Cooper’s Hawk: Pacific Mills, Lawrence, MA

August 31, 2016 in Nearby Landbirds

_w7i2535-001Under cloudy skies, made a late afternoon search for the Lawrence Peregrines after a sighting at the nest box mid-afternoon.  A medium-sized perched hawk of some type captured my attention, in the distance across the Merrimack River.  It was perched atop the weathervane on the NW corner of the Pacific Mills apartment building.  After getting to the rooftop of the parking lot located at Canal & Appleton Streets, was able to make a positive ID of a Cooper’s Hawk!

Lawrence Peregrines: female balancing outside nestbox!

August 31, 2016 in In the Nest Box

_w7i2389-001Made a short visit mid-afternoon to find the unbanded female in the midst of a balancing act on the perch pole outside of the nest box!

Lawrence Peregrine: adult male on the weathervane!

August 30, 2016 in On the Clock Tower

_W7I2079-001With wind out of the west at just under 10 MPH, 80 degrees, and clear blue skies, had a nice opportunity to observe the adult male Peregrine Falcon atop the Ayer Mill Clock Tower.  The male was seen in the late day sun perched on the back strut of the weathervane….a favorite perch over the years!

Lawrence Peregrines: adult pair

August 30, 2016 in On the Clock Tower

_W7I2033-001Checked all around the Clock Tower this morning only to find both Lawrence Peregrines on the east side in the shade.  What a morning with bright cobalt blue skies, very light winds and the temperature pushing through 70 degrees.  The adult pair have been seen together quite a bit over the past week.  Lots of idle perching time with little flight action.

One of the adults was perched on the upper left ledge above the clock face on the west of the tower.  The other peregrine was perched on top of the nest box window frame.

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Peregrine Falcon: Woburn – preening

August 30, 2016 in Peregrine Falcon Woburn

_W7I2017-001Nice looks this morning of the adult male peregrine falcon in Woburn as it sat on the perch by the nest ledge.  It spent most of its time preening feathers and just taking it slow.

Peregrine Falcon: Woburn – adult female with legs bands 32/BC

August 25, 2016 in Near the Clock Tower

_W7I1776-001The peregrine falcon adults in Woburn have both been seen with regularity over the past week.
During my visits they have been perched in the shade and taking it easy. Not a lot of action!

While driving by for a brief look this evening, discovered the banded (32/BC) adult female perched on one of the utility wires in the southwest section of the overall parking area. Watched her for about 20 minutes in the fading light and as the clouds rolled in. She took off in flight and landed on an upper rocky outcropping to the west of the nest ledge.

For those with an interest, 3 photos posted:

http://www.pbase.com/birdshots/image/163949422

Click “next” in upper right to advance frames!

Peregrine Falcon female: Woburn

August 24, 2016 in Peregrine Falcon Woburn

_w7i1663-001A beautiful Wednesday morning with lots of sunshine!  Both adult peregrines quietly perched mostly in the shade with very little activity!  The silver federal leg band is showing on the right ankle.

Peregrine Falcon: Woburn adult female

August 23, 2016 in Peregrine Falcon Woburn

_W7I1310-001While on the way home, made a short stop to observe the Woburn Peregrine Falcons.  One of the regular peregrine watchers, Jill, was just departing.  She had a nice chance to watch the adult female as well as the 2016 hatch year fledgling.  They had both departed, prompting Jill to do the same.  Minutes later, storming in from the south, was the adult female.  She flew directly onto Pinnacle Rock, well above the nest ledge, and remained in place as the late day light was fading away.

Lawrence Peregrine: adult female cacking away!

August 23, 2016 in In the Nest Box

_W7I1221-001Had beautiful looks at the adult female peregrine falcon early this evening under clear skies, low humidity, SW winds at 13 MPH, and temp around 77 degrees.  It was about an hour before sunset under stunning light conditions!  The adult female was perched at the rim of the nestbox and then moved out onto the wooden perch.  The adult male was making aerial loops way overhead and that prompted a series of cacking replies from the female!

Woburn: Juvenile Cooper’s Hawk

August 22, 2016 in Nearby Landbirds

_W7I1047-001After pulling in to observe the Woburn Peregrines, had a nice show from three Cooper’s Hawk in an active series of aerial loops and active chase sequences.  The participants included two adult Cooper’s and a juvenile.  The juvenile Cooper’s has yellowish eyes and thin dark breast streaks.  At one point, the unbanded male peregrine falcon asserted his territorial defense with two chase efforts and then was satisfied with no further action!  The juvenile Cooper’s was a beauty to watch and photograph in fading late day low light!

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