Rfalconcam Forum

Yesterday, Saturday, Don and I were in Syracuse and, as usual went downtown to check Groucho and Fancy. We didn't see any falcons initially, but while parked and eating lunch we saw Fancy fly in and settle on top of the Bank of America building.

About 15 minutes later we saw the pigeons stir in a building south of the Bank of America building. They were being chased by Groucho who then flew in and joined Fancy on the opposite side of the Bank of America building.

We started to leave when I looked up and saw them copulating on the BOA building. Suddenly Groucho took off and flew around the State Office Tower and over our heads and disappeared.

When we left Fancy was still on the BOA building, and no sign of Groucho, but we were happy to see both together!

Suzanne and Don

Hi Suzanne, thanks for the report! Glad you saw both!  :clap:

Both were just bowing in the NB-one there now.

 :wave: Thanks Suzanne and Don! Good to hear from you and I hope all is going well.  ;D

I have seen one of the birds at the nest fairly frequently, usually on the perch. I wonder what the chances are of eggs this year.

These pics are from yesterday evening; this looks a little more promising.

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/March%202013/syracuseapril251a_zps6fe2f419.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/March%202013/syracuseapril251a_zps6fe2f419.jpg.html)

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/March%202013/syracuseapril252a_zps358531ee.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/March%202013/syracuseapril252a_zps358531ee.jpg.html)

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/March%202013/syracuseapril253a_zpsbebe96a8.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/March%202013/syracuseapril253a_zpsbebe96a8.jpg.html)

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/March%202013/syracuseapril255a_zpsdc013fb6.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/March%202013/syracuseapril255a_zpsdc013fb6.jpg.html)

Oh I hope so!! Thanks

Caught both birds at the nest this afternoon, the second time I have seen both there recently.

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/May%202013/syracusemay121a_zps7f15bab2.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/May%202013/syracusemay121a_zps7f15bab2.jpg.html)

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/May%202013/syracusemay123a_zps45298a90.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/May%202013/syracusemay123a_zps45298a90.jpg.html)

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/May%202013/syracusemay124a_zps2651705d.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/May%202013/syracusemay124a_zps2651705d.jpg.html)

  Juvie at Syracuse nest, posted on FB

  Was posted yesterday!

Fancy, posted 30 minutes ago!

We have 2 new peregrine falcons at the nest box. The female is a banded bird. We have not been able to ID her yet, but we hope to get an identity before too long. The male seems to be unbanded, but we think he is also a new bird. We are pretty sure that there are eggs in the box. The female and male are taking turns incubating. We are hoping to see little white heads pop up around Mother's Day!

Another pair that disappeared!  :(  Maybe off on retirement!

Sad about Fancy and Groucho not being there anymore but glad to see some nesting action here!

Life moves along whether we like it or not in nature and for us!  ;)

Just read on FB that they have 2 hatches here!   :hatch1: :hatch1:

Wonder who they are? At least they have babies!  :clap:

 :thumbsup:

http://www.syracuse.com/outdoors/index.ssf/2014/06/good_news_peregrine_falcon_eyas_on_the_syracuse_state_tower_building_has_been_ba.html (http://www.syracuse.com/outdoors/index.ssf/2014/06/good_news_peregrine_falcon_eyas_on_the_syracuse_state_tower_building_has_been_ba.html)

Pigott's 1st eyas! Meet Barb, named after Barbara Loucks!!

The best news EVER!!!

Pigott!!

Wonderful news!  So glad she got her own home, and what a beautiful eyas!!

I've watched this nest site this year and never knew I was seeing Pigott.  I am so happy for her and love her baby.  :wub:

This is the best news!!!!  So happy for Pigott!!!!! :yahoo:

Me too! DUH!! Who knew!! I'm so HAPPY!!!!!!!

This is the best news ever!  I was so worried about her and here she is - finally a mama!  You go girl!! :wub:

Just to fill in from FB...

George Marleau The band on the female is black over black with the numbers 43/X. DEC has a photo that was enlarged to reveal the band number. Still trying to determine where from.

Joyce Miller THIS IS PIGOTT!

Joyce Miller Pigott is from Hamilton 43/X. She was hatched in Hamilton 2010. You can check their site for posts that year. The photo I have on my FB cover is Pigott still in her subadult plumage. She was Dot.ca's second mate for 2 years.

I wonder is she ran off with that unbanded tiercel that day?  Her mate is unbanded.  I am so happy, I can't even tell you..I was so worried something happened to her and look at her now with a baby!  :wub:

BEST news EVER!!!!! Good for you Pigott, good for you!!!!!  :yahoo: :heart:

 :thumbsup: I just got home to read the most wonderful news of Pigott in Syracuse and even better, with an eyas.  Good for her! I had feared the worst when she disappeared from Rochester after 2 years and am delighted to see she has found herself a mate and a good place to raise a family.

Dot in PA

I got to do the happy dance with Joyce and the watchers tonight over Pigott AND HER BABY!  There were times when I thought I'd never say that phrase.  Pigott and her baby... :happy: :heart:

 :clap: I'm really happy!!! Syracuse is one of the first nestbox I have watched since many years ago. I remember Juliette...one of the girls of Fancy. She was my prefered.

This is the most wonderful news and I have wondered what happened to Pigot!  Does anyone have the link to the Syracuse Falcons that can be viewed?   Absolutely wonderful news!  Thanks for sharing! :clap:

http://falconcam.usadatanet.com/ActiveX1.html (http://falconcam.usadatanet.com/ActiveX1.html)

I used to be able to view this cam but no more!  Active X something. Need IE  Let me know if anyone can view this>

(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r32/djweeds/Pigott_zpse7352f5f.jpg) (http://s140.photobucket.com/user/djweeds/media/Pigott_zpse7352f5f.jpg.html)  Close up just posted on fb   :thumbsup: :2thumbsup:

Thank you Syracuse for finding Pigott!  :clap: :clap: :clap:   :heart:

http://www.silverknightsfanclub.com/falconcam.php (http://www.silverknightsfanclub.com/falconcam.php)

I asked for help and I got it! Here's the link for the non IE users to view the cam!  Have to wait until morning though!

What joyful news! Thanks, FlaDonna, for calling me at work. Congratulations Pigott and family. I was also wondering if the visiting unbanded tiercel had swept Pigott off her talons and persuaded her to follow him on an adventure. What a big cute baby. Excellent name choice, too!  :thumbsup:

I never saw such a fluffy eyas! She's big, so white, so full and she gets all the food!!

and YES Barb, nice name huh!!!  :handshake:

Pigott! Astonishing! Some good news this season!!!

Great news! Congrats to the watchers which have been looking after her those last two years !

(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r32/djweeds/6-28Barb_zpsbb96320d.jpg) (http://s140.photobucket.com/user/djweeds/media/6-28Barb_zpsbb96320d.jpg.html) Shadow of Barb 

That's about all I see!

