MassWildLife: View Peregrine Falcon Cameras

Print Story | Email Story

Peregrine falcons are the fastest birds on Earth. They live throughout the world, including right here in Massachusetts! Several web cameras allow the public to witness falcons during breeding season.

Peregrine falcons are unique and beautiful raptors that are specially adapted to hunt birds in flight. They hunt while soaring high in the sky and waiting for a bird to fly past below. To capture their prey, they fly straight down in a controlled dive called a stoop, where they can reach speeds over 240 miles per hour.

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. 

 


Tags: MassWildlife,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Friday Front Porch Feature: Allendale Pines North

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Are you looking for an inexpensive home to raise your family in? Then this might be the home for you. And if not, there's a couple other options.

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week we are showcasing model homes at Allendale Pines North.

Teton Management is opening its new manufactured housing development next Allendale Pines at 395 Cheshire Road, and has three different model homes to choose from.

The Monroe with a full porch and with a half-porch, and The Aspire are available to move into in March. 

All the models have three bedrooms and two baths in 1,280 square feet, and include two parking spaces. The Monroe full-porch is on the market for $194,900, Monroe half-porch $189,900, and The Aspire for $204,900. View a video tour here.

The lot rent is $550 a month and it includes trash removal and recycling, as well as water and sewer. Tenants are responsible for their own utilities and lawn care/snow removal. Dogs and cats are allowed, for up to two pets.

We spoke with Val Whaling from Teton Management about the new homes.

What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market? 

The three models — Monroe Full- Porch, Monroe Half -Porch, and The Aspire — are Titan Home products manufactured by Champion Homes and stand out in the current market because:

  • The purchase price of these homes is well below current market rate single-family homes in Berkshire County.

  • The 5 Star Energy-Efficient rating (featuring energy-efficient windows and high- performance insulation) and one-year warranty on the home, sets these homes apart from older, stick-built homes.

  • These homes are built to strict HUD standards and include structural integrity in order to meet federal standards for durability, safety and wind resistance.

Are there any stand-out design features? 

Stand out features include: open concept floorplan, covered porches, stainless steel appliances, large laundry room /mudrooms, and large glass walk-in showers.

What kind of buyer do you see this home being perfect for? 

First time homebuyers/ professionals preferring home ownership vs. renting, empty nesters wanting to downsize, and cost-conscious individuals preferring the affordability of these homes.

What's the neighborhood like? 

Allendale Pines North will be comprised of 22 brand-new homes, on individual lots, set on beautiful property, neighboring the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail. The property is located at 395 Cheshire Road, Pittsfield, offering proximity to retail shopping and dining. Additionally, Allendale Pines North property is well managed by a reputable owner/operator. (All adult community residents are approved via community application approval process.).

What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space? 

"Imagine the cost savings of owning a brand-new, energy-efficient home, easy to maintain and allowing the convenience of modern day and easy living, in a quiet, well-managed community."

What does the home come with? 

Included are: Stainless steel Whirlpool appliances (refrigerator with icemaker, dishwasher, and gas stove/oven), and closets equipped with shelf/hanging rod. Plus an 8-by-10-foot Amish built shed, two wooden entrance stairs with wooden handrails and black wrought iron spindles, two-car driveway, sidewalks and brand-new water/sewer infrastructure.

You can find out more about these homes on its listing here.

*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories