[Had to post, it's so cute.]

Had to post, it's so cute.      Thanks Janet.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP)

There is more than one way to catch flies at the Minnesota Twins' new ballpark.

During a game at Target Field last week, a bird of prey was spotted sitting atop the right field fowl - er, foul - pole. With a steady rain falling and the Twins being shut out by Baltimore, the bird drew plenty of attention as it swooped through the air, snaring insects lured by the bright stadium lights.

When its acrobatic acts were shown on the video scoreboard, the crowd went crazy. One close-up shot featured the bird eating a large moth clutched in its talons.

There's even a Twitter account with the username TargetFieldHawk and the name Kirby the Kestrel. One post says: ``I know I'm technically the 'smallest' falcon, but I'm a Minneapolis moth's biggest nightmare.''

Julia Ponder, the executive director of The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota, said the bird is a male American Kestrel. The kestrel is indeed the smallest falcon species in North America, and similar in size to a robin. It preys on insects, small rodents and small birds.

There's a wooded area not far to the west of the ballpark, a possible home for the bird. The ballpark insects are easy pickings at night and the bird didn't seem bothered by the activity and noise at Target Field.

``To me it's a little surprising the kestrel is hunting amid all of that,'' Ponder said. ``Even when the crowd was cheering, it didn't seem to impact the kestrel at all. It just seemed to keep doing its thing.''

The Twins, who are playing their first season at Target Field after three decades inside the Metrodome, earlier discovered some red-tailed hawks nesting in the scoreboard. The kestrel was a new addition to the in-game entertainment.

``He obviously found a good hunting ground,'' executive vice president for public affairs Kevin Smith said.

Cable network Fox Sports North has aired the footage often since the kestrel was caught on camera, with broadcasters Dick Bremer and Bert Blyleven analyzing the action. Several fans have e-mailed the station asking about it, said communications manager Becky Ross, and FSN is considering options for future promotion.

Ponder said the bird was spotted again at the ballpark over the weekend.

``I hope he continues to put on a show,'' she said.

Moth munching Kestrel

42 and raining...same here.
Archer's last shift was at 3:12, now that's unusual. He always has an early evening shift. Beauty must be hungry, been on them eggs since 3:12. Hmm.

http://photo.asic.ca/blog  You'll like this couple! 

[I never imagined that that the 2 eggs from Tasha would hatch. Tasha's eggs were alone for quite some time. Amazing. Both Gulf and Cathedral have 5....]

Just saw a report on CMNH that the 5tth egg hatched!

I never imagined that that the 2 eggs from Tasha would hatch. Tasha's eggs were alone for quite some time. Amazing. Both Gulf and Cathedral have 5....

Amazing stuff.      Nature rules!

Well sometimes Nature Rules...in this case  YES!

[I love this nest, something about it.]

!!! Looks like an empty nest!
April 09, 2010 - Niagara Falls Posted May 11
CPF Postmaster Reports:

Once again with a huge thank you to our friends at the New York DEC, we have received some great shots taken from the US side of the gorge of the old nest site at the decommissioned OPG generating station. It is quite obvious by the photos sent in to us that we have just received that were taken around the second week of April that the old nest site is void of any peregrine activity. Despite the various reports that been streaming in of peregrines being observed in the gorge again this year, it appears that they are not currently nesting at this nest site. With thanks to Roger and Connie for the photos and all of their hard work gathering observations. The search continues.

I love this nest, something about it.

!!! Adults still on territory, but are they nesting?
May 09, 2010 - Niagara Falls Posted May 11
CPF Postmaster Reports:

A big thank you to Rebecca for sending in these great shots of the two peregrines at the Niagara falls gorge that were taken on May 9th of this year. While the search continues to try and identify a possible nest site, (and to identify the birds themselves), it appears that the elusive pair are still very much around and have been quite active. Observation reports of the birds activity have been streaming in from both sides of the border in recent weeks, but the mystery continues with regards to any nesting activity and the birds identity. While both of the birds still remain unidentified at this point, we do have a partial band number and band colour of the female given Rebecca’s photo that indicates that the she dawns a Black over Red colour marker band having a lower alpha digit of H. The USFW band number appears to a coloured band instead of the typical silver coloured band. The photo of the male in flight that shows one of its legs, appears to be unbanded.
The mystery continues………..

[Last but not least…-Sarah Washington Reports:As of yesterday the Hamilton Nest Site counted 4 fuzzy chicks! Madame X and Surge have been busy feeding and keeping the family warm during the cooler temperatures.Lots of work ahead!]

Speaking of Madame X and Surge:

Last but not least…
-
Sarah Washington Reports:

As of yesterday the Hamilton Nest Site counted 4 fuzzy chicks! Madame X and Surge have been busy feeding and keeping the family warm during the cooler temperatures.

Lots of work ahead!

