At the University of Pittsburgh:
For the past week Pitt’s young peregrines have been shuttling back and forth between St. Paul’s Cathedral and Heinz Chapel – if they’re on campus at all. The “kids” are now at the stage when one or more go off on their own to explore the area, returning only to chase their parents and whine for food.
Three is the highest number of juveniles I find at any one time and only if their parents are nearby. This morning two juvies chased Dorothy when she tried to capture a pigeon near the Community of Reconcilation tower. The pigeon escaped because it heard them coming — Dorothy with two whining kids in tow.
After spending a week at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Pitt’s young peregrines returned to campus yesterday. I found three of them perched on Heinz Chapel steeple while their parents claimed the heights of the Cathedral of Learning.
It was a role reversal, but one I could understand. The “kids” have been on the wing for two weeks and they fly so well now that they can chase their parents everywhere. In fact, they do. Dorothy and E2 made it clear yesterday that for the moment they wanted to be left alone. To emphasize her point Dorothy was roosting.
I’m amazed at how quickly young peregrines learn. Only eleven days ago they were clambering on the 25th floor roof when Kim Thomas captured this photo of Green Boy with open wings and cocked tail. He was ready to glide from his little hill of roof tiles and seems to be telling himself, “One, two three, go!”
Now the Pitt youngsters are beyond this “toddler” stage and the Gulf Tower chicks are about to enter it. Soon the Gulf chicks will be practicing on a roof Downtown.
One… two… three… Go!

Kate's blog entry.