Lawrence Peregrines: 250 Canal St.

January 28, 2016 in Peregrines at 250 Canal St.

CF2C5951-001The Peregrines continue to be seen daily around the extended Clock Tower building and nearby.  They tend to stay in fairly close proximity to one another.  This morning, the female was on lower, east facing ledge with some prey in its grip.  the male was nearby atop one of the triangular rooftop pediments.  What fun to watch them both move around a few times!  This photo shows the unbounded female making a graceful landing with wings  fully outstretched!

Bald Eagle Nest: Essex County

January 28, 2016 in Bald Eagle

CF2C5832-001What a beautiful morning with clear skies, radiant sun, and temps warming up above 32 degrees! Thought it might be nice to check on the new Bald Eagle nest along the Merrimack River in Essex County.  What a terrific surprise to find two adult Bald Eagles perched proximate to the nest.  they were both just basking in the sun and enjoying the morning together!

Red-tailed Hawk: Lawrence

January 28, 2016 in Red-tailed Hawk

CF2C5812-001Noticed a number of Blue Jays pestering a larger bird that landed in a tree along the Merrimack River in Lawrence.  Upon drawing closer, discovered it was a Red-tailed Hawk!

Lawrence Peregrines: secret stash!

January 25, 2016 in Near the Clock Tower

CF2C5756-001First time seen in this location, with prey in talon, the female looks like she has grabbed prey and might have been thinking about stashing it away in a nearby rotted gutter with an opening for dry storage.  The male joined her before she flew off to the west!

Lawrence Peregrines: In the nest box!

January 25, 2016 in On the Clock Tower

CF2C5728-001Looked all over for the peregrines this morning only to find one of them in the west facing nest box.  As we get closer to breeding season, it is normal to find them just hanging out in or just outside the nest box!

Lawrence Peregrines: male and leg band 6/4

January 21, 2016 in Verizon Cell Tower

CF2C3981-001Patience is often a well rewarded virtue in the birding world.  Observed male peregrine for almost an hour this morning under blue skies, bright sun, winds NW at 15 MPH with gusts to 25 MPH, and wind chill in low teens.  The patience paid off with opportunity to capture photos that allowed later for positive ID by way of the black 6 over green 4 colored leg bands on the leg ankle.  This peregrine in the long standing champion male at the Lawrence nest in the Ayer Mill Clock Tower!

Bald Eagle Nest: Essex County

January 21, 2016 in Bald Eagle

CF2C3821-001Two local birders checked in late last week in regard to a large nest.  They wondered if this new nest might belong to a bald eagle family.  Had a chance to check it out over the weekend.  Little doubt in my mind that it was an eagle’s nest.  Made a visit this morning and what a thrill to find an adult bald eagle perched right by the nest.  The image was captured at quite a distance and serves as a documenting photo!  A very cool find thanks to the tip from friends!!

Lawrence Peregrines: male

January 20, 2016 in Verizon Cell Tower

CF2C3769-001The Lawrence Peregrines really enjoy the hot air exhaust vents at the Verizon Tower and tend to stay close to the vents.  Checked on them this morning and only found the male perched on one of the ledges.  The winds were strong at almost 20 MPH with gusts up to the mid-twenties.  Skies were clear with lots of bright sunshine and temps in the low 20’s and wind chill in the low single digits!  The left leg color bands are just barely visible.

Bald Eagle: Merrimack River

January 20, 2016 in Bald Eagle

CF2C3727-001Had an unexpected encounter with a likely 3rd year subadult Bald Eagle.  It was perched on a tree branch overhanging the Merrimack River in Methuen opposite the Lawrence Municipal Airport.  At first, it looked like possible Red-tailed Hawk through the thick tree branches….but after a closer second look and seeing the bill, then it was easy to make the eagle call.  The plumage points to a likely third year bird.  A nice unexpected treat while searching for adult eagles!

Lawrence Peregrines: Verizon Cell Tower

January 19, 2016 in Verizon Cell Tower

CF2C3717-001The Peregrines continue to huddle in the cold weather on the exhaust vent ledges on the south side of the Verizon Cell Tower in Lawrence.  Stopped by this morning and observed the male peregrine.  It was a blustery morning with winds blowing out of the west around 22 MPH with guts up to 30+ MPH…mostly cloudy skies and temps just below 20 degrees F and a windchill around zero!