(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r32/djweeds/6-28Barb2_zps9dcb5ee9.jpg) (http://s140.photobucket.com/user/djweeds/media/6-28Barb2_zps9dcb5ee9.jpg.html)(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r32/djweeds/6-28Barb3_zps366526f8.jpg) (http://s140.photobucket.com/user/djweeds/media/6-28Barb3_zps366526f8.jpg.html) There she is!

Here is another link for the Syracuse Falcons that is a static snapshot of the current cam, not requiring active X.  You have to refresh your browser page to see an updated image.  Found this in my old bookmarks.

(The image is smaller than the one Donna posted last night.)

http://falconcam.usadatanet.com/capture1.jpg (http://falconcam.usadatanet.com/capture1.jpg)


Christiane

Link not working.

(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r32/djweeds/6-29Barb_zpsf88d4ff9.jpg) (http://s140.photobucket.com/user/djweeds/media/6-29Barb_zpsf88d4ff9.jpg.html) posted on fb from this am. Have not seen Pigott yet!

Donna posted Joyce's pics of Pigott and her baby that she took yesterday on BCAW.  Great pics! 

Too many places to remember to post...

https://picasaweb.google.com/103506887401231004704/PigottBarbSyracuseNYJUN292014

Can't tell you how wonderful it is to see Pigott again, thank you Joyce for going to check up on her and taking these photos of her family.  Her family!  She so deserves this!   :wub: :notworthy:

Guess I am stopping by Syracuse in a couple of weeks.

Brought tears to my eyes to see Miss Pigott again!  :heart:

So precious!!!! :heart: :heart: :heart: :heart: :heart:

Great pics, Joyce!  I'm very happy for Pigott and her baby, Barb, is beautiful!  Wonder if people there will give her mate a name too?

Fledge Watch Report 6/30/14
Arrived at 5:30 AM and stayed until 7. Saw Pigott bring breakfast to Barb. She tried to entice Barb to fly up to the next higher level above the nest box, but when Barb refused to budge, Pigott flew around the building and landed 10 feet away on one of the pillars at the nest box level. Barb had to hop-fly (not a real flight) to get breakfast. Pigott was sparing with the meal and flew off to Chase bank with the remainder. Barb laid down and I left at 7:30.
Arrived back downtown about 2:30 PM. Jeff Gilka had kept an eye on the Peregrines off and on during the morning. Barb had begun traveling again along the balcony parapet from the nest box on the northeast corner to the northwest corner and around to the last pedestal where she laid down again. Just before I got there she began traveling back to the nest box area where she remained until after 3. She got restless between 3 and 4 and when Pigott and the male began circling the building, Barb began ledge hopping, this time actually taking short flights of about 8 to 10 feet between pillars. She actually launched out and flew from one to the next all the way to the end and back. After that, she laid down again and slept until 6PM.
Barb got hungry around 6, but both parents ignored her. Dad only 30 feet away on the east facia, and Pigott on the Verizon tower. Dad left at 7PM. Around 8PM, Pigott flew off Verizon and was soon seen on the top of Bank America. Dad returned shortly thereafter with dinner (a huge pigeon breast). He landed next to the nest box perch. Barb was screaming at him as he approached and landed. She leaped off the outer perch and attacked, demanding the food. She looked really angry as she grabbed it and wrenched it away. Dad backed off and went up on the perch to watch while Barb devoured the pigeon.
Watchers tonight were myself, Diane Green, Adriene Call (sorry if I don't get it correct), Paul and Linda Pflanz. Paul took a ton of pictures. He promised to share some which I'll post later. Jeff Gilka had to leave around 5, but he had some pictures which he may share later as well.

George Marleau   Syracuse fb page

Barb took. Her first flight this morning. Pigott was right with her ...will write more later

I am all alone down in Hanover Square...someone help!!!

Susan Lowe Wrisley fb  Feel bad they don't have many watchers!  :(

Go, Barb!  Don't feel bad about very few watchers.  I did Jersey City solo for 9 days. 

You are a trooper Bonnie, I'd be a wreck!!!

This is what I posted on the Syracuse Falcon Facebook page about our watch yesterday, between storms and such.  Don took some pics of Pigott which I will post.

Suzanne

Yesterday morning, about 7:45, Don and I went downtown.  We started near the Axa building as that is where Pigott and Barb have recently been seen.  We saw Pigott on the roof of 499 Warren, eating.  When she was done, she flew to the Hotel Syracuse roof.  We lost sight of her.

About a half hour later, we saw Pigott and another falcon, believe it was the male, flying around the State Tower.  Off we went back to our favorite viewing spot of the Tower/nest box, the Bank of America parking lot.  Pigott was perched on the bar in front of the nest box.  She eventually took off and flew low overhead...wow!  Then back to the Axa building.  I think she remembered us from Rochester.  We lost sight of the male and still hadn't seen Barb yet.

We drove back down to the Axa/Hotel Syracuse area and found Pigott on the corner of the building.  We heard a "kak kak" and saw the shadow of a second falcon, presumed it was Barb.  Pigott then took off for 500 South Salina Street, but we lost sight of Barb.

By then it was around 11 am, so we headed off for a bio break and lunch.  We returned about 1 pm, after a brief t-storm/shower, but didn't see any falcons this time.  Actually didn't see any pigeons flying either.  We left downtown about 3 pm.

 :2thumbsup:

So happy you were able to find Pigott and her fledgling!  I can't wait to visit with her.  It's been such a long time since I've seen her.   :heart: :wub:

Look who is home and on cam right now  :heart:

 :thumbsup:  Aw, thanks Carly!

 :2thumbsup:

 :heart: :wub: :heart:

Pigott and her mate in nest box bonding right now.  Hard to get a good shot due to glare of sunlight!  I tried though  ;D

Miss Pigott has been in her nest box doing some house keeping this morning, she's been there for about a half hour now!  :wub:

Yaaaay! SO pleased for this girl!

Me too!  I'll bet it's a lot easier to do housework at her Syracuse nestbox than it was in Brighton.   :happy:

She had that HUGE cubby! Much better now! I kinda miss her. Saw more of her at BS!! :(

Ms Piqott in the nest box in the past half hour   :happy:

Christiane

Nice catch!  :thumbsup:

 :2thumbsup:

 :heart: :wub:

Oh yeah!   :heart:

Rochester Falcon Watchers Kathy O, Lisa McK, Dana and Carol P visited with Pigott and her mate this past weekend, Saturday, 9/20/14.  We saw nothing until they both flew in from the north at 3:00 pm.  They were very active with each other, both visiting at the nest box twice and ee-chupping up a storm.  We remained until after the sun set, when Pigott tucked into a ledge below her nest box and her mate settled into a nook on a nearby church.  Pretty sure, by the look of all the white wash below these spots, that this is where they roost at night.  It was a fun day spent with our Pigott and her beau.   :happy:

 :wub: :wub: :wub:  If those NY condo people could read this and understand that all the falcons want is a 'home', just like them.  Somewhere safe where they can raise a family - in many ways they aren't that different from us.  Perhaps they'd understand what life is like for our poor birds.

