HARRISBURG, JANUARY-APRIL 2021

catwoman · **Posted:** Sat Mar 13, 2021 7:42 pm

bev. wrote:

I hop e this does not mean, that little dad is no longer with us

I saw no mating on cams today, so it must be happening else where, but he did bring her a food gift.

I am also hoping they have spotted little dad

3/13/2021 :: Update on W/V and 85/AK
Based on today's observations from the Falcon Watch and Rescue Crew, the tenure of W/V, the 18-year-old resident dominant male, appears to be coming to an end. These reports indicate that the interloping male, banded 85/AK, has been mating with the longtime female, 48/AE. To many followers of PA Falcon Cam, this is certainly sad news. Yet, it is important to understand that this is the natural progression and was inevitable. This is not to downplay the role W/V has played in the recovery of the peregrine falcons within the Commonwealth. Over a period of 16 years, W/V sired 65 falcons, including the resident female who nests at the well-known location on the Brandywine Building in downtown Wilmington, DE. Hatched and originally banded in 2003 at the Walt Whitman Bridge in Philadelphia, W/V's longevity is also an amazing aspect of this falcon's life story!

This transition should be recognized as a positive development. 85/AK's arrival signifies the continuation of the most productive peregrine falcon nest site in Pennsylvania. Within a short period of time, eggs will be laid in the Rachel Carson State Office Building nest box and this nest site's productivity will continue.

We all know these things in our head, it is our heart that hurts

An article appeared in our local newspaper that said the same thing. 85/AK disappeared for over a week; Lil Dad (at the time) was missing for less than a day. Huh? :girlcrazy:

I think they're jumping the gun! :gaaaaah:

Jane · **Posted:** Sat Mar 13, 2021 8:33 pm

This is EXTREMELY difficult for me and for many others from the Harrisburg area who have been blessed to see our beloved Little Dad on the cameras and in person. A very dedicated friend and I saw him fly off the ledge around 4:00 yesterday afternoon, heading south. He was up high, and if he landed somewhere we did not see the location. He flew out of our view, but we scanned the area as best possible from the garage roof. This same friend and I spent four hours downtown this morning hoping to spot him, but we did not see him. This morning was the first time I have ever seen 85 in person. We saw him mate with Niecey at least three times, and at least two food deliveries to her. It is very hard for me to look at the cams right now. i am crushed.

ljames · **Posted:** Sat Mar 13, 2021 9:05 pm

I have not watched the cam in a couple of days after I saw his foot was injured. Do not want to see him hurt or unable to defend himself. I'm not up for it. Hope he recovers enough to just move on. Nobody loves his eggs and chicks like Lil' Dad. He is the best dad ever.

bev. · **Posted:** Sat Mar 13, 2021 10:56 pm

Jane wrote:

This is EXTREMELY difficult for me and for many others from the Harrisburg area who have been blessed to see our beloved Little Dad on the cameras and in person. A very dedicated friend and I saw him fly off the ledge around 4:00 yesterday afternoon, heading south. He was up high, and if he landed somewhere we did not see the location. He flew out of our view, but we scanned the area as best possible from the garage roof. This same friend and I spent four hours downtown this morning hoping to spot him, but we did not see him. This morning was the first time I have ever seen 85 in person. We saw him mate with Niecey at least three times, and at least two food deliveries to her. It is very hard for me to look at the cams right now. i am crushed.

I saw him fly off also Jane , from the cam.

I know how hard it is for you and so I quit posting pictures. I only stayed at cam last couple of days to try and help with watching little dad, hoping to see him this morning.
I have felt what you are feeling, at my own sights and I respect all of you right now. Know that we are all here with big hugs. I know in my heart, little dad is o.k. I just think he knew , he could not hold his site.
I still have the glasses WEstwinds child made of mom many years ago. I keep them out on my buffet. so beautiful. So I know how deep your affections go.
sleep well my friend, and take some time.

stay safe little dad

Terka · **Posted:** Sun Mar 14, 2021 7:16 am

Niecey & 85/AK

Niecey.

