Sadly, we have to report the loss of another Rochester Falcon. On Monday, January 23, 2012, a falcon was found dead on top of a school in East Aurora, close to Buffalo, NY. The DEC was notified and they confirmed that it was Valiant, a Rochester Falcon hatched on top of the Kodak Tower in 2006. It is assumed that he hit the building.

Valiant aka Sabrina was one of three falcons that hatched in 2006. As many of you know, that was the year that Mariah badly injured her leg and Kaver became a super dad. Rochester Falconcam Watchers, anxiously watched Mariah’s struggle to brood, feed and raise three young eyases. We were in awe when we saw Kaver bring food to Mariah at the nestbox to feed her and the eyases. Out of what could have been a tragic year for the Rochester Falcons, three young falcons grew and flourished on top of the Kodak Tower in Rochester, NY. Rhea Mae, Aura and a tiercel named Sabrina.

On banding day, the DEC collected the three eyases. Second to be banded was the smallest eyas. After careful measuring of the leg and further examination, it was determined that this was a small female. Long time Rochester Falcon Watcher Dan Stiehler had been given the honor of naming this eyas. He had submitted two names, Sabrina for a female and Valiant for a male. That day the name Sabrina was given to this small eyas. This was the name submission from Dan. Sabrina – Latin: Vibrant, Full of Life. These are just two characteristics so highly evident in matriarch Mariah.

As time went on, it was more and more obvious that our Sabrina was actually a male. He was much smaller than his two sisters. But, until it could be proven that she was a he, the name Sabrina would remain for this handsome tiercel.

Sabrina, Rhea Mae and Aura thrived under the care of their doting parents and fledging was near. Mariah healed and Kaver continued to hunt and care for his family. Falcon fans around the world nervously watched the camera at the nest box on top of the Kodak Tower. Three young eyases flapped their wings furiously, strengthening them for that first flight. Sabrina was more advanced than his bigger sisters. Smaller, he was after all a tiercel and would take flight first. He did!

The Rochester Falcon Fledge Watchers were down below, waiting. Flap, flap, flap, flap! Flap, flap, flap, flap! He’s off!!!!! Sabrina was first to fledge that year and he flew strong and sure.

That Spring/Summer of 2006 was a very special year for all of us. Six eggs were laid, three survived to fledge. Two of these three went on to nest in areas where they were seen and reported. We have had no word of Aura, but Rhea Mae is currently nesting on the 43rd floor of the Sheraton in downtown Toronto with her mate Tiago and Sabrina was nesting at the Ogdensburg-Prescott International Bridge over the St. Lawrence River.

But wait! Sabrina was observed that first year and guess what? We had our first “official” proof that Sabrina was in fact Valiant!!! Yes, Valiant was definitely a tiercel. During the years that he and his mate Zanar from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada nested there, it has been reported that they laid 7 eggs and 2 young falcons fledged. This is not a very safe nesting area since it is under a bridge over water. Rochester Falcon Watchers Dan Stiehler and Lisa McKeown had actually visited this nest site but were unable to see Valiant or Zanar.

RFalconcam Forum member Janet, a first time Rochester Falconcam watcher in 2006, told me that had been the first time she watched. She only viewed the cameras, never visited the discussion board, so she had no idea what this small falcon’s name was. She called him “Red”, because the DEC had wrapped Sabrina’s USFW silver band in red tape, to make it easier for the watchers to ID them.

2012 has started with the loss of two of our Rochester Falcons, Callidora and Valiant. With the celebration of sending new Peregrine Falcons out into the world, we must also deal with their loss. Fly Free Valiant and Callidora. It is with sadness and fond memories that we say goodbye.

We here at the Rochester Falconcam, hope that 2012 will be successful and that Beauty, Archer and Unity will raise young that will continue the legacy of the Rochester Falcons and help to raise awareness of an endangered species. We learn something new every day about these beautiful birds. Thanks everyone for continuing to watch and support the Rochester Falcons.