Bet this was quite the treat getting to see them like this!  :clap:

That is such a sad situation Carly.   :(

It was a huge treat to see both of them interacting with each other Patricia.  Can't wait to see them again.   :D

Tsusan at BCAW alerted us that Syracuse is asking on it's cam page whether or not we want the cam to stay turned on or off for the season!

Please go and vote YES to see our Pigott during the off season!  :bow:

http://www.silverknightsfanclub.com/falconcam.php (http://www.silverknightsfanclub.com/falconcam.php)

Well, that's an easy answer!!!  :devil:

"WE want Pigott"

Done! Thanks, Carly! Honestly, who would vote no?

Voted YES of course!   :D

 :letter_y: :letter_e: :letter_s:

Same here in Syracuse

And me too. Syracuse was my second webcam after Rochester some years ago. Baby Juliette was my prefered there...  :happy:

Pigott in the morning today
(http://i60.tinypic.com/1zmgw90.jpg)

Nice bird!!!    :happy:

Thanks Annette!  It's lovely to see the lady Pigott.

 :wub: :wub:

Thanks Annette!  Love Pigott!   :heart: :wub:

Good to see Miss Pigott!  :heart:

Hello Pigott! :wave:

I have tried to check on Pigott for a few weeks now and can't seem to get this cam - is it me or is the cam down?

NOPE, me either, for weeks!! :(

Cam is working today!!  Someone home with back to cam so can't tell who...hoping it's Pigott!

Thanks, Carly! After so many weeks I was starting to think this cam was gone for good.

The Syracuse cam is down again, and the site shows this message:

Give it up! The falcon cam is down until at least Monday. WCS is working on a new camera. The new camera will include full streaming video.

Great news!  Thanks!

(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r32/djweeds/3-17%20Pigott%201_zpsokppha0q.jpg) (http://s140.photobucket.com/user/djweeds/media/3-17%20Pigott%201_zpsokppha0q.jpg.html)
(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r32/djweeds/3-17%20Pigott_zpstpbqy5qw.jpg) (http://s140.photobucket.com/user/djweeds/media/3-17%20Pigott_zpstpbqy5qw.jpg.html)

New cam up and running!! Great view now! This is the male!!

http://falconcam.usadatanet.com/ (http://falconcam.usadatanet.com/)

(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r32/djweeds/3-17%20Pigott%20male_zpsnkowm6si.jpg) (http://s140.photobucket.com/user/djweeds/media/3-17%20Pigott%20male_zpsnkowm6si.jpg.html) Egg butt???
(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r32/djweeds/3-17%20Pigott%203_zpsjauan1qu.jpg) (http://s140.photobucket.com/user/djweeds/media/3-17%20Pigott%203_zpsjauan1qu.jpg.html) Pigott!!!
(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r32/djweeds/3-17%20Pigott%204_zpsscav3waf.jpg) (http://s140.photobucket.com/user/djweeds/media/3-17%20Pigott%204_zpsscav3waf.jpg.html)

Pigott has egg butt!!!!  ;D

Wow, Donna! What great captures! I've been watching too, but have only seen an empty nest so far.

Wonderful to see Pigott and her mate again.

A new set of "live stream" cameras on top of the state Tower Building in downtown Syracuse will give bird watching enthusiasts a clear view of a pair of nesting peregrine falcons and their young this coming season.

For several years, there's been a nesting box on top of the building's 23rd floor. The building is located at the corner of Warren and Water streets.

Up to last year, a camera let viewers in on the birds' lives. However, at times it wasn't functioning at 100 percent and caused problems for certain internet browsers.

A new camera donated by Wholesale Carrier Services, a provider of business communications network services, was put up last week and is operating. It gives viewers a good look inside the nesting box. Check it out at falconcam.wcs.com.

Another camera is slated to be put up soon (possibly by the end of this week), giving viewers an additional perspective from above of the nesting box. It would show where the birds are perching apart from the nesting box, in addition to showing them coming and going.

"We've ironed out a few kinks (from the old system) and they should work on most computers, smart phones and tablets," said Christopher Aloi, an engineering manager for Wholesale Carrier Services.

Michael Hollenberger, facilities engineer for the building, said a state Department of Environmental Conservation staffer was present last week when the first new camera was installed. The DEC has been banding the new birds each year and keeping track of them.

Hollenberger said there's a new, unbanded male bird this year. A banded female, which was given the name "Pigott" by the Syracuse Peregrine Falcon's group, is back.

Members of the Syracuse Peregrine Falcons, who monitor the nest online and from the street below, have a Facebook page by the same name that contains frequent observations and the latest developments.

"I was told there's some indication that (Pigott) does intend to lay eggs," Hollenberger said. "She has already scratched out a (space) in the pebbles on the bottom of the nesting box."

He said the eggs would probably come during the first week of April.   :2thumbsup:

By David Figura | dfigura@syracuse.com
Follow on Twitter
on March 18, 2015 at 4:40 PM, updated March 18, 2015 at 5:29 PM

Pigott!!!!

Someone needs to tell that DEC guy that Pigott was named in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada where she was hatched and not by the Syracuse Falcon Group.  :whistle:

I had the same thought, MAK! Madame X and Surge had something to do with Pigott, too . . .

The second Syracuse cam is up and running!

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/February%202015/syracuse-march-19-1a_zpsl197t1yl.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/February%202015/syracuse-march-19-1a_zpsl197t1yl.jpg.html)

I am watching two cams more!  :2thumbsup:

The second camera monitoring the pair of peregrine falcons occupying the nesting box on the 23rd floor of the state Tower Building in downtown Syracuse was put in place today.

Christopher Aloi, an engineering manager for Wholesale Carrier Services, the company that donated the camera, made the announcement today on the Syracuse Peregrine Falcons Facebook page.

Those wishing to watch the peregrines now have two viewpoints -- a view looking directly into the box, and a view from above it. See falconcam.wcs.com.

Susan Lowe Wrisley, a spokeswoman for the Syracuse Peregrine Falcons, told me today the name given to the female bird (Pigott) did not come from her group as I originally reported. It came from the Hamilton Peregrine Falcons watching group in Hamilton, Ontario.

And as for the new male bird, the Syracuse group took the initiative recently to give it a name.

"It's George," Wrisley said.


http://falconcam.wcs.com/ (http://falconcam.wcs.com/) both cams

Thank you for the updates, Donna. Love that photo of Pigott in the snow that you posted.

The male:

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/February%202015/syracuse-march-19-3a_zps6z4cu92e.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/February%202015/syracuse-march-19-3a_zps6z4cu92e.jpg.html)

Donna, you're the expert on this nest; could this be Pigott?

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/February%202015/syracuse-march-19-7a_zpsqmgv67qy.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/February%202015/syracuse-march-19-7a_zpsqmgv67qy.jpg.html)

I am no way an expert but the bottom pic is Pigott as she was there for a while before when George was out on the perch!!

