UPDATED ON 5 MARCH 2018:

Did you know there are 10 places to watch peregrine falcons in western Pennsylvania?  Here’s where to find them from March to early June.

1. Downtown Pittsburgh (map of viewing location):  Only one pair of peregrines owns all of downtown Pittsburgh where they’ve nested since 1991, originally at the Gulf Tower, sometimes on Third Avenue.  As of February 2018 we’ve confirmed that the Downtown parents are still Dori (Akron, OH, 2007) and Louie (Pitt, 2002).  When they nest at the Gulf Tower we can watch them on the National Aviary’s falconcam. Click here for Third Avenue site information.

2.  Cathedral of Learning, University of Pittsburgh (map of viewing location):

The Cathedral of Learning has been home to a pair of peregrines since their first nesting attempt in 2001.  This year the continuing adults are Hope (Hopewell, VA, 2008) and Terzo (Cincinnati, OH, 2013).  Visit the National Aviary Cathedral of Learning falconcam or Schenley Plaza to watch.

3. Westinghouse Bridge (map of viewing location):

The Westinghouse Bridge carries Route 30 over Turtle Creek and has been home to peregrine falcons since at least 2010.  In 2016 the male was confirmed as George (Cobb Island, VA, 2006), paired with an unbanded female. In 2017 the couple was so secretive that we didn’t know they’d nested until a begging juvenile was seen in July.  The best place to watch is on Elder Street underneath the E.Pittsburgh-McKeesport Bridge.

4. McKees Rocks Bridge (map of bridge location):

Peregrine falcons have nested at the McKees Rocks Bridge since at least 2008 but their nest is hard to find because the bridge is so big.  During the nesting season watch for peregrines perched on the bridge or on power towers on either side of the river.  Viewing locations are a challenge.  Let us know if you find a good one.

5. Neville Island I-79 Bridge (map of viewing locations):

This bridge has been home to peregrines since at least 2012 when a fledgling was found swimming in the Ohio River below.  In 2015 the pair was confirmed to be Beau (Pitt, 2010) and Magnum (Canton, OH, 2010).  Their nest is always over the center of the river.  Watch from these viewing locations.

6. Monaca-E.Rochester -or- Monaca-to-Beaver RR Bridge (map of viewing area):

Only one pair of peregrines owns the Beaver-Monaca-East Rochester territory but they move their nest year to year.  Some years it’s high on the big black railroad bridge from Monaca to Beaver. Other years it’s under the deck of the Monaca-East Rochester Bridge that carries Rt 51 over the Ohio River.  You can see them on the railroad bridge if you use a scope at the Rochester Riverfront Park.  At the Monaca-East-Rochester Bridge, use these viewing locations.

7. Tarentum Bridge (map of viewing location):

Peregrine falcons have nested at the Tarentum Bridge over the Allegheny River since at least 2010.  Because the nests were in cubbyholes over open water a nest box was provided in early 2015.  In 2018 the male was confirmed as 48/BR (Westinghouse Bridge, 2014).  His unbanded mate is distinctive because of the many dots on her chest.  Watch them from the Tarentum public boat launch.

8. The Graff Bridge, Kittanning Route 422 (map of bridge):

In Armstrong County a pair of peregrines nests on the Judge Graff Bridge that carries Route 422 over the Allegheny River near Kittanning.  If you know of a good viewing location, please leave a comment with the answer.

9. Elizabeth Bridge, Route 51, Allegheny County (map of viewing location):

Peregrines have been seen off and on at this bridge that spans the Monongahela River since 2015, most recently on 4 March 2018. The photo above shows the best viewing location at Elizabeth Riverfront Park in Elizabeth, PA.

10. Erie, PA Waterfront (map of viewing location):

Peregrines have been in Erie, PA for at least five years but no one knew where they nested until a fledgling was found inside the Donjon Shipyard building in 2014.  Nomad (Cleveland, 2008) and an unbanded female are nesting inside the big white building pictured above.  You can see them perched nearby or flying in the vicinity from this viewing location.

Early June is a great time to watch peregrine falcons in western Pennsylvania.  It’s time to get outdoors.

