THE FAMOUS Peregrine Falcons nest on the Joseph Smith Memorial Building has seen no activity since 2015. We will update if a new pair nests in the box.
Tragically, we lost the female in a car accident a few weeks ago. Dad is raising the kids solo, quite successfully too. Estimated fledge is June 13-20 based on hatch dates.
Note, I will only be posting major highlights here. All discussions and daily updates will be on our Facebook group.
Hello Salt Lake City. There appears to be eggs in the nest box atop One Utah Center at 201 S. Main. The box is on the east face so you can only view from street level from the State Street side. All updates will be on Facebook in our group there, Salt Lake City Falcons. There is a camera but it is not a public stream yet.
Its been several years that this blog has been silent. There have been no attempts at peregrine nesting in the downtown area (that we are aware of) since 2015. But, the nest box located on the Intermountain Medical Center in Murray has seen activity this year (after six years since installation) and we have TWO young-of-the-year that are doing well!
Based on feather to down ratio, we might expect fledge to occur this weekend. Currently, adults are demonstrating flights and prey hand-off for young's education, we assume. We are of course looking for volunteers to help monitor young. If you have an interest, you can leave a message here or go over to the Facebook group. Email Liz@utahrox.com as well.
It is hard to believe that it has been five years since that last successful (falcon) pair used the box on the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. We did have a successful pigeon fledge in 2015, though. There were two falcon eggs in the nest last spring but they were not successful. It is now too late in the season for any nesting here.
Bob has retired from the DNR and we wish him well. Some of us continue to keep our eyes on the nests and would come together should there be any need.
Keep your fingers crossed... maybe we will be lucky enough to have a nesting pair next year.
A web camera has been enabled in the nest. We are holding at two eggs. Expected hatch dates June 4-6. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaJfU2vckQ9UrjLgq1zPMaQ
Bob Walters called me this evening to let me know that a pair of peregrine falcons is nesting in the nest box that was installed a few years ago on the One Utah Center building which is located just a few blocks south of the former nesting site.
You can read more news at the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources website https://wildlife.utah.gov/peregrine-cam.html . There is even a photograph!
Hopefully they will get the live camera online soon.
The first egg was apparently seen last week and the approximate hatch dates are June 6th to 8th. If all goes well, fledge would be middle July, which is quite late compared to prior nest years.
I know, it has been a long time since I have posted any updates on our downtown Peregrines. I'll try to give a brief outline of the minimal activity from the last ten months since our resident female died.
- Bob cleaned out the nest box on the Joseph Smith Memorial Building also February 16 in preparation for a hopeful nest season (after last year's pigeons used the box to raise 'Willow'.
- Two adult peregrines were spotted by Bob Walters on the Key Bank tower on February 22.
- In early April, two adults were photographed and video taped by John C. having dinner on the 24th floor of the University Club Building (which is just a block and a half from the nest box!) See below.
- Also in early April, the nest cameras were turned on in hopes that the pair seen in the video would discover the box. Since they did not, the cameras have now been turned off.
-Last reported sighting by Bob, Wed., May 11, 2016 @ 11:38 a.m. - 11:53 a.m. - one, adult peregrine falcon perched on the e in the sign on the east face of the Key Bank Tower, then took off to north and out of view.
This will likely be the only post of 2016, unless.... juveniles are spotted flying somewhere over downtown SLC!
It is with real regret that we must report that the adult, female peregrine falcon retrieved from the ground on March 29 was recently euthanized. Although the bird (believed to be the female, adult of the peregrine pair that has successfully nested upon the Joseph Smith Memorial Building as far back as at least 2011) made some improvement as a result of treatment for a respiratory ailment, she was rather quickly determined to be blind in one eye and, with time, suffered problems with the second eye as well. Sometime during the week of July 12, it was determined that continued treatment would be excruciatingly painful and frightening to her and the difficult decision was made by an expert rehabilitator to humanely put her down. We'll never know to what extent her age may have contributed to her demise, but affliction of wild, healthy birds with aspergillosis not thought to be common. Maybe her age contributed to a weakened condition which allowed this fungal respiratory disease to ultimately take her life. While we're all sad about the outcome, as mere mortals, all we (who have come to love these birds) can do is look to the future and the 2016 nesting season. RIP, sweet thing. Oh how you have thrilled and captivated us through the years.
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She was the best mama! I will miss following this lady and her family. As of now, there has been no interest in the nest box by any peregrines in the area.
