The four young Peregrine falcons living in a nest on the 15th floor ledge of the Rachel Carson State Office Building in Harrisburg are progressing normally and should be ready to take their first flights next week.

Volunteers will keep tabs on the “fledglings” to help keep them out of harm’s way. The falcons’ first flights are precarious at best, and they often land on the street below or in other places such as nearby parking garages. When they do, volunteers radio DEP’s education staff who come to their rescue. After a quick examination, they’re placed back on the roof of the building to try again.

Over the next eight weeks, the young Peregrines will get flight and hunting lessons from the adults before they leave the nest, often traveling hundreds of miles in unknown directions to see out a mate and establish their own breeding territories.

During the banding of the falcons that took place May 22, officials determined three of the four young falcons are females. The sex of the fourth young falcon could not be determined.

Visit the DEP Falcon webcam webpage for more information. You can also watch an online video of the 2008 banding of the falcons.

NewsClips: Perfect Birth Rate for Peregrine Falcons Atop PPL Plant

Falcons Nesting Above Penn Square Reading

Peregrine Falcons Nest in Wilds of Union County

6/6/2008