Park Ave. Peregrines Are Back: 14-Mar-2008

Today I spent a half hour during lunch hour plus a little less than a hour after work watching raptors over Park Ave. from a convenient seat near 52nd St.

Met Life Building: Peregrine Perch 13-Mar-2008

Peregrine Falcon Perch
MET LIFE BUILDING
Image by BEN CACACE
(Click image for a larger view)

During lunch hour today I spotted a Peregrine Falcon heading south while looking for American Kestrels from Park Ave. & 51st St. north of St. Bart's.

Park Ave. Peregrine Falcons: 6 August 2007

It was good to finally see a Peregrine Falcon tonight on its Park Ave. territory — north of the Met Life building. My last sighting was June 21st when a Peregrine was seen circling over Park Ave. with prey. It landed on 350 Park Ave. to eat the meal.

Park Ave. Peregrine Falcons: 24 April 2007

320 Park Ave. 28-Mar-2007

These observations occured while heading back to work as I passed through the Park Ave. Peregrine Falcon territory. As soon as I turned the corner I spotted a falcon on 320 Park Ave. (‘Mutual of America Building’).

The image to the right was taken on March 28th and is the exact same perch I found this Peregrine on. It was facing south and keeping an eye on the nest building. This falcon was first spotted at 6:10pm EDT.

At 6:35pm I decided to move north from the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, where the President was just arriving, to my usual viewing spot at 52nd St. and Park Ave.

From here I spotted an ‘object’ in one of the openings on the north face of the ‘nest’ building. Since I didn't have binoculars I could only guess this was a Peregrine Falcon. It was the right size, the right color and had the right attitude.

Park Ave. Peregrine Falcons: 7 April 2007

♀ on 280 Park Ave. 7-Apr 5:25pm photo by B. Cacace 420mm | ISO: 80 | Shutter: 1/400s | Aperture: f/6.3	Above Park Ave. 7-Apr 5:28pm photo by B. Cacace 420mm | ISO: 80 | Shutter: 1/640s | Aperture: f/5.6

I decided to record the 3rd round of the Master's in order to check up on the Peregrine pair. It might be hard to tell but the highly processed uncompressed image above is my 1st flight shot of any kind.

Bruce Yolton of ‘Urban Hawks’ was already at the site with his camera. Soon we were watching an already perched falcon at the base of the ‘flag’ on the ‘Mutual of America Building’ (320 Park Ave.) This perch can be seen in the post from March 30th.

Bruce took a number of photos from 50th St. on the east side of Park Ave. The falcon was facing south the whole time and remained in the same position from 3:20pm - 4:05pm.

Bruce then headed off to Central Park. I went off to take care of some chores. As I was heading south I turned to look at falcon and noticed that it wasn't perched any longer. This was around 4:10pm.

On my way back I passed by 46th St. & Park Ave. around 5:15pm and spotted a falcon circling over Park Ave. The falcon then entered an opening at the top of a building's east face. This is probably the site of their nest.

The falcon exited the site followed by its mate. One falcon then landed on the roof of 280 Park Ave. Soon after the male circled then landed on the female for the 1st mating I've seen by this pair for the season. This is also the 1st time seeing a Peregrine perched on the roof of 280 Park Ave.

Shortly after mating the male falcon headed out and entered the east face of the probable nest site.

The female remained on the perch from 5:18pm leaving at 5:27pm. It returned to the area at 5:29pm and circled over Park Ave. then entered the ‘nest site’. One exited (not sure which), circled over the avenue and then headed towards the east.

I left the site at 5:30pm.

Park Ave. Peregrine Falcons: 2 April 2007

299 Park Ave. Image by Ben Cacace (31-Mar 6:21pm EDT) 420mm | ISO: 80 | Shutter: 1/125s | Aperture: f/5.6

I left the office late and didn't think to go birding but since there was still a few minutes of daylight left I headed downstairs to observe the Peregrine Falcons. It was worthwhile since I got to see a phenomenal stoop and the first evening roost of either falcon.

