Richmond Falcon Cam
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Thursday, January 19, 2012
Update
DGIF Biologists accessed the ledge to perform maintenance today (1/18/12) on both the nest box and Falcon Cam. A loose board was replaced, old gravel removed and a new network cable installed. No peregrines were seen during the work on the ledge but building staff did note one falcon earlier in the morning.
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Monday, June 20, 2011
Young Richmond falcon does not survive collision with building
The story of the young Richmond peregrine falcon has unfortunately come to a premature end as the bird died from injuries resulting from a collision with a downtown building.
The young falcon was last seen on the Falcon Cam this morning at around 7:40. At 10:20, a DGIF biologist spotted the bird on a window ledge directly below the nest box on the Riverfront Plaza West Tower, approximately 15 ft below the box. Both adults were seen repeatedly circling the building in flight in an effort to encourage the young bird to fly. At 11:20, a flash of light from behind the window where the juvenile was perched spooked her off the window ledge. The bird took a strong, level flight northward, accompanied by her mother, and disappeared from sight behind a building.
The DGIF biologist was joined downtown by a dedicated volunteer at around noon. Before long, the volunteer spotted the young falcon perched on a building to the NE of the Riverfront Plaza towers. Following a brief preening session, the bird took a short flight and then circled back. It skittered some 20 ft down the glass facade of a nearby building, but was able to regain altitude. Unfortunately it then flew headlong into another glass building, the James River Tower Three, dropping straight down.
The young falcon was retrieved from the rooftop of an abutting building, where it landed approximately 10 stories below the collision point. The DGIF veterinarian arrived on the scene and confirmed that the bird was dead, citing head trauma from the collision as the cause and stating that the falcon likely died immediately upon impact with the building.
This unfortunate event represents the worst possible outcome that could be expected from this much anticipated fledging event, and underscores the need to monitor the progress that young urban falcons make as they leave the nest. We would like to thank all of the volunteers who have participated in the Fledge Watch this year, as well as all those folks who have followed the young falcon’s progress.
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Sunday, June 19, 2011
Waiting and watching
Throughout the day yesterday a variety of monitors, including DGIF staff and volunteers kept watch waiting for the young falcon’s first flight. At one point the young bird did perform a short “hop-flight” above the ledge, becoming airborne for a few feet. Despite this tantalizing display - her first flight did not occur yesterday.
The adults did their best to encourage her, circling, calling and tempting her with food all to no avail. The photo below shows the chick mantling (hunching over prey with spread wings - hiding it from any other predators) over food while the adult female looks on.
We will continue to communicate with observers on the ground and provide any updates as to the young falcon’s status.
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Friday, June 17, 2011
Stll No Flight
DGIF biologists were on hand at daybreak today, hoping to catch the young falcons first flight. A couple of hours later additional DGIF staff were joined by a dedicated volunteer. Throughout the day we watched several bouts of vigorous wing flapping and the chick spent most of the day perched on the ledge.
The adults attempted to coax her off the ledge, swooping low towards her and circling nearby in an apparent attempt to lead by example. The adult female even tried to tempt her by bringing in a meal and pulling its away. All to no avail as today was NOT the day that this chick would take flight. Just before 6 pm, as steady rain, lightening and thunder rolled through downtown Richmond, Falconwatch activities were called off for the evening.
Over the weekend DGIF staff will coordinate with volunteers keeping an eye on this hesitant young bird.
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Thursday, June 16, 2011
Photos from the release
Both of the adult falcons were very aggresive in defending their nest territory today.
All photos by Lee Walker/DGIF
Below see the female sitting atop the pen as DGIF biologists approached to attach the release trigger.
The female on the ledge keeping a close eye on DGIF staff
The female in flight defending her territory
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Thursday, June 16, 2011
No Flight Today
The door trigger device (which uses melting ice to release a weight which opens the door) was installed this morning at approximately 8:30 am by DGIF biologists. DGIF personnel and volunteers took up positions around downtown Richmond to watch for the young bird’s first flight once the pen was opened.
At 11:12 am the ice melted and the door swung open. The adult female immediately responded flying to the ledge followed by the adult male. The chick however did not seem interested in exploring the world outside the pen. Over the next several hours the chick remained perched in the nest box, occasionally venturing into the pen, but never leaving its confines. The adults continued to fly from building to building - often flying over or landing on the nest ledge.
Shortly before three o’clock she finally left the pen and eventually hopped onto the ledge, raising hopes that we might see her fly. She spread her wings and called to the adults - but no flight.
Shortly after 5 pm the adults brought in a meal while a somewhat reduced monitoring crew continued to keep tabs on the chick. As night fell it became apparent that this young female wouldn’t fly today. She is spending her evening walking the ledges as you can see in the photo below.
DGIF personnel will be on hand at first light tomorrow and along with volunteers will monitor tomorrow to ensure that her first flight is a successful one.
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Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Richmond Falcon Fledge Date Set
The falcon chick in downtown Richmond will be released from its pen on June 16th. A remote trigger will be attached to the pen door in the morning. This trigger uses melting ice to release the door with no humans close by to affect the behavior of the birds.
VDGIF staff along with volunteers will be located at strategic points in downtown Richmond to monitor the bird’s progress and intervene if necessary.
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Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Richmond sub-adult falcon found dead in Pennsylvania
We have received the unfortunate news that one of the falcons that fledged from the Richmond Riverfront Plaza nest in 2010 has been found dead. The bird was found by an Amtrak employee along the railroad tracks near Market Street in downtown Harrisburg, PA and reported to the Pennsylvania Game Commission on the evening of May 25th. Based on the bird’s condition, it was thought to have been dead for 2-3 days. The presence of head trauma suggested a collision with a building or other object as the cause of death. The site where the bird was found is very close to a territorial falcon pair nesting on the 15th floor window ledge on the Rachel Carson State Office Building. It is possible that the collision was the outcome of an altercation between the bird and the territorial falcons. The bird was a male and one of a brood of three hatched last year in Richmond. It was banded on June 1 and fledged on June 21.
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Wednesday, May 25, 2011
More banding photos
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Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Falcon Banded
DGIF biologists banded the falcon chick on the Riverfront Plaza building in Richmond this morning. The chick appeared to be healthy and was fitted with two bands. The first is a green anodized aluminum band with a unique numeric code. The second (or auxiliary band) was was a green and black band with the banding code 00/AV. Our hope is that these bands will provide future data about where this bird travels and hopefully establishes a breeding territory of its own someday.
The chick’s information is below:
Gender: Female
Band #: 1807-65039
Aux Band: Black over Green 00/AV
Weight: 884.0 grams
