Cleveland, Ohio Falcons

[Donna]

http://www.falconcam-cmnh.org/falcpix/images/hugesize3.jpg

[Donna]

Looks like some snow has accumulated. Crazy weather.

[Joyce]

As many of you know, there has been some sad losses in OHIO this year, both in Cleveland and Columbus. 

The latest news as of 8/13 is that Ranger (SW's mate of 1 year) is improving.  He is able to get up and down in a small fight cage, but he does have nerve damage. Releasability is still questionable.  C&C have been following his progress and they were able to see Ranger at the Medina Raptor Center. He looked good, and was alert and responsive to movement. When food was dropped into the cage, Ranger responded immediately by flying down to get the food. However, it was clear that he wasn't using his feet to secure the prey to eat. After eating, he flew back up to the highest perch and very gingerly cleaned his beak on the perch. When he put his left foot up toward his head, his foot froze in motion, then quivered, and then he lowered it again to the perch without scratching. Nerve injuries will take a long time to heal.

On the positive side, it looks like SW has a new beau.  Attempts were made to identify the mystery male on webcam and in person, and finally this past weekend C&C identified the new male as "Boomer", C/66 from the 2008 Columbus nest site.  Juanita is amazing at providing the lineage of the Ohio falcons.  Boomer will carry on the legacy as son of Scout and Orville, and is connected to the infamous Buckeye as well.  You can check it out at  2010 Terminal Tower Falcons--Part 4.

Joyce

[Donna]

Thanks for posting this Joyce. Poor Ohio, I feel so bad for Ranger but glad he's improving. So it's Boomer huh? I watched him grow and yes, he will carry on the legacy of Orville and his mom "Scout", poor girl. Now if we can just find Mariah, Kaver & Jemison, all will be good.

[Kris G.]

New update on Ranger posted on the CMNH Forum by C&C: 

Sun Sep 05 2010, 09:57
Thought we'd start a new thread about Ranger since Boomer is now with SW.

Went out to see how Ranger was doing again this past week and he has made some vast improvements! He was in a bigger cage and we watched him fly to different perches with no noticeable difficulty landing or with his balance. He was again very tuned into movement and a few times he flew from the ground straight up to the perches.

We wanted to see how he would do with a full bird (as he wasn't holding and tearing it before and Laura had to cut it into pieces to feed him), so Laura gave him two small birds. We watched him grasp and pluck both birds, tearing and eating them.

We asked Laura to let us know when she puts him into a bigger flight cage so that we could observe him again, and she decided that we could do it then. So, we got Ranger (he was quite fiesty) and when we put him on the ground in his new cage he flew immediately to the furthest and highest perch in the cage. This cage also has a camera in it, so Laura will be able to observe him and show Dr. Riggs his behavior.

We were all very encouraged, and if he keeps improving a future release is possible. As he shows continued improvement, this cage can also be expanded by opening it up to another connecting cage in the back forming an "L" so he would be able to bank and turn and fly a little further.

We will continue to post updates as we know more. Go Ranger-- we're all rooting for ya!

[Donna]

Thank you Kris, this news is encouraging. 

[MAK]

    Go Ranger!   

[Donna]

Falcon there

[Annette]

I found some good news about Ranger in another forum


As per Chad & Chris, Ranger is ready to be released this coming Sunday. Great news and I'm happy about it but nervous about him potentially meeting up and fighting with Boomer.

Ranger is ready to go!!! Sorry for the delay, Heidi-- Laura has no problem with us providing the details regarding his release, and all are welcome. We went back out today and after spending some time with Ranger we all agreed that he's ready for release. Last week he was able to capture live prey in mid-air in the flight cage, and he hasn't shown any lingering signs of the head trauma. Laura has informed the DOW and we are preparing to release him this Sunday, Jan. 23rd at Sandy Ridge Reservation in North Ridgeville around 11:00AM. These are tentative plans at the moment, as Laura still needs to secure permission to release him at Sandy Ridge. We will most likely walk him through the woods to the opening of the marsh for the release. We will post if plans change, but those interested in attending can also PM or e-mail us so that I can provide you with contact info. in case plans change. Here are some pics of Ranger from today as we fed him his quail-- he flew down to get it, then he took off from the sawhorse to eat on a perch in the back of his cage...

[Donna]

I found some good news about Ranger in another forum


As per Chad & Chris, Ranger is ready to be released this coming Sunday. Great news and I'm happy about it but nervous about him potentially meeting up and fighting with Boomer.

Ranger is ready to go!!! Sorry for the delay, Heidi-- Laura has no problem with us providing the details regarding his release, and all are welcome. We went back out today and after spending some time with Ranger we all agreed that he's ready for release. Last week he was able to capture live prey in mid-air in the flight cage, and he hasn't shown any lingering signs of the head trauma. Laura has informed the DOW and we are preparing to release him this Sunday, Jan. 23rd at Sandy Ridge Reservation in North Ridgeville around 11:00AM. These are tentative plans at the moment, as Laura still needs to secure permission to release him at Sandy Ridge. We will most likely walk him through the woods to the opening of the marsh for the release. We will post if plans change, but those interested in attending can also PM or e-mail us so that I can provide you with contact info. in case plans change. Here are some pics of Ranger from today as we fed him his quail-- he flew down to get it, then he took off from the sawhorse to eat on a perch in the back of his cage...

Oh boy, this is great but of course we worry about the fights. Fingers crossed!!

[Annette]

Sorry I forgot picture link

http://www.falconcam-cmnh.org/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?55842.40#post_57512

[MAK]

 

[Carol P.]

Great news!!!   

[Kris G.]

Wonderful news! 

[Annette]

I read this in other forum
 

Ranger released by Medina Raptor center this morn @ 11 am Eastern.

BEAUTIFUL Chad & Chris photos are posted on CMNH.

http://www.falconcam-cmnh.org/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?55842.70#post_57596