Skye Returns to the Canyon!

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Skye – Seen here directly after leaving the release cage on the roof of the Adirondack Bank

About nine days after his accident, Skye was returned to the Downtown canyon at around 6:45 Friday evening. He didn’t wait long before taking to the air again. He left the release site on the roof of the Adirondack Bank and headed for Hotel Utica where he made a perfect landing on that buildings higher ledge. Before long, Astrid, who had been perched on the State Office Building, made a few low passes or swoops. It wasn’t the most welcoming move she could’ve made, but next to her aggressive response to Orion’s reintroduction a few weeks before, this wasn’t too bad. Meanwhile, both Comet and Ares made no moves. Watchers on the ground didn’t know where Ares was, but Comet had flown in a little earlier and was perched on the east face of the State Office Building. By an hour later, Skye had flown a few more times – landing on the State Building, the Adirondack Bank and Hotel Utica once again. Astrid dogged him once or twice during these flights, but thankfully, she didn’t drive him too hard or force him into any reckless landings. When Ares returned, both he and Comet took a turn flying with Skye. Their interactions were more encouraging. Skye even shared a window ledge with his brother for a few minutes. In assessing Skye’s flights, we were a little concerned that he was showing some stiffness in one wing – meaning that he is not exactly 100 % yet. Still he managed to maintain height, perform evasive maneuvers and land with no apparent difficulty.

For the next week we will require Fledge Watch volunteers to observe this situation. We have no reason at this point to believe that Skye will be rejected by the family, but given that possibility and the fact that Skye’s flying is not yet up to full strength, he may just need some spotters for a little while.

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Skye prepares for his first flight over the canyon
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Skye looks around while flying – note the legs bands he received while in captivity
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Skye makes a good landing on the high ledge at Hotel Utica
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Astrid makes a low pass over Skye
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The two fledglings fly with Ares
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Comet (left) and Skye reunited
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Astrid makes a close pass by Comet and Skye
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Putting Skye through his paces
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Astrid comes in for a landing on the nestbox perch
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Skye is not flying at 100% yet, but hopefully will come up to speed soon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3 thoughts on “Skye Returns to the Canyon!”

  1. This is great that Skye has returned. Now we will see how the family unit does. Praying for the best for the Peregrines in the Canyon.

  2. Great pictures! Hope all goes well. Thank you all for your updates and all you do to help our Utica falcons.

  3. The family is all together again ! I hope all goes well ! I really appreciate all the updates and still look at the nest box for visiting ! I still miss seeing them all in there!

    Thank you for the updates you guys are the greatest and I wish I lived closer to see they falcons in person!

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