Peregrine Falcon – male stays close to nest box!

March 29, 2014 in Near the Clock Tower

The female has now laid her fourth, and likely penultimate, or final egg.  The pair stays close to the nest box with the female performing over 2/3’s of the incubating duties.  The male is seen nearby the nest and frequently does a flyby on any nearby intruders to let others know that they are not the least bit welcome in the air space around the Clock Tower!  This image shows the male after making numerous aerial loops preparing to land atop the ball at the peak of the weathervane.

Peregrines copulating again!

March 9, 2014 in On the Clock Tower

The peregrines continue in copulation mode.  Had a short opportunity to fly by on Sunday night just before sunset and observed them both make aerial loops prior to the action on the back end of the Clock Tower weathervane.  They remained together for 9 seconds suggesting that the date for eggs is close and at this point possibly next week around March 20th…the first day of spring!

Peregrine defending nest territory

March 3, 2014 in Near the Clock Tower

A fascinating moment while observing a Cooper’s Hawk on a rooftop proximate by about 75 meters to the peregrine falcon nest box located in the Clock Tower.  The Cooper’s Hawk was perched on the edge of the roof.  Without much verbal warning the peregrine strafed to Cooper’s at first and then went into a more direct attack mode next round.  Found this description from Cornell Birds of North American Online:  “Cade’s model, with nesting cliff as center, in general seems fairly accurate: series of threshold perimeters surround eyrie with decreasing defense as distance from eyrie increases. Inner perimeter may be only 200 m; within that, attacks always occur. In outer perimeter, attacks only occur over food or favored perches.”  Now that Cooper’s hawk has been put on notice!

Peregrine Falcon pair; back on territory!

January 17, 2014 in On the Clock Tower

What a joy, not only make a number of peregrine sightings on Friday afternoon, but then to finally see both peregrines together atop the clock tower…..first time in 2 months seeing them together!  Hooray!  They both took turns in some playful flight around the clock tower in wonderful late day sunlight.  Then, so nice to watch the grace of a landing atop the ball that crowns the weathervane!

Photos posted:  http://www.pbase.com/birdshots/image/154171784

Enjoy!

Female Peregrine up close

October 20, 2013 in Near the Clock Tower

A spectacular early morning visit with clear blue skies, brilliant sunshine and great looks at the female Peregrine.  She had flown around the clock Tower a few times and then something caught her interest on the very SW corner rooftop of the Monarch Lofts apartment building.  She then perched there for a while then lifted off and perched incredibly close on the west side top of the parking garage.  Again, beautiful light and a magnificent looks at this amazing bird!

6 photos posted:  http://www.pbase.com/birdshots/image/152974769

Enjoy!

Peregrine in flight and then landing on weathervane!

October 9, 2013 in On the Clock Tower

Another beautiful morning visit with stunning sunlight and clear cobalt blue skies!  Both peregrines were around the clock tower coming and going for about 30 minutes.  After a variety of flight acrobatics, they then took a little time to perch together on the weathervane atop the clock tower.  Both of the peregrines departed and then one returned to perch on the ball at the top of the weathervane.  Photos posted of flight image, perched together image, and a series of peregrine approaching the ball!

8 Photos posted:   http://www.pbase.com/birdshots/image/152955125