23 June 2026

Halfway into the 2026 Peregrine Season I thought our region would have lower than usual nesting success because we had fewer active sites than last year. But peregrines always surprise me.

This month observers found fledglings at two bridges that weren’t on the list: 62nd Street Bridge and the Rt. 40 Bridge at West Brownsville. This adds two nests and 4 young to our regional total. Woo hoo!

62nd Street Bridge:

Things have been happening fast at the 62nd Street Bridge. After years without a known nest, Matt Jacob found a pair of peregrines carrying food there. Then Jeff Cieslak and Adam Knoerzer discovered they are “Dave” and “Libby” from the failed nest at the East Liberty Presbyterian Church. On 19 June Anne Marie Bosnyak saw a fledgling. On 20 June Jeff Cieslak photographed the family, below.

Juvenile peregrine at 62nd Street Bridge, 20 June 2026 (photos by Jeff Cieslak)

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Rt 40 Bridge, West Brownsville:

Earlier this spring David Argent and Fred Kachmarik both visited the Rt 40 Bridge in West Brownsville and found only one peregrine and no sign of nesting. I assumed (incorrectly) that there was no nest.

On 16 June Regina King messaged me that she saw juvenile peregrines at the bridge so I notified David and Fred, and Fred spread the word to John Flannigan. All three of them visited the bridge last week. There are 3 young peregrines ready to fly.

David Argent visited on 18 June and saw one adult + 2 juvies:

Two juvenile peregrines at Rt 40 Bridge, West Brownsville, 18 June 2026 (photos by David Argent)

Fred Kachmarik and John Flannigan visited on 19 June and saw 1 adult + 3 juvies.

And they heard begging.

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With these two nests, our region is now up to 20 young peregrines produced in southwestern Pennsylvania this spring. Success!