11 January 2025
Yesterday the Univ of Pittsburgh, the Nationwide Aviary, and I ready for the upcoming peregrine nesting season by cleansing the nestbox and falconcams.
After inspecting the indoor facet of the digicam tools Bob Mulvihill of the Nationwide Aviary and Gracie Jane Gollinger from Pitt IT braved 10°F climate on the ledge. Digicam cleansing went effectively regardless of the chilly climate and there was nothing to wash on the nestbox. Nevertheless …
When Bob stepped out on the touchdown that results in the cameras, we had been amazed that the world at his ft was strewn with partially eaten prey. I saved an inventory. Some had been arduous to determine.
- Rock Pigeon (Feral) 1
- Yellow-billed Cuckoo 3 or 4
- Black-billed Cuckoo 1
- Pileated Woodpecker 1
- Northern Flicker 1 (yellow feathers)
- European Starling 1
- Wooden Thrush 2 or 3
As much as 5 cuckoos! The touchdown was clear when the chicks had been banded on 21 Might 2024 so the cache was left since then.
Essentially the most attention-grabbing discover was the cranium of a pileated woodpecker. I assumed that peregrines would by no means seize a hen with such a harmful beak however I used to be flawed.
The black brow feathers point out this hen was in all probability feminine.
Why so many prey objects at this spot? Maybe it was a favourite eating space the place the adults dropped off meals for final yr’s kids.
Why so many cuckoos? The Pitt peregrines have all the time had a keenness for cuckoos, in all probability as a result of their flight is floppy which makes them straightforward to catch. My solely remorse is that the peregrines caught so many cuckoos and wooden thrushes.
Right here’s the crew after our profitable go to.
We’re prepared for Peregrine Season!