I arrived at 6:45pm, about 35 minutes before sunset, and a falcon was already perched on the northwest corner of 299 Park Ave. (‘UBS Building’) between 49th & 48th St. on the east side of Park Ave.

I started taking photos and missed the moment when the Peregrine moved. This was around 6:52pm. I kept an eye on the buildings and noticed a falcon taking off from 299 Park Ave. from a point a bit further south from where I first spotted it. This was around 7:00p.

The flight display over the next few minutes was spectacular even though it was purely functional. The falcon took off from 299 Park Ave. and dove directly towards the highest point of a building due west. The heights of both buildings were about the same. It perched in a space 12 openings from the north edge of the building.

After settling in for minute or so it headed back out and started making clockwise circles over Park Ave. When the Peregrine came close to the face of 299 Park Ave. it flipped over and plunged vertically along the face of the skyscraper. A breathtaking sight.

When it leveled out it was at the exact height it needed in order to perch in the opening of a building and did this flawlessly. I still can't believe how fast and accurate this maneuver was and that it perched in the opening with seemingly little effort. This spot was 6 spaces from the building's north edge.

Within a minute it made a powered flight up the face of 299 Park Ave. and perched on one of the vertical metal strips that are so popular with the newer buildings. It remained on this perch from 7:02pm until I left the site well after sunset at 7:50pm. This is the first roosting site I've spotted for either of these Peregrines.

Park Ave. Peregrine Falcons: 31 March 2007

Peregrine Falcon
299 PARK AVE.
Image by D. BRUCE YOLTON
(Click image to visit Bruce's site with add'l photos)

The above image was taken by Bruce Yolton on Saturday March 31st shortly after 6:30pm. Thank's to Bruce for allowing me to use his image on this blog. He had the right idea in trying to get as close as possible to the Peregrine Falcon. This was the easiest way of increasing image size without having to buy more glass.

299 Park Ave. (6:21pm EDT) 420mm | ISO: 80 | Shutter: 1/200s | Aperture: f/5.0 (clickable image)

The image to the right was taken by me and is the of the same Peregrine on the same perch as Bruce's photo. I took this from 49th St. looking east as I was approaching Park Ave. I was half a block away from the Peregrine.

The activity was limited. I arrived at the site around 6:25pm.

It was great having Bruce there. At his suggestion we looked for a closer spot to image the falcon. We ended up at the corner of 51st St. & Park Ave. on the west side of the avenue for the photos he took.

The falcon remained on the same perch from before the time I arrived around 6:20pm until 6:44pm. Bruce left the site around 6:50pm.

I stayed on and watched the last pass of a falcon at 7:16pm. It headed north behind 350 Park Ave. and then passed behind the Park Ave. Atrium between 52nd & 53rd St. I wasn't able to follow it north of the Atrium.

I left the site at 7:20pm. Be sure to visit Bruce's site (click the top photo) for more images and in the future for additional updates.

Park Ave. Peregrine Falcons: 30 March 2007

320 Park Ave. (7:05pm EDT) 345mm | ISO: 200 | Shutter: 1/25s | Aperture: f/3.6

After spending a few evenings watching this pair of Peregrines some patterns are emerging:

• They prefer certain perches over others. Four buildings have been used for this purpose and 2 are used more often than the others. The preferred buildings are 299 Park Ave. (‘UBS Building’) & 320 Park Ave. (‘Mutual of America Building’)
• The pair have engaged in some tandem flights. One will head out and the other will leave its perch and lead or follow the 1st. It's not possible from my vantage point to see the results of this behavior.

During lunch I spotted a Peregrine Falcon going to perch on 320 Park Ave. at 12:50pm . At 12:57pm it left towards the SE over 51st St. I departed at 1:00pm.

Also seen were 3 Turkey Vultures heading NW over Lexington Ave. at 12:40pm.

After work I stopped by the site again. I arrived at 5:28pm & left at 7:20pm.

