February 26, 2014 in American Kestrel
This winter has offered up a number of sightings of this male American Kestrel in and around Incinerator Road in Lawrence. It has been perched on utility poles and wires around the ballfield next to the Essex County Correctional facility, more commonly known as “The Farm.” This Kestrel is hopefully maintaining his territory for the breeding season….stay tuned!
February 26, 2014 in Bald Eagle
Made a productive roadtrip to Amesbury this morning looking for Bald Eagles mentioned in a Massbird post early in the month by Massbirder, and Amesbury resident, Kirk Elwell. Found two adults in a tall pine tree just back from Main St. along the river. A bit later one flew off and landed in a pine tree perch farther down river just east of Lowell’s Boat Shop. Although overcast and dark lighting…nice views of these beauties!
February 25, 2014 in In the Nest Box
The female peregrine is being seen with increasing frequency at, or very near, the nest box located in the Clock Tower. Most likely, we are about 3.5 weeks away from the laying of the first egg. Time will tell if this happens in the clock Tower as in 2012, or over the river in the 250 Canal St. building complex! Stay tuned!
February 24, 2014 in Near the Clock Tower
One of the Peregrines was seen on a regular short steel beam perch above the 200 Merrimack St. location this morning. This is a frequent morning location in the sun and out of the wind. It is located in the middle of the building and just below the roof line. Best observed from the top floor of the nearby McGovern Transportation Parking Garage.
February 24, 2014 in Bald Eagle
While making a brief morning check along the Merrimack River, an adult Bald Eagle slowly flew upriver towards the Rt. 495 overpass on the Lawrence/North Andover line. The eagle made a few large gentle loops and then headed off in a SW direction. made every effort possible to capture underbody images to record the leg band but the lighting was not enough to make any certain leg band identification!
February 24, 2014 in Great Horned Owl
The Great Horned Owl remains on nest with the surrounding snow on the nest melted away after a warm weekend. With egg or eggs laid around second week in February, we hope to see owlets around St. Patrick’s Day in March. Stay tuned!
February 19, 2014 in On the Clock Tower
As me move closer to the middle of March and the laying of eggs, the female has been seen with increasing frequency near and around the Clock Tower nest box. Mating activity will pick up over the next few weeks! Stay tuned to the blog as we will continue to monitor the activity very closely in collaboration with a dedicated and growing group of local peregrine watchers. This pair has quite a following and more people check in weekly by email looking for updates!
February 19, 2014 in Great Horned Owl
One of the many exciting signs of spring is finding a Great Horned Owl on nest. These Owls are among the earliest nesting birds in our area. They usually lay eggs somewhere around Feb. 14 and the normal incubation period is approximately 28-30 days. The female performs the incubation duties in all kinds of crazy weather! She may even be found covered with snow as she is most determined to protect her eggs! Stay tuned as we monitor this nest in the Great Blue Heron rookery near the Methuen Rail Trail in Methuen over the next many weeks!!
February 13, 2014 in Bald Eagle
In the middle of a heavy snow day, accidentally discovered this adult perched on the north side of the Merrimack River. To my surprise, just a short distance away, another adult was also perched. It was difficult to capture a sharp image due to lots of small branches in the way along with heavy snowflakes that can impact the autofocus function. It was also dark lighting conditions in the midst of the snowstorm! What a treat to upload the photos and observe the GPS transmitter antenna on the back of this Eagle!! No leg bands, which would allow for positive identification.
February 12, 2014 in Near the Clock Tower
Hanging out on one of the favorite morning perch locations above 200 Merrimack St. near the corner of South Union St. This perch is a protruding steel beam and allows for morning sun out of the wind!
