March 9, 2014 in On the Clock Tower
The peregrines continue in copulation mode. Had a short opportunity to fly by on Sunday night just before sunset and observed them both make aerial loops prior to the action on the back end of the Clock Tower weathervane. They remained together for 9 seconds suggesting that the date for eggs is close and at this point possibly next week around March 20th…the first day of spring!
March 9, 2014 in In the Nest Box
Peregrine Falcon female resting on perch at nest box in beautiful light minutes before sunset!
March 5, 2014 in Near the Clock Tower
Classic food transfer just after sunset on a cloudy evening. According to Cornell Birds of North American Online: Transfer of food between mates (courtship feeding) may occur on ground or in air, but typically from male to female. Either sex initiates transfer. On ground, female solicits transfers with Vertical Head-Low Bow accompanied by a Food Wail. If male has food, female may also use eechup . Alternatively, female assumes posture of Begging juvenile, crouching, spreading tail, fluffing feathers, quivering wings, giving Beg vocalization or perches in fluffed upright posture, and Wails.
March 3, 2014 in Near the Clock Tower
A fascinating moment while observing a Cooper’s Hawk on a rooftop proximate by about 75 meters to the peregrine falcon nest box located in the Clock Tower. The Cooper’s Hawk was perched on the edge of the roof. Without much verbal warning the peregrine strafed to Cooper’s at first and then went into a more direct attack mode next round. Found this description from Cornell Birds of North American Online: “Cade’s model, with nesting cliff as center, in general seems fairly accurate: series of threshold perimeters surround eyrie with decreasing defense as distance from eyrie increases. Inner perimeter may be only 200 m; within that, attacks always occur. In outer perimeter, attacks only occur over food or favored perches.” Now that Cooper’s hawk has been put on notice!
February 25, 2014 in In the Nest Box
The female peregrine is being seen with increasing frequency at, or very near, the nest box located in the Clock Tower. Most likely, we are about 3.5 weeks away from the laying of the first egg. Time will tell if this happens in the clock Tower as in 2012, or over the river in the 250 Canal St. building complex! Stay tuned!
February 24, 2014 in Near the Clock Tower
One of the Peregrines was seen on a regular short steel beam perch above the 200 Merrimack St. location this morning. This is a frequent morning location in the sun and out of the wind. It is located in the middle of the building and just below the roof line. Best observed from the top floor of the nearby McGovern Transportation Parking Garage.
February 19, 2014 in On the Clock Tower
As me move closer to the middle of March and the laying of eggs, the female has been seen with increasing frequency near and around the Clock Tower nest box. Mating activity will pick up over the next few weeks! Stay tuned to the blog as we will continue to monitor the activity very closely in collaboration with a dedicated and growing group of local peregrine watchers. This pair has quite a following and more people check in weekly by email looking for updates!
February 12, 2014 in Near the Clock Tower
Hanging out on one of the favorite morning perch locations above 200 Merrimack St. near the corner of South Union St. This perch is a protruding steel beam and allows for morning sun out of the wind!
February 4, 2014 in Near the Clock Tower
One of the peregrines on one of the regular morning perch locations above 200 Merrimack St. in Lawrence!
February 3, 2014 in In the Nest Box
The Peregrines are now being seen with a bit greater regularity as we approach the start of breeding season. The female has been seen around the nest box and perched in many of the normal locations around the Ayer Mill complex. Copulation activities are but weeks away!
