This news is very troubling.  Around 20 pigeons and other birds have been found dead in downtown Utica over the past weekend.  I'm hoping for the best for Astrid and Ares. 

http://www.uticaod.com/article/20151123/NEWS/151129807

You can really see their size difference in these pics. 

 

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2015/11/20/dead-birds-dot-lake-ontario-shoreline/76101164/

Thanks Alison.  Those are gorgeous pictures! 

As for Tardy, Cilla says:

No sign of little Tardy yet, but I haven’t given up hope.  Just fledged juveniles have often disappeared for five days or more before finding their way back to the roost.

Apart from Aspro, who fell out of the nest in a storm last year and was never found, and one who hurt her leg during hunting-training, we have always had success with our fledglings finding their way in the world, so let’s keep hoping and looking.

I am more confident about Tardy than I was about Aspro.  Aspro was blown out of the nest when he wasn't ready. Tardy fledged intentionally and his takeoff was strong.

Remember that this nestbox is part of a research study and those who run it are scientists.  They strike me as being a bit more detached than we are. They also seem to be much more interested in the development of the eyasses than they are in the development of the fledglings.   Perhaps that is the focus of the study.  

Another thing I have found interesting is that if a fledgling is okay but in an area that they feel is not safe, they don't hesitate to move it themselves.  They're much more willing to initiate physical contact with the birds.  I'm guessing that's because they don't have enough watchers and the people they do have don't have enough time to devote to watching for hours on end.  

Finally, the area they are searching, although it's on a college campus, looks like it's not an urban setting and has a lot more trees than we have here.  Maybe there are more places for fledglings to hide there.    

I have a feeling that Diamond and Bula know where Tardy is and that he is fine, but just the same, I'd like confirmation.  

Me too, MAK.  After Luzerne died I would see him all by himself over at ST on my commute to and from work and I would think that he looked lonely.  I know that is anthropomorphizing, but I couldn't help it. I hope he's okay and that he just moved on when Mr. Yellow Tape a/k/a 99 a/k/a Seth came on the scene. 

Me too!   

Cute!    Thanks, Alison.

Cilla Kinross says:
19 November, 2015 at 6:29 pm
I found what I assumed to be Walga a bit disoriented near the back door to a building this morning and placed her back right in one of the roost trees, using a ladder to get her up. I have good photo, but my card reader is at home. This is the tree right at the centre of the copse of trees.

The Third and Final Time

By Scott Banks
With Tumbler’s successful fledging this morning the “empty nest syndrome� begins; very sad to see a quiet eyrie for the first time in weeks… well, that is, all except for the city of flies that the remaining carnage up there has attracted (special high-altitude flies, 50m above the ground!). With some luck I spotted Tumbler up in the trees this afternoon, quietly taking in the world, the breeze in the trees and the ever-circling, and agitated, Diamond who was keeping an eye on her progeny from above and from the nearby tower.

Click here for video of Tumbler's fledge:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFg2YDPJAds&feature=youtu.be

Some interesting history on the peregrine falcon recovery effort.

http://www.aldoleopold.org/post/filling-big-shoes-a-tribute-to-joe-hickey/

What a great photo!  Thanks, Annette.  

I will miss them all.  I hope they are all located and that they all stay safe.

Interesting!  I spotted Times Square, Powers and Wilder, and I think I see the Reynolds Arcade Building as well (built in 1932).  The Aqueduct complex has some buildings that are no longer there, but I recognize at least a few of those buildings. 

Oh my goodness, he/she is gorgeous!!!  Thanks, Alison!!

Wow!  I don't think much of the article, but the comments I saw (the first three) are awesome.