Thursday, May 21, 2009

Falcon Chick Springs Forward!

Contributed by Bruce Connery, Biologist, National Park Service.

Spring is edging closer to summer with each day and the chick is marking these days with amazing changes in development and growth. Almost three weeks have passed since hatching, and the slow changes witnessed in the beginning will soon be replaced with big daily changes in movements, behavior, and development. It helps to be the sole focus of your parent’s attention and to have been blessed with good weather this spring for Maine’s coastal areas. The eruption of feathers will become more and more apparent, beginning first along the wings and tail followed by the back and head and eventually everywhere. Soon the young chick will begin to actively take food from its parents and feed itself, matched with small forays around the scrape with bursts of wing flapping and hopping. All signs of a rapidly developing young falcon.

The witnessed changes on the developing chick suggest it is doing fine and suggests to biologists that the best time to enter the scrape to collect information is approaching. The chick’s development serves as a guide in determining the correct dates to collect the data and permanently mark the chick with identification bands with a minimal risk to both the chick and the adults. The bands provide a permanent tracking tool that is visible and not burdensome, allowing managers and anyone the opportunity to re-identify the bird throughout its lifetime without the need for additional handling by humans that is likely to be both stressful and an opportunity for injury. At this time, the unhatched eggs also will be collected as they will provide valuable information to biologists interested in learning of any embryo development and what contaminant burdens are present through chemical analyses. Combined, the results of these data will provide an inside view of some of the factors facing the adults and the young chick, being valuable information to biologists and managers trying to identify factors and conditions that are or can threaten these birds and their habitats.

Explanations of why only one egg hatched are abundant. The use of an artificial platform, or tray, as a scrape at this site is not unusual to falcon pairs in New England, as many have been documented throughout this region. However their use is less typical for most of the nesting territories found in Maine and for much of northern New England. Appropriately positioned trays often provide excellent nesting conditions on buildings and towers with their suitably-sized pea gravel substrate, superb drainage, and correct orientation to weather conditions. However, Maine and other northeastern states are blessed with numerous natural cliff faces that are found above rivers, lakes, coastal headlands, and on near shore islands. These natural cliff faces provide ample opportunities for peregrine adults to be highly selective in choosing the sites with the best drainage, protection from the elements, access and visibility, and foraging opportunities.

Bruce Connery
Biologist
National Park Service

82 comments:

  1. 05/21@ 19:07

    Thanks, Bruce, for the info. I appreciate the opportunity to learn more about these beautiful birds.

    Thanks, also, to those who continue to post observations. I missed the chick's "road trip" and was delighted to read about it.

    JAM in IL

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  2. Mom arrived with dinner. Jr greeted her by snatching the food from her foot in his mouth and moving away from her. She quickly got the food back and Jr was content on having Mom do the feeding.

    Jr's movements are more coordinated and obvious now.

    May 21, 7:07 PM

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  3. anyone seen the chick this morning ?? its 6:25 am 5/22/2009 can`t see him.. H`mmmmmm hope he is ok

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  4. he is in the far right hand corner. i think..time is 6:29 am

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  5. JR is alone and has been for at least 1/2 hour. He looks fine and appears to be waiting for breakfast.
    6:36 AM EST

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  6. Jr is getting fead at 8:30 am 5-22/2009. The chick is a bit more gimme food minded.. could be a little more agressive, as far as getting fed..and i have seen the chick , tearing up scraps, and useing his talons, to hold , while tearing of bits.. this growing chick, is looking a little ahead of the chart, whose link is in the May 4th group , of posted coments........i hope the sound may be fixed soon, and would be great, if video of the banding and checking of JR is videoed... Thanks BRI !!!! this is so great to watch !!!!! and Keep up your wonderfull work !!!!!! Many Many Thanks

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  7. Can you give us a heads-up of when you might enter the site for the collection you spoke of? I'd hate to miss that... Thanks!

    Angie in Mass.

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  8. Dad brought a rodent for dinner and passed it off to Mom. Mom lugged it up to the box and is feeding Jr. You can see Jr's flight feathers coming in along with short tail feathers emerging.

