What's going on with S.O.A.R.

Hello,

We're sorry we haven't posted anything lately. We are currently giving the birds a little time off. Our next scheduled program is at the end of January at Lake Barley State Park in Kentucky. John has finally released his e-book, "An Eagle's Sky, My Life as a Birdman." It is about his life working with birds and how he eventually took Osceola, a one-winged Bald Eagle flying again through the sport of hang gliding. It is available through Smashwords.com at this link: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/246776

It is downloadable to all sorts of e-readers including Nook, Kindle, iPad, iPhones and other smartphones, Mac and PC. It is also available through most major e-book sites such as Barnes and Noble, Apple iBooks, Sony, Diesel and eventually...Amazon. The price is $4.99 and if you visit the Smashwords site, you can download the first 40% for free. By the way, if you want to see photos and videos of Osceola and John flying together visit www.osceolabaldeagle.com

We are currently booking programs for the Spring, Call us at 706-657-3278 or 423-605-8917 or e-mail at s.o.a.r.south@hotmail.com and please visit our website at www.soarsouth.org Thanks for stopping by and Happy Holidays!

Dale and John

Upcoming programs

Hello,

We have several upcoming public programs over the next few weeks. The first is on September 22nd at Cheekwood Botanical Gardens www.cheekwood.org  in Nashville. The program begins at 12:00 p.m. CDT. The next day we will be at Tims Ford State Park http://www.state.tn.us/environment/parks/TimsFord/  near Winchester, Tennessee. Our programs starts at 2:00 CST. The next weekend we journey to Wabasha, Minnesota to the National Eagle Center http://www.nationaleaglecenter.org/2012/08/celebrating-5-years-schedule-announced/. We are there to celebrate five years at their new location with programs at 11:00 and 2:00 on September 29th and 30th. Come join us at this beautiful facility. The following weekend, October 6th, we will be at the Bear Hollow Zoo http://www.nationaleaglecenter.org/2012/08/celebrating-5-years-schedule-announced/  in Athens, Georgia. Come and celebrate Zoo Day. Then, from October 7th to October 14th, we will be at Rock City  www.seerockcity.com for their Rocktoberfest Celebration. We'll have programs at 1:00 and 3:00 EDT. We hope to see you somewhere on the road!

Dale and John
s.o.a.r.south@hotmail.com

www.soarsouth.org

Rock City Raptors

Hello,

Our Rock City Raptors www.seerockcity.com  programs continue through Labor Day, September 3rd. Our program schedule is Thursday through Sunday with shows at 11, 1, 3 EDT with an additional show at 4:30 on Saturday.

Fourscore has not been seen in over two weeks now and perhaps he has started his first migration south. At this time last year, a previously released Peregrine named Lookout had made his way to the Mississippi River and spent several weeks there before moving to Louisiana, Texas and across the Gulf of Mexico. We were able to follow his movements via a solar-powered satellite transmitter. Unfortunately, we don't have such a unit on Fourscore and can only hope for the best.

We are booking programs for the Fall and Winter. To schedule either e-mail at s.o.a.r.south@hotmail.com or call 706-657-3278. Visit our website at www.soarsouth.org

Thanks!

Dale and John

Fourscore update

Hello,
 Fourscore has not returned to the hack station to feed for several days now. Perhaps he is now hunting for his meals now. We will continue to provide a small amount of food for the next few days. To date, he has been the most visible Peregrine we have released. He stayed around the hack site for 3.5 weeks. We may see him again, either sometime in the next few weeks or maybe in a few years when he returns as an adult. Jeff Raabe of Rock City caught some  recent photos of Fourscore. We'll keep you posted. Thanks!

Dale and John
s.o.a.r.south@hotmail.com

visit our website: www.soarsouth.org

Fourscore still around Rock City

Hello Everyone,

Fourscore, the "Atlanta" Falcon, continues to be seen around Rock City. On Thursday evening, he survived some 70+mph winds that were caused by a derecho http://www.spc.noaa.gov/misc/AbtDerechos/derechofacts.htm#types similar to the one that hit the Washington, D.C  area the previous week. We were concerned on Friday that he would not be around, but we were relieved when we saw him at the hack box. He has been seen by many visitors to Rock City www.seerockcity.com, especially around Lover's Leap and the Seven States Flags Court. We hope that he will stick around a little longer because it sure has been fun to watch him soar and dive! Thanks for following!

