[Long Live the Queen!]

Earlier this month, I found a note in the database about the juvie who was in rehab:

in rehab on 7/20/11; not releasable due to eye problem

Now an update has been posted on the Indy blog: since this little juvie is not releasable, I am glad that she seems to have found a good, safe home.

Long Live the Queen!

Every so often, I get to report on Indiana birds and I am always heartened when the story has a good outcome.  This is one such report.

This year, I know many of you followed the remarkable story of the South Bend falcons, Zephyr and Guinevere.  I’ll refresh your memory if you’ve forgotten (and totally empathize with on the forgetting part) what is so remarkable about this nest.  Zephyr, the resident male for several years at this box, has only one foot.  Yes, a bird that relies on its speed, eyesight and killer talons to survive, seemingly was at a distinct disadvantage in terms of his ability to survive.  And for goodness sakes, how in the world was he going to procreate (a delicate balancing act) and if successful, provide for his family?

Well, happily we know the middle of this story via the world wide web and cameras.  He and his mate ended up with two chicks who went on to fledge.

But is that the end?  Not in the falcon world!   Much as our own lives have ups and downs, so do our feathered friends.  And thanks to the banding of these young peregrines, we sometimes know their stories.   Here’s one I can share with you thanks to the Utopia Wildlife Rehabilitators  (and also courtesy of them, this wonderful picture – be sure to check out their website or like them on Facebook!):

 â€�Meet Queen Wilhelmina, our new education peregrine falcon. She’ll be joining Princess Arabella in our programs, so we have some real royalty here! She hails from South Bend, and was one of two babies fledged from the nest box downtown there. Unfortunately, right after fledging, the volunteer spotters watching the nestbox noticed that she kept getting in trouble when she flew. When she was checked out, it soon became apparent that she has severely limited vision. She knows her enclosure, but she would never survive on her own. We make a point of assuring that she is handed her food so she can find it at feeding time. She eats great, has a sweet personality, and will be great for programs.â€�  Kathy also notes “… she and Princess Arabella, our other peregrine, have made the “bird barnâ€�, where they are housed separately, a much noisier place. They are both really vocal at feeding time!â€�

As we all can probably agree, the best thing would be for her to be free and fulfilling her destiny as a wild creature.  But for me this is the second best outcome.  It makes me so proud that volunteers cared enough to monitor the young fledglings and get QW (Queen Wilhelmina) the help she needed and for her to find such an excellent home.  Thank you Kathy and Carol and everyone who was involved in making this happen for her and for us who care so much about these birds.

I had the privilege of seeing Princess Arabella a couple of weeks ago at the Raptor Rendezvous and she is such a beauty and a show-off too!  I can’t wait to see the two of them together.   Never been around so much royalty in my life!   Dang, I’ll have to practice my curtsy!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

      
And another article:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Utopia-Wildlife-Rehabilitators/120837934653133

[All is Well at MEC]

An update on Infinity: what an incredible recovery she has made. I hope that she will have no long term effects from this event.

All is Well at MEC

Tracy Simpson Reports:

Frank and I decided to check in on Infinity and her mate at the Mississauga Executive Centre today.  When we arrived, one adult was in the air flying lazy circles around the nest building and the other was out of our sight. We watched the airborne bird make two flights around MEC 1, then two more above  the roof of MEC 2, a quick run around MEC 3 and then finally landing on MEC 4. The bird had made a full  recon flight of all four buildings and it was quite a beautiful, lengthy flight in rather strong winds. It turns out that the adult was Infinity showing clearly that there are no lasting effects from her impact  with the tower just 5 days ago. We drove around and found the male on MEC 2 facing the nest box and looking like the king of the world. Infinity then took off and flew over to her nest box and roosted on the top for a good half an hour. After a short nap, she took off and joined the male on MEC 2 who wasn’t going anywhere, especially with the outrageous crop he was showing!! Infinity stayed for a few minutes then headed back to the nest building, this time roosting on the corner of the ledge to the right of the box. The male took off and joined her there where they spent the rest of the afternoon. I can’t remember the last time I have seen a wild pair so happy and contented. It left Frank and I feeling like at that  moment that all was well with the world. It was an “awwâ€� moment!!

      

http://www.peregrine-foundation.ca/w/2011/11/sightings/all-is-well-at-mec/

[An update on the peregrine S2Lierop, Tuesday, November 15, 2011]

A new update on S2, and it is another great one:

An update on the peregrine S2

Lierop, Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Everything is going well with the peregrine S2 at the bird rehabilitation facility at Lierop (Someren).

