Comments on: Why do they nest near us? http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2008/05/05/why-do-they-nest-near-us/ A Bird Watcher's View of the World Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:17:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Kate StJ http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2008/05/05/why-do-they-nest-near-us/#comment-1339 Kate StJ Wed, 21 May 2008 02:13:44 +0000 http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2008/05/03/why-do-they-nest-near-us/#comment-1339 You can't see into the nests from the street. The only way to see them is on the webcams. However, when the young birds are learning to fly (called "fledging") it is easy to see them from street level with binoculars because they stand on the edge of the nest area and flap their wings very hard. Best time of day is morning around 8:00 or 9:00 and after work 6:00 to sunset.  Peregrine chicks sleep at midday. Gulf Tower: Best time to watch is next week, particularly May 26 to 30. Stand on the sidewalk at the entrance area of the Pennsylvanian (near corner of Liberty Ave and 11th Street) and look up at the Gulf Tower. The nest is on the left near the top but below the pyramid steps that form the Gulf Tower roof. Watch for flapping. The young birds are brown and beige, the parents are gray and white. University of Pittsburgh: Best time to watch is June 5th to 9th. Stand at the performance tent at Schenley Plaza and look at the Cathedral of Learning. Almost at the top is a big horizontal "railing."  The young birds perch there and flap.  Their parents fly by and bring food.   As much as my schedule permits June 5-9 I will be at this tent 1:30pm-2:30pm and after 5:30pm every day. You can’t see into the nests from the street. The only way to see them is on the webcams. However, when the young birds are learning to fly (called “fledging”) it is easy to see them from street level with binoculars because they stand on the edge of the nest area and flap their wings very hard.

Best time of day is morning around 8:00 or 9:00 and after work 6:00 to sunset.  Peregrine chicks sleep at midday.

Gulf Tower: Best time to watch is next week, particularly May 26 to 30. Stand on the sidewalk at the entrance area of the Pennsylvanian (near corner of Liberty Ave and 11th Street) and look up at the Gulf Tower. The nest is on the left near the top but below the pyramid steps that form the Gulf Tower roof. Watch for flapping. The young birds are brown and beige, the parents are gray and white.

University of Pittsburgh: Best time to watch is June 5th to 9th. Stand at the performance tent at Schenley Plaza and look at the Cathedral of Learning. Almost at the top is a big horizontal “railing.”  The young birds perch there and flap.  Their parents fly by and bring food.   As much as my schedule permits June 5-9 I will be at this tent 1:30pm-2:30pm and after 5:30pm every day.

]]> By: Saturn http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2008/05/05/why-do-they-nest-near-us/#comment-1338 Saturn Tue, 20 May 2008 23:29:49 +0000 http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2008/05/03/why-do-they-nest-near-us/#comment-1338 Can I see the peregrine's from street level? When is the best time of day. I'm interested in either nest site in town. Can I see the peregrine’s from street level? When is the best time of day. I’m interested in either nest site in town.

]]> By: Vicki D http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2008/05/05/why-do-they-nest-near-us/#comment-1280 Vicki D Fri, 16 May 2008 12:43:15 +0000 http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2008/05/03/why-do-they-nest-near-us/#comment-1280 Kate... I am an avid watcher of the Pittsburgh Falcon Cams, the San Jose Cam, and your blog. The photo of the young adult Peregrine on your site was so compelling, I mentioned your blog on the San Jose Perigrine digest. I was told I should not mention other Peregrine cams and should focus my remarks on San Jose only, but...I received a message from someone who was so impressed with your photo, she posted my message in the San Jose communications sites. I hope you get some readers from California way. Kate…
I am an avid watcher of the Pittsburgh Falcon Cams, the San Jose Cam, and your blog. The photo of the young adult Peregrine on your site was so compelling, I mentioned your blog on the San Jose Perigrine digest. I was told I should not mention other Peregrine cams and should focus my remarks on San Jose only, but…I received a message from someone who was so impressed with your photo, she posted my message in the San Jose communications sites. I hope you get some readers from California way.

