LIKE any proud mother of three newborns, Robyn Hills asks, “Are they cute or what?”
But her one-month old babies don't have 10 little fingers and 10 little toes like most babies.
Instead, they boast wings and claws.
The three peregrine falcon babies that hatched outside Robyn's kitchen window recently have become almost like children to her and husband Ross Harrison.
The three youngsters, which were first introduced to Daily readers last month, are getting ready to fly the coop and Robyn believes they could be gone in a fortnight.
“They're up on the ledge and flapping their wings,” she said.
“I'm thinking they're going to fly off soon.”
After the real parents, christened Emily and Frederick, laid their eggs in August, Mrs Hills quickly became attached to the birds and the arrival of their babies only increased her adoration.
Only one has been given a name – Fleur – after presenting female like qualities but the other two are yet to show any indication whether they are male or female.
Robyn and Ross have mixed emotions about their impending departure.
“I won't miss being woken up at a quarter to five of a morning,” Robyn said.
“But I will miss them.
“They've just kind of become our own, part of the family. Our friends always ask us how the kids are.”
Since the arrival of the newborns, Robyn has been contacted by two American online forums, and one Dutch, following the coverage by the Daily.
At the request of those groups she has placed a webcam at the window so they can watch the little ones grow.
She has also been dealing with other tough questions.
“One woman asked if we were going to band the young birds,” she said.
“I thought ‘You've got to be one brave person to do that'.”
The couple are in the process of contacting Australia Zoo about whether banding is a good idea.
Imagine this outside your kitchen window?
http://http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2010/08/24/woman-flocks-together-with-new-residents-falcons/ The 1st story
