Lawrence Peregrines: so ready!

June 6, 2016 in In the Nest Box

CF2C3209-001What a sight seeing these young 2016 peregrines lining up to take flight out in the world!  This may well be the last group photo for this year’s graduating class!

Peregrine Falcon in flight: Haverhill

June 6, 2016 in Peregrine Falcons Haverhill

_W7I0167-001What a sight to watch the peregrines in flight around the Basiliere Bridge over the Merrimack River in Haverhill.  As the chicks have started to fledge, the female has made intermittent aerial loops around the bridge especially when nearby construction workers pass from one end of the bridge to the other!  More flight photos:  http://www.pbase.com/birdshots/image/163429558

Click “next” in upper right corner to advance frames!

Peregrine Falcon chick: Haverhill

June 6, 2016 in Peregrine Falcons Haverhill

_W7I0066-001Just down the river in Haverhill, the other group of peregrine chicks are also ready to fledge.  This is a view front he bridge looking straight down on one of the chicks.  The last little bits of down feathers remain on the crown….so it is just about fledge time!

Lawrence Peregrines: 4 chicks ready to fledge!

June 5, 2016 in In the Nest Box

CF2C2986-001The 4 Lawrence Peregrine chicks are so ready to fledge! At close to 40 days old, aside from perhaps a tuft of down feathers remaining on the crown, these 4 peregrine chicks are fully developed and ready to take flight. Their next major change in appearance will be around one year of age, when they begin to molt and acquire their adult plumage as their feathers are replaced.  Stay tuned!!

Peregrine chick: Woburn!

June 3, 2016 in Peregrine Falcon Woburn

CF2C2674-001After months of watching the Peregrine Falcons in Woburn, and wondering whether a young female, not yet a year old, would form a mating pair bond with the resident, older, unbanded male…..they finally came together!

The mating process started much later, and lasted much longer than any of the regular observers thought possible. Then in the middle/later weeks of April, the female began to demonstrate nesting behavior consistent with the egg incubation process.

Since then, the female has been sitting low and practically out of sight, consistent with sitting on, and incubating
eggs. No way of knowing how many eggs were hatched this year. The peregrine falcon female usually lays
3 to 4 eggs. Stay tuned….

This afternoon, stopped by and observed the female in visible feeding mode….confirming chicklets! The chicks are probably around 10 – 12 days old. From quite a distance away, and under challenging light conditions, was able to capture a few documenting photos.

For those with an interest, 3 feeding photos posted:

http://www.pbase.com/birdshots/image/163375569

Click “next” upper right to advance frames!

Peregrine Falcons: Haverhill – adult pair

June 3, 2016 in Peregrine Falcons Haverhill

CF2C2433-001For the most part, the female has been on watch near the nest as the chicks grow.  The male is always nearby but at times almost out of sight.  The pair sensed that some activity was going on near the nest and they perched together to better observe what was going on.  A treat to see both together on the twisted piece of rebar sticking out front he bridge on west side.  Note the smaller banded male and the larger unbanded female.

Peregrine Falcon chick – Haverhill

June 3, 2016 in Peregrine Falcons Haverhill

CF2C2566-001The staff at MassWildlife worked on coordinated plans with Mass DOT and local volunteers to arrange access to the 2016 Peregrine Falcon nest site in Haverhill for the purpose of banding this year’s chicks.  After arrival, concern was expressed in regard to the age of the young peregrines and the uncertainty in regard to making a safe approach.  The risk centered on making an attempt to capture the falcons without causing them to accidentally fall into the Merrimack River below the bridge nest site.  It was determined that the risk was greater than the benefit…..so no banding for this year.  Had a nice look at one of the chicks from a kayak below the nest site.  Looks to be almost 5 weeks old and almost ready to fledge!

More photos:   http://www.pbase.com/birdshots/image/163379144

Click “next” upper right corner to advance frames!

Lawrence Peregrines: approaching 5 weeks!

June 2, 2016 in In the Nest Box

CF2C2128-001The Lawrence Peregrines look to be approaching 5 weeks of age and are now within a few days of being able to take flight for the first time!  The remaining down feathers are now only seen on lower back, lower legs, and on the crown.  The three amigos are basking in the late afternoon sun with winds from the east around 9 MPH and temps in low 60’s…..very nice!

Lawrence Peregrines: White Pantaloons!

June 1, 2016 in In the Nest Box

CF2C2074-001The Lawrence Peregrines look to be a few days away from fledging, or making first flight.  The age of the white pantaloons! This may happen a day or two earlier or later, but most chicks do go through this phase around Day 33 where they have large fluffs of down conspicuously surrounding their legs, much more prominently than anywhere else on their bodies.  This photo shows three of the four chicks!