Seven was the magic number for two iconic falcons during Pittsburgh’s Christmas Bird Count last weekend.
During Count Week, which includes the three days before and after Count Day (31 Dec 2016), observers saw seven peregrine falcons and seven merlins within the circle.
Two of the seven peregrines were elusive on Count Day but visible during Count Week.
- 2 at the Cathedral of Learning on 30 December, (We saw one on Count Day.)
- 1 Downtown at Lawrence Hall on 2 January 2017, perched as shown in Lori Maggio’s photo above,
- 1 in Kilbuck Township on Count Day December 31,
- 1 in Oakmont area on Count Day,
- 2 in Shaler Township on Count Day.
All seven merlins were seen on Count Day, December 31:
- 1 in the Oakmont area
- 3 in Penn Hills
- 3 in the City of Pittsburgh: 2 at Schenley Park and 1 along the Ohio River within the city limits.
So if you’re looking for falcons this winter, visit Pittsburgh’s 15-mile-diameter count circle shown below.
Seven is the magic number.
(photo of Downtown peregrine by Lori Maggio, photo of merlin by Chuck Tague. Screenshot of Pittsburgh Count Circle map from Audubon CBC website; click on the image to see the original)