!!! I’m a big boy now! Now let the games begin!
July 22, 2012 - Kitchener - CTV-Bell Media Tower
Mark Nash Reports:
July 22nd - 2012
By 6:30am this morning, little Jr. was clearly showing that his level of confidence had more than doubled since his return back to the nest level. Both Statler, Caster and Jr., were observed in the air all at the same time playing “catch-me-if-can” with Jr. Statler flew around with a small food package in her talons, with Jr., in hot pursuit. While the event only lasted less than a few minutes, it was a first very important lesson. One of the many that will now be able to take place now that Jr., has learned how to get back to the nest ledge level on his own. After a short game of catch-me-if-you-can, Statler eventually flew back to the upper roof area, landed and fed Jr. on the roof.
One of the criteria in which we follow with regards to the duration of a fledge watch, is the fledglings ability to hold their altitude and stay off the ground - (no longer needing to be rescued). The second important criteria, is the fledgling(s) ability to actually return back to the nest ledge level - (regardless of the its height), on their own steam. 50% of the fledglings flight challenges are physical - (building muscle mass, coordination, excessive baby fat & weight), and the other 50% of their problem is their lack of confidence.
Given that both of these things can take some time for the young fledglings to learn, little Jr., seems to have demonstrated proficiency with both. As such, the organized fledge watch will close at the end of the day today as a dawn to dusk monitoring will no longer be necessary. Its up to Statler and Caster and Jr., now!
That being said, Jr., is still going to have to be spot checked periodically throughout the next week as he can still get into trouble.
For the next 6 to 10 weeks, little Jr., will still be solely dependant on his parents for food and protection while they are teaching him all of the necessary life skills that he will need to survive as a peregrine that will be on his own. Come late Sept./Oct., he will succumb to the ergh to migrate and leave the home territory and his parents. He will be on his own for the next two to three years until he matures and starts looking for a mate and territory of his own to settle down in and begins raising his own family.
The next entry should have the results of the Sun Life’s “name the chick” contest, and we should be able to announce the fledglings name!
Also, we look forward to any and all ongoing updates on his progress in the next weeks to follow as the “real show” is just about to begin. SOBPITAFB 
Stay tuned for more updates, lots of photos, and the announcement of his name!
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