Lawrence Peregrines: rooftop

March 20, 2018 in Near the Clock Tower, Peregrine Falcons Eastern Massachusetts, Peregrine Falcons Massachusetts

_W7I3882-001Arrived in the Clock Tower area close to 6:15 pm and located both peregrines on the south edge of the New Balance building along Merrimack Street.  The male sat quietly without moving much.  The female was closer to the SW corner and she was cleaning her bill against the edge of the roof line!

Lawrence Peregrines: Verizon Cell Tower

March 20, 2018 in Verizon Cell Tower

_W7I3799-001Made a mid-morning visit in search of the peregrines and located the male perched on one of the exhaust vent ledges on the nearby Verizon Cell Tower.  This winter has seen the peregrines perch much later than usual at the Verizon Cell Tower, as egg laying time draws near.  Typically, in the weeks leading up to egg laying time, they stay very close to the Clock Tower, and defend their territory from all nearby intruders.  This morning the male was seen loafing in the sun at the Verizon Tower!

Lawrence Peregrines: nest box perch

March 19, 2018 in In the Nest Box, lawrence peregrines, Peregrine Falcons Eastern Massachusetts, Peregrine Falcons Massachusetts

_W7I3356-001Made a short visit under late day sun with adult female perched outer edge of nest box, enjoying the sun.  She has been in or near the nest box the last number of days.  She is lethargic and slow in moving around, with egg laying time very near by!

Lawrence Peregrine: Verizon Cell Tower

March 15, 2018 in Verizon Cell Tower

_W7I2308-001Had but a few moments to look for the peregrines; none at Clock Tower, so made a fast pass by the Verizon Cell Tower.  Normally, at this point in the calendar, both peregrines would be always found in and around the Clock Tower making sure their territory is well defended, and ready for the breeding season.  Not so today, with the male perched on an upper ledge at Cell Tower, under clear skies, bright sun, winds out of west close to 20MPH and gusts over 25MPH, and temps around 40F

Lawrence Peregrine: perched on ledge!

March 12, 2018 in On the Clock Tower

_W7I2288-001Another morning visit to the Lawrence Peregrines at the Ayer Mill Clock Tower, under clear skies, bright sun, wind out of north at 8MPH, and temp just above 30F.  Observed both peregrines loafing on upper level perches on the west side of the Tower.  One of them flew off while the other remained on a ledge above and to the left of the west side clock face.

Lawrence Peregrines: pair bonding underway!

February 12, 2018 in lawrence peregrines, Near the Clock Tower, Peregrine Falcons Eastern Massachusetts, Peregrine Falcons Massachusetts

_W7I7077-001Made a morning run by the Clock Tower in search of the Lawrence Peregrines. Mostly cloudy, wind from NW at 9MPH, and temp around 42F.

The female was perched on the short but prominent steel beam on south side of Merrimack Street near intersection with Union Street. This is a very regular perch location in the morning, as the weather warms up.

 _W7I7129-001She was midway through a morning snack, when the male zoomed in and snatched the goodies….pair bonding underway!

Lawrence Peregrines: Verizon Cell Tower warm air vents

January 25, 2018 in Verizon Cell Tower

_W7I5963-001Made a morning sweep in search of the Lawrence Peregrines, by first passing by the Ayer Mill Clock Tower, and then onto the Verizon Cell Tower. Weather conditions: bright sun, clear skies, wind out of NW at 9MPH, and temp rising to 24F.  The Cell Tower is one of the most regular perch locations in the colder winter months due to the warm air exhaust vents on the south side of the building!

Lawrence Peregrines – female with bulging crop

December 7, 2017 in Verizon Cell Tower

_W7I1895-001A beautiful morning with clear skies, bright sun, west wind at 9MPH and temp just above 40F. Adult female peregrine falcon perched on the south side of the Verizon Cell Tower on 6th floor ledge enjoying the hot air exhaust vents and morning sunshine; note bulging crop!

Lawrence Peregrines: pair around Clock Tower

November 15, 2017 in On the Clock Tower

_W7I7433-001Both adult peregrines have been lounging around the Clock Tower in recent days.  This is very normal for this time of year, as it is important to maintain territorial defense around the nest box.  This morning the female was seen on an upper ledge on the west side of the Clock Tower.  This has been a regular morning perch location.  The male was found around the corner on a short protruding steel beam just below the roof line on the south side of the mill complex along Merrimack Street.  It is a prime spot to bask in the morning sun and out of the wind!

Lawrence Peregrines: Verizon Cell Tower!

November 10, 2017 in Peregrine Falcons Eastern Massachusetts, Verizon Cell Tower

_W7I6768-001As the late fall temperatures drop below 30 degrees, the Peregrines start to spend more time at the nearby Verizon Cell Tower near the corner of Hampshire and Canal Streets.  They tend to perch on the fifth and sixth floor ledges located on the south side of the building.  These ledges are next to hot air exhaust vents.  These vents provide excellent heat during the colder months.

Found both adults happily perched near one another on sixth floor ledges in late afternoon.