~Buffalo Falcon News 2010~

[jeanne]

This is very weird:

http://www.wivb.com/dpp/news/local/Falcon-dive-bombs-unwitting-pedestrians

Falcon dive-bombs unwitting pedestrians
Updated: Monday, 14 Jun 2010, 10:53 PM EDT
Published : Monday, 14 Jun 2010, 10:39 PM EDT

George Richert
Posted by: Eli George
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Remember oohing and aahing over those cute peregrine falcon chicks who showed off for a UB nest cam? Well, the chicks are out of the nest, and the protective mom is dive-bombing anybody who gets too close.

Resident Antoine Lanier said, "And you can hear them, they're up there. The big one's about to land, and they're up there."

It was Sunday evening at around six when Antoine watched a peregrine falcon chase a teen-aged boy across Winspear.

"You know what scared me is he ran out in the middle of the street. He coulda got hit by a car," said Antoine.

Minutes after that, his dog was attacked.

Antoine recounted, "I felt something, something go right by me, and it hit my dog, and you know, she yelped, and I could see it was a big bird and it was trying to pick her up. It was shaking, she had blood on her paws and her ears. These were all ripped off, the nails were down, she has cuts underneath her body."

It's all happening around the McKay Tower at UB where state wildlife officials and UB put a nesting platform and a live camera on a family of peregrine falcons that have taken up residence there.

>>>Watch George's reporter's notebook as he "hunts" for shots of the falcons in their tower nest

NYS DEC Wildlife Biologist Connie Adams said, "The unique thing about this week is that their chicks have fledged, or left the nest, which they did on Sunday, and so they are especially defensive."

Falcons are only about the size of a crow, but this family has one over-protective mama.

"She is acting differently from any other peregrine in New York State at this point," explained Adams.

On Saturday, a pair of bird watchers were attacked. Then, on the roof of the VA Hospital, a worker was forced over the edge.

Adams said, "And he was tied in, but he was struck several times in the head and back area."

What's next?

"It will get better in about two weeks," stated Adams.

Antoine added, "We can't wait two weeks."

[Kris G.]

This is very weird:

http://www.wivb.com/dpp/news/local/Falcon-dive-bombs-unwitting-pedestrians

Falcon dive-bombs unwitting pedestrians
Updated: Monday, 14 Jun 2010, 10:53 PM EDT
Published : Monday, 14 Jun 2010, 10:39 PM EDT

George Richert
Posted by: Eli George
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Remember oohing and aahing over those cute peregrine falcon chicks who showed off for a UB nest cam? Well, the chicks are out of the nest, and the protective mom is dive-bombing anybody who gets too close.

Resident Antoine Lanier said, "And you can hear them, they're up there. The big one's about to land, and they're up there."

It was Sunday evening at around six when Antoine watched a peregrine falcon chase a teen-aged boy across Winspear.

"You know what scared me is he ran out in the middle of the street. He coulda got hit by a car," said Antoine.

Minutes after that, his dog was attacked.

Antoine recounted, "I felt something, something go right by me, and it hit my dog, and you know, she yelped, and I could see it was a big bird and it was trying to pick her up. It was shaking, she had blood on her paws and her ears. These were all ripped off, the nails were down, she has cuts underneath her body."

It's all happening around the McKay Tower at UB where state wildlife officials and UB put a nesting platform and a live camera on a family of peregrine falcons that have taken up residence there.

>>>Watch George's reporter's notebook as he "hunts" for shots of the falcons in their tower nest

NYS DEC Wildlife Biologist Connie Adams said, "The unique thing about this week is that their chicks have fledged, or left the nest, which they did on Sunday, and so they are especially defensive."

Falcons are only about the size of a crow, but this family has one over-protective mama.

"She is acting differently from any other peregrine in New York State at this point," explained Adams.

On Saturday, a pair of bird watchers were attacked. Then, on the roof of the VA Hospital, a worker was forced over the edge.

Adams said, "And he was tied in, but he was struck several times in the head and back area."

What's next?

"It will get better in about two weeks," stated Adams.

Antoine added, "We can't wait two weeks."

                  Really weird!

