For nearly two weeks it’s been hard to find more than one or two peregrines at the University of Pittsburgh. Then on Tuesday and Wednesday Anne-Marie and Peter commented on a flurry of peregrine activity near campus.
Yesterday was particularly good.
In the morning Anne-Marie saw a juvenile fumble its breakfast near Craig Street. Then at lunchtime I found both adults perched on the Cathedral of Learning in inaccessible nooks, both gazing toward the northeast. Karen, Peter and I guessed the “kids” were over there but we couldn’t see them from the ground.
To prove it, just before 2:00pm E2 soared off the building and a juvenile flew in, begging loudly. When E2 landed, Dorothy flew and two more juveniles arrived over the treetops to see if something good was about to happen.
The excitement of seeing five peregrines at once was over soon. The loud juvenile jumped down into the “dining” area and the rest of the family flew out of sight. They’re way too hard to track now, they fly so well.
These incidents got me thinking: Why didn’t the peregrines hang out at Webster Hall for the past two weeks like they did in prior years?
My theory is that Webster Hall was their focus for a bad reason. In June 2009 and 2010 one (then two) of their young were trapped in the Webster Hall chimney. Dorothy and E2 brought food to the Webster Hall roof in an attempt to entice their young out of the trap. The rest of their “kids” followed, hoping for a handout.
This year, thankfully, there’s no compelling reason to be at Webster Hall. The chimney is covered. No one is trapped.
But late June is the time when Pittsburgh’s young peregrines are curious and unknowingly reckless. They fly fast and test their limits. If all goes well, they push the envelope and recover without harm.
If not…
I’m bracing myself for tomorrow, the day each year when I hear bad news about a young peregrine if there’s any bad news to tell.
Cross your fingers or say a little prayer for Pittsburgh’s peregrine “kids.” May they learn safely and well!
(photo of E2 soaring by Peter Bell)
How beautifully said! Our grounded world is so expanded by these captivating creatures.
They were having fun early this afternoon! About 1:15 there were definitely two (maybe a 3rd) flying around the Cathedral. Up and down and all around they soared, taking full advantage of the strong breeze from the west. One decided it was going to go roost on the antenna. Not so easy though! I wonder how strong those winds were 450 feet up? It would try and land on one of the crossbars, only to be blown back off half a second later. Another time it would seemingly hover in place just out of reach of the antenna. It did this a few times. eventually one of them went flying off north. Looked like they were having quite a bit of fun in the breeze.
Peter — I saw the antenna maneuvers too! And they DID look like they were having a great time riding the wind! We’re so lucky to be in Oakland!
Heard lots of commotion on my way in today. One was soaring over to Heinz Chapel and continue to call in short Kaks for quite a while. Seemed a little put out.
This morning I saw 3 peregrines on campus: 1 adult (probably Dorothy), 1 juvenile male and 1 juvenile female. They were all hazing the pigeons to try to catch a meal. The juvie male was whining very loudly, “Feed me!”