Peregrine Falcons nesting at Woodrow Wilson Bridge, Washington, DC, 2006 Photo Gallery by Paula Sullivan at pbase.com

Peregrine Falcons nesting at Woodrow Wilson Bridge, Washington, DC, 2006

Three eggs were laid by Thursday, March 31. The scrape is at the upper corner of the concrete support on the northwest side of the drawspan.

The female hatched from a nest on the Ben Harrison Bridge in Hopewell, VA in 2004. Her ID information is: federal band number 987-51284, 8/E (black over green).

The male hatched from a nest at the Legg Mason Building in Baltimore, MD in 2003. His ID information is: federal band number 816-69307, 6/D (black over green).

On April 27, the eggs and all shell fragments had disappeared. The nesting attempt failed.

Displaying bands on left leg	Displaying band on right leg


At entrance to scrape	Male
	Female



		:: Woodrow Wilson Bridge opening to allow passage of crane to south side ::

comment |

Terry J. Jensen		24-Apr-2006 19:22
Dear Paula, I have been a falconer in the past and I try to keep-up with the world of falconry. I enjoyed the article in the Washington Post regarding the nesting pair of peregrines. The author of the article commented on how difficult it was to start a nesting pair inland and that the people trying to do this are perplexed as to why these falcons prefer the coast. I would like to comment on that issue using a theory put fourth by William Bebee. Mr. Bebee is a revered world class master falconer and naturalist. Peregrine falcons are flock hunters that prefer the marine environment. But, as competion for food and prime nesting sites increased, they began to range inland to feed on the passenger pidgeon population and take advantage of new nesting sites. Bebee explains that as market hunters reduced the passenger pidgeon flocks the peregrine population also began to decline. Falconers during this period confirm that peregrine falcon did begin to fall during this period as they should because of a falling food supply. As the passenger pidgeon declined so did the peregrine. The subsequent exposureto DDT virturally whiped out those peregrines remaining. This will explain why peregrines will not nest inland. Peregrines need flocks of prey birds to hunt. There are no significant flocks inland explaining why they will not return to nest in these areas. Possibly, in the future as rock pidgeons fill the nitch of the absent passenger pidgeon the peregrines will return. Terry. J. Jensen, Ed.D.

Keith		18-Apr-2006 19:08
I live near a nest in Washington, just one block off of Conn. Ave. It's at the top of an apt. building on Wyoming Ave., NW - I think the address is 2006 Wyoming.

Guest		18-Apr-2006 13:55
I have several recent pictures of a peregrine falcon in Rockville, Maryland which were taken by office workers in the Executive Office Building (15 story building). Wayne

Theresa		17-Apr-2006 21:31
Now I know that what I saw next to 395/Pentagon two weeks ago is actually a Peregrine Falcon! It landed ontop of a light pole next to the highway.

John		17-Apr-2006 18:26
Terrific photo work, Paula, keep it up. If the peregrines subsist on pigeons and starlings, as well as ducks. Aside from the dangers of the highway, why would we want to displace them to the wilderness? They can help keep the DC environment clean.

joe casey		17-Apr-2006 18:10
I am a security officer at Tyson's and have seen a peregrine there several times.

Cecilia		17-Apr-2006 00:08
One of our falcon cam forum posters athttp://www.falconcam-cmnh.org/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2838 noticed bands on one of the falcons (black over green) We are VERY eager to find out what the numbers are on those bands, so that we can identify this falcon.

Cecilia		16-Apr-2006 22:26
One of our falcon cam forum posters athttp://www.falconcam-cmnh.org/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?2838 noticed bands on one of the falcons (black over green) We are VERY eager to find out what the numbers are on those bands, so that we can identify this falcon.

njl		16-Apr-2006 15:53
Does anyone know what kind of bird is nesting on top of the railroad crossing bridge over the Potomac that parallels the Metrorail Yellow line near the 14th street bridge? I see a small bird with white breast, darker back but can't make out the details. Would love to know whether it's a falcon, a kite, an osprey or what. Does anyone know? Thanks.

judy.c		16-Apr-2006 15:23
How wonderful! I live in the Penderbrook section of Fair Oaks, and we have a sharp-shinned hawk that often dines on doves on our back fence while we're eating our dinner inside. Isn't it amazing that these majestic creatures can survive our destruction of their habitat. Terrific website, Paula!

Kathy G		16-Apr-2006 15:09
I am so glad this article in the Washington Post gave the web site. I live in the suburbs of southern Frederick Co. Md. I have several birdfeeders in the backyard. On Christmas day 2005 to our amazement was this huge slate grey bird perched on the feeder. All the regular birds were in the bush next to it. I usually see hawks so was stunned to see this large and beautiful slate grey with black stripes there. The falcon returned once more that day to show us its beautiful white and black front and the incredible eyes. We continue to search for this bird and have gotten a better camera in hopes of its return. I will let you know if it returns.

R C		16-Apr-2006 15:07
I live Near McMillan Reservoir (on Columbia Rd) and I saw probably the exact same hawk mentioned above. It had just hit a pigeon and I happened upon them before it could finish the kill. The Peregrine flew to a neaby tree to wait for me to leave, and the pigeon flopped around trying (vainly) to escape. I haven't seen the hawk since. If it were feasting on rats, I think it has probably died of poison by now. Has anyone seen them in Columbia Heights since March 06?

Glenn Morrison		16-Apr-2006 13:34
(message continued from below) Please contact with questions or comments--I know little about hawks. Is it unusual for them to be in this iner-city setting? Glenn Morrison

Glenn Morrison		16-Apr-2006 13:30
Hello! I work in the 1400 block of Irving St. NW in what could only be considered the ultimate urban landscape, i.e., trash strewn alleys. barbed razor wire atop fences, homeless men lining up to enter a shelter, etc. About two weeks ago, I was told to to come outside in the alley to see a hawk! When I went outside, I saw a beautiful hawk feasting on a newly-killed rat! I was told that the hawk had been sitting atop the rear of the 3-4 storey buildings on Columbia Road waiting for the occasional rat to venture out from under a pile of trash. I have since seen the hawk eating at least one more rat. I'm out of space. Can't type more. Comments, questions? Glenn Morrison Wash., DC

Cecilia		16-Apr-2006 11:54
Saw the story in this morning's Washington Post. I have created a thread with a link to your photo page in our "Falcon News From Around the World" forum. You may enjoy the close-up view we have from three cameras on the Terminal Tower in downtown Cleveland. The link ishttp://www.falconcam-cmnh.org/news.php

Donnolo		16-Apr-2006 00:23
I've read that the original, natural habitat of pigeons (aka "feathered rats") is similar: cliffs in remote mountainous regions. But who expects to see pigeons nowadays anywhere but in cities? Maybe pergrines will follow the pigeons into cities and reduce their numbers. They should be encouraged to do so.

Binh		16-Apr-2006 00:07
Wonderful pictures and a great story. Hope the family of Peregrine are happy and fine. keep us post-it of the ending. thanks.

Tony		15-Apr-2006 22:59
These are spectaculor photos of how the wonders of nature can even be enjoyed in an urban ecological zone!!!

Kevin Parker		04-Apr-2006 02:40
Fantastic Pictures. Thanks!

Bev		04-Apr-2006 00:29
Hey, Paula, Great pix. I'm surprised all the eggs were laid on the same day. I always thought it was one day at a time - Bev

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