!!! Banding day at CTV Kitchener – 3 girls and a boy!!!!
May 26, 2015 - Kitchener - CTV-Bell Media Tower
Lisa Reh Reports:
Introducing Ginnie, Reggie, Chroma and Redbud!!!
Four strong and healthy chicks have been banded and named at the CTV Kitchener news station today!!! The CPF team of Mark, Marion and Rudy were present along with John Millar, volunteer climber and peregrine catcher. Members of Waterloo Region Nature and volunteers for the Kitchener Fledge Watch team waited with anticipation as the events unfolded today. John and his fellow climber went up the Bell Media tower at a little after 11:00 this morning armed with falcon cams and only a broom for protection from the parents. The young ones had just been fed and were due for an afternoon nap but were interrupted as Mystery screeched and circled the nest as the climbers approached the box. Caster did not appear to help while Mystery was swooping around. A few turkey vultures soared by to see what the fuss was about. Mystery paid them no attention as her focus was only on the young ones. A blanket was secured over the front of the nest box to keep the little ones away from the ledge and the 4 chicks were gently plucked from the nest box and lowered to the ground. Anne and her team from the Ministry of Natural Resources weighed, sexed and banded the young falcons and had the honour of introducing the 4 new superstars.
“Ginnie”– female, weighing in at 749 grams – band: black/K25 (silver US-1687-19681); marked with red tape
“Reggie” – male, weighing in at 552 grams – band: black/B12 (silver US-1156-06812); marked with green tape
“Chroma” – female, weighing in at a whopping 800 grams – band: black/K26 (silver US-1087-19682); marked with yellow tape
“Redbud” – female, weighing in at 732 grams – band: black/K27 (silver US-1687-19683); marked with white tape
The coloured tape helps the fledge watch team easily identify the birds. All 4 young falcons had full crops, especially Chroma who had an enormous crop to match her hefty size! The chicks are all healthy and full of spunk and vigour. Caster joined in the ruckus with Mystery as the superstars were returned to the nest box not quite knowing what had happened but glad to be back to their home.
The nest box is full of wings and leftover meals, everything from starlings, pigeons, grackles, doves and some gull too. The young ones were pecking and inspecting their new jewellery. In the late afternoon, Little Reggie was picking at a gull wing that was leftover from lunch. Mystery and Caster seem to be continually bringing birds to the young family as their appetites are boundless. Another feed was brought in later in the evening. They are growing by the minute!
Thanks to all the participants today especially CTV News for the use of their facilities and for the live webcam, the Ministry of Natural Resources, Waterloo Region Nature and all the volunteers. The fledge watch will start on June 9. Anyone interested in volunteering with the fledge watch team please go the volunteer section on the CPF and sign up. All helping hands and eyes are welcome!!! Good luck young falcons!!!!
http://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=621898
Pbotos courtesy of Karen von Knobloch & Lisa Reh
