Allegheny River: Rt 422 Graff Bridge Kittanning, Armstrong CountyĬathedral of Learning, University of Pittsburgh: Morela with 4 eggs, 24 March 2021 (photo from the National Aviary falconcam at Unit of Pittsburgh).Allegheny River: Tarentum Bridge, Allegheny & Westmoreland Counties.Allegheny River: 62nd Street to Aspinwall Railroad Bridge, NO PEREGRINES NOW.Ohio River: Monaca Railroad Bridge, Beaver County.Ohio River: Ambridge-Aliquippa Bridge, Beaver County.Ohio River: Neville Island Bridge, NO PEREGRINES DUE TO CONSTRUCTION.Ohio River: McKees Rocks Bridge, Allegheny County, NO NEWS.Monongahela River: Speers Railroad Bridge, Washington County.Monongahela Watershed: Westinghouse Bridge, Allegheny County.Pittsburgh: Cathedral of Learning, Allegheny County.This year we are watching - or not watching - 11 sites. Peregrine falcons in southwestern Pennsylvania are very active in the month of March so this is the perfect time for a regional update before the birds “disappear” during incubation. Morela and Ecco are up there, Cathedral of Learning 2021 (photo by Kate St. The buds looked like this only three days before. Northern magnolia flower, Schenley Park, 26 March 2021 (photo by Kate St. On 26 March my favorite northern magnolia in Schenley Park began to bloom. John) Cutleaf toothwort about to bloom, Raccoon Creek Wildflower Reserve, 24 March 2021 (photo by Kate St. John) Spring beauty, Raccoon Creek Wildflower Reserve, 24 March 2021 (photo by Kate St. ![]() John) Skunk cabbage after the flood, Raccoon Creek Wildflower Reserve, 24 March 2021 (photo by Kate St. Hazelnut catkins, Raccoon Creek Wildflower Reserve, 24 March 2021 (photo by Kate St. On 24 March at Raccoon Creek Wildflower Reserve my walking route took me past harbinger of spring (top), hazelnut catkins, skunk cabbage, spring beauties and cutleaf toothwort. John)įor more than a week the temperature has not dipped below freezing in western Pennsylvania, providing a chance to watch spring unfold. Harbinger of spring, Raccoon Creek Wildflower Reserve, 24 March 2021 (photo by Kate St. Look closely at goldfinches and you’ll see them turning yellow. Male American goldfinch (photo from Wikimedia Commons) Male American goldfinch turning yellow, 2006 (photo by Marcy Cunkelman) When a male is nearly finished he’ll have a few dull patches among yellow feathers (top). At first the males have “dirty” foreheads and a few yellow patches (below). In February goldfinches begin to molt into breeding plumage but they’re in no hurry to finish since they won’t breed until July. Goldfinches at Green-Wood Cemetery, NYC, March 2019 (photo from Wikimedia Commons) Female American goldfinch on echinacea (photo from Wikimedia Common) The females are dull olive brown with buffy stripes on brownish wings. The males have citrine yellow faces, whitish chests, and black wings with white stripes. In winter both male and female goldfinches are dull. Here’s a sure sign of spring: American goldfinches ( Spinus tristis) are turning yellow. ![]() Male American goldfinch, almost all yellow (photo from Wikimedia Commons)
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