Falcons continue to visit! and bad news.

Hi All,
Bad news first: The Bird Banding Lab sent a note that one of the male falcon chicks banded on May 18th was found dead on June 3rd. Notably this coincides with comments by community members that a max of only three chicks were seen for a few days around that period. I will send any details when or if I get them. It is not uncommon. Birds do die and for falcons this post-fledging period of time is particularly difficult to survive through. I have read that survival estimates for falcon chicks through flegding to dispersal are typically very low, 15 to 40 percent.

Better news: Well, the falcons have been visiting the nest tray and have showed signs of pair bonding. While I am not sure exactly what this means it can only be good news for the pair and it is great for those of us who enjoy seeing falcons.

Many thanks for all the posts. FYI, I have responded to some questions regarign previous posts internally at those posts.

Until Next time,
Patrick Keenan
Outreach Coordinator
BioDiversity Research Institute

Falcons flying!

Hi All,
Well, as many of you may be aware the falcon chicks have taken the leap! Following about a week or so of increased activity and wing flapping the falcons have flown for the first time. They will still maintain a presence at the site as they practice flying--indeed the adults will continue to care for them bringing them food for them to eat in the nest or near to it. These chicks still have along way to go. This is a difficult time for chicks, the probability of surviving these next few months is not high (probably < 40%). They have to become strong fliers and hunters and begin to fend for themselves. Let's keep an eye on them and wish them luck.
Until next time,
Patrick Keenan
BioDiversity Research Institute

Banding Day 2010! A riveting experience.

It is not everyday that one has the chance to band falcon chicks. Even for those who have banded 'many falcons' the opportunity is rarely passed up. Today a few lucky biologists and assistants banded the falcon chicks that are viewable on the BRI Peregrinecam...and what a successful morning it was! The chicks ranged from 21 to 24 days old. I awoke early with a jittery excitement because I was part of the banding team. I drank a cup of coffee, gathered the last few necessary items and set out to meet our falcon handlers Judy Camuso of Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and Chris Martin of New Hampshire Audubon, along with a few guests who would assist and observe the banding process.

We gathered briefly to discuss the strategy for capturing the falcon chicks and processing them. The plan emerged quickly and once we were set up to band we made our approach to the nest. Support staff held a shovel and a broom high to protect the falcon chick 'handlers' from the dive-bombing adults. Actually, only the male was diving at us in the beginning. The female was set at the nest in fierce defense of her coveted chicks. After a moment or two, Chris encouraged her to leave and swiftly but carefully loaded the chicks into a large cat carrier. Yes, a cat carrier is the perfect size and shape to carry up to five falcon chicks. We then sought cover from the adult falcons in an enclosed room. There was no mistaking the screeches and screams of the adults outside. They wanted their chicks back.

Chris and Judy set to band and I recorded data and band numbers as each chick was processed. The processing went quickly and I think that it is safe to say that all on hand were impressed by how calm the falcon chicks seemed to be despite what would generally be considered a stress inducing situation. The falcon chicks did not appreciate being manhandled but when left to themselves simply sank comfortably into the 'relaxed-resting' pose that we've been watching on our Peregrinecam.

Each bird received a silver U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service band as well as a coded color band (shown below) that was applied using rivets and is unique for any given bird. We used leg size to determine the gender of each bird--even at 24 days old female falcons are larger than males. Today we banded three males and one female.

Judy measured the wing length and bill length of each bird, gave each a good look over for any injuries and then set each bird aside to rest until all were processed. At the end we had a short opportunity for photos before returning the falcons back to the nest tray. The photo below shows the banded falcon chicks. The female is the lower left bird-note that it appears to be the youngest with the fewest growing flight feathers but the largest feet and legs. The entire banding process required just under one hour and could not have gone much more smoothly!

Also, because many parties are involved in this project I want to extend a sincere thank you to the individuals and agencies involved including Judy Camuso (Maine IF&W) and Chris Martin (New Hampshire Audubon). In the photo below Judy and Chris smile with a falcon chick just before returning it to the nest.

Please be in touch if you have questions about these falcons, the banding process, or why we band. This blog post was admittedly rushed to get it to press, there may be more to discuss. We are always happy to share and educate. Enjoy the rest of the journey.

All the best,
Patrick Keenan
BioDiversity Research Institute

Four chicks growing fast!

