled volunteers will be stationed in the area surrounding the nest building. This will allow us to track the young birds’ first efforts and ensure that they are capable of sustained, controlled flight. This monitoring effort will continue until we are confident in the flight abilities of the fledglings. Should one of the fledglings encounter difficulty and end up on the ground, DGIF staff will recover the fledgling and either return it to the ledge or ensure prompt treatment and transportation to a licensed rehabilitation facility if necessary.

OT Thank you for the prayers and well wishers for that son of mine!  Do keep all our military people in our thoughts and prayers!   :star: :yes: :bravo:  They all are awesome!

Now back to the VA falcons,  sorry to vere away!

Here's the link to the web cam and a picture from just now:

http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/falconcam2008/

Hi,


thank you very much for link.  :)


Greetings
Annette

Dear All,

I got my fledgling fix here in Richmond, VA.  My pictures are coming.  Here is the article from the Richmond Times Dispatch.  It is only available the day of publication (I think).  My pictures will come soon.

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/article/FALC20_20090819-210606/287081/

Here is the text:

By Rex Springston

Published: August 20, 2009

SLIDESHOW: Young falcons take flight
Falcon flight. Watch young Peregrines learning to fly in downtown Richmond. Keyword: slideshow

Richmond, we have liftoff.

Three young peregrine falcons successfully took wing in downtown Richmond Tuesday and again yesterday.

Volunteers and state game officials watched to make sure the birds didn't plummet into traffic or get into some other kind of trouble.

The only bird that had a problem was a female that tried a couple of times to latch on to windows. The bird would slide away, exhausted but OK.

"She's got a perception issue," said Stephen Living, a wildlife biologist with the state Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. "Falcons didn't evolve with glass."

As he spoke, the bird rested on a ledge under a parking-deck window just east of Kanawha Plaza at Eighth and Canal streets.

The falcons had spent nearly three weeks in a pen adjoining their nest on a 21st-story walkway at Riverfront Plaza, 901 E. Byrd St. The pen kept them from jumping too soon or being blown off.

A game department biologist opened the pen Tuesday morning. All three birds eventually took flight and stayed close to their parents downtown.

"All three are fat and happy and being fed by their parents," said Ray Fernald, manager of nongame programs for the game department.

Peregrine falcons are crow-sized predators that can dive at 200 mph to catch a bird to eat. There are only about 20 peregrine nests in Virginia. A pair has nested downtown since 2003.

Almost as interesting as the falcons yesterday were the volunteers, who kept binoculars and spotting scopes trained on the youngsters and their parents as the birds soared across the sky or perched on Riverfront Plaza and nearby buildings.

One of the volunteers, kindergarten teacher Bonnie Talluto, 65, drove seven hours from her home outside New York City.

The opening of the pen meant Talluto was almost assured of seeing the majestic birds take wing. "This is a sure thing," she said.

Barbara Slatcher, a Hanover County wildlife-rehabilitation expert, said thousands of people around the world have been watching the Richmond falcons on a webcam that the game department set up.

Slatcher said other webcams soon will take her interest far beyond Richmond. "Australia will start to hatch in a little while."


Contact Rex Springston at (804) 649-6453 or rspringston@timesdispatch.com .

We left all five birds in sight last night at 5 pm just before a storm came in.  And every building person who came by was asked to keep an eye on the falcons.  One lady in the Federal Reserve building has neglected her job to keep watch.  She is responsible for some of the rescues.

Here is the VA DGIF (Virginia Dept of Game and Inland Fisheries) link:

http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/falconcam2008/

They have been giving updates daily.  All five were seen this morning.  The big, young female can get quite a distance with her gigantic wings, so she is getting into some trouble.  But she seemed to learn very quickly to avoid the windows.  I saw her make a 90 degree turn.  She is beginning to get a hang of the landings, too.  The little male is an aerialist.

 :bunny: Hey Bonnie, now you're in print and famous!  I'm sure it was worth the long drive to see them fledge.

Dot in PA

It really was just as exciting as being in Rochester.  Lots of great people.  They need more watchers, though.  There are really only two people who watch on the ground and the one lady in the building directly across from the scrape.  Here are a few pictures.  The first two are of the big girl.  She spent the night on that lamp post.  It was all fenced in the Fed Reserve area and almost the safest place she ever could have been.   Next is the one who climbed up those light bulbs on Tuesday and then fledged.  Last is ...

 

Thought you might like to see the pen they put up.  It was a very good thing those birds were contained for 48 days.  Those are the two girls.  The top girl climbed all the way up that string of lights to the top.  Next is the young male.  And last is the big girl kakking to mom who is just below her.

Janet, the birds are about a month and a half behind schedule this year.

Here is a video I made of the smaller female climbing the Christmas lights.  I'm not Lou, so just enjoy the idea:

Lucy Climbs the Chrismas Lights

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Cyacu-e3d4

These guys are always a bit late - I'm always looking for Juvies by the time we get to the Chase.  Great Video -  :clap:  hubby and I both kept waiting for the leap.   :sparrow:

http://static.mgnetwork.com/rtd/slideshows/20090820falc/index.html (http://static.mgnetwork.com/rtd/slideshows/20090820falc/index.html)

Very exciting for you Bonnie to watch this!!  :clap: :thumbsup: :2thumbsup:

Donna

It was very exciting to see them fledge one by one within an hour.  That is me in the straw hat with the scope.  There is four block open space on one side and the James River on the other side.  The only problem was the highway in between.  But they all never even came close to the road.  Of course, busy traffic in Richmond is nothing like traffic in NYC.  The travel time was about the same as going up to Rochester.

Bonnie - do you know if they stayed close to the "nest" after fledging?  Will be on that side of Richmond Thursday evening, so..... :whistle:

They have only been out since Tuesday.  Tues and Wed nights they were on Riverfront Plaza (except for the big female who spent the night on the Federal Reserve lamp post).  Wed night they were all at Riverfront.  They seem to go between the east and west towers.  The big girl continued to like to fly between Fed Reserve, Dominion, McGuireWoods and Riverfront.  I think they won't be going too much farther than that.  The best place to watch is from the middle of the Manchester Bridge, but it is concrete and in full sun.  The second good place is Kanawa Plaza with the fountain or Dominion Plaza.  It's kind of tricky because the other buildings are private.  We only had free run of the place because we were watching.  I think if you tell people you are watching the falcons, you might gain access.  One other good place was the Riverfront Plaza park like area right on the James River.  The only way is to get through security.

Thanks - sun won't be a factor, as we will only be in the area in the evening/night and THAT is dependent on when we get home from work and out of Maryland.  I'm thinking about booking a hotel in that area, hence the questions.  I still think my best chance will be at RIR in 3 weeks (and I always look). 

A female Peregrine Falcon — the keystone of the successful effort to reintroduce these rare birds to Richmond — has been admitted to the Wildlife Center of Virginia.

The Peregrine Falcon was found on the ground, injured and unable to fly, on East Cary Street in Richmond on Monday, October 11.  She was picked up by A. K. Taylor of Richmond Animal Control and taken to the Cary Street Animal Hospital.   

