[Along with Cline Avenue, U.S. Steel in Gary has an active peregrine falcon population. In all, 56 chicks have fledged, or lived long enough to grow feathers and wing muscles, at the Cline Avenue site in East Chicago, according to data released by the DNR.Years ago, there were problems with young falcons being hit by trucks along the Cline Avenue expanse, Elizabeth McCloskey, of U.S. Fish and Wildlife, said."We lost several young that were just learning to fly," McCloskey said. "The bridge is a mile-something long, and I don't know how rapidly you can take something like that down. But if the birds are actively nesting, you need to wait until they are fledged and gone."]

When the Cline Avenue bridge is razed, a pair of peregrine falcons could be in the market for a new home.

Peregrine falcons have lived underneath the road, and in some of the bridge's expansion joints, since 1989. The medium-sized hawks are protected as an endangered species in Indiana, though the peregrine falcon was removed from the federal list in 1999.State officials from the Indiana
Department of Natural Resources say biologists may place nesting boxes near the Cline Avenue site to serve as an alternative home for the falcons. Adult peregrine falcons are mostly tied to the site when they nest in March and April, said John Castrale, an Indiana DNR biologist.

Castrale isn't sure whether the Cline Avenue falcons are nesting in a portion of the bridge that could be torn down. He checks on the peregrine falcons every year and their nest has moved from time to time.

The Indiana Department of Transportation permanently closed the bridge in late December but hasn't committed to a timetable for its demolition. Castrale plans to work with INDOT on the timing of the demolition to ensure the falcons aren't disturbed.

"If they lose one nest, it's not a big deal, but we will work to minimize impact," Castrale said. "You can't really move peregrine falcons because they have a mind of their own."

In the past, nesting boxes have proven successful, but Castrale said there's no guarantee the trays will be used.

"If the (peregrine falcons) find that there is a lot of disturbance going on, they'll look for an alternative site," Castrale said.

Spotting the peregrine falcons on Cline is usually a matter of luck for Castrale. He visits the site where they nest, which in recent years has been northwest of the Indiana Harbor and Ship Canal, about three or four times on his annual visit before he can spot them.

"You're lucky to see them fly into an expansion joint," Castrale said. "In the more recent years, babies ready to fly have come to the edge of the nesting site to test their wings out."

The Cline Avenue peregrine falcons have used up to two separate nesting sites, said Elizabeth McCloskey with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. She has noticed the birds in a large expansion joint near the Dickey Road exit but isn't sure of the second site's location.

"I knew how bad the bridge was about a year ago when we were contacted about repairing it," McCloskey said. "We told them if they were going to do repair work on it you should close off the areas where the peregrines nest."

Though there's no set timetable to demolish the bridge, INDOT wouldn't be able to take the peregrine falcons' section down if the birds were actively nesting because the action would violate the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, McCloskey said.

The end of the Cline Avenue bridge could also spell the end of what Carolyn Marsh of Whiting calls the highlight of her bird-watching career.

For more than 20 years, Marsh has participated in a peregrine falcon watch group at the Cline Avenue bridge.

Knowing the bridge will be demolished gives her a sick feeling.

"We've been watching the peregrines all the way from 1990," Marsh said. "I spent hours out there watching them coming and going in crevices."

Along with Cline Avenue, U.S. Steel in Gary has an active peregrine falcon population. In all, 56 chicks have fledged, or lived long enough to grow feathers and wing muscles, at the Cline Avenue site in East Chicago, according to data released by the DNR.

Years ago, there were problems with young falcons being hit by trucks along the Cline Avenue expanse, Elizabeth McCloskey, of U.S. Fish and Wildlife, said.

"We lost several young that were just learning to fly," McCloskey said. "The bridge is a mile-something long, and I don't know how rapidly you can take something like that down. But if the birds are actively nesting, you need to wait until they are fledged and gone."

Sir David Attenborough heads to Antarctica   Published: 8:00AM Friday January 08, 2010
Naturalist Sir David Attenborough plans to leave Christchurch this morning for Antarctica to film his latest project.

Attenborough, 83, is best known for his Life series, documenting hidden and remote regions.

His crew's latest venture is a series of seven one-hour programmes about the North Pole and the South Pole called The Frozen Planet.

In Christchurch last night, Attenborough said he had twice been prevented from reaching Antarctica because of poor weather.

On Wednesday, he and some crew members left for the Ice at 6am, but could not land and flew back to Christchurch.

Yesterday, they were due to leave at 6am, but were then told the flight might leave at 9am, and it was eventually cancelled.

Attenborough said waiting for ideal conditions was just part of the job.

"This is what filming is about and this is what happens if you choose to film in the Antarctic. That's the way things go."

His uncertain travel plans meant he had not seen much of the city.

It will be Attenborough's second visit to the Ice. He filmed Life in the Freezer 17 years ago.

Five crews had been filming the new series since October, he said. "We know exactly what we want to do and how long it will take. We just wait until we get the weather and that will be that."

