Saw a Peregrine Falcon out my office window today

[duramax]

Not incredibly surprising since I work on the 25th floor in the tallest building in Memphis. I had a feeling I'd been hearing one, but never had a confirmed sighting. I have seen a few kestrels flying around, but the sound I had been hearing since early summer is a deeper raspy call than a kestrel. Finally today one whipped by my window while I was looking out. There are a ton of pigeons living in the parking garage and roof of my building, and I think I've found their #1 enemy since my pigeon trapping foray last summer for my lab puppy. Here's to hoping that it is nesting on the roof and I can keep seeing it an maybe some offspring.

[Wingman]

Cool! I've read somewhere something about how the peregrine has adapted surprisingly well to urbanization, particularly in nesting around skyscrapers.

[duramax]

Cool! I've read somewhere something about how the peregrine has adapted surprisingly well to urbanization, particularly in nesting around skyscrapers.

Ya I wish I could somehow build a platform outside my window for one to nest in. That would be awesome. In Calgary, Alberta Canada where I grew up, they had lots of nesting structures they would build for Peregrine falcons on sky scrapers because there are good numbers of Peregrine falcons in that part of the country. My building, or my company for that matter, might not appreciate a nesting structure outside my window as much I as I would.

[BAY KINGFISHER]

When I worked offshore I recall seeing a couple of them chasing white wing doves around our platform 80 miles offshore at ST-308. Those dudes were some kind of impressive; everytime they would catch a dove there would be an explosion of feathers!! They hung around for a few days than moved on.

[Deltaduk]

worked in downtown Memphis bout 17 yrs. old guys on my crew used to tell me the city of Memphis used to INTRODUCE the falcon/hawks to downtown for pigeon control. was working by st Jude yrs ago, kept noticing feathers floating around in the air, finally saw falcon sitting on top of a street light pole plucking the feathers off a pigeon he had caught. that was pretty cool to watch

[duramax]

worked in downtown Memphis bout 17 yrs. old guys on my crew used to tell me the city of Memphis used to INTRODUCE the falcon/hawks to downtown for pigeon control. was working by st Jude yrs ago, kept noticing feathers floating around in the air, finally saw falcon sitting on top of a street light pole plucking the feathers off a pigeon he had caught. that was pretty cool to watch

Well they haven't dented the population at Clarke Tower yet. There must be 100 out there every day. I may trap a bunch next week and take them to our hunting club and do some "dog training". Which will just be me letting them go and popping them one by one and my dog retrieve them. I might even try and see how my dog will do with flushing them.

[2dogs]

worked in downtown Memphis bout 17 yrs. old guys on my crew used to tell me the city of Memphis used to INTRODUCE the falcon/hawks to downtown for pigeon control. was working by st Jude yrs ago, kept noticing feathers floating around in the air, finally saw falcon sitting on top of a street light pole plucking the feathers off a pigeon he had caught. that was pretty cool to watch

It's true, I worked in the One Commerce Square building in the mid 80's & 90's when the TWRA placed a pair of peregrin falcons on the roof across from my office, we would see them all the time, but they disappeared after a couple of years and never returned.

[Scully]

True- at one time the falcons were "stocked" downtown

[MudHog]

Cool! I've read somewhere something about how the peregrine has adapted surprisingly well to urbanization, particularly in nesting around skyscrapers.

Ya I wish I could somehow build a platform outside my window for one to nest in. That would be awesome. In Calgary, Alberta Canada where I grew up, they had lots of nesting structures they would build for Peregrine falcons on sky scrapers because there are good numbers of Peregrine falcons in that part of the country. My building, or my company for that matter, might not appreciate a nesting structure outside my window as much I as I would.

You never know until you ask and are told no. I would bring it up to someone at the higher level in the office and see where it goes. Put together some facts about peigons carrying disease and what not and how the Peregrine falcon is a predator and helps control that population. Also if there is any hint of endangerment or low falcon population, it would help with rebuilding that population.


Either way, ask and you just might get surprised with their answer.

[Wingman]

Turn it to Destination channel. Show about Yellowstone and they're fixing to talk about peregrines.

[duramax]

Finally got to see one of them chasing pigeons today. It is something else to watch them dive. I didn't actually get to see it get one, but still cool watching them chase. You get a perspective of why Suzuki named their flagship sport bike after them.

I also finally have confirmation that there are 2! I brought my binocs up to my office today and they are sitting on top of the i Bank building (off Poplar ave next to Clark Tower in Memphis). One is chowing down on a pigeon. All the while there are about 10 pigeons standing 10 feet from them. Crazy they aren't more spooked by them. If only I had a telephoto lens and a good camera, I could snap some pics.

[MudHog]

If only I had a telephoto lens and a good camera, I could snap some pics.

You don't need one. You probably just gave Wingman all he needs. He just might need to know which office your in to borrow your window.

[duramax]

If only I had a telephoto lens and a good camera, I could snap some pics.

You don't need one. You probably just gave Wingman all he needs. He just might need to know which office your in to borrow your window.

Well if he's ever up in Memphis, he can hit me up and he can snap away.