The falcon was examined by Dr. Kimberly Kuhn.  Dr. Kuhn took x-rays of the bird and, in consultation with Wildlife Center veterinarian Dr. Miranda Sadar, concluded that the falcon should be brought to the Center in Waynesboro.  Volunteer transporter Michael Knight drove the falcon to the Center, arriving at about 9 p.m.

At admission, the falcon was assigned Patient #10-2118 and examined by Dr. Sadar, assisted by Dr. Marc Isidoro Ayza [from Spain] and Pedro Paulo Giese Krindges [a veterinary student from Brazil].  In addition to a coracoid fracture identified in the earlier x-rays, the Center vet team found injuries to the falcon’s right shoulder and a detached retina in the bird’s right eye.  Given that all of the injuries are on the same side of the bird, Center vets surmise that the falcon may have hit the side of a building or some other object.

Center vets administered pain medications, fluids, and anti-inflammatories and secured the falcon in a body wrap.

The falcon — a large female [weight of 1 kg] — has been identified by Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries biologists as the female from the pair of peregrines that have been nesting in downtown Richmond since 2003 — first at the BBT Building, and more recently on the west building of the Riverfront Plaza.  This pair has produced numerous offspring, included chicks that have been used to introduce peregrines into other areas of Virginia.  This female also has been the “star” of the VDGIF Falcon Cam – a web-based camera focused on the falcon’s nest.

[Earlier this year, the Center admitted and transferred for release a juvenile Peregrine Falcon -- likely one of the hatchlings from this Riverfront Plaza nest.]

The Peregrine Falcon is a native species to Virginia, once nesting in the Allegheny and Blue Ridge Mountains.  By the early 1960s, the falcon was believed to be extinct as a breeding species in Virginia and all areas east of the Mississippi River — a decline linked to the widespread use of DDT and other chemicals.  A program of peregrine reintroduction began in Virginia in 1978.  There are now about 20 known breeding paris of peregrines in Virginia.

So sad.

Poor sweetheart.  Sending healing thoughts her way.   :(

Precious one!  Hope she gets better soon

I was just reading this on Facebook...the poor dear one...I hope she heals completely.
And I had just posted a little while ago to Carol how precious Peregrines are...
What a shame :-(

 :(  Sounds like Jemison except for the retina injury. We know it can heal from the broken bones but I don't know about that eye. I would think it would have a rough time in the wild with only one good eye. You never know.  :pray: :heart:

MAK, that was what I was thinking too! That poor bird...I think it's abilities to hunt would be greatly compromised with only one eye :-(  Thank goodness it didn't happen when she had her babies in the nest needing her... :'(
I am sending out healing thoughts and prayers for her.
:pray:

poor girl hoping for a miracle  :pray:

Speedy recovery for this female.  :pray:

WAYNESBORO -- A female peregrine falcon that's made its home in Richmond for seven years is recovering from injuries in Waynesboro.

She was taken Tuesday night to the Wildlife Center of Virginia, which is home to Buddy, an eagle from Norfolk Botanical Garden.

X-rays indicate the falcon has a coracoid fracture and likely a shoulder injury and a detached retina.　 All the injuries are on her right side.

"Our vets believe these injuries are associated with a collision, perhaps she struck a building," center spokesman Randy Huwa told WVEC.com.

Vets administered pain medications, fluids, and anti-inflammatories and secured the falcon in a body wrap.

The bird nested on the BB&T Building in downtown Richmond from 2003-2005 and then moved to Riverfront Plaza.

This bird is the matriarch of the Richmond peregrine operation," Huwa added.

She was found in downtown, picked up by Richmond Animal Control and taken to Carey Street Veterinary Hospital.

Assessments continued Wednesday.

It will likely be a few weeks before it's known whether the falcon can be released.

As for Buddy, staff continues to train him as an education bird and they're working to get him to sit calmly on a handler’s gloved hand.

Buddy has a two-page spread in the 2011 "Garden of Eagles" calendar, which is on sale now.　 The calendar also has more than 50 photographs taken by enthusiasts during the 2010 nesting season.

Proceeds will benefit the center's construction of a new permanent home for Buddy and the Va. Dept. of Game and Inland Fisheries and Center for Conservation Biology at the College of William and Mary

Ah look at that poor sweet girl :-(  She looks so patient as if she knows she is in good hands...Thank you for posting this Donna...
I hope she gets better and can be released.... :pray:

This poor gal is named Harriet and also has many followers.  Hope her eye heals so she can return to "ozzie."

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/local-news/2010/oct/15/falc15-ar-564214/

A few celebrities have taken residence in Waynesboro.

At the Wildlife Center of Virginia, two famous birds are being treated by the vets.

One is a Horned Owl who was stuck in a chimney for two weeks.

The other is a Peregrine Falcon who was the first to help a population boom of the species in the Richmond area.

She has a broken shoulder and detached retina, and may not be able to be released.

"A lot of the birds are starting to go off their breeding territories, and there's a lot of migration going on right now," said Dave McRuer, the Director of Veterinary Services at the Center. "And the birds, the more they move, the more they come into contact with things like vehicles, fly into buildings, and if they've done that in a public place, then people will often find them, put them in a cardboard box or something, and bring them here to the center for treatment.

Mcruer warns to be very careful when handling an injured bird of prey, because their talons and beaks are very sharp, and very strong.

On October 14, the Center veterinary staff did a blood test on the falcon — results were within normal ranges.  The staff redid the body wrap that was used to keep the bird from flapping its injured wing.  With the old wrap, the falcon was sternal; with the new wrap, the bird is standing.  The falcon was offered “quail two ways” — whole and chopped — and ate [she seemed to prefer whole].
October 18 update

The peregrine was brought into the clinic for an examination and check-up by Drs. Miranda Sadar and Kelly Flaminio on October 18.  New radiographs were taken, which indicated that the injuries to the right shoulder are healing well.  The fractured portion of the coracoid is well-positioned.  The vets will likely need to keep the peregrine in a body wrap for another two to three weeks.

The vet staff also had the first opportunity to perform a more thorough examination of the peregrine’s eyes while she was under anesthesia.  Upon admission, the Center vets found that the peregrine had a detached retina in her right eye.  On October 18, the vets found no improvement in that eye.  In addition, a small spot was found in the peregrine’s left eye — most likely an older eye injury.

On Thursday, October 21, Drs. Miranda and Kelly will be taking the peregrine to the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech for a consultation with J. Phillip Pickett, DVM, Professor of Ophthalmology in the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences and Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.

The peregrine is eating well on her own.  Her entree of choice is whole quail.
About the Peregrine Falcon

The falcon — a large female [weight of 1 kg] — has been identified by Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries biologists as the female from the pair of peregrines that have been nesting in downtown Richmond since 2003 — first at the BBT Building, and more recently on the west building of the Riverfront Plaza.  This pair has produced numerous offspring, included chicks that have been used to introduce peregrines into other areas of Virginia.

