McKenzie Seeds - 2013 / Brooklyn & Hurricane

[Rose]

There are a lot fewer pigeons in Brandon than there are in Winnipeg, which may be why Alice and Zeus hung out for so long in Winnipeg before heading out to Brandon in 2011.  It might be the same thing this year, need to have a definite thaw - for those who aren't in Manitoba we are 10 degrees colder right now than the norm for this date.  If they don't have eggs in the box until late April or early May, it won't influence the survival rate of their offspring this year - our birds typically have plenty of time for their young to fledge and become independent before winter sets in.

Still annoying for everyone out in Brandon who wants to be watching peregrines I know ...

Actually there are hundreds of Pigeons around downtown Brandon, you just don't see them, when it's so cold they tend to stay out of the cold in any building they can find a way into and to come out in flocks when the sun shines. Last year(2012) Brooklyn and Hurricane arrived near the end of March and the year before (2011)they were here about the 5th of April.

[The Peregrine Chick]

True Rose, I was comparing it to the peregrines' main hunting ground here right now where there are thousands - so many that last year we had three territorial pairs sharing the hunting ground.  And I still keep remembering Alice and Zeus hanging out waiting and waiting and waiting and then poof, they were gone and on territory in Brandon and it took a thaw and south wind bringing in waterfowl.

I'm going to keep my fingers crossed that Brooklyn and Hurricane are already on their way home and that they will be winging into the nestbox about their usual time!

[birdcamfan]

I thought that pigeons were as common as mosquitoes in Manitoba. Are there areas of Manitoba that don't have pigeons? (I mean south of the lakes)

[The Peregrine Chick]

I thought that pigeons were as common as mosquitoes in Manitoba. Are there areas of Manitoba that don't have pigeons? (I mean south of the lakes)

Pigeons are an introduced species and primarily live near human activities - buildings, transportation (grain elevators), large institutions that have lots of connected buildings are great because they have lots of nooks and crannies and usually have industrial air intake/exhaust which makes it easy for them to survive in large numbers through our winters.  If I'm not mistaken, other than in urban areas, pigeons in Manitoba aren't found north of the agricultural area of the province, so about as far north as Ashern I think.

Hope that answers your question BCF ...

[birdcamfan]

Thanks, it makes sense. Ya' learn something new every day. I guess pigeons seem so common that I hadn't really thought about their origins much.

[Rose]

1015 hours
 Nothing new, Pigeon in the Nest Box

[bev.]

storms can be delaying them. I think it all depends on when they started home. Some got through before bad weather and I think some are holed up waiting

[The Peregrine Chick]

I think Bev is right - Jim Duncan said something similar on the radio a couple of days ago, that there are raptors hung up about mid-US waiting for some weather systems to clear out before they start moving.  Comparing migration numbers for this period in 2012 and 2013 there are definitely fewer birds on the move ... our birds were at least two weeks later than usual, so I would expect the Brandon birds to likewise be delayed ... and at last report, McDermot and Juliet weren't moving either ...

[transplanted maple]

I hope the weather gets nice soon for all of you there, waiting for their save return...of PFs

[The Peregrine Chick]

Spring has sprung in Brandon!!!

EcoGeek is a new forum member from Brandon who has yet to post but they did call in a sighting at McKenzie Seeds - one bird, light coloured breast sitting on one of the lights by the clock.

I've encouraged EcoGeek to post more details of his/her sighting here when they can.  

Now we need to figure out who it might be ...  

[Rose]

Spring has sprung in Brandon!!!

EcoGeek is a new forum member from Brandon who has yet to post but they did call in a sighting at McKenzie Seeds - one bird, light coloured breast sitting on one of the lights by the clock.

I've encouraged EcoGeek to post more details of his/her sighting here when they can.  

Now we need to figure out who it might be ...  

 RCF has photos. She was in town about 1300hours, she couldn't get a band number, our lady wouldn't lift a leg but birdie has a beautiful salmon wash on her bib, and also a very full crop.

[RCF]

I am pretty sure it's Hurricane from the photo's I took, also from where she perched.   She had a very full crop, so I think pigeon pie was for lunch.    I only saw the one peregrine.

On the Scotia sign and looking up at the pigeons that are all gathered on the corner.

 

On the south light, one of Hurricane's favorite spots.

[EcoGeek]

I'm still a bit of a newbie when comes to telling birds apart. But I too only saw one bird. It was around 4 this afternoon, on the lamp pole.  It think it's a little chilly for bare legs. Lol :-D

[susha]

Welcome to the forum, EcoGeek!

And thanks for the photos, rcf!  Hurray!  We have a bird in Brandon

[RCF]

   Welcome EcoGeek!!   You may see Rose and I down around the McKenzie building or up on the Town Centre second level Parking area ( good place to see into the nest box and MTS tower ).  We'll be the ones looking up and pointing to the sky or have a camera pointed at the sky.  Glad to have another set of eyes looking out for the peregrines!