Monday, July 15, 2013

Sad News

I am so very sorry to report that Solo did not make it. Here is the official note from Bob Walters of Utah Division of Wildlife Resources:



On July 13, 2013, Solo the only, young-of-the-year peregrine falcon to hatch at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building (JSMB) this year, died from injuries received on July 3rd. The injuries were a result of a high speed impact into the north face of the Zion’s Bank Tower located due south of the JSMB. Following his injury and rescue, Solo was transported to a Salt Lake City rehabilitation facility where supportive therapies were started under the care of Jo Stoddard. X-rays were taken on July 5. While no fractures were evidenced, Solo suffered soft tissue, nerve and spinal cord injuries. These injuries resulted in flaccid paralysis of both legs, incontinence and head trauma. While some slight improvement in the paralysis was detected over the 10 day holding period, other systems began to shut down. He was found dead midday on Saturday.

Robert Walters
July 15, 2013

Bob will try to answer questions if you have any. Please leave them in the comments section. I have no update on Dad. Mom has been seen in several locations over the weekend. No sight of the new male though.

30 comments:

skygirlblue said...

First, I am so, so sorry...and so, so sad about Solo's death. He was so much fun to watch..and just so funny!! I always hold my breath, cross all my fingers and toes, and say silent prayers during fledge time. It is such a dangerous stage for all these young birds who are learning to fly and maneuver through this concrete jungle. All it takes is a gust of wind, a miscalculation, or mirrored window to create that perfect storm for a collision.

Many thanks to JoAnn who took care of him, to Bob for his extraordinary passion and compassion. to Liz for keeping us all in the loop via this blog of love and to all of the fledgewatch team that chased him down, picked him up, dusted him off and tried to give him that one more chance to enjoy flight!!

Its been a tough year in several locations...I just hate that we now have to add SLC to this list...OK, DAD..time for you to heal and get back to the skies!!

Mary Anne

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Lindsay said...

I am so sorry to hear about Solo. He had such a personality and was so fun to watch. Thanks to everyone who looked out for him during his life. I would also like to thank the LDS church for providing a safe nesting area for the falcons so that when they choose to nest in downtown Salt Lake City, they have a safe place to do it. The box gives them shelter from the elements and other predators that they wouldn't have otherwise. If the eyases were to fledge in a rural area, they wouldn't hit a building, but they would be just as likely to hit another cliff, tree, rock or the ground. Although we can't tell the falcons where they can and can't nest, the church has helped to encourage the best possible outcome. Let's hope next year has happier results.

Liz Schubert said...

I will not allow comments that bash anyone. Especially if you don't have the guts to leave your name.

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry. I know Bob takes these horrible events hard--he devotes himself to these dear falcons. Thanks Liz for everything you do. And grateful thanks to Joann, too. God bless little Solo.
Felicia

Lindsay said...

:)

Anonymous said...

I was sad to hear about Solo. He was so fun to watch from hatch to fledge. Last year we lost Macy from a similar accident. Thanks to everyone in Salt Lake who helps these beautiful falcons every year!
SLC Falcon Fan

Unknown said...

Poor Solo, he was quite a little personality. I watched the webcam a lot this year. It's such a shame!
Is downtown becoming too dangerous a place for the falcons to nest? I love watching them but i'm beginning to wonder about that as traffic and tall buildings increase. What do you all think?
On the other hand, there are a lot of pigeons to eat.

Stephanie said...

:( So sad. I am still thankful for the opportunity my children & I have had to watch Solo these past few months. Keep up all of your dedicated work, especially those who volunteer so much time in watching, rescuing & building awareness. I hope Solo' s dad recovers soon.

Stephanie said...

It is dangerous, but the falcons themselves choose to nest there. Not much to do about that. As mentioned in another post, there are dangers associated with nesting in other locations as well.

Willi said...

Like I've said before, my heart soars when they start flying, and it breaks when they get hurt. I was sure hoping Solo would recover, as we all were, He/She was such a joy to watch grab the food from Mom and do it on his/her own. She was definitely a fighter. A big thanks for all who helped out this year, from ground watch, captures and releases, pictures, Liz's blog, Facebook, Bob's dedication, and Joannes care. Good luck Dad, get well soon., and RIP Solo.

Unknown said...

Our family and several other families in the area have been watching Solo
and his parents for several months. One of the computers in the house has even been dedicated to full-time nest watching. Like everyone, we're very sad at the news of Solo's passing. We would like to thank all of the wonderful individuals who have made this experience possible. You don't know how many people you have made very happy.

The Nelson Family
Albuquerque NM

Mag said...

My wife and I are very sad to hear that Solo has left us. We like so many have followed Solo's progress from day to day. We that all of those who have volunteered and those who care for Dad and Solo when injured. RIP Solo already looking forward to next springs daily watch.

Angie said...

I was fortunate enough to see the day he hatched and also the day he took his first flight. I like so many others fell in love with him as I did with last years babies. This is my second year watching these amazing birds and I love them so much. My 8 yr old son and I are hooked on watching the cams. When I read about Solo's death today on facebook I was heartbroken. It's hard to believe I can have so much love for something I never had the opportunity to see in person. But I felt so motherly towards him. Thank you to all who help with these amazing birds and bring us all the updates whether they be good or heartbreaking. I shed tears today at the news of his loss but I look forward to next year and hope for a better season. Thank you again for all you do.

Angie

Janet Houston said...

