“The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today gave preliminary approval to remove the peregrine falcon from the state’s threatened species list and place the northern goshawk on the state’s endangered-species list.” — PA Game Commission Press Release, 24 July 2021
In Pennsylvania peregrines are up, goshawks are down.
Peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) went extinct east of the Mississippi in the 1960’s due to the long lasting effects of DDT. When the Endangered Species Act was passed in 1972 peregrines were among the first to be added to the list. Pennsylvania had gone from 44 nesting pairs to none.
Peregrine falcon at Gull Point, Presque Isle State Park, 2012 (photo by Steve Gosser)
Thanks to the Peregrine Recovery Program, captive-bred peregrines were released in the eastern U.S. in the 1970s through 1990s. The descendants of those birds thrive in new places, including Pittsburgh, in cities and on man-made structures. There are now 73 nesting pairs in Pennsylvania and their population is secure. Their recovery took 50 years.
Peregrine falcon Dorothy at the Cathedral of Learning, Pittsburgh, 17 May 2013 (photo by Peter Bell)
In my lifetime peregrine falcons went from extinct in Pennsylvania to my very own Yard Bird. What a happy day!
Unfortunately the news is not happy for northern goshawks (Accipiter gentilis) a shy, fierce raptor of the northern woods. Goshawks are so shy in the U.S. that human presence in their nesting zone can cause the nest to fail. (They are not as shy in Europe, photo below.)
Goshawks haveexperienced range contraction and a dramatic population decline in Pennsylvania in the past 20 years. Though never plentiful, I haven’t seen one since 2018 and that was in Newfoundland, Canada.
Northern goshawk on nest, Kaibab National Forest, Arizona, 2009 (photo from Wikimedia Commons)
“Classifying the northern goshawk as an endangered species would further protect it by limiting or delaying certain activities within northern goshawk breeding habitat during courtship and nesting seasons.” — PA Game Commission Press Release, 24 July 2021
(photos by Chad+Chris Saladin, Steve Gosser, Peter Bell, Martha de Jong-Lantink and Wikimedia Commons; click on the linked captions to see the originals)
Adult peregrine at 62nd Street Bridge, 21 July 2021, 10am (digiscoped by Kate St. John)
22 July 2021
Until this week we thought that peregrines did not nest at the 62nd Street Bridge since 2019. This spring we saw them along the Allegheny River from 62nd Street to the Aspinwall railroad bridge, but not reliably.
: Hi Kate, My friends and I were kayaking on the Allegheny River yesterday (July 18) and saw 2 Peregrines at the 62nd Street Bridge. We also heard them. One of the people I was with is a proficient birder and he was certain that they were Peregrines. I couldn’t ID them as adults or juveniles, though. — Marie
62nd Street Bridge over the Allegheny River, 2007 (photo by Dan Yagusic)
Marie’s sighting set off a flurry of activity including news from Mike Smith who reported what he saw in late June:
Approx. 3 weeks ago, I watched 2 Peregrines fly east above Allegheny River Blvd from 62nd St. bridge toward Highland Park bridge and then turn back westward and pass my location again. They were wailing/ screaming the entire 1 1/2 minutes that I observed them. They appeared to be play/ harassing each other. I was working and didn’t have binos, so plumage coloration/ age was not determined…the constant wailing was unusual behavior from my experience.
— email from Mike Smith, Tuesday 20 July 2021
Mike and I were both motivated to visit the bridge yesterday, 21 July 2021, to look for more peregrine activity. At noon Mike saw one peregrine flying upriver too far away to age. At 10am I got lucky.
Right off the bat I saw an adult peregrine perched and preening on the superstructure. I had my scope so I could see the bird was unbanded, had a very striped chest and a peachy breast with a few dots (not many), and was molting two central tail feathers that were visible when perched and in flight. She was probably female. I digiscoped a few poor quality pictures.
Adult peregrine at 62nd Street Bridge is unbanded, 21 July 2021 (digiscoped by Kate St. John) Adult peregrine at 62nd Street Bridge, 21 July 2021 (digiscoped by Kate St. John) Unbanded adult peregrine at 62nd Street Bridge, 21 July 2021 (digiscoped by Kate St. John)
At one point she kakked at something on the north shore but I couldn’t figure out what it was. Her territorial warning told me that the 62nd Street Bridge is her nesting home, not just a place she visits on her travels.