This female also has been the “star” of the VDGIF Falcon Cam – a web-based camera focused on the falcon’s nest.  Web-cam watchers have given this bird the name “Harriet” – her mate, of course, is Ozzie.

[Earlier this year, the Center admitted and transferred for release a juvenile Peregrine Falcon -- likely one of the hatchlings from this Riverfront Plaza nest.]

The Peregrine Falcon is a native species to Virginia, once nesting in the Allegheny and Blue Ridge Mountains.  By the early 1960s, the falcon was believed to be extinct as a breeding species in Virginia and all areas east of the Mississippi River — a decline linked to the widespread use of DDT and other chemicals.  A program of peregrine reintroduction began in Virginia in 1978.  There are now about 20 known breeding pairss of peregrines in Virginia.

 :wave: Thanks for the update Donna!  :gum:

Yes, thank you Donna!

A rare falcon that was injured in downtown Richmond appears to be healing, experts say.

The falcon, named Harriet, has nested downtown with her mate, Ozzie, since 2003.

A downtown worker found the bird on the ground near Shockoe Slip Oct. 12. Experts believe she crashed into a glassy window.

The bird suffered a right-eye injury, among other problems. Peregrine falcons, which eat smaller birds that they catch in flight, need perfect vision to survive in the wild.

Harriet is being cared for at the Wildlife Center of Virginia in Waynesboro. The eye appears to be healing, but it's too early to say if the falcon can one day be returned to the wild, a center spokesman said today

This is good news :-))))
She is in my prayers.... :pray:

 :yes: :ditto:

Richmond, Va. --

Harriet, a rare falcon injured in downtown Richmond, appears to be on the mend.

The peregrine falcon suffered a detached retina and a shoulder fracture when she apparently crashed into a glassy high-rise window Oct. 12.

Harriet is being cared for at the Wildlife Center of Virginia, a wild-animal hospital in Waynesboro.

The injuries seem to be healing, but it is too early to tell if Harriet can be returned to the wild, said Miranda Sadar, a wildlife-center veterinarian.

The retina appears to be reattaching naturally. "It is not fully reattached, nor do we know if it indeed will do so," Sadar said.

Peregrine falcons can top 100 mph when diving through the air to catch a smaller bird to eat. They need perfect vision to survive in the wild.

Harriet and her mate, Ozzie, have nested downtown since 2003. A downtown worker found Harriet, unable to fly, Oct. 12 on the ground near Shockoe Slip.

 

Sweet precious baby!  Heal well!

 :pray: :heart:

She is so sweet and patient looking...I hope our dear little Harriet heals completely.
I want her to feel the wind in her wings again.  :heart: :pray:

What a beautiful way to think of it.  Be well, sweet Harriet

Thank you so much!   She is such a sweet bird... :falcon:

October 25 Update:  A  Case of Mistaken Identity …

The falcon — a large female [weight of 1 kg] — was intially identified by Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries biologists as the female from the pair of peregrines that have been nesting in downtown Richmond since 2003 — first at the BBT Building, and more recently on the west building of the Riverfront Plaza.  This pair has produced numerous offspring, included chicks that have been used to introduce peregrines into other areas of Virginia. This female also had been the “star” of the VDGIF Falcon Cam – a web-based camera focused on the falcon’s nest.  Web-cam watchers have given this bird the name “Harriet” – her mate, of course, is Ozzie.

However, VDGIF biologists have now changed their minds and have concluded that #10-2118 is NOT “Harriet”.  A pair of peregrine falcons has been seen in the past few days defending the downtown Richmond nesting site, and careful examination of photos of Harriet and #10-2118 suggest that these are NOT the same birds.

So who is #10-2118?  According to Dr. Dave McRuer, the Center’s Director of Veterinary Services, this adult female is likely a southbound migrant – most probably from New England, Canada, or even Greenland.

The Peregrine Falcon is a native species to Virginia, once nesting in the Allegheny and Blue Ridge Mountains.  By the early 1960s, the falcon was believed to be extinct as a breeding species in Virginia and all areas east of the Mississippi River — a decline linked to the widespread use of DDT and other chemicals.  A program of peregrine reintroduction began in Virginia in 1978.  There are now about 20 known breeding paris of peregrines in Virginia.

I take it, they are not banded???  Poor sweetheart, whoever she is.  I hope she makes a full recovery

Me too, Harriet or not.  :heart:

Ditto! Poor little one...I am so glad she is in good hands.   :heart:

http://falconcam.tumblr.com/ (http://falconcam.tumblr.com/) Here's the webcam

 :thumbsup: :heart:

The photos of Harriet and the little injured "wanderer" are so precious!
 :heart: :wub:

Update:

WAYNESBORO --

An important patient got a checkup in one of Virginia's more unusual hospitals yesterday.

The patient was a rare peregrine falcon injured in Richmond. The hospital was the Wildlife Center of Virginia, which treats wild animals.

"You can still see that spot," said veterinarian Miranda Sadar, peering into the falcon's right eye with an instrument called an ophthalmoscope.

The spot was the area of a detached right retina. "The retina's trying to reattach itself, but it looks about the same as it did a couple of weeks ago," Sadar said.

That was not good news.

A downtown worker found the dark-eyed, gray-and-brown falcon on the ground near Shockoe Slip on Oct. 12. It may have crashed into a high-rise window.

The crow-sized bird also hurt its right shoulder, and Sadar took X-rays yesterday. The shoulder appeared to be mending.

But would the eye heal enough to allow the falcon to be returned to the wild? "Right now -- I'm more of a conservative person -- I'd say no," Sadar said.

If the falcon can't be released, it will be used in educational programs.

Experts initially thought the bird was Harriet, a falcon that nests in Richmond. But after checking photos, the experts decided the hurt falcon was a solitary bird.

There are only 23 breeding pairs of peregrines in Virginia, and that makes a big female like the Waynesboro patient so important.

The bird had spent the past few weeks in a dog crate. After her exam yesterday, she was released into a small outdoor pen. She hopped up on a table, fluffed herself up and looked about.

"I'm sure she'll want to preen all her feathers, get them in the right place," Sadar said. "She's such a pretty bird."

Thanks for the update Donna. I knew that eye was gonna be a problem. :pray:

Oh dear :(

I'm really worried about that eye too.... :'(

The action has slowed from snail's pace. The potential fledgling is not fledging despite the fact that she is over 50 days at this point. This is a web cam and the posts from Gen Nature need to be moved here.  The Richmond Times has another great article today. My name for the bird is the Pokey Little Peregrine.  This may be de ja vu for Harley.

Falcon chick still reluctant to fly

Richmond's chicken-hearted falcon showed little interest again Friday in making its first flight from a 21st-story ledge downtown.

The peregrine falcon was released Thursday morning from a temporary pen by its nest on Riverfront Plaza, 901 E. Byrd St. Young falcons usually fly within a couple of hours of release.

"This is not what we expected, which is often the case in wildlife management," said Stephen Living, a biologist with the state Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

A pair of the rare falcons has nested downtown since 2003, but this was the first year they produced just one chick. That meant the reluctant falcon had no sibling to urge it on.