Looking at this picture, I hope the first camera has a strong mount. It's a prime perching spot. If the mount is weak, that camera will end up pointing downward.

 :thumbsup:

(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r32/djweeds/3-20%20George%20Pigott_zps6cknmj2i.jpg) (http://s140.photobucket.com/user/djweeds/media/3-20%20George%20Pigott_zps6cknmj2i.jpg.html)  Caught on Cam!!  :heart:

Interesting shot of Pigott and George!  Makes me a bit dizzy.  So glad she found her own spot!

I have vertigo issues at times so can't watch this cam..makes me really dizzy too.

Thank you so much for the info, Donna!

Great capture of Pigott and George, Donna!

I am so glad that Pigott moved away from Rochester to find her own nest and her own mate. I hope this year will be very successful for them.

(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r32/djweeds/3-21%20Pigott%202_zpseskeiqah.jpg) (http://s140.photobucket.com/user/djweeds/media/3-21%20Pigott%202_zpseskeiqah.jpg.html)(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r32/djweeds/3-21%20Pigott_zpsmdcvj7aw.jpg) (http://s140.photobucket.com/user/djweeds/media/3-21%20Pigott_zpsmdcvj7aw.jpg.html)(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r32/djweeds/3-21%20Pigott%204_zpskyrh3vmf.jpg) (http://s140.photobucket.com/user/djweeds/media/3-21%20Pigott%204_zpskyrh3vmf.jpg.html)(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r32/djweeds/3-21%20Pigott%203_zpsyffbfarg.jpg) (http://s140.photobucket.com/user/djweeds/media/3-21%20Pigott%203_zpsyffbfarg.jpg.html)

Egg butt a happenin!!!

I do wish there was a way to just watch the box cam. I've tried a few different times and that down angle is making my head spin too.

Guess I'll be following through the posts here....

I just hit Ctrl and scroll to make the page bigger, then you get just the nest cam and can't see the down cam as it's below  the nest cam not next to it! The down cam doesn't bother me, I like heights!!

(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r32/djweeds/3-23%20%20Pigott_zpsyus9dm9q.jpg) (http://s140.photobucket.com/user/djweeds/media/3-23%20%20Pigott_zpsyus9dm9q.jpg.html) Looked like Pigott was pushing at 5:50 am
(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r32/djweeds/3-23%20Pigott%202_zpsfyprvdfp.jpg) (http://s140.photobucket.com/user/djweeds/media/3-23%20Pigott%202_zpsfyprvdfp.jpg.html) She left but can't see egg. Guy on FB said the scrape is very low and we probably won't see the eggs but next year they will raise the nest cam.
(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r32/djweeds/3-23%20George_zpshkydatpd.jpg) (http://s140.photobucket.com/user/djweeds/media/3-23%20George_zpshkydatpd.jpg.html) George came in and took over, so I believe there is an egg.   :heart:
(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r32/djweeds/3-23%20george%202_zpsfdladke6.jpg) (http://s140.photobucket.com/user/djweeds/media/3-23%20george%202_zpsfdladke6.jpg.html)

That would be so awesome!   :happy:

I can't see the egg, but I am pretty sure there is one:

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/falcoperegrinus1/February%202015/syracuse-march-23-1a_zpsm87ywbey.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/falcoperegrinus1/media/February%202015/syracuse-march-23-1a_zpsm87ywbey.jpg.html)

Good tip Donna, thanks!  :good post:

According to the maintenance guy, she def has eggs, not sure how many!!

This is Pigott, eh?? (Note: "eh")

Have to wonder how the maintenance guy is seeing into the nest box?  Doesn't seem like you could see from inside the building.  But maybe he can. 

So Pigott is not missing after all. Good news!

Cams are down and we may miss watching her raise her babies.

Unfortunately the cable connecting one the cameras appears to be disconnected, this may have been a result of the weather. We have contacted the DEC to help us reconfigure the cable but we may not be able to fix this unil the banding. Sorry.. Wish we could do more.

           :(

You can never have too many cameras.

Shaky
Department Manager
Department of Redundancy Department

didn't you say that camera had potential problems because of the way it was mounted?

They are going to raise the cam so we can see inside the box.

It was mounted too low to see the eggs in the box, but that had little or nothing to do with the cable issue.

Things break. It happens all the time. When you can't get near the broken parts to fix them, you need to have spares in place ready to take over their duties. Also, in the course of the nesting season, there is no single camera that can cover all the angles.

More cameras is better.

Like 5!!!!!!!!!   :thumbsup:

Well, 6 if you count the night video cam. And let's not forget the one on the Power's building. I was thinking this morning looking at the view from cam 4 that in an absolute emergency Shaky could probably get a cam over there working to watch TS.  :notworthy:

and when they're off the nest box cameras, all the watchers cameras take over!    :flash:

Our Powers Building cameras are no longer accessible. I lost contact with them last summer. It was around the time we got permission from DEC to remove the nest box so I didn't bother to troubleshoot the problem. Kenn has been tasked with removing the equipment since most of it belongs to him. When that is done, we will remove the nest box. This is the M&K box, which has historical value and probably should not be sitting out in the elements if it's not going to be used.

If i were going to set up another camera, I'd ask for a volunteer in the Aqueduct or First Federal Plaza buildings to host the camera.

I knew they were off line-didn't know they were scheduled to come out, though it makes sense. The birds don't even visit the building.

Next on the agenda...Rochester Peregrine Museum!

I was thinking more along the lines of a shrine at The Church of M&K and Latter-day Poop Shots.

This is my dream.

If ever they take the netting down...but I suspect they'd move there in a heartbeat if that ever happened.

It would be a tribute to ALL the Rochester Falcons; Mariah, Kaver, Cabot-Sirocco, Beauty, Dot.ca, Archer, Unity, Pigott and all the young falcons that hatched on the Kodak Tower and the Times Square Bldg.

and Orville would have a place of honor.    :happy:

That would be sweet!

Congratulations george and pigott on 2 possibly 3 hatchlings!!!
Hatch date is still unknown.
I can audibly confirm 2 possibly 3 hatchlings.
I have will keep everyone updated the best I can.   :clap:


Michael Hollenberger

 :2thumbsup: :yahoo:

Looks like it might be banding day here, someone just posted at BCAW that an umbrella has appeared on cam.  Hope they can fix the main cam too!

Hope so Carly.  Can't wait to hear how many eyases there are.   :happy:

Just posted to their FB page:

The DEC HAS JUST FINISHED THE BANDING OF THE SYRACUSE EYASES! 2 females and 1 Male! I took photos of George and Piggot going nuts... Will post soon. Almost had the opportunity to photograph the banding, but they were done by he time one of the supers came down to see me. Camera is being repaired....

I looked earlier on their FB page but saw nothing. Great to hear they finally got banded and camera will be fixed!  Thanks for posting!

 :yahoo:

The cam is up, babies on board!!!  :yahoo: :yahoo:

(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r32/djweeds/6-3%20Syracuse_zpswrgvohif.jpg) (http://s140.photobucket.com/user/djweeds/media/6-3%20Syracuse_zpswrgvohif.jpg.html)

This is awesome news!!!  :heart: :heart: :heart:

This is wonderful news!!!!!   :heart: :heart: :heart:

AWWW! Cuties...sitting absolutely still

I did see the 2 in the back blink, so I know they're OK...just frozen in place...

Great news and so happy that the cameras are working again!   :clap:

They said the nest cam was damaged beyond repair so they switched the outside cam to inside the nest.  New cameras will be put up in August.

They look to be about the same age as our 3 youngins!  :2thumbsup:

Go figure, the cam view changed and we were all wondering why...seems Pigott wants privacy  :paperbag:

Pigott landed on the camera and turned it around. It cannot be fixed until August

                     :o

http://www.syracuse.com/outdoors/index.ssf/2015/06/dec_bands_three_peregrine_falcon_chicks_on_top_of_state_tower_building.html (http://www.syracuse.com/outdoors/index.ssf/2015/06/dec_bands_three_peregrine_falcon_chicks_on_top_of_state_tower_building.html)

(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r32/djweeds/6-16%20Pigott_zpsxflly2rd.jpg) (http://s140.photobucket.com/user/djweeds/media/6-16%20Pigott_zpsxflly2rd.jpg.html)

Pigott's kids are starting to pop out!!  :thumbsup:

Have you seen this photo of Pigott? She is beautiful!

Beautiful picture  :heart:

(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r32/djweeds/6-18%20Aurora_zpsma4tlpiv.jpg) (http://s140.photobucket.com/user/djweeds/media/6-18%20Aurora_zpsma4tlpiv.jpg.html)

I had a special assignment from our Executive Director at my job... Meet Aurora, Syracuse's first fledgling! Michael Hollenberger helped identify her!! Now to find the others!  from fb

All out N about now!!  :2thumbsup:

 :thumbsup:

Love the name!  :2thumbsup:

We have a solid lead on Churchhills location!!!!! Me and DEC will be investigating a vacant building with permission from its owners at 11:30 and hope to find churchill there, we have been told there is for sure a bird of prey trapped in the building!!!
Cross you fingers!

Is this possible since he has been missing since the end of June?? Maybe mom and dad drop off food???? I hope this is true and he is OK...

 :o Great news if it's him!!  :yes:

So, in case anyone missed the comment update below, the Churchill lead was a dead end. We did find a coopers hawk which is what they must have seen but he was not interested in climbing into the net so we gave him some holes to get out of and will check back in.
We are still hopeful churchill will turn up however, if he does not turn up we still made great strides this year having 2 of 3 hatchlings still flying eating and keeping us on our toes!


I had my doubts, it's been too long!!

I am missing something here . . . is Churchill one of the juvies? If so, I do hope you find him and that he is okay.

Love the photo of Aurora.

Churchill was the only male out of the 3 babies that Pigott had this year. He's not been seen for several weeks now..went missing not too long after he fledged.

Thank you, Kris! I do hope Churchill will turn up safe somewhere.

I am sorry that the bird turned out not to be Churchill. I hope he will turn up safe and well.

Mysterious bird eaten by peregrine falcon in downtown Syracuse identified

While walking to the office this morning in downtown Syracuse, I looked down on the ground at Hanover Square and noticed an unusual-looking bird wing on the ground.

It was the remains of a bird that apparently had been killed and eaten by one of the peregrine falcons nesting on top of the nearby State Tower Building.
In the downtown's "circle of life," peregrines routinely feed on pigeons, which frequent city streets in great numbers. It's not uncommon to find their remains (bones, feathers, etc.) on the ground at Hanover Square and on nearby streets and sidewalks.
But this wing I found had a much different look. There were streaks of yellow on the upper wing, and more pronounced yellow feathers visible on the bottom part.

I took pictures of the wing and forwarded them to Laura Erickson, author and former science editor at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Her thoughts?

"Northern flicker," she said. "The eastern form of the species is called a yellow-shafted flicker for obvious reasons--obvious as shown in the photos, at least."
According to allaboutbird.org, "Flickers are fairly large woodpeckers with a slim, rounded head, slightly down-curved bill, and long, flared tail that tapers to a point."

Their habitat? "Look for flickers in open habitats near trees, including woodlands, edges, yards, and parks."

But how did this woodpecker end up meeting a grisly death in downtown Syracuse? The website provided a clue: "The northern flicker is one of the few North American woodpeckers that is strongly migratory. Flickers in the northern parts of their range move south for the winter, although a few individuals often stay rather far north."

Was this bird just migrating through downtown Syracuse, minding its own business when a peregrine took it down for a meal?

"It's a perfectly reasonable speculation," Erickson said. " We find flicker wings and feathers along Lake Superior during migration every year. They're very predictable fliers with a lot of meat, so they seem to be a preferred meal for hawks and falcons."

Pigott

By David Figura | dfigura@syracuse.com
Follow on Twitter
on October 27, 2015 at 1:22 PM, updated October 27, 2015 at 7:21 PM

 I miss Pigott! She looks pretty fierce in that pic.  :heart:

Hi, again - Piggot is sitting on the perch of the nest box. No photos at the moment, overcast and high up so a photo is not worth taking - I heard her chattering as she flew from
Bank of America, then she landed. It's good seeing her around more frequently!

John Anthony DeNicola‎   FB    :2thumbsup:

 :thumbsup:

Thank you for the update on Pigott! It's good to know she has been seen. She is a gorgeous falcon.

Hi all, just letting you know that Pigott has been in the area (state tower bldg) quite often.. I see her a lot on the spires of the Bank of America bldg and resting on the Andrews Sedgewick and Kennedy Building across the Square (Hanover) in sight from my office space...   :2thumbsup:

John Anthony DeNicola

 :thumbsup: :thanks2:

Just updating again. I saw Pigott perched on nestbox again. As I was sitting at my desk (I now face St Joe's), I heard a lot of sqwawking and then saw Pigott and I think George fly by. I may step out in a few to see if they are perched again nearby...

John Anthony DeNicola‎  :thumbsup:

Piggot is hanging around again, just came inside from a walk (w camera). Pigott is feeding on a building across from the steakhouse in Hanover Square... She's making a mess... Feathers and parts flying everywhere. I'll try to post photos tonight.

John Anthony DeNicola‎

 :thumbsup:

Glad to hear that Pigott is around. Wish the cams were active . . .

They are trying so hard to get funding for a new cam, just not sure how to go about it. They are working on it.

The cams were knocked out and destroyed by a storm last year and it's estimated the cost to replace will be in the $4000 range.  They don't have any fund raisers like we do so now they're trying to figure out how to raise the money.  Hopefully they can find a way to get the money to replace it. 

Kris, you must be psychic. I was just about about to ask these questions. The only news I see on the Syracuse nest site is on this forum.