After scanning the tops of the buildings I picked up the 1st Peregrine which was already on 320 Park Ave. on a favorite perch pictured in the March 28th entry. This perch is on the south side of the roof. The building is on the west side of the avenue.

Shortly after at 5:32pm I spotted an already perched falcon on the southeast corner of 350 Park Ave. (‘Park Ave. Bank Building’). By 5:30pm it set off to the east then headed back towards 320 Park Ave. and then it was gone. Later on at 5:47pm this Peregrine was seen heading north over Madison Ave. I didn't seen where it was originally perched.

At 6:36pm the 320 Park Ave. bird went through every conceivable type of stretching possible — wing & leg, tail spread plus a lifting of both wings which has been referred to as the ‘De Lorean’. This phrase was coined by D. Bruce Yolton while watching owls preparing to fly out. The camera wasn't out to capture any of these poses.

At 6:48pm, more than 80 minutes on the same perch, the 320 Park Ave. falcon lifted off and traced a few counterclockwise circles. It then headed towards a building's east face into one of the openings near the roof — 4 openings from the north edge.

Within a minute the other Peregrine arrived from the south to enter the same face on the same building — 3 openings from the south edge.

At 6:50pm a falcon exited the building and headed to a new perch on 320 Park Ave pictured in the photo above.

At 7:11pm the female Peregrine (the size difference is obvious when they're seen together) left the building heading north along Park Ave. The 320 Park Ave. falcon then left its perch leading the female. They both headed north. When they passed the Four Seasons Hotel (around 58th St.) they veered west over Central Park.

I left shortly after at 7:20pm.

Question: Does anyone know of a place where the public can visit in one of the buildings surrounding the territory where these Peregrines have set up their territory? Thanks in advance.

Park Ave. Peregrine Falcons: 29 March 2007

299 Park Ave. (5:32pm EDT) 35mm film equiv.: 420mm | ISO: 80 | Shutter: 1/200s | Aperture: f/5.6

The evening session was cut short due to headache. Enough time was spent at the site to make it a worthwhile outing.

I stayed for an hour arriving at 5:13pm.

At 5:31pm, 18 minutes after arriving, a Peregrine was spotted moving south along Park Ave. to a perch on the northwest corner of 299 Park Ave. (‘UBS Building’).

While the 299 Park Ave. falcon was scanning the territory another Peregrine was seen flying north from a building's opening at 6:09pm. It headed for a favorite perch on 320 Park Ave. (‘Mutual of America Building’) on its south facing side.

While photographing the 320 Park Ave. falcon I spotted the 299 Park Ave. Peregrine heading north behind the 320 Park Ave. building. Even though I was looking west along 52nd St. I didn't see it flying north of 52nd St.

Shortly after the previously seen north bound falcon was heading south towards the opening of a building's east face. This opening is 5 from the south side.

I left the site with a falcon still perched on 320 Park Ave. at 6:15pm.

Park Ave. Peregrine Falcons : 28 March 2007

320 Park Ave. (7:07pm EDT) 35mm film equiv.: 405mm | ISO: 80 | Shutter: 1/30 | Aperture: f/3.7

Activity was seen from 7:02pm-7:21pm.

I arrived at 7:00pm and spotted a Peregrine Falcon exiting an opening from a building's south face. It then headed west, then north, then perched on the south side of 320 Park Ave. (‘Mutual of America Building’). The photo on the right was taken at this time.

At 7:19pm a 2nd falcon was seen heading north just west of Park Ave. It continued north & disappeared from view between the ‘Sony Building’ (the ex-ITT Building) and the Four Seasons Hotel off Central Park South.

At 7:21pm the 320 Park Ave. falcon left its perch & circled a few times over Park Ave. It then headed west disappearing south behind the ‘Mutual of America Building’.

I left the site at 7:30pm. So far I've been able to view activity over Park Ave. every day I've visited the site. This is a better hit rate versus viewing Peregrines from the south end of Central Park.

