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Richmond Falcon Cam 2021 is Live
Richmond, VA — Fans of the Richmond Falcon Cam can rejoice as the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) today announced that the popular wildlife viewing opportunity has returned for another season. This camera follows the activities of a peregrine falcon pair that nests in downtown Richmond, Virginia, atop the 21st floor of the Riverfront Plaza building. Comcast Business provides the internet connection that allows thousands of wildlife lovers to follow the falcons via a live video feed of the nest available for viewing at dwr.virginia.gov/falcon-cam/.
This is the fifth year that the DWR, which manages the threatened birds, is partnering with Comcast Business.
“We are delighted to report that last year’s banded female has returned to the nest box and has been joined by a new male, who, based on his bands, hails from Yorktown, VA,” said Meagan Thomas, Watchable Wildlife Biologist for DWR. “We’ve had several birds cycle through this site in recent years, so the return of this particular female for the third year in a row is certainly a cause for celebration. We are really looking forward to getting to know the latest male and are hopeful that the new pair will contribute to the population of this state-threatened species via a successful nesting season in 2021.”
Each year, viewers around the globe are given the opportunity to peer into the lives of these fast-flying birds in a way that would be otherwise impossible without the camera. And like any TV nature show, past years have documented quite a bit of drama — including territorial disputes over the highly sought-after nesting site, chicks taking their first nail-biting flights off the building’s ledge or even the failure of the nest altogether. In 2020, almost 100,000 viewers tuned in as the first chick in three years was hatched and subsequently raised on camera. It is impossible to predict exactly what 2021 has in store for the birds, but regardless falcon fans across the country will be tuning in every step of the way and rooting for their success.
March will likely be a busy month for the falcons as they maintain their nest site and continue to engage in courtship behaviors referred to as pair-bonding. If all goes well, the first egg is expected to be laid around mid- to late-March.
“Throughout the years, this nest cam has been such a great outreach to the community and Comcast Business is proud to partner again with DWR to provide fast, reliable and secure internet service that will continue to enable wildlife enthusiasts to watch these amazing birds as they nest,” said Dan Carr, Vice President, Comcast Business in the Comcast Beltway Region.
The Richmond Falcon Cam will remain active through egg laying, incubation and hatching, and follows the growth of the chicks until they fledge (take their first flight) or it is determined that the nest has failed for the season.