Hi All,

Many thanks for all your comments. I have been very busy these past weeks trying to keep up with our webcams and also making a number of presentations about our research. Notably last Friday I shared all of our webcams with students at the Dyer Elementary School in South Portland. It is always refreshing to learn that students are getting smarter all the time.

More to the point, these falcon chicks are growing fast and have experienced a very pleasant spring. After next week we should see them begin to become more active! They will move all over the nest box and platform and they will lounge in the sun on the "porch" looking like rocks. There is still a great deal to see as these birds continue to grow.

We've been able to post recorded footage to our youtube account. So if you want to relive some highlights please visit us on youtube you can subscribe to our channel and get updates when we post a new video.

Have you been able to identify any of the prey items that the falcons share with their young?

Many thanks for enjoying wildlife and sharing this experience with all of us. If you would like to support our work and mission please visit us at www.briloon.org and become a webcam member.

Have a wonderful day!

Patrick Keenan
BioDiversity Research Institute

Four Falcon Chicks!

Hi All,
We now have four falcon chicks being cared for at this site. All eggs hatched and we are watching these birds grow rapidly. In about six weeks they will be beginning to fly. It all happens fast for falcons.

In the meantime watch for these chicks to be fed regularly. Are you able to identify any of the prey items?

All the Best,
Patrick Keenan
BioDiversity Research Institute

Falcons continue to share incubation duties!

Hi All,

I am sure that many are enjoying watching these falcons bear the weather and protect their eggs. You have probably noticed that both the male and female falcons take turns at incubating the eggs. This allows the second bird to hunt for prey, drink water, and maintain their territory. What percentage of time do you see the female incubating compared the male?

One observation that many have made is that the female falcon is larger than the male. At times this size difference is striking, other times it can be less clear. Don't forget that birds can control each feather on their body to 'fluff up' or to compress their feathers against their body to be more streamlined. One artifact of the size difference between males and females is that larger females can take larger prey items to be eaten by the falcon "family".

I hope to be able to make a visit to the site to survey what the falcons have been eating of late. I will keep you posted when I am able to do that. In the meantime, be in touch with questions and share the BRI Peregrinecam with your friends. Observing the nest is likely to grow very exciting if indeed all four of the eggs hatch!

Until next time,
Patrick Keenan
BioDiversity Research Institute

Four eggs! and update about banded male.

Hi All,

The falcons are now incubating four eggs. Eggs were laid on March 18, 20, 22, and 24. Egg #5 could appear today! Last year these falcons laid only four eggs but it is not out of the question for falcons to lay up to six eggs!

Also, I am excited to pass on some additional information about the banded male of this pair. As you know the male at this nest has a black over green band (with codes B/S) on its left leg and a silver Fish and Wildlife band on its right leg. Chris Martin of NH Audubon has provided an update about the history of this bird--he hails from New Hampshire and is in his sixth year!


From Chris Martin, Senior Biologist, New Hampshire Audubon:

Black/green B/S was 1 of 4 chicks fledged from the Brady-Sullivan Tower in downtown Manchester, NH in Spring 2005. His mother was raised at the Throgs Neck Bridge in New York City and his father comes from Cathedral Ledge near Conway, NH. Black/green B/S has been confirmed to be associated with this (webcam site) breeding territory since 2007.

In 2007 the falcons at this eyrie fledged one chick. Breeding efforts failed in 2008 but last year, 2009, these falcons again raised one chick...the only chick to hatch of four eggs. This is the second season that we have monitored this nest with BRI Peregirnecam.

Detailed information about individually marked birds is uncommon and difficult to acquire. Although such information is limited, it can be critical for addressing certain questions that relate to the behavior individuals such as dispersal distance, site fidelity, territory size. Can you think of other questions that might be answered by marking individual birds?

Because we banded last year's chick we may have a chance at tracking multiple generations of falcons...we just have to hope for the stars to align so that last years fledgling might be observed again somewhere. So, be on the lookout for falcons!

As always please keep in touch with your questions and comments about what you see here. Help contribute to this blog!

All the Best,
Patrick Keenan
BioDiversity Research Institute

Falcons lay first egg on 3/18/10

Hi All,
I am happy to report that the falcons on our webcam have laid their first early this morning between 1:30 and 3:30 am. This is a very exciting start to spring. Last year the birds laid their first egg on March 20th. Here is a photo of a falcon incubating this first egg.

