The last of the three 2008 peregrine nestlings at WAMU died sometime between 3 PM and 8 PM yesterday. Security at Wright Runstad was kind enough to notify Ruth Taylor, project leader, last night.
We are now making every effort to retrieve the chick for analysis before one of the adults carries it off the ledge. If we are successful, it will be sent to the WSU lab in Pullman, WA, for a post-mortem examination.
Once again, having all three eyasses die mid-way through their development is an unusual event for us. We have not seen this type of mortality before among peregrines breeding in Seattle or elsewhere for that matter.
We can't say what the cause might be until further analysis of the young. When we receive those results, we will share them with you all.
In the meantime, thanks for your patience, understanding and compassion for the nestlings. We have had several calls and e-mails from people concerned about their welfare and we appreciate it.
June 7, 2008
June 5, 2008
Second Chick Dies At WAMU
Cass Dahlstrom confirmed this morning that the second peregrine nestling had died at the Washington Mutual Tower in Seattle. We immediately contacted Wright Runstad and they have been extremely helpful in arranging for a drop to the ledge on the 56th floor of the building.
Denise Kolb, Special Projects Engineer, ran the window washing stage and took FRG volunteer and peregrine bander, Martin Muller, down to the ledge to retrieve the dead eyass just moments ago.
They were able to get to the ledge immediately and before the adult female carried the dead chick from the ledge.
Chris Anderson, WSDFW biologist, will be picking the bird up around noon today and conveying it to the Washington State veterinarian at Pullman for a necropsy.
Everyone's goal is to try and determine what has caused this relatively unique incident of peregrine mortality. If we can determine the specific cause, we may be able to prevent it from recuring in the future.
Denise Kolb, Special Projects Engineer, ran the window washing stage and took FRG volunteer and peregrine bander, Martin Muller, down to the ledge to retrieve the dead eyass just moments ago.
They were able to get to the ledge immediately and before the adult female carried the dead chick from the ledge.
Chris Anderson, WSDFW biologist, will be picking the bird up around noon today and conveying it to the Washington State veterinarian at Pullman for a necropsy.
Everyone's goal is to try and determine what has caused this relatively unique incident of peregrine mortality. If we can determine the specific cause, we may be able to prevent it from recuring in the future.
June 4, 2008
Second WAMU Chick Fading Away
The second of three nestlings at the Washington Mutual Tower is experiencing problems at this time and appears to be in the process of dying for unknown reasons.
Both adult falcons have been present and trying to feed it all day. The adult female is "chupping" at the chick repeatedly, in an obvious effort to induce it to feed.
But the nestling is not responding.
We have contacted the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife in an effort to try and rescue the chick at this late stage. However, based on their established policies, they have made the decision to allow nature to take its course in this case. Since they are the governing body for wildlife in our state, we must legally abide by their decision.
We have never seen this type of mortality among peregrine eyasses in Seattle before this year. To have two nestlings die at this late stage of development is unusual for us. So we are all extremely interested in learning more about what exactly is going on with the WAMU birds this season.
Martin Muller also reports the late deaths of several eyasses at another Seattle area nest site this spring. Once again, we have not seen this type of late season mortality among nestlings on the ledge before this year.
In the interests of determining the cause of death, WSDFW has kindly granted us permission to collect the WAMU nestling, but only after it has died.
Denise Kolb, at Wright Runstad, has generously arranged for us to visit the ledge and collect the chick post-mortem. So we want our readers to know that everyone is cooperating and working hard to do the right thing.
WSDFW has also agreed to assist with the necropsy and try to establish exactly why the chick died. Their veterinarian has expressed interest in the case and is expected to run toxicology tests on the nestling.
It is going to be challenging to collect this bird after death but before the adult female removes it from the ledge. FRG volunteer, Vivian Gross, will be checking on the chick late this afternoon. Another volunteer will be checking in the morning. Once we establish mortality, we will do a drop to the ledge and collect the chick. It will then be transported to the WSDFW.
Thanks for your patience and your concerns regarding this peregrine.
Both adult falcons have been present and trying to feed it all day. The adult female is "chupping" at the chick repeatedly, in an obvious effort to induce it to feed.
But the nestling is not responding.
We have contacted the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife in an effort to try and rescue the chick at this late stage. However, based on their established policies, they have made the decision to allow nature to take its course in this case. Since they are the governing body for wildlife in our state, we must legally abide by their decision.
We have never seen this type of mortality among peregrine eyasses in Seattle before this year. To have two nestlings die at this late stage of development is unusual for us. So we are all extremely interested in learning more about what exactly is going on with the WAMU birds this season.
Martin Muller also reports the late deaths of several eyasses at another Seattle area nest site this spring. Once again, we have not seen this type of late season mortality among nestlings on the ledge before this year.
In the interests of determining the cause of death, WSDFW has kindly granted us permission to collect the WAMU nestling, but only after it has died.
Denise Kolb, at Wright Runstad, has generously arranged for us to visit the ledge and collect the chick post-mortem. So we want our readers to know that everyone is cooperating and working hard to do the right thing.
WSDFW has also agreed to assist with the necropsy and try to establish exactly why the chick died. Their veterinarian has expressed interest in the case and is expected to run toxicology tests on the nestling.
It is going to be challenging to collect this bird after death but before the adult female removes it from the ledge. FRG volunteer, Vivian Gross, will be checking on the chick late this afternoon. Another volunteer will be checking in the morning. Once we establish mortality, we will do a drop to the ledge and collect the chick. It will then be transported to the WSDFW.
Thanks for your patience and your concerns regarding this peregrine.
June 2, 2008
Eyass Mortality At WAMU
2 June 2008
I wish that I didn’t have to post this update.
One of the three peregrine chicks at the Washington Mutual Tower in Seattle died late Friday at just under two weeks of age. It was still visible on the live video feed over the weekend.
As it is no longer in the nest at this time, we expect that it was carried off the ledge by one of the adults.
As of noon today (Monday), one chick still appears lively and healthy, but the other seems to be having difficulty even raising its head.
At this point, we do not to know the cause of death of the first eyass.
In earlier years at WAMU, an eyass died within 2-3 days after hatching on several occasions.
But mortality on the ledge, at almost two weeks of age, is not something we have seen here before.
Although we understand that this event may be upsetting and unpleasant for many of our viewers, it is important to remember that mortality is a natural process and part of nature.
It is not easy being a peregrine.
We have elected to let nature take its course and will provide further updates.
I wish that I didn’t have to post this update.
One of the three peregrine chicks at the Washington Mutual Tower in Seattle died late Friday at just under two weeks of age. It was still visible on the live video feed over the weekend.
As it is no longer in the nest at this time, we expect that it was carried off the ledge by one of the adults.
As of noon today (Monday), one chick still appears lively and healthy, but the other seems to be having difficulty even raising its head.
At this point, we do not to know the cause of death of the first eyass.
In earlier years at WAMU, an eyass died within 2-3 days after hatching on several occasions.
But mortality on the ledge, at almost two weeks of age, is not something we have seen here before.
Although we understand that this event may be upsetting and unpleasant for many of our viewers, it is important to remember that mortality is a natural process and part of nature.
It is not easy being a peregrine.
We have elected to let nature take its course and will provide further updates.
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