Lunch hour in Downtown Pittsburgh was extra exciting yesterday when one of the three peregrine nestlings made his first flight. Fledgling #1 landed safely on BNY Mellon’s plaza at Fifth and Grant and was rescued promptly by PGC Officer Kramer who placed him high on a nearby building to start over.
Michael Leonard, an Aviary volunteer and Pittsburgh Falconut, was passing by the area and helped guard the bird until the PA Game Commission arrived. Then he snapped this rescue photo. Great job, everyone!
Fledgling#1 is just fine so he’s ready to make his second flight from a much higher location than his inaccessible nest. WCO Kramer put him on the “rescue porch” where he immediately and actively(!) checked out his surroundings. He was not banded (no bands available at time of rescue).
His June 11 flight was two days earlier than I expected but weeks of preparation paid off.
Knowing that Fifth and Grant was likely to be Ground Zero for fledglings, I circulated this flyer with the PGC phone number to nearby businesses and security guards. Perhaps someone used the flyer to make the call.
I also knew that rescued fledglings would need a higher zone than the 7th floor nest for their second take-off so I proposed a location, Art McMorris approved it, and Larry Walsh cleared the way. Thanks to John Conley who handles on-the-ground details and to The Business Most Affected By This (whom I won’t reveal for privacy of the porch & fledgling.) Many thanks to all!
Meanwhile two youngsters were still waiting for take off yesterday afternoon. The brown one looks like he might fly today. The other is younger and will wait a while. But who knows how long? I’m afraid to predict at this point.
Downtown Fledge Watch starts tomorrow where Fledgling#1 landed. Chances are there will be some excitement this weekend. Click the link for details.
C’mon down!
p.s. Check Matthew Digiacomo’s Flickr page for recent photos from the nest.
(photo credits: PGC rescue by Michael Leonard, Fledgling#1 on the “rescue porch” by Kate St. John, two nestlings by Matthew Digiacomo)
How exciting! So glad there were caring people who made sure this fledgling gets another chance. Kudos to all.
Hopefully with the weekend, there will be less traffic….and less chance a fledgeling will get hurt. Great job.
You guys are awesome. Thanks for all the great pictures and info. Best of luck this weekend.
I was wondering if the peregrines land smoothly or if the tumble a little bit. And will they stay still once on the ground?
Gindy, it all depends on where they land and what they have to do to get there. Peregrines with experience land very smoothly.
Great preparation indeed! Thanks for your dedication, Kate.
NICE !!! Thank you.
Why do the parents nest where it’s too low for the fledglings?
Stephanie, sometimes they were born in a similar setting and don’t know any better. Sometimes they are desperate to find a new nest and do the best they can.
Are the parents watching and seeing where the “recovered” fledgling is put so they can continue to feed it until it flies again? Also, if the fledgling lands on the ground, do the parents swipe at the folks trying to help it?
The parents find the fledgling because he flaps and begs for food. The hungrier he is the louder he gets.
The parents didn’t swipe at people on the ground. The peregrines I know usually don’t defend a youngster on the ground. The youngster is not supposed to be on the ground by their way of thinking.