Hey Sage.  Kathy O, Dana, Dan and I will be heading to CT early tomorrow morning.

If you can email me later with emergency phone #'s and contacts that would be great.  Hopefully it won't be needed, but I like to be prepared.

Also, the names and band colors of the young ones?

Thanks!  We look forward to helping out.

Take care,
Carol

[C]

Today was one of several of heavy rainstorms, mist and no untoward activities.  Everytime the rain started up, Cinnamon and Kate would suddenly get active, flapping their wings, moving around, giving us anxious moments that they would start out in the downpour.  Fortunately, they didn't!  Sunshine also gave us a few minutes of breath-holding, when she landed on top of the "C" of the Sheraton Centre sign, at the beginning of one heaviest downpours.  She was having trouble holding her balance, her wings were going like mad and she as slipping down the front of the "C"...  It was really frightening, for her, I'm sure, but for Zoe and I on the ground, too!!  Fortunately, she finally got a grip on something, held on and after the rain abated, gave several massive shakes, sending water flying and finally took to the air, with confidence!

The most extraordinary two episodes I witnessed today were of Sunshine learning the finer points of receiving food from her dad, Tiago, in mid flight!!  I was fortunate, both times, to be up on the 43rd floor, watching it all unfold right in front of me.  The first one was a bit sloppy, but totally successful...until Sunshine tried to land, with this small bird in her talons.  To put it nicely, she skidded somewhat, but finally came to a halt and then took the food out of my sight.  But the second try was magnificent!!!  Sunshine chased up on Tiago, squawking at her amazing volume, turned right upside down as she reached her dad, reached up and deliberately took the Starling from him.  All coolly calculated, very precise!!  I'm sure my mouth was hanging open, as I saw the whole thing unfold!!  Then she righted herself and landed on a fairly wide ledge, doing so deliberately and then looked around as if to say, "Hey, I'm soooo cool!!"!!  The funny thing was her handling of the prey.  Instead of plucking it, she dragged it around a bit and then eviscerated it, pulling out bits and pieces, enjoying them immensely!!  Oh well, she'll get the hang of that skill, too, and it was so great to see her enjoying her reward!!

Anne in Toronto 

Very nice report Anne!  Aren't food transfers cool!  Thanks very much!   

Well, I feel pretty silly now! The vantage point I have is angled, so the concrete section that sticks out from the building was blocking my view of Harlequin, who was nestled in the corner. Oh boy...is this what it's going to be like when she tries to fly?! I don't know if I have the nerves for this!!

Kat - You are officially a Falcon-mom now.  It never gets any easier I'm afraid and when Harlequin is ready to fledge, you'll be  

Remember, they are built for speed.  Their first flights are usually ok, but they tire quickly and they have no idea how to land.  We have seen many fledglings miss landings and hit windows and buildings and slide down roofs.  All you can do is keep an eye on her and help if needed.

My guess for a first flight will be directly at your building.  Are there ledges on your windows?  Someone may get a visitor.  If this happens, make sure everyone knows to not get too close to her.  It may scare her and force her to take off again before she's ready.  Once she lands (hopefully safely), she'll rest for a little while before trying again.  Thankfully there are not a lot of tall, glass covered buildings around you, like Rhea Mae's little ones have to deal with.
 
Quest and Kendal will attempt to get her to fly again, with fly-bys and food.  She will fly again, when she's ready.

After those first flights, she'll get stronger and learn to land on those big yellow feet.

I won't lie.  Watching a Peregrine fledge is not easy on the nerves, but it won't be long before she is flying strong, chasing mom and dad and snatching food from them mid-air.  It is so incredible to witness this.

Enjoy!  I envy you.  

and please do not hesitate to ask any questions.  The CPF will be with you all the way.

Carol P.

 

Debbie H said they added a wing to Mercury's leg the day of Harlie's banding. Must have been the missing piece.

I thought it looked a bit strange.

I noticed this yesterday when I was parked on the Broad St. bridge.  It looks very strange.  Plus they must have fixed the other winged foot with copper, because it was really shining in the sun.  Plus I thing they did something to the wing on his hat.

Bottomline, it looked like a patch job to me.   