Park Ave. Peregrine Falcons : 27 March 2007

299 Park Ave. (6:29pm EDT) 420mm | ISO: 100 | Shutter: 1/500s | Aperture: f/3.7	320 Park Ave. (6:45pm EDT) 420mm | ISO: 80 | Shutter: 1/80s | Aperture: f/4.5	350 Park Ave. (6:32pm EDT) 317mm | ISO: 80 | Shutter: 1/80s | Aperture: f/4.0

The center and right images were taken when both Peregrines were visible. They were perched a city block from each other.

There was a lot of activity tonight. Both the male & female were visible simultaneously on several occasions.

I arrived at 6:00pm. At 6:13pm a single falcon was heading uptown along Park Ave. It veered to the east as it approached 57th St. My observing location was at 52nd & 51st St. on the east side of the avenue.

A lot happened between 6:30-6:34pm.

First a falcon was seen coming in from the north heading down Park Ave. to a perch on 299 Park Ave. (the ‘UBS Building’) between 48th & 49th St. The perch was the same corner (north-west) used on the 22nd of March. This is the leftmost image above.

From the south another Peregrine was seen heading for a perch on 320 Park Ave. (the ‘Mutual of America Building’). This is between 50th & 51st St. It perched facing south.

Soon after landing this falcon headed for an opening at the top of a building along the west side of Park Ave. Seconds later the falcon on 299 Park Ave. followed it to the same opening.

After the second falcon landed one of the Peregrines left the site with prey in its talons to a perch on 350 Park Ave. (the ‘Park Ave. Bank Building’) between 51st & 52nd St.

By 6:43pm I noticed a Peregrine perched just south of this falcon on 320 Park Ave. This is the falcon in the center photo above. The falcon that carried the prey to 350 Park Ave. is in the rightmost image.

At 6:50pm the 350 Park Ave. falcon headed south along Park Ave. followed by the 320 Park Ave. bird. Both veered west along 48th St.

The last sighting at 7:25pm was of a Peregrine heading north along Park Ave. pursuing a Mourning Dove. The falcon didn't appear to be flying hard to keep up with the dove. Both disappeared from view behind the ‘Park Ave. Atrium’ (between 52nd & 53rd St.) briefly.

Seconds later the Peregrine appeared again swooping on a bird. I couldn't tell if the bird was caught since the Peregrine disappeared again behind the ‘Park Ave. Atrium’.

The sky was clear and the temperature was between 74°-71°F.

Park Ave. Peregrines & CZA: 25 March 2007

Peregrine Falcon
WALDORF-ASTORIA HOTEL — PARK AVENUE
Image by BEN CACACE
(Click image for a larger view)

Peregrine Falcon
MUTUAL OF AMERICA BUILDING — 320 PARK AVE.
Image by BEN CACACE
(Click image for a larger view)

Recently I spotted some activity over Park Ave. that suggests there may be some nesting in the area north of the Met Life Building.

On March 21st I watched a Peregrine Falcon circling over Park Ave. while I was heading back to work. I followed it to a perch just below the roof of a building. A few openings away from this Peregrine was a second falcon perched on the same level just below the fencing.

Over the next few minutes the Peregrines were seen perched side-by-side with one of them entering the opening and then leaving the site with something in its talons. The whole time spent observing was no more than 20 minutes.

Tonight I stopped by the site to see if there was any activity that could lead to a definitive nest location. Five minutes after settling in I spotted both falcons heading north. The male was in the lead followed by the female. This occurred around 5:10p.

Watching Peregrine Falcons is mainly a waiting game. When I was at the site the day after first spotting the pair it took 4 outings before I saw any activity.

Tonight, after the 5:10p sighting, I waited for 40 minutes before a Peregrine returned to the area. It circled and perched on 320 Park Ave. (the ‘Mutual of America’ building) between 51st and 52nd St. After 5 minutes it flew east to the west tower of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel which is a huge building.

It remained on this perch for 35 minutes. When it left at 6:33p it took the same path as the pair did when I saw them heading north at 5:10p.

I left the area at 6:45p.

The photos were taken with a 420mm (35mm equivalent) lens, hand held with image stabilization. A larger lens mounted on tripod should pull in some nice photos.

