Ecco visits the nest at 6:30pm 19 Oct 2026 (photo from the National Aviary snapshot camera at Univ of Pittsburgh)

20 October 2026

Three weeks into October the Pitt peregrines, Ecco and Carla, have an established pattern to their days. Hunt, eat, sleep, cruise around, and keep an eye on the sky in case a new peregrine arrives to claim their home.

Hunting is easy because the local prey population (birds) is at its highest after the breeding season. Also, fall migration brings a new batch of southbound birds every night.

In mid to late October Ecco and Carla might see an arctic peregrine migrating south overhead but the arctic individuals are unlikely to stop. They have a long journey to the coast of Chile; they keep moving.

Early this month, on 3 October, Carla and Ecco had a long pair-bonding session at the nest. (Slideshow photos from the National Aviary snapshot camera at Univ of Pittsburgh).

Nowadays they’re seen on camera less frequently. Ecco usually stops by before dawn. This morning he called for Carla and left shortly thereafter. I imagine she answered “I’m over here.”

Ecco calling at the Pitt peregrine nest before dawn, 20 Oct 2026 (photo from the National Aviary snapshot camera at Univ of Pittsburgh)

November will be quiet too.