June 27, 2011 - Up, Up and Away!

Saturday was release day for five of our eight young birds, and despite tense moments from a serious storm, our little friends fared well over the weekend.

Four males and 1 female joined the other three who are actively flying around downtown Rapid City. This latest release group are sporting yellow wing spots. The different colors identify which release the birds were a part of while we track their first flights and development once they are airborne. 

A healthy supply of quail and water was placed on the opened hack door to assist in feeding the released birds, and a check of the site via the streaming video (see link above) through the weekend showed the birds had been eating quite well since their release. We are always stringent on any human presence near the hack site, but especially avoid being anywhere on the roof when we have birds that have been released, feeding or resting anywhere on the top. 

Saturday also brought a loud, boisterous evening and some anxious moments for our interns and biologist. Like much of the midwest, a series of severe thunderstorms rolled through the area, bringing heavy rains, hail, high winds, dangerous lightening and loud thunder. A formidable place atop a seven story building! We're pleased all five waited through the storm unscathed, and have been actively leaving and returning to the Assurant rooftop. It's good to know nature's fury and the sights and sounds of the city do not appear to negatively spook our young charges.

Names of the group with their corresponding tag numbers are Delta (03), Vito (04), Roxane (27), Lucky Linde (07), and Elsu (08).

If you see any of these falcons on the ground or in any kind of trouble, please call the South Dakota Game Fish and Parks to report the situation immediately. Remember they are identifiable by the bright colored wing paint (orange or yellow) and red bands around their right legs.

The remaining three birds, 1 male and 2 female, will be released midweek. Our final group  is due to arrive about July 2 and be released mid month.