Mar 27 2010
Question: Where should I look to see the peregrines at Gulf Tower?
Question: Where should I look on the Gulf Tower to see the peregrines.
Answer: As of Spring 2012, they don’t live here anymore.
In the winter of 2011-2012, Gulf Tower management embarked on a complicated rooftop lighting project that required workers on the “pyramid” above the nest during installation and testing.
The winter was so warm that the project started before peregrine nesting began and continued for several months. During the abundant good weather, workmen were often visible above the nest while the Downtown peregrines were deciding whether it was a safe place to raise their family.
Humans above the nest? Not safe for baby birds. So the Downtown peregrines abandoned the site.
Instead they picked a building where no one disturbed them and successfully raised young who fledged on June 2.
The lighting project is finished, no more workmen on the roof. We’re all hoping the Downtown peregrines will come home to the Gulf Tower in 2013.
(photo from Shutterstock, altered to indicate where the Downtown peregrines nested prior to 2012.)
Hi Kate,
Which direction does that side of the building face? I thought I read somewhere that it faced north, but I’m not sure.
I am going to try to get there for the fledge watch, but I am in Greensburg and commit to exact times or days.
Jean, The side you want to watch is the one that faces the Strip District and is visible from Liberty at 16th Street (if you happened to be standing back that far… but you won’t be).
I hung around the Pennsylvanian for awhile last year. Never saw anything, but nobody bothered me or asked me to leave! It would be nice to bring a chair, but maybe too conspicuous!