I was so sad to hear the news of Solo's death. I loved watching him/her from the time his/her egg was first laid. I began watching the web cam last year and was hooked from the start. It was fun to see Solo's cute personality and I thrilled at the first flight. I think the nesting box was first put on the ledge to protect the eggs, because didn't I read in earlier years that the eggs would sometimes fall off the window ledge and break? I thank the LDS church for providing the web cam for hours of enjoyment, for all that Bob and Jo did in behalf of Solo,to the volunteers who watched out for Solos' safety, and to you, Liz, for the videos and updates that you regularly posted. That was very thoughtful and kind of you to share with the rest of us. I am never going to forget Solo! Let's hope the 2014 Peregrine Falcon eggs all hatch and the eyases thrive.

Anonymous said...

I was so sad and shocked to hear that Solo had died. I loved watching her/him. Such a loss. Thanks to all of you involved in allowing us to watch and become part of this falcon family. Pam Mace

Anonymous said...

I have been crying all night for poor solo, (I'm sure my family thinks i'm crazy). I feel like he/she was my bird, because I watched him for hours everyday since the day he was born. RIP buddy. Diana

Unknown said...

I lived in Northern Indiana (South Bend) for a few years and we had a pair of peregrines (Guinevere and Zephyr). There was only 1 tall building in the nesting area and they never crashed into it but Zephyr died last year after flying into a pole (and he was an adult). I s'pose dangers lurk everywhere, windows or not.

I'll miss watching Solo. He/she was a hoot. RIP.

Bekkieann said...

For those who think the nesting box is not a good idea in downtown SLC, we should remember that the Peregrines were nesting on buildings downtown before the box, and that was far more dangerous for the nestlings.

It's a perilous life for young peregrines, even in the wild. This year all four hatchlings at the Great Spirit Bluff nest in Minnesota, while too young to fledge, leaped from their nest box because of tormenting flies. One was found and sent to rehab. The web cam seemed to indicate the parents may have located one or more of the others in the woods below and were continuing feeding, but there is no way of knowing if the others survived after their fall from the high cliff.

The nest box on the JSMB provides as much safety as possible for the young peregrines under the circumstances.

Anonymous said...

It is such a pleasure to follow these beautiful birds. Thank you to all involved who volunteer their time and expertise. Thanks also to the LDS Church for providing the nest box and cams. Such sad news about Solo. After following all season, it becomes a very personal loss. I do, however, look forward to next season and thanks for making it possible.

Anonymous said...

I have loved watching peregrines for many years, they are my favorite bird. Sad for Solo! Thanks for Bob, Liz, and all the volunteers!

Steve said...

So sad! I've been watching all season from Ontario, Canada and Solo was a joy to watch. He had a wild personality and was very funny. I feel sad for mama bird who is likely very confused as to where Solo is. Hopefully next year will yield a better outcome. Thank you Solo for putting a smile on so many people's faces in the short time you had on Earth.

Anonymous said...

I was both shocked and saddened by the news of Solo's passing. After hearing he/she had crashed into the Zions Bank, I was concerned but hopeful all would be well. I guess this wasn't the year for a new falcon for Salt Lake.
Thanks Bob, Liz, Jo and all the volunteers who spent so much of their time keeping an eye on these amazing birds. I so enjoyed getting on here each morning to see how the family was doing. Watching Solo hatch was the most wonderful thing I think I've ever seen. RIP little Solo and may you be soaring with the angels now.
Valerie
Sandy,UT.

Anonymous said...

I am very sorry for the loss of Solo. I think he was reckless and maybe he was not ready to leave the nest.For me it looks that he fall from the nest during his wings practice.
Fly free

Nicole, Mtl

Unknown said...

Sorry to hear about the loss of Solo. I enjoyed watching this year (my first) and I plan on watching in the future. I want to personally thank all those involved in this adventure: The Church, all the volunteers and of course Bob Walters. I am truly amazed by these extraordinary birds and think it’s wonderful that all those involved go to such extremes. It’s a GREAT thing that everyone does for this cause. Without it, people would never witness these events. PLEASE continue your efforts and don’t get discouraged. There are thousands of people who appreciate what you do.

From Florida, I commend you on the AMAZING things you do.

Anonymous said...

12:49 p.m. on July 17: The wide angle PEREGRINE CAM is up and running. Maybe we'll get a glimpse of Mom and/or her boyfriend/suitor, whatever! Last observation of Mom by me was Sun., July 14 at 07:23 p.m. atop the Gateway West Tower and then the southeast corner of the tall Church Office Bulding (COB). The last observation by me of the boyfriend was on Sun., July 7 at 08:21 p.m. on top of the dark-colored/tinted glass to the west of the main column on the south face of the tall COB, at that time on that date Mom was atop the Zion's Bank Tower on the northwest corner

RW

Anonymous said...

Is it a different cam than the two box cams? Will you post the link to the wide angle cam please.

Anonymous said...

I'm hoping we hear something about Dad soon and also if Bob found any info in the unhatched egg he recovered.

Anonymous said...

It's the same, two cameras that have been employed since the beginning (approximately April 11, 2013). The wide angle camera is functioning, while the closer-in camera is not. Stayed "tuned-in." (www.wildlife.utah.gov, PEREGRINE CAM ... enjoy!

Check out the Heber osprey cam on the PEREGRINE CAM page too ... two, young-of-the-year fish hawks ready to take their first flights, if it hasn't already occurred.

Thanks.
RW

Anonymous said...

so sad to hear about Solo. Hope dad continues to recover.
jbearcat