Reflections on Peregrine Falcons
Clara and Fernando lead interesting lives at the top of San Jose City Hall! These two Peregrine Falcons nest at city hall each year, and have become makeshift reality stars with a webcam watching their daily lives. Teacher Michele’s Snowboarding Snow Leopards share their thoughts about these magnificent birds, whose family grew once again this Spring with the hatching of new chicks.
Peregrine Falcons
By Zoe G., Lindsey G., Jordyn S., & Ty F.
Early in the spring, Ms. Sherry visited the Snowboarding Snow Leopards and taught us about the peregrine falcons. She spoke with us about a pair of falcons named Clara and Fernando who each spring, nest at the top of San Jose City Hall. Scientists have placed a camera in the nest box so the public can enjoy these amazing birds. Our class has been watching the falcons since Sherry’s visit and have come to care for them as if they are our class pets. We tune into the camera almost daily to watch their growth. The Snowboarding Snow Leopards have come to have true admiration for these birds. We hope our article helps you find a love for them as well!
Clara
By Zoe G.
Clara is the mother of her 2 chicks recently her 3rd chick passed away from a very bad seizure the chicks name was faith but Clara and Fernando are fine. Clara has had 36 chicks in al,. lots of them have died but she has had a good life! Her favorite mate is Fernando they have stayed together for 6 years. Her first mate was Jose but when she first started having eggs in the nest box was in 2007 she was in town in 2006 but never started her nest yet. Our class has been watching the peregrines for a long time and we have watched them grow and learn. It’s wonderful to see the chicks grow their feathers and wings. Recently they have fledged and if you don’t know what fledging means it means that the chick start jumping off to learn to fly. Finn was the first one to fledge then Nova he did go in a tree but Clara and Fernando cheered them on! Nova on the other hand, she kind of fledged.
The Chicks
By Lindsey G.
In class we are watching peregrine falcons. They are so cute! The Eyasses have grown their feathers so the Eyasses are not just a big ball of fuzz! The peregrine falcons have started fledging. Fledgling means going off the ledge and trying to fly! The Eyasses are supposed to start fledgling from may 11th to may 28th. One of the peregrine falcons who died was a girl she is named Faith The other girl is named Nova and the boy is named Fin! They are so cute! They are standing by the edge of the nests and thinking about fledging! The Eyasses that died had neurological issues and cept having seizures!
Fernando
By Ty F.
Fernando is a father of two chicks.Fernando is named after the street! He is smaller than Clara and has less distinctive white stripe. He is Clara’s 4th mate. He flies in every morning with a pigeon or small bird/mammal. He has been longest of her three mates! Did you know that he is smaller than the female chick aka Nova? Fernando has been Clara’s mate for six years!