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Richmond Falcon Cam 2022 Is Now Live With a Suite of New Features
Richmond, VA — Spring isn’t the only thing that’s returned to Richmond, as the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) recently announced that the popular Richmond Falcon Cam is back for another season. The Falcon Cam is a live streaming wildlife viewing camera which follows the activities of a peregrine falcon pair that nests in downtown Richmond, Virginia, atop the 21st floor of the Riverfront Plaza building.
Each year, viewers around the globe are given the opportunity to peer into the lives of the world’s fastest animal 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. Last year’s season saw a new pair form, which ultimately went on to raise a brood of four chicks — the highest number of chicks produced at this site in more than a decade. It is impossible to predict exactly what 2022 has in store for the birds but regardless, there is no doubt that falcon fans across the country will be tuning in every step of the way and rooting for their success.
And this year, wildlife watchers are being treated to a suite of upgrades that DWR and our partners at Comcast Business hope will make the viewing experience even more engaging.
“We are happy to report that the 2022 season now includes audio to accompany the livestream as well as a brand new time lapse feature,” said Meagan Thomas, Watchable Wildlife Biologist for DWR. “These items are things we’ve wanted to include with the livestream for some time now and we know they will make the camera even more fun to watch. Personally, I’m the most excited about the timelapse feature which will allow our viewers the abillity to go back and see falcon activity from previous days as opposed to relying on the livestream alone to see the birds!”
Biologists with DWR have confirmed that the same pair observed last year have been frequently seen on camera throughout the month of February. As long as no new birds show up and replace one of the current pair, the first egg will likely be laid around mid-March. Until then, viewers can expect to see the falcons maintaining their nest, otherwise known as a “scrape,” and continue to engage in courtship behaviors, or pair-bonding.
Comcast Business provides the internet connection that allows thousands of wildlife lovers to follow the falcons via the live video feed of the nest which is available for viewing at dwr.virginia.gov/falcon-cam/. This is the sixth year that the DWR, which manages the threatened birds, is partnering with Comcast Business.
“We are proud to build on our longstanding partnership with DWR and provide fast, reliable and secure internet service so that wildlife fans in Richmond and beyond can track another exciting year for these amazing falcons in real time,” said Dan Carr, Vice President, Comcast Business in the Comcast Beltway Region.
Assuming the birds choose to nest in the box atop the Riverfront tower, the Richmond Falcon Cam will remain active through egg laying, incubation and development, following the growth of the chicks until they fledge (take their first flight).