Harrisburg, PA Falcons

[Donna]

http://www.sacbee.com/2012/02/08/4248540/pennsylvania-dep-falcon-cam-returns.html

Cam is LIVE now

[Donna]

2/27/2012  ::   Nesting Season Well Underway
The resident male and female appear to be on track for another successful nesting season. The male has been observed bringing food offerings to the female and breeding activity appears to be normal. There have been reports of conflicts in the sky, possibly the unbanded male returning to challenge the resident male. At this point, it is likely that the resident male and female will drive off any interlopers. Their bond is strong and their territory is mutually valued and defended.

Interlopers everywhere!! 

[Donna]

http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/pets/Tune-in-to-DEP-falcon-cam-for-nature-in-action.html  Tune in for Nature in action

[Donna]

1st EGG!!!

[Donna]

5/11/2012  ::   Banding Results
This year we have two male eyases- one weighs 560g, the other 590g. They're both in good health. The banding event seems to awaken the eyases to the fact that they can get out of the scrape and explore the nest ledge. This is critical to their physical development. They will begin building the strength and agility that will be necessary for them to attempt their first flight, which should happen in a few short weeks.

[Kris G.]

5/11/2012  ::   Banding Results
This year we have two male eyases- one weighs 560g, the other 590g. They're both in good health. The banding event seems to awaken the eyases to the fact that they can get out of the scrape and explore the nest ledge. This is critical to their physical development. They will begin building the strength and agility that will be necessary for them to attempt their first flight, which should happen in a few short weeks.

It's reported on BCAW today that NG (mom) is in bad shape-was noticed yesterday that she wasn't acting right.  They posted a video of her that's tough to watch and last time she was seen was this AM. Lil Dad continues to take care of their boys. 

[Donna]

5/11/2012  ::   Banding Results
This year we have two male eyases- one weighs 560g, the other 590g. They're both in good health. The banding event seems to awaken the eyases to the fact that they can get out of the scrape and explore the nest ledge. This is critical to their physical development. They will begin building the strength and agility that will be necessary for them to attempt their first flight, which should happen in a few short weeks.

It's reported on BCAW today that NG (mom) is in bad shape-was noticed yesterday that she wasn't acting right.  They posted a video of her that's tough to watch and last time she was seen was this AM. Lil Dad continues to take care of their boys. 

I will not watch it but MAK did and said it was bad. Poor girl, not liking what MAK told me! 

[MAK]

I was chatting with Big Frank about this and it looks like it could be a respiratory illness called Frounce, where they can't swallow and eventually succumb to it without treatment. If that's what it is then the eyases are susceptible for it is contagious. Too darn sad!  

[Kris G.]

I was chatting with Big Frank about this and it looks like it could be a respiratory illness called Frounce, where they can't swallow and eventually succumb to it without treatment. If that's what it is then the eyases are susceptible for it is contagious. Too darn sad!  

I was thinking the same thing.  This is sad.  If I remember right, I think it was New Jersey a few years back where they had big problems with it and started giving medicated quail to the chicks early.

[MAK]

I was chatting with Big Frank about this and it looks like it could be a respiratory illness called Frounce, where they can't swallow and eventually succumb to it without treatment. If that's what it is then the eyases are susceptible for it is contagious. Too darn sad!  

I was thinking the same thing.  This is sad.  If I remember right, I think it was New Jersey a few years back where they had big problems with it and started giving medicated quail to the chicks early.

BF said he didn't think there is a preventative but they could medicate when and if they come down with it. 

[Donna]

I was chatting with Big Frank about this and it looks like it could be a respiratory illness called Frounce, where they can't swallow and eventually succumb to it without treatment. If that's what it is then the eyases are susceptible for it is contagious. Too darn sad!  

I was thinking the same thing.  This is sad.  If I remember right, I think it was New Jersey a few years back where they had big problems with it and started giving medicated quail to the chicks early.

BF said he didn't think there is a preventative but they could medicate when and if they come down with it. 

Hope they can find NG and help her. This is awful if it is Frounce.

[Donna]

5/17/2012  ::   Falcon Sightings
The adult resident female has sustained an injury or disease that has rendered her unable to effectively hunt, feed herself and the eyases. The male has redoubled his hunting activities and is providing for the eyases. DEP staff has been trying to locate the female in hopes of live capturing her for treatment at a nearby wildlife rehabilitation center. Any information on her whereabouts would be appreciated. The female is one third larger than the male and is not banded. The male is banded. Falcon watchers can report information via the falcon page email account or call DEP's Environmental Education Center at 717 772-1828.   

[Donna]

5/22/2012  ::   Update on Rachel's Falcons
Despite daily search efforts, the adult female has not been located. The male has been providing food for the eyases. He is also a very good teacher. After the eyases make their first attempt at flight, he'll provide the fledges with flight and hunting lessons. We'll be observing the progress of the fledges and rescue them if they make any bad landings.

So sad, wish they could locate her. Probably days too late now.    Dad's doing a good job.

[MAK]

 

[Donna]

Posted on BCAW

Just got home. What an exciting morning! I woke up at 5:30 and immediately tuned in the cam on the Kindle Fire. Both boys were on the ledge, then the internet connection went away and I had to reload. When I got back on, Lil Dad was on the ledge, downscreen from the stick, and both boys were jammed side by side facing him. It looked like he was giving them food. I thought, "good, they're both still home" and turned it off and laid back down. Only a minute or two later, the phone rang. When I saw it was Reenie, I knew what it was going to be. I had my pants half on before she was finished saying "There's a baby on the sidewalk!" Less than two minutes later, I was backing the car out of the parking space and on my way. When I got there, Reenie and a man were standing at the corner of Market and Aberdeen. I got my cat carrier out of the trunk and walked to the corner, where I could see Red crouched against the Carson Building wall. Once we got him netted, I picked him up, took a good look at his head, eyes and mouth, took a deep sniff of his breath and checked his legs. He is fully alert and seems in perfect health. But since at that point we thought we heard Blue screaming from the top of the Fifth Street Garage, I just put him in the crate without checking the wings. I had called Ann from the Ed Center while I was on my way downtown, and she said keep him in the Ed Center til she got there, so we put Red in the office and went to the Garage to look for Blue. Turned out he was still on the ledge - his voice must have been echoing off the garage walls. So we went back inside to wait for Ann. In the meantime Jane arrived and we all waited together. I expect it will possibly be several hours before he is released, so don't be worried if the day is passing and you don't see him back yet. He is fine and oh, so beautiful!

What a cutie Red is. Glad he's OK.