http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2011/06/16/eaglet-makes-three-for-bald-eagles-in-crescent-township/

Here in Salt Lake City we have a webcam for Peregrine Falcons that are nesting on top of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. They have four babies this year that are expected to start flying as early as July 4th. I saw one of them practicing today – he was getting a tiny bit of lift in the nestbox. http://wildlife.utah.gov/dwr/learn-more/peregrine-cam.html

-Elizabeth

We were both in luck this morning. I was walking north on Craig toward Forbes. I saw a bird carrying another bird… it attempted to land on the building right next to the PNC bank and when it did, the prey fell to the ground. Heading over to inspect, I (and the work men on the corner) hear the loud screeching of a juvenile, who I’m presuming was complaining because it had just dropped its breakfast!! I found the poor dead pigeon in the courtyard, then ran a block to get to my rooftop view of the area and found a juvenile on Webster hall. None that I could see near the dead pigeon. This was all around 9am. Heard and then saw some action (3 peregrines.. i believe 2 juvies) around the Cathedral about 2pm this afternoon too!

On my walk in I saw at least three of our peregrines. I would have missed them all except as I was near Bayard & Craig I heard the noisy kids screaming. Look up to see two birds chasing a third. What was really cool is that the one dropped something and the other two went diving after it! Didn’t take them long, I’d guess it fell less than 10 feet. I’d like to think this was the next phase of their training. But could also see how somebody just dropped it because of all the hub bub, or even it being a slightly flubbed prey exchange.

I looked for them in the direction of shadyside/friendship and eventually one came flying back along Bayard and took a turn towards St. Paul’s. OK, so I’m taking a detour this morning. Down to St. Paul’s and I didn’t see anyone on the steeples, but I did spy someone on the top of the Webster Hall penthouse. Looked like they were enjoying breakfast.

Then further down along fifth (after crossing the street and remembering not to stop in the middle to get honked at – thanks John!) Someone came flying over silently and back towards the Cathedral of Learning. Over that way I found Dorothy (guessing) up on Heinz Chapel. Thankfully she was facing east so her white breast was easy to discern in the morning sun.

Now I’m pumped for a great day!

p.s. Today I saw a turkey vulture fly at the same altitude over St. Paul’s Cathedral. Its silhouette wwas very different. Unlike the bald eagle, the turkey vulture looked as if it had no head but a very large tail.

There was a bird that was definitely the size of a vulture around Waterworks. It was circling. I didn’t see the white on the wings that I normally do on a turkey vulture, though. It was against a cloudy, white sky so it was hard to keep my eyes focused on it.

It had me wondering because I was north of Harrisburg in the farmland areas in late May when I saw a glimpse of a bird between a few trees. It didn’t look like a vulture… something about the wings and the flight.

It looped around and landed in a tree, just off the side of the road. My aunt, my mother and I all got a great look at a golden eagle. Got a good look at the beak and facial features, and the (huge) size of the bird and I would have definitely called it “dark brown” rather than black — another tip-off in the brief second I saw it flash between trees.