Successful nesting season at Pitt

Four young peregrines – two males and two females – fledged from the Cathedral of Learning nest on the University of Pittsburgh campus in 2007. Once their flying and hunting abilities are developed, the young birds disperse from the area. The parent birds typically remain in the area year-round, but are rarely at the nest until the next nesting season begins. Look for them in early 2008!

 

Observations from WPC Volunteer Kate St. John:

Thurs Jun 14: It was quite an exciting evening at Schenley Plaza.

For the first time in all the years I've watched them, I got to see a wing-flapping young peregrine literally lift off the building - almost like a helicopter - and fly out into the sky for the first time in his life. He flew over to the north face and landed in a high spot very similar to the nest area. He will probably feel at home roosting there overnight.

Shortly after he flew, one of the two female chicks jumped out of the "keyhole" near the nest (south face) and flew over to 16th floor north face. The females are heavier than the males so I was not surprised to see she lost altitude - 24 stories. She landed in a safe place but was obviously nervous, bobbing her head a lot, walking the whole edge of 16th North, and perching briefly on one of the cleaning rigs. Eventually her father arrived with food and looked hard at her. After half a minute he left carrying the prey and circled up to the 40th floor. Perhaps he was saying, "Come higher. Food and safety are up here."

All of this activity was encouraged by the parent birds who flew fancy maneuvers past the chicks before they fledged. Surprisingly, the parents weren't the only ones. Number One Son, the young male who fledged on Monday 6/11, copied his parents by flying past his last "baby" sister who hadn't fledged. She flapped and wailed. I know that feeling when your brother can do something you can't do yet! My brother swam before I did.

Tomorrow promises to be exciting for everyone. Number One Son will continue his flying prowess. The other male will gain confidence. The female fledgling on 16 may fly up higher overnight. Otherwise she and the workmen will surprise each other tomorrow morning - I hope that works out! And "baby" will be so jealous of the other three that she may fly tomorrow morning.

First egg hatches on May 4

Amist fighting and a battle for nesting rights, the female peregrine falcon laid her first egg of the 2007 season on March 27, 2007.

First Egg 3/27/07

Second Egg 3/29/07

Fourth Egg 4/3/07