After she flew off I was packing up my scope to leave when I saw and heard a juvenile peregrine chasing her and begging loudly. The juvie was the same size as the adult, so probably female too.
I watched the juvie soar upriver until it disappeared toward the Highland Park Bridge. Then I drove to Aspinwall Riverfront Park and discovered that you can see the 62nd Street Bridge from the Aspinwall Railroad Bridge.
3 bridges: Highland Park (foreground), 62nd Street (distant background) as seen from underneath the Aspinwall RR Bridge, 21 July 2021 (photo by Kate St. John)
At only 1.77 miles apart the 62nd Street Bridge and the Aspinwall RR bridge are in the same peregrine territory. Based on the adult’s behavior, she nested at the 62nd Street Bridge where there is a nestbox. Success!
Of the 11 peregrines sites in southwestern Pennsylvania, we now know they were successful at seven of them. The Rt 422 Graff Bridge in Kittanning is the last big mystery. Has anyone seen peregrines there?
UPDATE on 23 July: Jeff Cieslak saw 1 peregrine at Kittanning yesterday. Earlier this week a friend of Dana Nesiti sent a photo of 1 peregrine at the Speers RR Bridge.
"Hey Ecco!" Morela bows as Ecco arrives from top left
Shaking off the rain
Morela is molting, 16 Jul 2021
Both at once!
18 July 2021
This spring Ecco and Morela successfully raised four young peregrines at the Cathedral of Learning. All four fledged in early June and became independent in the subsequent weeks. One or two stopped by for a handout in early July but Ecco and Morela were having none of it. “You’re on your own.”
Now that the “kids” are gone (wrong! see below), Ecco and Morela are molting and staying close to home. In the past two days they have visited the nest several times and bowed together for a little pair bonding.
p.s. In the slide with Morela’s open wings, notice that she is replacing her middle two tail feathers. The white tips are halfway down her tail.
UPDATE 18 July 2021 at 5pm: The “kids” aren’t all gone. One of the youngsters was circling and begging loudly at 5pm at the Cathedral of Learning.
Juvenile peregrine at Westinghouse Bridge, 26 June 2021 (photo by Dana Nesiti)
6 July 2021, updated 22 July
By mid-July all the peregrine nests in southwestern Pennsylvania will have either fledged or failed. Of the 11 sites we track in the region we know that 7 were successful, 2 had no evidence of nesting, and 2 had no observers during the critical nesting period (therefore no news). Here’s a summary updated on 22 July 2021.
Pittsburgh: Cathedral of Learning, Allegheny County — SUCCESS
Pittsburgh: Downtown, Allegheny County — SUCCESS
Monongahela Watershed: Westinghouse Bridge, Allegheny County — SUCCESS
Monongahela River: Speers Railroad Bridge, Washington County — NO NEWS
Ohio River: McKees Rocks Bridge, Allegheny County — SUCCESS
Ohio River: Neville Island I-79 Bridge, NO PEREGRINES DUE TO CONSTRUCTION
Ohio River: Ambridge-Aliquippa Bridge, Beaver County, PEREGRINES PRESENT, NO NEST
Ohio River: Monaca RR or Monaca-East Rochester Bridge, Beaver County — SUCCESS
Allegheny River: 62nd Street to Aspinwall Railroad Bridge — SUCCESS
Allegheny River: Rt 422 Graff Bridge Kittanning, Armstrong County — NO NEWS
Cathedral of Learning, University of Pittsburgh:
Adult peregrine on St. Paul’s Cathedral steeple, 1 July 2021 (photo by Kate St. John)Juvie peregrine on Webster Hall antenna, 1 July 2021 (photo by Kate St. John)
Most recent news: 5 July 2021.
Four young peregrines fledged from the Cathedral of Learning during 4 to 11 June. Their parents remain at Pitt after the “kids” have left, but the young have not gone far yet. Individually they circle back to see if their parents will feed them. The answer in July is no.
On 1 July I saw an adult perched on St. Paul Cathedral’s steeple watching a juvie on Webster Hall antenna (photos above).
On 2 & 3 July a youngster with pale head markings visited the nest, perhaps hoping for a handout. Ecco had been standing in the shadows but left quickly. (Slideshow below.)
