We have not seen much of both peregrines at the nestsite. But today one of them was there. It could well be they do all the romancing somewhere else, although we have not seen the tiercel scraping bowles here either. We just have to wait and see. I'm sure it will be alright. It is still early. Last year the first egg was laid on August 18, that is still a week from now. It is still very cold overthere. Last night was below zero. There is not much food around yet.I do not expect any eggs untill the end of August.
In the meantime there has been some concern about an injured peregrine that was found in Brisbane. Fortunately it turned out it is definitely not our Frida or Frodo. The injured tiercel has a fractured right wing and is very well been taken care of by the vets and nurses at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. He will make a full recovery and spends his time in a beautiful flight cage.
Both pics are courtesy of Mimi Dona, Senior Veterinary Nurse at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.
A great sequence of Chad and Chris Saladin of an attempted foodexchange at the I-480Bridge Site. The female Maddy came in with a pigeon that she got under the bridge and it was still alive. She flew in and began biting the neck of the pigeon. Maddy was trying to deliver the bite while the prey was struggling to escape... There was an exchange attempt, although Cahd and Chris were not quite sure if Maddy intended to do a live drop, or if she lost control and the pigeon escaped. As you can see, juvenile Ally dropped back down after inverting and getting close to taking the pigeon, then the pigeon flapped and crashed down as Ally dove down after the pigeon as it fell.
Both Ally and Maddy circled, calling and looking at the pigeon, but wouldn't come down to the ground level. Then they both flew up and perched on the bridge supports, looking down at the pigeon. So, Chad picked up the pigeon (which was now dead) and tossed it up onto the roof of a nearby green baracks building so they would have an opportunity to come and get it. They immediately took off toward the building and took turns trying to pick it up "on the fly" without landing. After a few attempts, Maddy actually did grab it, but dropped it as she cleared the building roof. And of course, Chad had to give them another chance, this time throwing it further back on the roof hoping this would encourage them to feel safer landing and securing the pigeon.
Throwing the pigeon further back worked, as Maddy flew in from the back of the building and was out of view for awhile before rising up from the building with the pigeon (so, we believe she must have landed to get it). She flew with the pigeon toward the support where Ally was perched, but instead of taking it up to the support, she flew past Ally low, went parallel with the north side of the bridge. Ally took off and came up to complete the exchange on the opposite side of the bridge (unfortunately backlit and with a telephone wire in the foreground, so no pics).
All pics are courtesy of Chris and Chad Saladin. Thanks Chris and Chad for the terrific pics!
After the breedingseason has winded down in the Northern Hemisphere things are getting on the road "Down Under". The Australian breeding season is getting started. There are 2 nestsites that have webcams overthere. The one in Brisbane or Frodocam. And one in Anglesea on the Alcoa plant.
Australia is something else. A beautiful continent which is totally different from the rest of the world. Flora and fauna have species that only live in Australia, like the Kangeroo, Platypus, Koala, Huntsman spider and Brush tailed possum. And Australia has it's own 2 Peregrine falcon subspecies as well: the Falco peregrinus macropus and Falco peregrinus submelanogenis.
Peregrine Falcons occur just about anywhere in Australia, from the coast to the Outback and from the tropical north to the temperate south. Even in arid interior, they can be seen around billabongs and permanent waterholes.
Peregrines have lived in Australia for a long time. Their fossil remains have been found in Pleistocene deposits dating to about 1.85 million years ago. A study of deposits found at a cliff where Peregrines nest in Tasmania discovered that the oldest deposits were laid down about 8600 years ago.
Falco Peregrinus Macropus
The main subspecies on the Australian continent is the F.p. Macropus. It can be found througout Australia except the southwest. That is the territory of the other subspecies F.p.submelanogenis.
The macropus differs from the subspecies in Europe and de US/Canada in many ways. The peregrine falcon we know in Europe is the Falco peregrinus peregrinus. And the one in the US/Canada is the Falco peregrinus anatum.
We are used to a peregrine with a darkgreyblue head with more or less white stripes in the throat and neckarea. Some Northern peregrines even have a white stripe of feathers just above the cere. Australian peregrines have a totally different head. It is covered by a darkgreyblue-blak cap. Its back is a dark slaty grey, throat white and the rest of the underparts white to buff with narrow black bars. They are medium-sized (0.5 m), stocky, deep-chested birds of prey (raptors) with long, narrow, tapering wings. Compared to our peregrines the Macropus has very big feet.
The juvies are similar but upperparts vary from chocolate brown to brown and underparts buffy with blackish streaks (vs. bars).
In Australia, the Peregrine falcons occur across the continent (except on treeless, waterless plains) and are present on many offshore islands. Some, like Frodo and his mate, have even joined the population drift into major towns and cities.