    May 22, 5:05PM

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  9. Mom is feeding Jr a victim (bird). Jr was down on the lower step and it didn't take long for Jr to jump up to where Mom was tearing into lunch.

    May 24, 1:30PM

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  10. Jr's motor skills are improving daily. Rigorous ground testing of the wings and control surfaces has commenced this afternoon.

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  11. Dad just dropped in with a victim and fed Jr. Saw the bands on his legs.
    May 25, 11:45AM

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  12. I'm looking at the nest box now and don't see the chick. Has anything happened to it? I look forward each day to watching this little guy grow and was startled to see it missing from the nest.

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  13. yes Jr is still in his box.. ( tho likes the right front corner ).. he looks to be a cpl days ahead of the age guide.. that was posted a cpl weeks ago.......... very fun to watch this chick. and maybe he will fledge early , as he has all the food, and plenty of room to excerise..he looks to be growing every hr.....

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  14. Mom just arrived with a decent sized bird (maybe a dove). Jr. sure is hungry and is eating larger size chunks now. Too bad the sound is off, Jr looks like he/she is making quite a racket while Mom is tearing off breakfast.
    May 26, 6:30AM

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  15. It was either a dove or a pigeon based on seeing the flight feathers when Mom left with the carcass.

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  16. For those of you that are wondering where Jr might be this morning, you need to look at the still picture in the middle right hand side. He is actually below the camera lens off the nest box completely. The camera is too high to see him in the video shots, but you can make him out in the still picture if you look hard enough and watch. He will move from time-to-time.
    May 27, 6:30AM

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  17. 05/27 @ 10:07

    Baby has been snuggled into the corner off the back of the box ... left side of video. Hard to see at first but will occasionally move as mentioned earlier.

    Looks like an adult is now perched off the nest area and visible in the still.

    I have been fascinated watching the development of this chick and learning more about peregrines. Thanks, again, to all who provide info and observations.

    JAM in IL

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  18. the web cam was not working about 9:30 ish today ...5-28-2009 and no sign of JR . tho noticed that the eggs are now missing.. and perhaps the chick is getting his nice new leg bands. hopefully the sound will be fixed soon ???

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  19. just saw JR .. behind the nest box...@ 10:28 am...5/28/2009

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  20. 05/28 @ 10:38

    Yep, baby is peeking out from behind the box. Eggs are gone, carpet in front is gone. I would guess that the chick has been banded. Cannot tell if sound has been restored ... I don't seem to have sound but, then, nothing is happening right now.

    Hopefully, an adult will return and the chick will feel safe enough to come out from hiding. Will relax when I know a reunion/feeding has occurred.

    Nice that the little one can now be tracked and recorded. Hope they post sex, if that has been determined.

    JAM in IL

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  21. 05/28 @ 10:56

    I think an adult was perched outside the nest in the upper right side when I posted @ 10:38. I had wondered if I was looking at a small portion of tail and just realized it is no longer there.

    Baby is no longer peeking out at this time.

    JAM in IL

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  22. 05/28 @ 12:25

    10:58 - Adult in full view above camera on right side.

    Have not seen baby again, but the adult has maintained its watch for a long time.

    JAM in IL

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  23. 05/28 @ 14:07

    Hooray, found baby back in the nest and an adult is still on watch.

    12:49 - finally found an adult in the box ... but chick is still hiding.

    13:53 - Adult still in the box; baby moving around in the corner.

    14:07 - baby finally out of corner and in the nest.

    JAM in IL

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  24. havent seen the chick , or a parent since about 12:00 pm 05-28-2009 wonder if the little one has decided to stay hidden.. and some info, from the great people at BRI would be nice.. Is this normal behavior, after the chick gets checked and any eggs are removed from the nest box ?

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  25. I am sure once the guys get back they will update the blog about the banding. JR is over in the corner and appears fine.Food may be hiddenthere as well. He is changing so fast.