"When birds fledge, we've noticed there's a 'me too,' " Living said. The chick looks healthy, he added.

Barbara Slatcher, a Hanover County wildlife-rehabilitation expert, offered another explanation: As an "only child," the chick was spoiled with extra food and attention. "She doesn't want to leave the comforts of home."  (Harlequin!)  :hysterical:

Experts and volunteers watched Friday from Kanawha Plaza, ready to assist if the crow-sized chick plummeted into traffic. The parent birds flew by the chick a couple of times, apparently offering encouragement.

The chick peered over the ledge and flapped its wings occasionally, but by early evening it hadn't flown. The falcon watch enters its third day this morning.

Peregrine falcons were nearly wiped out by pesticides in the 1950s and '60s. Virginia scientists are trying to help the majestic predators rebuild their numbers.

There are only about two dozen nests in Virginia, so every chick counts.

Steve Living, a biologist with the state Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, used a spotting scope Friday to watch a peregrine falcon chick on the BB&T building in downtown Richmond. The department's Ray Fernald also was waiting for the falcon chick to fly. (he looks bored)

Richmond Times Dispatch

Believe it or not, one of the parents flew over us late yesterday afternoon (4ish) as I was flying up I-95!  Jersey Girls can bird watch and haul butt up the highway at the same time!

  :hysterical:  why aren't you there watching?  Or why would you be there watching the grass grow.  Pokey Ginger is still on the ledge.

Coming back from NC and Fathers day with Rich's Dad.  Of course, I hear Richmond and think racing!  No wonder I was doing 90 (God was riding with me beacause 15 over is an automatic Reckless - have no idea what 20 would get me).

Very sad news to report about our girl in Richmond.  She did fledge, but got confused by glass in some of the building windows.

Fly Free, Ginger.

I was just going to post this, Bonnie.

Monday, June 20, 2011
Young Richmond falcon does not survive collision with building
The story of the young Richmond peregrine falcon has unfortunately come to a premature end as the bird died from injuries resulting from a collision with a downtown building.

The young falcon was last seen on the Falcon Cam this morning at around 7:40.  At 10:20, a DGIF biologist spotted the bird on a window ledge directly below the nest box on the Riverfront Plaza West Tower, approximately 15 ft below the box.  Both adults were seen repeatedly circling the building in flight in an effort to encourage the young bird to fly.  At 11:20, a flash of light from behind the window where the juvenile was perched spooked her off the window ledge.  The bird took a strong, level flight northward, accompanied by her mother, and disappeared from sight behind a building.

The DGIF biologist was joined downtown by a dedicated volunteer at around noon.  Before long, the volunteer spotted the young falcon perched on a building to the NE of the Riverfront Plaza towers.  Following a brief preening session, the bird took a short flight and then circled back.  It skittered some 20 ft down the glass facade of a nearby building, but was able to regain altitude.  Unfortunately it then flew headlong into another glass building, the James River Tower Three, dropping straight down.

The young falcon was retrieved from the rooftop of an abutting building, where it landed approximately 10 stories below the collision point.  The DGIF veterinarian arrived on the scene and confirmed that the bird was dead, citing head trauma from the collision as the cause and stating that the falcon likely died immediately upon impact with the building.

This unfortunate event represents the worst possible outcome that could be expected from this much anticipated fledging event, and underscores the need to monitor the progress that young urban falcons make as they leave the nest.  We would like to thank all of the volunteers who have participated in the Fledge Watch this year, as well as all those folks who have followed the young falcon’s progress this year.


 :crying:  Fly free, little one.

So sad for little Ginger. 
Fly free, sweet Ginger.   :'(

This is awfully sad. So sorry for little Ginger. Tragic.

 :( Poor Ginger! How sad for the parents too even if they don't have human emotions  It's still the loss of a child that they fed and nurtured.  :heart:

Heartbreaking, she was such a beautiful girl and her parents fought so hard to keep her alive...what a horrible ending for everyone involved.  :crying: :crying:

By Rex Springston
Published: June 21, 2011


As people watched from the ground, a rare peregrine falcon crashed into a glassy downtown Richmond high-rise Monday and died not long after taking its first flight.

"One second it was flying. The next second it was dead, just like that," said Sergio Harding, a biologist with the state Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

Experts and volunteers had watched the bird since Thursday morning to try to ensure it made a safe first flight.

"Tragic is what it is," said Barbara Slatcher, a volunteer who watched the fatal flight with Harding. "The first flights are the most dangerous, which is why we do the fledge watch to begin with."

The falcon was released Thursday from a temporary pen beside its nest on a 21st-story ledge at Riverfront Plaza, 901 E. Byrd St.

Harding said he arrived downtown Monday about 10 a.m. to find that the falcon was no longer on that walkway ledge but on a window ledge about 15 feet down. The bird had to have flown to get there. That was great news.

Shortly after 11 a.m., the fledgling took off again, accompanied by its mother, and flew strongly until it disappeared behind another downtown building.

Just after noon, the falcon approached a glassy building northeast of Riverfront Plaza, Harding said. "It came into contact with the glass but recovered quite nicely."

A short time later, the falcon flew at high speed into the glass-sided James Center III building in the 1000 block of East Cary Street near Shockoe Slip, Harding said. "The bird flew into it, collided with it and dropped like a stone."

A state veterinarian examined the falcon and said it probably died instantly.

Pesticides nearly wiped out peregrine falcons in the 1950s and 1960s, so Virginia scientists are working to help the crow-sized predators build their numbers.

But city living is dangerous. To a falcon, glass that reflects sky and clouds apparently looks like more open space.

A pair of falcons has nested downtown since 2003. Another of their young crashed into a building and died in 2004.

Fly Free
 

I all.  Sorry I did not copy the link but they have banded 3 little ones at Richmond.  The reason I am posting....they have caged the baby falcons on the ledge so they won't wander "off".  The parents feed through the bars.  Has anyone ever seen this before?  I find it a tad odd.

OK.  Here is the link.

http://falconcam.tumblr.com/ (http://falconcam.tumblr.com/)

They do this every year there. Very unsafe area for them to wander. Once they have wing feathers they'll rig up a device to open the door automatically-they use a bottle of ice that drips as it melts. It's still not ideal for fledging, but at least they have a chance once they can fly.

This site scares the crud out of me. Bad place for a nest.  :(

Thank guys, I knew you would have the answer!

Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Three Fledged Falcons!

The pen door was opened at 9:13am and the male immediately took off - making a spectacular and strong flight out of sight (he was relocated several blocks away a short time later) The two young females were more tentative…one took a short flight and then stayed put on the ledge for several hours!  The final chick took some time to come out of the box and then spent a couple of hours on the ledge before finally making a short flight.  As we moved through the afternoon and into the evening all three of the chicks made additional flights.  All of them were doing well flying and just as importantly…landing!

We’ll resume monitoring tomorrow morning and watch through the day to ensure their progress continues.