There is probably nowhere in the Greater Brisbane Region that Peregrine Falcons cannot be seen and several breeding pairs reside here. Although Peregrines can be seen widely, a few birds account for all sightings. Like all 'top predators', they are uncommon and highly territorial.
The total world Peregrine population is thought to number 12,000–18,000 breeding pairs. 3000–5000 of them live on the Australian mainland and in Tasmania. The Queensland population has been estimated at around 950 breeding pairs (approx. one pair per 1800 sq km) with 25–35 pairs in South-east Queensland (6–10 pairs in the Greater Brisbane Region).
Each pair permanently holds and defends an area of land (territory) from other Peregrines. The size of the territory varies according to quality of the habitat and availability of prey. This explains why there may be as many as one pair per 30 sq km or as few as one pair per 14,000 sq km in different parts of Australia.
The Brisbane falcons
We all know and love Frodo and Frieda. What magnificent raptors they are. We have been enjoying the imgaes from Frodocam in the past years and looking forward to this new season 2008.
Peregrines may be new addition to the Admiralty Towers residential block, but they are not new to the CBD! Brisbane joined the list of cities around the world that have breeding pairs on tall buildings and skyscrapers sometime during the mid-1970s, when a pair took up residence on the MLC Building (George and Adelaide Streets).
A pair, but not necessarily the same individuals, has been living in the CBD ever since. During the past decade, they have nested on Sheraton Building where they also attracted a great deal of attention.
The pair has now moved to the Admiralty Towers, probably because of the number of tall buildings rising around their former residences. On the other hand it may simply be that the ledges of their new home are far more attractive.
Last year the first egg was laid on august 18, the second and third on 8/20 and 8/22The first eyas hatched on 9/25 and the second on 9/26. The third egg did not hatch and was disposed off by Frida. Sadly one of the eyases died due to heat exposure on 10/4. The heat of the sun is deadly for an unprotected eyas. The little one laid all afternoon of 10/3 in the burning sun and died. Very awfull. The other one however survived and grew up to a very lovely little well nourished chicklet. Loved by the world! It fledged savely in the early morning of november 5.
The Alcoa falcons
This nestiste is on the Alcoa plant in Anglesea near Melbourne in Victoria. The risiding peregrines are Sheila and Havoc.
Alcoa Anglesea has been home to a pair of Peregrine Falcons since 1991. This webcam is showing images from a special nest box that environmental staff at the site built and installed in 2004 on the site’s water tower. The height and aspect of this structure mimics the preferred natural nesting environment of this species. Normally Peregrines can be found nesting on sheer cliff faces.
The most serious threats facing Peregrines in Victoria are illegal persecution and the continuing loss and disturbance of suitable nest sites. Only 3% of Peregrine nests found in Victoria are on man made structures, so Alcoa Anglesea is pleased to be able to provide a safe and secure site for this pair of Peregrine Falcons.
Alcoa has an ongoing interest and involvement with Peregrine Falcons in Victoria, with both the Anglesea and Point Henry sites working alongside the Victorian Peregrine Project (VPP) to assist with research and conservation of the species. This work is part of the environmental management work underway at each Alcoa site to reduce our environmental footprint and promote conservation.
Last season Sheila laid her first egg on august 25 and had completed her clutch of 4 by August 28. On October 1 the first eyas hatched, and on october 3 the second one emerged. But the other 2 eggs did not hatch. So just 2 beautiful eyases. They grew up without any problems. On October 25 both little ones were banded and named. Weighing in at a very healthy 905g was the young falcon, Dash, with all the characteristics to be as formidable as her mother.More reserved and weighing in at 590g was the little tiercel, Concorde.
Concorde fledged on November 10 and his sis followed a day later. Both were well and accounted for when the cams closed.
So we are at the brink of a great new season. Of course daily reports of both nestsites will be on this Blog.
Sad news from de Zwolle nestsite at the Electrabel Plant. One of the 3 juvies was found with 2 broken legs. After she was brought to the vet it turned out both legs were broken on several places. The injuries were so serious that it was decided not to let her suffer any more. She was euthanised and flew peacefully over the rainbow bridge.
Fly free... soar high sweety
The other 2 are OK and are seen every once in a while diving and talon tagging. They are about to leave the plant to start their own life.
Chris and Chad Saladin report: Over the past few weeks when we've been checking and we've been seeing only the adults and Spirit on occasion. When we were there only SW was around, and then we found one of the juvs (we assume that it's Spirit) perched on a building to the west. So, it's pretty much hit or miss, and the other juvies are either coming by infrequently or they could be hunting independently and moving on by now. Here are some shots of SW and Spirit, with the last one showing the building where we found the one juvi last week...
All good things come to an end.... And so does this great Peregrine falcon season in the northern hemisphere. In februari I started this Blog to keep a diary and make notes of everything that happened at 22 nestsites. Mainly because I wanted acurate data about many things concerning the breeding season and behaviour of the peregrine falcon for my website http://www.falcoperegrinus.nl/.
