New wings over Long Island
Brook, the peregrine falcon mama of five newborn chicks, guards her nest on the 17th floor perch at Nassau University Medical Center (May 13, 2011). Credit: Kevin P Coughlin
Long Island's population swells this time of year and so have its nests filled with baby peregrine falcons. The adorable feathered critters have are nesting on the top of a federal courthouse in Central Islip and the 17th floor of the Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow. In addition to pulling a few heart strings, the birds and their families have also been keeping away the pigeon nuisance. Now around 6 weeks old, the hatchlings have been learning how to fly, a dangerous process. But in a few months, after mastering the use of their wings, they will leave to ultimately build their own nests, not without a little help from local wildlife experts who recently treated an injured youngster. So for now we'll enjoy them. Even in the bustle of our mature suburbs, Mother Nature can still manage to seamlessly find herself a niche, and make us smile.
