Peregrine Banding!

I just had the most AMAZING day EVER!!!! 

Still cannot wipe the smile off my face! 

Grabbing the chicks from the nest box

Today, I had the chance to watch/take part in a peregrine falcon banding! The family lives on one of the Mayo Clinic buildings in Rochester, Minnesota. A nest cam allows people to follow the family year after year. This spring the pair had 4 young - 2 male and 2 females. This banding is open to the public and lots of people turned up for the event hosted by Mayo Clinic and Midwest Peregrine Society. I was lucky enough to go up to the roof and watch the whole process! Even got to hold one of the little ones :) Seriously, I have not stopped smiling since noon!! Anyways, here are couple of the pictures from today's adventure...

Recording the data

I got to carry the little ones back to the roof top!

So this is what happens when I unexpectedly get to hold a PEFA! YAY! AMAZING!!!

Wearing the chick backpack - all 4 of this years young are inside :)

Some of the bird nerds right before the birds are returned to the nest box

All smiles when we were finished :)

PEFA!

I love falcons. I know, SURPRISE! It turns out I am now living in Peregrine country. In the couple weeks that I have been working in Wabasha, I have discovered the location of several peregrine nests and seen quite a few birds. One nest is visible from where I park for work. Another is within view of my apartment.

Peregrine under the bridge connecting Minnesota and Wisconsin

And a third nesting pair is up the road about 10 miles on the Wisconsin side of the river on Maiden Rock Bluff. I found this pair by accident. I pulled off at a historical marker while out and about. As I was reading the sign, I heard the unmistakable baby falcon call. After looking up for a couple moments, I saw the adults flying around. I watched them for over a half hour. They were definitely in hunting mode - I saw flocks of pigeons exploding out of trees. At one point, a Bald Eagle flew too close and had to suffer through being dive bombed by the falcon. It was AWESOME!

Maiden Rock Bluff

Found the falcon!

flying

found something!

Peregrine!

Yesterday, I headed up to Duluth. One thing on the agenda was Peregrine Watch in Canal Park. I got a glimpse of the adults flying overhead and peeked at the 3 chicks through the scope. At one point I even saw Mom and Dad Falcon do a food exchange!!! Amazing!

The picture isn't the greatest but on the left is the nest box and sitting on the ledge in the center is a parent falcon. See the white dot on the green? Kinda? Well that is the adult. Trust me.