Checking up on the expanding flock at lunchtime today has confirmed most members are accounted for. Cilla took a good pic this morning of one of the two recalcitrants from last evening, still there in the tree (but gone by lunchtime, it appears):

Possibly Byng

By lunchtime the combination had changed and we were lucky enough to see Beau, Swift and possibly Byng all up in the feeding tree together, with Ophir still in the eyrie and Narrambla on camouflage duty somewhere:

Spot the three falcons

Byng is already being harassed by a local tiny ‘willy wagtail’ up the tree and by now will be experiencing a headache from all the pecking going on earlier. Just yesterday Beau himself was forced to move on after being harassed!

(more photos in General Gallery #8 to the right as well)

Just as things began to settle down again the second bird took off. Well, not so much as took off, more like got up, tripped and fell straight out the window! A quick check around underneath the tower confirmed a successful three-point landing on the lawn below the tower. Although only walking and not having made it in to a tree things are hopeful for number 2. Swift was quick to begin her aggressive wheeling and Beau joined in as well, to ensure their 2nd charge was protected. Return calling began and all should be good, although the fledgling was last seen trotting down the hill in the direction of the road. Being mobile and in open space we’d hope it would make for the trees before dusk.

A brief video clip of the base-jumping peregrine can be viewed here …

Just got a call from Linda down in the Dentistry building to say that a young peregrine had found its way down there, below the trees, near the building. Dental patient Stephen Brooks got more than he bargained for when visiting for treatment and noticed not only the lovely staff ladies but also a wayward peregrine falcon outside the window. A hurried gathering of rescue backpack, a towel, gloves etc and we walked our way down to find fellow staffers Mark and Bruce keeping a close eye on a stranded and scared 41-day old peregrine fledgling looking very lost. We carefully bundled it up and took the opportunity to run up some measurements, weight etc before carefully placing it back in the branch of a tree just underneath the tower. There’s now conjecture as to whether this is a male or female as measurements and weights state this is a male, which brings in to question whether the other two are also males? Nevertheless this one shall remain known as Narrambla, the first fledging of the season. The rescue went off without a hitch and a special gallery has been created over on the right hand side of some of the photos taken of Narrambla. We left the bird in the tree with Swift wheeling overhead hoping for a response, and the other two young looking down from their lofty perch. Thanks to Stephen and others for their fantastic vigilance – one happy peregrine fledgling has been saved, without too much intervention or fuss.

Cilla, Narrambla (c/- H Manning)

Just to let our local viewers and supporters know, this coming Thursday our wonderful tireless supporters at Nature Conservation Trust are throwing a BBQ Breakfast at their cottage opposite the main gate at CSU Orange campus in Leeds Parade from 8am until noon (-ish). Anyone and everyone who can make it along will be treated to a sumptuous breakfast for a very modest $5. All profits and any extra donations go towards FalconCam project’s objectives to upgrade equipment and to set us up in the near future as a leading wildlife camera operation. Further details can be found on the official PDF flyer here – NCT BBQ Breakfast 17-Nov-2011

Apologies for the delay in posting news – indeed, not minutes after I checked the cameras yesterday, the first female  fledged (video available here – 10mins). There was little or no fanfare, both females stretched wings then settled back on to the ledge and then some secret mysterious evolutionary desire told 40-day old Narrambla to go. She flexed her wings, stumbled down the ledge and then at the point of no return opened up and glided down out of sight like an aircraft off an ocean-going carrier. Fortunately she reappeared in the background flying down over the trees before being lost to sight.

I’ve been out this morning searching for her but so far to no avail. The other little faces are staring down, watching activities, but haven’t been keen to go yet. A passive Swift is up in one of the remaining pine trees being unusually quiet but no sign of Narrambla. Let’s hope she’s not done what Solo did to us last year and bolted for a few days!

Apologies to those who are having continual problems in receiving the ledge camera stream. We’ve tested both feeds in a number of web browsers and seem to get the ledge feed (specifically) going most of the time. Internally we’ve had issues with the feed but by the time it reaches the web page it seems to have evened itself out. The initial suggestion would be to try in a different web browser (IE seems to be down the list of successful ones!). Rest assured as soon as we can upgrade the streaming capability this problem will be a thing of the past!!

