!!! Close encounters of the squirrel kind! & Miss Fran’s Rescue!!!
June 18, 2013 - Kitchener - CTV-Bell Media Tower
Lisa Reh Reports:
Tony arrived at the watch at 5:45 a.m. and all 3 fledglings were on the aerial on Kings Tower’s and Statler was on the CTV tower. Between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m. Miss Fran and Big Al went for a short flight but unfortunately a tree beside the tower got in Frannie’s way. She managed to grab on to a branch and hung on. A few minutes after Rudy arrived at the base of the tower a juvenile black squirrel became very curious and eventually got brave enough to try to mug Fran. The squirrel jumped on Fran and both tumbled down a few feet. The squirrel baled and Fran grabbed a branch on the way down but finally dropped to the ground. Tony and Rudy rushed to Miss Fran’s rescue but before they could towel her she took off from the ground and flew across the street to the hospital and landed on one of the lower roofs! She was up there for about 15 minutes, moving along the edge. After a bit of mobbing by robins she eventually dropped to the ground again, where Rudy finally cornered her, secured her in the towel and contained her. She was rehydrated and examined for any injuries and appeared to be ok, so a release was arranged between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. on top of Grand River Hospital, 850 King St. rooftop. In the a.m. while Fran was chilling out waiting to be released there were more close encounters with an osprey while volunteers watched over the other four falcons.
The GRH public relations department, the CTV media, and many dedicated fledge watch volunteers were present for Miss Fran’s release. Kellie S. reported, that after Rudy gave Fran another good check (and received a few chomps for his trouble), Miss Fran was taken to the rooftop and was released. After a few moments, Miss Fran took off! She landed clumsily on top of Kitchener Collegiate Institute and then, with much flapping she gained the necessary altitude and returned way up high on the CTV tower, well above the drum!!!
Here’s the link to the CTV story:
Meanwhile, Arnie appeared to be missing! He appeared from the direction of the GRH and flew to the tower between 5 and 5:30 p.m. Big Al, who had been perched on the small aerial just southwest of the CTV tower, also made his way to the main CTV tower. All the fledglings were on the same level, perched on the central set of railings around the top of tower. Statler arrived and delivered a prepared food package directly to Miss Fran. She mantled the food and didn’t allow her brothers near, despite their crying. Frannie didn’t really move too much after she had eaten.
Statler casually flew off the tower and was quickly pursued by one of the boys! She circled around and quickly turned the tables on him! Now she was pursuing him, and being a more experienced flier, quickly caught up and nudged him mid-air with her shoulder. She over-flew him and seemed to be encouraging him to fly after her, but the boy ran out of steam and headed for GRH. Statler headed southwest and out of sight.
The two boys ended up together on the drum of the short aerial. Caster came in with a small food package for them which they fought over. Eventually, the fight became airborne and the food was dropped. They circled over it but did not retrieve it. Later on, the two boys played a few chase games with each other. It was more ‘evenly matched’ than when they played with Statler earlier. Instead of gently nudging each other, they had their talons out and were ready to see what they could do with these weapons! Later, one of the boys gained some altitude and landed on the highest point of the King’s Towers, without actually landing on the antenna. Statler was sitting about half-way up the antenna. Minutes later, the other boy flew out, gained some altitude and landed above Statler on the same antenna! He took off a few more times and tested some even higher perches, but eventually he landed back beside his brother on the lower level. By the time the watch was over, all the fledglings were settled in for the night. The adults weren’t around but were probably not too far away. (Thank you Kellie for super play-by-play details!)
A very exciting day for our falcon family and especially Miss Fran!!!
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