Bouquet...
To members of the Red Deer River Naturalists, who attracted worldwide attention in their first-ever adventure of capturing live on a webcam the daily existence of the once-almost-extinct peregrine falcon.
Perched in a nesting box 95 metres above ground on the Telus tower in Highland Green, mom Perry and dad Windsong raised three healthy chicks that tested their wings and challenged the wind for their first solo flight on Tuesday — much to the astonishment and relief of those who had been monitoring the family since the eggs first hatched on June 12 and 13.
Named through an Advocate contest, Scout, Telli and Nadira are now buzzing the skies with their parents, being taught how to hunt birds on their own.
These incredible raptors, capable of dive-bombing their prey at speeds of close to 300 km/h, attracted an audience of almost 300,000 views from every continent on Earth, except for the Antarctica.
And they put Red Deer on the map.
Many viewers on the RDRN’s chat line had never heard of Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. They were amazed and researched this part of Central Alberta.
But most rewarding was that several visitors to the chat line were not familiar with peregrine falcons and the species’ near-death experience due to human encroachment and the use of DDT — the same fate that dangerously threatened bald eagles.
Site visitors began extensive research into the peregrine falcons and applauded the efforts of the RDRN once they learned about this precious bird.
Education was the sole purpose behind this project, with Advocate bird columnist and RDRN member Judy Boyd and her trusty computer assistant leading the charge.
Tireless hours were poured into this challenge by the RDRN, Boyd and her computer assistant. In the end, the results were far beyond expectations.
The project has heightened awareness on a remarkable natural revival and shows what can be accomplished with some ingenuity, some hard work and a great deal of co-operation, in this case between a public group, private enterprise and government.
A bouquet also to the Alberta Fish and Wildlife, whose biologists designed the nesting box for this project. One can only imagine the outcome of the chicks without such a protective shelter during this recent stint of monsoon-like weather. The box also was designed to prevent the entrance of other species, like owls.
And a bouquet to Telus for allowing such a live-broadcast drama to unfold 95 metres above ground on its tower ledge. Telus provided the manpower to help set it up. In addition, the company paid for the power source.
Overall, it’s an awesome success story that brought many people together in the name of Mother Nature.
Rick Zemanek is an Advocate editor.