Dale and John

s.o.a.r.south@hotmail.com

WEBSITE: www.soarsouth.org

p.s. Thanks to Dianne Blankenbaker for these wonderful photos!!! (click on them to enlarge)

Fourscore update

Hello,

Fourscore is still around the hack site, but now is starting to venture out a little more. On a couple of occasions, he has been seen high about Rock City thermaling with other birds. Yesterday, he was observed actively chasing a Chimney Swift, but his chase took him out of view around the mountain, so it is unknown whether or not he caught it. He continues to come back to the hack site to feed and we are interested to see how long he will stay in the area. It has now been two weeks since he was released and the previous falcons have left the area after about two weeks. However, he was released three weeks earlier than any of the other falcons, so he may stay in the area a little longer. We will see.

W are now in the midst of our Rock City Raptors programs. Come up to the "Rock" and catch a show Thursday through Sunday 11, 1, 3 with an additional show on Saturdays at 4:30 p.m. EDT. Thanks for checking...

Dale and John
s.o.a.r.south@hotmail.com

WEBSITE: www.soarsouth.org

Fourscore doing well

Hello Everyone,

Fourscore is doing great! He is still returning to the hack station to feed. These photos were taken on 6/29/12 at 2:00 p.m. He had just returned to the feeding platform after harassing a Turkey Vulture at approximately 1000 feet over the mountain. The air temperature on Lookout Mountain was around 101-102 degrees. We will continue to feed him everyday for the next week and then will start to wean him. Check back in to see how he is doing. Thanks!

Dale and John
s.o.a.r.south@hotmail.com
visit our website at www.soarsouth.org

Fourscore at the hack box

Hello Everyone,

Fourscore, the Peregrine, continues to hang around the hack box area. He is starting to become more proficient at flying as he was observed making high speed passes near the box. Jeff Raabe of Rock City captured this photo (with a time lapse wildlife camera) of Fourscore leaving the hack platform with a chick we left for him to eat. Click on the photo to enlarge. Check back for updates. Thanks!

Dale and John

s.o.a.r.south@hotmail.com

visit our website: www.soarsouth.org

p.s. We will be at Rock City www.seerockcity.com  from June 28th through July 8th (everyday) with shows at 11:00, 1:00 and 3:00

with additional shows at 4:30 on Saturday

Fourscore sighted

Hello All,

After a few days of not seeing Fourscore the Peregrine (he managed to remove his transmitter), we did see him today. Food was left on his release box yesterday afternoon and this morning, it was gone. This afternoon, we replenished his food and and as soon as he saw us near the hack box, he few close by for a look. He landed on a cliff ledge in front of Mr. Chapin's house. As soon as we cleared the area, Fourscore flew to the top of the hack box for his afternoon meal. We will continue to provide food for him until we know he is hunting on his own. We will keep you updated on his progress.

John and Dale
website: www.soarsouth.org
s.o.a.r.south@hotmail.com

"Fourscore" the Peregrine released

Hello Everyone,

At 6:10 a.m. EDT today, the door to the release box was opened . At 6:18, the young Peregrine Falcon from the Dunwoody section of Atlanta, flew to his freedom. "Fourscore" as he was named from a winning entry on Rock City's Facebook page (this year is Rock City's 80th anniversary, so fourscore represents 80 years...a score being twenty years. He was also the 8th Peregrine released at the attraction), didn't waste too much time flying away and landed in a nearby tree. About 15 minutes later, he was spotted flying overhead and was accompanied by a small flock of Chimney Swifts. A transmitter was fitted to him before release and a telemetry search was conducted a few hours after release with no results. Where had he gone? Had he set his sights on Atlanta? Around 4:45 p.m., food was taken to the release box (two chicks) and a telemetry check was conducted with surprising results. He was nearby! After getting another reading from a different angle, he was spotted in a tree near Bill Chapin's house, near the hack box, and near the Seven States Flag Court (click on the tree photo to enlarge). He was watched  here for nearly two hours as he preened, stretched and observed the surrounding area. He later flew out briefly into the valley and then returned to another tree near Bill's house, but closer to the hack box. Perhaps he will find the food on top of the box and hopefully he will stay in the area for several weeks. We will keep you posted.

