We Can Fly!

Pitt fledgling, male 09/AP, 8 Jun 2017 (photo by Peter Bell)
Pitt fledgling, male 09/AP, 8 Jun 2017 (photo by Peter Bell)

All three Pitt peregrines were airborne yesterday morning (June 8) and flying so well that they’re hard to keep track of.

By day’s end they had visited several floors of the Cathedral of Learning (CL), Heinz Chapel roof and steeple, and Alumni Hall.  Meanwhile their parents, Hope and Terzo, flew from place to place delivering food and watching the youngsters.

We could see one or two peregrines using a scope from Schenley Plaza Fledge Watch but Peter Bell got the best views by walking on the lawn near Heinz Chapel.  Great closeups!

Here’s a video of one youngster on Heinz Chapel roof.

 

She and her sibling then perched on the Chapel’s ornate posts. Can you find two juvenile peregrines in Peter’s photo?

Two fledglings perched on Heinz Chapel's ornate roof (photo by Peter Bell)
Two fledglings perched on Heinz Chapel’s ornate roof (photo by Peter Bell)

 

… and then to the steeple.

Fledgling on Heinz Chapel steeple, 8 Jun 2017 (photo by Peter Bell)
Juvenile peregrine on Heinz Chapel steeple, 8 Jun 2017 (photo by Peter Bell)

… and then to Alumni Hall’s roof.

Fledgling on Alumni Hall roof, 8 Jun 2017 (photo by Peter Bell)
Fledgling on Alumni Hall roof, 8 Jun 2017 (photo by Peter Bell)

 

Hope paused after delivering food to the Forbes Ave side of the Cathedral of Learning.

Hope (69/Z), 8 Jun 2017 (photo by Peter Bell)
Hope (69/Z), 8 Jun 2017 (photo by Peter Bell)

She and the youngster both had food on their beaks.  This is the juvenile male, 09/AP.

Juvenile male peregrine, 09/AP, after his meal (photo by Peter Bell)
Juvenile male peregrine, 09/AP, after his meal (photo by Peter Bell)

 

The peregrines are hard to see from Schenley Plaza so PITT PEREGRINE FLEDGE WATCH IS OVER.

You might find a few of us wandering on campus with binoculars. We can’t get enough of the best Pitt Peregrine Season we’ve had since 2012. All three are airborne. Hooray!

 

(photos and video by Peter Bell, Pitt Peregrines on Facebook)

Best Since 2012:  This is the first time in five years that we’ve had more than one juvenile peregrine at Pitt.  In 2012 Dorothy and E2 had 3 youngsters, only 1 in 2013, none in 2014, one in 2015. Hope and Terzo had only one fledgling last year, 2016.

4 thoughts on “We Can Fly!

  1. Kate, this is the BEST news. THANK YOU so much for all your patience and knowledge you share with us. THANK YOU EVERYONE for all the great photos. This has been the best season.

  2. Thank you so much for the great pictures. I feel so much better knowing they are all doing so well. Congrats to all the kids. Love that baby male made the trip so well and off flying with his sisters. Appreciation to all the wonderful watchers that kept track of them and Kate for the updates. You all have truly eased the empty nest watchers concerns. I will miss them all.

  3. Awesome video and photo shots. I have enjoyed every moment of this year’s nesting season and am excited that so many new peregrines are wandering in the world now.

  4. SO sad for the little male. He always seemed to be the third wheel of the group.
    He stole everyones heart when it became apparent his sisters were taking advantage of him. They even took the best place to lay down to sleep, and left him with what they didn’t want.
    I had hoped Terzo would teach him the ropes. It was not meant to be.

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