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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsPeregrines—and a Photographer—Bunk Out at Chicago Man’s Apartment
A flower-box nest provides the perfect opportunity for some close-up shots of a plucky falcon family.Getting an in at a high-rise condo building is never easybut its even harder if youre a bird. The pair of Peregrine Falcons seen here fought an uphill battle to make their home on this 28th floor Chicago balcony, but they ultimately prevailed (with a little help from a tenant on the inside), and this spring successfully raised four chicks.
It all started four years ago, when the birds began dropping by the buildings balconies early each spring. In April 2014, the couple got pretty cozy on Dacey Arashibas terrace. Arashiba, an I.T. consultant, was delighted, but his neighbors, put off by the birds loud noises and poop, complained. My building manager told me the birds had to go. Maintenance staff shooed them off the balcony, Arashiba says. And that was it. For a while.
But in June, the birds came back. A week later, the pair had laid three eggs in Arashibas flowerbox (I am an occasional, lazy gardener and hadn't replenished the dirt in a few years, he admits.)
Now on the offensive, Arashiba called Mary Hennen, director of the Chicago Peregrine Program, who told him that falcons are federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (and had previously been on the state and federal endangered species lists). Its highly illegal to harass them (building management complied).
one of the little things that makes me so proud to live in chicago. srsly. we are some good peeps.
i see peregrines quite often. they have totally flourished on our artificial cliffs, as wise people knew they would. dont remember how long ago they were released downtown, many years ago. dont remember how many, but i dont think more than a dozen. but it went off like clockwork.
they moved right up the lakefront.
eta that i tried to link to the pics, but it wouldnt let me. anybody smarter than me who can do that, please.
they are amazing.
https://www.audubon.org/news/peregrines-and-photographer-bunk-out-chicago-mans-apartment?utm_source=engagement&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2015-09-24_email_wingspan_btntest
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Peregrines—and a Photographer—Bunk Out at Chicago Man’s Apartment (Original Post)
mopinko
Sep 2015
OP
MuseRider
(34,136 posts)1. Wow!
Great shots and a terrific story. Thanks
Here's the main one. There are more at the link.
Hiraeth
(4,805 posts)11. wow! thank you. shamelessly stealing now
CurtEastPoint
(18,680 posts)3. What a great story. Great people and beautiful animals.
We have them in midtown Atlanta, nesting in the high-rises.
IDemo
(16,926 posts)4. The Peregrine Fund has maintained a high-rise nesting box here for years
at a building I worked in years ago -
it has been quite the science project.
NV Whino
(20,886 posts)5. Great story
Go Vols
(5,902 posts)6. very cool
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,791 posts)7. The photos and the story are wonderful!
I esp. liked the one chick in "teenager" mode!
Here's a link from the Photo Group on how to post photos:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/103623797
Enjoy!
hunter
(38,349 posts)8. I think there are many interesting species that could coexist with humans...
... in a mutually beneficial way if we simply allowed them to, if we simply made a little room for them.
The article is well worth the visit.
K&R!
Solly Mack
(90,800 posts)9. Awesome!
niyad
(113,860 posts)12. k and r with thanks
montana_hazeleyes
(3,424 posts)13. Thank you for posting this.
Great story and photos. Peregrines are one of the most gorgeous birds.
geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)14. And they kill pigeons! nt
GoCubsGo
(32,100 posts)15. What a lucky guy!
And, good for him for schooling his landlord on wildlife laws and regulations!