January 2012
1 post
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.
June 2011
7 posts
Young Richmond falcon does not survive collision...
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...
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,...
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...
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
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...
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...
Richmond sub-adult falcon found dead in...
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...
May 2011
5 posts
More banding photos
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...
Feeding time
Growing Quickly
The nestling peregrine falcon in Richmond is thriving. As the sole beneficiary of the hunting efforts of both adults, this young bird is certainly well fed. In the photos below you’ll note that wing, tail and even some body feathers are beginning to become apparent.
On Saturday, May 21 the young bird hopped out of the nest box and began to explore the ledge. The adults continue to feed...
Update
It has been 5 days since the last egg hatched and the chick is doing well. It is being fed regularly by its parents, with the latest feeding by the male having taken place within the last hour.
April 2011
5 posts
Feeding Time
We have been closely following the progress of the chick that hatched yesterday. It was fed early this morning and again this afternoon. As you can see in this video the chick appears alert and actively seeks to be fed. After a eating its fill the chick was brooded for a time by the male and the female returned to the box at approximately 1:00pm.
We are aware of the issues with the video...
Last egg hatched
A technical difficulty with the camera was incurred yesterday evening at approximately 5 pm and could not be corrected until this morning. Because of this, we were unable to monitor events at the nest until earlier today. It appears that yesterday’s pipped egg has failed to hatch, as that egg is no longer visible and is presumed to have been disposed of by the parents. Likewise, the dead...
Update
On the heels of the hatching of the first egg yesterday morning, a second egg appeared to have hatched sometime between yesterday evening and this morning. Since we began monitoring the camera this morning we have been unable to detect one of the two chicks and it is apparent that the second chick is dead. Two unhatched eggs remain and are being actively incubated. One of these eggs shows a...
1st egg hatched
The first egg hatched today at approximately 11:40 a.m.
Countdown Begins
Peregrine falcon eggs typically hatch after 33-35 days of incubation. The birds usually begin incubating after the female lays the second to last (penultimate) egg. This year incubation was a bit of a start and stop affair that began with the second egg laid.
What does this mean for this clutch? Only time will tell but today, April 25th, marks 33 days since the second egg was laid. ...
March 2011
7 posts
7 tags
Egg Number Four
Views into the nestbox this morning revealed a fourth egg. Here we can see the male getting ready to settle in for his turn at incubating the eggs. This is a typical clutch for peregrine falcons and we won’t expect to see anymore. The next big question; of course - is when will they hatch?
Peregrine falcons incubate their eggs for between 33-35 days. Incubation usually begins with the...
Number 3!
Early this morning it appeared that there was a third egg in the nest. With the glare, spiderwebs and the female’s diligent incubating - it was hard to get a good clear look. Finally late this morning we were able to capture photos of all three eggs.
These eggs are being incubated regularly now. We’ll continue to watch for a fourth egg - if its forthcoming we should see it over...
5 tags
2nd Egg Confirmed
After much watching awaiting, sharp-eyed Falcon Cam viewers spotted the second egg yesterday at approximately 6:50pm. This morning we were able to get close up views that clearly show both eggs.
The female spent some time incubating the eggs today, making it unclear how many more eggs we can expect. Peregrine falcons usually begin incubating after they lay the second-to-last (penultimate)...
2 tags
4 tags
First Egg of 2011!
The peregrine falcons in Richmond have laid their first egg of 2011!
Although the morning glare made it hard to tell exactly when the egg was laid, shortly after 9:30am an egg could clearly be seen at the rim of the scrape (shallow depression in the gravel of the nestbox). The male moved in and gently rolled the egg safely into the scrape.
Peregrine falcons typically lay 4 eggs at a time. Eggs...
January 2011
1 post
Redesigned Peregrine Falcon website launched
We invite you to visit the newly redesigned DGIF website dedicated to the Peregrine Falcon at http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/birds/peregrine-falcon/ (or click on the ‘Peregrine Falcon Management and Recovery Efforts’ link on the right side of this page). The site features new and updated content, including information on falcon breeding ecology, recovery and management efforts...