Juvenile peregrine on the Rescue Porch, Downtown Pittsburgh, 15 June 2021 (photo by Maria Ochoa)
Most recent news: 15 June 2021.
When young peregrines fledge from the Third Avenue nest they often have to be rescued from the ground and placed on the Rescue Porch to start over. We presume all three youngsters fledged this year, probably by 17 June, but we know of only one rescue. Maria Ochoa photographed him as he lingered on the rescue porch 12 to 15 June. No news is good news at this site.
Juvenile peregrine on the Rescue Porch, Downtown Pittsburgh, 15 June 2021 (photo by Maria Ochoa)
Monongahela Watershed: Westinghouse Bridge:
Westinghouse Bridge, 26 June 2021 (photo by Dana Nesiti)
Adult with full crop
Two juvies at Westinghouse Bridge, 26 June 2021 (photo by Dana Nesiti)
Adult in flight
Adult watches from the catwalk
Adult female peregrine at Westinghouse Bridge, 4 July 2021 (photo by Dana Nesiti)
Most recent news: 4 July 2021.
Dana Nesiti has visited the Westinghouse Bridge often in the past month and brought back some great photographs with news of the two juveniles.
On 9 June a young peregrine walking on the Westinghouse Bridge (on the road!) was rescued by Game Warden Doug Bergman and checked for injuries at HAR Verona. The bird was healthy so Berman returned it to the bridge catwalk that same day.
Though both juveniles are present, it was two weeks before Dana saw them at the same time. On 26 June he found the entire family of four (slideshow above). Last weekend the parents were still supplying the youngsters’ food. The slideshow includes a photo from the Fourth of July.
McKees Rocks Bridge (photo from Wikimedia Commons)
Most recent news: end of June 2021.
About a week ago Joe Fedor contacted Art McMorris with news that he had seen fledglings at the McKees Rocks Bridge. Though we don’t have photos, we do know the nest has been successful.
Ohio River, Ambridge-Aliquippa Bridge:
Ambridge Bridge, 20 Feb 2020 (photo by Kate St. John)
From Art McMorris on 13 July 2021: “At least one peregrine, and often a pair, has been seen at the Ambridge-Aliquippa bridge quite regularly throughout the nesting season. Most recently a single peregrine June 30 per an eBird report by Mark Vass. But no evidence of nesting or young.”
Ohio River, Monaca – East Rochester Bridge:
Agitated adult peregrine at Monaca-East Rochester Bridge, 19 June 2021 (photo by Jeff Cieslak)
Most recent news: 19 June 2021.
This year observers thought the peregrines would nest at the Monaca Railroad Bridge but the birds used their alternate site instead, the Monaca-East Rochester Bridge.
Monaca East Rochester Bridge, 2012 (photo by PGC WCO Steve Leiendecker)
After Mark Vass reported them in mid June, Jeff Cieslak stopped by with his camera.
Though I had seen the falcons courting on the Monaca RR bridge earlier in the year, it seems they nested on the Rt 51 bridge [Monaca-East Rochester Bridge]. This morning, there were two adults and two juveniles out and about. The adults seem to like the electrical tower just west of the bridge on the Monaca side, which you can see from the adjacent neighborhood. I would advise against walking across the bridge (even though there is a sidewalk), as the falcons seem to find pedestrians upsetting.(Hat tip to Mark Vass for spotting them in the area earlier in the week)
— Jeff Cieslak, Pittsburgh Falconuts on Facebook GROUP, 19 June 2021
Annoyed adult peregrine at Monaca-East Rochester Bridge, 19 June 2021 (photo by Jeff Cieslak)Juvenile peregrine opens his wings, Monca-East Rochester Bridge, 19 June 2021 (photo by Jeff Cieslak)Angry adult peregrine, Monaca-East Rochester Bridge, 19 June 2021 (photo by Jeff Cieslak)Juvenile in flight, Monaca-East Rochester Bridge, 19 June 2021 (photo by Jeff Cieslak)
By now the young are flying well, so it’s safe to walk across the bridge.
Allegheny River, 62nd Street Bridge:
62nd Street Bridge over the Allegheny River, 2007 (photo by Dan Yagusic)
Nesting had not been reported at the 62nd Street Bridge since 2019 though peregrines were seen occasionally this spring from 62nd Street to the Aspinwall railroad bridge.
