A week ago two peregrine nestlings were banded at the Westinghouse Bridge. This coming weekend we’ll hold a Fledge Watch. That’s how fast they mature and fly.
Banding Day, June 22, was the most excitement Pittsburgh Falconuts had seen for a very long time. The mother peregrine, Storm, put on quite a show when the PA Game Commission’s Dan Brauning came to town to band her babies.
The only way to reach the nest was by using PennDOT’s bucket truck but that didn’t make it easy. Storm lived up to her name by frequently attacking the three men in the bucket, screaming at them the entire time.
She was full of tricky maneuvers and soon made a direct hit on somebody’s helmet. We gasped as it fell 240 feet to the ground. My heavens, she knocked off his head! Whew… not really.
The closer the bucket came, the harder she pushed.
Dan Brauning gave her something to hit — his hand.
She screamed non-stop for half an hour until the banding was done and the men climbed back into the bucket. With her quiet at last on the catwalk railing, Dan Brauning took a moment to congratulate her.
As the bucket left the scene, Dan held up two fingers. V for victory? No, he means “2 chicks in the nest.” 1 male, 1 female.
Applause, applause! And we all went home.
Stay tuned for the Westinghouse Bridge Fledge Watch schedule this coming Fourth of July weekend. –> I don’t have dates and times yet because Westinghouse site monitor John English broke a rib last Friday. Oh no! Get well soon, John!
UPDATE July 2, 2015:
Fledge Watch has been canceled because Norfolk Southern Railroad doesn’t want us under the bridge. That area is their property.
(photos by Thomas J. Moeller and Dana Nesiti)
Wow! Fantastic photos, and what a story to go with them! Thanks for the update. Best wishes to John for a speedy recovery.
Oh Kate, what unbelievable photos from Westinghouse Bridge. Thank you so much for sharing them and for updating us on banding that day. Storm is certainly living up to her name. She is one fierce looking PEFA, as it should be when invaders come to her nest. Can’t wait to read about the fledge watch in the coming week or so.
John has posted on Falconuts that
fledgewatch begins on Friday, July 3, 10AM-12PM. Please note: Stay 14′ away from RR tracks.CANCELED! Norfolk Southern owns that area and doesn’t want anyone to be there.Very protective of her chicks. Thank you for the update. Always enjoy being a falconut.
What a great description and pictures! Thanks!
What a day for everyone! I’m glad it all went well.
Kate, great photos. It takes a very brave man to do that. It must be thrilling to accomplish that task and still be alive.
Have never (yet) been to a fledge watch. What magnification binoculars would be needed to see fledgelings? (I could try to watch with my camera, but the max zoom I have is 200mm)…
Claire, 7×35 are the basic birding binoculars (7 times magnified). Other magnifications are 8×32 (8 times) or 10×40 (10 times). You can see the birds without binoculars but they’re more fun with.
Nice story. It was a privilege and thrill to band those birds. She’s a great mom!
Good to meet you that day Kate. sorry I will be out of town for this weekend’s Fledge Watch!
Drive over that bridge all the time but have yet to see them. I guess I need to make more of an effort to drive *under* the bridge! It’s nice to know they’re so close and doing well!
When will we hear what the speciality vet said about the chick yesterday?
Patti, I do not know. When you see me post something about it, then you will know that I have heard something. No news is no news.
went to fledge watch July 3 but no one was there. anyone know when the next one will be?
Claire, Fledge Watch was cancelled because Norfolk Southern RR doesn’t want us under the bridge. That is their property.
Disappointing, but understandable. Lots of train activity under there. Glad we got to see pictures of the banding- really wonderful pictures.
Thanks, Kate. What a banding story! I grew up many many years ago about 15 minutes away from the Westinghouse Bridge. Never in my imagination would I picture falcons nesting beneath its structure. The bridge was usually covered in dark smoke from the USS ET Steel Mill. Environmental progress!