]]> By: Amy F http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2008/05/05/why-do-they-nest-near-us/#comment-1098 Amy F Thu, 08 May 2008 19:32:14 +0000 http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2008/05/03/why-do-they-nest-near-us/#comment-1098 I wouldn't have been able to concentrate at all, either. She seems to have such an expression of bright-eyed interest in this photo! "Hi, what are you doing in there?" As for this young lady and the rest of last year's unaccounted-for fledgelings, I hope that no news continues to be good news. I wouldn’t have been able to concentrate at all, either. She seems to have such an expression of bright-eyed interest in this photo! “Hi, what are you doing in there?”

As for this young lady and the rest of last year’s unaccounted-for fledgelings, I hope that no news continues to be good news.

]]> By: Kate StJ http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2008/05/05/why-do-they-nest-near-us/#comment-1096 Kate StJ Thu, 08 May 2008 16:19:27 +0000 http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2008/05/03/why-do-they-nest-near-us/#comment-1096 News of last year's hatchlings: Unfortunately, the first year of a peregrine's life is spent wandering - and it is hazardous.  We usually only hear when they are injured or dead. Of the 4 peregrines hatched at Gulf Tower in 2007, there is no further news of the above female nor of two of her other siblings so we presume they are alive. One of her male siblings was found injured in Clairton in November 2007 and died that evening. Of the 4 peregrines hatched at Pitt in 2007, we have no news of 3 of them. The 4th was found dead along a road in southwestern Ontario in January 2008. News of last year’s hatchlings: Unfortunately, the first year of a peregrine’s life is spent wandering - and it is hazardous.  We usually only hear when they are injured or dead.

Of the 4 peregrines hatched at Gulf Tower in 2007, there is no further news of the above female nor of two of her other siblings so we presume they are alive. One of her male siblings was found injured in Clairton in November 2007 and died that evening.

Of the 4 peregrines hatched at Pitt in 2007, we have no news of 3 of them. The 4th was found dead along a road in southwestern Ontario in January 2008.

]]> By: Mike http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2008/05/05/why-do-they-nest-near-us/#comment-1095 Mike Thu, 08 May 2008 15:14:50 +0000 http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2008/05/03/why-do-they-nest-near-us/#comment-1095 Have you heard any information regarding last years hatchlings? Have you heard any information regarding last years hatchlings?

]]> By: Kate StJ http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2008/05/05/why-do-they-nest-near-us/#comment-1093 Kate StJ Wed, 07 May 2008 21:55:21 +0000 http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2008/05/03/why-do-they-nest-near-us/#comment-1093 Egg #4 hasn't hatched yet and probably won't. This happens from time to time in peregrine clutches and is normal, especially in the wild where there are greater threats to nesting. Egg #4 hasn’t hatched yet and probably won’t. This happens from time to time in peregrine clutches and is normal, especially in the wild where there are greater threats to nesting.

]]> By: Aaron http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2008/05/05/why-do-they-nest-near-us/#comment-1091 Aaron Wed, 07 May 2008 18:58:33 +0000 http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2008/05/03/why-do-they-nest-near-us/#comment-1091 Has Egg #4 hatched? If it hasn't, is this common in peregrine clutches? Has Egg #4 hatched? If it hasn’t, is this common in peregrine clutches?

]]> By: Peggy Hookey http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2008/05/05/why-do-they-nest-near-us/#comment-1079 Peggy Hookey Tue, 06 May 2008 19:53:41 +0000 http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2008/05/03/why-do-they-nest-near-us/#comment-1079 Wonderful words to accompany an equally wonderful photo. And I understand your comment about an inability to concentrate after unique experiences with this bird. Completely. Wonderful words to accompany an equally wonderful photo. And I understand your comment about an inability to concentrate after unique experiences with this bird. Completely.

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