!!! All three of the fledglings are doing very well indeed!
June 13, 2012 - Burlington - Lift Bridge
Mark Nash Reports:
June 14th - 2012
To recap today’s events, all three of the fledglings have been successful in returning to the nest box on their own steam, and have clearly demonstrated their ability to both stay aloft and hold their altitude. In addition, all three fledglings have gained altitude and already testing their parents nerves by repeatedly flying to the much taller hydro towers and other parts of the Skyway bridge!
Several very short games of tag (chase me if you can) have already been observed by the fledglings and one is already starting to chase their parents in the air for food.
The resident adult female - (named Cirrus) doesn’t appear to be having any further trouble with her leg/food injury and is landing, roosting and catching food just fine now. Both adults are incredible parents and attending to the “kids” every needs.
McKenzie - (the resident adult male) is still making use of the available food source (the many pigeons nesting in the lift bridge itself), and doing his share of local on-site pigeon control! While I have missed photographing the events, McKenzie is regularly going into the access holes of the steel structure of th Lift Bridge when its in the “UP position” and has been shopping for “fresh young pigeon” . Much like shopping in your local supermarket going up and down the aisles picking your favourite foods. Bill was able to get a serious of photos that clearly demonstrate this incredible adaptation. I truly hope that he will post some of these photos for all to see! Incredible event shots!!
As of today, the official fledge watch has finished as all three of your young falcons have demonstrated their ability to sustain flight and hold their altitude. While their landings are still much to be desired, practice will make perfect as we say, as this will be a learning experience for the fledglings / juveniles over the next few days as they hone their take-off and landing skills. While they will still be solely dependant on their adult parents for food and protection for the next 30 to 60 days, (and will continue to use the nest box on a regular basis), although they will be spending allot of their time on the bridge and hydro towers as always.
The fledglings will still likely be spending many of their nights in the nest box as this still represents “home” and a safe protected place to sleep.
Barring in mind, that all three of the fledglings at the Burlington Lift bridge nest site are males, and as such, their behaviour differs from that of females. Their affinity to the nest box will not be as important to them as it would be to the females. They young males will become far more independent, and much quicker that if they were young females.
As always, the resident adults will still be overly protective (even more so now) over the nest few days as their “children” are now mobile and on the loose.
Think of it as young 16 year old teenage boys with the keys to the family car for the first time! Look out world, I’m here!!!! Foot loose and care free as they investigate and experience their new world!
There will remain a skeleton base of CPF volunteers, local residents and bird watchers that will be checking in each day – throughout the day for the next week to ten days just in case any of the fledglings get into any further trouble, but an organized dawn to dusk watch is no longer necessary. We will of course remain on a 24/7 on call basis and can always and can be reached by mobile telephones.
I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank all theos that have been so supportive, the CPF watch team and local community support for all of their assistance. A huge thank you to Bill and Sue for their kindness and support and for coordinating the fledge watch, and for their dedication to the cause, the birds, their community and the foundation! A great team!!!!
Stay tuned for more observations and postings…………..
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