Dale and John

s.o.a.r.south@hotmail.com
visit our website at www.soarouth.org 

Unexpected Peregrine

Hello,

We have received an unexpected Peregrine Falcon for release this year. The breeder from whom we normally get birds for release produced no young this year. Our back up source already had his Peregrines committed to a release project in South Dakota. We had given up releasing Peregrine for 2012. On Thursday June 7th, we received a call from Jim Ozier of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.  He had a Peregrine that he wanted to know if we could hack it at our Rock City release site. After talking it over with Andrew Kean and Jeff Raabe of Rock City, we decided that we could take the bird. Jim said that this Peregrine was from a nest in the Dunwoody section of metro Atlanta. The female and mother of the Peregrine is only two years old and is inexperience as a mother. The male, hatched in 2007 on the Sun Trust building in Atlanta, had to incubate the eggs (a task normally handled by the female) and had to hunt for the young once they hatched. The female apparently brooded the young, but when it came time for her to join her mate in providing food for the young, she did not. She only hunted for herself. The pair produced two young, both males, and their father kept them fed the best that he could. Once the youngsters got older, the father simply could not provide enough food. According to Greg Greer, who has participated in Peregrine Falcon release projects in the past, and had been observing the nest at the Manhattan Condos, the young fledged sooner that they should have, probably due to hunger. One of the youngsters flew into traffic and was killed. Greg marked the location of where the second male went, but couldn't find him until the next day. The Peregrine was taken to a rehab center for a few days and Greg delivered him to us on Friday and we have had him in our care. The bird, whom we are temporarily calling "Dunwoody" will be released on Monday, June 18th from our hack site on the other side of Bill Chapin's house at Rock City. Let hope his does well, but at least for now, he has gotten a second chance.

By the way, we are now in our 8th regular season of Rock City Raptors www.seerockcity.com with showtimes Thursday through Sunday 11, 1, and 3 p.m. EDT with an additional show at 4:30 on Saturday. Come on up and see us!

Dale and John

s.o.a.r.south@hotmail.com
visit our website: www.soarsouth.org

Rock City Raptors

Hello,

This Memorial Day weekend, we begin our 8th season of Rock City Raptors www.seerockcity.com . Our regular schedule of presentations is Thursday through Sunday with shows at 11:00, 1:00 and 3:00 EDT and an additional show on Saturday at 4:30. We will have Osceola, the Hang Gliding Eagle www.osceolabaldeagle.com in all of our presentations (which run through Monday this week). We hope to see you there!

Dale and John

s.o.a.r.south@hotmail.com
visit our website: www.soarsouth.org

Upcoming presentations and Osceola, the hang gliding eagle

Hello,

We have one more weekend for programs at Rock City www.seerockcity.com . Our shows are on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 11:00, 1:00 and 3:00 EDT. This weekend we will have Osceola, the hang gliding eagle www.osceolabaldeagle.com at all of our presentations. Next weekend we will be in Clarksville, Tennessee at Dunbar Cave State Park on Saturday May 5th. This is for Friends of Dunbar Cave's https://sites.google.com/site/friendsdunbar/ annual Spring Fling. Our presentations are at 10:00 and 12:40 CDT. The next day, we'll be at another cave, Russell Cave National Monument near Stevenson, Alabama with a presentation at 2:00 CDT. The second weekend of May, we journey to southern Georgia at Reed Bingham State Park http://gastateparks.org/info/reedbing/ near Adel, Georgia. We will be doing a program for the International Migratory Bird Day at 11:00 a.m.EDT We then travel up the road to Georgia Veterans State Park http://gastateparks.org/info/georgiavet/ for a presentation at 3:30 p.m. EDT. We hope to see you at one of these events.

Dale and John
s.o.a.r.south@hotmail.com
Visit our website: www.soarsouth.org
706-657-3278

Upcoming programs-March and April 2012

Hello Everyone,

We have an upcoming program at on Saturday March 10th at Wheeler Refuge near Decatur, Alabama. We have two programs at 11:00 am. CST and the second at 1:00 p.m. CST (don't forget to move your clocks, watches , etc. one hour ahead on Sunday). For more info go to http://friendsofwheelerrefuge.org/events/?eventID=35&date=03/10/2012

We will be again traveling to Wabasha, Minnesota for Soar With The Eagles Weekends www.nationaleaglecenter.org with presentations on March 25th and 26th, 2012. Come check out the great National Eagle Center and the beautiful town of Wabasha on the Mississippi. Why, you can even visit Slippery's Bar where scenes from Grumpy Old Men and Grumpier Old Men were filmed. We may have a special Bald Eagle guest with us in Wabasha! (Hint: He's in the photos).

Friday, Saturdays and Sundays in April, we return to Rock City for EarthDayz www.seerockcity.com with showtimes at 11, 1, and 3 EDT.

We hope to see you somewhere!

John and Dale

visit our website: www.soarsouth.org

s.o.a.r.south@hotmail.com

706-657-3278

p.s. We still have some slots open for programs in April(no weekends) and May. Call or e-mail for our schedule.

