20-Apr-23, 08:19:20 AM
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21938
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Other Nature Related Information / Falcon Web Cams / Re: Canada Falcons: All but Rhea Mae & Tiago, (they have their own thread)
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on: 03-May-10, 09:11:54 AM
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Apr 28, 2010 - Turkey Vultures and 2010 Gameplan Update
Last night we had an interesting situation unfold. A group of 6 Turkey Vultures were gliding on thermals above the property, which caught the attention of our two Peregrines on site.
Alarm calling and territorial defense followed. Mom was the more aggressive of our two birds, but Jack also went on the offensive, hovering like a Kestrel around the vultures. Eventually, the Turkey vultures departed without much incident.
Over the past few weeks, folks from within the building and also from elsewhere have offered to help finance an observation camera, and have offered support for this year's process. This is appreciated, as volunteers are key to keeping track of activity on site.
Regardless, here are a few status updates:
1. Camera
A camera is not going to happen this year.
Sourcing of a Wi-fi camera was attempted, no vendor response was received. An electrician and cooperation from the building are key requirements to install a camera, and we don't have either.
Installing a wi-fi camera on the roof, coordinating senders and receivers, connectivity, monitoring equipment and web broadcasting all take effort. This work is not unlike an integration project I would perform for clients, and unfortunately I don't have either the time or assistance complete this task, so no camera.
2. Monitoring, Banding for 2010
Speaking with the MNR, it was explained to me that for sites where the property owner has an ongoing interest in the status of the falcons (eg. Toronto Sheraton Centre or Bloor/Islington sites), bandings take place.
Due to the fact that the MNR is stretched thin by many new nests in the GTA this year, combined with the minimal landowner commitment here, banding of any juveniles will only take place this year if they come to the ground after fledging.
Needless to say, this means that we will not have much chance of tracking our juveniles and their progress in the future, one of the rewards of stewardship efforts.
Fledge watch, assuming we have eggs hatch here, will still take place. As usual, volunteers are needed/welcome. We have a lot of time before we need to think about this but feel free to assemble teams, I would appreciate if folks can team up and plan for this.
3. New Legislation Implications
As most know by now, our site still falls under a protected status according to numerous pieces of legislation. This includes both the vacant ledge from 2008/9 as well as the ledge currently being used, plus additional perches including some beyond our property.
I have been told that the building and other nearby landowners have or will be sent information to clarify any restrictions and regulations to be aware of.
4. Original Male - Still in Rehab
Our original male is still at a rehab facility. He has recovered well and in the next few weeks he will be released. I will post more when the date is known. He is likely to be released either north or west of our site, but given the roaming nature of Peregrines he may end up back here, we'll see.
Other than these status updates, it's been fairly normal around here. I would still guess that eggs are being incubated, and monitoring continues.
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21939
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Other Nature Related Information / Falcon Web Cams / Re: Webcam at Montreal university
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on: 03-May-10, 08:38:03 AM
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She is still around Donna. Yesterday morning she came in screaming her head off and mom left her alone with the new chick for a minute. She poked at the chick gently a few times and then looked from the eggs to the chick several times as if she was having an ephiany and then she took off. It was scary and cute at the same time  Oh thanks Carly, I'm kinda glad she is around...I think. Who knows how she'll handle all her new (sibs). She could be a big help or a big hindrance. Time will tell. |
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21945
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Other Nature Related Information / General Nature Discussion / Hundreds of birds found dead on island beaches (Galveston)
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on: 03-May-10, 07:25:31 AM
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GALVESTON — Hundreds of dead migratory birds, many of them colorful songbirds, are washing up on Galveston beaches, victims of a strong north wind and the perils of migration.
As many as 500 bodies were counted by sea turtle patrollers along a 10-mile stretch of beach last week. Along a smaller stretch, Mary Jan Lantz and Dawn Uyehara counted 96 dead birds on a half-hour walk that covered the equivalent of 14 blocks.
“It was insane,” said Lantz, director of human resources and risk management at Galveston College. “I’ve never seen anything like that before.”
The bodies are a sad sight, but a natural occurrence, said Jim Stevenson, director of the Galveston Ornithological Society and a professional bird guide.
“What you’re basically seeing out there is natural selection,” he said. “These birds are just the most weak of each species, and they’re not making it across the Gulf.”
The birds, some sporting the bright yellow and black plumage of orioles, or the red and black of tanagers, may start out in the Yucatán, South America or the West Indies.
They fly north, headed for Canada or the United States, but encountered stiff north winds and inclement weather this year.
“They run into rain and north wind, and they perish out over the Gulf,” said Stevenson. “Then they eventually reach our shores.”
The body count is higher this year because of the weather and wind direction.
This weekend’s weather system probably will produce more kills, he said, then the numbers will decline by next weekend.
“You have to understand, every day, tens of millions of songbirds pass over the Gulf coast. What we’re seeing here is an incredibly tiny percentage of the total birds coming over.”
Lantz was relieved to hear the bird kill had a natural cause. She walks with Uyehara, a Galveston College employment specialist, three times a week as part of the college wellness program, often along the beach.
“It’s good to know it has to do with the weather and doesn’t have to do with anything environmentally terribly wrong,” she said. “With that oil slick so much on our minds, and news about them burning all that oil, it’s good to know we don’t have something toxic coming across the bay.”
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MISSISSIPPI - A dead sea turtle lies on the beach in Pass Christian. Researchers from the Institute of Marine Mammal Sciences from Gulfport, Miss., collected a number of dead turtles and will examine them to determine the cause of death. Gee, I wonder! 