Circumzenithal Arc — 5:15p EDT
MANHATTAN OVER PARK AVE.
Image by BEN CACACE
(Click image for a larger view)

The image above is a circumzenithal arc (CZA) I took this evening. The image was shot at 5:15p. The internal clock on the camera was not adjusted for Daylight Saving Time in case you can see the EXIF information.

The altitude of the Sun at the time of the photo was a bit over 21°. The greatest brilliancy for a CZA is when the altitude of the Sun is 22° which was 5 minutes earlier. CZAs cannot form when the altitude of the Sun is 32° or higher. I wish I took down the time when the CZA disappeared but my focus was on the falcons. An hour before the photo was taken was when the Sun was 32° above the horizon.

Some references for circumzenithal arcs:

• Wikipedia
• Atmospheric Optics
• Meteoros

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Peregrine Falcon Update: 31-May-2006

Central Park South: Peregrine Falcons

Last night, Wed. 31-May-2006, I spent over an hour searching for signs of the nesting Peregrines over the southeast corner of Central Park. No signs of any falcons over this short timespan.

There are some strong signs that the human activity around the nest may have been too much for the falcons to tolerate.

Last night I spotted, on the west face of the G.M. Building, six (6) brand new metal beams protruding from the side of the building.

The walkway the workers use to install these beams is on the same level as the nest & only a few feet from the site where the adults had been exchanging places in order relieve each other from nesting duties.

The beams have metal tabs near the middle of their length. It appears someone will be draping something from these supports. If it is a huge canvas sign then the recently installed roof lighting is there to illuminate this object.

My feeling is that this probably has something to do with the ‘Apple Store’ located directly below.

Next year will be, for me, the 11th year seeing Peregrine Falcons using this territory without seeing the results of a successful nesting.

Hopefully a place can be found in their territory where a nest box can be installed so these Peregrines can finally raise young over Central Park.

Related items:
• Peregrine Falcon updates — 2006: 13-Apr, 21-Apr, 24-Apr, 26-Apr, 28-Apr, 30-Apr, 4-May, 5-May, 6-May, 7-May, 9-May, 11-May, 12-May, 13-May, 14-May, 16-May, 17-May, 18-May, 19-May, 21-May, 22-May, 23-May, 31-May
• Earliest Peregrine Falcon Nest in N.Y.C.?
• Behavior of Peregrine Falcons in the N.Y.C. Region
      by Richard A. Herbert & Kathleen Green Skelton Herbert
• Obs. of Duck Hawks Nesting on Man-made Structures
      by Horace Groskin

Peregrine Falcon Update: 23-May-2006

Central Park South: Peregrine Falcons

For an hour & a half's observing I spotted a Peregrine Falcon only once. It was definitely the male & it was flying in from the north heading east. Before disappearing it passed over the Plaza Hotel.

Central Park's Gapstow Bridge 5:45p — 7:20p

Highlights: the activity around the nest has changed dramatically since the 16th of May which was the last day of ‘normal’ nesting behavior. No prey has been brought to the nest this season for the limited amount of time spent at the site.

• By 6:10p the male was flying in from the N. I spotted it in front of the Pierre Hotel at about half the height of the building. It then headed W over the Plaza Hotel & disappeared behind some trees.

Related items:
• Peregrine Falcon updates — 2006: 13-Apr, 21-Apr, 24-Apr, 26-Apr, 28-Apr, 30-Apr, 4-May, 5-May, 6-May, 7-May, 9-May, 11-May, 12-May, 13-May, 14-May, 16-May, 17-May, 18-May, 19-May, 21-May, 22-May, 23-May, 31-May
• Earliest Peregrine Falcon Nest in N.Y.C.?
• Behavior of Peregrine Falcons in the N.Y.C. Region
      by Richard A. Herbert & Kathleen Green Skelton Herbert
• Obs. of Duck Hawks Nesting on Man-made Structures
      by Horace Groskin

Peregrine Falcon Update: 22-May-2006

Central Park South: Peregrine Falcons

Tonight was a bit more active compared to last night. There were three passes by a lone Peregrine Falcon over the 2.5 hours of observing from Gapstow Bridge. No activity was witnessed around the nest site on the north face of the G.M. Building. One sighting was of a Peregrine handling prey. No gender was determined for any of the flybys.

