I didn't know either, just said crashed! Thanks  

We were gone all day and I came back to no Forum!  I even messaged Donna to see what was going on! Definite withdrawal! Thanks for fixing it, Shaky! 

[Stiftung PanEco]

A final update about the three young falcons:

Stiftung PanEco
They are not longer at our Bird Sanctuary. They are in freedom and none of them came back. That is a good sign, so they are able to live for their own.

Thanks for the news, Annette!  I'm happy that they did OK after losing their mother.

Well, our Legs, from 101 Hudson in Jersey City, was supposed to be hacked in West Virginia but was deemed unacceptable for release into the wild.  Mike and I learned more details in July.  Normally TriState Bird Rescue and Research would have placed him with another raptor when he came in at a week and a half old, but none were available.  He was by himself.  When he was sent to West Virginia for hacking, he apparently lost his tail feathers, either from sitting on them or from stress by being with the other birds.  The final determination was that he was not relating to the other peregrines and they were shunning him.  So the prognosis for living in the wild was quite low.  He went back to TriState.  They had Phung Luu, an avian free flight specialist trainer with 65 birds, who wanted him.

We spoke with Mr Luu and watched and listened to his free flight commentary.  He makes sure the birds are hungry before training or performing.  His birds have to all be educator birds.  That's what he does.  Educates the public about raptors which includes

But at the Raptor Trust photographers day, they did not feed the birds for being on display.

Aww-poor Legs.  Sorry to hear he's had some tough times and isn't releasable but hopefully he's in a good place now.

8/22/2011 update on Haya & Marina (Hiko's mate & offspring):

Peregrine falcon update: This past week was a very big week for both Haya and Marina. We are very happy to report that after spending two weeks in a large outdoor aviary, Marina's flight improved to the point where she could be transferred to a falconer. The falconer will continue her rehabilitation and will work with her to help rebuild her strength and flight abilities.

Hospital staff radiographed Haya again last week and we are pleased to see that the infection in her wing had healed. Her wing wrap was removed and she was finally able to stretch both her wings in a small aviary. After one week, hospital staff took her to our large aviary to see if she could fly. After looking around for several minutes, Haya cautiously flew across the length of the aviary! It has been almost two and a half months since she was last able to fly. We put her back in her small aviary so she can continue to stretch without overworking her newly-healed wing. Though both birds made great leaps forward in their rehabilitation, they still have a long way to go. We are all hopeful for their recovery and we thank everyone for your continued support.

Here is a wonderful blog by the falconer taking care of Marina:

http://stewartfalcon.wordpress.com/2011/08/23/marina/

Got this update from my friend today:

We left the birds alone last night, but the mother chirped incessantly for a while. She got within a couple of feet from the nest but wouldn't go in. This morning I got up and there were two in the nest -they were both dead. I have no idea what happened to the third one. I felt so bad,they were darling little things. Sometimes nature is cruel.
 

We were in Rochester at the time but online friends said they could feel it here-25 mi. west of Rochester.

I told her what everyone said and will let you know what happens.

Thanks! I'll reassure her that leaving them alone is the right thing to do.

This is from a local friend-I'm putting it out there although I told her to leave it alone, the mother will eventually take care of them.

Everyone, I need help! The wind knocked over a robin's nest today and there are 3 babies in it. Just a few feathers, certainly not able to fly. We put the nest back into the tree, and the mother seems to know where it is, but she won't get into it. I dug worms for them tonight and they went right to sleep. What can I do with them if the mother doesn't come back? Is there anywhere around here that takes in baby birds?

Maybe a stupid question, but why make a perfectly healthy Peregrine educational?  Was there something wrong with her that they made her an educational bird?  ???

She (and Nova, I would guess) were probably hatched to be "falconer's birds" and were imprinted on humans right away, so they wouldn't be suitable for release.  Birds that are hatched in captivity with the intention of release into the wild are kept from seeing the humans feeding them. 

I guess I always figured educational birds were injured in some way.  If they were hatched to be Falconer birds then why isn't she one? Falconry birds are imprinted aren't they-seeing as they're closely associated with their handler?

How sad for the poor baby.

Can't watch it but reading it made me sick.  Horrible, sick human beings.

Maybe a stupid question, but why make a perfectly healthy Peregrine educational?  Was there something wrong with her that they made her an educational bird?  ???

Good thing I hit preview Ei, I had all the same pics and almost the same captions!    Posted the same on FB...lol

 

First time I've seen him live in a LONG time!

Wow-so he is still around!  Wonder what he's been up to lately?  Maybe packing his bags and getting his passport in order? 

Really great videos, Ei, and it looks like you had a great tour there.  It's such a wonderful place to visit.