Where in the world is Doris?

Hello Everyone,

Where in the world is Doris Mager, our intrepid leader...This weekend she'll be at Village Creek State Park

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/village_creek/
near Lumberton and the following weekend, she'll be conducting presentations at
Martin Dies, Jr. State Park
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/martin_dies_jr/
near Jasper. If you need more information call Doris at 828-506-8106. If you get a chance, check out this Living Legend!

s.o.a.r.south@hotmail.com
website: www.soarsouth.org

Lookout's last readings

Hello Everyone,

We are sorry we haven't updated this blog for the last few days. We were waiting to see if we would get more data from Lookout, but it didn't happen. The last readings we got from Lookout were on February 12th. We noticed in the information that accompanies the readings shows that from February 9th through February 12th, there was only one reading per day and it was coming from the same spot. We also checked other data and we were seeing a battery drain signal. We contacted Microwave Telemetry, who built the transmitter, and asked them to look over the data. They came back with the news that Lookout was either on the ground (presumed to be dead) or that he had somehow gotten the backpack/transmitter off and it had fallen to the ground. Being the optimists that we are, we are hoping for the latter and not the former. Is this the end of the line for Lookout? It is really hard to tell. Other than mounting an all out search of the Rio Patuca area from which his last signal emanated, we won't really know. He is banded with a Federal leg band and who knows, he may show up back in the Chattanooga are in a few years as a nesting bird. It is hard to think about this remarkable bird being gone. Maybe he is not...whatever the outcome, it has been an incredible journey.

We have included three images in this post (click on any to enlarge). One is his last location on Rio Patuca, one is his overall flight path form July 11, 2011 to February 9, 2012 and one is of Lookout standing on a quail at the hack box at Rock City (taken by Jeff Raabe of Rock City). We thank Rock City for their support of this project (and we will release more birds this year through our cooperative effort) and the Benwood Foundation for the grant that allowed us to conduct this telemetry study. We thank you all for following the posts since Lookout and Chatty were released. Please continue to check back to see what is going on with S.O.A.R. and what upcoming programs and projects we have. Godspeed Lookout!

Dale and John

s.o.a.r.south@hotmail.com

visit our website: http://www.soarsouth.org/

706-657-3278

Lookout's latest data as of 2/6/12

Hello Everyone,

Here is the latest information of the whereabouts of Lookout, the Peregrine Falcon. The red dot indicates where he was at 1:00 on February 6, 2012. He is still in Honduras on Rio Patuca. You may click on any image to enlarge. We expect him to start moving north in the next few weeks.

Meanwhile, where is Doris Mager, our fearless leader this week and in the next few weeks? This weekend, she'll be at Brazos Bend State Park http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/brazos_bend/
and the following weekend February 18-19th she'll be at Village Creek State Park http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/village_creek/
If you want more info, give Doris a call at 828-506-8106

Meanwhile, Dale and John will be doing a program on Thursday February 9th in Patterson, Louisiana at the Patterson Civic Center http://www.pattersonareaciviccenter.com/ for a program at 6:00 p.m. CST. This is in conjunction with the Cajun Coast and Convention Bureau's Eagle Festival http://www.cajuncoast.com/public/events/eagleexpo/

Thanks for dropping by and maybe we will see you on the road...

Dale and John

s.o.a.r.south@hotmail.com

visit our website at: http://www.soarsouth.org/

706-657-3278

p.s. we are booking programs for the Spring. If you are intersted contact us at the e-mail address or phone number listed.

Lookout's latest data and upcoming presentations

Hello Everyone,

Lookout continues to winter in Honduras on Rio Patuca. We have included three images from a wide shot down to an upclose shot to see the river area in a little more detail. Click on any image to enlarge. The red dot indicates where Lookout was located at 1:00 on January 31, 2012. We should start to see more northward movement here within the next few weeks.

Meanwhile, where is Doris Mager, our fearless leader this week and in the next few weeks? This weekend, she'll be at Lake Texana State Park http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/lake_texana/ the weekend of February 11-12th she be at Brazos Bend State Park http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/brazos_bend/

and the following weekend February 18-19th she'll be at Village Creek State Park http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/village_creek/

If you want more info, give Doris a call at 828-506-8106

Meanwhile, Dale and John will be at Reelfoot Lake State Park http://www.state.tn.us/environment/parks/ReelfootLake/ near Tiptonville, Tennessee for the 8th Annual Eagle Festival. Showtimes are at 2:00 and 7:00 CST in the Visitor Center across from World Famous Boyette's Restaurant. Come out and see Doris or us on the road. Thanks!

