Sad News on Mama Peregrine

From the SLC Falcon Facebook page:

It is with real regret that we must report that the adult, female peregrine falcon retrieved from the ground on March 29 was recently euthanized. Although the bird (believed to be the female, adult of the peregrine pair that has successfully nested upon the Joseph Smith Memorial Building as far back as at least 2011) made some improvement as a result of treatment for a respiratory ailment, she was rather quickly determined to be blind in one eye and, with time, suffered problems with the second eye as well. Sometime during the week of July 12, it was determined that continued treatment would be excruciatingly painful and frightening to her and the difficult decision was made by an expert rehabilitator to humanely put her down.
We'll never know to what extent her age may have contributed to her demise, but affliction of wild, healthy birds with aspergillosis not thought to be common. Maybe her age contributed to a weakened condition which allowed this fungal respiratory disease to ultimately take her life. While we're all sad about the outcome, as mere mortals, all we (who have come to love these birds) can do is look to the future and the 2016 nesting season.
RIP, sweet thing. Oh how you have thrilled and captivated us through the years.
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She was the best mama! I will miss following this lady and her family. As of now, there has been no interest in the nest box by any peregrines in the area.

Falcon Update

Well folks, as you can tell, there isn't much going on as far as a nest this year. Our resident male and the sub-adult female he had been seen with, did not apparently nest anywhere, at least that we know of. It's nice to have a break this year from the activity but I do feel sorry for the cam viewers. I have no news on the female that is in rehab. Maybe Bob will chime in here in our comments. There is a fledge about to happen from our box though. The pigeon family had one chick and I must say he is beautiful. Here is a video from today courtesy of our favorite cam watcher.

Help Bob Spot the Falcons

Hello, 

Bob needs our help. If you spot anything,  contact Bob or send a note.

New Female Already??

I just had to post this.

Female Transferred to Rehabilitation Center

Today the female was transferred to a long term rehab center north of Salt Lake City. Bob said all went well ~ no new information. The Salt Lake Tribune also ran an article today with photos.  http://www.sltrib.com/news/2370482-155/slcs-webcam-falcon-mom-given-5050

Here are a couple photos taken by the DWRs photographer. Some of us compared photograph's from prior years and think she looks a bit different. I also added some of those for reference. Since we don't have a female showing up in the box (yet) we can only surmise this is her or she was replaced after last nest season. Either way, we still hope our male will find a new mate this season.

Also, cameras are turned on now. If anyone sees a bird in the box, please note date/time and post on the Facebook page or leave a comment here.

2011

2012

2013

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Update on Female ~ Plus Second Male in Area

Hello, I spoke with Bob Walters today and he gave me this update on the adult female that was picked up downtown last week. Adult female has a fungal infection (aspergillosis). She is being treated with antibiotics, being hand fed and improving. Bob has guarded optimism that she will recover. She has a slight corneal abrasion which is being treated as well. She likely will head to a longer term facility before returning to the wild, hopefully being returned to downtown.

Ready for a strange story? Bob received a call today that a male peregrine crashed in to the Wells Fargo building on Main Street a few blocks from our nest area and was found dead (Friday). The employees who found the bird, called Animal Control. They were directed to dispose of the body. Bob received a phone call from one of the employees to let him know today. His initial thoughts were that it was a Kestrel, as there are many in the city and they have been seen in that particular area before. Bob asked if he could see the bird anyway. The employees had buried the bird nearby but helped Bob exhume the remains, and sure enough, it was an adult, male peregrine falcon. BUT, Bob had just spotted a male on the tall church office building last night, presumably surveying it's territory, possibly watching for the missing female. So... one dead male, one live. Possibly this was a territorial death? And is the male that remains in the territory our same male from last year or was he the one found dead? Will we ever know? Pictures of our resident male from last year below. Bob is going to try his expert had at taking a few cell phone pictures of the expired bird he picked up today for comparison.

p.s. The cameras were due to go live today but at last word from the building it may be delayed by a day or two.

Another News Segment

Bob did another news segment for Channel 4 yesterday. It says it all.

http://www.good4utah.com/story/d/story/we-may-not-see-any-peregrine-falcon-babies-this-ye/35483/Q_Rq7BX-JUGkQsFVkzvJKQ

News Segment on Adult Female

I don't have much more information than what Bob talks about in this news segment. It doesn't sound like our female will be back to nest this year.

http://fox13now.com/2015/04/03/wildlife-officials-concerned-after-famous-female-falcon-found-injured-near-temple-square/

Welcome to 2015 Nest Season

Hi Folks,

It's warming up in SLC. Actually, I think we are in for a very warm nest season (poor Bob) as our snowfall in the mountains has been so small, we are likely to have no cooling effect channeling to the city. It's been in the 60's and now 70's for a few weeks and it's only March. A few updates:

1. There is construction taking place on the nest building (JSMB) but we are hopeful that it won't affect the pair nesting.

2. The adults have been seen from time to time around the site over the winter so things have been looking good....

3. Bob got a call yesterday: "Sunday, March 29: Call today (08:30 a.m.) from The Church indicating that peregrine on ground. I responded and rescue was made by expert w/ Church Security who handled an empty, cardboard box like a pro. I transported what I think is the adult female to our expert rehabilitator for examination. So far, all that was noted was a "mouse" (spot where a few very small feathers appeared askew and/or absent) on a wrist. Wings were "up" before capture ... looked more, or less fine. Likely trip to veterinarian as early as tomorrow morning. All I have for now. Cross your fingers!"
2:01 p.m. on March 30, 2015: No word from rehabilitator, so far, as to status of adult female rescued yesterday. I did observe what I took to be the adult male on the front board of the nest box yesterday at 5:26 p.m. No doubt, he's baffled, flying about, looking around for her return and/or some other female with whom he can raise a family"

4. Cameras should be turned on April 6. Get ready!