1 June 2025
Lots of news today at the peak of Peregrine Season in Southwestern Pennsylvania. This report is “double-long.”
Cathedral of Learning, Univ of Pittsburgh
The Pitt peregrine chicks are getting closer to First Flight but yesterday was certainly not the day. As you can see from Saturday’s slideshow and Day In A Minute video below, they felt comfortable flapping on the green perch but none of them took the next step of walking away from the nestbox.
Male peregrine chicks fly at a younger age than females because their lighter weight makes it easier to get airborne. The Cathedral of Learning male is three days younger than his sisters so he will probably be ready for takeoff when they are.
Watch their antics on the National Aviary falconcam at the University of Pittsburgh’s Cathedral of Learning. Join me this week at Schenley Plaza for Pitt Peregrine Fledge Watch. (Click the link for dates and times.)
Downtown Pittsburgh
UPDATE! Jeff Cieslak visited Third Avenue on Friday and found four, yes 4, peregrine chicks at the Downtown Pittsburgh nest. This crew looks as close to fledging as the Pitt peregrines. It’s going to be a big week.
Jeff also saw Terzo watching the sky …
… and his mate watching the nest from across the street.
I stopped by on Saturday when it was cold and gray and saw only one chick and his mother dozing at the ledge edge.
East Liberty Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh
In May three chicks were confirmed at the East Liberty Presbyterian steeple. Based on this 23 May photo my guess is that they will fledge around 17-22 June. Exciting days ahead!
Adam Knoerzer also reports that the male (father) peregrine is noticeably busier this spring now that he is feeding three chicks instead of the one last year.
The male takes a break to warm up in the sun.
Sewickley Bridge, Ohio River
The Ohio River is so high with heavy rain that the Sewickley Bridge nestbox has been hard to observe. Jeff Cieslak found a less than ideal place to stand on 26 May for this glimpse of the three chicks. Lots of rain in West Virginia in the past couple of days means the Ohio River will stay high into this week.
Tarentum Bridge, Allegheny River
Dave Brooke is keeping tabs on the Tarentum Bridge peregrine family where he notes that the three youngsters fledged on or after 24 May but still hang out at the bridge. They are very photogenic.
I stopped by on 24 May and was able to digiscope a youngster picking at a bone and his mother perched in the superstructure (at top) — so far the best digiscoped photo I’ve ever taken of a peregrine falcon.
Westinghouse Bridge, Turtle Creek near Monongahela River
On 24 May Dana Nesiti watched the parents at Westinghouse Bridge call to chick(s) in the scrape. Eventually one chick came to the ledge edge.
SUMMARY FOR SOUTHWEST PA
Southwestern Pennsylvania peregrine sites are listed in the table below. Help fill in the blanks ed below by visiting a site near you. Leave a comment if you find anything!
A really great report and post, Kate. Thank you!!
I am so thrilled our falcons are surviving. Waiting for fledgings.
Kate, I’m retiring in 2 weeks and hope to keep an eye on the Washington County locations in the future. I’ve stopped a couple of times in the past few weeks under the Rt 43 bridge over Ginger Hill road, and (using binoculars) I can’t see any signs of peregrines or a nest.
Thanks, Mary Ann, and congratulations on your upcoming retirement!
I rescued one of the chicks on the Monaca-East Rochester bridge Tuesday. It’s at HAR in Verona and the Game Commission is working with locals to get it back to the bridge. Being evaluated before release.
Thank you, Angelette! I passed the news to Jeff Cieslak who found the nest on 18 May –> photo here https://www.birdsoutsidemywindow.org/2025/05/18/peregrine-update-southwest-pa-18-may/ With so many people helping I’m sure the bird will be back home soon.