Fledge Watch 2010

Read all about Fledge Watch 2010 provided courtesy of Bev Fullbrandt.

Thank-you to all the dedicated volunteers that came out this year to help with fledge watch. Without you, it would not exist.

July18- Red band male spread his wings. He was 44 days old but he flew like a pro right from the start. And continues to do so. It seems all our red banded males are spirited. He provided all with many hours of comical entertainment.

July 19- Yellow banded female took to the skies. She looked strong and good. She had several good flights that day. She was our out in front peregrine. First to hit the rungs of the box, first to flap, first to go out on netting. But it ws not meant to be. Our hearts were broken, when early on July20, she hit a window and died. We are still wondering how, but at least she had her wings under her for awhile. Even with our watching, keeping a close eye, it happened in an instant. She was immediately retrieved and handed over to Gord Court. Maybe, if there is no construction around the Mazenkowski next year, things will go more smoothly. And I will still work on educating people on, how this time is so perilous for our young falcons. Curiosity, on the human side, sometimes, is fatal for our peregrines.

July20- Blue banded female accidently took flight but she had a strong flight and ended up at the back of Mazenkowski. She stayed there for most of the day. Red-banded male flew there also. I am sure they were looking for yellow-band, as they had all been together there, for a few hours. Finally towards evening Blue band flew back to clinical science area. She had to get fed.
We try to not attach human qualities to these falcons but we all knew the parents and youngsters were waiting for yellow band to appear.

They stayed around the clinical science for quite awhile. They love the roof area. Lots of places to hide and flap their wings.

Blue-band continued to get stronger as the days went on and in no time she was able to fly to College Plaza to join the rest of them. She did not enjoy red band tagging her for the first few days but once she got stronger, she gave as good as she got. LOL. Sometimes we would take a few deep breaths as they came so close to the buildings. She is darker in color, if you are watching. And if you see them both, she is bigger. Females are always the bigger than the males.

We have been treated to aerial shows, young ones chasing after the adults and taking prey from their talons. We have watched the adults stoop prey in front of us, on rainy days. And there were many of those. It is one thing to watch on the cam, but to see them after they fledge is pure magic.

The young ones can see be seen now around the education building trying to stoop their own dinner. They seem to like to chase the gulls. They are quite elusive during day hours. Probably honing their skills further out. But they always return to their home area in the evening.

As of Sunday Peter and I saw the 2 juveniles and both adults. We watched them turn in as mom still stayed out on cranes. We will continue to watch for them. They will start their migration in September but I wil try and send updates to the cam.

So once again, I thank-you and hope to see you all next year.

Bev and Peter Fullbrandt and the fledge watch team.