Today we visited the peregrine, and saw that her recovery is going well. She is using both wings well, although she cannot make very long flights because the enclosure is not large enough. This intermediate step was taken so that she may recover from her fractures in small stages.

In view of her progress, she may perhaps be able to move into the large aviary slightly sooner. We will first consult with the veterinarian Caroline Hommers about this.

The peregrine falcon will now be given a prey every two days; by the end of her stay at the Lierop facility, this will be every two or three days.

We hope that at the end of December she will go to the falconer, and will really be able to start working on her return to the wild.

This new bird rehabilitation facility has been entirely made possible by volunteers, with support from sponsors. It is located at the edge of a campsite, in a heavily wooded and peaceful environment. The accommodations are very good and shielded from the environment in order to minimize any disturbance to the birds, so that they can heal in peace.

The facility cares for birds from all over Southeast Brabant who have become sick or injured in some way. Thus, not only are numerous owls and birds of prey, swans and herons brought in, but also smaller types of birds such as pigeons, blackbirds, crows, waterfowl, etc.

Following their recovery, the birds are released at the place where they were found.

The commitment of the volunteers to run the new rehabilitation facility is very important, but donations to it are very welcome to fund this conservation work.

In the video below, it can be seen that both wing tips are being held at the same height above the tail. After she takes off, you can still see that her "elbow" sticks out a little, but after a few seconds, this is once again aligned with her body.



http://www.vwggemertslechtvalk.nl/nieuws/64-update-slechtvalk-s2.html

Thank you, Annette and Dumpsterkitty! I think you're right - this must be Tiago. This peregrine didn't look like Rhea Mae to me, but didn't look quite like Tiago either, and I can usually see both bands.

I'm not sure who this is at the nest; I can't really see a band on the left leg:

   

[The peregrine S2 at SomerenGemert, Saturday, November 5, 2011]

Another new update on S2 today:

The peregrine S2 at Someren

Gemert, Saturday, November 5, 2011

It was planned that on Tuesday November 1, S2 would go to the vet to have X-rays taken. This agreement, however, did not work out and it was changed to Thursday, November 3. That evening, the veterinarian Caroline Hommers took two new X-rays of her wing. Caroline was very impressed with the recovery, and said that the fractures and the holes left by the pins which had been removed were growing together very well. There is new bone forming, and everything looks good. The loose fragment has continued to fuse together, which further increases its strength. S2 appears to feel well, and she has practiced a lot in recent weeks. With seeming ease, she is able to fly straight to a perch at a height of 2 meters. She then relaxes her wing, and occasionally even lets it droop, but she has also been unable to use it for more than two months. We hope that over the next few weeks she will have fewer problems. Caroline gave the green light the following day for S2 to be moved into a larger flight at Someren to work on her recovery. VWG Gemert and Caroline Hommers have decided after consultation that she must first stay in a slightly smaller enclosure, and then will move into the large flight. As in human physiotherapy, the bones and muscles must gradually continue to be strengthened.

Friday, November 4th was the big day, and S2 went to Nistelrode at Someren! At 13:00 hours, shelter keeper and caregiver Wim van Lith placed S2 in the transport box in the presence of Luc Enting, who made a documentary film of S2. When we arrived at Someren, we were surprised by a large crowd of interested parties, including camera crews, photographers, journalists and representatives of local authorities. In the video broadcast from Brabant, you can see that S2 has been placed in a fairly large enclosure. In about three weeks, Caroline will once again visit S2 and will take X-rays to determine whether she can move into the large flight. Here she will be able to practice for a few weeks and see if she can manage longer flights. If everything goes well, then she may go to a falconer to prepare her for her return to the wild.

Next week we will make a video and take some pictures of her in the new enclosure. For now, here is the video of her move to Nistelrode at Someren.

VWG Gemert wishes to assist the veterinarians and caregivers to meet the costs which have been incurred, and to this end will soon make ​​donations which will be divided among them. If you would like to continue to suppoer their work and our work, donations are always welcome; you may also donate directly to the Landhorst veterinary clinic and/or to the bird shelter at Someren.

VWG Gemert

http://www.vwggemertslechtvalk.nl/nieuws/60-mijn-belevenissen-van-3-en-4-november.html

[The peregrine S2 is moved]

New updates on S2; I am very glad that she is doing so well.

