This afternoon my visit to the 86th and West End Peregrine Falcon eyrie had an eyass sleeping on the eastern ledge of the church tower, with both parents keeping watch from a nearby building. For the most part the eyass was asleep, but it woke up as the parents started hunting.

After the thunderstorm on Friday evening one of the eyasses went out on the western ledge of the church tower, followed later by the adult male. With the eyasses making more and more visits to the ledges, if you’re patient, now would be a good time to start visiting the nest.

Based on the observations of others, it looks like there are no more than three eyasses this year.

I went by the 86th and West End Peregrine eyrie this morning and first saw both parents on 257 West 86th Street. They were relaxed. The female flew off, went to a ledge on 530 West End Avenue, and quickly continued to the southern ledge of the eyrie with a pigeon. She fed an eyass on the ledge before hoping inside the tower.

Walking to 84th Street, I was able to see another eyass. Lastly, I saw the adult male perched on the southern ledge.

It’s still tough to spot the young hawks but with some patience you can find one. However, it should be much easier to see them as they get ready to fledge. Last year the first ones to leave, fledged around June 7th. The nest seems to be about a week behind last year’s, so I would guess they see them begin to fledge around the 14th.

I’ve been waiting for the day, the eyasses (young falcons) could be seen from the street. Last year, I could see them on May 26th. This year, it was today, May 31st. Today, I only saw one, but suspect I’ll see more than one in the upcoming days.

In addition to seeing my first eyass on a ledge, I saw the adult male hunt and kill a pigeon over the intersection of 86th and West End. He was fast and efficient, and then cleaned the pigeon in only a few minutes before delivering it to the nest. The female quickly followed and I suspect she then feed her offspring.

The adult male of the 86th and West End Peregrine Falcon family was in plain view in the early afternoon. He delivered the plucked bird to the nest, and the female followed. She only stayed a few minutes, so I suspect it was quickly eaten by the young falcons.

Thanks to a rooftop view, I was able to see one of the young Peregrin Falcons at West End and 86th. It was a very brief view, but nice to have. I can’t wait until I can see more of them in a few days when they begin to venture out on the ledges of the tower.