13 April 2024
On Thursday 11 April, before torrential rain and flash floods hit the Pittsburgh area, Dave Brooke went down to Tarentum to see the peregrine family at the Tarentum Bridge. His video shows the mother peregrine sheltering two chicks.
Not only are the chicks sitting up with their eyes open but their faces are distinct. My guess, based on the clues in Peregrine Chicks Week-to-Week Development, is that these chicks hatched around April 2.
This weekend would be a good time to see the chicks but keep in mind the Allegheny River is in flood because of Thursday’s record-setting rainfall. Here’s the flood stage upstream this morning at Natrona Lock and Dam.
The boat launch area under the bridge is certainly off limits, but that’s OK because the best place to view the nest is on the sidewalk on First Avenue at Wood Street, the right hand pin drop on this map.
Bring a scope if you have one. You’ll be glad you did.
The river will drop considerably in the next 24 hours. The forecast shows flood stage ending at Natrona Lock and Dam before noon tomorrow.
p.s. Learn more about peregrine chicks’ development here: