March 23, 2001
FALCON FLASH......
Dateline:  Cleveland, Ohio

Late developments reported by Scott Wright

Was alerted via email of THREE FALCONS on the nest ledge and TWO females fighting this afternoon.  This started happening around 5 or 6 pm Friday night (March 23).  Several falconcam watchers had captured remarkable images during the attack (all images and text will be posted on the www.falconcam.apk.net as soon as possible).

I rushed to the nest site and received an escort to the nest. Upon arrival and opening the first window I found two females fighting (well, one being attacked) with what looked like Zenith on top of Clearpath.

I cannot positively ID the new female until I read her bands on Monday.  I scared the attacking falcon off when I opened up the window and yelled at this bird.

Clearpath was alive and breathing very rapidly and very shallow.  She was out of reach, so out the window I went and a short distance away I carefully picked up Clearpath, the entire time being buzzed by the new female
and a few half-hearted passes by the male.

I looked over Clearpath's injuries (and she had some serious damage).   I will not go into any detail on her injuries, nor will I answer any questions on her injuries (let us just leave it at that).

I had called the Cuyahoga County wildlife enforcement officer from the Ohio Division Of Wildlife and told him prior to going to the nest that if I found an injured bird I would take the bird to Lake County Metro Parks.

During the drive, just after the Willoughby exit, Clearpath extended her wings for the final time and shook her legs as if to take flight one last time.

I like to think that her falcon sprit was taking wing and soaring off to the happy hunting ground in the sky.
 

Scott Wright
Ohio Division of Wildlife Peregrine Nest Monitor (Volunteer)
North Olmsted, OH
 

P.S.  The photo is from www.falconcam.apk.net

To read what happened earlier in the 2001 nesting story, go to www.raptorsinthecity.com  for all the "Falcon Flash" news bulletins and more about falcons.