[~Sage~]

Yes, Buffalo has been very exciting the last couple days!  It was a Statler early fledge who needed to be rescued today.  It can be difficult for a brand new fledge to take off from the ground and if the ground is a high-traffic area like Niagara Square,  and the roofs of this nestsite can no longer be accessed because the bldg is boarded up and the DEC is denied access by the bankruptcy court, well, there really were not a lot of options today.  This bird will be checked out, banded and have a chance to live.  I won't even know where, but that's okay. 

The history of successful returns to rooftops in this area has been poor.  Most birds are never seen again.  This one will have a better chance so we have to be glad of that.  He's lucky he survived that experience!

Our UB nest is a much better situation, being surrounded by the protective MacKay employees who are there to help in a second!   Harry Potter was rescued from the dangerous area and returned to mom so fast!   

This week Buffalo has three nest sites fledging which promises a week of entertainment, excitement, fear and wonderment!  Buffalo thanks you for caring about our wonderful Peregrines! 

[jeanne]

Yikes, Sage!  I'm surprised that the DEC can't get access since the birds are endangered!  Hope the little one is ok!

Hope the UB folks stay protective.  That one guy on tv was irritated that his dog got attacked by mama bird!  She is really protective!

[Joyce]

Kris and Sage - Thanks for the updates.  I merged the two topics under this thread.  Kris, how do you see the Buffalo stations in Rochester? 

I feel terrible about the Statler fledgling.  With so many nestsites around Buffalo this year, Buffalo watchers are limited.

I hope this little one will be okay.  I figured the fledgling couldn't be returned to the top of the Statler because DEC does not have permission to access that building.  Once the falcon gets a clean bill of health, it will probably get released nearby.

Sage - please keep us updated.

I agree - some strange happenings.  I sure hope the area residents don't get so upset with BB that they force the UB nestbox to be removed.  I have to admit this is one very aggressive peregrine falcon, but she didn't do this last year.  Could young Yankee not be the protector that Smoky was last year?  With the publicity and cam this year, could people be getting too close and upsetting her territory?  Whatever happened, BB feels very threatened and she is going to continue until her fledges are on their own.  Wonder what kind of a dog it was?

Joyce

[~Sage~]

Joyce, the dog looks like a lg wh pitbull.   Barb B just said Miriam, BB's mom, was the same way, and mostly attacked men.  She thinks BB may be used to Roger and I.  The road around MacKay is used by many students walking, and you know how close it is to Winspear where people are always walking. 

At first, Yankee was getting the blame because BB wasn't quite so "protective" last year until the kids fledged.  It was easy to blame Yankee!  But then it was discovered that BB was the attacker and it started early with the beginning of the nesting season.  We think it may be that last year she learned about where her kids would be flying to and from, what parts of the campus and especially the VA on the other side of Bailey, so she started early this year to make it be known that was her territory.

Re: removing the box - the thing is, if the nest box were removed, the pefas would still nest there!  But not as successfully.  They chose the spot in 2008; nestbox installed and first nesting 2009.  The box was installed only after it was determined the birds would nest there. 

Connie has had to add "damage control" to her job description!

[MAK]

 

I just added Roger's fantastic pix of BB flying around overhead as Harry was being released  GO HERE to see more!

Falcons rule!  What a great shot.

[Donna]

Falcons rule!  What a great shot.

I'll say, what a fantastic shot!    Winner

[Carol P.]

"Joyce, the dog looks like a lg wh pitbull.   Barb B just said Miriam, BB's mom, was the same way, and mostly attacked men.  She thinks BB may be used to Roger and I.  The road around MacKay is used by many students walking, and you know how close it is to Winspear where people are always walking. - Sage"

A large white pitbull?  OK, I'm not saying it didn't happen as reported.  But, I cannot believe a Peregrine tried to lift a large white pitbull.  Attack, yes.  Cut up, yes.  But an attempt to lift it?  If that really happened, this is one very aggressive and bold and not very smart (sorry) Peregrine.  Yikes!

We know Mariah could get quite aggressive when defending her young and I've heard stories of Peregrines attacking people.  Linda Woods (Rhea Mae's Watcher) was chased down the street by Wind, so it does happen. 

