Peregrine populations declined during the late 1940s, due to widespread use of the pesticide DDT which caused the birds to lay thin-shelled eggs that could not survive. By the late 1950s, peregrines had disappeared from Massachusetts entirely. After a ban on DDT, peregrine restoration efforts began. After several failed attempts, captive-bred falcons were released in Boston, and the first modern peregrine nest occurred in 1987. Since then, over 800 wild peregrine falcon chicks have fledged in Massachusetts!

Historically, peregrines nested on rocky cliffs in and now they nest most frequently on tall man-made structures like buildings and bridges. Nest boxes with cameras have been installed at several of these locations. Check out the links below to get an up-close live look at nesting pairs and their chicks. Chicks hatch in early May and leave the nest in mid-June (at about 7 weeks of age).

Learn more about peregrine falcons and view nest cameras below.

Falcon cameras

Clock Tower of the Custom House, Boston
Peregrines have been nesting at this site for over 20 years. Since this nest box is sheltered, it has one of the most successful records of chick production in the eastern U.S.

Fox Hall Dorm at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell
Peregrines have nested on top of Fox Hall since 2007. The female falcon, Merri, was able to find a new mate after her previous one, Mack, died unexpectedly in June of 2014.

Du Bois Library at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Peregrines have nested successfully on the roof of the Du Bois Library since 2003.

Monarch Place, Springfield
Peregrine falcons have nested at this site for many years.

New Balance old mill clock tower, Lawrence
The Ayer Mill clock tower, one of the largest chiming 4-sided clock tower in the world, has been a nest site for peregrine falcons since 2002.

Gillis Bridge, Newburyport
MassWildlife and MassDOT installed a falcon nest box and a camera. The camera takes a picture every 15 minutes.