Lawrence Peregrines at Verizon Tower

February 6, 2017 in Verizon Cell Tower

_W7I0328-001Took some time to look for the Lawrence Peregrines….no where to be found around the Clock Tower.  Crossed over the Merrimack River for a closer look at the hot air exhaust vents on the Verizon Cell Tower….sure enough, both falcons were on the same ledge enjoying the warm air outflow from the exhaust vents.  Very normal this time of year, especially when temps are well below freezing overnight.

With falcons on the same ledge, it provided a nice moment to appreciate the visible size difference between the male and the female!  The annual courtship process should begin in the next week or two!  Stay tuned!

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Lawrence Peregrines: female south side

January 17, 2017 in On the Clock Tower

_W7I3871-001A cold sunny morning with the female peregrine basking in the morning sun on the south side of the Ayer Mill Clock Tower.  She is perched on a ledge above and to the left of the south side clock face.  This is a very regular perch location in the morning during the colder months of the year!

Lawrence Peregrines: male at Verizon Tower

January 5, 2017 in Verizon Cell Tower

_W7I6536-001Another beautiful sunny morning with the male Peregrine Falcon basking in the sun on the 5th floor ledge on the south side of the Verizon Cell Tower, taking full advantage of the hot air exhaust vents…..warm air, warm sun…a nice combo in the deep part of winter!

Lawrence Peregrines: male at Verizon Tower

January 5, 2017 in Verizon Cell Tower

_W7I6536-001Found the male peregrine this morning perched on the 6th floor ledge on the south side of the Verizon Cell tower on Canal Street in Lawrence.  With temps in the 20’s, this is a favored perch this time of year due to hot air exhaust vents from the cell tower.  It was a sunny morning with light winds….and no sign of female peregrine nearby.

Lawrence Peregrines: just hanging out!

January 4, 2017 in On the Clock Tower

_W7I6460-001Made a pass by the Lawrence Peregrines this morning and was able to locate both male and female in proximate perch locations.  The female was perched on the south side of the Clock Tower on the ledge above and to the right of the clock face with the male on an east side, sunny side, ledge below the clock tower.  Both remained in place with little movement for more than 20 minutes!

 

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Lawrence Peregrines: female upper west ledge

December 29, 2016 in On the Clock Tower

_w7i6093-001Over past few months, at least one of the Lawrence Peregrines has been seen in the morning hours, perched on one of the ledges on the west side just above and to the left of the clock face.  This morning, it looks like it is the female just hanging out and stretching a bit with no worries.

 

Lawrence Peregrine: male with leg band

December 28, 2016 in Near the Clock Tower

_w7i5917-001Nice looks this morning of the male peregrine falcon under overcast skies as it feasted on pray.  The falcon was perched on the base of one of the triangular pediments.  It took a moment to lift its left leg, showing a silver federal band, suggesting it is the male!  No ability to see what it was tearing apart and feeding upon!

Lawrence Peregrines: male on Verizon ledge!

December 20, 2016 in Verizon Cell Tower

_w7i4255-001Another cold morning with the male Peregrine resting on a ledge at the Verizon Cell Tower on Canal Street in Lawrence.  The female was not seen this morning.  As temps push below 30 degrees, and often with wind chill making it feel colder, the peregrines are often found on one of these ledges, taking advantage of the warm air exhaust vents at the cell tower!  The photo provides a clear view of the black over green left leg band with the 6/4 numeric code.

Lawrence Peregrines: unbanded female

December 16, 2016 in Verizon Cell Tower

_w7i3238-001Made a pass by the Ayer Mill Clock Tower this afternoon about an hour before sunset in search of the peregrine falcons.  The wind was light, out of the west with the temp about 17 degrees and a wind chill making it feel about 8 degrees.  At these temperature levels, the peregrines will shift over to the hot air vents on the south side of the Verizon Communications Tower on Canal St. between Hampshire and Franklin Streets. Sure enough, found the female perched on one of the upper vent ledges.  Just happened to catch the peregrine take off in flight into the fading late day sun, with less than an hour of sunlight left in the day.  It circled four times and landed on the NW corner of the roof and then flew off and landed again with a closer look!  The male arrived and perched on a nearby hot air vent ledge.

For those with an interest, four photos posted:

http://www.pbase.com/birdshots/image/164709980

Lawrence Peregrines: male leg band 6/4

December 8, 2016 in Near the Clock Tower

_w7i2259-001While stopping by for a look at the Lawrence Peregrines, under cloudy skies, located the male peregrine on a triangular roof pediment at the NE corner of the New Balance building on Union Street above the south end of the Duck Bridge.  The male was facing north and taking in the view over the Merrimack River.  Then it turned, pooped, and took off in a SE direction over my head.  The change in posture provided a nice look at the leg bands with ability to see from photos the black over green 6/4 bands on the left leg.  Always nice to confirm positive ID!