PA / Pittsburgh - Cathedral of Learning - 2009-22

[Alison]

2015 NESTING SEASON

Dorothy, the long-time resident female at this nest, was born at the Firstar Center in Milwaukee in 1999. She and her mate, E2, from the Gulf Tower nest in Pittsburgh, nest at the Cathedral of Learning in Pittsburgh.

Last year, Dorothy was able to lay her first egg. She became eggbound with her second egg, a life-threatening condition. She was finally able to pass the egg in pieces. She laid no more eggs, and continued to look unwell.

After what she had been through last year, and another very long and harsh winter, she was thought to be beyond her reproductive years. Even Kate St. John, who is very knowledgeable about peregrines, wrote her off in her blog some time ago.

But Dorothy had other ideas.

On April 2, she laid an egg!



On April 5, she laid a second egg:

 

http://aviary.org/PF-NestCam1

[Cooper]

2013 NESTING SEASON

Dorothy has laid her first egg.

If you can't see on the web cam, have a look at pics on Kate' blog.

[Kinderchick]

2012 NESTING SEASON

3 eggs at this nestsite this year...

March 20 - 1st egg
March 22 - 2nd egg
March 24 - 3rd egg

[skygirlblue]

2011 NESTING SEASON

Egg #1:  3/13
Egg #2:  3/15
Egg #3:  3/18

[Alison]

Still on the edge of the box yesterday, but disappearing around the corner from time to time.

 

One chick took a closer look at the cam:

 

[Alison]

Five chicks lined up; they are not yet quite ready to fledge, but they think they are:

 

[Alison]

Beautiful wings:

 

A quick meal:

 

[carly]

I think you are right on that TPC..I saw some new photos on CMNH and holy cow she had wings spread full out in front of the chicks to protect them...gees she looks impressive!!

Scroll down to the bottom to see Dorothy in all her glory!   She is fierce!

http://www.falconcam-cmnh.org/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?48735.60

[bcbird]

That is a very satisfying explanation.  Thanks, TPC!

[The Peregrine Chick]

One of the commentors mentioned that perhaps Dorothy allows herself to be caught now so she can go with the chicks!  They give her a health check too and at least she can see the chicks while poor dad stays outside and worries..poor dad  

Dorothy gets caught because she's trying to protect her chicks.  Her instinct for preservation wouldn't put her anywhere that net if she wasn't trying to protect her chicks.  Don't let anthropomorphizing comments fool you, she doesn't want to go anywhere with humans, and being with the chicks while they are being banded is more stressful than Dad not knowing where everyone is.  The fact that she gets caught more than once would indicate to me that she is a fearless mom who is not going to let anyone take her chicks without her attempting to do great bodily harm to them ... given a choice, that's the kind of mom to have - if her chicks have even some of that ferocity, they could do very well in the future ...

[Ellie]

What a crew to feed   Love their multi colors too.  Still very fluffy and cute. 

[bcbird]

With five chicks, and the wingersizing, it is good that they are in a big nest box!

[Kinderchick]

Looks like they are practicing their "wingersizing" in one of the above photos.

[Alison]

Then a parent came in with food. With five chicks to feed, the parents don't seem to be keeping much of the food for themselves - the chicks are bigger than they are!

 

 

[Alison]

The chicks are getting restless: