23 January 2022
Have you seen a peregrine falcon recently in southwestern Pennsylvania? Say something. Here’s why.
January through March is the best time to see peregrines in the Pittsburgh area. Conspicuous and territorial, every peregrine move right now is designed to tell all others “This is mine!” In just 8 weeks the females will lay eggs.
Last year there were 11 territories in our region including seven confirmed nests. This year I expect more. Peregrines have been so successful in Pennsylvania that by 2021 they were taken off the state’s threatened and endangered species lists. They are still protected by the PA Game Commission but they no longer have a dedicated staff member whose sole job is peregrines. PGC’s Peregrine Coordinator Art McMorris retired in December 2021(*).
Because I’ve been monitoring peregrines for over 20 years, I’ve been tracking them myself as a volunteer. Please help me! If you see a peregrine in southwestern PA, say something so I can update the records and continue to bring you regional peregrine news.
There are many ways to Say Something. Choose one.
- Record it in eBird
- Post a comment on my blog (I receive your comments in email!)
- Post it on my Kate St. John Facebook page (you might need to Friend me first)
- Post it on Facebook in PA Birders Photography and Art or in the private group Pittsburgh Falconuts.
- (*) If you used to contact Art McMorris with peregrine updates, Art is now tracking peregrines as a volunteer and would love to hear from you.
- The PA Game Commission will announce plans as well.
Where do you find them? Peregrines have been seen at half the sites in the past month so get a dose of Peregrine Splendor there, then check the places where they’ve not been seen. Keep your eyes out for new locations, too.
Check out the photo captions to see where and when these peregrines were seen on territory.
Did you see a peregrine falcon in southwestern PA? Say something.
(photos by Dana Nesiti, Jeff Cieslak, Dave Brooke and the National Aviary snapshot camera)
Kate, I swear I saw a Peregrine flying overhead on one of my daily walks around my neighborhood. I live in Swissvale and I’m still a novice at identifying them if not at a known nesting site. I’m close enough to the Westinghouse bridge to think it may have been one of them?
We spotted what looked to us like a huge Peregrine falcon just now in our backyard in Greenfield! It started off on the ground then flew up onto a tree as it was snowing. We took a few photos (and one video). Let us know if you want us to send them to you! We’ve also enjoyed your bird hikes in the past. : ) Thanks!
Genevieve I will send you an email
Sure would be nice to see the the interactions between Ecco and Morela live. What do you say Mr. Mulvihill?
Kurt, the camera will go live in Feb
Hi Kate. In case you missed it, I posted a Peregrine sighting on Jan. 26, 2022 at Aspinwall Park. Mike Smith
Mike, I saw that. Thank you.