There is a Facebook page for them...that's where we get our info from. When Suzanne & Don from Ithaca visit there they do post here.

Uh oh..just read this on FB..

Syracuse, N.Y. — A well known local development company plans to buy the 21-story State Tower Building, the tallest building in Syracuse since it opened in 1927, and transform its top 13 floors into apartments.

Pioneer Cos. has reached an agreement to buy the tower from Tony Fiorito for $5.4 million and spend $22.15 million to convert office space on floors 9 through 21 into 59 market-rate studio and one- and two-bedroom apartments. Floors 1 through 8 will remain office and retail space.

Fiorito put the 89-year-old building up for sale early last year.

The purchase is expected to close by late March. Mark Roney, Pioneer's chief financial officer, said the work will take 12 to 14 months. Monthly rents will range from about $750 to $1,900, he said.

The building is the latest of many downtown Syracuse commercial buildings to be converted into a mix of office, retail and residential space. Driving the trend is a combination of two things — a weakness in demand for office space and growing demand for downtown living space among empty nesters and young, urban professionals affiliated with the hospitals and schools on nearby University Hill.

Only about 45 percent of the State Tower Building's office space is occupied.

Melissa Zell, Pioneer's chief operating officer, said the renovations will include significant interior and exterior work, including the replacement of about 600 of the building's approximately 900 windows.

Opened in 1927 at 109 S. Warren St., the building stands 311 feet tall. The next tallest buildings in the city are the two AXA Towers, which stand 268 feet tall, according to the building data collection firm Emporis.

Aspects of the State Tower Building's design give it the appearance of being even taller than it is. The building's top 11 floors are set back and smaller than the first 10 floors, and its brick facade gets gradually lighter in color as the building rises.

The building is also known for a nest of peregrine falcons that have made a home on its roof. Zell said Pioneer will try not to disturb the falcons during the renovations.

Pioneer has applied to the Syracuse Industrial Development Agency for tax exemptions. If approved, the company would save up to $669,905 in sales taxes on construction materials and $150,000 in mortgage recording taxes. The agency will hold a public hearing March 8 before voting on the exemptions.

Pioneer's roots date back to the 1960s when its founder, Michael J. Falcone, began building shopping centers and apartment buildings throughout Central New York. Over the past 40 years, the principals of the company have built over 20 million square feet of real estate projects with a value exceeding $1.5 billion, according to the company's website.

Its local projects include the Washington Station and 250 Clinton Street office buildings in downtown Syracuse, and Pioneer Business Park in DeWitt, home to Time Warner Cable's Central New York headquarters.

Poor girl, she finally finds a home and a mate and now she's due for more disturbances  :(

 :pfalcon: I know better than to project human attributes onto a bird, but I just can't help myself. I have always admired Pigott for her intelligent and sensible behavior. She left her Rochester relationship where she was the "second female out" and found herself a new home and mate in Syracuse.  Hopefully the two of them will cope with the building project or find another more suitable nesting location nearby. Go Pigott !!!!!

Dot in PA

I feel bad for Pigott and George. Just when they had found a suitable nest site and had raised chicks. I hope the renovations will not cause a disturbance for them, but I suppose it depends on how extensive these renovations are going to be. Is there any other suitable location for a nest box somewhere in the area?

As far as I know, peregrines are still considered endangered in New York State. Unless this has changed, they had not been downlisted or delisted because "the population was not considered to be stable enough".

I saw George preening and chilling out across from the State Tower Building. I have spotted them off and on for the past couple of weeks hanging out there, the university building, the nest box (mornings) Bank of America building (former Syracuse Bank). I'll try to post a photo or 2 of George ("feather face")

John Anthony DeNicola‎

Alright everyone, as of 5pm today I am no longer employeed by the building. I am now able to update everyone as to what I know.
The birds have nested and likely have eggs. They have been back and forth with food and pigott has stayed inside the nest box for the last few days. I maybe wrong but there is no way to tell.
We were unable to get the cameras on due to the impending sale of the building.
The new owners will be renovating the exterior of the building and had originally tried to have them relocated at their cost was my understanding.
The nest box will most likely be moved next season and whether or not the birds will relocate is up to them, its my understanding they may nest in the same location nest box or not.
I am very excited to hear updates from everyone as I wont be close enough to spare time with the two birds.
I am 100% certain the DEC is involved in this entire process and will let no harm come of the birds.
Good luck pigott and george.

Michael Hollenberger FB

 as per Joyce's Tweet

Feel bad for Pigott and George.

Darnit, our poor Pigott can't catch a break.  She finally finds a home and now they want to move her  :hyper:

Miss Pigott and her mate will do well wherever they end up because she is an exceptional Peregrine falcon and knows how to make a home anywhere. This I am sure of. ❤

Just out for a stroll, heard chatter near Clinton and Washington Street. Our dynamic dual were chasing and clawing at each other. They then headed toward water and warren (state tower).
Moments later, they were chasing off a THIRD falcon. I could not identify for I left my camera at home.
Who knew the sun would be out after the deluge this morning?

John Anthony DeNicola FB

Yikes I hope no one got hurt  :o

John Anthony DeNicola Yeah, they gave it a pretty good run southwest, pretty much in the direction where I first saw the pair playing...

Sooo yeah, they saw the 3rd Falcon out of town!!!

Saturday morning Don and I went downtown. When we arrived, about 9:30 we could only see slight movement in the nest box from the parking lot across from the Speedway Gas Station, so we did a few errands. We returned about 11:50 to eat lunch while watching for falcons from our favorite parking lot, the First Niagara lot. With mouths full we suddenly saw two falcons, one chasing and attacking the other! Don jumped out of the car trying to ready his camera gear, hoping to get id shots. Pigott and George chased and attacked the intruder, who looked to be a female based on size. The chasing and attacking went on for almost two hours, and looked to be done mainly by Pigott. When she decided the intruder had finally left, Pigott went after and caught a pigeon which she ate on top of City Hall. Don took lots of pics, but has only checked a few, many were not in focus or whatever, but here are a few. More to come later when he has time to go through them.

(http://i66.tinypic.com/20hsm5f.jpg)  Thanks Suzanne & Don

Posted on the Syracuse FB page

Oh boy! Glad to read that the intruder finally left. Hopefully she's moved on.  :(

Banding was today!! Not sure what yet!!  :devil:

Ticker update;

There were 2 eyas and 2 unhatched eggs. :(

One female: 91/AX, green/black on left leg; silver USGS band on right leg
One male: 54/AX, green/black on left leg; silver USGS band on right leg covered with RED electrical tape.
They should fledge in about 10 days

OK, 2 is good!!

 :clap: :clap: :2thumbsup:

Two is a very good #!  :clap:

 :star: :star:❤

Names for the eyases: They are Native American names.


The female (silver band) is Cholena (it means bird)
The male (red band) is Chayton (it means falcon)

We had a Chayton, wonder if he's still out there? Aafke named him!

I thought Chayton sounded familiar.  He was before my time, but I must have heard some of you speak of him.

