Remember When

 

Peregrine falcon nestling at the Gulf Tower on Banding Day (photo by Jay Verno for the Gulf Tower, 110 Gulf Associates and Rugby Realty Co.)

Remember when this year’s peregrine falcon nestlings were this young? 

It doesn’t seem possible that it’s been only seven weeks since this picture was taken on Banding Day at the Gulf Tower, May 19th. 

(photo by Jay Verno for The Gulf Tower, 110 Gulf Associates and Rugby Realty Co.)

10 thoughts on “Remember When

  1. I’ve noticed what I think is a red-tailed hawk hanging around the area by the Peterson Event Center. I haven’t had a chance to get a real good look at it (driving both times) but it was brown and bigger than the new Peregrins.
    Isn’t this in the Peregrin’s area? Do they tolerate other raptors more when they aren’t nesting?

  2. Like looking at a family album & wondering where the time went. Such an enjoyable season for me. Showed my husband all the pictures this day & he was smiling at the end. Thank you for all the pictures Kate & all the people who share their messages with us. Faith C.

  3. I think the Peterson Events Center is far enough away that the Pitt peregrines don’t mind that red-tails hang out there. They allow raptors near the Cathderal of Learning as long they stay at or below the treetops – and then after the nesting season their vigilance is a little more relaxed.

  4. Working in the USX tower has always been a treat during nesting season. Actually makes me look forward to coming in !! (;-) Seeing the fledglings noodling around on the ball of the Gulf Tower, watching the parents flying in with “takeout” and even sometimes having adults and “teens” landing on the window ledge has always been a thrill.

    I’ve heard that Tasha is getting up there in years and that it’s the main reason the births have been small in number. Here’s hoping that she still has a few good years left in her

  5. July 9, 2009: News at last!
    I have news of both Gulf Tower juvenile peregrines.
    First, the young peregrine who hit her head and was rescued from the street on June 10th has fully recovered and was released yesterday. Beth Fife said, “She flew very nicely, circled and flew off.” I don’t know where she was released but it wasn’t downtown. She is now independent and on her own.
    Her sister who remained downtown with her parents is also doing well. She was spotted perched on a high windowsill of the Frick Building, looking into the room to see what was going on. This is typical behavior for the downtown juvenile peregrines. For example:
    http://www.birdsoutsidemywindow.org/2008/06/06/one-very-wet-peregrine/
    http://www.birdsoutsidemywindow.org/2008/05/05/why-do-they-nest-near-us/

    (I am also posting this news on the original blog about the June 10th bird rescue.)

  6. Kate: So happy to hear that the young female made a full recovery. I hope that we will hear good things in the future about her. Thanks for all you do!!!! You made a “believer” out of me, who knew I loved birds this much?
    Thanks again.
    Gloria

  7. Thanks, Kate, for the update. I was really concerned, and am now very happy to hear that all is well. You do a wonderful job! I met some Aviary volunteers at Mellon Park a few weeks ago, and I told them how much I enjoyed both their website and yours. Thanks again. Jan

  8. My girlfriend and I were out at Raccoon Creek SP’s wildflower area on Sunday and it just so happened that there was a program on Raptors that afternoon. We stuck around and got to see 2 Peregrines (male and female), a Red Tailed Hawk and a Hybrid Peregrine/Gyr-falcon/ and something else. All were captive and flown by this very unique old falconer who’s name I can’t remember. But I have some pretty nice pics of the birds that I can share if you’d like.

    -steve

  9. I’ll bet you saw a presentation by Earl Shriver. He has great stories about his birds. Back in 2005 a young peregrine from Pitt broke a bone right after he fledged. The bone healed but the peregrine needed to build his flying strength and still hadn’t learned to hunt. Earl used falconry techniques to teach him and exercise him. “Crash,” as the bird was nicknamed, learned well and is off on his own.

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