Volunteers and online viewers can keep a close eye on the Peregrine falcon nest located on the 15th floor ledge of the Rachel Carson State Office Building in Harrisburg next week as five resident young nestlings make their first attempt at free flight.

These first flights are typically precarious at best. The young birds will often land on a parking garage or street and be put in harms way. When this happens, the watch and rescue crews notify Department of Environmental Protection education staff and the fledglings will be captured, examined and placed on the roof of the 16 floor building to regain strength and courage to make their next attempt at airborne freedom.

Although subsequent attempts are usually more successful, the watch and rescue crews will continue to track the whereabouts of each fledgling to ensure their safety.

Within a week’s time all five of the fledglings should have gained the skill and strength necessary to return to the ledge. The word peregrine comes from the Latin adjective peregrinus, meaning wanderer.

By summer’s end, these young birds will do just that; they’ll travel hundreds of miles in unknown directions. By this time next year, the surviving juveniles will seek out a mate and establish their own breeding territories.

Visit the Peregrine falcon nest webpage for more information.

6/9/2006