August 22, 2016 in On the Clock Tower
One of the favorite morning perches is on a ledge above the west face of the Clock Tower. A cool spot away from direct sun and rising temps. Well hidden and easy for takeoff in hot pursuit!
August 18, 2016 in Peregrine Falcon Woburn
Stopped by to observe the Woburn Peregrines this morning while making a run for fresh morning gingerbread muffins. Had quite a treat to watch both female and male adult peregrines. The sun was darting in and out with light winds. Not much flight action but a joy to see both adults near one another! The female was showing off her silver federal leg band on the right ankle. The male was able to catch some early morning sunshine!
August 18, 2016 in Peregrine Falcon Woburn
A wonderful report and documenting photos just in from Peter Green in Providence RI on one of the 2014 hatch year peregrine falcon chicks from Woburn, MA:
RI-DOT (Dept of Transportation) was recently inspecting the old Sakonnet River Bridge when they spotted the falcons and gave me the tip. They were able to read the “44” on the band and I got the “BD” so together we pieced together “44/BD” and I knew it must have been banded by Tom French because he uses green/black with the letters BD. There is already a new bridge up and being used, this old bridge will be torn down in 2017 and the falcons will need to relocate.
Peter Green is a very talented bird and wildlife photographer in Providence, RI with a keen interest in urban raptors. You are encouraged to check out his amazing work on his website http://www.providenceraptors.com and feel free to look at his impressive list of select exhibits and presentations!
Here is more info from Tom French:
“This is the latest I have ever heard for unfledged Peregrine chicks. These chicks appear to be about six weeks old, so they would have hatched around June 24, and the eggs would have been laid about May 22. I have never heard of Peregrines raising two broods in a single season, so I expect this was the result of re-nesting after losing the first clutch of eggs. From my experience, recycling takes about 2 weeks, so the first clutch would have been lost about May 8. I have had first clutches completed at least as late as April 19, so the clutch might have been about 2 ½ weeks old. If the clutch was much older when lost, I don’t think the female would re-lay. So, the dates potentially work for a lost first clutch, and a successful second.”
And finally, thanks to Tom French, here is the original banding information for Peregrine Falcon 44/BD:
Band numbers: 1156-19120, and 44/BD black over green
Banding date and location: 06-24-14, MA, Middlesex Co., Woburn, on a long-abandoned quarry wall, behind an industrial park.
Sex: Male
Siblings: Two, 1 male (45/BD), 1 female (75/BD).
Other reports after fledging: On October 5, 2014, he was identified on the beach at the south tip of Gooseberry Neck, Westport, Bristol Co., MA by Mark Lynch of Worcester.
Your report: Nesting on the Sakonnet Bridge, 0.9 miles north of Tiverton, Newport Co., RI. Band number confirmed 08-05-16.
August 17, 2016 in Peregrine Falcon Woburn
The female peregrine falcon was seen early this evening perched somewhat forward at the nest ledge. She was showing her silver federal leg band along with just a clear look at her bi-colored black over green (32/BC) leg bands. It was mostly cloudy with winds at 10 MPH out of the north and the temperature around 77 degrees and moderate humidity. She remained perched for over 30 minutes with moments of eye closing drowsiness. Peregrine Falcons can sleep with one eye open, as half of their brain is alert while the other is asleep. This is called unihemispheric slow-wave sleep (USWS) and it allows the sleeping falcon to spring into action quickly from rest if a threat approaches while still being able to satisfactorily rest if no threat arises!
August 16, 2016 in On the Clock Tower
Had a nice moment to observe both adults perching proximate to one another on the Clock Tower just after 6 pm. The skies were overcast with light winds, light rain, 78 degrees and high humidity. The male was perched on the lateral post that sticks out from the nest box. The bi-colored leg bands (6/4) were just barely visible. Peregrines maintain a high fidelity to the nest site and will actively defend their home site from any and all intruders.
The female was perched farther up on the NW corner of the roof on the Clock Tower! She spent a bit of time caching away but did not move from her perch location.
August 16, 2016 in On the Clock Tower
On many mornings during the hot stretches, one of the peregrines is likely found in the shade on the west side of the Clock Tower. One of the popular perches is on one of the ledges diagonally just above the clock face. It provides the peregrine with shade, plenty of height, and a nice amount of space to loaf for a while with excellent views to the west and over the Merrimack River!
August 15, 2016 in Peregrine Falcon Woburn
Made a pass by the Woburn Peregrines just before noon and observed the male peregrine falcon just resting tucked a bit inside the nest ledge. This perch works nicely as a way to remain mostly in the shade during the middle of the hot days!
August 11, 2016 in Verizon Cell Tower
The Verizon Cell Tower has been a very regular perch locations for the Lawrence Peregrines these past two months. Both the adults and two of the hatch year chicks have been seen with some frequency. This sighting was just the two adults. It was nice to zero in on the alpha numeric bi-color leg band (6/4) in the photograph and to confirm yet another sighting of this long-time male peregrine.
According to Christian Martin at NH Audubon, the male (6/4) in Lawrence was born in Manchester, NH in 2001 to a first year nesting pair. There were four chicks in the brood and he was the runt of the brood. The big question at that time, was, will this runt of the brood make it to adult life?
As of February 2012, the runt of the 2001 brood is the only one to survive from the original group. This Peregrine Falcon has a very healthy breeding history with a history starting in 2003 at this site in Lawrence.
His leg bands are 6*/4* black over green. The “*” indicates that the numbers are not vertical, but are laid over on their sides on the band. The service number on his other leg band is 2206-59866. As of August 2016, the champion breeder has just turned 15 years old!
The second photo shows his new number one girl and the mother of the 2016 hatch year brood of 4 chicks!
August 10, 2016 in Peregrine Falcon Woburn
Stopped by to watch the Woburn Peregrines on the way home. Discovered the male perched on one of the favorite rocky outcroppings to the east of the nest ledge. It remained in place for over 20 minutes just hanging out and even napping for short stretches!
August 8, 2016 in Peregrine Falcon Woburn
The adult male peregrine falcon also makes a regular perch to the east of the nest ledge and slightly above. It seems like a tight spot. This perch has a lot of whitewash streaking down over the rocks below!