Jane · **Posted:** Sun Mar 14, 2021 1:25 pm

Thank you for your kind words, Bev. That means a lot. Westwindschild is the dedicated friend who was with me for the past three days. I won't share her name on here. I have managed one look at the cams today. Just too hard for me now. I must say that 85 is a very attractive male, but at the moment that's all I can say. He has BIG talons to fill.

skygirlblue · **Joined:** Sun Jul 26, 2009 2:18 pm **Posts:** 64475

Jane wrote:

Thank you for your kind words, Bev. That means a lot. Westwindschild is the dedicated friend who was with me for the past three days. I won't share her name on here. I have managed one look at the cams today. Just too hard for me now. I must say that 85 is a very attractive male, but at the moment that's all I can say. He has BIG talons to fill.

he certainly does. I know your heart must be breaking a thousand times over. Even though we all knew that one day this could happen, it never prepares you for "that" day.

I have been checking the cam numerous times today in hopes of maybe, just maybe, lil Dad would pop in to let us know he is ok. Its probably a good thing that he hasn't as 85 has been on the ledge quite a bit today. (and is there now.) I do believe Lil' Dad is still out there.

Hugs to all of you as you come to grips with this reality...

As an aside...if this were any other nest, I would be thrilled. We watched 85 hatch and grow up in Baltimore.

catwoman · **Posted:** Sun Mar 14, 2021 5:14 pm

Jane and Sue, I'd like to thank you for going to check on Lil Dad and staying down there when you thought you might be needed. It was a labor of love for both of you! I too, think he's probably out there, healing. There've been many of instances where a falcon doesn't fight to the death from watching many falcon nests, especially tiercels. That's why the Cathedral of Learning nest in Pittsburgh didn't have eggs last year. The tiercel was challenged by another tiercel and that's been going on for a year. Be nice if Lil Dad can stick his foot the with band on and say "hi". :thanku

catwoman · **Posted:** Sun Mar 14, 2021 5:20 pm

An article written by David Neugebauer regarding Lil Dad:

There is some very difficult news to report from the Harrisburg nest site, where Red Girl was hatched in 2008. her father, called Li'l' Dad, has continued to raise young every year in the Harrisburg nest. This remarkable 18 year old peregrine falcon has fledged 65 young, showing remarkable love and devotion to each and every one.
This year he had competition for the nest site. A two year old male from Baltimore, who was so large he had to be fitted with a larger than normal leg band, made a challange for the site and has apparently been succesful. Li'l' dad, obviously put up a gallant fight, but he was very old for a peregrine and facing a young giant. He is now struggling to recover from severe injuries, and the new male has taken over the nest.
Just as we follow and love our WIlmington Falcons, the Harrisburg nest has an equally devoted following and fledge watch. They have watched Li'l' Dad for many years. They are, understandably, heartbroken. Many assembled in downtown Harrisburg to try to spot Li'l' Dad and perhaps render assistance. He was last seen flying high, but with difficulty, out of the city. I received a request form one of them that we name one of Red Girl's hatchlings this year in tribute to Li'l' Dad. I assured her I would do my best to do so. I'd love to hear some suggestions for a fitting name.
We watch our peregrines and sometimes forget that all is not sweetness and light in their world. Nature is a cruel mistress. What befell Li'l' Dad is entirely natural. It is entirely possible that Red Girl and Trinity fight battles about which we are unaware. In fact, the missing feathers on top of Trinity's head came from fighting off a male who wanted the nest. It took him hours to repel the interloper. These struggles for territory can be intense.
You can read more about this sad event on the "PA Falcon Cam and Blog" here on facebook. If you stop by their facebook page, please take a minute to post a comment to help comfort these fine folks. They rescued our beloved Red Girl three times when she was fledging. They need a hug.

Terka · **Posted:** Sun Mar 14, 2021 5:29 pm

Niecey.

Terka · **Posted:** Sun Mar 14, 2021 5:57 pm

https://youtu.be/AzAJ_3qq3fA

https://youtu.be/-rEorMz006o

:shamrock1:

I miss Lil Dad too.
This one will also be a good father. Niecey has already accepted it.
We are waiting for the eggs.

