These five little birds at the Gulf Tower don’t know it, but around 9:00am this morning their world is going to seem very scary. That’s when Beth Fife from the PA Game Commission will come out on the ledge to collect them for banding.
Their father Louie has seen this happen year after year but like most male peregrines he doesn’t get in Beth’s way.
Their mother, Dori, has experienced Banding Day only once as a “mom.” Last year she backed off and did not attack, but this year she may change her mind. Beth’s experience is that the mother birds get more aggressive as they learn the banding day routine each year.
Watch the Gulf Tower falconcam between 9:00am and 10:00am today to see what happens.
I’ll be inside the Gulf Tower, taking pictures with my cell phone, and will post an update this afternoon.
(photo from the National Aviary falconcam at the Gulf Tower)
Man … wish I could be there. I’ll be watching from the USX and try to get pics to send you when I get home
Gulf Tower video not working at 9:08 – will wait to see pictures this afternoon:(
I was on line at 8:55 and was watching the chicks and then the screen went black. I logged off and logged on again and the screen was still black. Did they turn off the camera?
I finally got back on and saw Beth out at the nest, but then everything froze up. Not my day to watch, I guess.
It’s working now – didn’t see the “capture” of the babies, but saw the cleaning of the nest and now I see Dori standing guard over the nest waiting for her babies to be returned!!!
We were well aware that the screen went black!! The camera cables are in the traffic zone when the Game Commission goes out the window. Though covered with a tarp, a couple of the cables became disconnected. We got it going again.. but no sound until we figured out what that was all about. Yoy!
There is a series of hotspots showing the capture and return. Click on the “Archives” button to see them.
Kate, I can’t wait to see your photos and story.
Truely awesome experience-so glad I got to be there today-really cool when Beth captured Dori as well! Fun morning