Thousands of individuals sent in names suggestions for Annie’s new mate at The Campanile on the grounds of University of California – Berkeley. The single stipulation was that the name honour someone related to the Campus. While the initial list was narrowed down to nine names, by Friday there were three clear favourites: Lou, Archie, and Alden.
9478 votes were cast! Isn’t that incredible? And the winning name is Alden.
Cal Falcons posted the announcement just a short time ago.
Alden, you have been kind and loving to Annie. You came at the moment she needed help the most – almost as if you were sent by Grinnell. You won our hearts the minute you incubated the two eggs of Grinnell and we are so happy there is one of yours in there, too. May you and Annie stay safe, live long, and raise lots of little falcons!
It has a nice ring – Annie and Alden!
Thank you to everyone who took part and thanks to Cal Falcons for their FB page where I took my screen capture.
I went to the UK as a Commonwealth Scholar in 1990 and received my PhD from the University of Leicester in 1993. After three decades of university teaching, I retired to devote my time to the study of raptor behaviour. I am particularly interested in Ospreys and am working on a long term project on third hatch survival and siblicide in these raptors. My blog is a result of a fascination with my local wildlife and the desire to encourage others to love and care for birds! I live on the Canadian Prairies and prior to the pandemic travelled a lot. I am questioning the use of aviation fuel at the moment as we all strive to help our planet. My early research was in politics and art including British public statues exported to Southeast Asia and Vietnam Resistors that contributed much to Canadian ceramics. Books and articles were published on those subjects over a period of 3 decades. Now I am working on books for children so they can learn about the challenges our raptors face.
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Thanks for this Mary Ann! I like the name and I will always believe he is the Angel sent from Grinnell to help his Annie so his little ones can carry his name. The new guy Aiden is awesome in all his goodness for Annie and I pray Grinnell and Aiden’s eggs hatch the most beautiful falcons!🙏❤️❤️❤️
Linda
Well, my old eyes always saw Aiden ——– but the name is Alden with an ‘L’. As one reader who loved Grinnell so much said, the saviour of Grinnell’s final offspring did deserve his own name.
I voted for Archie but I like Alden, It pairs well with Annie. Annie and Alden. I think people wanted that connection to Grinnell kept alive, since Alden was his student.
Alden is an amazing falcon. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such perfect timing occur in the bird world. It really is as if Grinnell sent Alden to care for his Annie and his eggs. And now Alden has his own little egg to incubate as well. What a kind, wonderful falcon Alden is.
Thanks for this Mary Ann! I like the name and I will always believe he is the Angel sent from Grinnell to help his Annie so his little ones can carry his name. The new guy Aiden is awesome in all his goodness for Annie and I pray Grinnell and Aiden’s eggs hatch the most beautiful falcons!🙏❤️❤️❤️
Linda
Reblogged this on Mary Ann Steggles and commented:
Well, my old eyes always saw Aiden ——– but the name is Alden with an ‘L’. As one reader who loved Grinnell so much said, the saviour of Grinnell’s final offspring did deserve his own name.
I voted for Archie but I like Alden, It pairs well with Annie. Annie and Alden. I think people wanted that connection to Grinnell kept alive, since Alden was his student.
Alden is an amazing falcon. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such perfect timing occur in the bird world. It really is as if Grinnell sent Alden to care for his Annie and his eggs. And now Alden has his own little egg to incubate as well. What a kind, wonderful falcon Alden is.
Here’s a video of Alden chasing off a juvie female, it’s pretty spectacular.
https://youtu.be/nFVtdt_Bsew
Lily, it is such a wonderful story of Alden arriving just in time. I have such a warm spot in my heart for him – like you!