Mintaka’s New Mate Has Been ID’d
We finally know who Mintaka’s been so sweet on for more than a month.
Please welcome Chayton to WoodmenLife Tower.
She hatched and was banded in May 2014 at American Century Investments in Kansas City, MO, area. Since then, she’s made a couple other stops, including at the Mutual of Omaha building and St. Cecelia Cathedral in Omaha.
After we learned Mintaka’s previous mate, Charity, died in a collision in January, falcon watchers have been hopeful he would find a new sweetheart and there would be another clutch of eggs.
We promised in March to give $75
to the Fontenelle Forest Raptor Recovery Program in the name of whomever took a picture of this female’s tag so we could successfully ID her. John Dart, WoodmenLife’s Facilities Project Manager, was in the right place at the right time. Thank you, John.
We’re pleased Chayton seems to like our tower and the downtown Omaha skyline (read: buffet). Now if only the weather would warm up. Colder weather can affect egg laying, according to Joel Jorgensen of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
Mintaka did his part. Now we need buy-in from Mother Nature.