Rochester Falconcam team members have spoken to Beth Shoaf & Lisa Vezzani, volunteers at Wildlife Works in Youngwood, PA. With their help, we were able to find out more about what happened to Callidora on Friday, January 20, 2012.

According to Beth & Lisa, Callidora was found inside the ArcelorMittal Steel Mill in Monessen, PA on January 20, 2012. She was spotted by workers inside the mill on the ground with her injured right wing hanging low, unable to fly. They were able to catch her and contact Wildlife Conservation Officer Beth Fife, who took Callidora to Wildlife Works, located about 40 miles from Pittsburgh, PA.

Callidora’s wing was badly damaged. Both the radius and ulna were shattered in three places. The breaks were severe. The Antebrachium is the middle portion of the wing, consisting of the radius and ulna. The secondary feathers attach to the ulna.

Later that day, after further inspection of the wing by the rehabber consulting with an orthopedic surgeon, they found it to be totally shattered and non-repairable. They decided the kindest thing to do was to euthanize her. They are saddened by this as we all are.

There is no way to know what happened to Callidora to cause the injury to her wing since there were no witnesses as far as we know. The one thing the rehabber was able to say is that she was not emaciated and that she had a full crop. She also had her adult plumage.

Callidora was found in Monessen, PA. Click on this link to see a picture of the area.

http://www.city-data.com/picfilesc/picc59088.php

Here is a link to the rehabber’s (Wildlife Works) website:

http://www.wildlifeworksinc.org/home

We here at Rochester Falconcam and all the folks that watched Callidora and her brother Jemison grow to fledge from the Times Square building in downtown Rochester, NY, want to thank Beth, Lisa and all the good folks at Wildlife Works that helped with Callidora’s care. A big thank you to the workers at the ArcelorMittal Steel Mill in Monessen, PA, who rescued Callidora and contacted Wildlife Conservation Officer Beth Fife, who we also thank. Also, thanks to Kate St. John for contacting us to let us know what happened and Juanita Woods for helping to identify Callidora.

Fly Free Callidora. You will be missed by many.

we must report that Callidora has passed away. This afternoon, we received a call from Beth, the rehabber that had been caring for Callidora. She informed us that Callidora’s injuries were too severe and there was nothing that could be done for her. Because of this, last night, Callidora was euthanized.

We here at Rochester Falconcam are heartbroken, but we know that everything that could be done for her was. Callidora is at peace now and no longer suffering.

We are trying to find out what happened. When we do, we will share that information here on Imprints.

Thanks to all that cared for our beautiful Callidora.

Fly Free Callidora!

Callidora Update – 1/21/12

We have not yet received any updates about Callidora’s condition, but Kate St. John has posted more information about the area where Callidora was found on her blog. You can check it out here: Kate St. John’s Blog

Also, we are inquiring how we can get donations to the rehabber to help with expenses for Callidora’s care. Many of you have shown interest in doing this. As soon as we get this information, we will share it with you.

It amazes us here at Rochester Falconcam how entwined the Rochester falcons have become with the Pittsburgh falcons. We have Beauty, Dorothy’s daughter and Unity, Dorothy’s granddaughter. How incredible is it that Callidora ended up so close to her Grandma Dorothy. It is definitely a small falcon world out there.

We will continue to post updates as we receive them.

Many thanks to all that have helped Callidora, from the person who found her and got her much needed help to the rehabbers and vets that are taking care of her. Thank you!

Get well soon Callidora! Lots and lots of prayers and healing thoughts are coming your way! 🙂

We received this from our friend Kate St. John in Pittsburgh, PA.

“Callidora, hatched in 2010 at Times Square nest in Rochester, NY, was found injured in Monessen, PA today (1/20/12). Her wing is badly injured. She is currently at a rehabber in PA & will be xrayed to see how severe the damage is.”

This is all we know at this time.

Kate has promised to share with us all updates she receives from the rehabber.

Any updates on her progress will be posted here on Imprints.

We here at the Rochester Falconcam wish Callidora a speedy recovery and hope that she is able to be released soon.