On 19 July Marie left a comment that she and some friends had seen and heard two peregrines while kayaking under the 62nd Street Bridge on 18 July.
Adult peregrine at 62nd Street Bridge, 21 July 2021 (digiscoped by Kate St. John)
I visited the bridge on 21 July and found an unbanded adult peregrine perched and preening on the superstructure. The bird “kakked” at something on the Sharpsburg side of the bridge, clearly territorial.
When the peregrine flew off I packed up to leave, then saw and heard a juvenile peregrine chasing and begging from the adult. Success! Peregrines nested at the 62nd Street Bridge this year.
Allegheny River, Tarentum Bridge:
Adult female peregrine at Tarentum Bridge, 10 June 2021 (photo by Dave Brooke)
Most recent news: 10 June 2021.
Three youngsters at the Tarentum Bridge fledged six weeks ago, then one went missing after 26 May. By the week of 7 June the remaining two were flying well enough to leave the bridge when construction began. The last update came from Dave Brooke on 10 June when he found the adult female perched at the bridge.
Remaining sites:
We still have no news from the sites listed below. If you’ve heard anything, even if the news is a month old, please leave a message in the comments.
Monongahela River: Speers Railroad Bridge, Washington County
Allegheny River: Rt 422 Graff Bridge Kittanning, Armstrong County
Addicted birders like me keep lists of the birds they see. At first it’s a Life List of each new species. Eventually it morphs into listing by state or county or a yard list of birds seen at home.
When I lived in Greenfield warblers were on my yard list during spring migration. Without a backyard in Oakland there are no warblers outside my window but I now have peregrine falcons as Yard Birds.
On Thursday 17 June I was reading a book on the roof deck of my building (with view at top) when I heard a young peregrine whining. Where was it? Was it in trouble? No.
I found Ecco on St. Paul’s steeple with a juvie female nearby (she was at the pink circle in photo below). When he moved out of her sight-line she fell silent (Ecco moved to red circle on left of steeple). When he sneaked over to peek around the corner she saw him and whined again.
I tweeted at 11:05am: Two Pitt peregrines on steeple at St. Paul’s Cathedral: Ecco + whining female youngster, probably fledgling #4. She is not stuck, is perched just fine and whining in the most annoying way.
Moments later her brother showed up and perched above her (white circle) hoping to share lunch if her whining was successful. At 11:12am: Now 3 peregrines on St. Paul’s Cathedral steeple. Male juvie joined the group. Whiny juvie female still whining.
Ecco left to go hunting.
That evening an adult peregrine flew in from the northeast, heading for the Cathedral of Learning. I saw one again last evening outside this window.
Looking east, 19 June 2021 (photo by Kate St. John)
Though I don’t have a backyard I do have Yard Birds. 🙂
By the way, if I’d been watching from the roof deck on Tuesday afternoon (15 June) I could have seen what Pushkar Mutha captured in these videos. Thanks for sharing them, Pushkar!
Playing in the sky #1, video by Pushkar Mutha
Playing in the sky #2, video by Pushkar Mutha. Coincidentally, the background music seems to fit their activity.
Young peregrine lands on the Cathedral of Learning lightning rod, video by Pushkar Mutha.
UPDATE on 19 June: At 10am both adult peregrines were perched on Heinz Chapel steeple. At noon two juvenile peregrines whined from the roof of Webster Hall.
Three juvenile peregrines play Chase Me in Ohio, 2014 (photo by Chad+Chris Saladin)
16 June 2021
Yesterday afternoon I scanned the Cathedral of Learning with binoculars as I walked through Carnegie Mellon’s campus. Off in the distance I saw three juvenile peregrines playing in the sky.
The moment was perfect for a game of tag with brilliant sun and a strong gusty wind. I could see the three flipping and dipping in a game that builds important skills for hunting and courtship.
The photo at top, taken in Ohio by Chad+Chris Saladin, gives you a hint of what I saw from here.
Cathedral of Learning as seen from Carnegie Mellon, 15 June 2021 (photo by Kate St. John)
So does this slideshow of Kim Steininger’s peregrine photos from Wilmington, Delaware, 2007.
