At this stage of development, the Gulf Tower peregrines are learning to fly and the Pitt peregrines are walking off the nest. Are they in trouble when you can’t see them? No, they’re fine. Here’s where they go.
Gulf Tower:
Yesterday, May 31, Lori Maggio stopped by the Fledge Watch site and found all five peregrines at home on the Gulf Tower.
In the photo at top, the two parents are circled on the left, three youngsters circled at various levels on the right.
The closeup points out the three juveniles. The one at the top fledged to the observation deck level on Tuesday and is flapping in preparation for her next flight. She flew toward the USX Tower where Lori lost sight of her.
Last evening two chicks came back to the nest to spend the night but left today at dawn and might never return. This morning Lori reports that all three had fledged by 7:30am. Woo hoo!
Why don’t peregrines come back to the nest forever? The nest is the babies’ crib. When youngsters graduate to a bigger life, they don’t want to come back to the crib. Human children are like that, too.
Cathedral of Learning:
One week younger than the Gulf Tower chicks, the youngsters at the Cathedral of Learning are just starting to ledge walk and disappear from camera view. Are they safe? Yes.
Yesterday afternoon one of them explored below the nest while the others watched (shown above). There’s a lot of floor space below the nest with walls all around so there’s no way a young bird can fall. As happens every year, the youngster gets bored and walks/jumps back up to the nest surface. Of course she does. That’s where the food is!
In the days ahead the youngsters will also walk up to the nest rail and jump over to the keyhole. Here’s a description of where they go, complete with ledge walking photos.
To fulfill their destiny these birds have to fly. And to fly they have to leave the camera’s view.
It’s a big world out there. It’s time for them to go.
(photos of the Gulf Tower peregrines by Lori Maggio. nest photo from the National Aviary falconcam at the Cathedral of Learning)
Thanks Kate for the update.
Wonderful photos from Lori, and a great explanation from you, Kate. Thank you so much. I’m glad Dori and Louie came back to the Gulf Tower, where we could watch and the chicks could be banded.
Thanks Lori for the great photos, and Thank You Kate, for a great explanation. One less worry on my mind. I worry so about these birds. They are my children.
It is wonderful to be able to watch from eggs to fledge. Thank you Kate for all your updates and valuable information and Lori for you fantastic photos and updates. So happy to see another successful year at the Gulf and the turn around of Hope with a successful year thus far.
This isn’t original, I’m sure, but I wonder how many of us watchers will develop “empty nest syndrome?!
Anne
Thank you for all the wonderful photos and explanations. My husband and I are originally from Pittsburgh and we enjoy watching the Pittsburgh peregrines.
After watching several eagle and falcon nest cams there is a sense of empty nest syndrome but it is so exciting to be able to see the process from egg laying to hatching to eventual fledging. Some nests have had drama and heartbreak but am so thankful for the opportunity to learn more each year. A special thanks to those who support the cams and the volunteers that care so much for the winged population. These chicks become part of our families and makes us proud when they start a new journey into adulthood. Looking forward to next year already. Kate is awesome with all her knowledge. These falcons are very special!!
HAHA Anne! We’re all going to miss them. It’s been a great ride. Thanks to Kate and all of the other peregrine lovers who educate us about these beautiful birds!
I am feeling so much better this morning, thanks to Kate. I was worried about our babies but now I know where they are and they are o.k. I also have the empty nest syndrome, but am so happy they have fledged and are healthy.
I gave them my graduation speech – God speed, fly safe. I’m proud of all of you and want to see at least one of you back in the future. Love you all. Good Job. God created you to fly, and now you have. Now I will enjoy the journey of our kids at the Cathedral as they put me once again thru the ledge walking in their quest for the skies. What a trip this has been, sharing, loving and sending them all out into the open skies. I’m forever grateful for this experience. Thank you Kate and everyone connected with these wonderful creatures for giving us all the chance to witness the wonder of their lives.