Geography of Falcon Grounds



I received a request today for a map of the area, as a lot of my references on Twitter and the blog talk about Beehive, JSMB, Temple, South Temple Street, Zion's Bank, etc.

So below are some photos I edited with labels. You can also go to maps.google and put in the coordinates. The main area we cover is bounded by:

• North Temple Street (on the North)
• South Temple Street (on the South)
• State Street (on the East)
• Main Street and West Temple Street (on the SW and West)

Feel free to ask questions. I will indicate which way you are facing under each photo. More photos from today's adventure will be posted later tonight.

You can click on the pictures to view them larger.

Looking East from just above the nest box.

Looking NE from just right of the nest box.

Looking NNW from Nestbox corner

Looking southwest from Tall Church Office Building top floor.

Sorry for the blurriness, NE view of Admin Bldg and Nestbox area from State St. and S. Temple St.

 This picture was from last year, when Primo was injured flying into Zion's Bank Bldg.

From one block south, looking through 'The Gap' between JSMP and Admin Bldg. Bob's tree is just under that arrow.

End of the Day Update

First of all, I am adding a mess load of pictures so if you missed the fledge video, scroll ALL the way down past these pictures. Second, because there are so many, I am leaving them small but you can click on any of them and it will take you to the full size photo.

Solo has been very busy today! Since I left at 2pm, he has been 'toweled' twice more, landing once on Main Street and once near the ice cream store on South Temple. Too near traffic, that's for sure. Bob said he has settled down on the east face of JSMB for the night, with Mom keeping watch from the Eagle Gate Tower across the street.

Here are more photos. Basically, Solo left the nest, spent a couple hours dinking around on the ledge he landed on, bothered Mom at one point (she didn't see happy), she flew back and forth as he waddled after her on the ledge. She fed him some of the pigeon she brought over from the nest, then he proceeded to just walk himself, rather swiftly, north, then east on the Admin Bldg. He stopped on the NE corner, caught a breeze, flapped and took off over the top of the Lion House. Everyone panicked as it looked like he was headed to traffic on S. Temple. We searched, some running over to State Street and then lo and behold, we found him sitting just above the entrance to the Pantry in the gutter! He had tried a landing on their roof but its made of metal, so he couldn't get a grip. Our new volunteer (I believe her name was Heidi), climbed the scaffolding to get closer, threw a towel up in the air a couple times and Solo finally soared to the ground, all of 10 feet. We had a few folks corral him with their towels and he was in Bob's arms and off for banding. Later, when he was released on the Beehive, he didn't pop up, so I took a trip up to the top of the Church Office Building and looked from above to see if we could spot him. Nothing. But the photos give you an idea of where he is released.

 

 

Solo Leaves the Nest!

In case you live in a box ~ a falcon box maybe :) ~ and hadn't heard, our little Solo left the nest today! It figures, I was in the car on my way there when it happened! Even Mom was shocked, as you will see in the video! Here are just a few pictures as well but I promise MANY more later tonight, but I need to eat dinner and calm down. It was a very exciting day. I will also get the latest updates from Bob. When I left downtown at 2pm, Solo was hiding out on the Beehive building after being captured in the breezeway by the Lion House Pantry. More later...

 

Landed on Lion House Roof, slid to Gutter

 

One of our younger volunteers climbed up the scaffolding to help dislodge Solo! Don't worry, that was Bob's idea, and it worked! She threw a towel to get him to fly off.

 



He very nicely fluttered to the ground in the breezeway between the buildings.

 

Solo was very cooperative and beautiful. A very happy Bob Walters!

Getting ready for banding. Solo is a boy!

Solo still in the Box ~ Adult Male in Rehab

Busy day today. I got a call from Bob this morning around 8:15 that an adult tiercel (male) was found over by North Temple and 300 West on the pavement, with an injured wing. Bob picked up the bird and saw no apparent break but turned him over to Joanne our rehab specialist. We do not know if this is Dad but it's likely it is. He will rest for a few days, then have an xray if its needed. Hopefully to be released early next week. Solo has been very restless, attacking the camera and the opening at the south end of the box today. The weirdest behavior was a sort of 'slip n slide' action over the top of the egg and then rubbing and squirming on top of it. Very odd. I will be down at the gardens early tomorrow, hoping for fledge!

 

 

 

Solo incubating egg!