Peregrines bow to strengthen their pair bond at the Gulf Tower, Downtown Pittsburgh, 1 Oct 2018, 838am (photo from the National Aviary falconcam at Gulf Tower)
While many raptors are migrating, Pittsburgh’s stay-at-home peregrines are patrolling their territories and strengthening their pair bonds as they watch the others fly by. Yesterday was a particularly good day for this activity.
In the slideshow above the Downtown pair courts for almost ten minutes in the morning fog, then Dori hangs out at the Gulf Tower for 5.5 hours. Later, in a surprise move, the banded male (looks like Louie) visits the nest and digs the scrape after dark.
Over at Pitt the peregrine pair, Hope and Terzo, decided to court at the Cathedral of Learning nest. Their visit was shorter — from 5:08p to 5:46p.
Waiting for her mate, 1 Oct 2018, 508pm
Keep an eye on the National Aviary’s Cathedral of Learning and Gulf Tower cameras for an autumn glimpse of Pittsburgh’s peregrines.
p.s. We hope Dori and Louie will nest at the Gulf Tower next spring but it’s too early to tell if they will.
(photos from the National Aviary falconcams at Gulf Tower and the Cathedral of Learning in Pittsburgh, PA)
Thank you so much for the update and the beautiful pictures. It is so wonderful to see both falcon pairs doing their bonding rituals. I am looking forward to successful nests for our Peregrines next year. Can’t wait!
Our peregrine couples’ courting brings a great big smile to my face. Thanks for the pictures. What a lovely way to start the day!
Wonder why more of the peregrines in the Pgh. area haven’t chosen to nest on the hills and cliffs around the city. Would be much safer places for nests. Removed from high rise bldgs., traffic, etc. They seem to be nesting in highrises and bridges.
Edward, Peregrines use cliffs so sheer that no mammal can walk on them. The cliffs in the Pittsburgh area aren’t sheer enough. For instance, Mt. Washington has a road and a hiking trail on it. Obviously, mammals can walk on it. Before peregrines went extinct east of the Mississippi, the Pittsburgh area had no peregrine nests because the natural habitat is unsuitable.
Kate you have made my day.. So happy to see Dori and Lewie have returned to the Gulf Tower. I’ve seen Hope and Terzo a few time the last few weeks, but never caught Dori and Lewie. Thanks for this wonderful update.
You made my day. I’ve seen Dori and Terzo at Pitt a few time in the last few weeks, but not seen Hope or Lewie yet. I’m so glad they returned to the Gulf Tower! Thanks for the update Kate.
Will Hope and Terzo be able to stay at Pitt? I thought they couldn’t. Waiting for reply.
Deb, yes Hope & Terzo will be able to stay at Pitt and Dori & Louie will be able to stay at Gulf Tower. Last spring Dori & Louie chose another site Downtown (instead of the Gulf Tower) and were not allowed to continue nesting there; their nestlings were taken from them. All will be fine if the peregrine pairs nest where they were courting yesterday.