Central Park's Gapstow Bridge 5:50p — 8:20p

Highlights: no activity around the nest.

• By 6:01p a Peregrine flew in from the W over the I.B.M. Building. I lost it as it headed E behind the G.M. Building.
• By 6:29p a Peregrine, possibly the male, was seen flying low over the SE corner of the park heading NE. It disappeared behind trees & was carrying prey.
• By 6:47p a Peregrine was seen over 650 Madison Ave. (green glass building N of G.M.) heading N along the E side of the park. It spotted something & dove on it just E of the Dairy. The Peregrine did not reappear.

Related items:
• Peregrine Falcon updates — 2006: 13-Apr, 21-Apr, 24-Apr, 26-Apr, 28-Apr, 30-Apr, 4-May, 5-May, 6-May, 7-May, 9-May, 11-May, 12-May, 13-May, 14-May, 16-May, 17-May, 18-May, 19-May, 21-May, 22-May, 23-May, 31-May
• Earliest Peregrine Falcon Nest in N.Y.C.?
• Behavior of Peregrine Falcons in the N.Y.C. Region
      by Richard A. Herbert & Kathleen Green Skelton Herbert
• Obs. of Duck Hawks Nesting on Man-made Structures
      by Horace Groskin

Peregrine Falcon Update: 21-May-2006

Central Park South: Peregrine Falcons

Tonight was the least active night since monitoring the Peregrines this year.

As I mentioned in a previous post the behavior of both adults changed radically on the 17th of May. This was when both adults started spending significant time away from the nest site.

Since there is no way of knowing what is truly happening with the falcons on the G.M. Building speculation will temporarily rule until some facts come to light.

At first I thought this change meant that the nesting had failed. The last mating was seen on the 13th of April which should indicate that this is well within the normal time for taking care of nestlings.

After watching the activites surrounding the Rochester, N.Y. Peregrine Falcons from KodakCam's ‘Unofficial Archive’ I can see that the behavior of the G.M. pair is similar to the upstate pair which are taking care of 13-15 day old nestlings.

More time needs to be spent observing this pair to determine if food is being brought to the eyrie. This should be a decent indicator that nestlings are being cared for. Up to three hours a night doesn't appear to be enough time to observe this behavior.

Central Park's Gapstow Bridge 5:25p — 8:40p

Highlights: little was seen from the pair & 40+ minutes with neither adult at the nest site.

• When I arrived no Peregrines were seen on any perches.
• By 7:57p a Peregrine was seen flying in from the N. It headed S along the E edge of the G.M. Building and wasn't seen again for the night.
• At 8:02p Donna was viewing through the LCD on the camera when she spotted a Peregrine exiting the nest site from the bottom of the fence.
• No falcons were seen again by the time we left the area at 8:40p.

Related items:
• Peregrine Falcon updates — 2006: 13-Apr, 21-Apr, 24-Apr, 26-Apr, 28-Apr, 30-Apr, 4-May, 5-May, 6-May, 7-May, 9-May, 11-May, 12-May, 13-May, 14-May, 16-May, 17-May, 18-May, 19-May, 21-May, 22-May, 23-May, 31-May
• Earliest Peregrine Falcon Nest in N.Y.C.?
• Behavior of Peregrine Falcons in the N.Y.C. Region
      by Richard A. Herbert & Kathleen Green Skelton Herbert
• Obs. of Duck Hawks Nesting on Man-made Structures
      by Horace Groskin

Peregrine Falcon Update: 19-May-2006

Central Park South: Peregrine Falcons

Tonight I brought a portable chair to the site near Gapstow Bridge. This should be a welcome piece of equipment. Standing around for 2-3 hours can take its toll. There was a pleasant distraction tonight that may've lessened the details I would otherwise have picked up.

