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Tag Archives: Jersey City
Jersey City Peregrine Falcon Banding 2019
Thank you, Conserve Wildlife of New Jersey and New Jersey Fish & Wildlife biologists for allowing me to attend the banding this year. Please contribute to Conserve Wildlife.
Jersey City Eyas Flexing Her Wings
It won’t be long now before this big girl takes to the skies. She was flapping like crazy out of cam view on the west side of 101 Hudson. It looked to me like she would fly any minute. She is so big that if she keeps her wings out she will not fall hard if she goes down. In the past, the adults have flown on either side of a first time fledgling and provided draft to keep their offspring aloft. This girl is almost twice the size of the male, so I hope he is an excellent aerialist.
Jersey City Falcon Ivy, The Shady Lady
The Shady Lady of Jersey City (band 79/AN) must have put on sunscreen. She was apparently in the shade at 10 Exchange Place when she suddenly appeared. She then beat it around the building, went next to the Hudson River, and back to 101 Hudson. She sat in the sun for a good two hours before winging her ‘big girl’ way 3 blocks south to 77 Hudson to check out the penthouse condo. A girl after my own heart, strong and focused.
Donations to the Jersey City Falcon Cam can be made through Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey. Please consider giving a small or large amount. The cam offers a unique view into the not so private life of the peregrine falcon.
Fledgling Fantasy
Most of these pictures are archival. That means they just show that the almost fledglings are doing OK so far. Most of my time has been spent in Jersey City, but I was able to make a stop at Tompkins Square Park for the red-tails and Riverside Church.
Digiscoped female fledgling in Jersey City. She is doing OK. this is her shady corner in the morning.
Jersey City fledgling on the north ledge next to the scrape
Fledgling rescue kit
Jersey City fledgling watch view of Lower Manhattan
Jersey City west terrace ledge. Parent giving our girl a small snack.
Riverside Church peregrine perch. Our Metro Area birds only choose the best addresses to raise their young.
Riverside fledgling doing well
Tompkins Square youngsters getting crowded out
Intruders were two floors above taking pictures. Momma red-tail Dora was not happy at all.
Jersey City Peregrine Falcon Fledgling
The Boss is doing well. Went down Sunday and Tuesday and saw all three both days. Here is the proof:
The Boss being fed by one of the adults on Tuesday, June 25
Second adult circling 101 Hudson and Plaza 5
The other adult coming in for a landing after the flyby. Notice the glass hazard.
Thursday, June 20, both adults at the scrape while The Boss was on the opposite side of the building eating a meadowlark
Another from Thursday, June 20
Beautiful Athena on 101 Hudson watching over her son on Thursday
Peregrine Falcon Fledgling at 101 Hudson
The Boss, our fledgling falcon in Jersey City, made the leap of faith. My friend Mike and I were there on Thursday and must have just missed the first flight. The adults were busy feeding him huge quantities of food on the 37th floor small terrace on the NE corner of the building. He would have had to have flown across the building from the NW corner 41st floor.
Other news we have is that our female appears to be at least 18 years old! Mike got pictures of the band numbers that we were missing. More about that later.
First, Athena is there with food
The Boss charges her and Athena leaves
He yells for her to come back and feed him
She returns and the gorging begins
You can tell he is excited to be beak fed
Watching a peregrine feed young is not for the faint of heart
Can you name that prey?
Yummy
After the feeding, both adults did flybys to get The Boss to move
Clean up time
Stuffed fledglings take a nap
Sacking the Peregrine
A great, big THANK YOU to Kathy Clark, NJ Fish & Wildlife Biologist, David Wheeler and Ben Wurst, Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ, for letting me attend the banding of our 101 Hudson, Jersey City eyas. It is always a thrill to be 42 stories above the Hudson River overlooking Manhattan and New Jersey. Mike and I got there eventually.
And a big THANK YOU to the Mad Momma peregrine, too. She was actually a little calmer this year. I guess she finally recognizes all of us we’ve stolen her chicks so many times. And we always return the kids. This year Kathy had an ‘official’ NJ Fish & Wildlife banding bag. Our young male, 44/AM, didn’t complain until the very end of the ordeal. He kept spitting out his medicine, but that’s typical of children, right? Mike and I like to name the youngsters, so this year we chose “The Boss.” Apologies to the biologists and scientists out there.
Before you check out the pictures I need to make a plea for donations to get a new web cam for these birds. Contact NJ Fish & Wildlife or Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ.
Tiercel
Female. This is the first time we ever saw her perch when humans have been on her roof.
“The Boss” is back home
Jersey City Peregrine Falcons Fly High
Grundy Park in Jersey City doesn’t just hold an attraction for people who want a spectacular view of Lower Manhattan. Peregrine falcons also find it the best place to live in the metro NYC area . The two surviving male fledglings, Buzz and Frank, who started out at 101 Hudson on May 3, 2012, are expanding their flying and eating space. Residents in the buildings won’t have to look at dead pigeon carcasses outside their windows for much longer. In about four weeks, the adults will give the kids the boot.
Athena, Goddess of War and mother, showing her power at 10 Exchange Place, Jersey City
She is a beauty.
Athena checked us out. She decided we were OK. No talons in the head this time.
One fledgling sees breakfast being delivered.
Perfect landing.
MacPigeon for breakfast is on the menu. The other one had the Kid’s Meal, too.
Young male buzzing the area. Could be Buzz.
Dad got the adult meal at MacPigeon. He shared.
The Hudson River Glistens. These peregrine falcons, Duck Hawks, are in the right place.
Buzz buzzing 101 Hudson
Frank was full and just sat around. He watched Falcons in the City on his big screen TV.
The family decided to watch, too.
Now where did that other boy go?
Jersey City Peregrines Part III (Billion Dollar Babies)
NOTE: We learned on June 26 that the female had perished in a collision with the building at 10 Exchange Place.
Torrents of rain, high winds, TWO FLEDGLINGS!! My friend, Mike, and I saw two of the young birds on Friday. They are agile. They are rambunctious. And they are alive!! Both Athena and Six showed themselves as well. We knew they were keeping a very close eye on the kids. I am hesitant to say the male and female survived. We have to wait for the band ID of the deceased fledgling found on Friday afternoon after three collisions at 10 Exchange that led to a traumatic fall. But one of the falcons we observed still had down on its leg and tail. The family has now taken up primary residence at 10 Exchange, but they continue to use 101 Hudson. Wouldn’t it be nice to have TWO mansions right on New York Harbor looking over Lower Manhattan?
For all those watching and checking this blog from 101 Hudson and 10 Exchange Place, we are looking for the band numbers of the adult female. She only has a silver band. Six Pack, her mate, also has a black and green band with the number 06 (he packs a six and was hatched at Riverside Church). Please send pictures or band numbers. Thanks.
The fledglings enjoy flying with their reflections on 10 Exchange. But it is hazardous at best. More pictures to come.
Talon Tag
Catch Me If You Can
Nailed the Landing
Who Is the Biggest?
Six Pack (Dad) and Starling – Just Ate
Athena ( Mom) Watching the Kids Play in the Playground (aka Jersey City Pier)
- Fledgling on the 10 Exchange Spire (Go, KID)