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  26. Mom just flew in and called the chick onto the nest box. the chick has changed a lot today . very different looking tonite...... Guess they are waiting for dad to bring supper

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  27. Mom returned to the nest this afternoon, but without any food. JR hopped into the nest box where she stood, both just looked at each other for several minutets, then JR just laid down. He seems hungry, will just have to wait.

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  28. It's nice to see Jr. sporting his/her new ankle jewelry. Silver band on right leg and green band on left leg. Was feeding down on the landing earlier and got back up into the box, probably to escape some rain drops.

    Look foward to hearing from BRI on how the banding went and what was up with the three eggs.
    May 29, 7:25AM

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  29. Looks like the chick has found the rocks holding the mat down out in front a great place to perch and wait for the next meal to arrive. Probably a lot more to watch out there than from back on the nest box.

    7PM May 29

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  30. 05/30 @ 09:10

    Oh my goodness. She is out on the "limb" sitting next to an adult. I don't remember when she is expected to fledge?

    JAM in IL

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  31. 05/30 @ 09:23

    09:18 - She is alone. Cannot tell whether she is on the rock or limb ... however, much wing flapping! Hard to be certain as I am observing the still updates but I have not seen a lift yet.

    It would seem that her banding was just in time.

    JAM in IL

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  32. Can't believe that Jr has grown so much in just 3 days since I've peeked in on him/her. AMAZING!! Looks like he is out on the limb/pole, but looks as big as the adult. Not much white left now. Tail feathers have grown overnight! WOW!! Thanks BRI, for sharing this wonder of nature with us!!
    Judy in Missouri

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  33. Awwww, I hope someone gets a still shot of our little girl! She's resting on the left side of the step in plain view of the camera. Beautiful!!! 9:14 central time.
    Judy in Missouri

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  34. 05/31 @ 10:56

    Wonder how much longer she will be at the nest site? I wish that BRI would include this cam blog in their updates. Apparently "ning" received info after the banding ... too bad they didn't copy to us.

    I still think the cam blogs provide an important service to those who choose to participate without joining a chat group. I also think that BRI benefits as well as we spread the word about their important work and encourage donations. Of course, perhaps the most benefit goes out to the wildlife covered as we all become involved in their continued existence.

    JAM in IL

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  35. I have posted a few shots I took starting May 8th of the little one. You can see them on my Flickr account:

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/29249618@NO5/

    For some of you that didn't get a chance to see some of the changes, you can see them there.

    Sorry, Flickr doesn't let me sort them, so you just need to look at the description to know how old the chick was.

    Papa Gibbles

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  36. Papa Gibbles I tried your link and it didn't work, but I did find your Flickr link. It looks like the "O" at the end (@NO5)should be a zero rather than a capital O. I'll try to link it here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/29249618@N05/

    Thank you soooooo much for posting all of those photos. It is truly amazing to see how fast this little beauty has grown!
    Judy in Missouri

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  37. Yes, you are correct, the "O" should have been a zero. I tried to paste the URL in the blog, but it would not let me, so I typed it in and did not realize it was a zero.

    Thanks for pointing out the correction, Judy!

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  38. 06/01 @ 08:05

    Thanks, Papa Gibbles, for the great photo sequence and thank you, Judy in Missouri, for the corrected URL. This is what's great about these blogs, a community working together!

    Happy to see our girl is safe again this morning ... worry when it gets dark and I cannot find her.

    JAM in IL

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  39. JAM, I've been concerned about her since she was pushed off the box initially. They are so resilient. She'll soon be fledging and we won't see her much then I suppose. I do wonder if she'll come back to the box at night like the eagles have done in the Bangor nest we've watched. It's been such fun watching this Did you see the video on youtube with captions after her "bracelets" were put on? It's too funny. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVJjMLi2qLE
    Judy in Missouri

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  40. 06/01 @ 20:07

    19:51 - She was on the limb and disappeared.

    Does anyone know if she has actually started flying?

    I keep wondering where the parents are when she is alone. Do you suppose she can see them from her perch on the rocks or the limb?

    Hope I catch some movement before dark. A lot of us are really going to miss her when she takes off!

    Thanks for the youtube bracelet link.

