Bird Cams Around the World

Thanks DEF. I didn't think they did, but was ready to be corrected.

I don't know if any of you are able to watch BBC2, but over the last couple of nights on Springwatch, they have featured a nesting pair in Bath. Something, which has never been filmed before happened, and there was, I beleive only one prior recorded instance of this happening, but basically a juvenile appeared at the nest site. He was not driven off, suggesting that they knew him, and his id quickly proved that he was one of last years chicks. But even more remarkable is that he had been taking turns at incubating the chicks, although a little clumsy with his feet. The chicks have hatched, but the camera got interfered with by too much rain, and so far they couldn't tell if they were all surviving with the change in the weather etc. I have a feeling I should put this on another thread as it doesn't really pertain to De Mortel. Sorry.

You should read up on the nest in Rome (Italy) with Aria and Vento. Their daughter Ariane, born in 2011, has helped out with this year's nest big time.
She brought in prey, fed the new babies and still is around as far as I know.

Wow, thanks Ingrid. I will try and email the info to the BBC Springwatch team, as I think it is only right that they get new facts like this, so they can let others know. Unfortunately I am just not following the cams so closely this year. Was all getting too much and so many to chose from. But I try and dip in now and then to see how my old favourites are doing.

And other case of a juvenile helping out is Polly from the University of Montreal, parents Roger and Spirit. She returned to the site the year after she was hatched (I believe this was two years ago), was welcomed by her parents, and took on babysitting duties. Everything went fine until she decided she wanted one of the chicks for herself, flew away with it, then dropped it to its death. This year Polly has her own nest and mate, with one chick, under a bridge at the Turcot Interchange in Montreal.

Sorry, missed your earlier post Elaine. That is very sad to read. I hope this doesn't happen at Bath, UK. Obviously not as rare as some think, it is just we only see such a small proportion of what goes on. So interesting though.

In case anyone is interested, here is my translation of the most recent update on S2:

The Peregrine S2

April 2007 - May 2012

Gemert, Sunday, June 3, 2012

In 2005, Vogelwerkgroup Gemert placed a nest box on the tower at De Mortel. Immediately, the nest was occupied by a pair of peregrine falcons who had lived in the area since 2004. This couple (Ma and Pa) remained there and successfully raised a large clutch in 2005 and 2006.

In 2007 they began to raise their third clutch, but on April 22, 2007, a strange female (S2) caused serious disruption to this clutch. This strange female (S2) conducted fierce territorial battles with the breeding female (Ma), who had three chicks at that time. On that day, the breeding female (Ma) was probably mortally injured or killed outright by the intruder (S2). On the night of 22 to 23 April, 2007, only the male (Pa) remained in the nest and the female (Ma) was no longer seen.

The tiercel, Pa, was from that moment on the only caregiver for the three youngsters. Whenever he brought prey to the nest for the three chicks, the strange female, S2, immediately arrived to take the food. S2 regarded this prey as a gift for her, and as courting behavior on the part of Pa. This meant that there was not enough food for the three chicks, which resulted in the death of the youngest juvenile.

The parental care provided by the little tiercel was so exceptional that he was able to provide enough food for the two surviving chicks. He would bring in a partial prey for the young, which would be immediately claimed by S2. He would then come straight back with a new prey. He brought the prey from a cache on the tower.

On Sunday, May 13, 2007, something very improbable took place; the new female S2 assumed the mother’s role and began to care for the two remaining chicks. The two chicks remained healthy and fledged successfully in 2007.

The new pair of peregrine falcons (Pa and S2) subsequently raised chicks successfully in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

However, on July 27, 2011, disaster struck. The female S2 was found seriously injured on a country road by a passerby. On July 28, 2011 Vogelwerkgroep was informed that she had been found, and we took her to the veterinarian Caroline Hommers to be examined. This showed that she had been shot in the right wing, and the radius and ulna had been fractured. The peregrine S2 was found near a wheat field where, at that time, damage control was being carried out against wood pigeons. In view of her serious injuries, it is clear that she was shot and immediately fell to the ground.

As you can read on our website, http://www.vwggemertslechtvalk.nl, she was subsequently treated successfully and is currently at a rehabilitation facility.

She now resides at an annex of the Lierop (Someren) bird sanctuary and things are going very well for her. Vogelwerkgroep Gemert sees her every day, and monitors her recovery and progress closely. She has a good, professionally constructed, large enclosure where she can rest quietly in a low stress environment. She is provided with fresh, natural prey in appropriate quantities. Therefore, she is not overweight and is enthusiastic about receiving the prey. Meanwhile, she is well and various feathers, including wing and tail feathers, have already been replaced.

This month (June), she will be "tamed" so that in July she can be transferred to the falconer.
The falconer specializes in peregrine falcons, and will exercise her so that she will be in good physical condition and will be able to hunt for herself. After this training, she will stay in isolation once again for a short time to ensure that she does not relate to humans. At the end of August or the beginning of September, she will regain her freedom and will be released at or near the area of the nest. It is expected that she will immediately return to the tower at De Mortel. During this period resident peregrines will tolerate intruder peregrines in their territory, and it is considerably less likely that a territorial battle to the death would be the result. It would actually have been possible to release the peregrine S2 in February 2012, but this would have led inevitably to fierce battles with the female peregrine OR2, who at that time was fully involved with courtship and copulation with the male peregrine, Pa.

Today or tomorrow we will post a video of the peregrine S2 on our website.

We will keep you informed of further developments regarding the female S2.

The video is also an overview of 2007-2012:

thanks Alison.

I hope she and Pa get back together.

Thank you SO much Allison for the update!!
This nest box has been one of my
favorites for years. The time, funds
and care that have gone into rehabilitating S2
is nothing short of true love for this Peregrine.

Please keep us English-only folks updated!!!

poor pa has not had much of life except incubating. But I admire him. Hopefully he is keeping fit.

I totally agree with Stellaluna. S2 has held my heart since she started feeding the babies on Mother's day those years ago. I was heartsick when she was shot. It's been a long wait, to see here well enough to be released. I'll be wishing I was there the day she is released. I pray, pray, that it will be video taped!

A big thank you from me too, Allison. Although I don't find time to follow so closely this is one of my favourite nest sites and as I saw S2 from the beginning, she has a very special place in my heart, and am so glad that things are going really well so far.

An evening visit:

Just catching up. How wonderful that S2 is doing so well! Thank you everyone for your great reports.

Maybe he is saving his energy [and hormones] for S2.

I know this sounds selfish, but as long as he's sitting on those eggs, maybe there is less chance of him bonding with another female. I'm holding out for S2 to come home, and hope he can too. Really is heartbreaking to see him like this. He is an awesome Dad, just like S2 is an awesome Mom. They are made for each other. Sorry, but this is just my humble opinion

that is my hope too. It does keep him out of trouble!

I watch Pa every day. the female takes one egg and he rolls it back.

I just hope his inactivity will not harm his ability to defend his site.

but i am in aw of his staying power

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