Peregrine Falcon: Albany St., Boston, MA

October 15, 2017 in Peregrine Falcons Eastern Massachusetts, Peregrine Falcons Massachusetts

_W7I0923-001This female peregrine falcon was first observed while it was circling in flight over the access road off of SE Expressway while I was driving north.  With a little bit of extra time in the schedule, was thankfully able to divert and search the local area around Albany Street.  It was quite a treat to discover the perched falcon on a building security camera at the corner of the rooftop level! The seven story building is occupied National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories (NEIDL) located at 620 Albany Street.  The peregrine was seen from outside the tight security fence surrounding the building.

It was a nice afternoon under partly sunny skies, Wind: SW 14MPH, 72F.

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This is the resident female from the Christian Science Church administration building at 177 Huntington Avenue. Captured at nest on 05-24-17 by Norm Smith with a hand net and banded as an “After Second Year” (ASY) female – 1947-35707, and 05/BV black over green leg band on the left leg.

Peregrine Falcons: Taunton Green

October 15, 2017 in Peregrine Falcons Eastern Massachusetts

_W7I0376-001The pair of Peregrine Falcons in downtown Taunton remain close to each other in the off season.  On most visits, it is easy to locate and observe both adults from Taunton Green and other nearby vantage points.  They remain active and engage in territorial defense of their home territory.  After arrival, the male was found perched atop one of the granite turrets on the Courthouse and launched into flight mode.  Soon after, the female landed on an upper granite ledge and extended her left leg just enough to allow positive ID of her left leg color-coded band.

Here is male launching into flight mode!

_W7I0584-001The black/green left leg band revealed the alphanumeric code: 64/V; Banding date and location: May 20, 2008, NY, Long Island, Nassau Co., East Meadow, Nassau University Medical Center.

 

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 Falcon: Woburn male

October 2, 2017 in Peregrine Falcon Woburn, Peregrine Falcons Eastern Massachusetts

_W7I8655-001A Monday morning flyby visit with clear skies, bright sun, winds from NW at 5MPH, and temp at 63F.  The adult male was perched on the nest ledge and preening with its bill.  Preening keeps the feathers neat, preserving their streamlining and insulating effects as well as their color pattern.  Preening may help to remove any possible external parasites.

Peregrine Falcon: Woburn chase scene!

September 28, 2017 in Peregrine Falcon Woburn, Peregrine Falcons Eastern Massachusetts, Peregrine Falcons Massachusetts

_W7I7913-001After arrival in the general quarry area, it took a while to locate the male.  He was well hidden behind a small clump of weeds growing out of the rocks.  A number of local pigeons were active flying around the quarry.  It was partly sunny, with winds from the north at 15MPH and the temp was 73F.  Without much warning, the male launched into flight in a springboard takeoff in pursuit of the pigeons.

 

 

_W7I8040-001He made a half-hearted chase and then looped back around to land at the nest ledge!  He remained vigilant in watching the continuing pigeon flight activity!

Peregrine Falcon: Woburn adult male

August 28, 2017 in Peregrine Falcon Woburn, Peregrine Falcons Eastern Massachusetts, Peregrine Falcons Massachusetts

_W7I4790-001Monday morning visit to quarry with sighting of perched adult male nestled on a ledge, in the shade, with no activity.  As always, many pigeons in flight nearby, but no other birds or hawks that might  have prompted falcon into flight.  Mostly sunny conditions with little wind and temps in low 60’s.

Peregrine Falcon: Woburn adult male

August 7, 2017 in Peregrine Falcon Woburn, Peregrine Falcons Eastern Massachusetts, Peregrine Falcons Massachusetts

_W7I3824-001During a short brief visit to the Woburn Peregrines this morning, discovered the male well hidden behind one of the rocky outcroppings. On some visits, it takes some added time to find one of the adults as they tend to blend in so well with little movement!  Here he was just barely visible!

Peregrine Falcon: Woburn female

August 3, 2017 in Peregrine Falcon Woburn, Peregrine Falcons Eastern Massachusetts, Peregrine Falcons Massachusetts

_W7I3796-001A nice mid-afternoon visit to the Woburn Peregrines with nice looks at the female in the midst of a right leg stretch!  The sun had ducked behind the west quarry wall but the overall lighting was till fairly good.  she was perched on one of her favorite tree branch perch locations with no other activity going on in the general area.  She appears to have a full crop after a likely recent meal.

Peregrine Falcons: East Cambridge pair

June 14, 2017 in Peregrine Falcons Eastern Massachusetts, Peregrine Falcons Massachusetts

_W7I0151-001Here is a look at the female on watch at the nest box with the male nearby.  From a distance, only one chick has been visible and is close to fledge time!

Peregrine Falcons: Watertown

June 13, 2017 in Peregrine Falcons Eastern Massachusetts, Peregrine Falcons Massachusetts

_W7I0116-001Made a visit to look at the Peregrine Falcons in Watertown.  It was just as a heat wave was subsiding and the late temp was moving down into the high 70’s.  One of the adults was seen on a ledge, on the SW corner of the building.  It was still panting from the heat and keeping it’s wings a bit spread and lifted up to keep cool.  Another adult was nearby and one chick, had fledged and was on a lower ledge beneath the nest box.