In a late breaking video clip we get up close and personal with one of the female eyases. Obviously bored out of her mind she and her sister take to annoying the camera, while Byng sits patiently over by the ledge not having any part in their larrikinism. Very funny and a little close for comfort! Video clip can be viewed here …

More video clips here of the 37/35 day old eyases (almost allowed to be called ‘falcons’ and ‘tiercel’). Narrambla, Ophir and Byng  are restless and are either snoozing against each other or causing havoc with high-speed runway testing and climbing the bleachers at the end of the box. The odd head-plant in to the wall doesn’t help but no harm done, it seems. They are the most efficient leaf/feather blowers we’ve seen too; not long ago the eyrie was padded with a layer of feathers but at the moment the gravel is shining through again. With only 4-6 days left (due out at 40-42 days) the catcher’s mitt is all shined up and it will be a tense weekend on the cameras making sure our charges are safe and not taking any risks. We’re not sure the staff in the office wing below the tower and near the trees will appreciate the peregrine din in the surrounding trees for the next 3-4 months though – apologies to them!

Video clips can be viewed 1) here and 2) here …

With only a couple of days left before fledging is attempted by all three eyases we’re preparing the catcher’s mitt in case of accidents. All three are now growing in confidence to hang their heads over the ledge and indeed one this morning was sitting on the ledge, facing inwards. Frustration through lack of real movement is growing, but this larger eyrie is proving itself more valuable than gold as it’s giving them some space to run, jump, fly and generally annoy each other with the occasional wing in the eye, as well as their own dark corners when they want privacy.

A personal space thing

As you can see from the above sometimes close company becomes a little overbearing and they all need their own space for a short while. At the same time they’re still all quite happy to sidle up to each other when snoozing. We’re not sure if someone has said something the others didn’t agree with here but they’ll remain good friends!

Incidentally the presentation that Cilla and I gave at the Nguluway indigenous staff conference here at Orange campus yesterday afternoon went down very well, with good interest shown and some worthy questions. We thought we may have to burst a few balloons to keep everyone awake but they weren’t needed! We all then went outside for a look up at the tower ledge window from the  grass beneath and were treated to a nervous calling display from Swift up on her feeding branch in the trees.  Great bunch of people and thanks once more to Catherine for inviting us along to spread the birdie wordie! it’s been suggested that we may upload the pdf slide presentation to the website once it’s polished up. Stay tuned.

As a nasty thunderstorm rolls in across Orange three nervous 35/33-day old eyases stand guard at the ledge watching the water stuff fall from the dark sky. When all seems lost for another feed before it sets in Swift arrived with sustenance. With hunger over-ruling manners the tug o’ war began and all four birds wound up in a fierce but not at all aggressive battle for food; amusing at the same time, but it’s all in seriousness. The tug o’ war video clip can be viewed here …

Three feathery sentinels

With Swift on the ledge the three ever-boisterous eyases have had their “mad minute” this afternoon, attempting high-speed sprints, aerial manoeuvres and the odd suicidal dive towards the ledge. At one point one of them would’ve gone straight out if it weren’t for Swift’s rapid intervention. It seems this is how the world average fledging remains at a low 1.5 count;  might be time for us to put out some catch nets!! The nest camera is no longer out of pecking range and a short time later it came under intense physical scrutiny but it held up well and won’t need readjustment this time. The smaller Byng seems to prefer to keep out of these moments, but even he has shown some zing at times too. The video clip of these three funny clowns can be viewed here … We’ll be watching these closely from now on, with backpack and towel ready

Thundery weather is on its way for Orange this afternoon …

Every day we look in to the world of these peregrines and they’re growing up ever so fast now. With only about a week left before fledging they’re building up wing strength and take-off speed, running up and down the roost gaining height with every pass. Fortunately they all seem to be aware that changing the direction of the intended flight path to include the ledge isn’t such a clever thing and generally they stay away from that north-south runway at the moment.

This week, Wednesday afternoon, we’re giving a presentation here at Orange campus to the Nguluway indigenous staff conference – thanks heaps to Catherine Maxwell for inviting us to speak and for allowing us to show off our favourite feathered family. Lots to cram in to a relatively short period of time but I’m sure most attendees will have a better understanding of these amazing birds and their relevance to the local biodiversity (let alone importance worldwide).

