20 breeding seasons ago on MCH 19th 1994, RuthTaylor and I discovered that our downtown Seattle second year female PeregrineFalcon (later known as ?Virginia?) had acquired an adult male suitor (laterknown as ?Stewart?). Their history iswell discussed in Bud Anderson?s Falcon Research Group website (www.frg.org). I took over the Seattle Peregrine banding study in 2010, when Budretired from Peregrine banding. Iacquired my Federal Master Bird Banding permit that year, after serving as anapprentice under Bud for 11 years.

The current downtown residents are both unbanded adults, sowe are uncertain from year to year if they are the same pair.

An explanation of VID bands. All Western US raptor banders who wish to band Peregrines with ?special studyVID bands? must use black ID bands with white letters. See the Urban Peregrine and San Juan Photogalleries on the FRG website for examples.

To summarize the last three years at the 1201 Third Ave nest:
2010 ? two birds banded, one large female(VID bandA-50) and one large male or average female(34-Z). A-50 spent a short time at Sarvey WildlifeCenter before being released on the roof of 1201. Both these birds MAY still be ?out there?somewhere.

2011 ? three birds banded, one large female (A-62) alarge male/average female(A-64) and a male (33-U). Both A-64 and 33-U were found dead downtownwithin a few weeks of fledging. Theusual causes of death are window hits or frounce (a protozoan infection carriedby pigeons). A-62 was photographed huntingpeeps at Norwegian Park, Hansville, WA by John Riegsecker on 28 SEPT 2011. Later sighted and VID band photographed byVerne Nelson in Alameda, CA on 16 NOV 2011. So one of three is a likely survivor. If stillalive, 2013 will be her first breeding season.

2012 ? three birds banded. Male (27-N), large male/average female (A-72)and large female (69-U). A-72 found dead30 MAY 2012 on 45th Floor balcony at WAMU. Apparently fell off 53rd floor ledge. Estimated 4.5 weeks old. Specimen to Burke Museum. 27-N found stunned on 3rd Avenue 4JUNE 2012, released on roof of WAMU, next AM still lethargic, re-captured andtaken to Sarvey, later placed by WA Fish & Wildlife with a falconer. 69-U photographed at Reifel Refuge,Vancouver, BC by Alan Moat on 3 SEPT 2012. Trapped at Vancouver, BC airport on 28 OCT 2012 and released inChilliwack, BC. So one of three stilllikely ?out there.? We?re hoping shesends us more ?post cards? on her travels.

In summary, for 2010-2012 of 8 banded young, 3 known deadand 1 placed in falconry(effectively ?dead? as a wild breeding bird), so theMINIMUM peri-fledging mortality for the last three years is 50%.

For the entire 20 years of banding at 1201 by FRG banders,38 young banded, 13 died or unreleasable in the peri-fledge period. I need to echo Bud Anderson that SarveyWildlife Care Center is very deserving of your donations, they?ve cared formany of our Seattle Peregrines over the years. Finally, the people at Wright-Runstad, managers of 1201 Third Ave, havebeen absolutely wonderful to work with. They provide the TV camera, weblink and facilitate access to the nestfor banding. None of this would havehappened without their efforts.

Ed Deal
Seattle Peregrine Project