Observation date: 4 June 2019
After my last posting of May 15, a week and a half went by watching only two young falcons. Then a third one appeared with a little more down.
Three youngsters
Fast forward to June 1st, the first of the three chicks takes its first flight and is extremely good. Flapping, then soaring gently into the westerly breeze and making a great landing. He looks to be male by sex and by his size and destined, in my opinion, to be a great flyer. This was accomplished in 40 days from hatching rather than the normal 44 days. Two days later on the 3rd of June the other two chicks fledged within three minutes of each other at 42 days old.
I believe determination of sex can best be seen when all chicks are flying together. This should be 4 to 5 days. However, the consensus by all that come out to Morro Rock to observe these magnificent birds is two females and one male.
Happy trails, Bob
Item: As of today’s date, June 10, we have confirmed after further observations that we have two females and one male. The public has agreed on the names, Orville, for Orville Wright, Amelia, for Amelia Earhart, and Sally, for Sally Ride, the first American woman in space.
I have it in my field notes that Orville fledged on May 31, making it the 40th day since hatching.
If anyone is interested in the details of Amelia’s harrowing first flight, feel free to contact me at wolfcoyotedeerelk@yahoo.com.
As far as I know, I was the only observer at 7:37 a.m., June 3, when Sally made her first giant leap, with Amelia launching herself 3 minutes later at 7:40.
Caryl Pearson, naturalist, author, and falconwatcher
Thanks, Caryl. Glad you were there at 7:37AM, June 3!
I wrote this June 2nd, after Orville fledged and before Sally and Amelia did:
The falcon chicks were jealous:
Their brother could already fly!
They watched him carve some righteous moves
Without even seeming to try;
They flapped and screeched
Their fear they fought,
With feathers all a-rustle;
They asked, “What have you got that we haven’t got?”
He replied with a grin, “Sore muscles!”
Caryl Pearson
Cleverly said…
Heather