Well folks, as you can tell, there isn't much going on as far as a nest this year. Our resident male and the sub-adult female he had been seen with, did not apparently nest anywhere, at least that we know of. It's nice to have a break this year from the activity but I do feel sorry for the cam viewers. I have no news on the female that is in rehab. Maybe Bob will chime in here in our comments. There is a fledge about to happen from our box though. The pigeon family had one chick and I must say he is beautiful. Here is a video from today courtesy of our favorite cam watcher.
Today the female was transferred to a long term rehab center north of Salt Lake City. Bob said all went well ~ no new information. The Salt Lake Tribune also ran an article today with photos. http://www.sltrib.com/news/2370482-155/slcs-webcam-falcon-mom-given-5050
Here are a couple photos taken by the DWRs photographer. Some of us compared photograph's from prior years and think she looks a bit different. I also added some of those for reference. Since we don't have a female showing up in the box (yet) we can only surmise this is her or she was replaced after last nest season. Either way, we still hope our male will find a new mate this season.
Also, cameras are turned on now. If anyone sees a bird in the box, please note date/time and post on the Facebook page or leave a comment here.
Hello, I spoke with Bob Walters today and he gave me this update on the adult female that was picked up downtown last week. Adult female has a fungal infection (aspergillosis). She is being treated with antibiotics, being hand fed and improving. Bob has guarded optimism that she will recover. She has a slight corneal abrasion which is being treated as well. She likely will head to a longer term facility before returning to the wild, hopefully being returned to downtown.
Ready for a strange story? Bob received a call today that a male peregrine crashed in to the Wells Fargo building on Main Street a few blocks from our nest area and was found dead (Friday). The employees who found the bird, called Animal Control. They were directed to dispose of the body. Bob received a phone call from one of the employees to let him know today. His initial thoughts were that it was a Kestrel, as there are many in the city and they have been seen in that particular area before. Bob asked if he could see the bird anyway. The employees had buried the bird nearby but helped Bob exhume the remains, and sure enough, it was an adult, male peregrine falcon. BUT, Bob had just spotted a male on the tall church office building last night, presumably surveying it's territory, possibly watching for the missing female. So... one dead male, one live. Possibly this was a territorial death? And is the male that remains in the territory our same male from last year or was he the one found dead? Will we ever know? Pictures of our resident male from last year below. Bob is going to try his expert had at taking a few cell phone pictures of the expired bird he picked up today for comparison.
p.s. The cameras were due to go live today but at last word from the building it may be delayed by a day or two.
It's warming up in SLC. Actually, I think we are in for a very warm nest season (poor Bob) as our snowfall in the mountains has been so small, we are likely to have no cooling effect channeling to the city. It's been in the 60's and now 70's for a few weeks and it's only March. A few updates:
1. There is construction taking place on the nest building (JSMB) but we are hopeful that it won't affect the pair nesting.
2. The adults have been seen from time to time around the site over the winter so things have been looking good....
3. Bob got a call yesterday: "Sunday, March 29: Call today (08:30 a.m.) from The Church indicating that peregrine on ground. I responded and rescue was made by expert w/ Church Security who handled an empty, cardboard box like a pro. I transported what I think is the adult female to our expert rehabilitator for examination. So far, all that was noted was a "mouse" (spot where a few very small feathers appeared askew and/or absent) on a wrist. Wings were "up" before capture ... looked more, or less fine. Likely trip to veterinarian as early as tomorrow morning. All I have for now. Cross your fingers!"
2:01 p.m. on March 30, 2015: No word from rehabilitator, so far, as to status of adult female rescued yesterday. I did observe what I took to be the adult male on the front board of the nest box yesterday at 5:26 p.m. No doubt, he's baffled, flying about, looking around for her return and/or some other female with whom he can raise a family"
4. Cameras should be turned on April 6. Get ready!
Bob asked me once if my husband and I ever saw any Peregrines when hiking up in the Wasatch mountains. Up until yesterday, that answer was 'no'. They are hard enough to see when you are holding still, looking for them downtown, let alone while you are walking, looking down so you don't trip and fall off a cliff! DH came home yesterday from his hike to Sundial Peak with news that he had seen a falcon and that he thought he'd gotten a good photo. I have to admit, that at first I wondered if one of our fledglings might be up there. But, that is highly unlikely. Fred saw this beauty in Big Cottonwood Canyon, up the Lake Blanche trail, just as he reached the summit. This view is looking north and down in to Big Cottonwood Canyon. BTW, if you want a spectacular autumn hike into a gold aspen grove, this is the hike to do, but just to the lake. Only experts should attempt the hike to the peak.
Do you see him?
How about now?
