Subject: Urban Peregrine update--they're flying beautifully!
Date: Jun 18 21:57:49 1995
From: Ellen Blackstone - vaccine at u.washington.edu


[A comment on the young female, recuperating at the zoo: If the Seattle
Times got it right, and perhaps they did, this young Peregrine may have lost
her parents when she fell, helicopter-style, from the WAMU nest ledge. It's
possible that, by the time she is ready to fly again, Stewart and Belle will
have found a new focus; they might not be tuned into a fledgling Peregrine,
beginning to find its wings. Anyway, this young falcon is still
recovering at the Woodland Park Zoo. Mike Waller can keep us informed!]
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Just a personal note here, as I observed the active fledglings today. I
arrived about 5:25PM. I spotted a bird on the north side of the
Financial Center (the young male, I think--). At 5:35PM, there were 2 Bald
Eagles soaring overhead, with an adult Peregrine--I believe it was
Stewart-- cakking and doing wonderful _herding_ wing motions... herding
them out of the territory. And off the eagles went!

At about 6:00PM (1800 hours), the young male took off, and exhibited some
wonderful flights--he appeared to be stooping some of the fuzzy, white
bits floating around in the sky. (Is it cottonwood or something?) Ooh,
they learn quickly! An adult--I think it was Belle-- joined him; they did
some synchronized flying, almost like prey transfers, but there was no
prey. I finally left about 6:15PM (1815 hours), and there were still two
Peregrines flying about, over downtown Seattle. // These birds are
beautiful to watch in flight. Hope you can see them! --EB

(Call the hotline for more news, and a great description of their flights:
517-7363.)

Ellen Blackstone \HIV vaccine research by trade
8203 - 38th NE \Nature-lover for fun
Seattle, WA 98115
Day:206/621-4179 \\Aldo Leopold said: The first rule of tinkering
Eve:206/522-8099 is to save all the parts.