With access denied to private property under the Westinghouse Bridge(*) we’re exploring public property to see the peregrines who nest there.
Over the weekend Dana Nesiti tried two locations at the East Pittsburgh-McKeesport Boulevard Bridge. The sidewalk (topside) is the closest and shows off the birds from a different angle.
Here he captured some great shots of the adults in the sun.
… and this one of Storm on the catwalk perch.
The youngsters were hard to see on Friday but by Saturday they were ledge walking far and wide on the big arch. With my scope, John English and I could easily see one walking and squawking for food.
On Sunday they made practice flights.
And seemed to be train spotting. 😉
As you can see, “topside” is closer to the action.
(*) NOTE! The place where we used to stand under the Westinghouse Bridge — and the access to it — is owned by Norfolk Southern Railroad (NSRR) and we are not allowed on it. DO NOT go there. NSRR is closely monitoring the site.
(photos by Dana Nesiti)
could you update your map of the westinghouse bridge area to include the new vantage points, and remove the instructions to park under the ramp and walk by the tracks? 🙂
Great suggestion, Claire
Really great photos. Thanks for sharing.
I agree ! Wonderful photos !!
Love the pics also! Dana is an exceptional photographer!
dear kate, thanks so very much for these aweasom pitcures, wow there wonderful, I love watching them when ever I can on my computer,
cpould you up date me on silver I been praying for him!! thanks for al you do!! tina boyer,
Tina, I have nothing new to report on Silver.
Hi, Kate. Thank you for this wonderful update. I heard, via the chat, that Dorothy had to fend off a somewhat substantial challenge at the Cathedral on Sunday. Would E2 help her with this? And can you check in with other observers at Pitt to update us on what is going on there, since we have only the nestbox view? We do see her resting there fairly frequently, but can’t be sure what else she is dealing with.
Thank you so much for all your updates, and for sharing so many great photos from around the Pittsburgh area.
B.Hancey, I have seen nothing unusual at Pitt, no challenge at all. Dorothy and E2 court at the nest sometimes. They are hanging out and molting.
On what basis are the chatters saying she was challenged? Did someone see a challenge in person either while standing on the ground at Pitt or watching out a window on a lower floor at/near the Cathedral of a Learning? If they did not see anything in person (i. e. Off camera) then a challenge is unlikely to be true.
UPDATE FOR B.HANCEY: I have reviewed the camera footage for the past few days. There is no peregrine challenge on camera whatsoever. Dorothy and E2 have been courting at the nest and E2 often comes in first and calls to her. He has spent more time at the nest than she has. She is hard to woo; she is not interested.
If the chatters are saying Dorothy was challenged based on the camera view, they are wrong and are so sadly misinformed that they don’t realize both male and female peregrines visit the nest and court at the nest even in the off season.
If someone saw 3 peregrines in the air in Oakland, then there may (or may not) be a basis for the assertion. If there were not 3 peregrines in the air, then there has been no challenge. The chatters will not see a challenge on camera.
Thanks for the information, Kate. There was a posting first that there was a stranger at the nest, and later that Dorothy had a confrontation (on camera) at the nest for 4 or 5 minutes. That was all that was said. Hence my question. They have commented several times on E2’s visits, and the courting, so perhaps someone thought E2 was an intruder. Can’t account for the “challenge” comment though.
Thanks again. We are enjoying watching what we do see at the Cathedral still., and hope they will continue to stream the camera for a while more.
Thanks, Kate. I saw the chatter’s comment too and had seen Dorothy and E2 at the nest courting and bowing, not a confrontation at all. Happy to have confirmation from you, much appreciated!
Kate. When do you think we may hear some update on the Pitt chick?
Patti, I have no idea when the next update will be. When I hear something I will post it. If you see no news it means there is just no news.
what’s the update on Westinghouse Bridge? They must have fledged, but I haven’t heard how it went?
Robin, as of yesterday (7/9) they were seen ledge-walking down the arch. I haven’t heard anything more and I have not been to the bridge since last weekend.