Littlest one does NOT have the transmitter.  Definitely a transmitter on the one with some remaining down and pantaloons.  Two are very brown without much down at all.  The birds go into a well area just in front of the scrape.  And there is food stored in the west corner behind and under one camera.  They had been picking on whatever it is all morning while we were there.  Both adults have been flying around the scrape, but not with food.  And they did not bring in any prey between 6 and 11:30 am.

One or more could have fledged after 11:30.  We will just have to wait and see.  Two are really ready.

I'll put up some more pictures shortly.  Just made the first look through 620 pictures or so.

Two of the eyases are really ready to fledge.  The one with the least amount of down jumped up to the perch on top of the scrape.  Of course we were in the lobby watching on the monitor.  We were finished for the day at 11 am and went inside to say hello to security.  They weren't letting anyone else in to watch the monitor.  And security came out and asked us to leave when we got there early in the morning.  But all is cool with us and the building.  So you will only get pics of the birds.

NOW for the important stuff.  Looks like our fluffy female (not she is a she) has a transmitter.  Check out the picture and let me know.  I emailed a few people to find out, but some of you may be able to get the news before I do.  I doubt that is a pigeon feather sticking out from her back.

I wouldn't give up yet. It is only the end of May. I was in Richmond in mid august a couple of years ago watching first fledges of a second clutch.  Let's see 35 days to incubate plus 39 days to fledging.  That's 74 days.  Given my inaccurate counting, how does aug 15 sound?

If you want a fledgling fix here it is and it is not for the faint hearted.  These birds fledge right over a very busy highway in Lower Manhattan, the FDR.

I was down again this morning.  Yes, it was heartstopping.  Rocky tried to get one of them to fledge.  He jumped to and from the ledge repeatedly.  Our eyas was not buying it today.  Tomorrow could be another story.  It will be day 38 and two years ago one did fledge at 38 days.  That bird was a very strong flier.  And we saw a cormorant in the water behind us.  Nobody but the humans were bothered by the helicopters.  Let's see what tomorrow brings.  There will be throngs around because the birds are right next to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Banding will be Tuesday, May 31 around 10:30 am or so.  No more news about Rocky, our rescue eyas. 

Yippee!!!!  I am hoping hoping hoping everything goes smoothly from now on. How many days between start of incubation and hatch?

Each year I manage to gather a different group of watchers at Water St.  I hit the jackpot this year.  My guys I picked up during eagle watching in the winter are avid NYC bird (raptor) watchers-photographers.  They were there from 6:30 am and did not see food delivery or both adults together. They did see some eyas activity on the ledge.   Just as we were ready to get away from the annoying helicopter activity, Jubilee went to her cache around the corner, prepared it and brought it in.  Two or could have been three different eyases did bounce back and forth.  I have a picture of one perched under the camera and out of web cam range.  Behind the bird is a well where the birds go into and out of.

Enjoy!









You can see from this goodbye wave that they are not quite ready to take the flight.  I almost typed plunge and thought better of that.  We DO NOT want them to plunge.

Pigeon poop keeps eggs warm. Kind of like fertilizer.

I think it is a he and he has the angel, Jack, looking over him. My friend lost his father just as the eyases were hatching, so we have an angel there this year. Jack apparently wanted the fourth one to be with him.

Dr. Miller sent two more pictures today.  She wrote  "Here's the peregrine this morning. He's up and using his feet very well!  Erica"

I heard from Dr. Erica Miller at Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research Group  She will send another picture on Thursday:

Bonnie,

Thank you for the generous donation that just arrived in today's mail! This will buy a lot of quail--and the eyas is certainly eating a lot! As you can see from the photo below,his feet are finally beginning to grow!

Erica
Erica Miller, DVM

Anne, I have done the same.  Everyone gets welcomed back into the flock (although falcons do not flock). Rhea Mae and Tiago don't know the difference.  But someday they may miss you at the banding. I can tell you that after only three years at Jersey City and the same at Water St, the birds know us watchers.  So keep on watching. One day missed is not a big deal.

What a beautiful post about the falcons.  Totally AWESOME!

Thanks, All.  It is taking a great risk to post and process your most favorite photos.  Some of my favorites did not make the cut.  I'll post those in the near future.  The first comments are in and the church loves the pictures.

Way to go, Falcon Team!!  Like you knew the way to all those sites.  How can those birds miss with such fabulous supporters.  Now maybe Archer and Beauty will try for a second clutch this season. It is not too late.