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...