A pleasant surprise was seeing my friend Peter show up again to view the Peregrines & wildlife around The Pond. The pleasant distraction was Lily who arrived around 6:30p leaving around 8:00p. She had seen the Peregrine Falcons in the scopes on a previous night & dropped in to take in the sights.

Unfortunately no nest exchanges were observed but I might have missed a few details. When I arrived the female just left the nest and stayed off nest for a little more than 10 minutes. During this time the male was out & about. I left for home with the female on nest at 8:25p — 15 minutes after sunset.

Central Park's Gapstow Bridge 6:15p — 8:25p

Highlights: an excellent night for watching these nesting Peregrines.

• When I arrived the falcon (female) was up from a perch on the N face of the GM. By 6:17p she landed on the GM's N face, right section, 6 in from the W. By 6:19p the falcon flew to the NE corner of the GM's roof. By 6:20p the tiercel (male) was seen in flight. I wasn't sure where he flew off to.
• By 6:26p the falcon headed back to the GM's N face, right section, landing on a fence 6 in from the W. She dropped down to the level of the nest. No nest exchange was seen.
• By 6:28p the tiercel was spotted on the NE corner of the GM's roof. We (Peter & I) didn't see where he flew in from since we were focused on the nest area. He left by 6:48p to parts & direction unknown.
• By 7:20p the falcon perched on the GM's N face, right section, 3 in from the W. By 7:21p she flew to the NE corner on the GM's roof. I missed seeing her leave the nest between 6:26p & 7:20p.
• By 7:25p the female perched on the GM's N face, right section, 6 in from the W then dropped down to the nest.
• By 7:30p the male was seen flying around the GM but he didn't stay to perch in a place visible to us (Lily & I).
• I left the area around 8:25p with the female still on nest — roughly 15 minutes after sunset.

Related items:
• Peregrine Falcon updates — 2006: 13-Apr, 21-Apr, 24-Apr, 26-Apr, 28-Apr, 30-Apr, 4-May, 5-May, 6-May, 7-May, 9-May, 11-May, 12-May, 13-May, 14-May, 16-May, 17-May, 18-May, 19-May, 21-May, 22-May, 23-May, 31-May
• Earliest Peregrine Falcon Nest in N.Y.C.?
• Behavior of Peregrine Falcons in the N.Y.C. Region
      by Richard A. Herbert & Kathleen Green Skelton Herbert
• Obs. of Duck Hawks Nesting on Man-made Structures
      by Horace Groskin

Peregrine Falcon Update: 18-May-2006

Central Park South: Peregrine Falcons During a Deluge

At the office I took a look at the weather radar & noticed a storm approaching Manhattan. I did the only reasonable thing & headed to the park to see how the falcons would behave during this storm.

When I arrived the rain had not started yet & I spotted a falcon on the G.M. Building's north face. A few minutes later the rain started & the falcon stayed put. When the storm was in full force I watched the falcon move a short distance along the face of the GM twice. Both times were during the heaviest period of the downpour.

It was a ‘short’ night. I didn't stay until after Civil Twilight. I thought it was best to keep dry in order not to get ill. So far so good!

Central Park's Gapstow Bridge 5:40p — 7:40p

Highlights: watched a falcon during a downpour & watched one nest exchange before leaving the site earlier than usual.

