Thanks, to those of you who sent reassurances and responses in the past 24 hrs. to my panicky question yesterday, asking "Where Did All the Falcon Chicks Go?" Timing and persistence pay off. - they are all back in view this morning. The perfect answer came in the form of a screen photo one of you took and sent me - if you would like to see it, just ask and I'll send it to you in an email.

I guess the young do have a long ledge to wander around on much of which is out-of-view of the camera. This inevitably brings up that other question: "How do they manage not to step (or flap themselves) off the ledge ?" Can they sense the danger? Is Mom warning them in some ways? Have any previous Peregrine chicks been found down on the street?

So many mysteries, adding to the many marvels that are a part of the bigger picture... :-)

I must add how great it is to watch these nestlings go through some of the stages that will likely be missed with our nesting Merlins, due to the splendidly hidden nests that they have chosen this year - splendid, because of how good they seem in terms of protection. We watchers don't relish the hiddenness very much for ourselves, but, at least we have these pantalooned 'other' falcons to look at to see how this stage of life goes, and to Oooo and Awww at.

Thanks, too, to all who have a part in maintaining this webcam, the nest structures and checking on (and banding) the young birds. The learning and enjoyment by us bystanders, are of great value.


Barb Deihl

Matthews Beach Neighborhood - NE Seattle

barbdeihl at comcast.net