From 2003

(http://shakymon.com/rfc-shirts/7_small_rotate.jpg)

Wow, Shaky! Sublime!!!

This is where I came in!! I knew no one, just watched the stills until I found the Kodak board and well.......  :devil: :whistle: I loved me some Kaver, always did, always will!  :heart:

Destiny was the original hammie!

love that picture !!

Chayton has fledged!!

It looks like we have a fledgling sitting on the ledge ABOVE the best box. I took a photo on camera... Here's a phone camera shot of that... Red tag! Chayton has fledged!

From Anthony on FB 

Be a good boy Chayton!!!

 :clap:

Go Chayton!  :2thumbsup:

(http://i65.tinypic.com/2cru0li.jpg) Pigott   (Photo by Tom Durr)  Love this pic

(http://i68.tinypic.com/oqjacl.jpg) One of the kids (Photo by Tom Durr)

Great pics! 👍

(http://i63.tinypic.com/kayo1.jpg) Pigott & George's babies!!

(http://i66.tinypic.com/2en2kvd.jpg)  by Jody Hess-Franey
Syracuse, NY

Both have fledged!!  :clap:

Great news!  :2thumbsup:

 :yahoo:  :mbanana:  :clap:

We had quite the view of a special visitor at our NewsChannel 9 tower camera this morning! We think it's a hawk, but we would like to hear from you on identifying the beautiful bird and also -- what should we name our new friend?


(http://i64.tinypic.com/311qhjm.jpg)

(http://i64.tinypic.com/2qs5pjb.jpg)

From News Channel 9, Syracuse

LOL, everything seems to be a Hawk!!

I hope someone corrected them...hi Pigott!

 :devil: Funny!!!  people wanted to name her Tower!!

Hello Pigott!  :wub:

Good to see you Miss Pigott! ❤

I haven't posted any Pigott updates in a bit.  Both this past weekend and the weekend before Don and I were downtown Syracuse looking for the family.  We found Pigott and George hanging out at the Harrison Tower, the first weekend.  This past weekend Pigoot was sleeping at Harrison, while George was on the Hill's Building watching Chayton who was on City Hall.

We were entertained by Chayton both weekends, but did not see Cholena either weekend.  A week ago Chayton went into a stoop after a pigeon who was only a few feet away from us...yikes!!!  It was the closest I had been to a falcon in the wild!!  It happened so fast and was so close that Don could not get a pic...lol!  Chayton also chased a gull by the OnCenter parking lot.  Don promises to download his pics once he gets back into town, and when he does I'll post them on the FB page.

BTW, for those not in town, the State Tower is now engulfed in scaffolding.  I trust Pigott will figure something out, though.

Suzanne

Thanks for the update Suzanne! Miss Pigott will definitely figure it out-she's a smart survivor!!!  :wave:

Thank you so much for the update on the Syracuse peregrines. I have really missed seeing them on cam this year. Happy to know they raised two chicks; I hope Chayton will continue to fly safely and that Cholena is okay and was just not in view when you were there.

Nothing ever seems to be easy for Pigott. I hope things will work out well for her and George and their nest site.

Thanks so much for the update Suzanne!  :wave:

Sunday morning Don and I went downtown to check for Pigott, George, and hopefully the juvies.  When we arrived both Pigott and George were sleeping on separate balconies at Harrison House, but no sign of the juvies there.  Last year while walking around the Downtown Art and Craft Fair, two juvies chased a pigeon overhead!  I guess I was hoping for the same excitement this year as I looked for unique gifts.  While purchasing a bird print we heard kakking overhead!  It was an adult chasing after a mid-day pigeon snack.  We checked all the usual and not usual spots, but no juvie sightings. It's always a bitter sweet feeling when I realize that the little fluffy juvies have grown up and are now on their own.  Maybe they just made a day-trip to the lake  :wave:

Suzanne in Ithaca   

Thanks Suzanne!  :wave:

:thanx: so much for the updates, Suzanne.  We haven't lived there in 15 years, but I still enjoy reading the latest news of the current pair, especially Pigott.

Dot in PA

Thanks Suzanne and Don!! Seems Pigott & George are content, considering there is scaffolding around their nest site!!  :wub:

Thanks a bunch Suzanne!  :wave:

Many thanks for the update, Suzanne! It is always good to hear news of Pigott and George.

Posted on FB!!  :scaredblue:

John Anthony DeNicola‎
to
 Syracuse Peregrine Falcons
2 hrs · Syracuse, NY ·

Just sent to me from Tom Durr:

"November 22, 1:45pm: adult red tail went screaming over the Dome just now, locked in battle with a peregrine falcon! Much war crying. They flew over toward the ESF quad."

Tom and I have been going back and forth reporting in what we are seeing (I also follow and contribute to the SU HAWK site). Apparently the Falcons have been squabbling with the hawks over at Syracuse University a lot over the past couple of weeks...

---- I have seen them here in Hanover Sq. almost every day. The question remains if there were any "casualties" from today's feud. I'll be keeping an eye from this side of Route 81. I encourage anyone else to do the same)

Thank you for the update, Donna! I hope everyone is okay after that confrontation.

Hopefully, just a few feathers flying and no injuries!

Pigott's tough.  If she was in a battle, she may have a few less feathers, but she'll be okay.  She's experienced. 

(http://i64.tinypic.com/2ltj7yo.jpg) She's fine! This is from 7:30 am today!! By Tom Durr

George was seen also!!   :clap:

FB

 goodnews: :yes:

Happy to hear that Pigott and George are ok.  :2thumbsup:

 :yahoo: ;D

Just found this article on the Syracuse peregrines, dated today:

Syracuse peregrine falcon pair will be home for Christmas on various buildings

By David Figura

The two adult peregrine falcons that nest in downtown Syracuse will be home for Christmas - but not in their nesting box.

The birds, named George and Pigott by local bird watching enthusiasts, have taken advantage of a nesting box near the top of the State Tower Building at 109 Warren Street for the past four years.

The couple's situation was disturbed this year as Pioneer Cos., the building's new owner, began renovating the top 13 floors of the building into market-rate studio apartments and one- and two-bedroom apartments.

When Pioneer Cos. first announced their multi-million dollar construction plans to convert the top 13 floors into apartments and the bottom floors (1 to 9) into office space, the game plan was to start off working on the upper part of the building, according to Bonnie Parton, a DEC wildlife technician, who is monitoring the peregrines and has overseen banding efforts of their young in the past.

Parton said Pioneer Bros. agreed after being contacted by the DEC to start off on the lower part of the building and to leave the nest box in place during the birds' breeding season (Feb. 1 - July 31) and replacing the nest box as soon as possible following repairs, but no later than Nov. 1.

Melissa Zell, CEO for Pioneer Bros. said the nesting box area is currently inaccessible to the peregrines, because of work being done on the building.

"We're doing some major masonry work on the building, clear down to the steel in some cases," she said.