Thanks for the info, Joyce.  I'm afraid someone will lower the blind behind Harlie or do something to startle her.  Do Canada's pefa kids all leave the box so early?  I like our nest boxes with their flight decks, roofs and perches much better.  

Last year the CT fledglings and ledglings were easy to find and I could always find them.  Please let me know if you see them all.  Sorry about your pefa-mobile too.     Besides the car being out of commission, I've been feeling crummy and can't keep up the pace either.    Last year we'd be out for hours making the rounds and go back out in the evening.  Can't do it this year.  

Sage - I'm so sorry you're not feeling well.

Kathy O, Lisa, Dana and I were at CT for about an hour last night on our way home from Canada.  All four eyases were still at the nest box, two inside and two below.  Definitely all four.  Stash and Stella were flying around quite a bit.  Stash did a drop and dash feeding to the two below the nest box around 7:20 pm.  

Stash and Stella were very agitated by something on the right side of the main terminal bldg.  Stooping quite low multiple times, so we walked over to investigate.  First we thought someone might have a dog, Pefas do not like dogs!  But, long story short, there were two kids up on top of the lower roofs, drinking what looked like (to me) a 3/4 filled bottle of whiskey.  

Bldg security came over and the state troopers were called in.  The kids took off.  Lisa went over and let them know what we had seen and explained that the Falcons had been bothered by these intruders.  They were very concerned and would take measures to keep them out.

It was dark by the time we got over to the Statler.  But, even in the low light, we could see what appeared to be three juvies tucked in on the building ledges near the nest box.

Then on to UB for a quick look before heading home.  It was way too dark to see anything.  All was quiet.

Oh, and Lisa spotted one on a light pole as we drove over the Grand Island Bridge.

Like Joyce said, Dan is very interested in joining us for a watch and we're hoping to get him to join us on Saturday.  We'll help as much as we can.

Take care and feel better,
Carol P.

Wow! Couldn't tell if it was Quest or Kendal (I think Quest, though), but I just witnessed a fantastic aerial battle between falcon and seagull. The seagull persisted for quite some time and there were many loops and dives: acrobatics galore! Like watching a scene from Top Gun (well...sort of!). Finally they flew off in opposite directions, but I thought that seagull was going to wind up on the ground. Amazing.

Could it be that Harlequin is demanding "bigger dinner"?

Welcome to the forum Kat.   

Oh, and by the way, I did find Beauty downtown tonite.  She's just fine.

We saw the tweet...  ...and thanks!

You're very welcome.  This is all definitely a team effort.  Good job EVERYONE!   

Oh, and by the way, I did find Beauty downtown tonite.  She's just fine.

Fly Free William.   

Fly Safe Cinnamon, Kate and Sunshine.   

!!! William found
June 19, 2011 - Toronto - Sheraton Centre
Harry Crawford Reports:
After checking a dozen or more roof
tops, I found him on the south ledge of the lower level portion of
the Sheraton Centre. 

  He had me worried, but there are SO many places to hide around there.  So he made it from the ledge, across the street & back, though lower down.  Hopefully safely back to the nest ledge soon!

 

Awesome News!!!  Woohoo!

 

So what do you guys think. Banding day. Quest full body contact? I say yes.

Probably.  Just hope no one is hurt, falcon or person.   

They made fun of Rhea Mae and all her eating, now look at her!  (Shut up Shaky!)   

has anyone been in touch with the Harlequin or CPF people?  I'm sure they are aware of it.
Maybe there is building maintenance being done ?  Poor Quest.

I don't think anyone is suppose to do anything unless CPF is notified. After all, Quest and family are protected!

That's what I thought, Donna.  Could it be an early preparation for Tuesday's banding?  Maybe they are trying to acclimate Quest to "things"  that are coming?

Hopefully, they wouldn't spook her twice like that. Where's all the contacts?

Isn't Carol P in contact with someone at Harlequin?

I am, but have no internet access at work.  Didn't receive any texts or phone calls, so this is the first I've heard about it.

Look at those wings!  I am SOOOOO happy they put in a new cam this year!

Just beautiful!  Thanks for posting Ei!