Peregrine Falcons in Grand Forks, ND - Link with Pictures

[Perry D. Vogel]

I know that this is off subject, but I wanted to share this with all of the people who can appreciate conservation. On Friday, June 27, 2008 a single male Peregrine Falcon chick was banded in Grand Forks, ND. I was lucky to have the opportunity to participate.

Here is a link to my favorite 42 of 335 pictures that I took during Ozzie's banding. http://gra.midco.net/pvogel/Ozzie/

Peregrine Falcons have suffered the affects of DDT usage in the ’60s when the pesticide was commonly used. In 1999 the Peregrine Falcon officially was removed from the Endangered Species List.

Ozzie was named after the man, Oscar Osmundson, who painted the Smiley water tower on which the chick was hatched. The banding team came from the University of Minnesota Raptor Center in St Paul, MN and confirmed the chick was 21 days old. Dr. David Lambeth a local birder had been tracking the two parent falcons since April and knew the chick’s hatch date. Since 1977 Dr. David Lambeth has been a faculty member in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks.

[John Miller]

Perry

Enjoyed the photos. Peregrine falcons and martins both seem happy to live among us.

A pair has nested in St. Louis on tall buildings in a medical complex for several years, within sight of one of the martin houses I manage in Forest Park. In recent weeks two, maybe three, of their fledglings have been drawing the attention of birders. The young falcons cavort and seem to play in the skies over the tall buildings -- making mock power dives. Once last season I saw one fly through the meadow where the martin house is located, almost like a phantom passing through.

John Miller

[ostoll]

Some great pictures. We are in need of some hawk pictures. I was wondering if you would have any or know where we could get some. I'm helping my Dad, Victor Stoll, write a book on purple martins and we have lots of martin pictures but none of hawks. Of course in the purple martin world hawks are the villains. We need pictures of the Cooper hawk, Sharp-shinned hawk, Northern Goshawk, Peregrine Falcon, Merlin Falcon, Great Horned Owl, and the Barred Owl.

Thanks,

Ora Stoll
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[Guest]

Perry, you might be interested in seeing the PBS show NATURE: Raptor Force. It was a fascinating look at the world of raptors and answers some very interesting questions, like, when they go into that high-speed dive, don't their eyes dry out?

[Perry D. Vogel]

I was wondering if you would have any or know where we could get some.

I could post your request on the Grand Cities Bird Club list. I know several people who are big into raptors. How would you like to be contacted? Is the e-mail address you listed acceptable?

[ostoll]

That would be great if you could post my request on the Grand Cities Bird Club list. They can contact me by email.

Your help is greatly appreciated. Thanks again,

Ora
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