Bird Cams Around the World

DEF, such a beautiful picture!

Its also comforting to hear that S2 apparently wasn't in pain just before her death.

I find it so very sad that such a magnificent Peregrine was felled by a fly. I do however, feel a bit relieved that she felt no pain for I had heard it was a painful way to die. Thank you everyone for your insight. It helps!

I just heard the terrible news about S2. Feeling shock and numbness that she was so close to regaining her freedom after recovering so well from her gun shot injuries.

I just can't believe she succumbed to what I know as fly-strike - what an awful thing to have happened. I really hope she didn't feel anything. It is something that pet rabbits are susceptible, especially if old and not able to clean themselves very well around their rear ends. I am sure all her carers did everything possible for her - fly-strike happens so fast unfortunately.

I was one of the many who witness her turn from the wicked step mother into a wonderful provider to Faith and Hope, and a feisty partner for Pa.

RIP S2 - a wonderful bird. You taught us so much.

Betty posted this letter from Werkgroep slechtvalk De Mortel on the BCAW Facebook page.

http://www.vwggemertslechtvalk.nl/nieuws/97-extra-infor

While I am saddened by S2 sudden death, more disturbing is the unfortunate laying of blame by some. As a volunteer at a bird rehab, I have seen how a seemingly healthy bird can suddenly die. I emailed them to share my appreciation for all the Werkgroep has done, not only with S2, but the important work they do for all peregrines.

I have just come back from relighting some candles.

Tonight was the first time I have been able to allow myself to view the videos that have been posted. I will have to go back later and try and translate Ernas.

I never knew ma, but only knew she was well loved. I remember , even when she was on eggs in 2007, there was strange falcon that would come in the box. I guess that was S2.

I never hated S2, but I prayed and watched and knew her youth and confusion . Like so many , as I have already posted , I kept a vigil. And with love and humor, I watched the rest of the season. do you remember how she tried to brood those 2 females. They were too big and I thought she would squish them and Faith and Hope brought so much joy. they were so close .

As I watched the many videos, I remember how Pa and S2 were so in sinc. and I always took for granted, they would always be there. Pa, being the incredible male, taught her well. The season of 2011 I could not watch much, but was looking froward to 2012 so much. but I thank you for the video of 2011. I watched it a few times.

I gave my support behind 2Or this season, when so many wished she was not there, but still was waiting for S2. When 2Or was hurt and ousted, my heart broke again, And I still believe she is around somewhere. The hope of S2 recovering and being released, to have a chance again, kept my spirits high. IN all of this I was also aware that there were no guarantees. She may not regain her site......But for me this was the ultimate shock.

I place no blame anywhere but in the hands of the person that shot S2. And I wish he could be found and punished. I truly believe that all those involved did a great job and thank them for their efforts.

I will not tarnish S2,s memory with bitterness and regrets, but I will try and remember what a formidable falcon she was. Look how she survived surgery and almost made it . Look at her wonderful offspring. I hope we hear of them. She was truly a great . Fly free my S2 . You will be there with many greats. And some day I know my favorite ladies from Edmonton , will join you. ( but I hope not for a while). I t has been an honor learning from you. and I know I will watch over Pa and hope he finds a lady worthy to rule De Mortel. He found you.

who do I send an e-mail to. I would like them to know how much I appreciated what they all did also

My translation of the letter posted by VWG Gemert on their website.

Additional information about the peregrine S2

Gemert, Thursday, October 18, 2012

Dear visitors, peregrine falcon lovers,

We understand your disappointment, anger and the questions which arise therefrom. We too are experiencing emotions and are still wondering why this happened to the peregrine S2, so close to her successful return to the wild. But that is usually not the best moment to debate decisions which had been quietly made earlier by VWG and which have been previously communicated, but which we would like to address once again.

There are many questions which have reached us and we hope to answer those in the following manner.

It has been suggested that the process followed by the falconer should have been different.

The peregrine falcon spent over a year in captivity. This is a very long time, and will inevitably lead to a loss of condition in the falcon. Falconers know better than anyone that a good level of fitness is essential for certain species of raptors to be able to hunt successfully. They train their hunting birds every day and keep them in good condition; otherwise they will not be successful.

The falconer in question is very knowledgeable and has major achievements in the area of the protection of peregrine falcons. He also has extensive experience in the rehabilitation of peregrine falcons, a quality which few people in The Netherlands possess to date. His training was focused entirely on bringing her condition to a certain level. It was not that he would train her to hunt, because she already knew that. The release of the peregrine without this training would at first glance seem to be a good idea, but the chances that once she was out of our sight she would have died of starvation would have been extremely high.