October 2010
4 posts
A Case of Mistaken Identity?
The injured bird being cared for at the Wildlife Center appears to be on the mend. The shoulder injury seems to be healing well and the veterinarians are pleased with the alignment of the fractured coracoid. The falcon was given an eye exam at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech on October 21st. The bird’s right eye appeared to be healing, with...
Injured Richmond Falcon
On the afternoon of October 12, DGIF was alerted to the presence of a grounded peregrine falcon in downtown Richmond. Upon arrival, a DGIF biologist found an unbanded adult female peregrine on the lawn of the James Center, near the spot where it had apparently collided with the building. The bird is almost certainly the female of the pair of falcons that has been breeding in downtown Richmond...
September 2010
1 post
Eastern Shore Birding and Wildlife Festival
The Eastern Shore Birding and Wildlife festival celebrates its 18th years this fall. The festival will be headquartered in the bayside Town of Cape Charles in Northampton County. Birders and wildlife enthusiasts flock to the Eastern Shore to witness an amazing natural spectacle as countless numbers of shorebirds, raptors (including of course bald eagles) and songbirds pour along the Delmarva...
August 2010
1 post
News from Richmond and Beyond
Biologists from the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries accessed the nesting ledge today to remove the pen. Falcon Cam viewers will recall that the pen was put in place to prevent the young falcons from fledging early or falling from the ledge. Following the nesting season the pen was temporarily left in place to further acclimate the adult falcons to its presence.
Birders in...
June 2010
7 posts
A Surprise Visit
DGIF Dispatch received a call about 3:30 pm Sunday afternoon that one of the juvenile falcons had flown through the doors into the loading dock at The James Center in Downtown Richmond, and appeared to be injured. Staff at The James Center retrieved the bird (the female juvenile, band 12/AD), and DGIF staff picked her up at The James Center and took her to The Wildlife Center of Virginia for...
6 tags
Learning Fast
This morning at approximately 8:00am DGIF personnel found all three young falcons perched atop the McGuire Woods building in downtown Richmond. The young birds dispersed to various perches around the downtown area. All of the juveniles demonstrated excellent flying abilities today with a number of strong flights. The young birds are beginning to master soaring and more importantly - landing! ...
Three Have Flown
While DGIF staff and Fledgewatch volunteers anxiously waited…the ice bottle trigger seemed to defy the growing heat in Richmond today. It wasn’t until 12:40 pm that the cage door swung open. One bird immediately left the cage and took flight. An impressive first flight that circled the downtown area and ended atop the Federal Reserve Building. At 12:56pm the second chick...
Ready to Fly?
The young falcons in this nest are close to being able to take flight into the wider world. These young birds bear little resemblance to the downy chicks that hatched a little over a month a half ago.
The flight pen allows room for the birds to stretch their wings and and strengthen their flight muscles. As the bird continue to develop they appear eager to take their first flight. In the video...
Date Set for Fledging
The date has been set for the fledging of the peregrine falcon chicks in downtown Richmond.
On the morning of June 21st (weather permitting) DGIF biologists will access the ledge and fit the door opening mechanism to the pen. This will open the door slowly after a period of hours allowing the birds to leave the pen with no humans around.
Once out of the pen the birds will make their way to the...
More Banding Photos
DGIF Biologist Sergio Harding (right) securing an auxiliary band with pop-rivets
Male chick awaiting auxiliary band
DGIF biologists Jeff Cooper (left) and Stephen Living (right)
5 tags
Richmond Falcons Banded and Penned
DGIF biologists accessed the ledge at Riverfront Plaza this morning and banded all three of the chicks from the nest. The chicks were easily gathered up and brought in from the ledge. As expected the adults were very defensive keeping the biologists on their toes.
