Great Spirit Bluff Falcons 2015

[Kris G.]

Michelle laid her first egg this AM!

http://www.ustream.tv/greatspiritblufffalcons

[AlisonL]

Travis, twelve years old this year, and Michelle, ten years old this year, both returned safely from migration.

The first egg was laid at 12:46 a.m. today.

[MAK]

  The roof on that nest box looks a little rough. Good luck to them this year! 

[Donna]

Hope they don't take the plunge like the last 2 years!! This cam makes me nervous!!    That is ONE scary nest!! 

[AlisonL]

Second egg for Michelle and Travis at 6:31 p.m. nest time.

[Kris G.]

Second egg for Michelle and Travis at 6:31 p.m. nest time.

Nice catch! 

[MAK]

Hope they don't take the plunge like the last 2 years!! This cam makes me nervous!!    That is ONE scary nest!! 

 Me too! 

[AlisonL]

The third egg was laid just before 5:22 a.m. this morning nest time:

[Donna]

Prayers for them!! Thanks Alison.

[AlisonL]

Hope they don't take the plunge like the last 2 years!! This cam makes me nervous!!    That is ONE scary nest!! 

 Me too! 

I absolutely agree. I do think that the risk factor at this nest is too high. Since all five chicks over the last two years fell from the nest, I am not convinced that adding one new piece of wood has solved the problem. From the nest to the ground is more than 200 feet down.

I can only hope that any potential chicks this year will be okay.

[AlisonL]

A look at the eggs in daylight, a few minutes ago. Michelle is taking a well-deserved nap.

[Donna]

It was the flies that made them jump!! That piece of wood will not stop them from jumping off!! UGH!!

[MAK]

It was the flies that made them jump!! That piece of wood will not stop them from jumping off!! UGH!!

 

[Donna]

It's a boy! And a boy and a girl and a girl!
The Raptor Resource Project crew showed up Saturday afternoon 5/30/15 to band the GSB eyasses. GSBD retrieved the chicks and Bob and Amy banded and determined gender. Travis and Michelle are proud parents of 2 male and 2 female eyasses this season. Bob says they are very strong and healthy this year. Michelle and Travis are doing a remarkable job keeping them fat and happy.

Rusty - 07/D
Garrett - 08/D
Elizabeth - D/44
Nina - D/45


Fledglings return!
In an unusual twist, we've had up to 3 juveniles at a time return to the nest box to hang out, be fed, and rest for the night. This is quite a rarity to see at GSB. In past years, since the camera was installed, we've had an early fledge. This season, possibly due to GSBD's installation of the second closer perch on the nest box the juveniles were in and out of the box, testing out their balance, strength, and wings far more than we've witnessed in the past. It seems all were very ready for flight by the time they left the nest and all, with the exception of Rusty have returned to the box multiple times. In the past, the chicks have lived in the brush below for a week or more before attaining positive flight and the ability to even get back to the box. At that point, they have likely become accustomed to sleeping and dining elsewhere. Much to our viewer's delight, this year, the nest box seems to have become a home base for our juvies. We've been treated to an extended season and seen them grow and learn to prepare their own meals, perfect take off and landing skills, and maintain their sibling closeness. What a great season!

SO glad no Kamikaze jumps this season!!

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/63834179/highlight/634646/pop-out

[patsy6]

That is wonderful news!