• The rain started around 5:45p.
• By 5:40p, before entering the park, I spotted a Peregrine on a fence on the GM's N face, right section, 3 in from the W. By 5:45p it wasn't visible from my position at the far S end of the park.
• When I arrived at the Gapstow Bridge site further N at 5:50p I could see the Peregrine tucked in deeply on the same perch. This is why it wasn't visible previously. This was also when the rain started to come down in buckets.
• By 5:52p it was on on another fence on the N face of the GM's center section, 1 in from the W. It stayed there until 5:59p when I saw it fly back to the previous perch. The rain was still coming down hard. By 6:30p it left this perch and I wasn't able to determine its gender & the rain had stopped by this point.
• By 6:44p a female Peregrine flew in from the S along the W edge of the GM landing on a fence on the N face of the GM, right section, 4 in from the W. This was the same falcon that I had watched perched during the storm. Three crows flew from the E towards the W & the female didn't bother escorting them off the territory.
• By ~6:54p the male appeared to fly to a perch on a fence on the GM from out of nowhere. I might have missed the male exiting the nest before flying to this perch. Otherwise the nest would've been unoccupied for at least an hour & twenty minutes. He landed on a fence on the N face, right section, 6 in from the W.
• By 6:56p both falcons were in the air. The female headed to the fence above the nest & the male flew to the roof on the GM's NE corner.
• I left the park around 7:40p with the male stilled perched in the same place.

Related items:
• Peregrine Falcon updates — 2006: 13-Apr, 21-Apr, 24-Apr, 26-Apr, 28-Apr, 30-Apr, 4-May, 5-May, 6-May, 7-May, 9-May, 11-May, 12-May, 13-May, 14-May, 16-May, 17-May, 18-May, 19-May, 21-May, 22-May, 23-May, 31-May
• Earliest Peregrine Falcon Nest in N.Y.C.?
• Behavior of Peregrine Falcons in the N.Y.C. Region
      by Richard A. Herbert & Kathleen Green Skelton Herbert
• Obs. of Duck Hawks Nesting on Man-made Structures
      by Horace Groskin

Peregrine Falcon Update: 17-May-2006

Central Park South: Peregrine Falcons

Tonight (Wed., 17-May) a few people stopped by to view the Peregrines. A birder asked what I was up to & stuck around for few minutes excited to see if a Peregrine would show up.

Luke just happened to be there for the most active time of the evening. The male arrived perching on various spots on the G.M. Building. Soon the female left the nest site to meet the male for a in-flight prey transfer. We then watched the male head to the nest to drop in taking over incubation duties. The female headed south with the meal.

Later on his friend David stopped by. Also David & Debbie stopped by & then Donna arrived with a spotting scope. D., D.& D. & D. got to see one of the pair since there were no more nest exchanges for the evening. Something I thought was a guarantee.

Central Park's Gapstow Bridge 6:00p — 9:00p

Highlights: 5 non-avian visitors, 1 mid-air prey transfer, 1 nest exchange & an almost nest exchange where the female remained perched on the nest fence until it got too late to see her in the scope.

• At 6:01p spotted the tiercel on GM's roof, center section, west edge. I just scanned the area, saw nothing then spotted him on a favorite perch. Lost the male around 6:14p.
• By 6:49p male perched on a fence on GM's N face, 6 in from W, right section. Almost immediately he left the perch landing on roof of GM's N face, center section, E edge. The female emerged from the nest site & met him in mid-air for a prey transfer. Female headed E then S around GM. Male then perched on fence above nest & quickly dropped down to the nest.
• By 6:55p female arrived from the S to perch on GM's N face, center section, on a fence 8 in from the W.
• By 7:45p female off perch flying low towards E & around GM towards the S.
• By 8:25p female to the fence above the nest. She remained there until it became too dark to see her in the binoculars. Then we couldn't see her in the scope. Last time she was seen in the darkness was 8:53p — close to 15 minutes after Civil Twilight.

Related items:
• Peregrine Falcon updates — 2006: 13-Apr, 21-Apr, 24-Apr, 26-Apr, 28-Apr, 30-Apr, 4-May, 5-May, 6-May, 7-May, 9-May, 11-May, 12-May, 13-May, 14-May, 16-May, 17-May, 18-May, 19-May, 21-May, 22-May, 23-May, 31-May
• Earliest Peregrine Falcon Nest in N.Y.C.?
• Behavior of Peregrine Falcons in the N.Y.C. Region
      by Richard A. Herbert & Kathleen Green Skelton Herbert
• Obs. of Duck Hawks Nesting on Man-made Structures
      by Horace Groskin