University Times

Fans of the peregrine pair that nests atop the Cathedral of Learning will have better access to the avian action this season, thanks to improvements to the National Aviary’s webcams.

Two falcon cams are trained on the nesting box that sits on a ledge outside the 40th floor. One webcam provides live streaming audio and video; the other refreshes still shots every 15 seconds.

Phil Hieber of Facilities Management said the peregrines’ nesting box was cleaned and the new webcam was installed earlier this year. The birds are just beginning to visit the site, he said.

Soon it will be prime time for more activity. Eggs typically appear in late March or early April and hatch about a month later.

A team from the National Aviary and the Pennsylvania Game Commission band the young birds in May. By late summer, the young birds head off to a new territory of their own.

Peregrines have nested at the Cathedral of Learning since 2002. Between 2002 and 2007, female peregrine Dorothy and her mate Erie fledged a total of 22 chicks, according to aviary statistics. Erie disappeared in 2007 and in 2008 Dorothy began nesting with a new mate, E2. Together they have fledged a dozen chicks.

The Cathedral of Learning webcam can be viewed at www.aviary.org/cons/falconcam_cl.php.

— Kimberly K. Barlow