Peregrine Observations
2002
by Elli Jilek, Jean Moore and Eric Tull
2002 Observations
- April 15. The first Peregrine was observed today by Elli Jilek.
- April 16. Bill Wilson observed two Peregrines calling to each other.
- April 17. A Peregrine was observed on the Craigie Hall nest ledge.
- April 24.Three peregrines were around the Library Tower and Craigie Hall at 5:30pm. From size it appeared there were two males chasing each other and a female sitting on the Library Tower. One male would land on the nest ledge and squawk while the other made sweeping passes past the nest ledge. The two males also chased each other in the air. At one point the two came at each other feet first in the air. They locked
talons and seemed unable to let go again. Flapping wildly they spun in a cicle and fluttered/fell to the top of Craigie Hall over the nest ledge. The two were then seen lying on the roof, struggling to free themselves. I went up to the roof with a Campus Security officer. When he put his head up over the edge of the roof, the birds flapped and half fell into a wooden lattice at the edge of the roof. I went around that side, and when the birds saw me they flapped some more and somehow came free. They each flew off, flying okay, although one may have drooped one leg. (E. Tull)
- April 25. Two Peregrines were observed repeatedly flying to and from the nest ledge.
- May 3. The female has made a nest scrape but there are no eggs as yet. This is late compared to other Peregrines in the area, which have begun laying. (information from Pat Young, Alberta Fish and Wildlife)
- May 13. There are two eggs in the nest. The male is the same male that has nested here for the previous four years. (information from Pat Young)
- May 16. There are three eggs in the nest. (info from Pat Young)
- May 21. There are four eggs in the nest. (info from Pat Young)
- May 27. The female is bird that has not nested here previously. (info from Pat Young)
- June 17. Elli Jilek reported the female acting differently, and Pat Young observed that one egg had hatched.
- June 19. All four eggs have hatched, and there are four young in the nest. (info from Pat Young)
- July 8. The young birds were weighed and banded today by Alberta Fish and Wildlife. There are three young females and one young male.
- July 28. One young was observed flying on campus by Jean Moore. It may have left the nest ledge on July 27.
- July 29. Two young left the nest ledge today. Both had to be rescued and put on the roof of Craigie Hall.
- July 30. The fourth young left the nest ledge today.