Peregrine falcons are widely distrubuted in North America and show variation in the number of eggs that they lay--generally they lay 3-6 eggs. The eggs are typically laid at intervals of about 48 hours, give or take. So, we will have to keep an eye on these birds in the coming days to see how many eggs they lay!

Many thanks for all your posts and please be in touch with questions and comments about what you are seeing. Don't forget to share this project with your friends and family.

All the Best,
Patrick Keenan
Outreach Coordinator
BioDiversity Research Institute

Webcam is down until Monday

Hi All,
I am sorry to report that we are having an issue with our webcam system and we will be down until Monday. Unfortunately, we will not be able to access the site until at least that day. I hope that I can solve the issue and have us back up first thing on Monday...wish me luck.
Best,
Patrick Keenan
BioDiversity Research Institute

The male continues to prepare the site!

Hi All,

I hope that you have all been finding the time to check the webcam and see the male falcon that continues to make visits to this nest tray in preparation for the nesting season. As you can see from this photo this bird is banded. These leg bands are a small but critical piece of evidence that allows us to be certain of the individual identity of this bird. The birds bands have unique color and letter combination that allow observers to recognize individuals.


We have been able to identify this birds bands as...silver on the right leg and a black B over a green S on the left leg. We have several queries out to researchers to get more details about this bird and we will keep you up to date about the history of this bird in upcoming blogs...so keep checking back!

All the Best,
Patrick Keenan
BioDiversity Research Institute

Falcons persist at the nest site!

Hi All, I am very happy to report about the frequent visits by the falcons to the perch in front of the nest and to the nest tray itself. Many are very eager for eggs to appear. Last year late March was the period of laying for these birds-the earliest nesting record for falcons in Maine! Let's keep our fingers crossed for this pair as the season progresses.

Here is an up close and personal view of what I believe is the male falcon perched directly in front of our inward looking camera.


Please be in touch with questions. My hope is to get a better dialogue going on our blogs and try to maintain posts each week or two.

All the best,
Patrick Keenan
BioDiversity Research Institute

Early season visits! What are you seeing?

Well, many thanks for the great discussion and photos posted to our online community. I am very happy to see the falcons visiting the nest site and showing signs of pair bonding. This is a great sign that the birds intend to nest and use this site again this year. Here is a nice image of the birds bowing to each other in typical pair bonding ritual.



Laurad also posted this photo of the bird attempting to excavate the scrape where the falcons might lay their eggs. Not that his bird is also simulating its incubation posture.



I appreciate all your comments! Please see the comments in last weeks blog for details about the prey items, I'll post them tomorrow!

Until next time,
Patrick Keenan
BioDiversity Research Institute

Camera Reinstall visit on Jaunuary 14, 2010

Hi All,

I am eager to report the details about my recent visit to the peregrine falcon nest site yesterday. It was very cold in the morning but warmed quickly as the sun rose. I was able to secure the camera back on its 'perch' to offer us, once again, an inward looking perspective on the nest tray. While tightening the u-bolts I was 'buzzed' by each of the falcons.

Needless to say, I worked quickly and was happy to have support from our collaborator who provided warning that the falcons were approaching fast (not that there was anywhere to hide!). I had tried to time the visit to avoid disturbing the pair, but given their persistent territoriality and presence at the site through the year, I had to settle with simply minimizing my disturbance. That is I visited during the period outside of the birds nesting season. Last year these birds became active at the nest in early February and laid eggs at the end of March.

Of particular interest to our project is what these birds are eating. I was fortunate to also visit one of the feeding 'stoops' where these birds perch and tear apart their food items. In addition to three very fresh rock pigeon carcasses (as well as a count of nine older, desiccated pigeon carcasses), I found the following items shown in the photos below.

Can you recognize these bird parts? It may be difficult to do so from the photos alone but I welcome any thoughts or questions that you might have about these prey items. I have identified them only after careful and cautious observation. I will post their identity next week in this blog...so be sure to check back!

PHOTO 1:

PHOTO 2:


Well, that is all that I would like to report for now. There is a great deal happening at BRI so please visit our website (www.briloon.org) to learn more. Until next time enjoy our webcams and your wildlife!

All the Best,
Patrick Keenan
Outreach Coordinator
BioDiversity Research Institute