Peregrine male atop weathervane!
January 22, 2015 in On the Clock Tower
So nice to see the male peregrine back on the tail strut on the weathervane atop the Clock Tower!!
You are browsing the Blog for lawrence peregrines.
Peregrine male — sunbathing
January 20, 2015 in Near the Clock Tower, Verizon Cell Tower
The male peregrines continues to await the return of his mate and enjoys this perch at the nearby Verizon cell Tower!
Peregrine female (V/5): update from Tufts Wildlife Center
January 16, 2015 in Near the Clock Tower
From Jess who serves as the Wildlife Program Assistant at the Tufts Wildlife Clinic in North Grafton, MA.
It appears as though she may have a fracture in her shoulder, this will take time to heal. She has pain medication on board and has a great appetite.
Hopefully, she has a strong recovery path and is able to be returned in time for start of breeding season!
Peregrine female (V/5) needs more respite care!
January 15, 2015 in Near the Clock Tower
From Tom French at MassWildlife:
Over the past week the adult female in Lawrence (V/5) has been on the ground twice. On Monday, January 5th she was found in a residential backyard about ¾ mile west of the clock tower. A toe on her left foot was scrapped and broken. She was picked up late in the day by the ACO and transferred to an experienced local falconer to hold. The next day when I spoke with the falconer, It sounded like she had probably struck something but had shaken it off. She was strong, alert, feisty, and in good weight with no evidence of any wing injuries. She eagerly ate a homing pigeon. However, a winter storm had begun, so I had her held over a second night and released the next morning. She flew from the ground right back up to the clock tower. It seemed like a good release, but yesterday I learned that she had been found on the ground again, so she was taken to the Tufts Wildlife Clinic. The cause of her problems is still not clear, but I will let you know when there is more news.
This female was caught by hand at her nest on June 4, 2003. So, she was banded as a two year old adult, so we do not know where she was born. She is coming up on 14 years old in May. Since 2003, she has raised at least 31 chicks (17 males & 14 females) to fledging. Since her nest site in 2005 was not located, she probably raised a few more. In the 11 years where her nest site was known, she has never failed to fledge at least one chick.
All of these years, her mate has been 2206-59866, 6*/4* black/green banded on the NH Tower Bldg., Manchester, NH 06-07-01. Manchester is 25 miles N. of Lawrence.
Peregrine male at Verizon Tower
January 15, 2015 in Near the Clock Tower, Verizon Cell Tower
The male peregrine falcon has been regularly seen in one of the nearby day perch locations. This spot provides a setting out of the wind, many times with sun, and perhaps is near to warm air exhaust vents! He awaits the return of his long time mate!
Peregrine female (V/5) injured, cared for, and released
January 11, 2015 in Near the Clock Tower
From an article in the Eagle Tribune Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015
LAWRENCE — An injured Peregrine falcon was set free this week after being taken care of by Lawrence police. On Tuesday, a Coolidge Street woman called police saying she’d found a falcon that appeared to be hurt. Animal Control Officer Ellen Bistany Mastorakis tapped Det. David Augusta, a licensed falconer, for his help. The falcon appeared to have a scrape on one of its digits, so Mastorakis and Augusta together stretched a nylon over the bird. The nylon created a straight-jacket of sorts on the falcon, so Augusta could get a good a good look at her talons. “Which are like knives. So is the beak,” Mastorakis said.
The two took the falcon back to the pound. They found a band on one of it’s legs with a number. A call to the state revealed this falcon was banded while nesting in the city’s Ayer Mill Clock Tower in 2003. “They figured she was two years old at the time. So that makes her 14,” Mastorakis said. The falcon’s wings were fine. So Wednesday afternoon, Augusta expertly set the falcon free again. Based on her history, however, it doesn’t sound like she’ll go far.
Article by: By Jill Harmacinski
Photo by Paul Bilodeau: Lawrence Police Det. Dave Augusta lets a female Peregrine falcon go after it was found in an alley in Lawrence. Augusta fed the falcon and released it a day later, making sure it was not hurt.
Peregrine Falcon, adult
January 9, 2015 in Verizon Cell Tower
In a late afternoon search for the Lawrence Peregrines, and with none in sight around the Clock Tower, cast my gaze to other off season perch locations. This time of year, the peregrines may frequently be found atop the nearby Verizon Cell Tower on the opposite side of the river and NW from Clock Tower. While heading north on Parker St (Rt. 114) and going over the bridge, noticed a perched bird on the side of the Verizon Tower building. Parked nearby and sure enough, one of my long lost friends! Looked like it just finished a snack and was perched just out of the wind! What a joy to make this sighting!!
Peregrine on rooftop at 200 Merrimack St.
November 10, 2014 in Near the Clock Tower
Both peregrines are seen regularly perched atop the triangular pediments around the southeast corner of 200 Merrimack St. in Lawrence. On sunny days they are beautifully lit up by the morning sun. They may be better viewed from the top floor of the nearby parking garage!
Peregrines rooftop perch!
October 30, 2014 in Near the Clock Tower
The pair of adult peregrines are seen with almost daily regularity on and around the Clock Tower in Lawrence. This morning they were perched atop roof pediments located on the southeast corner of the brick building at 200 Merrimack St just above the stoplights at Merrimack and south Union Streets. It is always a thrill to watch them burst into flight mode and loop around the local area.
For those with an interest, more flight photos posted:
http://www.pbase.com/birdshots/image/158046045 Click “next” upper right corner to advance!
Enjoy!
Peregrine atop nearby utility pole
October 8, 2014 in Near the Clock Tower
The peregrines were both seen late this afternoon in flight and perched around the Clock Tower. While enjoying a short visit, there were numerous sorties after nearby prey and other uninvited local intruders. As the sun was getting low in the sky, the female with clearly seen leg bands (V/5) came to rest on a favorite utility pole perch along Merrimack St. The close views were unexpected but very enjoyable!
