Peregrine Falcons: Watertown pair

March 16, 2018 in Peregrine Falcons Eastern Massachusetts, Peregrine Falcons Massachusetts

_W7I2423-001Stopped by for an early afternoon look for peregrines.  The pair of Peregrine Falcons in Watertown have been seen in and around the nest box area.  They have been in both perch mode and flight mode around the upper levels of the nest box building.  Every reason to believe they are nearing time to lay eggs….stay tuned!

This is likely the male peregrine. The female was just barely visible in front of the nest box entry on the roof.  Weather conditions, mostly cloudy, winds from NW at 23MPH, with gusts up to 40MPH, and temps in mid-thirties.

Peregrine Falcons: Watertown

October 8, 2017 in Peregrine Falcons Eastern Massachusetts, Peregrine Falcons Massachusetts

While heading home, had a nice opportunity to check on the Peregrine Falcons in Watertown.  This is a known nesting pair that have been in residence the last few years.  It was mostly sunny, with east winds  at 10MPH, and temp at 60F.

_W7I8759-001The adult male was seen on the front of the building in great light.  It was  stretching and preening.  Adults commonly stretch single leg or wing laterally; stand on one leg and stretch opposite leg back to side, simultaneously stretching wing from same side across extended leg. Peregrines also double-wing stretch (warble), bird bends forward and down raising both wings over back, sometimes fully extending wings at wrist; seen more in fledglings; may be followed by wing-flapping.

_W7I8953-001The larger female was seen nearby at a higher elevation near the nest box.  She then departed, made two aerial loops, and landed near the male at same elevation 8-10 feet away.  She proceeded to communicate with the male with head bowing and other movements.  In this display, her approach was entirely horizontal (head, body, and tail all in one plane) with a slight lowering of her head.  Her bill was pointed at the male and not towards the ledge. She paused to look at the male infrequently.  Fascinating to watch!

Peregrine Falcons: Watertown breeding pair!

April 17, 2017 in Peregrine Falcons Eastern Massachusetts

_W7I5313-001Made a visit to Watertown tonight in search of a pair of breeding Peregrine Falcons that had been reported recently by friends.  The pair has been in residence for the past few years and have a well located nest box in the penthouse section of an office building with wonderful views.  The night was mostly cloudy with some breaks with bright sunlight bursting through for some nice photos.

It was near sunset and the light was starting to fade a bit, with winds from the west at 16MPH, gusts over 20MPH, and temps in upper 60F.  Both adults were seen in flight and perched around the building envelope.  A falcon cam is in place but malfunctioned prior to egg laying so no date certainty on start of eggs being laid…stay tuned!

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