The three chicks were healthy and by all indications doing well. Measurements taken during the banding confirmed our suspicion...
May 2010
6 posts
6 tags
Walk About
The three young falcons in Richmond have become mobile. As in past years, the young have left the box and begun to explore the ledge. The ledge is fairly extensive and the young may at times be out of view, but all three are accounted for. The adult falcons have access to entire ledge and will continue to feed and care for the young birds.
There are several locations where the chicks can...
Arachnids!
Once again spiders have woven webs across the camera dome. Riverfront Plaza (the building that this nest box is located atop) is adjacent to the James River, meaning there are plenty of flying insects around. The plentiful insects, along with the many nooks and crannies of the ledge make for great spider habitat!
Biologists only access the nest ledge for necessary managment activities. The...
5 tags
Meal Time
The Richmond falcon chicks are doing well. All three are active and taking part in the frequent feedings by the adults. In this photo you can see the full crop on this young bird. The crop is an expandable, muscular extension of the esophagus that allows the birds to rapidly consume large meals. The food is later released into the stomach to be digested at the bird’s leisure in a safe...
5 tags
Third Hatched and Surprise Dinner
The third egg has hatched in Richmond. The third chick is resting and is drying out. Its older siblings were quite hungry for the first meal the male brought in for them…a bat! The youngest didn’t raise its head to eat, but given the tiring ordeal of hatching this is no surprise. While birds generally make up the bulk of a peregrine’s diet, bats are not that unusual a prey...
3 tags
Two Have Hatched!
Sometime before 11:30am two of the eggs hatched. We’ve only had brief glimpses of the chicks so far as the adults are brooding them, keeping them tucked under their breast most of the time. The number of broken eggshells is definitely a good indication of how many chicks have hatched! Stay tuned while we watch for the next two eggs to hatch.
5 tags
No Chicks Yet
This morning didn’t reveal any chicks at the nest, but as the male stepped away from his incubation duties we got a good look at the eggs. The pips have been expanded in two of the eggs and there was a hint of a pip in a third egg as well.
Hatching Begins!
Today (April 30th) marks 33 days since the second to last egg was laid by this peregrine falcon pair. At this point full time incubation typically begins. Incubation for peregrine falcons is generally between 33-35 days so we have been watching closely today.
The female has been especially restless today, peering at the eggs and turning them often and vigorously. This evening we got the first...
April 2010
4 posts
When Will They Hatch?
Peregrine Falcons typically incubate their eggs for 33-35 days. Incubation generally starts with the penultimate (second to last) egg. This helps to ensure that the eggs hatch closely together which can reduce the disadvantage a younger chick might face. Cold temperatures in Richmond while the clutch was being laid caused the adults to sporadically incubate the first two eggs to keep them viable....
Richmond Offspring in Baltimore
Once again a male peregrine falcon that fledged from the downtown Richmond territory has nested in Baltimore. This marks the second year that this male (auxiliary band *7/*U) and a female from a bridge site in MD have nested in downtown Baltimore. The pair have five eggs this year! The male fledged from downtown Richmond in 2003 when the nest site was located on a ledge at the nearby BB&T...
Do Birds Blink?
The summer-like temperatures of 89 degrees in Richmond today seem to have made the female a bit drowsy. We can see her eyes slowly closing. Birds eyelids function much the same way ours do, closing to protect the eye and block out light. Unlike our eyes, a bird’s upper eyelid is relatively immobile and the lower lid moves up to close the eye.
Birds (and many other animals) actually...
March 2010
6 posts
Fourth Egg
The fourth and most likely final egg was laid sometime today, March 30th. The camera’s autofocus had a temporary issue and we weren’t able to determine exactly when the egg was laid. The first clear view of four eggs was seen shortly after 6:00pm.
The female has continued to incubate although one egg doesn’t seem to tucked under her. It is likely that the female is exhausted...