(c) Greg Saulmon 2013

All three siblings were on the nesting platform this evening, despite the fact that at least two have now taken their first flights.

On Monday morning I spotted one fledgling on a rooftop near the nest; another was perched on a window ledge well above the nest. With heavy rains last night, this morning, and again this afternoon, though, it hasn’t been the best weather for flying.

Because even those who’ve already flown continue to use the nesting platform as their home base, I’m not sure at this point whether all three have technically fledged and returned, or whether we still have one waiting to leave the nest area for the first time.

Last year I never saw the fledglings on the nest again after their maiden voyages; they quickly moved on to roosting in nearby trees, and spending time on the flat roof of Open Square. Eventually, they moved over to Heritage State Park.

It’s a longer, more gradual process this year, but for now I’m glad I still know where to find them.