Pros, volunteers watching for falling falcons downtown

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/2012/jun/06/tdmet03-pros-volunteers-watching-for-falling-falco-ar-1968496/ (http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/2012/jun/06/tdmet03-pros-volunteers-watching-for-falling-falco-ar-1968496/)

goodnews:

 :thumbsup:

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/2012/jun/07/tdmet02-richmonds-falcons-take-flight-ar-1971545/ (http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/2012/jun/07/tdmet02-richmonds-falcons-take-flight-ar-1971545/)

The bird's brother and sister had flown hours earlier. But this chick kept peering timidly down from a 21st-story walkway near her nest. Earthlings urged her on.

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/2012/jun/22/tdmet04-rare-young-falcon-found-dead-in-downtown-r-ar-2005494/ (http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/2012/jun/22/tdmet04-rare-young-falcon-found-dead-in-downtown-r-ar-2005494/)

Rare young falcon found dead in downtown Richmond    :crying:

I don't like this time of year. RIP young falcon. You  felt the wind beneath your wings for too short of a time. You're now soaring with the best of our falcons far above us.   :angel:
 

I'm with you Margaret! Tragic time of year! I know it happens but I don't have to like it!  :(

 :(

Rare downtown falcons tending five eggs in new nest

The peregrine falcons moved their nest this year from a 21st-story walkway at Riverfront Plaza by the James River to a 22nd-story opening in the east wall of Dominion Virginia Power’s building at Seventh and East Cary streets. Harriet laid five eggs last month, her most ever. The norm is three or four. The eggs should hatch next week, and the youngsters should take wing in late May.

http://www.timesdispatch.com/news/local/rare-downtown-falcons-tending-five-eggs-in-new-nest/article_b1b156fe-0859-57e7-94e2-85ac49685ed9.html (http://www.timesdispatch.com/news/local/rare-downtown-falcons-tending-five-eggs-in-new-nest/article_b1b156fe-0859-57e7-94e2-85ac49685ed9.html) Story

http://falconcam.tumblr.com/ (http://falconcam.tumblr.com/) cam

Hmmm.  They were "relocated" away from the building a few years ago.   The building must have new owners.  Or, the biologists finally gave in and are letting them stay there.

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Scientists are hoping that Richmond's downtown peregrine falcons will try and nest again after all their eggs died.
Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries biologist Sergio Harding says the birds sensed that the eggs were no longer good and pushed or rolled them out of the nest last week. He says he found another egg dead in the nest on Friday.

Harding tells the Richmond Times-Dispatch that it's unlikely the birds will try to nest again this season. But scientists are hoping they do so.

The falcons' nest is located in a 22nd-story opening in the east wall of Dominion Virginian Power's building.

The falcons, named Ozzie and Harriet, have nested in downtown Richmond since 2003.   :(

That's really sad-like Beauty and Archer's eggs in 2011.

The eggs didn't make it.  I think it was the same problem they had years ago before they moved them.

 :sorrow: :sorrow: :sorrow: :sorrow: :sorrow:

Ozzie and Harriet moved back to their old nest box, and laid a second clutch of eggs.

The first egg apparently had problems hatching, and the birds removed it from the nest box. Yesterday, the second egg hatched.

Harriet feeding the chick:

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/June%202013/richmondjune1110a_zps91196cb3.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/June%202013/richmondjune1110a_zps91196cb3.jpg.html)

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/June%202013/richmondjune1111a_zpsebf7726e.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/June%202013/richmondjune1111a_zpsebf7726e.jpg.html)

Ozzie with the new hatchling:

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/June%202013/richmondjune1114a_zps499e8a12.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/June%202013/richmondjune1114a_zps499e8a12.jpg.html)

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/June%202013/richmondjune1120a_zps53645428.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/June%202013/richmondjune1120a_zps53645428.jpg.html)

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/June%202013/richmondjune1121a_zps8b2260c7.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/June%202013/richmondjune1121a_zps8b2260c7.jpg.html)

Saw this on fb....so amazing these 2. Thanks Alison!   :thumbsup:

 :clap: :clap: :clap:

Still one chick today:

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/June%202013/richmondjune127a_zpsf4a06ef4.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/June%202013/richmondjune127a_zpsf4a06ef4.jpg.html)

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/June%202013/richmondjune1212a_zps88815140.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/June%202013/richmondjune1212a_zps88815140.jpg.html)

Two rare falcon chicks die in Richmond

A long, hard breeding season for Ozzie and Harriet, Richmond’s rare falcon pair, has come to a sad end.
Biologists who checked the peregrine falcons’ Riverfront Plaza nest Wednesday found one of the pair’s two chicks dead and the other missing.
The 2-week-old chicks apparently died, at least in part, from Tuesday’s mid-90s heat, said Sergio Harding, a biologist with the state Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
One of the parents probably removed the second body, Harding said. But the deaths are puzzling.
“I know we’ve had some hot summers before” when chicks survived, Harding said.
The deaths marked the second nest failure in one season — a first for the falcon pair, which have nested downtown since 2003.
“I’m at the point where I just don’t know what to expect from these birds anymore,” Harding said.
The crow-sized falcons, which have a loyal following, moved to a new nest this spring, a 22nd-story spot on Dominion Virginia Power’s building at Seventh and East Cary streets. They produced five eggs, their most ever, but none hatched.
Ozzie and Harriet then moved back to their longtime nest on a 21st-story walkway at Riverfront Plaza by the James River. Harriet laid four more eggs there.
Chicks in two of those eggs made cracks but couldn’t get out. On a Web camera, Harding could see Harriet picking at the eggs.
“It appeared she was trying to help the chicks hatch,” Harding said. Adding to the mystery, he said, “This is behavior we don’t typically see with peregrines.”
The other two eggs hatched. On Tuesday afternoon, however, Harding could see one of the chicks wobbling, struggling to sit upright in the heat.
Harding and biologist Ernie Aschenbach checked the nest Wednesday morning. They found one chick’s body on a ledge about 100 feet from the nest, but they couldn’t find the other body.

Gee, how sad!!  Chicks have survived worse heat!  :(

Times Dispatch

May be something else going on here. Nesting there since 2003-perhaps age is playing a role in the failed hatches and survival of chicks. I'm no expert-just sayin'. Tragic season for them!  :(

My guess is something environmental, whatever caused the total failure in the first nesting was probably still in her system with the second though starting to wear off.

The necropsy results for one of the two Richmond chicks have now been posted on the site.

Friday, August 9, 2013

Necropsy Results

The body of the falcon chick retrieved from the ledge of the Riverfront Plaza building was submitted for necropsy to the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study at the University of Georgia.  Results revealed that the chick was afflicted with meningitis of a bacterial origin, with E. coli and Enterococcus sp. found in the brain, gastrointestinal tract and liver.  The brain tested negative for West Nile virus.  The cause of death was ruled to be bacterial sepsis (presence of bacteria in the bloodstream, which is normally a sterile environment) and meningoencephalitis (infection/inflammation of the brain and of the membranes enveloping the central nervous system).   

Bacteria could have been introduced into the blood stream from a variety of pathways, including via a penetrating wound (not noted during necropsy), ingestion of contaminated prey items, or bacteria from the chick’s gut entering the bloodstream due to a sustained elevated core body temperature (the days leading up to the death of the chick were extremely hot with high heat indices).

We would not normally expect high ambient temperatures or ingestion of contaminated prey to ultimately cause the death of the chick.  However, underlying genetic, stress-related, or traumatic conditions may have rendered the chick more susceptible to the effects of hot weather and/or suppressed its immune system, thereby allowing the bacterial infection to take hold. In any case it is likely that a combination of factors were ultimately the cause of this chick’s demise.

These results seem to be somewhat unexpected.

What a tragic year it has been for Ozzie and Harriet. I can only hope next year will be better for them.

How sad for that baby.  :(

Horrible, poor baby!  :(

http://wildlifecenter.org/critter-corner/current-patients/peregrine-falcon-14-1319 (http://wildlifecenter.org/critter-corner/current-patients/peregrine-falcon-14-1319) (cont.

On June 19, the Wildlife Center received a call about one of the two female falcons hatched on cam in downtown Richmond on May 1, 2014. On June 17, the two birds fledged from their roost; volunteers with “FledgeWatch” looked on as the birds took their first flights. Two days after fledging from the nest, one of the birds flew into a building in downtown Richmond, damaging her left eye and beak. The bird was rescued and taken to the Cary Street Veterinary Hospital. The falcon was transported to the Wildlife Center the following morning. - See more at: http://wildlifecenter.org/critter-corner/current-patients/peregrine-falcon-14-1319#sthash.P91CImW9.dpuf (http://wildlifecenter.org/critter-corner/current-patients/peregrine-falcon-14-1319#sthash.P91CImW9.dpuf)

Update;

Peregrine Falcon #14-1319 update

July 9, 2014
Peregrine Falcon #14-1319 continues to eat well and gain weight at the Wildlife Center. On July 7, Dr. Rich re-examined the falcon’s injured left eye. Last week, there was a large blood clot present in the bird’s eye, which prevented a full evaluation of all of the structures in the back of the eye. This week, the clot has developed into a band of connective tissue in the middle portion of the bird’s eye. With so much damage sustained to the eye, the Peregrine Falcon has been deemed non-releasable.

The Center veterinarians will continue to monitor the falcon’s injury in the coming weeks. If the injured eye deteriorates, the bird's eye might need to be surgically removed. After the veterinary staff determine the course of treatment required and the bird is medically stable, the Center staff will begin working with the bird as an educational ambassador candidate.

  :( Poor baby

 :(

It is sad but if it can be trained as an educational ambassador, it's in a wonderful place!

From the Wildlife Center of Virginia:

Update July 21, 2014

During the past week, Peregrine Falcon #14-1319 received several more eye assessments. Dr. Dave McRuer, the Center’s veterinary director, noted that additional scar tissue was visible in the falcon’s injured eye on Thursday, July 17; on Saturday, Dr. Meghan Feeney, the Center’s veterinary intern, noted additional changes in the eye. On Monday, July 21, the falcon’s eye had visibly changed; the eye was atrophied and the falcon seemed to be reacting more to light [possibly indicating pain].

Given the changes in the eye, the falcon’s eye will need to be removed. Surgery has been scheduled for Tuesday, July 22. Once the falcon fully heals from the surgery in August, the outreach staff will begin glove-training the falcon to be an educational ambassador.

I hope the surgery went well. Poor little juvie; she has been through so much in her short life. She only had two days of flight before she was injured.

Jeeze, not fair, poor baby! Not liking this bad news this am. Thanks Alison. :(

Fortunately she's alive but unfortunately she'll never live the life of a free flying falcon.  :(

An update on the little juvie after surgery:

July 23, 2014

On the afternoon of July 22, veterinary intern Dr. Meghan Feeney took Peregrine Falcon #14-1319 to surgery to remove the bird’s left eye. Dr. Dave McRuer, the Center’s veterinary director, was present to assist.

The falcon underwent what’s known as an eye “evisceration” – the contents of the eye were surgically removed. This is different from an “enucleation”, where the entire globe is removed. This means the basic shape of the falcon’s face will stay more symmetrical, and the missing eye will likely be less noticeable. The advantages of this surgery are that the bird’s face is better balanced, the surgery is shorter, and there is a decreased risk of affecting the sight in the remaining eye.

The surgery went well, though was a little more difficult than anticipated, due to the extensive damage in the bird’s eye. A moderately sized piece of scar tissue was removed, causing additional bleeding. After surgery, the falcon recovered from anesthesia well, though the surgical site continued to bleed. The bleeding eventually slowed, and the falcon was placed back in the Center’s holding room overnight. The Peregrine Falcon will be on a course of pain medications and antibiotics for the next several days; the veterinary staff will monitor the surgical site daily.

I am glad the surgery went well. I know she is in a place where she will receive the best of care, with knowledgeable and caring people. I wish her a speedy and pain-free recovery.

But . . . I wish she could be flying free with her sister . . .  they were so close, always together.

WCV didn't have a Peregrine ambassador when we were there in April so if they decide keep her, it'll be a wonderful place for her. It is sad though but better than the alternative.

The most recent update:

August 26, 2014

On August 25, Peregrine Falcon #14-1319 was fitted with her education “equipment” – the leather anklets and jesses that are used for training and handling education raptors. While the bird was in hand, the veterinary team drew blood, trimmed the falcon’s talons, and performed a quick physical examination. As outreach coordinator Raina Krasner placed the anklets on the falcon, Dr. Dave noted that the scab covering the incision site in the falcon’s left eye socket was beginning to lift off. A small amount of clear fluid was draining from under the scab – suggesting that the surgical site could have an infection. Dr. Dave took samples and made a slide to check for bacteria under a microscope. In the meantime, the first training session proceeded as planned.

Amanda, the Center’s director of outreach, began working with the falcon -- the initial goal for any new bird-in-training is to allow the bird to get used to its new surroundings and ideally stand quietly on the trainer’s glove. At first, the falcon was not particularly interested in standing on the glove, and bated [flew off the glove] many times. This is to be expected – after a significant and lengthy treatment process, the falcon does not trust humans – so both Amanda and Raina will be working with the bird to build that trust. After spending some time quietly standing in the dark radiology room with the bird on the glove, Amanda was eventually able to sit in her office with the bird for a few hours.

Results from the slide sample revealed that the falcon does have a bacterial infection, though blood work was within normal limits. Dr. Dave decided that it would be best to treat the infection with oral and topical antibiotics, to ensure that the surgical site completely heals. This means that training will be delayed for about two weeks. The falcon will live in the Center’s holding room during treatment.

Photos of the little one may be found here:

http://wildlifecenter.org/critter-corner/current-patients/peregrine-falcon-14-1319 (http://wildlifecenter.org/critter-corner/current-patients/peregrine-falcon-14-1319)

She has been through so much in her short life. I hope things will start to get better for her.

Poor thing :sick: Get well soon!

I do too, poor thing. If it had to be, WCV is a wonderful place for this young bird to be at..top care given to all birds and animals. We met and talked with Raina this past April, while touring the WCV, and she is Buddy's trainer!  Thanks for the update, Alison.