[huddiecat]

Thanks for the updates on the Buffalo Peregrines!  Amazing how protective the adults can be when they perceive their young may be at risk.  I hope everyone settles down there. 

Too bad about the young Statler fledgling...hope s/he will be okay!  That area is so difficult for them!!  And the building is boarded up!?  Yikes, the little ones need those ledges to fly to when they land on the ground!  And I agree...I thought the DEC has jurisdiction when it comes to the NYS endangered peregrines?  How frustrating for you folks and the falcons!

Keep us posted!
Suzanne

[valhalla]

We know Mariah could get quite aggressive when defending her young and I've heard stories of Peregrines attacking people.  Linda Woods (Rhea Mae's Watcher) was chased down the street by Wind, so it does happen. 

Thanks for confirming that my brain is still working, Carol  , as I thought that Linda also had an up close experience with a falcon.

[Kris G.]

Kris and Sage - Thanks for the updates.  I merged the two topics under this thread.  Kris, how do you see the Buffalo stations in Rochester? 

I feel terrible about the Statler fledgling.  With so many nestsites around Buffalo this year, Buffalo watchers are limited.

I hope this little one will be okay.  I figured the fledgling couldn't be returned to the top of the Statler because DEC does not have permission to access that building.  Once the falcon gets a clean bill of health, it will probably get released nearby.

Sage - please keep us updated.

I agree - some strange happenings.  I sure hope the area residents don't get so upset with BB that they force the UB nestbox to be removed.  I have to admit this is one very aggressive peregrine falcon, but she didn't do this last year.  Could young Yankee not be the protector that Smoky was last year?  With the publicity and cam this year, could people be getting too close and upsetting her territory?  Whatever happened, BB feels very threatened and she is going to continue until her fledges are on their own.  Wonder what kind of a dog it was?

Joyce

Joyce-We live between both cities so we can get both Rochester and Buffalo stations on TWC.

I'm so happy that this man realized this young Peregrine needed help, stopped and with others, guided it off the road.  It could have been struck, severely injured or even killed by traffic. A very lucky young fledgling! 

[huddiecat]

Argh...that would be terrible if they decided to move the nest box as a result of what happened!!  It certainly seems as though BB felt threatened somehow. Peregrines have been endangered for so long that I am not certain there is much viable research on the issue.  All the efforts have been to help the species to survive.

[jeanne]

Kris and Sage - Thanks for the updates.  I merged the two topics under this thread.  Kris, how do you see the Buffalo stations in Rochester? 

I feel terrible about the Statler fledgling.  With so many nestsites around Buffalo this year, Buffalo watchers are limited.

I hope this little one will be okay.  I figured the fledgling couldn't be returned to the top of the Statler because DEC does not have permission to access that building.  Once the falcon gets a clean bill of health, it will probably get released nearby.

Sage - please keep us updated.

I agree - some strange happenings.  I sure hope the area residents don't get so upset with BB that they force the UB nestbox to be removed.  I have to admit this is one very aggressive peregrine falcon, but she didn't do this last year.  Could young Yankee not be the protector that Smoky was last year?  With the publicity and cam this year, could people be getting too close and upsetting her territory?  Whatever happened, BB feels very threatened and she is going to continue until her fledges are on their own.  Wonder what kind of a dog it was?

Joyce

Joyce-We live between both cities so we can get both Rochester and Buffalo stations on TWC.

I'm so happy that this man realized this young Peregrine needed help, stopped and with others, guided it off the road.  It could have been struck, severely injured or even killed by traffic. A very lucky young fledgling! 

At least they didn't do what the motorist with the newly fledged falcon did-- drove off with it on the windshield.

And I agree with you, Suzanne.  It made me nervous seeing that man so upset.  I don't believe the falcon tried to lift his dog but I can see where a mama bird would want to protect her babies. 

[~Sage~]

News Flash!     
 Tuesday, June 15, 2010

~ Statler chick who went down is a healthy girl named "Statler" and returned!   More on blog now and pix and web album of the event by tonight!  Just wanted to share this much with you quickly!