    JAM in IL

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  41. 06/02 @ 08:49

    She looks so grown up as she sits patiently waiting.

    JAM in IL

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  42. there is a new web cam opersting.. has a view to the front of the nest box, and has rocks and a pole or a limb.. sticking out.. so s/he has something else to sit on.. this is so nice to have !!!!!!!!! THANKS BRI !!!!!! wonderfull work !!!

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  43. 06/02 @ 11:31

    Live cam change with sound! Thanks, BRI.

    Right now she is napping on the step into the box. She has really grown. Hope someone captures the pic.

    JAM in IL

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  44. 06/02 @ 11:53

    How wonderful to hear the chatter ... feeding time.

    JAM in IL

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  45. 06/02 @ 11:54

    Got to view part of the feeding time with zoom in operation. Great view!

    JAM in IL

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  46. Where is this nest box. I must have missed it in the info I read. Is it an airport? Very noisy...wow. So nice to have the sound again and thank you BRI for changing the live cam to facing out where she sits now!! WOO HOO!! Little girl's gonna fly soon. :0)
    Judy in Missouri

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  47. DID SHE FLEDGE TODAY? I don't see her! She was there just about an hour ago..1:50 CST. Now it's 2:53 CST and she's not visible. I see 2 rocks, but no raptors at all...bittersweet.
    Judy in Missouri

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  48. Quoted There is a new web cam opersting.. has a view to the front of the nest box, and has rocks and a pole or a limb.. sticking out.. so she has something else to sit on.. this is so nice to have! What is the link to this camera?

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  49. 06/03 @ 13:18

    13:10 - Nervously watching her prepare for flight. She seems interested in something off the right side. Also acts like a running start might help lift off. Yikes ... I hope someone manages to capture some of this.

    Re the new web cam ... might possibly mean the switch of still and live feed of existing cameras. Notice the position has changed ... reverse of top and bottom cams. The former still cam looking from nest box out to front is now the live stream.

    JAM in IL

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  50. Mom was feeding her offspring at 9:45AM, June 5. Looks like the meal was a pigeon or similar size bird. She fed the "chick" in front of the box. A few time sthe chick was taking a whack at the prey itself but would easily give in to Mom tearing off a piece and giving it to her.

    Mom departed and the chick went back to sitting on the long stick.

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  51. 06/05 @ 14:57

    Watching her do wing exercises out on the branch makes me really nervous. I keep expecting her to accidentally take off. Yikes, the drama of these cams never ends!

    JAM in IL

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  52. 06/05 @ 15:06

    I did not realize the bottom still cam is stuck on 06/03 @ 10:35:40.

    JAM in IL

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  53. JR was learning about wind and wings this afternoon.. almost look like takeoff. but was hanging on with one foot..LOL has also been laying down and napping at times.. sometimes , young falcon is below the nest box, and outta sight.. tho very talkitive when its chow time..and has been feeding its self.. expect soon will be flying, and learning how to hunt from mom and dad....

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  54. Jr. with a very active exercise regimen this morning: wing flapping while perched on the limb; hopping between the box, ledge, and limb.

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  55. 06/05 @ 11:21

    Any info on operation of still cam?

    Wish I could see the nest. An adult has been in the nest box and the chick is on the step, I believe.

    JAM in IL

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  56. Has JR fledged ?? havent seen the chick since about 1 pm.. 06-6-2009.. havent seen anything from the web cam

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  57. 06/06 @ 20:50

    Hope I can manage this. Bittersweet video of her first flight. A wonderful sight and, yet, she will be missed.

    06/06 @ 13:55 - YouTube - Baby Peregrine Falcon just flew away

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEzhCwUWNl4

    Or, possibly: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEzhCwUWNl4&feature=channel_page

    I have not done this before, so I hope something works. By the way, I read that she was seen back at the nest at some point this afternoon. Hooray.

    I could not find her before I started this post.

    JAM in IL

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  58. THANKS BRI !! hope you can let us watch this nest next year !!!

