Peregrinations – Our Fledglings Take Flight!

Hi all – It’s been a while, I know. But we have exciting news to share, so I’ll get right to it. A Fledgling Takes a (Too Early) Flight Two and a half weeks ago, I was watching the camera feed of the peregrine nest site when one of the fledglings decided to take a…

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Peregrinations 5-26-20

It’s been a while since my last post. I’ve been monitoring the falcons pretty closely and wanted to wait a bit so I could be sure to share good news! We have three chicks or eyases (as young falcons are called). Two reached two weeks old this past Saturday, the third turned two weeks on…

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Mid May, and Campus is “in the Pink”

While the world is pretty much shut down due to the pandemic, the campus grounds are thriving and full of color. Crabapple trees account for most of it. These “bridesmaids” to the past week’s spring debut are arrayed in shades from pure white to slight blush, cotton candy to sparkling rosé. They parade up and…

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Peregrinations 4-18-20

Hi all! Apologies for letting the blog lag for a while. Was sick a-bed (not coronavirus, thankfully!) and am just getting back on my feet. What Have the Falcons Been Up To? If you’ve been watching the webcam, it probably doesn’t look like much. Just sitting and waiting . . . and waiting. I did…

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Peregrinations 3-26-20

Both peregrines were sighted on the clock tower of Old Main early this morning. While I haven’t entirely lost hope in their potential nesting yet, it may not occur this year. This is not unusual with new couples, not unlike humans. The pair are definitely making good use of the spring migration, though. This Wednesday…

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Spring Bird Migration 3-26-20

Spring songbird migration is well underway, with sparrows – song, white-throated, fox, chipping, towhee and junco – all over campus this morning. There were a few other songbirds – a wren, and golden-crowned kinglets – as well, and likely some other sparrow species I could not identify in the distance and dim morning light.  …

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What’s Up with the Peregrine Falcons?!

Well, folks, it looks like we have a new pair of resident falcons! We’re not sure what happened to Isabella and Freedom, or where they might be, but we’ll keep you posted if we find out anything. In the meantime, we have an unbanded male and a banded female. If we get a chance to…

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What’s So Cool About Snow and Ice Anyway?

Lots! Besides all the fun winter recreational activities that involve snow and ice (this does not include donuts on the freeway), they play an important role in our temperate (as opposed to tropical!) ecosystems. A Cozy Blanket Ok, so maybe not a warm and cozy blanket, but snow does provide a good layer of insulation…

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