Elizabeth NJ Union County Courthouse

[Donna]

ELIZABETH — Three chicks that were hatched by a pair of peregrine falcons nesting atop the Union County Courthouse tower in May are preparing to take flight.

Peregrine falcons have been nesting on the tower for at least six years. They originally attempted to build nests around it, but failed, prompting the county and the state Department of Environmental Protection to erect a nest box in 2006.

Peregrine falcons are crow-size predatory birds and are an endangered species, according to state wildlife officials. They often have been said to be the fastest animals on the planet in their hunting dive, the stoop, which involves soaring to a great height, then diving steeply at speeds commonly said to be more than 200 mph.

The falcons traditionally have nested on cliff faces and rocky outcrops, but as these habitats vanished, the birds turned to high buildings to build their homes. In the 1960s and ’70s, there was a steep decline in numbers, some believe from the widespread use of DDT, officials said.

Since the pesticide was banned, there seems to have been a slow increase in their numbers. Officials estimate that there are only 25 known pairs in New Jersey.

[MAK]

 

[Donna]

“Falcon Cam� Comes to Union County Courthouse in Midtown Elizabeth

Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados (far r.) watched the installation of a web camera at the peregrine falcon nest site atop the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth this morning. The same falcon pair – one of only nesting 26 couples in New Jersey — has been raising chicks at the Courthouse since 2006, making their home in a round doghouse that provides stability in the windy environment. The in-nest “pinholeâ€� camera will be online at the County website, ucnj.org, once the final adjustments are completed. An audio feed and a controllable outer camera will also be installed this summer, enabling bird fans and researchers to follow the action in and around the nest.  (Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

    http://ucnj.org

[Carol P.]

That's such an unusual nest box. Pretty cool! Thanks for posting Donna!

[AlisonL]

Good news! Looking forward to seeing the cam go live. Thank you, Donna!

The nest box looks somewhat like the one on Cobb Island, from what I can see.

[Donna]

Good news! Looking forward to seeing the cam go live. Thank you, Donna!

The nest box looks somewhat like the one on Cobb Island, from what I can see.

I kinda like the doggie nest box!! It holds up in any weather and lasts forever!! 

[MAK]

Good news! Looking forward to seeing the cam go live. Thank you, Donna!

The nest box looks somewhat like the one on Cobb Island, from what I can see.

I kinda like the doggie nest box!! It holds up in any weather and lasts forever!! 

 

[Joyce]

See Rochester Falcon Offspring > Cadence, 91/BA for recent activity at this nest site.

http://rfalconcam.com/forum/index.php?topic=16265