Bird Cams Around the World

3 in view at moment in front of window

6/12/2024 :: Balcony Rescue
The red-banded falcon was rescued this morning after becoming boxed in on the 16tth floor balcony. When this happens, even though the juvie could probably get out on his own, the glass wall appears to confuse them. They keep trying to jump through the clear glass panels below the balcony railing, causing them stress and risking injury. So if they do not get up to the railing on their own within a short time, they will be rescued. A volunteer from Falcon Watch & Rescue entered the balcony, retrieved Red, and determined that he was uninjured, whereupon he was released and quickly flew to the roof of 333 Market Street.


The juvies continue to progress with flight training. All five have advanced in flight duration and height. One juvie attempted a hunt this morning. Although its target got away, it gave a credible chase. For the next few weeks, the juvies will pack every day with learning the skills they need to survive. As they become closer to self-sufficiency, they will return to the ledge less frequently. By the end of summer, they will embark on their own to explore the world around them and attempt to find nesting territories of their own.
6/11/2024 :: Falcons Put on Flying Display
It is difficult to believe that it has been less than a week since the five young falcons began their first flights. One by one as they fledged, each has spent a day or two struggling to master the basics of winged flight. Last evening and again this morning, they treated volunteers and city spectators to a dazzling demonstration of how well they are enjoying each other while learning critical skills. The juvies are playing chase and tag, practicing stoops, flying singly and in pairs, and more.

For the next week or two, these types of displays will become quite common, particularly in the evening as the young falcons gain strength and hone their flight skills. Within the next day or so, 85/AK will initiate prey transfer exercises to acclimate the juvies to chasing and catching prey on the wing. While it may look like pure play, it is deadly serious for the juvies. Their survival depends on mastery of the "games" that prepare them for their departure from the Rachel Carson State Office Building later this summer when they will explore the world and seek out their own territory.

no one at home righ t now 18:44 june12

8:26am june13

see no one home.

11:39am june14
one juvenile sleeping by yellow pole.

6/14/2024 :: Vultures Beware!
At 10:20AM, a low-flying turkey vulture flew past 333 Market Street and lazily circled around to investigate activity on the RCSOB roof, where the green-banded fledgling was just landing. Fiercely protective mama 09/BS suddenly appeared, streaking across the gap between her and the intruder, screaming bloody murder the whole way. The vulture was too slow changing course and was struck hard and sent tumbling. Green, alerted to the nearby threat by 09's attack, joined the fray, launching her own diving attack at the hapless vulture, who finally got the message and left the area as quickly as it could.

Meanwhile 09 returned whence she came and Green flew to join two of her siblings on the roof of Harrisburg University. This fledging period is not entirely for learning how to fly and hunt; it also includes lessons in territorial defense behaviors. The fun mock combat games the juvies have been engaging in for the past few days just got a real world application reinforced for the juvies who witnessed or participated in this interaction.

The Rachel Carson Peregrine Falcon Fledgling Class of 2024 has graduated from Flight School and Falcon Watch has concluded.

Kudos to Sue Hannon, the RCSOB Falcon Coordinator who, armed with more than 20 years of experience, provided guidance, and shared her expertise with "new" and returning volunteers. A big shout out goes to the more than 55 dedicated volunteers who lent a hand during the past two weeks, making this year particularly fun. This unique clutch of birds matured rapidly and kept everyone guessing. The RCSOB Peregrine Falcon nest continues to be the most productive and visible site within the Commonwealth. From egg laying, to hatching, to first flights and beyond, the RCSOB falcons are celebrities, followed by national and international viewers. Over the next couple weeks, watchful visitors can continue to enjoy their progress. If you are in the Harrisburg area, consider stopping by. You'll be glad you did! Thank you.

Glad Sue got the recognition she deserves!

I will bring over wire later today but all seems to be going well for all 5 Just wonderful

I seldom post on here any more. I use the blog on Facebook. The juvies rarely come to the nest ledge. Toward evening they are often on the roof of the building, and often on top of the column that can be partly seen via the cam that shows the stick. Their latest hangout seems to be over on the big Fulton sign of their former bank building on Third Street kinda across from the Capitol. This past Monday night DEP hosted a pizza party for the volunteers. After we ate we went outside for some falcon watching. Those birds were all over the place. Highlight was when Red, who is undoubtedly the baby, flew to the nest ledge carrying his own prey. We do not know if he caught it himself or if it was a transfer from an adult. He took his prize into the scrape and worked on it for some time. Then Blue discoverd the food, and the two of them mowed it off.

Thanks Jane

Keep your eyes on the Falcon Wire. There is going to be a happy post about Yellow Boy from this year's nest. Not sure I can/should say anything on here yet.

I tried getting on here earlier this morning, but there must have been some technical difficulties. The post hasn't been made on Falcon Wire yet, but it IS on the PA Falcon Cam and Blog on Facebook. This past Wednesday morning, October 2. a birder from Lancaster County found a juvie falcon sitting on a tree on a sandbar in the Susquehanna River, between Wrightsville and Safe Harbor. This is around 30 miles south of Harrisburg between Lancaster and York County. The birder got some pictures, and could see Yellow tape on the federal band, and could read the numbers 06/BZ on his other leg band. It is indeed our Yellow Boy from this year's nest! Such wonderful news. I will not name anyone on here, but am SO grateful that this birder allowed some of his pictures of Yellow to be shared on the Falcon Blog. Of course two of us went to that area in the afternoon, but we were not able to spot Yellow. Interesting that his grandmother hatched on the Route 462 bridge in Wrightsville, not far from this location. Check the Falcon Blog on Facebook for more information and pictures.