Me in a photo from a hike we did back in 2007. The arrow points to Sundial Peak where the Peregrine was perched.
On the trail leading to Lake Blanche in Autumn 2004.
Thurs., August 14 at >6:03 p.m.: One young-of-the-year observed perched atop
the Zions Bank Tower (west end on north face = near the northwest corner),
wailing to get the attention of an adult perched to the west on top of the
Gateway West Tower at the northeast corner RW
Do you know what a Lek is? I didn't, until Rahul sent me an invitation to attend a special meeting to try to convince the Morgan County Planning Commission not to approve an amendment to the Morgan County Future Land Use Map.
Definition of Lek: an assembly area where animals (as the prairie chicken) carry on display and courtship behavior; also: an aggregation of animals assembled on a lek for courtship.
The Greater Sage-Grouse is very close to being on the endangered list. So close, that land where this springtime mating ritual takes place is being rushed to sale to developers. In order to make the sale, the land use designation has to be amended to redesignate
approximately 2980.4 acres from “Natural Resources and
Recreation” to “Master Planned Community.” In short, the lek sits in the midst of this acreage where they want to build a 'planned community'. The birds would be gone if this happens. To even view these birds, you have to arrive before sunrise, stay in your vehicle and make no disturbances, since the Greater Sage-Grouse is very affected by human disturbance. For more information about these special birds read Mia McPherson's blog post here.
Just Google Henefer Lek and you will see why this is so important. A SPECIAL place that hosts a very special bird.
So next Thursday, August 14 at 6:30 there will be a hearing in Morgan to decide whether the county will approve the re-designation. PLEASE attend if you can. I am working on car pools, since this is an hour+ drive from my home in Sandy. Email me if you are interested Liz@utahrox.com.
Hi everyone, I spoke to Bill Cobabe a few days ago and he is
the zoning administrator for the land which covers the lek. He told me
that Yaryca LLC currently owns the land and that they are looking to
sell off the land as it is in high demand for property developers.
Yaryca is looking to sell off the land ASAP in fear that the sage-grouse
may be listed as a federally protected species soon. If this were to
happen, the developers would no longer be able to develop that land. Bill
told me that there have been previous meetings concerning this lek but
he hadn't been able to get the word out to people. He told me that there
would only be 4 or 5 people that would attend the meetings and that the
low attendance has caused Yaryca to somewhat ignore the concerns
regarding the lek. Bill explained to me that the matter is quite urgent
as there is not much we would be able to do after, if Yaryca sells the
land. However, he said that a high attendance to the public hearing may
make all the difference. This is a matter of concern because at the
moment, our expected attendance for the hearing is very low and we only
have a week left until the hearing! Therefore, I ask you all to please
attend this public hearing. Your words will have an impact
and thus we need your support! I would recommend that all of you state
on the events page, whether or not you would be able to attend the
hearing so that we have an idea of how many people will be attending and
how many more people we would need to have for the hearing. ~ Rahul Mukherjee
Received this comment from Bob so thought I'd post it. Also, Bob told me we have seen the juveniles as late as first two weeks of August downtown.
July 31 at 07:49 - 08:01 a.m. All three kids observed: Ace and Hunter remain
best of buds, perched, more or less, side by side near the northwest shoulder
level corner of the World Trade Center (formerly Eagle Gate Tower), while Skye
was perched (and wailing) on a wide ledge close to the northwest corner on the
Kirton-McConkie Building and then flying north along the east face of the Joseph
Smith Memorial Building and, then, to the north/northwest and out of view.
RW
I took a trip downtown this morning looking for our Juvies. I didn't see them or the adults. I stuck around for 30 minutes, then drove down to 100 South to look at the south faces of the tall buildings. Nothing.
So I made a stop by the McDonald's at 4500 S. and I-15, because I heard there was a nest of Golden eagles there in the trees just east of McDonald's. I found three juvenile Swainson's Hawks in intermediate morph stage. I am not smart enough to know that... I posted the photos on Utah Birding Facebook page and someone identified them for me. They are so big, like dogs sitting in the tree! Have to be twice the size of our Peregrine falcons. I had on my Sanuk sandals, all clean and pink and brand new (and not cheap either). I hadn't planned on being anywhere but a sidewalk. The only way to get this image was to climb the sandy dirt hill across the side street from McDonald's. I didn't even hesitate.
Shelly made this great image of Hunter, Skye and Ace yesterday looking out from the Key Bank building yesterday. The kids were playing on the World Trade Center (Eagle Gate) tower. So good to see them all together!
Hello, I have been traveling to see family so haven't had time to post but here is a little update from Bob that came in while I was gone.