So I will try to upload some pictures I´ve taken in our beach during sunsets. We´ve always got amazing and long lasting sunsets
Hope it works and you enjoy them
Mirta

Beautiful & Warm....thanks so much Mirta and congrats on getting your server finally.  bguitar

[Schmoosing with Famous Brittish Film Maker- Sir David Attenbourough and the Oldest Living Person who worked the longest in Antarctica - Charles Downs @ 86 years old !!!! Had drinks with them last night then took them out to the Pegasus Plane Wreckage today..... Life is Good !!!!!]

Jeff:

Schmoosing with Famous Brittish Film Maker- Sir David Attenbourough and the Oldest Living Person who worked the longest in Antarctica - Charles Downs @ 86 years old !!!! Had drinks with them last night then took them out to the Pegasus Plane Wreckage today..... Life is Good !!!!!

I'll say "Life is good"

Jeff and Sir David Attenbourough and Charlie Downs. How lucky can a guy get?

Jeff's in the middle..   

http://www.peregrine-foundation.ca/w/2010/01/sightings/raptor-identification-near-banff/

What a beautiful raptor.

What an incredibly beautiful picture of an incredibly beautiful bird.  I've only seen Gyrs in captivity never in the wild.

Lucky Canada!!

We heard about him/her on the local birding list.  June asked me to get some pictures for her.  Whether it's a dye job or not, I hope this Pigeon survives. 

Mee too!!!

Kathy O, Brian H and I visited with the Green Pigeon last weekend.

http://picasaweb.google.com/libbymybird/GreenPigeonIrondequoitNY?feat=directlink

Wow...fantastic pics of that Green pigeon. How did you all find out about him/her? Is this the first in your area? He doesn't look dyed to me. See Carol, you don't miss anything either... 

THANKS!!

LOL Donna.  You catch everything!  

Looks like a way of getting up on the roof of the Blue Cross Arena (aka Rochester War Memorial).  Disney on Ice is going to be there this weekend.

I know, I'm so nosey...sheesh.     Is anyone going to see Disney on Ice?

It has nothing to do with Falcons. Just some guy on the roof of the building across from TS. He goes up and there's a black box thingie up there, then they both disappear. Hmmm

(movie) Is that an escape hatch?

I know I.m very lucky. A good friend of mine is so jealous about all the Cardinals I get.  She doesn't keep her feederes filled all the time. Usually when I visit her I help her fill them. I tell her feed them and they will come!

I have 4 very cute Chickadees....oh I love them and they are not afraid either. They sit right there when I fill my feeders..

    Yes 18, that's my highest amount to date. Other winters I 've had as many as 13. It amazes me how much nature there is in the city. I've seen more wildlife here than when I lived in the country.  Woodchucks,racoons,possums, all kinds of birds.There was even a female deer running through the neighborhood a couple of times!

Yeah I get the Coons and possums here too...they love my cat food but that's about it. I would love to see 18 Cardinals....I love their *Chirp* *Tweet* *Click* whatever it is they do. Your lucky.

[18?]

I have had trouble in the past getting Cardinals to eat the safflower, but this years' group seems to really like it. I love the Cardinals.  I had 18 of them a couple nights ago chowing away!

  18? I have 2 all year and that's it! Mom and dad. Oh and babies last year.

http://www.peregrine-foundation.ca/w/2010/01/sightings/raptor-identification-near-banff/

What a beautiful raptor.

[PF on St. Joseph's Garage, Clinton Ave. RochesterThis afternoon (2:35 p.m.)I parked at the outdoor garage at Mortimer and N.Clinton, across the street from the 5-6 story St. Joseph's Garage. Getting outof my car (and unfortunately with no binoculars in the car) I saw a PF sittingon the top rail of the St. Joseph's garage, facing north (i.e. away from me). Icalled Carol P - which, of course, ensured that just as I reported the sightingto her, the PF took off, flying north. Seconds later it (I assume it was thesame one but did lose sight for a few seconds) headed south on Clinton flyingstraight and flat at about the third floor level. I thought from my initialsighting that it's back had the slate grey coloring of an adult, but on thefly-by the under-coloring appeared more brown, like a one-year juvie, so I'mnot sure which it was.Perhaps someone is moving a few blocks east after the tussle with Beauty.DianaR.]

Diana R's post on KFC, prob after the battle: Jan 14

PF on St. Joseph's Garage, Clinton Ave. Rochester

This afternoon (2:35 p.m.)I parked at the outdoor garage at Mortimer and N.
Clinton, across the street from the 5-6 story St. Joseph's Garage. Getting out
of my car (and unfortunately with no binoculars in the car) I saw a PF sitting
on the top rail of the St. Joseph's garage, facing north (i.e. away from me). I
called Carol P - which, of course, ensured that just as I reported the sighting
to her, the PF took off, flying north. Seconds later it (I assume it was the
same one but did lose sight for a few seconds) headed south on Clinton flying
straight and flat at about the third floor level. I thought from my initial
sighting that it's back had the slate grey coloring of an adult, but on the
fly-by the under-coloring appeared more brown, like a one-year juvie, so I'm
not sure which it was.

Perhaps someone is moving a few blocks east after the tussle with Beauty.

DianaR.