Lots if Happenings Today!

John Blakeman, master falconer and raptor biologist from Ohio, joined us again today in the City Room Chat for a question and answer session concerning Violet, Bobby and of course, our little Pip!

John was most gracious and patient with all the questions and comments thrown out into cyberspace and I, for one, would like to thank him for taking the time to share his knowledge of Red-Tailed Hawks with us. I want to share some of his responses with those of you who may have missed the earlier chat session. These are direct quotes taken from the Livestream Chat Room.

JohnBlakeman: All hawks and falcons of unknown sex are called a "SHE" - not an "it" or "he."

JohnBlakeman: V id digging down under the remaining eggs, turning them over. It's egg-tending instinct.

JohnBlakeman: The eggs will just rot away. V will forget about them in a few days.

JohnBlakeman: Yes, P is gray now, replacing the white downy feathers. In a week, final flight feathers will start to emerge.

JohnBlakeman: Both birds are preening. (referring to P & V). NO insects, just dirt removal, and spreading feather oil to repel rain. And, it bonds the birds.

JohnBlakeman: When P fledges, she will stop using the nest in a day or so. The nest is a nursery, not a home!

JohnBlakeman: Frankly, I think V's foot will remain as it is the rest of her life. She has probably been living with this since she was banded in '06.

JohnBlackeman: I really hope P can be banded, with blood samples taken, etc.

JohnBlakeman: Without a band to get the number off of (with spotting scopes) we will never know where P ends up.

PERSONAL COMMENTARY FROM SAIDHBHIN: I would personally like to apologize to John Blakeman and to Andy and the City Room staff, for all the childish nonsense that has been going on in this chat room.

There are obviously some very immature and anti-social people who think it is funny to make fun our the experts, whom, by the way, are volunteering their time and their knowledge, to educate US and answer our questions.

These individuals, whom some have chosen to label "trolls" are making some of the chat sessions very difficult for those of us who are truly trying to support NYU, NYT and their efforts on behalf of Violet, Bobby and Pip.

I would encourage all the chat members to quit responding to these individuals and just ignore them. They will go away when they figure out they are not going to get us to argue with them. Please, don't bring yourselves down to their level!
Thank you for your consideration of each other as individuals, with individual beliefs and opinions. Please be sure to always comment/respond with the same amount of respect that you would want them to show to you.

Saidhbhin