Higher Education

Peregrine Falcons have been nesting at the University of Calgary since the 1990s, normally choosing Craigie Hall to raise their young. This year three young hatched out of four eggs and a web cam was set up for people to observe the birds on the internet, however the feed is sporadic because of some ongoing technical problems. Young normally fledge in mid-July and University officials have issued a Falcon Alert, warning staff and students to be on the lookout for crash landings. While too early to see the young, I rode up to the university this morning hoping to find one or both of the adult Peregrines.

My route along the Bow river took me through downtown and I passed by the recently arrived giant, yellow crane. Though ineligible for the BIGBY the crane will be a key component to help assemble the west leg of Calgary's LRT line. Construction is also occurring on the University of Calgary campus and it took me a while to find a detour to the MacKimmie Library. Providing a view of the nest along with potential prey, the adults regularly perch on top of the building. Arriving at the library tower, I immediately located the male perched on the southwest corner of the building while hearing the female call from nearby Craigie Hall. After the excitement of seeing the falcons, I headed into the library to refill my water bottle before starting to retrace my route back home.