In what’s become a sure sign that Spring’s not far away, the Department of Environmental Protection Monday announced it has begun the live video stream of the pair of peregrine falcons that nest on a ledge of the Rachel Carson State Office Building in Harrisburg.

“This season marks 15 years since the first pair of peregrine falcons produced eggs at this nest,” DEP Acting Secretary John Quigley said.  “Over the years, tens of millions of people from across the globe have followed their story, and more importantly, learned the important environmental lessons they teach us about how pollution affects wildlife.”

DEP works with Commonwealth Media Services to provide the live three-camera high definition feed during the nesting season and until the young falcons eventually fledge from the nest in June.

The feed is central to an in-service program and curriculum developed by DEP and the Game Commission for Pennsylvania teachers.

Falcon Education Workshop

This year’s falcon education workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 26.  Teachers will learn about peregrine reintroduction efforts in Pennsylvania, and the importance of urban habitat as well as complete endangered species curriculum activities. To register for the workshop, email Ann Devine at: adevine@pa.gov.

Several pairs of peregrine falcons have bonded and made their home atop the Rachel Carson building.  Over the years, two males and four females have occupied the site. The pairs have produced 56 eggs and 48 hatchlings.  Thirty-eight survived -- 15 males and 22 females. The gender of one of the nestlings that hatched in 2008 could not be determined.

The peregrine falcon continues to be listed by the Game Commission as an Endangered Species on the state level, but was removed from the federal Endangered Species List in 1999.

For more information and for the live stream, visit DEP’s Falcon Cam webpage.  You can also  follow them on Twitter at www.twitter.com/FalconChatter.

3/9/2015