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  59. 06/07 @ 08:00

    Wishful thinking ... I was really hoping to catch her at home this morning. Don't know if fledged falcons return to the nest for a while as eagles do. I will keep checking in. While it is nice to think of her soaring out there, knowing she has safely fledged will ease my mind.

    Thanks again to BRI and everyone who contributed to this cam.

    Please continue posting any observations.

    JAM in IL

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  60. 5pm and back at the nest, looks like scavenging for food

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  61. 06/07 @ 17:05

    I have been watching a falcon but the hazy pic of the live feed does not allow me to positively id. I think I see bands so it might be the young girl.

    The falcon was in the box and I wish that still cam worked as the clear pic allows for identification.

    JAM in IL

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  62. a falcon is back.. tho hard to see if its the chick.. but nice to see a falcon !!!! there.. maybe another nesting ?? or is that not a good idea. ??!!

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  63. looks like an adult falcon is in the nest box.. 7:53 am , 6-08-2009

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  64. Mom and JR made, most likely, thier last pass by the nest box this afternoon. Hopefully the cam will remain just in case they pay another visit for old time's sake. So long 'little' guy!

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  65. THE osprey nest has 1 chick today !! tho the parent who was on the nest this early afternoon did step on the chick.. but the chick is holding itshead up fopr food.. hope it gets fed soon !! and the parents watch where they step !! oh yes can`t post on the osprey blog..

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  66. 06/08 @ 17:12

    Falcon on live feed. Wish that we could tell which one. Have to assume the female would return after fledging looking for a meal?

    Re osprey - I have tried posting several times and nothing ever shows up. Too bad. The hatching is exciting and I keep hoping to catch a feeding. Saw an adult enjoy a fish meal without sharing even though a small mouth was wide open begging "feed me, feed me." I, too, observed the chick being caught under foot ... yikes.

    Wish we had an osprey group posting the way this peregrine blog as functioned.

    JAM in IL

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  67. I've also been unable to post to the osprey blog. Unsure exactly when hatching took place but first saw the chick this afternoon around 1:30, and saw the same thing, parent ate without providing any food to the newborn. It would be nice to have audio, the osprey are very vocal as is the young chick. hopefully egg #2 will hatch soon and feeding will commence.

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  68. It appears that the mother is unsure how to react to the chicks cries for food. She pulls off, what look like, tiny pieces of fish, holds it out toward the chick, then eats it herself. It may be her first nest. Hopefully dad will return to help out in the nest. He is providing the food, so no shortage there.

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  69. I missed the osprey hatching today, how exciting that we have another nest to observe! I think this is a great place to post in place of the osprey cam blog site.

    Looking forward to everyone's observations!

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  70. 06/09 @ 18:26

    Have not seen a falcon today.

    18:19 - 18:25 - Osprey feeding. Still one chick and one egg. The adult was snacking on leftovers when incoming osprey delivered another meal. Osprey obviously preferred the fresh delivery although it did allow the provider an opportunity to snatch a bite. Meanwhile little "feed me" kept begging from both adults until the nesting bird started feeding the chick something that appeared to be lip-smacking good! Then it was time to settle in again.

    I would assume the remaining adult and primary chick care giver is the female and that the male delivers the meals. Afraid that I cannot id these osprey ... guess I have been too busy watching the falcons.

    What fun, though, to share a new experience thanks to the BRI cams.

    JAM in IL

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  71. I'm quite disappointed BRI never came back with an update to this blog to let us know how the banding went, what was up with the eggs that did not hatch and other pertinenet information to the fleding of the chick.

    I realize they are probably quite busy, but if you are going to use this vehicle to inform your viewers and potential donors, you need to keep it updated. The last post by BRI was May 21st. Am I looking in the wrong place? Did I miss something?

    Thanks to all the "bloggers" that kept this blog informative.

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  72. It is 1:26 6/11/09 and there is a Falcon at the nesting site, I can not see if it's Fiesty or mom but nice to see someone "home". I also was able to watch the video of the banding of the baby falcon. It is under "Feature Videos". Doesn't tell the weight but shows bands being applied. I will truly miss watching her but understand it'd time for her to move on. I am watching the Osprey now.
    Love reading all the post.