The peregrine S2 is moved

SOMEREN - With pain in his heart, caregiver Wim van Lith released the peregrine S2, who is from the nest at the De Mortel tower, to her new temporary home.

At the Someren Bird Rehabilitation Foundation, she will continue her recuperation from surgery.

And a little later:

LIEROP - The famous peregrine S2 from the tower at De Mortel was moved on Friday to the Someren Bird Rehabilitation Foundation. In July 2011, the peregrine was shot and her wing was seriously injured.

Surgery was performed on the wing in August. Thanks to the efforts of veterinarians and shelters, S2 has almost recovered and can now continue her rehabilitation in an outdoor enclosure at the Someren Bird Rehabilitation Foundation at Fens in Lierop.

Three weeks in a small flight

Because she must not place too much stress on her wings, she will remain in a small aviary for the next three weeks. One of the veterinarians who performed surgery on S2 will then examine her and take X-rays. Probably, the raptor will then be able to move into a larger flight.

The peregrine has hundreds of thousands of fans

The peregrine falcon has hundreds of thousands of fans around the world. This is due to the webcam which has been located for years at her nest box in De Mortel. Because of the number on her leg band, the Internet audience calls her S2.

Video:

http://www.omroepbrabant.nl/?video/71833602/Slechtvalk+S2+revalideert+bij+Vogelasiel+Someren.aspx&action=media

Radio clip:

http://www.omroepbrabant.nl/?audio/125155792/slechtvalk+verhuisd.aspx

[The peregrine S2 will arrive at Someren on Friday]

My translation of today's updates:

Dated November 2:

The peregrine S2 will arrive at Someren on Friday

SOMEREN - On Friday the Someren Bird Rehabilitation Foundation will receive with open arms the peregrine S2 from De Mortel, who had been shot.

In a so-called 'outdoor flight' the bird will be able to recover from her surgery. The peregrine falcon, who is followed by many bird lovers by means of a webcam at the De Mortel tower, was shot in July.

The veterinarian Caroline Hommers stabilized the wing with external pins, and the bird has recovered sufficiently to be moved into a larger space for rehabilitation.

Volunteers at the Someren Bird Rehabilitation Foundation - at its new home on the Somerense Fens site - must go to work quickly on the new space. The Foundation is still in the middle of the move.

The facility could not continue at its old location on the Avenue Boerkamp.

Birds were until recently referred to the bird shelter in Zundert.

Source: Eindhoven Newspaper

With today's date:

The progress of peregrine S2

Landhorst, Thursday, November 3, 2011

On Thursday, November 3rd, we went with the peregrine S2 to visit the veterinarian Caroline Hommers.

X-rays were taken, and the wing was checked. The pictures clearly show that the fractures are healing well, new bone is forming around the fractures and everything looks hopeful.

In consultation with the veterinarian we decided that the peregrine would not immediately be moved into an outside flight, but would be placed first of all in a smaller flight. This space is much larger than the one in which she now resides. After about 2 or 3 weeks X-rays will once again be taken, and then she will move into the larger outside flight. Given the good progress that S2 is making, we must now ensure that we do not go too fast and ask too much of her.

At the moment, she can fly several times in succession to a height of two meters; in the new flight from tomorrow on she will be able to exercise more and more and work on her recovery.

On Saturday, November 5 we will make a video of her and post some pictures of her move and the new residence.

VWG Gemert

[13 Jul 2011]

The missing chick has been found. There was an article in the South Bend Tribune, which I can't access (apparently due to "inappropriate content" (?). I can only access this:

13 Jul 2011 – SOUTH BEND -- The peregrine falcon chick that went missing last week downtown ... said the chick was found Monday morning next to the AT&T ...

I'm glad the missing juvie has been found, and was returned to the nest box.

It is very sad to lose Leopold, one of the iconic tiercels. Last year we lost the other venerable tiercel named Leopold, and now we have lost both of them.

I hope Millie will be able to care for the chicks successfully on her own. I think returning them to her in shifts is a good idea.

Leopold was a very handsome tiercel, and very successful, having raised 33 chicks over the years.

Sassy was taken to rehab, but very sadly, we lost her on February 20.

Sassy just before going to rehab:



Phoebe prepared her other nest for more eggs, and laid her first egg yesterday.

