Feeding frenzy in Pittsburgh

The pair of Peregrine Falcons nesting at the Gulf Tower nest in Pittsburgh are now the proud parents of three little ones. Their eggs hatched right on schedule on April 21 and 22.

Now the nearly 24-hour chore of feeding the fast growing youngsters begins for both parents. The Pittsburgh nest is maintained as a project of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.

Although counting your “chickens” before the eggs are hatched is usually a bad idea, the Peregrine Falcon eggs in the nest on the Rachel Carson Building in Harrisburg usually hatch right on schedule, about May 8 this year.

About four weeks after hatching the young falcons have already grown to their full adult proportions, so the Pennsylvania Game Commission schedules a special event to band the young falcons.

This year the banding event is set for May 26 at 12:30 pm in the Rachel Carson State Office Building. The event will again be available to watch online through a live webcast by clicking on the “Register to Watch the Webcast” link beginning May 25.

The falcon nestlings will be examined and banded with a falcon specific code number.

Teachers and their students can attend the banding event and learn about endangered species reintroduction as well as the science and techniques used by wildlife management professionals.

If you are a teacher or non-formal educator in the mid-state region and would like to attend the event, click on the “Contact the PA DEP Staff” link and send an email to “Falcon-Related Questions” or call 717-772-1828.

Include your name, grade level, school, number of students and adults and contact information to be registered to attend the event live.

4/29/2005