Im Back..an update

[Dumpsterkitty]

Distraction-R-Us...popping in between work chores... 

I didn't realize peregrines were still scarce in the western provinces since the northern populations are fairly robust. 

I was figuring something along the lines of an extra egg hatched that wasn't spoken for.  There's probably a list of-call us if you have a spare bird and we'll give it a good home.  I think it just seems odd here in the States to see an un-injured eyas going directly to education. 

[BIGFRANK]

Hi gang,glad this post has generated interest. We never use an injured wild bird for educational purposes,they have already experienced the wild,developed their wild intuitions and skills. Aside from the existance in captivity,(quality of life after experiencing freedom,those wild skills make the bird very aggressive,not suitable for up close class visits. Cheyenne came from an Alberta breeding facility,where the birds are raised for falconry,or in this case for educational purposes.  We got Cheyenne at around 30 days old she was partially imprinted by the falconer and we finished the process. She is now a full member of our educational team,displayed at  shows and visiting students in schools to educate them about the Peregrine Falcon.
Cheyenne's progress...after Mondays visit,the  Dr switched one of her meds,which wasnt agreeing with her. She is now on the mend. Her foot owie is healing already,though meds are for 2 weeks. Will keep everyone informed  .

[Donna]

All very informative BF, thanks for the explanation. Glad Cheyenne is on the mend!! Good job, maybe some pics soon?

[MAK]

  Thanks Big Frank! 

[Bonnie]

Well, our Legs, from 101 Hudson in Jersey City, was supposed to be hacked in West Virginia but was deemed unacceptable for release into the wild.  Mike and I learned more details in July.  Normally TriState Bird Rescue and Research would have placed him with another raptor when he came in at a week and a half old, but none were available.  He was by himself.  When he was sent to West Virginia for hacking, he apparently lost his tail feathers, either from sitting on them or from stress by being with the other birds.  The final determination was that he was not relating to the other peregrines and they were shunning him.  So the prognosis for living in the wild was quite low.  He went back to TriState.  They had Phung Luu, an avian free flight specialist trainer with 65 birds, who wanted him.

We spoke with Mr Luu and watched and listened to his free flight commentary.  He makes sure the birds are hungry before training or performing.  His birds have to all be educator birds.  That's what he does.  Educates the public about raptors which includes parrots.

But at the Raptor Trust photographers day, they did not feed the birds for being on display.

[Kris G.]

Well, our Legs, from 101 Hudson in Jersey City, was supposed to be hacked in West Virginia but was deemed unacceptable for release into the wild.  Mike and I learned more details in July.  Normally TriState Bird Rescue and Research would have placed him with another raptor when he came in at a week and a half old, but none were available.  He was by himself.  When he was sent to West Virginia for hacking, he apparently lost his tail feathers, either from sitting on them or from stress by being with the other birds.  The final determination was that he was not relating to the other peregrines and they were shunning him.  So the prognosis for living in the wild was quite low.  He went back to TriState.  They had Phung Luu, an avian free flight specialist trainer with 65 birds, who wanted him.

We spoke with Mr Luu and watched and listened to his free flight commentary.  He makes sure the birds are hungry before training or performing.  His birds have to all be educator birds.  That's what he does.  Educates the public about raptors which includes

But at the Raptor Trust photographers day, they did not feed the birds for being on display.

Aww-poor Legs.  Sorry to hear he's had some tough times and isn't releasable but hopefully he's in a good place now.

[Bonnie]

 Legs has been fed since he was removed from the scrape.  I am sure that has made his life much easier.  He was starving when Kathy first started feeding him during the chick check.  He has learned how to get humans to take care of him.  Other than the trip to WV, I doubt he has been stressed much.  He was only one week old when humans started taking care of him.  I think the feeling was he had imprinted.

[BIGFRANK]

