October 6, 2014 in In the Nest Box
Both adult peregrines continue to be seen in all the normal fall perch locations around the Clock Tower. They tend to favor the west side in late afternoon and frequently retreat to the nest box perch in response to any nearby activity.
September 24, 2014 in In the Nest Box
Late afternoon midweek visit to Clock Tower provided nice views of both male and female. They were seen both perched and in flight in stunning late afternoon light. The female will frequently visit the nest box in the off season. In this perch moment, she is turned in just the right way to expose her left ankle. This provides confirmation of her black/green V/5 leg bands and helps us to know that she remains healthy and well. What a delight to be able to observe these urban dwellers most days this time of year and to see them in a variety of perch locations.
Two fascinating peregrines updates from online sources:
Skydivers and a diving peregrine from BBC News: http://www.breakingnews.ie/discover/watch-a-falcon-outrace-skydivers-from-10000-feet-643545.html
New book from Great Britain – Urban Peregrines: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-29381032
Enjoy!
September 23, 2014 in Near the Clock Tower
The Peregrines were both seen this morning in looping flight around the Clock Tower. It was three years ago this week that they first came to my attention! They have been a source of fascination and close observation ever since. This time of year, they seem to have returned from their summer forays, perhaps at Plum Island. They are seen from here on in with great regularity.
September 10, 2014 in On the Clock Tower
The Peregrine Falcons have been seen with regularity over the past few days. The adult pair were only seen a few times on the Clock Tower during the month of August. Almost every sighting was just a solo sighting and never of the pair. However, in the last few days, the pair have returned from summer camp on Plum Island and are perching in many of their normal perch locations. They are also fully engaged in reminding neighbors and visitors about their territory around the Clock Tower! This image shows the male perched on the outside edge of the nest box.
June 12, 2014 in On the Clock Tower
After a few days remaining in the nest box, the third and final chick fledged on Thursday. In the late afternoon, had a nice opportunity to observe the fledgling on a lower ledge closer to Merrimack Street. It was testing its wings and hopping along a ledge. Not only a treat to watch from a close vantage point, but also had the chance to observe and document the black/green bicolor leg bands used on peregrines in Eastern United States. This fledgling has black numbers (59) over green letters (BD).
More photos: http://www.pbase.com/birdshots/image/156086349
There is an international protocol in North America for colored leg bands on Peregrine Falcons. The color indicates the origin or subspecies for chicks banded in the nest. The colors in the protocol and their meaning are:
Red Captive bred
Black/red bicolor Eastern United States
Black/green bicolor Eastern United States
Blue Tundra Peregrines
Black/blue bicolor Tundra or Anatum captured off the breeding grounds or subspecies unknown
Green Peale’s Peregrines
Black Anatum Peregrines
Characters used on the Peregrine bands are letters and numbers, with one character on the top of the band and one character on the bottom of the band. Older bands may have these characters either vertical or tipped ninety degrees to the left. Newer bands have all vertical characters.
June 11, 2014 in On the Clock Tower
The fledglings continue to be seen in a variety of locations around the Clock Tower with one of first two fledglings remaining for a day on a nearby ledge. The older fledgling has flown to upper ledges and even atop the weathervane at the top of the Clock Tower!
June 10, 2014 in On the Clock Tower
The peregrine chicks took their first flights away from the nest over this past weekend. Not always choosing to or being capable of returning to the nest site, they will be found in different locations around the Clock Tower like these 2 on a nearby lower ledge!
June 4, 2014 in In the Nest Box
Most of the down, save for a few tufts on top of the head, has given way to regular plumage. They continue with bouts of wing-flapping. The oldest chick is the boldest chick in terms of getting ready to fledge. The oldest has gone form wing flapping in the box to flapping on the lateral perch pole that sticks out from the nest box. This chick not only flaps out on the perch pole, but also tests itself by turning direction……all signs of readiness for first flight!
More photos: http://www.pbase.com/birdshots/image/156086339
June 3, 2014 in In the Nest Box
The peregrine chicks are now days away from fledging, or making their first flight! They have spent time flapping their wings and perching at the front edge of the nest box.
More photos: http://www.pbase.com/birdshots/image/156086335
May 31, 2014 in In the Nest Box
The peregrine chicks are spending more time at the froint edge of the nest box looking out over the west facing view. They continue assertive wing flapping to stretch those wings and to learn just how they work! Mother Bear remains nearby on duty!
