LATEST NEWS

 

Utica’s Youngest Peregrine Falcons continue to hone their flying skills as they chase each other all around the downtown area. On Thursday morning I watched Indi and Tres chasing one another and engaging in some sparring. The size difference between these 2 fledglings is the most dramatic in the family – Indi being bigger than even her mother and Tres, undisputedly the smallest of the bunch. Later on Tres and Leda started in. Being more evenly matched in size, their ariel maneuvers were more synchronized and quicker paced. All of these birds are more experienced fliers now, so fortunately we don’t have to hold our breath anymore when they fly upside-down, lock talons or tuck in their wings and plummet toward the Earth. A bit later in the morning Leda was seen high on the steeple of Grace Church standing on one of his parents’ favorite perches. This was the first time we’ve ever seen one of these youngsters use that spot. I was not surprised that Leda was the first to figure out how to land there.

On Friday evening, Dave and Candis Cesari saw some interesting action. Tres flew in proudly carrying a bird in his talons (presumably he got the food from one of his parents). Tres landed on the State Office Building and began feeding, but before long his big sister Indi showed up and stole the food away! Easy come, easy go!

We have decided we can back off on the need for constant watchers. We are so thankful for all the efforts of everyone who took time out to come down and make sure our little fledglings were safe! We could not have done this without everyone’s help – THANK YOU!!!!
Please feel free to come watch them anytime as they are learning and changing every day. We will be here when we can and will probably concentrate on the early morning and evening hours as that seems to be their most active time.
If you do spend time watching please let us know what you have seen – either by text, call or posting here or on Facebook.
Of course if anything seems troublesome or concerning please contact one of us immediately.
Astrid, Ares, Independence, Leda, and Tres all thank you too!!
Matt & Deb

On July 4th Tres was brought back into town after spending a full week at Kindred Kingdoms – a Wildlife Rehabilitation facility in Pennellville run by Jean and Len Soprano. Tres’s release went off without a hitch. We were able to introduce him back into the family’s territory by putting him through the hatch at the back of the nestbox. From there he hopped onto the box’s perch and after only a minute, took to the sky again. His flight was strong (as was the wind) and it led him east toward the County Building. The Fledge Watch volunteers followed, and after some searching, found him perched on the roof on the building’s south side. After about 1/2 hour, Astrid and Ares came over to check him out. Astrid made low flights over him and even hovered above him. Ares did the same, and then Tres began to call. Both parents took turns landing briefly on the building thus allowing the fledgling to approach them. That was all it took, and Tres was accepted back into the fold. His parents soared back to the home “canyon” and Tres joined his 2 siblings on the State Office Building. He actually flew up and adeptly landed right between Leda and Indi. I guess he was anxious to relay his alien abduction story!

 

Lately there’s been a lot more running around involved for some of the Fledge Watch volunteers as they try to keep track of where Leda and Indi are going. For the most part the family have restricted their activities to a 2 to 4 block area, which is considerate of them! Indi’s flying continues to improve. She is the largest of the family (noticeably bigger than her mother) and her sizable wings are proving a great advantage in keeping her aloft. So far her flights are not of long duration, but she continues to practice flapping (while perched) in order to strengthen her wing muscles. We are now reasonably certain that Leda is a male and not a female as first thought. Seeing him in flight next to his mother and Ares has allowed us to make size comparisons not possible when the birds were together in the nest box. Leda’s flights are amazing to watch. His aerial maneuvers are becoming more and more graceful and precise. Also, the length and frequency of his flights have greatly increased. He often skillfully lands right next to (within inches)  his sister or his father. Landing next to Ares is usually a plea for food and is accompanied by shrill begging calls. Leda has recently started chasing after his parents. On Wednesday he went after Astrid and even kept pace with her for a few moments, which is no mean feat!

I don’t have an update on Tres yet, but I expect to hear from the rehabilitator today. We await details of a reintroduction plan.

Parents and babies have made it through this mornings storm and are set up to wait out the next line of thunder, lightning and rain as they stay tucked into the window ledges of the State Office Building – one of their favorites places to hang out!

Still waiting to hear when Tres will come back to us – will keep everyone posted.

This evening should be great for watching them fly – come down and join us!