The Franklin Institute tiercel was last seen on Friday. He has gone missing leaving his formel with three very young eyasses on the nest.
The formel left the nest today to hunt. She was gone two hours but did return with a large rat. Unfortunately it will be very difficult if not impossible for her to feed and care for three eyasses on her own.
I have suggested that the local Hawkwatchers institute a supplemental food program similar to the one rehabber Bobby Horvath and the Riverside Park Hawkwatchers used when Riverside Dad was poisoned leaving Intrepid, the Riverside Mom with eyasses on the nest. Previously frozen rats and Quail were left where she could see them. She took to the program without missing a beat. It worked very well and no eyass starved on the nest.
If memory serves, The Franklin Institute Nest overlooks a highway which will possibly make leaving visible and easily obtainable food for the formel to take to the nest somewhat more difficult. Perhaps there is an adjacent window ledge where food could be left discretely for her to find. This would also keep her closer to the eyasses in case they needed to be protected from predators.
The Franklin Hawk Cam was turned off for a short while after the tiercel went missing but then began broadcasting again. It is currently off again. ??? http://www.ustream.tv/channel/the-franklin-institute-haw-cam
Fingers crossed.
Donegal Browne
P.S. Word began to circulate today that feeding behavior may have been observed on the part of Zena on the 927 nest. No confirmation yet from long time Fifth Avenue Hawkwatchers.
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