How about that! Just this morning I mentioned that peregrines will be courting in February and they proved me right.
Here’s E2 visiting the nest box at the University of Pittsburgh at 11:39am. He’s looking up to see if Dorothy will come down to bow with him. (She didn’t.)
(photo from the National Aviary snapshot camera at University of Pittsburgh)
Well. I guess he heard about the groundhog so he is ready for Spring too.
I heard then saw falcon’s over the Federal building a day later, on Friday, Feb 4. An easy-to-identify male was very active. A larger, lower flying raptor however (which I initially assumed to be a female) appeared to have either a few elongated, centered tail feathers (?) or wearing jesses (!). I’d appreciate any feedback, so I’ll know I wasn’t “seeing things.” 412.395.7219
My office is in the Steelworkers building at the corner of Stanwix and the Blvd of the Allies diagonally across from the PPG Tower. On Feb 10 I observed two Peregrines circling between my building and PPG. (I assume they are Louie and Dori from the Gulf Tower?) I called the Aviary and talked to Dave and he explained that this was courtship. He said watch every day at the same time, and the next day I observed them again only flying much higher. Again today (14 Feb) one flew from the direction of PPG straight towards my building only to veer off to the left at the last second.
I’m hooked!
Tim, the webcams will be up soon where you can watch them flying near you, then wait a few minutes and see them arrive on camera. Tomorrow’s blog (Feb 15) will have pictures of them bowing at the nest today just before 8:00am. Spring is coming!