Great pictures, Lou! You really captured the excitement of a fledge.

Paul

I really like snappers! Thanks!

Paul

A crowded nestbox!



Paul

Wow! These are wonderful pictures!

Thanks,

Paul

Craig Koppie is our local raptor guy.  He's been managing peregrines for years, and dealt with every possible situation.  I trust his judgement.

Paul

Woods or valley might not be the worst places for a fledgling to be. Fingers crossed.

Paul

Is this a different chick than the one yesterday?



Paul

We had a long falcon watch yesterday, with me on the Maryland side of the Potomac and Ricardo on the Virginia side. The distance between us was 540 feet, or 166 m, so we each had quite a different vantage point. There was a nest exchange at 7:50 AM with the male heading down to their hunting territory downriver, not to return until 10:30 AM. There was no prey and no nest exchange, the male perching near the box but not going in. When I left at 11:00, Ricardo was watching him perched out of my view on one of the Virginia-side bridge supports. He will get back to me with his report.

This time last year, the juveniles were taking their first steps outside the nestbox. Either the timing is very different this year or there has been a failure and possible re-nesting. Ricardo thinks something is happening -- "There is life in that box; I know it", he says.

It's always good to spend time in an active peregrine territory, and there were lots of Great Blue Herons out fishing, so I can't complain.

Paul

Unfortunately, I had a bad cold this weekend and did not think it wise to attempt the hike down to the bank of the Potomac. Resting in bed with my tablet set to Rfalconcam did a lot of good.

My friend Ricardo did make it and says, "They must have chicks because they make frequent nest exchanges. I know they are doing fine." He does not know when banding will take place.

Paul

Interesting that she lived another year after being displaced from her territory. I wonder whether she was trying to get it back. Nineteen years is a very good life for a peregrine.

Paul

Last Saturday, I made the hike down to the Potomac shore beneath the bridge again. This time, it was very hot and I waited for two hours without a single falcon. Suddenly, a fast-moving bird with pointed wings appeared from the south, circled overhead, and landed near the nest box up on the bridge.  It was the territorial male! He perched for nine minutes, seemingly looking into the box.  Then, he flew to a girder beneath the bridge, probably to get out of the hot sun. There he stayed for the next hour.

What's going on? Well, it's pretty clear that incubation has ended. What I don't know is whether the female was in the nest box and whether they have chicks. Has there been a nest failure or a hatch? Perhaps this weekend I will find out.

Paul

I like his writing:

"The peregrines bathe in a pool of fresh water where the creek terminates a hundred yards from the sea. They hunt red-winged blackbirds and other species above the creek. And they wait on above the pastures and dairy for meadow larks and starlings respectively."

Paul

It always conflicts with Corn Hill, but everything always works out.
The Radisson is currently fully booked, but the Rochester Plaza has rooms.

Paul

I can't wait until I am in Rochester again with falcons overhead.

Paul

http://io9.com/allosaurus-ate-like-a-terrifying-two-ton-falcon-509070012

Paul