The two peregrine falcon eyases are now getting close to fledgling age (6 weeks). They have lost the majority of their fluffy down feathers and are eager to hop, jump and flap around the building ledges to strengthen their flight muscles.
They were successfully banded on June 5 with both a federal bird bands and field readable bands (BK/29 and BK/30), that allow biologists to track them through re-sightings of the bands by photographers or other nest cams.
This morning, Betsy had prey on an upper ledge and both eyases were freaking out. Running and flapping all along the lower ledge. It didn’t take long for BK/30 to run and get some air to hop up onto the upper ledge! A great tactic by the adult female to help allow these young falcons to gain more skills, hopping and short flights, before they actual fledge.
Next week they will be six weeks old and this is when most young males fledge. Soon they will take to the sky on their first flights. It has been amazing watching these two falcons grow up at this site, under the most bizarre circumstances. If you live in the Elizabeth area and are interested in volunteering for fledge watch, reach out to Ben Wurst via email.