   

Late in the evening of February 24, Snowflake returned to the nest with her face covered with something dark, which appeared to be blood. She seemed somewhat dazed and confused; her eyes were almost closed. She did incubate the eggs for a short time, but has now ceased to incubate.

From Dave Madonna, who is at the Valmont Plant, and who does a great job of watching over the owls:

Thanks for your support and concern for the Valmont GHO's.  The adult female is currently perched outside the nest just out of the camera's view.  Observing her with binoculars from about 100 yards away, she appears to have dried blood on her face.  The adult male is roosting in a favorite spot directly below the nest and he appears to be healthy. There has been a third GHO, probably female based on size, in the immediate area for over a week.  I am speculating that the nesting female got into a territorial fight with the intruder last night.  There has been no sign of the third owl today.  Hopefully, the female's injuries are superficial and she will recover quickly. 

GHO's have been nesting at the Valmont power plant for over 30 years.  In the 13 years I have been watching them, only 1 nest has failed, although there has been plenty of excitement.  They are  remarkably adaptable.  The nest cameras give us incredible insight into the challenges they face.  Their three eggs are almost certainly nonviable after being exposed for so long.   They may possibly lay a second clutch in two weeks or so like they did several years ago.   

Be assured that we are keeping a close watch on the owls. I will submit another post if anything significant occurs here. Thanks again for your support.

Dave Madonna

I hope that Snowflake will recover from her injuries quickly, and that she and Dan will be able to lay a second clutch. She looked a little better today.

         

The falcons at this site are Spirit and Roger. Spirit, band black/green 93/E, was born in 2004 at the Hilliard Road Bridge site in the Cleveland area to the great Buckeye and his mate Hillary. She had three siblings, Turbo, Pulse and Mystic. Turbo died very shortly after fledging; Mystic was found later that summer with a fractured wing, but she did not survive surgery. Pulse was not seen for three years, but in March 2007 he showed up at the Cathedral of Learning nest in Pittsburgh, where the resident falcons were Dorothy and Erie, the parents of Beauty in Rochester. Pulse fought a territorial battle with Erie in the nest box, and Erie killed him.

Spirit is the only survivor of this clutch. Her mate, Roger, is unbanded.

Last year, the pair had two chicks, Polly and her brother Algo. In August, Polly somehow sustained a severe leg injury, from which she has been struggling to recover. She is still at the nest with her parents.

A few updates on Polly from the blog:

From August 17:

As I mentioned last week, poor Polly still has an injured foot. I have made several attempts to capture her with the intention of taking her to the rehabilitation centre for birds of prey at St-Hyacinthe, but without success. Still, I have not given up . . .

From September 19:

In spite of numerous attempts to capture Polly and have her cared for, my efforts failed and I have had to give up on the idea, due to lack of time. The good news is that she seems to have adapted to her handicap fairly well, since she has managed to survive so far. I see the juvies less and less; I am really quite surprised to see them still in the area. I would have thought that they would have left long before this!

And from December 1:

I have not seen Algo since mid-October. It seems that he has left his parents' territory, or at least he no longer visits the Tower.

On the other hand, to my great astonishment, young Polly comes to perch on the Tower regularly. She still has the problem with her right foot; however, I see a slight improvement when she is in flight. At first her foot hung down like a dead weight, while now it is bent back a little. She can also move her toes and use them a little bit, as you can see in this video taken on November 19.

It seems clear to me that her handicap has slowed down her ability to learn to hunt, and thus her departure has been delayed . . . I am nevertheless hopeful that she will be able to fend for herself during the next few months, because she seems to be in good condition. I am fairly sure that she is now able to catch prey for herself.

Roger and Spirit show absolutely no aggression towards her, but neither do they show any particular interest in her . . .

The blog entry for September 29, 2009 has a short video of Polly. She was barely able to walk.

Polly at the nest:

   

Roger at the nest:

 

Many more great photos of Dundas may be found on the Canadian Peregrine Foundation site. Dundas moved from Kitchener to Burlington, and he and his mate had eggs there in 2007. Unfortunately the eggs did not hatch.

Dundas has not been seen since 2008. He was an extremely courageous peregrine.

      

http://www.peregrine-foundation.ca/burlington/BurlPhotos07.html

There is a new nest at Salone in Rome; the falcons there are Appio and Vergine, and they have their first egg! The last two pics were originally posted by Kim in Italy.

http://www.birdcam.it/cam.php?camid=15&subpage=cam15.php