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!
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.
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!
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!!
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!
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.