Jane · **Posted:** Sun Mar 14, 2021 6:45 pm

Thank you for your very kind words, Nancy. Very much appreciated. I am still trying to erase some things from my mind that I saw via the cam from last Thursday. Those things might be on Bev's videos, and as much as I truly appreciate her help, I cannot possibly look at those videos right now. My birthday was on Thursday, and certainly not a happy one. Impossible to just move on right now, but that will happen with time. I did manage to look at the cam briefly this afternoon and saw 85 sitting near the stick. I have looked in at the cam in Baltimore once in a while, and probably saw him when he was a little white fluff ball, never knowing what the future would bring.

heida · **Joined:** Sat Aug 01, 2009 9:24 am **Posts:** 2872

catwoman wrote:

An article written by David Neugebauer regarding Lil Dad:

There is some very difficult news to report from the Harrisburg nest site, where Red Girl was hatched in 2008. her father, called Li'l' Dad, has continued to raise young every year in the Harrisburg nest. This remarkable 18 year old peregrine falcon has fledged 65 young, showing remarkable love and devotion to each and every one.
This year he had competition for the nest site. A two year old male from Baltimore, who was so large he had to be fitted with a larger than normal leg band, made a challange for the site and has apparently been succesful. Li'l' dad, obviously put up a gallant fight, but he was very old for a peregrine and facing a young giant. He is now struggling to recover from severe injuries, and the new male has taken over the nest.
Just as we follow and love our WIlmington Falcons, the Harrisburg nest has an equally devoted following and fledge watch. They have watched Li'l' Dad for many years. They are, understandably, heartbroken. Many assembled in downtown Harrisburg to try to spot Li'l' Dad and perhaps render assistance. He was last seen flying high, but with difficulty, out of the city. I received a request form one of them that we name one of Red Girl's hatchlings this year in tribute to Li'l' Dad. I assured her I would do my best to do so. I'd love to hear some suggestions for a fitting name.
We watch our peregrines and sometimes forget that all is not sweetness and light in their world. Nature is a cruel mistress. What befell Li'l' Dad is entirely natural. It is entirely possible that Red Girl and Trinity fight battles about which we are unaware. In fact, the missing feathers on top of Trinity's head came from fighting off a male who wanted the nest. It took him hours to repel the interloper. These struggles for territory can be intense.
You can read more about this sad event on the "PA Falcon Cam and Blog" here on facebook. If you stop by their facebook page, please take a minute to post a comment to help comfort these fine folks. They rescued our beloved Red Girl three times when she was fledging. They need a hug.

Beautiful article.

westwindschild · **Posted:** Sun Mar 14, 2021 8:01 pm

Nancy, and everyone, thank you for the kind words. Lil Dad has been a constant figure since I began watching falcons and I can't really process what's going on right now. I do believe he is alive, and I hope he will heal and be able to continue. In the meantime, I did watch the cam for a bit today, and have to admit that 85 is a handsome fellow and an enthusiastic suitor. He's got giant talons to fill, if he sticks, I hope he's up to the challenge.

heida · **Joined:** Sat Aug 01, 2009 9:24 am **Posts:** 2872

Keep checking in to see what's new. Watching the Hanover eagles waiting for number 2 to come in the next day or so. Would love to see some eggs here but wondering is it to late?

loza · **Posted:** Mon Mar 15, 2021 11:51 am

Male 85 AK on the point long , flies to the nest invites

but Niecey hasn't arrived, he flew off the landing

catwoman · **Posted:** Mon Mar 15, 2021 4:19 pm

westwindschild wrote:

Nancy, and everyone, thank you for the kind words. Lil Dad has been a constant figure since I began watching falcons and I can't really process what's going on right now. I do believe he is alive, and I hope he will heal and be able to continue. In the meantime, I did watch the cam for a bit today, and have to admit that 85 is a handsome fellow and an enthusiastic suitor. He's got giant talons to fill, if he sticks, I hope he's up to the challenge.

Lil Dad was the first falcon I watched on cam. Back then they had a refresh cam, and I thought since he wasn't as big as Mom, that he was one of the babies! (They were the only falcons there.) :teehee:

I'm happy to say that thanks to the ladies on this forum, I quickly learned otherwise!

heida · **Joined:** Sat Aug 01, 2009 9:24 am **Posts:** 2872

Niecey in the nest. Maybe an egg today?

heida · **Joined:** Sat Aug 01, 2009 9:24 am **Posts:** 2872

11:22 we have :newegg:

Just watched her lay it. :7val:

heida · **Joined:** Sat Aug 01, 2009 9:24 am **Posts:** 2872

Hope someone has been recording since there doesn't seem to be any one watching. Glad I got to see it. with everything that's bee going on here :congrats

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