7 June 2021
We’ve had an exciting few days at Schenley Plaza as we waited for the Pitt peregrine chicks to make their first flight. By Fledge Watch midday yesterday two had flown and two were still waiting to launch. No chicks slept at the nest last night. I believe all four have flown the coop.
UPDATE 7 June 2021, 9:30am: I’M WRONG AGAIN! The last two haven’t fledged and are on the nestrail this morning exercising their wings. They must have found a different place to sleep up there rather than the nestbox. As of 9:30am we’re still at 2 fledged, 2 waiting to fledge.
Fledge Watch was great on Friday 4 June with lots of peregrine activity. Saturday had no scheduled Watch but Charity Kheshgi and I could not resist stopping by Schenley Plaza. Embedded below are Charity’s Pitt peregrine photos from Instagram.
Before we begin… You might not realize that the Instagram posts are slideshows. To see all the photos, click on the faint arrow on the right side of each one.
From Fledge Watch on Friday 4 June 2021:
On Saturday 5 June two chicks waited on the nestrail while one extremely active fledgling flew to many different ledges at the Cathedral of Learning. At one point he landed on the netting that covers the ornate corners and had to walk up to launch from the top.
He also visited the globe on Carnegie Museum’s roof and perched on Stephen Foster Theater where he was harassed by a pair of blue jays.
Yesterday at Fledge Watch it was so hot that the peregrines spent the time resting in the shade. There wasn’t much to see.
Today I’ll have to walk around the Cathedral of Learning over and over just to count heads. In a few days it will be impossible to find them.
We will miss them on camera. And yes, eventually all four will fly the coop.
(photos by Charity Kheshgi)
Good morning! Last night, at around 8:45, I took a walk over to the Cathedral, and stayed for about an hour. The light and color were gorgeous. I saw one chick flying and two sitting on either end of the nestrail. Everyone looked content and all was well in the world. 🙂
Great photos, Charity!!!
I am so glad nesting season went so well. They are beautiful birds to watch in flight!
Hi, I’m sorry it’s off-topic but I’m trying to find the status of the Gulf Tower nest after the recent fire. I’m a bit out of the loop haha, did the most recent couple move over to 3rd Avenue?
Correct. The Downtown peregrines are at Third Avenue. They haven’t nested at the Gulf Tower since 2017. Here’s a recent status report. https://www.birdsoutsidemywindow.org/2021/06/01/peregrine-news-from-other-nests-1-june/
I’m currently monitoring a falcon nest in S CA. 1 nestling hasn’t fledged, yet. The other 3 left 7-9 days ago. Is it possible, it may die in nest? Please, reply to my email if possible. Thx!
Nikki, we had a very late last fledgling at Pitt. Her brothers fledged on 6/4 & 6/5, she fledged on 6/11, maybe 6/12. She was youngest and heaviest and her parents kept bringing food to her area so there was no need for her to fly until she finally got the hint.