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[eburgbirdwtchr]

Loved the view of the crane barge being moved upstream.  That tug is like a fancy jet-ski, the way it maneuvers that barge.  Hoping we get more camera time on the crane-I'm still not sure what's going on--dredging (doubtful? since there appears to be no till), contouring? the bottom to eliminate possible sandbars in the future, breaking ice? (keeping the channel thru the locks clear so spring opening can occur earlier).  I want to know....and I hope the camera operator is interested too.  And thanks for all you (our dedicated camera operators, RRP and Amy and John) do....except for when we miss the Empire Builder....I like trains too!    And there should be no doubting my fondness for birdwatching....I'm eburg---birdwtchr!   

while reading I realized maybe I'm eburgtrainwtchr too!  lol

[STLbf]

Bird activity at GSB today. Sub-adult eagles perching and soaring around 8:00 this morning. Rewind is best for the soaring!

And a peregrine visitor again today, about 1:00, on the same branch near the cedars south of the nest.

[eburgbirdwtchr]

Since I've gotten no "joy" on my lock and dam inquiries I went on a google search and found my answer.  The "Infrastructure Bill" is spending money to upgrade all the upper Mississippi River locks from 600 ft. to 1200 ft. to handle the 15 barge pushes we see fairly often on the GSB cliff cam.  Since the 15 barge pushes were the usual "problem" pushes we witness occasionally, we can look forward to higher entertainment value on the cam in the future.
Also, I'm wondering if those new super long "Riverboats" the Cruise line is running from St. Louis to Minneapolis has any influence.
Topping off any sweetheart deals that politics throw in the mix, the locks are "fee-less" even if you're in your own private fishing cruiser.  That's okay though....we have to spend taxes on something, and the Corps will always get its funding thanks to West Point and the military-industrial complex.
Wow....sorry for the rant.  Puff has gotten me stirred up! 

[shep]

Feb 13, 2022
I scanned Explore to see whats going on here at GSB.
Some expect Newman this week.
Another falcon pair have been hanging around off n on
Owls seen at RLD regularly - has she laid eggs under there?

Racine Wisc falcons have paired up and bonding
Alma Wisc is back, cam live

[shep]

SNOWY OWL
GSB falcon cam
Feb 16, 2022

flyway cam

[shep]

NEW OWNER?
Feb 16, 2022
E/84 Geisler
2014 hatch Maiden Rock Wis

[shep]

MALE FALCON
Feb 23, 2022
Amy confirmed it is Newman

Lots of pics on Explore
https://www.explore.org/livecams/birds/falcon-nest-cam

bcaw
https://www.peregrinefalcon-bcaw.net/viewforum.php?f=494

[STLbf]

Hey Shep, thanks for the update Amy's confirmation that the falcon on the ledge all morning today is Newman!  Without banding, I sure can't tell most of them apart.  Reading the info about GSB, this is not unusually early for Newman to return.  Next up, maybe Zooey.

[shep]

Those who know over on Explore have been saying Newman's due this week.

As for me, I cant even tell male from female!

[STLbf]

I have trouble telling one peregrine from the next, unless it's an identified pair and they are together.  Then it's mainly size difference, isn't it, with the female larger?  Zooey (female) from last year had the rusty feathers on her face and breast also, but reddish coloration is not limited to females.

This morning's peregrine might be Newman perching at the nest box about 8:00.  Sunshine and shadow provides really beautiful pics.

[T40cfr403]

Great Spirit Bluff Falcons - Cliff : Newman at Nest Box perch (explore.org 02 26 2022)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTab2fy3hrA&ab_channel=LizzyGEaglespirit

[Ginger52]

Newman has some distinctive white markings on the back of his head, as in this pic.

[STLbf]

Thanks for ID help, Ginger.  Today there's a different peregrine who perched on a dead limb for several hours, then flew to the ledge.  Could it be Zooey??  At the same time, near 1:00, Newman (I think) was sitting on the nest cam apparatus, looking intently at the other bird.  From camera panning, you can tell it is not the same bird moving from ledge to next box.  But it was the same bird flying from branch to ledge.

[shep]

Feb 28, 2022
In 2021 Z liked to sit on top of the cam
Screen shots off Explore

[eburgbirdwtchr]

28Feb22--Rocky Raccoon the Rock Climber visits crevice below GSB nest box around 8:30 pm.  I thought the Great Horned Owls were bad.