 :pray:

A new update on the little juvie. It's dated September 16, but did not show up on the site until today.

September 16, 2014

During the week of September 8, Peregrine Falcon #14-1319 finished the course of antibiotics for her eye injury. Blood work was drawn on September 11; the veterinary staff found that the falcon’s white blood cell count was low. Additional blood work was scheduled for Monday, September 15 to determine if any treatment was needed.

Results from the follow-up blood work revealed a higher white blood cell count, and the Peregrine Falcon’s eye was fully healed. The veterinarians gave clearance for education training to resume.

Director of outreach Amanda Nicholson began working with the falcon again on Monday afternoon. Amanda sat in her office with the falcon on the glove. This time, the falcon was more calm – while the bird will need to build trust and learn a lot in the coming weeks, the Peregrine Falcon surprised Amanda by readily eating food off of the glove!

During the next few weeks, the Peregrine Falcon will live inside and will spend her days with Amanda and outreach coordinator Raina. The bird will be on the glove during the day, and will live in a crate in the outreach room at night. As the Peregrine Falcon advances in training, the bird will be introduced to an outdoor enclosure. Amanda and Raina hope to train the falcon to make short flights to the glove for food, which will make it easier to retrieve the bird from the outdoor enclosure.

Photo from the site; more photos with the update.

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/September%202014/richmond-juvie-sept-20-1a_zps22cedb0e.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/September%202014/richmond-juvie-sept-20-1a_zps22cedb0e.jpg.html)
 
I know she is in a really good place, and she will be well cared for, but it still must be very difficult for her.

I agree!  :(

Poor sweetheart.   :(

Videos of juvie (Education Ambassador in training) at WCV..doing well, so far!   :wub:


http://youtu.be/zU8oRkgh8DM (http://youtu.be/zU8oRkgh8DM)

http://youtu.be/BmupL8ZPY4o (http://youtu.be/BmupL8ZPY4o)

I think they need a bigger bird bath!  :thumbsup:

Love the markings on her head! She's a cutie!!

They're in the process of building her own enclosure with a large bathing tub for her.  People commented about the small tub and WCV did say it was sufficient for right now..seeing as it's in an office.   :happy:

 :the_wave:

Another one admitted:

Admission Date:
September 29, 2014
Location of Rescue:
Surry County, Virginia
Cause of Admission / Condition:
Fractured wing, eye injuries
Prognosis:
Guarded
Patient Status:
Current Patient

On September 29, a juvenile Peregrine Falcon was rescued from a field in Surry County; reports note that the bird was seen down on the ground for three days. The bird was taken to a permitted wildlife rehabilitator in Virginia Beach. The rehabilitator found that the young bird had a wing fracture; the wing was stabilized and bandaged before a volunteer transporter drove the young falcon to the Wildlife Center that same day.

Dr. Helen Ingraham, the Center’s veterinary fellow, examined the Peregrine Falcon when it arrived. The unbanded bird is likely a male, based on size. Dr. Helen found injuries to both of the falcon’s eyes – there are retinal tears in the bird’s right eye, and a significant amount of hemorrhage in the left eye. The falcon was thin and dehydrated; initial blood work revealed that the bird was emaciated. The falcon’s left humerus was also fractured.

The falcon received fluids, anti-inflammatories, and pain medication before he was placed in the Center’s holding room for the night. Dr. Helen anticipates that the wing fracture will be able to be repaired with surgery, but first the falcon needs to become more stable. The falcon will be tube-fed initially; if the falcon gains weight and the blood work improves, surgery will be scheduled for Friday, October 3. The veterinary team will continue to monitor the falcon’s eye injuries; any permanent retinal injuries will make the falcon non-releasable.

3 days!!!! Whoever observed it for 3 days should be ashamed for making it suffer!  :thumbsdown:

I agree, MAK. Failing to do anything for three days might even be a chargeable offense. Poor little juvie.

There is an update today on the injured juvie at the Wildlife Center of Virginia. He has now had surgery, and I was very happy to read that there is significant improvement in his eyes. I am glad that he is receiving the excellent care he deserves.

October 6, 2014

On Thursday, October 2, the veterinary team decided to go ahead and schedule Peregrine Falcon #14-2208’s wing fracture repair for the following day. The falcon was brighter than he was upon admission, and blood work showed improvements.

On the morning of October 3, the veterinary team found that the falcon’s humeral fracture was “open” – meaning that during the night, the fractured bone punctured the bird’s wing, despite the wing wrap. Drs. Dave and Helen took the bird to surgery; while in surgery, they also found an additional fracture site on the falcon’s humerus. The two veterinarians were able to successfully place a pin in the fractured humerus; an external fixator was placed to stabilize the pin.

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/September%202014/peregrineatwildlifecenterofvirginiaoct6b_zps9e384046.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/September%202014/peregrineatwildlifecenterofvirginiaoct6b_zps9e384046.jpg.html)

The bird recovered from anesthesia slowly, but was bright and alert the following morning. The falcon has been eating some of its meal of chopped mice.

On October 5, the veterinary team began performing physical therapy on the falcon’s wing while the bird was under anesthesia. This physical therapy will be important for regaining and maintaining the range of motion in the bird’s injured wing. The veterinary team also noted significant improvement in the falcon’s eyes.

 goodnews:  Thanks for the update Alison!  :thumbsup:

Thanks Alison, poor thing!

Awww...glad he's doing better, get well, little juvie  :heart:

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=932825646732882&fref=nf (https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=932825646732882&fref=nf)

Hope you all can see this little girl in training!  :heart:

She's a very smart young falcon to take commands in such a short time.  :heart:

Here's the video if unable to see on FB:

http://youtu.be/JnGF2N8lgJ8 (http://youtu.be/JnGF2N8lgJ8)

Thank you Alison and Kris!  Good news!  :happy:

Thanks Donna too!  :wave:

Oh yes!  and thanks to Donna too!

Pefa is doing so well..will be a great education Ambassador for WCV!  She honks just like Beauty does!   :laugh:

I loved watching the video of the little Richmond juvie. She is obviously very intelligent and is doing incredibly well. The best part was seeing her fly and land with confidence. It seems that she is able to compensate extremely well for the depth perception problems which she will have.

And you're right, Kris G., she does honk! I had been wondering how to describe that sound she makes.  :happy:

Very sad news this afternoon about the other peregrine juvie at the Wildlife Center, the little male who was found in a field, and had surgery on October 3.

October 10, 2014

On the afternoon of October 7, Dr. Helen found Peregrine Falcon #14-2208 dead in his enclosure. The staff were surprised and saddened; the falcon’s death is likely due to the combination of the bird’s thin body condition, the stress of surgery, the prolonged recovery from anesthesia, and severity of the wing fracture.

