All Four Young Peregrines Continue to Return to the Downtown Canyon

All four young falcons flying together in the canyon
All four young falcons flying together in the canyon

As I’m writing this update at 5:30 AM, I can see all four young Peregrine Falcons actively chasing each other around the State Office building. The heavy rain had just subsided and these guys were ready to go. About a half hour ago one of them had chased Astrid out of the nest box. Astrid and Ares have resumed performing ledge displays at the box, but more often than not, they are interrupted and chased out before they can finish. The youngsters have been hunting for themselves, but still continue to get prey from their parents whenever possible. They frequently pursue their parents and even up them from their perches. It has gotten to the point where Astrid and Ares spend a considerable amount of time hiding from their kids. However, evidently, they still seem to want them around. Last night when Spirit and one of her brothers were out hunting by the Mohawk River, Astrid came in and lured them back to the canyon with a meal. So far, every night the kids have been returning to the canyon and to their perches on the State Building.

Lots of chasing
Lots of chasing
Astrid perches in one of her favorite hiding places
Astrid perches in one of her favorite hiding places
Ares gets chased out of the nest box
Ares gets chased out of the nest box
More chasing
More chasing
Arriving at their perches on the State Office building for the night
Arriving at their perches on the State Office building for the night
Another steeple chase
Another steeple chase
Soggy falcons perched on top of the steeple
Soggy falcons perched on top of the steeple
Upping each other from a perch on the hotel
Upping each other from a perch on the hotel
More sparring
More sparring
Coming in for a landing
Coming in for a landing
four small planes invade the falcons' airspace on the morning of the Boilermaker
four small planes invade the falcons’ airspace on the morning of the Boilermaker
Screeching through the canyon
Screeching through the canyon
Taking over Astrid's favorite steeple perch
Taking over Astrid’s favorite steeple perch

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2 thoughts on “All Four Young Peregrines Continue to Return to the Downtown Canyon”

  1. These photos are so wonderful! The first & second would be great designs for your fundraising products, IMHO. So aerodynamic! I also was very interested to see how/where the offspring sleep at night. Do they curl their heads under their wing and lay on their bellies like ducks? They don’t seem to be roosting on perches, like I thought. 🙂

  2. Great job, Matt. So good to see these nestlings again. Great pictures. Thank you so much for a great update! I am so fond of these birds, and I care about what happens to them. They are learning from great parents. Thanks again, Kaye

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