Shared by Brian Morris, as Guest Blogger.

FLY AWAY HOME!

On Labor Day, September 3, 2012 the Wildlife Center of Virginia released a juvenile male peregrine falcon into the wild from First Landing State Park. This was actually the second time this same falcon has been released to the wild from captivity. The falcon was first admitted to the Wildlife Center on January 8th of this year suffering from a broken wing. The Wildlife Center rehabilitated the falcon and released him for the first time on June 6th. In early August, a violent storm was believed to have trapped the same falcon on a balcony of a Virginia Beach Oceanfront hotel.

Ed Clark of the Wildlife Center of Virginia prepares to release the falcon

This falcon was recognized as the same bird that was previously released because of the federal tag on its leg that had distinct scratch marks on it that occurred when the band was originally attached to the falcon. Even after becoming stuck on a balcony, the Wildlife Center determined that the bird was healthy and able to be re-released back to the wild.

A fun time was had by all who attended

Watch a video of the release below:

First Landing State Park is located in Virginia Beach, Virginia: