Still waiting for the new cams at Harrisburg, but there is a temporary fix. If you go to the site and click on the black pic, it will provide streaming video (although I have found it to be frozen, or down, most of the time so far).

      

      

http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/falcon/default.htm

Beauty spent a long time perched on Mercury:

         

Afternoon visit: she stayed until 5:02 p.m.

      

The owlets a few minutes ago:

Great pics from yesterday, Donna! Love the bridge pic!

Beauty this afternoon:

         

She came back later, when there was very little light left:

   

Beauty's afternoon visit:

         

[December 5, 2012]

A few days ago WINORR took in another hawk who had been shot, the second hawk to be admitted in less than three weeks. This is a juvenile male Red-tailed Hawk.

December 5, 2012

We received this injured redtailed hawk yesterday afternoon. It was picked up in Tremont Park in the Bronx by Parks Dept. landscapers and secured by Sgt. Michael Vincent of the Urban Park Rangers who called me to say he had a hawk with a possible broken wing. I brought it right to our vet and knew shortly after it had been shot. I reported it to the DEC law enforcement later on and today heard back they were aware of a shot hawk and were already on the case . Apparently the hawk flew into a large food warehouse and wasn't able to make it back out and a worker there was witnessed shooting it with a pellet gun "attempting" to shoo it out and accidently shot it instead. Once grounded the bird escaped the building but was lost until luckily found nearby yesterday . The alledged shooter has already been summonsed for intentionally shooting a protected animal and has an upcoming court date. From our experience it is extrememly difficult for agencies to solve crimes like this as birds can sometimes fly even after being shot so are not necessarily found at the original location of the crime but we are very satisfied with this outcome so far. Tomorrow morning the bird will have surgery to remove the pellet which is lodged in the wrist joint and needs to be removed for it to have the best chance for flight and release. The metacarpal bone is fractured but appears to be in good alignment and should heal on its own without surgery.

   

At least in this case they have found the alleged perpetrator, and it does sound as if the hawk will be able to make a good recovery.

I don't know how the other hawk is doing.

I think it was a good decision to provide Haya with a tail-mounted transmitter when she was released. Otherwise, the outcome today might have been different. I'm glad she is safe and being well cared for until she is ready for release again.

Great pics of Quest! Thank you, Donna and nycbird!

A look at the owlets today . . .



 . . . until Mom came home.

Beauty came back in the afternoon; looks as if she has a full crop.

      

[Monday, December 10, 2012]

An unbanded juvie was rescued recently in Columbus. I am so glad they were able to help this beautiful little juvie, and that she could be released. She is now banded black/red 37/U.

Monday, December 10, 2012

Juvenile Peregrine Detours

The day after Thanksgiving an unbanded juvenile peregrine migrating through Central Ohio took a little detour. As the falcon chased prey on the roof of Vet's Memorial in downtown Columbus, it “zigged� when it should have “zagged� and ended up unable to fly. The falcon was admitted to the Ohio Wildlife Center with a suspected fractured coracoid. Luckily, these "collarbone" type injuries usually heal nicely. In less than 2 weeks of "layover" time on its journey it was determined that the injury had indeed healed, the bird's flight was excellent and it was ready to be released to continue on its way.

The peregrine (a feisty female weighing 920 g) was given a second chance at survival when it was released by OWC staff on Thursday, December 6 west of Columbus. The bird launched well, found an updraft, soared for several minutes then headed out of sight to the east/northeast.

Along with the unanticipated stay at OWC, this falcon left the Columbus area with brand new metal leg bands. Even though we don’t know where this bird originated from, now that it has these colorful markers, it can now be tracked at least from its visit to Central Ohio. If it is seen again anywhere during its life and the codes reported, that information will add to what is known about peregrine migration and longevity.

Thanks to all involved at OWC and beyond that had a role in giving this bird a second chance!

   

There are a few more photos on the blog:

http://ohioperegrinefalcons.blogspot.ca/

I hope the Wildlife Center of Virginia will be able to find the cause of the eagle's problems and help him. Hoping for the very best for this poor eagle.

The owlets are so cute!

Mom watching through the foliage:



A view of the owlets:

It is so great to see Haya with a full crop and doing so well on her return to the wild. May she continue to stay safe and thrive.

I can't help thinking that S2 should have been soaring the skies as Haya is . . .