Before young peregrines fly they walk on the cliff ledges and exercise their wings. Their parents encourage them by flying nearby.
Since the chick C1 walked off camera at the Cathedral of Learning yesterday, all the action has moved to the air above Schenley Plaza where Peter Bell (@PittPeregrines) recorded this video last evening. We see the entire peregrine family at once — swooping, diving, and “wingercising” (wing + exercising).
This is why I love fledge watch. It’s the best part of peregrine season!
I’ll be at Pitt Peregrine Fledge Watch at Schenley Plaza today, June 11, 9:00 to 11:00am followed by John English (Pittsburgh Falconuts) noon to 3:00pm, weather permitting. We’ll also be there Sunday and Monday. Visit the Events page for the schedule.
Come on down!
(video by Peter Bell @PittPeregrines)
Thank you for the video of C1 ledge walking….gave those of us unable to visit Schenley Plaza a “bird’s eye” view. Happy sailing, C1 !!!!!!
Thanks Kate, that video was awesome!! what a way to start the day. Next best thing to being there.
This is wonderful. Thanks to Peter and to you!
Thanks for sharing the video. It was great to see the family together.
What a great video. I literally felt proud ahahaha how goofy is that ? Just so happy C1 is doing so well. Yay for The PItt Falcon Family ?
Those question marks were happy emojis 🙂 sorry
Magnificent. Year after year, this amazes and moves me. Thank you for video!
11:30 am 6/11 C1 made it back to the nest, laying in whatever shade there is, panting. Good mom Hope, attentive, trying to produce more shade, panting. Hot, muggy, 89*. I am assuming C1 is ok. Feel like we should offer refreshments……….
What a fantastic video. Nature is truly wonderful. Parents showing her how it’s done, and making it look like so much fun. She will be trying her wings very soon I’m sure. Thanks to Peter and Kate for sharing with us.
In the 2009 blog post saying how to spot the peregrines, you say that no other birds fly so high, basically because of the danger of attack from the peregrines, if I understood you correctly. Does that include eagles? What is the interaction between eagles and peregrines? Is one wary of the other or are they perhaps both wary of each other? Or do they pretty much just ignore each other? Thanks.
Mary Anne, peregrine falcons beat up bald eagles. Here’s what Dorothy did to a juvenile bald eagle who dared to fly over Schenley Plaza when she had youngsters at the nest: http://www.birdsoutsidemywindow.org/2012/06/07/peregrine-versus-bald-eagle-guess-who-wins/
Adult bald eagles know to avoid this.
Thanks! That’s an amazing sequence.
Hi Kate, This morning we just noticed C1 on the parapet below our office windows on the Fifth Ave side, (we’re on the 18th floor, looking down) stretching her wings and yelling up a storm!!! Occasionally the parents will fly by. Love it!!!
Thanks for the news, Betsy!