Get ready for round 2 Mr. ledge sitter! Maybe another video also!

[I never imagined that that the 2 eggs from Tasha would hatch. Tasha's eggs were alone for quite some time. Amazing. Both Gulf and Cathedral have 5....]

Just saw a report on CMNH that the 5tth egg hatched!

I never imagined that that the 2 eggs from Tasha would hatch. Tasha's eggs were alone for quite some time. Amazing. Both Gulf and Cathedral have 5....

[Haven't seen a bad one yet....WOW!!!]

   Every shot from those guys is fantastic!     

Haven't seen a bad one yet....WOW!!!  Love her swimming, so cute.

That was one of the best "pissed" off falcon videos I've ever seen. Thank Lou. What a brave man to be up there hanging over the edge. 

[Beauty laid her 1st egg right after Scout, so we'll see if we have LOTS of hatches from the 16th on...or earlier.]

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

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

[I think we should be able to award multiple karma for that one]

I think we should be able to award multiple karma for that one 

He not only  cats....but he KAKS too. 

[That being said, I have been kept apprised of the Montreal happenings. While it is very sad indeed, we have seen this same situation happen on two other occasions at two other nest sites. The end results have always been the same and this news does not come as any surprise as tragic as it is.As Polly matures, (and her hormones take over and control her behaviour), she will become more aggressive (assertive and dominating), and will compete for control of the territory and the nest site itself. Sadly, there is not much that can be done as the birds will have to work this out on their own.Unless Spirit dispatches Polly, I would not be surprised to see additional happenings. While I have doubts that Polly actually ate the hatchling, you just may see other nest robbing in the future if Polly’s mom continues to allow her at the nest. Don’t expect that Roger will do any dispatching, as he will allow whatever Spirit will allow to continue. He has really no idea what is actually happening, so don’t count on his support to rectify the problem and dispatch Polly.In both of the other situations that we have observed, the yearling juvenile (both were also females), tried to take over the nest and new hatchlings. The chicks were trampled and eventually died at one of the other nests in the ongoing battle for control of the actual nest ledge, while at the other nest,, all of the new hatchlings were removed from the original nest by the yearling juvenile female - (just as in this case). We believe that the young yearly juvenile bird actually attempted to brood the stolen chicks on another ledge altogether, as she was observed bring food into the various ledges that she had placed the hatchlings on. All three of the hatchlings eventually died (or died during the process). Sadly, they were all found dead on the ledge before we could gain access in an effort to recover them.I can only hope that Spirit does not allow this to continue. It is also possible that Polly may be allowed to provide foster care to the remaining hatchlings ie: (a second mom), as we have also see this happen on another occasion.Who knows how this particular story will unfold, as each bird is as different as the next one.Not sure that I’ve helped.SincerelyMark NashCPF]

Here's part of the email about Polly

That being said, I have been kept apprised of the Montreal happenings.  While it is very sad indeed, we have seen this same situation happen on two other occasions at two other nest sites.  The end results have always been the same and this news does not come as any surprise as tragic as it is.

As Polly matures, (and her hormones take over and control her behaviour), she will become more aggressive (assertive and dominating), and will compete for control of the territory and the nest site itself.  Sadly, there is not much that can be done as the birds will have to work this out on their own.
Unless Spirit dispatches Polly, I would not be surprised to see additional happenings.  While I have doubts that Polly actually ate the hatchling, you just may see other nest robbing in the future if Polly’s mom continues to allow her at the nest.  Don’t expect that Roger will do any dispatching, as he will allow whatever Spirit will allow to continue.   He has really no idea what is actually happening, so don’t count on his support to rectify the problem and dispatch Polly.

In both of the other situations that we have observed, the yearling juvenile (both were also females), tried to take over the nest and new hatchlings.  The chicks were trampled and eventually died at one of the other nests in the ongoing battle for control of the actual nest ledge, while at the other nest,, all of the new hatchlings were removed from the original nest by the yearling juvenile female - (just as in this case).

We believe that the young yearly juvenile bird actually attempted to brood the stolen chicks on another ledge altogether, as she was observed bring food into the various ledges that she had placed the hatchlings on.  All three of the hatchlings eventually died (or died during the process). Sadly, they were all found dead on the  ledge before we could gain access in an effort to recover them.

I can only hope that Spirit does not allow this to continue.  It is also possible that Polly may be allowed to provide foster care to the remaining hatchlings ie: (a second mom), as we have also see this happen on another occasion.

Who knows how this particular story will unfold, as each bird is as different as the next one.

Not sure that I’ve helped.
Sincerely
Mark Nash
CPF

I guess it's not that uncommon but now we have to worry that Polly will want that nest and when she comes of age, she's just like any other female. Oh boy.

This weather is killing a lot of wildlife...so awful. 

Here's 2 pics from just a few minutes ago