Two juvenile peregrines play tag, 2008 (photos by Kim Steininger)
Yesterday I saw three of four juvenile Pitt peregrines plus one adult in a matter of minutes. I’m glad I was far enough away to see the whole event.
p.s. The four Pitt peregrines fledged in two groups over a period of one week. The first two fledged on 4 & 5 June, the third late in the day on 8 June, the fourth around 11 June. Because the first group flew so well by the time the second group fledged it was impossible to find all four at the same time. Fledging date of #4 is based on behavior and perching location. Some perches at Pitt are used only by newly fledged birds, then never used again.
Yesterday’s play session in the sky was 1 male and 2 females. Size was obvious.
Downtown peregrine fledgling perches on 7th floor deck, 10 June 2021 (photo by Brian Johnston)
11 June 2021
After a peregrine chick makes its first flight it waits for hours in its new location, apparently regrouping. When it flies again it will flap along the cliff and land on a slightly lower ledge, then flap again to another ledge, and so on. Many hours later it figures out how to circle out and fly up.
Lower ledges are very important. In the 24 hours after first flight peregrine fledglings don’t have the upper body strength to make a powerful flap and become airborne. At high peregrine nest sites with open airspace and lots of lower ledges, the chicks rarely land on the ground where they become vulnerable to predators and cars.
In Downtown Pittsburgh the Third Avenue nest site is so low and tucked away that fledglings land on the ground every year. Thankfully, passersby call the PA Game Commission at Central Dispatch 1-833-PGC-WILD to rescue the downed birds.
Yesterday morning at Third Avenue two peregrine chicks were at the nest opening. One had fledged.
Nearby workmen showed me the fledgling on a railing four stories up, facing a narrow space between buildings with a view of Lawrence Hall across Third Avenue. Flying from this location is no problem for an adult peregrine. The youngster waited for enlightenment.
Downtown peregrine fledgling perched on the railing, 4 floors up, 10 June 2021, 10:30a (photo by Kate St. John)Closeup of Downtown peregrine fledgling perched on the railing, 10 June 2021, 10:30a (photo by Kate St. John)
At this point any action by humans would have frightened the fledgling and guaranteed his failure. We humans stayed away so he could figure it out with help from his experienced parents, Terzo and Dori.
Eventually the youngster will make a move. My guess is he will land on the ground, be rescued by Point Park Police and the PA Game Commission, and be taken to the rescue porch where he can start over.
You might be asking: Isn’t the Gulf Tower a better place for these birds to nest? Not right now.
On 19 May 2021 a transformer blew in the Gulf Tower basement and started a 5-alarm fire with smoke billowing from the roof. The building was condemned by City of Pittsburgh building inspectors last week. Here’s the news.
Life is full of challenges for all of us. This bird will get through it.
If you see a downed peregrine, call the PA Game Commission at Central Dispatch 1-833-PGC-WILD.
Composite photo: Morela at Pitt, 8 June 2021 (photo by Jeff Cieslak)
10 June 2021
Peregrine news from the Cathedral of Learning, Downtown Pittsburgh, Westinghouse Bridge and Tarentum Bridge.
Cathedral of Learning, University of Pittsburgh:
Juvie peregrine coming in for a landing, 8 June 2021 (photo by Jeff Cieslak)
After two young peregrines fledged at Pitt on June 4 & 5 there was a long gap until the next bird flew. Two of four were still waiting to fly on 8 June when Jeff Cieslak photographed Morela coming in for a landing on the lightning rod (composite at top) and a juvie puttering around the building. The two early birds were already skilled enough to chase their parents.
Yesterday 9 June at 9am I found chick #3 had fledged and was perched on 15th North (Fifth Ave side) patio edge. At that point the fourth had still not flown.
I plan to check again this morning.
Downtown Pittsburgh:
Dori on Lawrence Hall windowsill, 9 June 2021 (photo by Lori Maggio)
Terzo on Lawrence Hall gargoyle watching the "kids", 9 June 2021 (photo by Lori Maggio)
Three chicks at Third Avenue nest opening, 9 June 2021 (photo by Lori Maggio)
Lori Maggio saw the entire Downtown peregrine family at Third Avenue on Wednesday 9 June at 7am. Dori and Terzo watched from across the street as three chicks called and flapped at the nest opening.
Today she saw only two at the nest opening. Did one fledge?