The peregrines remain in Syracuse throughout the winter, Zell and Parton said, hanging out on several buildings in the downtown area, feeding on pigeons and other birds. They only actually return to the nesting box full-time during the breeding season.

This time of year the peregrines "do some pair bonding rituals," Parton said. "Actually, they're not attached to the nesting box outside of breeding season. But they do keep an eye on it."

Zell said the refurbishment project on the building is experiencing some budgetary problems. She said her company remains committed to providing a nesting box for the peregrines, and would like to replace the one that's currently there - in addition, to adding extra features on the building, such as a grate over the chimney stack at the top of the 21-story building to prevent "the fledglings from falling in."

She said she hopes to contact the local peregrine watching group and others about a fund-raiser or applying for a grant to pay for a new nesting box and the other features that would help the peregrines.

In recent years, cameras have been set up to give interested bird watching enthusiasts and others a view of the nest. However, the camera malfunctioned for part of 2015 and was not operating during 2016.

Susan Wrisley, of Liverpool, of the Syracuse Peregrine Falcons, said she'd willing to help with any fundraising efforts. She said she'd like to see cameras up and operating again on the nesting box.

Members of Wrisley's group are bird lovers from throughout the greater Syracuse area. The group, which maintains a Facebook page, gave the two adults their names and each year monitors the nest and the young birds from the ground, making sure to keep them out of traffic and other hazards as they learn how to fly.

The owners of the State Tower Building have cooperated since 2004 with the state Department of Environmental Conservation by allowing peregrines to nest on the building. Peregrine falcons are currently listed as an endangered species in the state. See the DEC website for more on this.

"The State Tower Building has provided the vast majority of resources needed to make the building a successful and productive peregrine falcon nesting site and has contributed directly and significantly to the recovery of New York's peregrine falcon population," DEC said.

Zell has said the building renovations will include significant interior and exterior work, including the replacement of about 600 of the building's approximately 900 windows.

Opened in 1927 at 109 S. Warren St., the building stands 311 feet tall. The next tallest buildings in the city are the two AXA Towers, which stand 268 feet tall.

http://www.newyorkupstate.com/outdoors/2016/12/syracuse_peregrine_falcon_pair_will_be_home_for_christmas_on_various_buildings.html#incart_river_home (http://www.newyorkupstate.com/outdoors/2016/12/syracuse_peregrine_falcon_pair_will_be_home_for_christmas_on_various_buildings.html#incart_river_home)

They are still wrong about how Pigott got her name. :)

Thanks for finding this article Alison.  :happy:

Yup, they can take credit for George but not Miss Pigott!!  :devil:

Nest box is up! Susan just posted! Now they hope that P & G will find it!!

Yippie!!!  :bguitar: :mbanana:

I hope they didn't wait too long to place the nest box. Pigott and George may have picked somewhere else by this late date.  :rolleyes:

 :thanks2:

Hope all works out for them this year.  :wub:

Unfortunately I not have cam link anymore. Can someone help me please?

Annette, they moved the nest box for building repairs and so there is no cam for them at this time.  :wave:

Thank you for the update, Donna! I hope everything goes well for Pigott and George. Just wish that there was a cam so that we could see them.

The nestbox is on the east side of the building away from the wind at the same level that it was. You most likely will not be able to see it because it sits down a little lower than the wall. There is no perch. There are no cameras because I need to raise money for them as well as the website, so hopefully I will get enough interest so that we can afford to put cameras up next year.

I told her last year to start a fundraiser!! Send out flyers!!

From FB

Looks like Pigott already laid a few eggs on the balcony of an empty building. Tom was trying to call someone about getting some sort of nest or gravel up there. No luck so far. Hope it goes well for Pigott, I really love her  courage, starting from BS.

Come on DEC-help them out!  :tickedoff:

 :( :( :(

No Falcons have been seen in 3 days, after Pigott already laid eggs! What the heck is going on? Something spooked them, the eggs rolled off, who knows but they are gone according to the peeps on Syracuse! I'm so disappointed in the DEC there putting the nest on the same building that is being worked on!  :stupid:
I hope Pigott & George found a better spot!!

 Quelle surprise...NOT.  Our poor girl and poor George, such a great pair they are and the odds stacked against them and no one there will help them.  :( :'(

Wonder if Susan on Syracuse FB page knows something because she was PMing 2 people on FB, including Suzanne.  :confused0083:

Yes, that's why I asked her if she knew something!  :secret2:

            :oops:

Great news!  A new nest box was put up at City Hall in Syracuse - much to everyone's surprise.  No one knew until a juvie was in need of a rescue!  George and Pigott have a new home!  Here is the Facebook post:

"Peregrine falcons are back nesting, have bred, and fledged in Syracuse NY in a new nest box on the Syracuse City Hall building. Not sure of the fledge date. Not sure when the nest box, nor who put it up. I was asked to assist onn Tues. 6/30/2020 for the release of a juvenile peregrine falcon downtown. The purpose was to assist if there were any difficulties from the release such as the juvenile falling into dangerous areas, or being pursued by an adult falcon, etc... Here's the info On 6/22/2020, someone downtown noticed the juvenile on the ground near the Hanley State Office building (not the state tower building where the original box was located). The peregrine was brought to Cornell where it was suffering from a low level of lead poisoning. He had no other injuries but it was necessary for the bird to be treated and re-examined before release. Yesterday, Cindy Page (wildlife rehabilitator) re-evaluated the young falcon, and with assistance of DEC Officers, released the youngster from the roof of the State Office building. I did not see the bird launch for it decided to stay on the roof when release (only saw the holding box that it was delivered in). Basically, no "earth-shattering", but rather uneventful afternoon yesterday. So far the youngster (as per others observing) is doing ok. The adults have been seen. Note I have provided a couple of photos of the treated juvenile (courtesy of Cindy Page), as well as a couple of shots of George (the male) resting in the new nest box (plus an old photo I took - in which I have since nick-named George "Feather face"). Piggott (the female) is fine, I saw her the night before (I took no pics) and she has been seen since I left downtown yesterday (6/30/2020). It's been a while since I have seen the peregrines, and it was wonderful to see them again, and know that they are breeding again!"  
https://www.facebook.com/groups/231357336897260/ (https://www.facebook.com/groups/231357336897260/)

There are two juvies!! Photo from Tom Durr posted to Syracuse FB just a few minutes ago!

So happy for Pigott and George!

Susan Wrisley has started a gofundme campaign for the nestbox and possible webcam in Syracuse. Wouldn't it be nice to see Pigott and George on a more regular basis? Click here to donate. https://www.gofundme.com/f/syracuse-peregrine-falcon-webcam-and-nestbox?utm_campaign=m_pd+share-sheet&utm_content=undefined&utm_location=undefined&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_term=undefined (https://www.gofundme.com/f/syracuse-peregrine-falcon-webcam-and-nestbox?utm_campaign=m_pd+share-sheet&utm_content=undefined&utm_location=undefined&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_term=undefined)

Thanks, Pat. Pigott and George deserve a nest box.