New Happenings Downtown

As indicated would be done in the last update, we swapped out the old ledge camera for new so viewers can again see what is happening on the ledge.  Here is one of the adults perched on the nestbox camera housing.  In the near future we will replace the the old, scratched lens (causing the appearance of black dots at the top of the frame).  We'll also be working to fine tune some of the exposure settings on the new camera.  In order for both streams to be back up and running we need to replace a computer--we are investigating our options on that end.

On another note, a new nestbox was installed on the nearby Riffe Center in order to give the peregrines an alternative nesting site downtown.  The new nestbox is located in the NE corner of the Riffe's observation deck (31st floor) and is in direct view of the nestbox at the Rhodes Tower.  We don't expect an additional pair of falcons to take up residence downtown because the nestboxes are so near to each other (and falcons are extremely territorial) but the new nestbox gives the resident pair another choice for nesting. 

There are currently no cameras on the new nestbox.  It is probably easily seen from the upper floors on the south side of the Huntington Center.  If anyone who works in the Huntington Center on floor 32 or higher with a south view would like to volunteer to keep an eye on the new nestbox, please email for details.  Please send a note with "attn: Donna Daniel" as the subject to this email address. The Riffe at least seems to be a popular place for the resident peregrines to dine as we found many prey remains scattered about!

Riffe Center Peregrine Falcon Nestbox

R.I.P. LedgeCam

Unfortunately, the diagnosis of yesterday's black screen is that the ledge camera has died.  For the time being we are streaming the nestbox feed in its place with sound from both the nestbox and ledge.  We actually already have a replacement camera for the ledge view waiting in the wings, as we had anticipated its demise based on its age.  Weather permitting, we will install the new ledge camera very soon, as well as continue to pursue a new computer in order to restore both streams prior to nesting season.  Thanks for every one's patience!

Camera Issue

At some point today the streaming video and still picture feature went black.  We are currently trying to troubleshoot whether this is a camera issue or a software issue but so far no luck.  Thanks for your patience and we'll do our best to get the images restored as soon as possible!

Happy New Year!

Durand and Spark spent some time on a sunny ledge this bitter cold, 5th day of 2015 in downtown Columbus. 

The start of a new year is naturally the time to look back and reflect on the past year.  The Columbus Peregrine Falcons had a great year with 4 eggs laid.  Three eggs hatched - two of the fledglings did well and we assume (and hope!) they are surviving and thriving where ever they may be.  The third fledgling did not fare so well on her own but is now a permanent captive at the Ohio Bird Sanctuary where she will be a star member of their educational programing.  All the details can be found in the archives.

As I typically do this time of year, I also like to summarize this blog.  Here's a report of the traffic from January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014:
Total number of visits - 197,458 (compared to 181,479 in 2013 and 135,264 in 2012)
Number of unique visitors - 43,901 (compared to 43,514 in 2013 and 36,519 in 2012
The highest traffic day was Monday, April 28 with 4,417 hits! Hatching had begun over the weekend so evidently many viewers were anxious to check in when they got back to school and/or work on Monday morning. 
Visits came from 65 countries/territories with Ohioans making up over 81% of the traffic. 
A HUGE THANK YOU to all of our fans everywhere!!!

Looking forward to 2015 - we'll be working to get both cams back online with sound as soon as possible but certainly by March 1.   We appreciate every one's patience until then.  Happy New Year!