Dale and John Stokes

s.o.a.r.south@hotmail.com

visit our website at http://www.soarsouth.org/

706-657-3278

Lookout's latest as of January 28, 2012

Hello Everyone,

Lookout's latest data still shows him on Rio Patuca. It has now been three months, so we guess that this qualifies as his wintering area. It has been great to follow this bird's progress and we'll see where he goes next. On either image, click to enlarge. The red dot represents his location as of January 28th at 1:00 and all of the lines are his flight paths.

Thanks for checking in....

Dale and John

s.o.a.r.south@hotmail.com

website: http://www.soarsouth.org/

Lookout's latest-January 20th

Hello Everyone,

We apologize for taking so long to get this latest info to our blog, but Lookout continues his winter stay in Honduras on Rio Patuca. Click on either image to enlarge. The red dot indicates where he was as of 1:00 0n January 20, 2012. He has moved a lot around this river, but continues to stay around fifty miles from the coast. We should have more readings in a day. We are always happy to receive new information from him as it indicates that he is still doing well.

Meanwhile, we (Dale and John) will be conducting two programs at Lake Guntersville State Park in Alabama http://www.alapark.com/LakeGuntersville/EagleAwareness/ on Saturday January 28th. Our first program is at 1:00 CST and the second is at 7:00.

The following weekend, February 4th, we will be at Reelfoot Lake State Park http://tn.gov/environment/parks/ReelfootLake/ for their Eight Annual Eagle Festival. We have presentations at 2:00 and 7:00 CST in the Reelfoot Visitors Center across from world famous Boyette's Restaurant If you get a chance, come out and say hello. Thanks!

Dale and John

s.o.a.r.south@hotmail.com

http://www.soarsouth.org/

706-657-3278

Lookout the Peregrine Falcon as of January 13, 2012

Hello Everyone,

Lookout continues to winter in Honduras on Rio Patuca. He has moved up and down the river, but has remained in the same general area for the last two months. You can click on either image to enlarge. The red dot indicates where he was at 1:00 on January 13th.

Meanwhile, were in the world is our leader Doris Mager? She is still conducting presentations in Texas. This weekend, she is is at Guadalupe River State Park http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/guadalupe_river/ and she'll be here through Sunday, January 15th. She then travels to Goliad State Park http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/goliad_and_mission_espiritu_santo/If you get a chance, check out Doris, a living legend, on her Texas tour. Give her a call at 828-506-8106 for more information. Thanks!

Dale and John

s.o.a.r.south@hotmail.com

visit our website: www.soarsouth.org

Lookout's movements as of 1/8/12

Hello Everyone,

Lookout is still on Rio Patuca in Honduras. He moved a little upsteam for a day or so, but his latest data shows him downriver in an area where he previously resided. The red dot in either image was his location as of January 8th at 1:00 a.m. Click on either image to enlarge. The yellow lines are his flight paths.

Meanwhile, were in the world is our leader Doris Mager? She is still conducting presentations in Texas. Through January 8, 2012, she'll be at Inks Lake State Park http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/inks/ After this, she'll journey to Guadalupe River State Park http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/guadalupe_river/ and she'll be here through Sunday, January 15th She then travel to Goliad State Park http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/goliad_and_mission_espiritu_santo/
If you get a chance, check out Doris, a living legend, on her Texas tour.

Thanks for checking in....

Dale and John

s.o.a.r.south@hotmail.com

visit our website: http://www.soarsouth.org/

Hello Everyone,

As we enter 2012, Lookout is still alive and apparently doing well on Rio Patuca. You can see in the images (click to enlarge) that Lookout has been very active and has a great place for his survival. Since the days are slowly starting to get longer in North America, what will Lookout do next? Will he stay in Honduras? Will he move a little more south or in a few weeks time start a slow movement northward? Log on and follow...Meanwhile, were in the world is our leader Doris Mager? She is still conducting presentations in Texas. Through January 8, 2012, she'll be at Inks Lake State Park http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/inks/ After this, she'll journey to Guadalupe River State Park http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/guadalupe_river/ and she'll be here through Sunday, January 15th She then travel to Goliad State Park http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/goliad_and_mission_espiritu_santo/

If you get a chance, check out Doris, a living legend, on her Texas tour.

Thanks for checking in and we'll see you somewhere in 2012.

Dale and John

s.o.a.r.south@hotmail.com

visit our website at http://www.soarsouth.org/