Adult female at Westinghouse Bridge, 6 June 2021 (photo by Dana Nesiti)
On 6 June, Dana Nesiti saw both fledglings and the banded mother peregrine at the Westinghouse Bridge. As he snapped photographs …
I watched one of the juvies fly head on into one of the pillars, tumble down to the arch below, shake it off and scamper up to the top.
— email from Dana Nesiti, 6 June 2021
Peregrines at Westinghouse Bridge, 6 June 2021 (photo by Dana Nesiti)
Youngster flaps his wings at Westinghouse Bridge, 6 June 2021 (photo by Dana Nesiti)
Oww! Youngster bangs into pillar head on, 6 June 2021 (photo by Dana Nesiti)
Youngster lands after banging his head, Westinghouse Bridge, 6 June 2021 (photo by Dana Nesiti)
And walks up the arch
Juvenile peregrine at Westinghouse Bridge, 6 June 2021 (photo by Dana Nesiti)
Yesterday morning PennDOT found a juvenile peregrine walking on the Westinghouse Bridge road deck and sidewalk. It eventually walked off the bridge and stood in some weeds where PGC Game Warden Doug Bergman retrieved it. To be on the safe side he took it to HAR Verona for a checkup though it appeared to be in good condition. I wonder if this is the juvenile who banged his head a few days earlier. (We can’t know since they are not banded.)
Allegheny River, Tarentum Bridge:
Tarentum Bridge, Allegheny River, 2 June 2012 (photo by Kate St. John)
Construction started on the Tarentum Bridge this week but will not adversely affect the juvenile peregrines because they fly so well and can leave the bridge if necessary. Only two of the three juveniles have been seen since 26 May. We believe the third died in late May.
In other sad news, I learned yesterday that long time Tarentum peregrine watcher and hummingbird fan Rob Protz died of a heart attack this week (obituary here). I will miss his excellent proofreading skills that kept me on my toes. I’m sure you’ll see more errors in my posts.
Terzo Downtown: Banded with heart-shaped cheek, 8 June 2021 (photo by Lori Maggio)
9 June 2021
Yesterday Lori Maggio visited Third Avenue for just half an hour and solved two mysteries with a few photos:
Who is the banded male peregrine in Downtown Pittsburgh?
Did Terzo (Black/Red N/29) find another territory after he left the Cathedral of Learning last February?
Loris photos reveal that the banded male is Terzo and, yes, he’s doing fine raising three chicks with Dori. She wrote:
The male was perched above the nest site ledge on the green beam … I was able to get pictures of his bands while he was scratching his chin when preening. He has black/red bands! …
I don’t have a full picture of the entire N or 29 but if you put the pictures together it is his N/29. I also included several pictures of him … to ID him. From what I remember Terzo had heart shaped cheeks and this male does, too.
— email from Lori Maggio, 8 June 2021
Yesterday Terzo and one of the juveniles were perched at the nest opening.
Terzo above, nestling below, Third Avenue, 8 June 2021 (photo by Lori Maggio)
The photos below helped us identify the bands. Terzo is Black/Red N/29. Notice his distinctive heart-shaped cheek.
Terzo at Third Avenue, 8 June 2021 (photo by Lori Maggio)
Terzo's band is Black/Red N/29, 8 June 2021 (photo by Lori Maggio)
Lori also took photos of a juvenile peregrine who hadn’t flown yet. Art McMorris remarked that this youngster is at least 40 days old and ready to fly at any time. This morning at 7am Lori saw all three chicks at the nest opening, raring to go.
Juvenile peregrine at Third Avenue nest, 8 June 2021 (photo by Lori Maggio)
Juvenile peregrine at Third Avenue nest, 8 June 2021 (photo by Lori Maggio)
Juvenile peregrine flapping at Third Ave, 8 June 2021 (photo by Lori Maggio)
And in case you’re wondering, Terzo and Dori have known each other — or about each other — for quite a while. Last year Dori stopped by the Cathedral of Learning during the revolving door of Morela, Terzo, Ecco. Here she is at the Pitt nest on 15 March 2020. A month later she laid eggs at Third Avenue and nested successfully with a new mate. I wonder who.
Pitt peregrine fledgling is unimpressed by blue jay attack, 5 June 2021 (photo by Charity Kheshgi)
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.
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.
