[December 23 update]

Today's update on NX:

December 23 update

The vet staff continue to catch up NX each day to monitor her bandages and change as needed.  NX continues to eat well — she’s now weighing in at 4.09 kgs!

Just checked the midwest database-I think they have Sparky listed at the wrong nest site.  The band is B/G S/75, but they have her hatched at Hilliard Rd.  3 are listed as hatched & banded at Bayshore, but only 2 birds are shown.  

And notes from CMNH forum:

C&C: MIFan: We were told by DOW that her bands are S/75, although the data doesn't match up in the archives. The archives say it's "Sparky" from '08 Hilliard, which isn't accurate-- that was the year of Mystic (S/22) there. S/74 is Ravine from '08 I-480 nest, and S/76 is "Pelligrina" from '08 Toledo, so this female's ID remains a mystery.

MIfan:C had & Chris: Thank you so much for responding and thanks for the banding info ... I've updated my records with it.

My notes show Sparky S/75 is from 2008 Oregon-Bay Shore Power Plant (Toledo), so maybe we do know who she is!
----------------------------
I'll update my bands in the family tree...

I am beginning to wonder if Sparky is actually the female at the Lakeshore nest. She definitely was not from Hilliard. I can't seem to find any records of what actually happened in 2008 at the Bayshore Power Plant.

One addition to the information on Millie's 2010 chicks; the female who was found on the ground in poor condition, banded black/red 77/E, was given a name - Atira. It sounds as if she was released:

From the Midwest Peregrine site:

Bird was collected on ground in August - emaciated but no other injuries. Banded before release.

[December 14 update]

I hope Buddy's eyes will not cause him any problems.

The most recent update on NX:

December 14 update

NX weighed in at 3.82 kgs today — she continues to eat well.  The wound on her right carpus continues to heal slowly — Dr. Miranda is checking and changing the small dressing over her wound daily.

Great photos of Quest! What a beauty she is.

Thank you for the update on Stormin. It's good to know that he is there.

Lakeshore Power plant...why is that ringing a bell?  Is one of "ours" nesting there?  Or offspring of? 

Was that where Archer's sister Millie ended up?  I can't access all my notes on the family tree from here...she had eyases with Swifty in Oregon, OH in 2006 & 2007.  She then went on to Leopold in Monroe MI in 2009 & 2010.  Hmmm....

The resident male at the Lakeshore Power Plant is Michelin, banded black/green B/94. He was born at the I-480 Valley View Bridge nest site in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, in 2008. His mate is Sparky, banded S/75, from the Oregon-Bay Shore Power Plant in Toledo, Ohio, also born in 2008. In 2010, Michelin was also the resident male, and Sparky was probably the resident female, although her bands were only partially read at that time. I don't know of any connection to the Rochester peregrines.

Millie, banded black 81/K, was at the Monroe Power Plant nest in Monroe, Michigan. In 2010 she and Leopold had four chicks, one male and three females. Three of the juvies spent time in rehab and were banded; two females, Lindsay, black/red 75/E and Randi, black/red 76/E, and one male, Dave, black/red 07/C. Leopold was found on the ground on June 16, 2010 and died on the following day of a skin-eating bacteria in the crop.

In August, 2010, the remaining juvie, who was unbanded, was found in very poor condition, extremely emaciated. She was not named, but was banded black/red 77/E. She was expected to be released by the end of September 2010, but I have not seen any further updates on her.

I haven't been able to find 2011 updates on Millie so far.

Thank you for the update, Kat! It's always good to hear news of Quest.

[December 12 update]

Today's update on NX:

December 12 update

NX continues to remain bright, alert, and feisty. She is eating well and finished up her course of medications over the weekend. Dr. Miranda decided to change the treatment procedure for NX’s right carpal [wrist] wound; on Saturday, Dr. Miranda applied a small, moist bandage to the area in hopes of encouraging the dry, scabby wound to heal more efficiently.

   

[S2 will not be released in the near futureGemert, Thursday, December 8, 2011]

My translation of the latest update on S2:

S2 will not be released in the near future

Gemert, Thursday, December 8, 2011

Contrary to earlier reports, the peregrine S2 will not be released soon into the wild. The plan now is that S2 will not be released before, but after, the breeding season.

The Vogelwerkgroep Gemert has made this decision after consultation with some experts.

Until recently, everything was designed to release S2 as soon as possible, based on the idea, the sooner the better. We also wanted to make every effort to release S2 well before the breeding season in order to avoid a repetition of what happened in 2007. Now the veterinarian Caroline Hommers has indicated that the final phase of rehabilitation - the conditioning of the falcon by a falconer - could almost begin; we hope that this could still take place.

From the consultation with the falconer, it became clear that for the training (in order to create and gain confidence), another three months should be taken into account. That means that if this were to begin now, S2 could be released at the end of February. This is not only just before the breeding season, but also in the middle of the mating period. During this time of year, hormone levels for peregrines are at their highest, and territorial battles are at their most intense. And that has been demonstrated by S2 herself in 2007. It is estimated by the falconer that no matter how well S2 may have been rehabilitated, she will be no match for her opponent, and possibly even on the same day she (literally) will get the worst of it.

His advice is therefore to release S2 after the breeding season. In July and August territorial behavior is much less intense, and peregrine falcons tolerate each other much better. Also, territorial battles may take place at any time, but the likelihood that the falcon who loses may be able to leave the battlefield without physical injury is much greater.

Peter Geneijgen of the Netherlands Peregrine Group supports this view, and BirdLife Netherlands concurs with this approach.

The Vogelwerkgroep Gemert has therefore decided not to release S2 in February, in the heat of battle, to more or less throw her to the lions, but to give her a better chance by releasing her after the breeding season. This gives us the opportunity to ensure that she is even better prepared physically. S2 and all her followers will therefore have to be patient.

With the many donations from the Netherlands and around the world which have been made to VWG Gemert's bank, we will be able to provide compensation to the veterinarians and caretakers of the peregrine S2.

Donations

We would like to thank all donors from the Netherlands and abroad for their contribution to the care, treatment and recovery of the peregrine S2.

Special thanks to:

Slechtvalken Forum Nederland in cooperation with the BCAW forum for their global fundraising.

Donations are always welcome for the care, treatment and recovery of the peregrine S2 and for the protection of peregrine falcons in general.

Donations may be transferred to:

From abroad:

Bic: RABONL2U
Iban: NL61RABO0155098950

From the Netherlands:

Rabobank 1550.98.950 Tnv Vogelwerkgroep Gemert, Trade, Specifying: Peregrine S2

There is a video at the link below:

http://www.vwggemertslechtvalk.nl/nieuws/67-s2-niet-op-korte-termijn-vrij.html

I just found the beautiful photos of Linn and Mariah. What an incredible resemblance!

Great to know that Linn and Reuben are still around - thank you, Big Frank!

It's great to know Quest and Kendal are still around. Thank you, Kat!

That was the year Mariah laid six eggs. Sadly, only three chicks survived; Rhea Mae, Sabrina and Aura. Mariah demonstrated how courageous she is, and Kaver showed was an incredible tiercel he was.

I can't wait to read your stories from 2006, Carol P.!

[December 6 update]

A new update on NX; it sounds encouraging.

December 6 update

Dr. Miranda reports that NX is doing well — the subcutaneous emphysema over her chest seems to be getting much better.  NX did eat last night and kept her meal down.  Since NX is eating well, the veterinary team will be putting her p.m. medications in her food to avoid having to grab her up twice a day.

Very sad news. Thank you for the update, Kris. 

I am glad to know that Stormin is still around. I hope that he and Haven will have a great year in 2012.