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  73. 06/11 @ 18:26

    18:17 - Falcon into nest box ... I believe I saw bands but cannot further identify.

    Once again, I wish the still cam of the box was functional. Seems whenever I catch a falcon, that camera would offer a great observation.

    Also, I am disappointed that BRI has offered no new information since May 21. Lots of questions re condition of eggs and fledgling activity (hunting and how long will the falcons return to the nest area).

    Re osprey - just finished a feeding a few minutes ago. Chick is cute and growing. Second egg still there.

    JAM in IL

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  74. Dad osprey flew in with a very nice fish supper... mom had a good supper and feed # 1 chick some , moma ate more, and dad was blocking the view of mon and the egg and chick.. i did catch a glimpise of the chick and maybe an egg ?? tho hard to tell as mom was , wigleing over the chick and egg , but i though i saw a hatching egg !!?? I`ll keep checking, and thanks to all the great posts, as the OSPREY blog is not working.. but this falcon blog is very great and provided with lots of coments and sighting.. Thanks BER and Know we all enjoy the update from you experts..

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  75. sad news people... i think the first chick is gone !! havent seen it today.. it looked like the osprey that was on the nest might have had the chick under the left foot( claw ) when it got up , as food was delivered about 2:00 pm.. and fell ?? or might have been taken when the parents were off the nest.. poor little chick.. there is no posts or help from the Osprey blog or site.. Perhaps BRI can get a different person to keep track of these ospreys.. and update what is hapening..very sad day .. if chick is gone..

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  76. Yes Osprey chick it to the left of the nest edge, as i thought i saw about 2 pm .. the bird that was on the chick and the egg , had the baby under it left foot and when the food showed up it got up and the chick is on the sticks , near the stright wood piece that is jutting out on the top left of the screen... hope someone from BRI or the wildlife service will help this poor chick !!

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  77. Falcon chick was back at the nest sight tonight (5:50PM EDST). Squaking and making a racket. Probably calling Mom to bring her something to eat. I can just hear her now "I can't catch anything and I'm hungry.....feed me!"

    Good to see she is still amoung us.

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  78. How about nest "site". Boy, I need to go back to school.......

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  79. 06/12 @ 18:55

    Nice to hear our fledged falcon regularly visits the nest. I don't often catch her.

    Re osprey - how sad to lose the chick. I believe that it is still visible in the nest. The remaining egg is still being incubated. Hopefully it will hatch. Unfortunately, our glimpse of nature often turns tragic ... and, yet, we keep watching and learning.

    JAM in IL

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  80. I now agree with Jam's earlier post regarding osprey's treatment of hatchling. This probably was her first nest, and unfortunately will result in no surviving young. The rare, sporadic feeding and rough treatment were too much for the chick to endure. It's sad, but often we find nature does not always have a happy ending. I'm sure the biologists have recorded this activity and can obtain some data from the remaining egg, and hopefully further explain what happened. As for now, we can all look forward to next spring...

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  81. 06/13 @ 18:31

    17:50 - Found a falcon in the nest box. Went out of sight for a short while, then came forward and onto the "limb" where it is still sitting watching the activity in the water as I am watching her(?).

    Has anyone observed more than one falcon at a time? Wondering if the parents still return to the nest; if they still help by supplying food for her?

    Wish that I could see a good, clear shot of her. Would love to know what she looks like fully feathered. I have never asked if everyone receives the same hazy video that I do? The original nest view was wonderfully clear; the outward looking picture has always been very hazy.

    Re the osprey - have some thoughts and questions but will try to observe a little more before I comment further. Has it been decided that it is too late for the other egg to hatch ... I thought we still had a little more time for wishful thinking?

    JAM in IL

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  82. I don't see the remaining egg hatching.

    Soon after the first egg hatched she seemed confused as to what to do, feed the chick, incubate or just eat and watch.

    She no longer rotated the egg and would only incubate for short periods of time.

    She still appears confused but obligated to at least to occupy the nest.

    At this point, it would appear that the second egg has been neglected for too long to survive.

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