FALCON FLASH
Dateline: Cleveland, Ohio
February 28, 2013
"FalconCams", which are cameras mounted on the skyscraper and focused on the nestbox, are sponsored by the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. They allow us an up close and personal look into the nestbox. To watch the falcons live go to: http://www.falconcam-cmnh.org/news.php Here is a still captured by the FalconCam showing the nestbox just outside the 12th floor window of the skyscraper.
If you are new to watching falcons, here is some background. By the 1970’s, the species peregrine falcon had nearly become extinct in North America because of the use of a pesticide called "DDT". In 1972 DDT was banned in North America and for many years, scientists and concerned people from all walks of life worked hard to save the species. In 1999 the peregrine falcon was removed from the List of Endangered Species, one of the great success stories in the field of wildlife conservation. The birds are still rare, and humans monitor and help them to make sure the species continues its recovery. This is Boomer near the nestbox.
Will SW keep control of her nest and mate? Will there be eggs this year? Will they hatch? You may think it's winter, but Boomer and SW are thinking spring, and they have already begun the annual nesting life-cycle: courtship, rivalry, survival, new life, parenting. We hope you will enjoy studying this magnificent species that escaped extinction and now rules city skies.
Stay tuned for falcon news……..
To watch the falcons live go to: http://www.falconcam-cmnh.org/news.php Our thanks to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History for sponsoring the FalconCams and for the still.
Thanks to Scott Wright for his photographs. They may be used in any non-commercial publication, electronic or print, but please give photo credit.
Peregrine falcons generally stay with the same mate every year. SW is an older female and she lost her longtime mate several years ago. Her new mate is a young male named Boomer. Here is Boomer, the father falcon, on the skyscraper ledge near the couple’s nestbox. Boomer is young and strong.
Welcome to the 2013 "Falcon Flash", news bulletins about the peregrine falcon - fastest creature on earth! We will study and watch one peregrine falcon family during nesting season, approximately late February into June. There has been a nestbox on the 12th floor ledge of "Tower City" in Cleveland, Ohio since 1991.
SW is the resident mother falcon……
We have a penpal in Cleveland, Mr. Scott Wright, who has been a volunteer peregrine falcon nest monitor at this site for 20 years and who sends us news and pictures throughout nesting season. Mr. Wright took the following picture from inside the skyscraper window. The falcons are perched atop the "FalconCams".
There has been a great deal of courting behavior going on at the falcon nestsite. However, falcon watchers have been worrying that because SW is getting older, she may be challenged for her nestsite by another younger female, or she may have trouble laying healthy eggs. Last year only one of her eggs hatched. Also, last fall SW appeared to be quite ill for a period of time. She was seen laying down for prolonged periods on the FalconCam which is unusual behavior.
Volunteer nest monitor Scott Wright reported that she appeared to be quite ill. He observed that she had trouble breathing and walking and that she was not eating. She did recover and since then has guarded her nesting territory with Boomer - but there is always a chance that another younger and stronger female will attempt to take over. In fact, SW came to this nestsite as a young female, challenging the previous older female and winning a fight to the death for control of the nest.
According to the Canadian Peregrine Foundation, “Some studies suggest that Peregrines have an average life expectancy of only 4 to 5 years, while others indicate that the range is as high as 10 to 12 years. Captive birds frequently live even longer, and there are also records of a few wild birds which have nested for as many as 17 consecutive years”. SW is nearly 14 years old. Here she is a few days ago – how do you think she looks?
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