(photo credits:
Downtown Pittsburgh, Cathedral of Learning, Westinghouse Bridge, Tarentum Bridge by Kate St. John
McKees Rocks Bridge, Neville Island I-79 Bridge by Robert Stovers via Wikimedia Commons
Monaca-E.Rochester Bridge by PGC WCO Steve Leiendecker
Judge Graff Bridge by S.Lukens via Wikimedia Commons
Donjon Shipbuilding linked from donjonshipbuilding.com)

Lori Maggio reports that this morning (June 6, 2016) one of the Downtown peregrine nestlings has fledged.  At 7:00am he was perched seven stories up on Lawrence Hall, across the street from the nest.

If you’re in the area, stop by and check for peregrines.  The clue to finding one is this: Watch their parents.  The parents look at the fledgling a lot!

If you see a young peregrine standing on the ground he’ll have to be rescued by the PA Game Commission (PGC) and placed up high to start again.  Keep this PGC “rescue” number handy: 724-238-9523

I’m not sure I can make it but … I’ll try to be at Third Avenue at lunchtime today, noon to 1:00pm.  (Here’s the map.)

(photo by Lori Maggio)

UPDATE AT 11:18am: Second peregrine fledged, landed on building on Blvd of Allies directly across the street from the first fledgling. They are both about 8 stories up, perched on the corner of flat-topped roofs.

UPDATE AT 2:20pm: No change. 2 fledglings perched high on buildings on the Blvd of the Allies between Smithfield and Wood St. 2 nestlings remain at the nest. Adults perched or flying nearby.

It was great to see everyone yesterday at Downtown Peregrine Fledge Watch.

I’ll be on Third Avenue today from 11:00am to noon … unless it storms.

(photo by John English)

I’ll be Downtown today, Friday June 3, from 12:15pm to 1:00pm at the Third Avenue peregrine watch site.

I hope to see all four youngsters at the nest as Lori Maggio did yesterday.

Maybe I’ll see you there, too.

(photo by Lori Maggio)

All Peregrines All The Time …  

Yesterday was a good day for peregrine watching in Downtown Pittsburgh as you can see from Lori Maggio’s photos.

Two of the four peregrine chicks were often perched at the Third Avenue ledge.  When I stopped by for half an hour at 10:30am I saw 5 out of the 6 family members — three chicks and both parents.

In the photo above, the bird on the right is whining (or “screeching”) for attention.  If you listen carefully you can hear these youngsters above the roar of nearby construction.

On Friday and Saturday I’ll be Downtown at the Third Avenue watch site (see map here) at the times listed below.  Stop by to chat or for information on what to do in case of a rescue.

• Friday June 3, 12:15pm to 1:00pm
• Saturday June 4, 11:00am to 11:45am

Keep the PA Game Commission “rescue” number handy: 724-238-9523

(photos by Lori Maggio)

Can you spare five minutes to look at the back of a building in Downtown Pittsburgh?

This year’s peregrine nest is 12 stories high so it’s likely that a few of the chicks will land on the street on their first flight just as they did last year.  I’d like to schedule a Fledge Watch but I don’t know the age and number of chicks because no one’s ever seen them. That’s where you come in.

A couple of days before young peregrines fly they appear at the nest opening, as shown with a red arrow above.

It only takes five minutes to stop by the Third Avenue sidewalk at the edge of the Carlyle parking lot and look up at the nest opening.  Is there a juvenile there?  If so, leave a comment on this blog.  And take a picture.

Look for brown-and-cream-colored birds at the opening like those in this closeup from last year’s nest.  (The one on the left is old enough to fly immediately.)

If they’ve already flown, check the area nearby. They might need your help.

In the first 24 hours of flight, young peregrines lack the wing strength to take off from the ground.  If they land on the street they just stand there and may be hit by vehicles.  If you see a peregrine on the ground call the PA Game Commission (PGC) at 724-238-9523.  If you can safely do so, carefully corral and guard the bird until PGC arrives.

There’s no need to linger.  All it takes is five minutes.

(photo of Third Avenue site by Kate St. John. photo of peregrine chicks by Matt Digiacomo)

p.s. Here’s what the Downtown peregrine parents look like.