It has become much more than this and I do want to thank everybody who is visiting my Blog and have send me so many emails. It's been an honor and a pleasure to write about these beautiful and exceptional creatures I love so deeply.
And of course it is always great to watch all the nestsites and make reports every night about every single one. Time consuming and exhausting, but well worth it.
James River Bridge juvie at New River Gorge Photo: Cary Hartley
I've gathered an enormous amount of new data with which I will go back now to writing my main website and translate the whole website into English. So it will be available to everybody as soon as possible. I have received many requests to translate it, and of course I will do so. All of you are invited to visit http://www.falcoperegrinus.nl/ and to read about many breedingseasons, watch the video's and the pictures. And read about the peregrine falcon, it's amazing anatomy and everything you ever wanted to know about this beautiful raptor.
Susan B Photo: Jim Pisello
In the meantime I will of course keep posting news and updates about our so beloved youngsters on this Blog. But in the upcoming weeks no more on a daily basis. There is not enough material to fill the Blog at the moment anymore. But as soon as the season starts in Australia in about 5 weeks (end of August) I will start posting again every evening. Alcoa and Brisbane are 2 of my favorite nestsites. All my readers are invited to join me again to watch the eyases of the Falco peregrinus macropus hatch and grow up down under.
Terminal Tower juvenile Photo: Chad and Chris
All juvies on the northern hemisphere are learning now how to take care of themselves, how to survive, how to catch prey. They will all leave their parents and birthground soon to start their own life. For all of us watching them from egg to fledge the season comes to an end, for them however life has only just begun.
We've all come to loving them very much, every single juvenile. It is inevitable not to care for these beautiful, proud and magical creatures who are far beyond just an bird. They are peregrine falcons, they all are born from the sun with warriorspirits. Full of courage and totally without fear, they are truly free spirits.
Derby youngster Photo: Colin Pass
Go sweet ones, fly your path of life in the bright light of your pure and innocent spirit.
Fly free ..... soar high ..... live long and prosper.
May the Great Spirit guide your Path.
I think continually of those who are truly great
The names of those who in their lives will fight for life,
Who wear at their hearts the fire's center.
Born of the sun they travel a short while towards the sun.
And will leave the vivid air signed with their honor.
Some wonderful pics of Jim Pisello of the past days. Starring mostly Seneca, who has become a multiskilled flyer. From catching branches from trees she flies by to startling ducks and gulls, she sure is a mistress of the sky our Seneca, lady of Rochester. She is a true daughter from her legendary father Kaver: not only did she inherite his dark features, she flies with her legs dangling like he does. She must be great to watch readjusting a tailfeather here and a wingfeather there, making smooth turns and beautiful tumbles. Not only Seneca is a great flyer, all 2008 Rochester youngsters are: Zephyr and Diamante the 2 tiercels and SusanB, Quest and Seneca the 3 young falcons. How special they are!
Soon they will leave for longer flights away from Rochester until they will leave on their migration. Each one will go and leave Mariah and Kaver and find her or his way into their own future. After the winter they will go through their first molt into the adult dark grey and white plumage. Each will try to find a territory and a partner in order to mate in the year after. To carry forward the rich heritage of the Rochester peregrine falcons, of Mariah and Kaver, for next generations to come.
we will be able to follow Quest on her migration, because she has a transmitter on her back. Imprints will make a special page on which we can see where she is and where her Quest goes...
Each year it is hard to say goodbye to these exceptional creatures. We have seen how the eggs have been laid, how they have hatched. We have all been overjoyed with the 5 little fluffy sweet little eyases, who have grown into beautiful strong juveniles. Now the time has come to wish them farewell. May the great Spirit protect and guide you all on your Path of life. Fly free and soar high......
Read the reports and watch the pics on Peregrinations, the Blog of Jim Pisello:
This blog is all about Peregrine Falcons and part of my website: www.falcoperegrinus.nl. At the start of the new breeding season 2009 I will observe several nests all around the world just like last year.
And I will write about the peregrines, their eyases who will turn into strong juveniles. Join me in a new adventure!
I want to thank Chris & Chad Saladin for their amazing pictures of the peregrine falcons of Ohio. I feel very honoured you gave me permission to use this wonderful collection for my Blog and Website. You guys are the best! Thanks so much!
" We need another, and a wiser, perhaps a more mystical, concept of animals. Remote from universal nature and living by complicated artifice, man in civilization surveys the creature through the glass of his knowledge and sees thereby a feather magnified and the whole image in distortion.
* We patronize them for their incompleteness, for their tragic fate of having taken form so far below ourselves. And therein we err, and greatly err. For the animal shall not be measured by man.
* In a world older and more complete than ours they move finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear.
* They are not brethren. They are not underlings. They are other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendor and travail of the earth.”
