Can We Spot Charlie?

There were several attempts over the last few mornings and evenings to confirm that we still have two juveniles in the Temple Square area. During the day, most of us can confirm that there is a juvenile hanging out on the Zion's Bank building for hours. I was there at lunch both Thursday and Friday and, I think Bobbie, has been the bird I have seen. (see first picture below)

On Thursday and again last evening, quite a few watchers were downtown, specifically watching the north side of the COB in hopes that Charlie would 'put in' for the night there and that we could get confirmation that they are both in the area. Many people believe they saw Bobbie on that building late, around 9pm, and quite a few people texted or twittered that they spotted two, maybe three birds in the box on the cams around the same time. Because Charlie was seen doing his rain dance last week in the box, we might be able to conclude that it was Charlie and the parents in the box last night. But there are no photos or confirmation.

I decided to get up extra early today and go down there and see if I could spot both juvies on the big building at dawn. I arrived in the dark, at 5:20 and just as the dawn was breaking, approx 5:40, I saw a bird on the very top of COB near the security cam on the northeast corner. It was too dark to see if it was adult of juvie. I spotted no others on any of the buildings but it was very dim light. That bird took off around the east side, landing on the southeast corner by the Obs Deck. I made my way over to the fountain and the bird took off going west and was intercepted very quickly by a fast flying falcon who flew with it around the south side of the Key Bank building. I then found one bird on the Key Bank and one on the Zion's Bank plucking feathers. They stayed there for 30 min or so, then I had to run around the north end of JSMB building losing sight of them. I picked up two birds flying over to COB playing in the air then splitting, one landing on each of the SW and SE corners. I now believe, after looking at the photos, that they were the adults. I also spotted a bird on the NW corner of Eagle Gate Tower, very light chested but it sure looks like it has a friend sitting next to it. (see below)

Soon after there was vocalizing coming from the nest area where I observed two birds going in to the nest box, one flew out and then landed on the scroll to the right. I thought it was Charlie because of the black cap but now I see it was adult male with adult female on scroll. About 30 min after that, female flew to SE corner of JSMB then joined male in the box. They went into back corner, vocalizing LOUDLY and stayed in there for 5 min or more. Evenutally, male flew out to land on scroll to right of box and adult female pops up to ledge. They sat that way for 2.5 hours, when I finally left to go home. In the meantime, I saw one juvenile on the Key Bank and it flew over to SW corner of COB. Juvie then flew around to NE corner of COB. I had to move my car, when I came back juvie was gone but parents still in/near box. I called Bob, because it makes me very nervous when they disappear like that when they are up on the COB. I am pretty sure this bird is Bobbie. Bob said he worked out a time to go check the decks with the security team around noon today so that's good.

I don't know what to make of any of this. I guess parents are bonding/mating, not sure. I still can't confirm seeing Charlie. (sorry for the email at 7am saying he was in the box, turned out it was Dad). There is a lot of activity VERY early in the morning if you can roll yourself out of bed its worth the effort.

Probably Bobbie hanging for hours and hours on this ledge Thursday and Friday.

Adult

Adult

This has me stumped. Two birds?

Dad hanging in box.

Dad in box, Mom upper right corner (NE corner of JSMB)

Dad

Mom

Mom joins Dad in box.

Dad leaves box.

Mom in box. Dad on scroll.

Juvie for sure, I had eyes on both adults when I took this.

Same juvie but it sure looks light.