Zander Becomes the First Nestling to Fledge for the 2017 Season!! He Also Becomes the First Nestling of all Time to Return to the Nest Box Post Fledging and Act Like He Never Did Anything

After a few missteps, Zander claws his way un to a good perch on the ADK Bank Building
After a few missteps, Zander claws his way un to a good perch on the ADK Bank Building
Zander flies from his perch near the west side of ADK Bank, all the way to the roof
Zander flies from his perch near the west side of ADK Bank, all the way to the roof
Zander's best landing was on the roof of the ADK Bank.
Zander’s best landing was on the roof of the ADK Bank.
Astrid came to check out Zander on the roof
Astrid came to check out Zander on the roof
Zander considers flying off the roof
Zander considers flying off the roof
Not to be completely outshined - Luna became the first nestling to land on the roof of the nest box this season
Not to be completely outshined – Luna became the first nestling to land on the roof of the nest box this season

First of all, way too many things happened today, and it’s too late in the evening to itemize every little event like I usually do, so I’m including only the highlights. Spirit was the only one that spent all of last night in the nest box. Her brothers were spread out on the verandas and on the adjacent window ledges. Even a nighttime thunderstorm didn’t compel the boys to come back to the box. Several feedings took place during the course of the day, including a few at the nest box and on the verandas. Astrid conducted at least one feeding – even if it was of just a single nestling that took part. At 10:20 PM, we noticed that one of the youngsters (we think, Luna) had gone up onto the roof of the nestbox. This wasn’t unprecedented. Over the last three years, we’ve had a more than one nestling discover the box’s roof. At 4:47 PM, we had the first fledge of the season when Zander (the third falcon to hatch this year) made his maiden flight off the nest box’s long perch. His flying seemed strong. He flew to the steeple and tried to land on a place where there was no perch. He ended up clinging to the structure’s stones for a few minutes, before taking to the air again. His second flight took him east and around the church’s large parking lot. From there he flew to the State Building. While there, he tried to put down on a narrow ledge, but missed and fell down to a lower ledge. There he also failed to get footing. He flew around the south side of the State Building and was out of view for a little while. Soon he was heading for the ADK Bank building. There he landed, but again on a spot where there wasn’t a ledge. Amazingly, he crawled up the masonry and managed to get to a small ledge on the 14th floor. There he stayed for while. We thought he might remain on that relatively good perch for the rest of the evening, but evidently he had other plans. With no prompting by a parent or anyone, Zander flew up from his perch and landed on the roof of the ADK building. After a while, Astrid surprised us after she too landed on the roof of the same building. Zander and Astrid looked at each other for a little while, before she left – off to chase pigeons. Zander knew that the nest box wasn’t all that far below his position on the roof; and so when we at fledge watch were all distracted and looking away. Zander dropped (or flew) right back down to the nest box. He reversed fledged! He rejoined his siblings and soon was participating in their pre-fledging antics and exercises routines. Well, folks, this has never happened before.

Ares perched on a light fixture on the county building
Ares perched on a light fixture on the county building
While their brother was gone, the siblings acted like nothing was amiss
While their brother was gone, the siblings acted like nothing was amiss

We shall see what happens tomorrow. Once again, we do need fledge watch volunteers throughout the day  tomorrow and for at least the rest of this week. Help us to help the birds and come and see them in action.

 

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