July 18: Don,
Valarie and I watched the kids this a.m. before 7:30. All three put on
quite a show flying high - at one point, all three in the air together -
all around and over the Eagle Gate Tower (World Trade Tower), Key Bank
Tower, Zions Bank Tower, Gateway West Tower. What a wonderful spectacle
in the cool temperature of the morning! FYI - according to my records,
Ace and Hunter (63 days old) have been out of the nest box for 24 days
on this date (July 18) and Skye (60 days old) has been out for 20 days
on this date (July 18). Best time to check out flights early and late in
the day ... when it's cool. July 15: Three
kids downtown on the wing last evening as were spectators Valarie, Kat
and I. Valarie and I were treated to an unsuccessful prey exchange
between Dad and Ace in which a live starling was dropped only to be
re-captured in mid-air by Dad. Ace resumed the chase and, theoretically,
snatched the starling and consumed it above Johnny Rockets (large,
brown canopy at the base of the Key Bank Tower). It was sooo cool to
witness! July 14:
Over the weekend, had a report of a strongly vocalizing peregrine
at the Intermountain Medical Center. Long story made shorter:
I visited today. Noticed that workers had removed the nest box once visible to the right
(north) of the large blue letters that read (from State Street) Intermountain
Medical Center. Workers were busy cleaning, or painting, or "sealing" the wall
below from a suspended platform.
Went over to the shaded, west face and what did I see? 2 adult peregrines:
one perched on the mounting hardware that supports the sign and one on a
letter. With the assistance of someone with their maintenance department, I was
able to get a look into the nest box resting on the roof. Box filled with
pigeon guano and a single pigeon egg. Is it possible that this pair is nesting elsewhere on the building, or
somewhere nearby that facility? Answer: yes. So, if you have some time and/or live nearby, take a look. Maybe we're on
to something good!
The nest box on IMC.
I took this photo back in 2012 of a peregrine on the IMC letters on the East side.
Update at 12:00pm: Bob saw all five around noon Saturday. Dad on COB, Mom and kids on Eagle Gate tower. Great to hear!! Skye seems to roam but always returns.
I have been traveling since Wednesday so haven't had time to share these updates... I'll post more as it comes in.
From Bob Friday after a video alert that Dad may have injured a foot, see video here http://youtu.be/o3fOiwgw9y0:
Hi, Folks -
I observed Dad this a.m. perched upon a narrow, vertical column (one of his "spots") on the north face of the Zions Bank Tower. He appeared at first to be prone (not unusual for him - I think that he likes to hide there), but then stood for some time on both feet: neither leg/foot was hanging limply either to the front, or back.
Next problem ... we experienced high winds last evening. Maybe, as a result, Skye, again. appears to be MIA. At this time, I've have not received a call from the observation deck hostesses that Skye is again trapped in an observation deck, pockets atop the tall Church Office Building, etc.! I'll keep looking through the day and let you know what I discover.
Kids!
RW
P.S. Mary Anne - thanks, as per normal, for providing the footage that alerted us to a possible problem (i.e. showing Dad favoring the leg/foot)
P.S.S. yesterday, at about 2:02 p.m., all three young-of-the-year were perched on the sign (red-colored key icon/logo and words Key Bank) on the north face of the Key Bank Tower
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This was from Bob earlier this week.
Monday morning Hunter was captured where she was found trapped in the western observation deck of the tall Church Office Building. Immediately following her capture, she was released, again, below the beehive on the JSMB.
I was downtown watching the birds on Tuesday evening when I received a call from Church Security that a bird was tapped in the eastern observation deck of the tall Church Office Building. That bird, Skye, appeared to have re-damaged her upper bill so I took her to raptor rehabilitator Joann Stoddard for evaluation and a stay over night in her care. We're presently planning to apply an acrylic of some time (rather than something like Super Glue) to repair and stabilize the injured/damaged bill. If all goes as planned, Skye will be released as soon as sometime later in the day today, Wednesday, July 9.
FYI - It's important that Skye get back with the family as soon as possible to enable her to receive the training necessary via the adults to go forward: earn her wings, disperse to the wild, get on with life, thrive in the wild, etc..
AFN
RW
P.S. Ace and Hunter looked fine early in the day today, Wednesday (0641-0738) + no one ever said that HellWeek(s) was easy!
We've been treated to wonderful photos this fledge season, particularly from Marguerite Roberts. Here are a few more from the last few days. You can follow her on Twitter @mhrfoto.
I will have a few more of mine from this weekend to post tomorrow. Please stop back. Enjoy!
