The Fabulous Flying Foursome

The Falcons became active just after 4:30 this morning. A half-hour later, Astrid and Ares converged at the nest box for a ledge display. This was one of two or three such displays they performed today. Since the young left the nest (and stopped returning) the pair has resumed their rendezvous at the box. The four fledglings continue to refine their flying and landing skills. The greater downtown area has become their playground and, for falcons, play means high speed steeplechases (often involving a real steeple!). Today, four of them were tearing up the skies, chasing each other, sparring, racing and pursuing their parents. At several points today, all four could be seen in the air together. All tried to land on the upper steeple perch, which they did with varying degrees of success. As usual, the young falcons seek each other out on various perches around the canyon; it wasn’t unusual to find two or even three of them together at one spot.

It seemed to be a two pigeon morning. When I arrived after seven, a couple of the kids were feeding on a pigeon on the hotel. Only an hour later Ares flew in with another pigeon. After that they all went out of view for me, Consequently, I’m not sure if they managed a midair food transfer. It’s possible that Ares brought the prey to the hotel ledge himself. However it got there, the kids were soon feeding on it.

While one of the youngsters perched on the “A” on the sign for the Adirondack Bank, his three siblings flew high and to the Northeast. When we saw them coming back, they were about 3/4 of a mile away; they were soaring high and sparring all the way back. Meanwhile Astrid and Ares were flying even higher around the greater downtown area; apparently keeping an eye on their young as well as looking for potential prey.