Vertical Environment

There are 10 free-flying birds sporting orange, blue and green wing paint. The first three sets of released falcons, now out for 10 days, are starting to tail chase, stoop, and pursue small birds. These young developing birds hit critical developmental markers as they hone their aerial skills. Much is required before you can plummet towards prey in a stoop that can exceed 200 mph. The younge,r less developed birds are returning to the roof top daily to feed, which is a good indicator that they have imprinted on the release site.

Primo, A16, who had previously collided with a glass window, has now made a full recovery and has been re-released. Dakota, A34, the other bird that collided with a window, is set for an x-ray and we have high hope of her full recovery and rerelease. 

You will note an absence of the birds in the release boxes today. Due to the excessive heat, biologists moved the youngsters into a cooler location to insure their safety from excessive heat stress. They will be returned to the boxes tomorrow as the temperatures cool down. 

Tomorrow another group of birds will take their first flights from our roof top. Biologists continue to monitor them daily and a story to follow will be in the Rapid City Journal.