A new set of "live stream" cameras on top of the state Tower Building in downtown Syracuse will give bird watching enthusiasts a clear view of a pair of nesting peregrine falcons and their young this coming season.
For several years, there's been a nesting box on top of the building's 23rd floor. The building is located at the corner of Warren and Water streets.
Up to last year, a camera let viewers in on the birds' lives. However, at times it wasn't functioning at 100 percent and caused problems for certain internet browsers.
A new camera donated by Wholesale Carrier Services, a provider of business communications network services, was put up last week and is operating. It gives viewers a good look inside the nesting box. Check it out at falconcam.wcs.com.
Another camera is slated to be put up soon (possibly by the end of this week), giving viewers an additional perspective from above of the nesting box. It would show where the birds are perching apart from the nesting box, in addition to showing them coming and going.
"We've ironed out a few kinks (from the old system) and they should work on most computers, smart phones and tablets," said Christopher Aloi, an engineering manager for Wholesale Carrier Services.
Michael Hollenberger, facilities engineer for the building, said a state Department of Environmental Conservation staffer was present last week when the first new camera was installed. The DEC has been banding the new birds each year and keeping track of them.
Hollenberger said there's a new, unbanded male bird this year. A banded female, which was given the name "Pigott" by the Syracuse Peregrine Falcon's group, is back.
Members of the Syracuse Peregrine Falcons, who monitor the nest online and from the street below, have a Facebook page by the same name that contains frequent observations and the latest developments.
"I was told there's some indication that (Pigott) does intend to lay eggs," Hollenberger said. "She has already scratched out a (space) in the pebbles on the bottom of the nesting box."
He said the eggs would probably come during the first week of April.
By David Figura |
dfigura@syracuse.com Follow on Twitter
on March 18, 2015 at 4:40 PM, updated March 18, 2015 at 5:29 PM
Pigott!!!!
