Today, 16 May 2017, is banding day for the peregrine falcon chicks at the Cathedral of Learning (10am) and Gulf Tower (2pm). These two events are closed to the public but you can come to an open event tomorrow.
The excitement begins today at 10:00am at the Cathedral of Learning when Dan Brauning of the Pennsylvania Game Commission goes out on the ledge to retrieve Hope and Terzo’s three chicks. They’ll receive health checks and leg bands and be returned to the nest in less than half an hour. UPDATE: 1 male, 2 females.
This afternoon it’s the Gulf Tower’s turn at 2:00pm when Dan retrieves Dori and Louie’s three chicks, pictured at top. The camera is zoomed too close for this event so you’ll miss some of the action but you’ll certainly hear it on the falconcam. As you can see below, there’s a lot of nest area at the Gulf Tower that we can’t see. We’ll zoom out the camera this week.
UPDATE: 3 females at Gulf.
Tomorrow, with PennDOT’s help and a bucket truck, Dan will band peregrines at the McKees Rocks Bridge (9:30am) and the Neville Island I-79 Glenfield Bridge (UPDATE! approximately 1:00pm, after lunch).
You’re welcome to view the I-79 Glenfield Bridge banding from the park-n-ride below the bridge on Neville Island. Click here for directions.
Curious about what banding is and why peregrine falcons are banded in Pennsylvania? Click here to read more.
(photos from the National Aviary falconcams at Gulf Tower and Cathedral of Learning)
Exciting days ahead!!
What happened to the 3rd chick at the Gulf nest ???
Diane, I mentioned in the blog that the camera is zoomed in too close to see the chicks when they walk out of view.
My bad. I guess he was laying down and hidden while the other 2 were being fed. Sorry.
What do the parents do when the chicks are taken? Will Dan get attacked?
Maggie, the adults do attack the banders.
A pretty upset mom at the Cathedral right now. But, her babies will be back soon, and all will be well!
Exciting day but stressful for bird parents. Just watched the latest feeding at gulf tower nest. A big male bluejay was brought in. One of chicks grabbed the head and took it into the corner to eat by itself. They are certainly learning well how to survive. So big now.
Just after the chicks were dropped off, Terzo came to check things out and glare at the camera a bit.
http://i.imgur.com/eg5aQ48.jpg
I’m watching the CL cam now and hear adults squawking. I only see two juveniles in the nest. It’s 10:57 am. here. Maybe the third one is in among all the fluff and feathers I am guessing.
HaHa! I was right, I only did see two at the time. The third one was out of the camera view. I see the banding has been completed. Still the adults are a bit agitated at this time though.
Hope is really on the look out right now. She’s ready to take on any more intruders!
Did they take the Gulf camera offline? It’s 2:15pm. I was just watching it but now it’s not loading but the Pitt nest cam is loading fine.
Maggie, the Gulfcam had to be unplugged temporarily because its wires were in the way of the banders.
How many Males & Females at the Gulf Tower?
So happy to see all chicks safe and sound. Looks like mama DORI is keeping a very vigilant eye. I can’t wait to hear what sex they all are.
Looks like the little male at COL is holding his own with 2 sisters. Lots of pretty girl peregrines in pittsburgh this year. So glad banding is done. We can relax until fledgling takes place.