At least the people at the Wildlife Center did their best to try to help him. If only people had not waited three days before finding help for him, perhaps things could have been different. Poor beautiful little juvie.  :'(

 :sorrow:
 :sorrow:

 :sorrow: :sorrow:

     

             :sorrow:

Alison, my sentiments exactly!  "If only people had not waited three days before finding help for him, perhaps things could have been different."   :crying: :sorrow:

An update from the Wildlife Center today on the little Richmond juvie:

October 16, 2014

Peregrine Falcon #14-1319 continues to do very well with her training. Amanda and Raina are working with the falcon daily, although the bird now spends a significant amount of time in her outdoor enclosure. She still readily flies to the glove when Amanda or Raina ask her to.

While work with the bird will continue over the next few weeks, both Amanda and Raina agree that this has been an amazingly fast training and assessment period for the falcon. With achievements made to date, it's time to declare the Peregrine Falcon as the newest official member of the Outreach Team.

The last step – choosing a name – will take place in a few weeks at the Wildlife Center’s annual gala on November 1. There, the naming rights for the Peregrine Falcon will be auctioned off in the Center’s live auction. Stay tuned for more information, including how you can place an absentee bid on this incredible honor!

While this is not the life she should have had, I think she can still have a good life and that she will be a wonderful ambassador for raptors.

Great news and she'll have a great life at WCV!  Can't wait to hear what her chosen name will be!

Great to hear this! Neat way for the picking the name!

We should try that here. I've always wanted a falcon named Golisano.

The Richmond juvie, now a resident of the WCV, has been named Maggie after Maggie Walker of Virginia!   

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maggie_L._Walker (http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maggie_L._Walker)

Peregrine Maggie was hatched on a bank!  Great choice!   :clap:

Maggie- I like it! :thumbsup:

Great name!  ;D

First egg for the Richmond pair on the evening of March 20:

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/February%202015/richmond-march-20-1a_zpsxceqqllu.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/February%202015/richmond-march-20-1a_zpsxceqqllu.jpg.html)

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/February%202015/richmond-march-20-2a_zpszzsipgvr.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/February%202015/richmond-march-20-2a_zpszzsipgvr.jpg.html)

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/February%202015/richmond-march-20-6a_zpsnemecmac.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/February%202015/richmond-march-20-6a_zpsnemecmac.jpg.html)

News about Maggie from Richmond (See posts from 2014). She now has a book.

Maggie the One-Eyed Peregrine Falcon

This children's book tells the true story of an injured juvenile Peregrine falcon. Rfalconcam is proud to have supplied photographs from our cameras for this book.

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

How neat is that! Might have to buy it just for the pictures!

We just received our photographer copies of this book.  They look great! If you'd like your own copy, any bookstore can stock and/or order it. Amazon has it as well.

I ordered mine from the Wildlife Center of Virginia's store and received it in 4 days. They said that if people order from their site, the Center will receive more profit from the book.

Their website: http://wildlifecenter.org/ (http://wildlifecenter.org/)

http://www.fredericksburg.com/news/local/columns/rob-hedelt-one-eyed-falcon-s-happy-ending-has-a/article_7879e71b-2868-59d8-8c53-310d0d9a1055.html (http://www.fredericksburg.com/news/local/columns/rob-hedelt-one-eyed-falcon-s-happy-ending-has-a/article_7879e71b-2868-59d8-8c53-310d0d9a1055.html)  How it all came about, "Maggie the One-Eyed Peregrine Falcon"

Harriet is gone, a new unbanded female is paired with Ozzie now.  She would have been around 17 years old as is Ozzie.  I will miss her, she was a beautiful falcon that endured many challenges trying to reproduce over the years.  I hope she is flying free now.  :'(

https://blog.wildlife.virginia.gov/falcon-cam/2017/03/nesting-season-begins-with-new-partners-and-new-female-falcon/?utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=falcon_cam&utm_medium=link_share (https://blog.wildlife.virginia.gov/falcon-cam/2017/03/nesting-season-begins-with-new-partners-and-new-female-falcon/?utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=falcon_cam&utm_medium=link_share)

The new female resembles Beauty in her coloration.

Sad to lose one we knew so well but glad that nature keeps moving along...

 :sorrow:

                        :crying:

So sad to lose her.  :(

16 is a good life! Fly Free!  :(

Farewell to Harriet, and I thank her for her excellent contribution to the species.   :bow: :(

Some really good news from the Richmond nest:

Richmond’s Juvenile Male Falcon Spotted in New Jersey!

(https://picload.org/image/dgrrpoir/richmond-juvie-sept-10-1a.jpg)

Beautiful photo by Dave Rivera – www.dabitz.com (http://www.dabitz.com)

A wildlife photographer in New Jersey captured images of Richmond’s juvenile male Peregrine Falcon that fledged from this year’s nest! Images that nicely showed the bird’s black and green leg bands of 46/AU allowed us to make the identification. These photos were taken August 13th, around noon, in Lyndhurst, New Jersey at Richard W. DeKorte Park. The photographer reported that he saw the bird for just a few seconds as it dove toward a wetland at the park, then circled twice above him and then took off.

Many thanks to the photographer for capturing these photos, noting the leg bands, and sharing them with the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife, which helped the photos to eventually find their way to our agency.

This juvenile male Peregrine Falcon fledged from its nest site atop the Riverfront Plaza Building in downtown Richmond on June 29th. It is the sole survivor of this year’s clutch of three chicks. To learn more about this juvenile male and the Richmond Falcons, visit the Richmond Falcon Cam.

https://blog.wildlife.virginia.gov/falcon-cam/2017/09/juvenile-male-falcon-spotted-in-new-jersey/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=link_share (https://blog.wildlife.virginia.gov/falcon-cam/2017/09/juvenile-male-falcon-spotted-in-new-jersey/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=link_share)

Wow, the only survivor from that site. Keep it up young one!! Thanks Alison!  :wave:

The Richmond cam is active again, and there is an update on the birds:

Welcome to a new season of the Richmond Falcon Cam. We are pleased to share that a male and female peregrine falcon have been observed at the nest box over the last couple of weeks. They have already have made a scrape in the nest box (a scrape is a shallow bowl-shaped depression in the substrate that forms a nest). The same banded male who has bred here over the years has returned–hatched in 2000, he will be 18 years old this year! (To date, the maximum lifespan documented for a banded falcon in the wild is just shy of 20 years.) However, the female we’ve observed is not the banded female that successfully bred here in 2017; she appears to have been replaced.

(https://picload.org/image/daorwgoi/richmond-mar-4-2a.jpg)

Ozzie in the nest, and the new unbanded female above. Image from the site.

This year’s female is very buffy and unbanded and may be the same female that first paired with the male last season, prior to being replaced by the banded female who went on to breed. There are similarities in the plumage of the two unbanded birds, but also subtle differences, such that it is difficult to determine whether they are the same individual. Regardless of this female bird’s identity, we look forward to seeing how this breeding season unfolds!

I can hardly believe that Ozzie will be 18 years old this year; I am very glad that he is still the resident tiercel at this nest. Sorry that last year's female has apparently been replaced.

https://www.dgif.virginia.gov/falcon-cam/ (https://www.dgif.virginia.gov/falcon-cam/)