Pitt peregrine Falconcam cleaning in progress, 14 Jan 2026 (photo by Kate St. John)

15 January 2026

Yesterday the annual falconcam cleaning crew prepared for this year’s nesting season by cleaning the peregrine nestbox and falconcams.

Gracie Jane Gollinger from Univ of Pittsburgh and Bob Mulvihill of the National Aviary had a warmer time of it this year. Yesterday’s temperature was around 40°F — not like last year’s 10°F nor today’s 8°F wind chill.

Camera cleaning went well and the nestbox had no weeds to pull. However, just like last year we found prey remains that were pretty easy to identify: yellow-billed cuckoo, northern flicker, American woodcock.

Dessicated yellow-billed cuckoo carcass near Pitt peregrine nest, 14 Jan 2026 (photo by Kate St. John)

Northern flicker feather near Pitt peregrine nest, 14 Jan 2026 (photo by Kate St. John)

Wing of American woodcock that fell prey to Pitt pererines, upper side, 14 Jan 2026 (photo by Kate St. John)

Wing of American woodcock that fell prey to Pitt pererines, upper side, 14 Jan 2026 (photo by Kate St. John)

Bob also found regurgitated pellets.

Peregrine pellets near Pitt peregrine nest, 14 Jan 2026 (photo by Kate St. John)

Job well done.

Falconcam cleanup crew on 14 Jan 2026 (photo by Gracie Jane Gollinger)

The area is “redd up” and ready to go.

“Redd up” is a Pittsburgh thing … per Wikipedia:(dialect, chiefly Scotland or US, western Pennsylvania) To clean up, especially a room.