Harrisburg

2 vrouwtjes, 3 mannetjes.

FALCONWIRE
5/28/2024 :: Banding Results
The five eyasses were banded on Friday, May 24. All five chicks received a silver colored USFWS band with a unique nine-digit identification number on their right leg. To assist in field identification, each eyas also received a black and green alpha-numeric band on their left leg.
Peregrine falcons are banded with one of 2 possible sizes, depending on the thickness of a given bird's leg. Female birds generally have thicker legs than males and are assigned the larger size bands, but the gender/leg size correlation is not 100%. When the leg size warrants it, the bird receives the larger size band.
The results of the banding are as follows:
32/CA, blue tape, 710 grams
33/CA, red & yellow tape, 835 grams
34/CA, green tape, 1000 grams
35/CA, red tape, 750 grams
06/BZ, yellow tape, 760 grams
All five chicks were given a clean bill of health upon examination and were promptly returned to the ledge.
The next significant milestone for these young falcons will be fledging, possibly within the week. Between June 3-17, volunteers from the Harrisburg Falcon Watch and Rescue will be on the ground to observe and document the entire fledging process, as well as to rescue any of the fledglings that become grounded.
With five inexperienced flyers, Watch and Rescue will welcome additional volunteers. No experience is necessary and all levels of physical ability can participate. If you are interested in joining Watch and Rescue, please email hbgfalconwatch@gmail.com.

FALCONWIRE
6/5/2024 :: First Fledges!
The first fledge of 2024 occurred at 7:04 am, when the Yellow banded falcon flew toward the University. He did not gain enough height to land and circled around trying to find a secondary landing. After several misses during a surprisingly long flight (possibly more than a minute total) he dropped to a low landing on the Carson Building.
His fledge was followed less than 10 minutes later by Blue in a slightly shorter fledging flight, with slightly fewer missed landings and an ultimate landing on a low roof on 333 Market St.
Both fledglings landed safely although in low positions. Falcon Watch & Rescue is on the ground keeping watch. If either of our new fledglings needs rescue on a subsequent attempt, we'll be here with the assist.

6/6/2024 :: First Rescue
The blue-banded falcon made a number of flights yesterday afternoon. On his 7th flight, he finally ran out of energy and came to rest on the plaza in front of the RCSOB. Watch & Rescue volunteers quickly scooped him up into a rescue box. After a careful exam revealed him to be uninjured, he was released to the RCSOB roof where he remained overnight.

Yellow made several flights in the afternoon, one of them quite lengthy in duration. He eventually landed on the Auditorium of the Carson Building, but dropped out of view as the light faded. He was relocated this morning on a low roof on 333 Market St. He has taken several flights this morning and is currently on the roof of a high-rise apartment building a few blocks from the Carson Building.

Three eyasses remain on the ledge: Green, Red-Yellow, and Red. Side-by-side observation of Green and Red-Yellow or Red-Yellow and Red has led to the conclusion that Red-Yellow is probably a male. While 835 grams at banding is extremely rare, it is not unheard of. And 85/AK, his father, is a very large male himself, and was banded as a female in 2017 when he was a nestling. Red-Yellow's wings compare almost exactly with Red's, while Green has obviously larger, wider wings in keeping with a female. It doesn't really change anything, except as a matter of interest. He is already old enough to fledge, so the Watch & Rescue crew are remaining alert for a potential fledge this afternoon.