We needed to take this step in the interests of the peregrine S2; it had been expressly and thoroughly discussed with other experts such as BirdLife Netherlands, the Netherlands Peregrine Workgroup, the veterinarian and the falconer and even today, we still stand completely behind this decision.

The date of death of the peregrine S2

On Tuesday, October 9, the peregrine S2 was given her usual prey, and nothing extraordinary was observed. The reasons for this can be read in earlier reports.

On Wednesday October 10, she was found dead by the falconer; upon further investigation he found an infestation of maggots on her lower body, and also in her cloaca. The falconer was and is completely devastated and informed us on Wednesday, October 10 that she was deceased; he is still having a very difficult time with this. Immediately following this discovery the peregrine S2 was placed in the freezer and on Thursday, October 11, she was transferred to us in a frozen state. We placed her in a cooler with freezer components and then she was again placed in the freezer. On the morning of Saturday, October 13, a necropsy was performed by the veterinarian; on Friday, October 12, the peregrine S2 was removed from the freezer. The maggots are killed by direct freezing, and this does nothing to alter the necropsy and the possible cause of death. During the necropsy the gizzard was found to be full of the prey from Tuesday, October 9. We await additional findings and a possible precise cause of death.

Placement of a press release in the Eindhoven Dagblad on Sunday, October 14, 2012

We deliberately waited to post a press release on our website because we wanted to have the preliminary findings on the necropsy of S2 so that we could provide you with correct information. In collaboration with the bird sanctuary, on Sunday we contacted the Eindhoven Dagblad for an appointment to make the death known after we had published the information on our website. Here something went wrong, and the Eindhoven Dagblad immediately proceeded to publication, and included wrong information about her death. After seeing this publication, we immediately posted our full press release on our website, after which the Eindhoven Dagblad changed their press release, giving further details. We are not blaming anyone that this happened, but because it happened in this way, it is understandable that emotions played a role.

Breaking a wing feather or tail feather

It is only to be expected that a bird will break a wing or tail feather. One often sees in raptors in flight that there is a missing feather. In itself this is not a problem, it is just that we and the falconer wanted to take no risks and to give the peregrine S2 her freedom back with her plumage in perfect condition. The breaking of this wing feather had nothing to do with the competence of the falconer or with the death of the peregrine S2!

Rebelliousness of the peregrine S2

This has nothing to do with her death, or damage to her primary wing feather, this is normal behavior; please see earlier reports on our website.

Time of infection and death of S2

The green blowfly infestation probably occurred 24-48 hours before her death. This infestation was not observed by the falconer and is, as a rule, only visible when it is too late, often after death. Please see the various publications on the Internet.

What will happen to her body

The peregrine S2 is currently being kept in a freezer. We are still in discussion about a respectful way in which we would like to provide for her for eternity.

We fully understand that all of you are very upset and mourning the death of the peregrine S2 and have many questions; we only ask that you kindly give a vote of confidence to the veterinarians, the falconers and the many volunteers who have been involved in the rehabilitation of the peregrine S2. In spite of their great efforts, tragedy struck unexpectedly, and it was not to be that she would regain her freedom. With deep respect and gratitude from our side for those who have cared for the peregrine S2, the donors and those who have supported us by way of their expressions of thanks and messages of support on the death of the peregrine S2.

We will keep you informed.

Vogelwerkgroep Gemert,

Arno Teunissen and Martin Vink

Thank you for the translation Alison. So much better than google translate, but I did get the gist.

Bev, I too remember S2 trying to brood those chicks well past the time when they needed brooding. It was as if she was saying "well you all wanted me to be your mother, so be still and let me be your mother!" She was determined and of course the world was just so relieved that she was letting her motherly instincts take over and raise Hope and Faith. That is one of my all time favorite memory from any nest!

20.10

VV & Pa:

I also sent an e-mail so I hope they get it.

Alison, thank you for your translation. I too do not blame anyone other than the person who shot S2 in the first place. I really feel for the falconer, as I know that is the last thing he would have wanted, or was expecting to happen. It is just a cruel twist of fate or nature somehow dealing its worst just as everything was looking so bright for the future of S2.

I have lit a candle for S2 too, as well as one on Froona's page.