Free flight in Überlingen
Newsletter 12/06/2017
Until now, 17 birds was the largest number of Northern Bald Ibises that were raised by one foster parent team.
In the last two years, we increased the number of birds per season by fusing two separate groups after successful hand-raising. Thus, we were able to lead 28 birds in 2015 and 24 birds in 2016 to Tuscany. This year we went a (big) step further: Instead of fusing two groups after separate rearing, Corinna and Anne, assisted by Ines, raised one large group of 31 chicks from the beginning.
The hand-raising proceeded very well, which is certainly thanks to the rich experience and commitment of the foster parents. Now the birds are ready for the free-flight training. It shows the intensity of the social bond between the young birds and the foster parents and how well the group can be led by the two foster parents.
The first free-flight on June 9 was quite successful. At first, the birds left their aviary a bit hesitantly, but in the end they were all outside and made extensive orientation flights. After some time, they all landed either on or next to their two foster mothers or on the parked microlight (without running engine and without parachute). After this, the birds returned to the aviary without any problems.
Today it was time for the second free-flight. For the first time the two foster mothers sat into the microlight, started the engine and drove a short distance away from the aviary. This was a critical test. Good imprinted birds should follow the aircraft; when the engine is turned off, they should land near the foster parents and not somewhere else, e.g. on the aviary. Also this test went very well. This means that we have good conditions for the further flight training, which will take place two to four times a week.
In the two breeding areas, Burghausen in Bavaria and Kuchl in Salzburg, the season has been exceptionally good too so far. A total of 17 wild birds have arrived in the breeding grounds, more than ever in a season before. Currently there are 10 chicks in the nests in each area, and there will probably be even more hatching soon.
Photo (C Esterer): Free-flight in Überlingen at Lake Constance; for the first time, 31 chicks are raised and trained in one group.
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