Great that Legs aand so many other raptors have Mr Luu.
  Cheyenne continues to respond to her meds and improving,but the worried Mama Bird(Tracy) is still being very vigilant. We have been taking in all of the birds to get their beaks and talons done(trimmed),so as not to impede their abilities to eat and other activities. Next up are Kyla the American Kestrel and Hudson the Gryfalcon. Both were rescues of different sorts. One good meaning person found Kyla after she fell out of her nest as a baby. The person took her in and fed her,but soon realized she couldnt keep up with feeding nor care. Kyla was imprinted and we were called to take her in. Kyla is now a valuable member of our educational team.  Hudson had belonged to a falconer. Hudson,was used as a breeder and never knew life outside of a small mating pen for several years. Sadly,he wasnt treated very well and came to us having had several healed fractures of his leg. Im happy to say Hudson now has a great home with us and despite having trust issues with handlers,caused by malteatment of his falconer owner. He is a real beauty!
  Our latest adventure...On Wednesday there were a series of Tornado warnings in the area of The CPF Raptor Centre. As soon as Tracy and I learned of it we made a beeline for the barn. We formulated a plan as we drove and on our arrival,we quickly continued. Our plan when into action! We first got all of their carriers together,chose a staging area where we would put them should we get the first signs of a  tornado in the distance. We got 2 vehicles ready to load the carriers/birds into. Those that know me,know I dont drive,but Tracy decided if there was an emergency evacuation to be done(dont tell Mark...)that Id learn that night! Me in her car,her in Mark's pick-up.  We nervously awaited the coming storm. Happily we had only very strong winds and an amazing lightening storm. The light show was incredible. The coldfront passed and she and I got all the birds back in their pens. We were relieved and decided we must write down evacuation procedures and put them with the first aid kit. We also brought a weather radio to the barn,so we could recieve updates,so we didnt have to depend on wireless internet.  All went well,stay tuned for the next adventure!

[jeanne]

Great that Legs aand so many other raptors have Mr Luu.
  Cheyenne continues to respond to her meds and improving,but the worried Mama Bird(Tracy) is still being very vigilant. We have been taking in all of the birds to get their beaks and talons done(trimmed),so as not to impede their abilities to eat and other activities. Next up are Kyla the American Kestrel and Hudson the Gryfalcon. Both were rescues of different sorts. One good meaning person found Kyla after she fell out of her nest as a baby. The person took her in and fed her,but soon realized she couldnt keep up with feeding nor care. Kyla was imprinted and we were called to take her in. Kyla is now a valuable member of our educational team.  Hudson had belonged to a falconer. Hudson,was used as a breeder and never knew life outside of a small mating pen for several years. Sadly,he wasnt treated very well and came to us having had several healed fractures of his leg. Im happy to say Hudson now has a great home with us and despite having trust issues with handlers,caused by malteatment of his falconer owner. He is a real beauty!
  Our latest adventure...On Wednesday there were a series of Tornado warnings in the area of The CPF Raptor Centre. As soon as Tracy and I learned of it we made a beeline for the barn. We formulated a plan as we drove and on our arrival,we quickly continued. Our plan when into action! We first got all of their carriers together,chose a staging area where we would put them should we get the first signs of a  tornado in the distance. We got 2 vehicles ready to load the carriers/birds into. Those that know me,know I dont drive,but Tracy decided if there was an emergency evacuation to be done(dont tell Mark...)that Id learn that night! Me in her car,her in Mark's pick-up.  We nervously awaited the coming storm. Happily we had only very strong winds and an amazing lightening storm. The light show was incredible. The coldfront passed and she and I got all the birds back in their pens. We were relieved and decided we must write down evacuation procedures and put them with the first aid kit. We also brought a weather radio to the barn,so we could recieve updates,so we didnt have to depend on wireless internet.  All went well,stay tuned for the next adventure!

Wow, BigFrank!!!  You all are so amazing! 

[Carol P.]

Good job BigFrank and Tracy!!!  Way to protect those birds!   

and don't worry, we won't tell Mark. 

[Donna]

Good job BigFrank and Tracy!!!  Way to protect those birds!   

and don't worry, we won't tell Mark. 

Ditto!! 

[MAK]

Good job BigFrank and Tracy!!!  Way to protect those birds!   

and don't worry, we won't tell Mark. 

Ditto!! 

Double    Big Frank!

[schlaf374]

very well done Tracy & BF!
 BTW  you might want to practice the driving a bit before you take your feathered friends for a ride.You wouldn't want to stress them more than needed. A driveway or fairly empty parking lot are good places to practice.

Years ago I was visiting my Aunt, and she asked me to take her to to renew her  DL. I had never seen her behind the wheel of a vehicle. I asked her when she had last driven. The answer , the day she had gotten it. She only kept it up in case of an emergency.

[anneintoronto]

Thanks so much, Frank (and Tracy), for looking after our raptor family!!  It's always nice to know that these birds are in such good hands!!  As you know, I held Kyla during the Sportman's Show at the CPF booth and fell totally in love with her!  Such deep, mysterious eyes, such a nice personality!  She was great for me to learn handling with.  Walked me right through it!  Glad she and the others are fine!!

Good to hear about your adventure!  That was quite a storm!!  I watched from my 21st floor balcony, which overlooks Lake Ontario and downtown Toronto and was awed by the power!!

Best wishes to both of you!

Anne in Toronto

[jeanne]

BigFrank-- have their been any sightings of Wind???