Eight Peregrine Chicks Pass Exams With Flying Colors

Pittsburgh has two nesting pairs of peregrine falcons, and again this year eight falcon chicks are about ready to leave their nests in the coming weeks. On Monday, May 24th, four peregrine chicks that hatched the Gulf Tower's 37th floor ledge 28 days ago met with veteranarians and then Game Commission staff who attached identification bracelets around their yellow legs. The next day, four fledgling peregrines on the 40th floor ledge of the University of Pittsburgh's Cathedral of Learning experienced a similar event.

To spread awareness of this important event, WPC sponsored an essay contest for fifth grade students, who were asked to pen a 300-word composition on the theme “Conservation and Me.”

The winning entries this year were:

Bruce Glover, Allegheny Traditional Academy, Ms. Daher, teacher
Billy Maynes, Banksville Elementary, Mr. Livingstone, teacher
Meghan McNeil, John Minadeo School, Robert DiDonato, teacher
Lashanna Richards, Spring Hill elementary, Ruth Voynick, teacher
Gregory Schmitt, John Minadeo School, Robert DiDonato, teacher
James Smith, Spring Hill Elementary, Ruth Voynick, teacher
Rodriques Tate Jr., Spring Hill Elementary, Toni Ruth, teacher
Daniel Weber, Spring Hill Elementary, Toni Ruth, teacher

This is the third year in a row that two peregrine pairs have successfully nested on the city's tall buildings. Their success has contributed to the recovery of the species, which by 1965 had been wiped out east of the Mississippi River and had seen its numbers plummet by 90 percent in the lower 48 states.

The above photo was taken at the Gulf Tower Banding on May 24, 2004.

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