Survivor was up on the edge of the cathedral nest this evening, trying to catch a cool breeze on a 90° day. It went through the usual routine of looking around every which way and preening, but added in lots of panting.
But with fledging time approaching, Survivor did make a couple efforts to exercise the wings despite the heat. A couple quick forays were made toward St. Andrew's left hand. Both featured a few seconds of panicky flapping and a retreat into the nest.
Or even a retreat over St. Andrew to the other side of the nest.
Then back to more panting and scanning of the neighborhood.
No sign of either parent, although the nestling's behavior made me suspect that one might have flown by a time or two.
Hey Rob,
ReplyDeleteGreat pics! Glad to see the remaining eyass is well and hope its ok after a rough day.
An exciting time for the survivor. Once it leaves the nest, will it return? Will it stay near the parents? If so, for how long? Or is it on its own, as soon as it leaves?
ReplyDeleteMelissa,
ReplyDeleteGenerally speaking, one would expect a fledgling to remain fairly close to the nest for a week or two, chiefly it won't be capable of long flight for a bit. Then it will roam further, but could hang around MS Park and the cathedral grounds for well over a month. The parents would continue to drop off food but will taper off and stop by August.
But then again, two years ago when there were two successful fledges, one of the pair rooftop-hopped all the way over to Central Park just 11 days after leaving the nest. (The day or two before, its sibling had been taken to the rehabber because of lead poisoning.)