Also keep an eye out for news about next week’s all-morning BBQ breakfast courtesy of our colleagues at the Nature Conservation Trust, starring Beau, Swift and the three ever-growing truants! All-comers welcome to join us down at the NCT cottage opposite the main CSU gate. With some luck the fledglings won’t do what Solo did last year and take off for 5 days before returning! It’s the same day our friends at 30 Squadron Beaufighter Association are coming to see us too; a busy week ahead for all.

Just trolling through some archival photos and discovered this photo. It gives you an idea of the usefulness of the water tower, aka Concrete Hilton, for this peregrines family.  It’s 50 metres up and on a hillock, totally secure from predators and vermin, sheltered from most of the elements and direct sun, a relatively even underfloor winter temperature due to the vast volume of water in storage, and as you can see it commands the ideal view over the hunting domain. This is looking south, with Orange city to the front and right hand side, CSU’s own farm in the foreground and to the extreme left is the Orange tip where ‘Dinner A La Starling’ inevitably comes from! Not the sort of window to be hanging out of to clean glass etc but perfect for this family of falcons to take up residence in.

With time on their hands (feet?) and an ever-increasing physical capability Narrambla, Ophir and Byng tend to over-exaggerate and end up pulling some fancy dance and head moves in their spare moments. All three are healthy and well on their way towards fledging. Feedings have been very irregular over the past 2-3 days with generally a couple at sun-up and then the occasional bite during the day. As the weather becomes warmer it’s less likely that prey will be on the wing in the middle of the day.

Moments ago, in an apparent act of frustration, Swift, who had spent a time on top of the tower, chirped out some unusual notes and then turned around and flew off south-east in the direction of the nearby Orange tip where starlings thrive. Time will tell if she’s been successful.

This morning we were lucky enough to be perused back by a couple of the eyases, intrigued by the small, dark gaps around the nest camera (now without the perspex window to aid night time vision). Amusing 5-minute video clips of Byng, and then Byng and Ophir here, with Narrambla (the larger of the three) staring on with nonchalant curiosity.

Camera update – the initial testing with our first new HD camera is proving highly successful, giving fantastic image quality, audio and versatility. Our technical advisor, Basil at Lan1, and supplier, Shane at IP Video Solutions, can be thanked for their great support, long-term patience, and enthusiasm for this project. More pats on the back and endorsements for them both soon!…

Thanks to Heather Robinson, Head of Orange campus, for her wise decision-making – we now have names for these three youngsters:-

Narrambla – now a suburb of Orange but as importantly it is the name of the property just outside Orange where famous Australian bush poet, Andrew “Banjo” Paterson, was born in 1864.

Ophir – local regional name; site of the first payable gold strike in Australia in 1851, and only 40 minutes drive from Orange. Discovered by Edward Hargraves, John Lister and the Tom brothers, William and James. The gold town no longer exists.

Byng – local regional name; village near Orange settled by William Tom & family in 1830; a microcosm of European history in the Central Tablelands. Most probably will be given to the smaller of the three eyases (possibly a male).

Thanks very much to everyone who was able to add to the suggestions list. Next year we’ll open it up to all-comers!

Today has been an unusual day for food supply – 3 feeds before 8.30am and then a few hours before either adult returned with anything else. Consequently all three eyases have spent the day flexing wings and legs, chasing bones, pulverising feathers, dashing to each end of the eyrie and making the most of any adult attention they can grab. Late in the afternoon more food arrived but rather than chance her luck in carving it up Swift left the eyases to it and they’re busy attacking it! Not so much competitive with each other as just making sure they get their fair share. There’s a growing opinion that one of the eyases is indeed slightly smaller and more timid than the other two, and seems to be a day or so behind in feathers and development – females and  a male?

It’s also been interesting analysing last year’s footage to see at what stage single child Solo was at this same age (hatched 6th October, as did the 3rd chick this season). It appears having siblings around keeps the learning curve steep and the hunger keen.

Waiting with hungry tummies

Videos for today – a dry run by Swift (audio), and madness with eyases …