Home to the fastest animal on the planet; the Peregrine Falcon - A live stream of the peregrine falcon nest located on the roof of the Union County Courthouse in midtown Elizabeth.
History
2023
Both falcons remained near the nest throughout the winter
Courtship & breeding was observed end of February/early March
March 3rd Frida was observed creating a scrape/depression in preparation for her eggs
First egg laid on March 19, the second on March 22, the third on March 23 and the fourth and final egg laid on March 26
Both falcons took turns incubating the eggs. During incubation, the pair gently “enfluffeled” (rolled and shifted) the eggs.
First pip (hole in the egg) observed on April 27
First chick hatched on April 27, the second and third on April 28 and the fourth on April 29.
On May 2nd, Kathy Clark, Zoologist from NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife, Cathy Malok, of the Raptor Trust and members of the Union County Parks and Recreation team administered medicine to the chicks to help prevent pigeon borne diseases.
Banding of the fledglings took place on May 23rd. All four fledglings were determined to be females. Their identification bands are BN/23, BN/24, BN/25 & BN/26.
On June 9th this brood of falcons were officially of fledging age (six weeks old). All four were seen exploring other areas of the courthouse and nearby buildings throughout the summer.
2022
Both falcons seen demonstrating courtship behavior throughout the winter
In February Frida was observed creating a scrape/depression in the perigloo
Breeding was witnessed in early March
First egg laid on March 18, the second on March 21, the third on March 23 and the fourth and final egg laid on March 26
Both falcons took turns incubating the eggs
Two eyases (young falcons) hatched on April 27. The third eyas hatched on April 28. The fourth egg was unviable.
On May 3, Kathy Clark, Zoologist from NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife, and Cathy Malok, of the Raptor Trust and members of the Union County Parks and Recreation team administered medicine to the chicks to help prevent pigeon borne diseases.
Banding of the fledglings took place on May 23. All three fledglings were determined to be females. Their identification bands are BM/89, BM/90 & BM/91.
Over the summer, the female fledglings could be seen practicing their hunting skills.
2021
Over the winter, Frida and Mango continue as a pair.
Frida laid four eggs between March 19 and March 27. Frida and Mango alternated incubating the eggs.
The first egg hatched on April 27, two more hatch on April 28, and the final egg hatched on April 30. All appear to be healthy and are well cared for.
On May 4, NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife Zoologist Kathy Clark and Cathy Malok of The Raptor Trust, with the assistance of County personnel, climbed to the Courthouse roof to treat the chicks and the nest for parasitic fly infestation. The chicks were also medicated against trichomonas, a common pigeon-borne disease. The chicks were banded in late May, and had fledged by mid-June.
In mid-August, one of the four fledglings, a female, BM 71, was spotted and photographed flying over the Palisades.
Early November a new outside nest box camera was installed with a microphone and a new camera was installed inside the nest box.
Mid-December a new microphone was installed inside the nest box to accompany the camera streaming outside the nest box.
2020
Over the winter, Frida and Mango continue as a couple.
In February, the nest cam was equipped with audio.
Frida laid four eggs between March 23 and March 31, even as the entire State of New Jersey entered a public health emergency and lockdown to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
While the global COVID-19 pandemic continued to spread in New Jersey and the U.S. through the month of April, Frida and Mango continued to take turns incubating the eggs. All four eggs hatched between May 1 and May 4.
Soon after the last egg hatched, New Jersey Fish & Wildlife Zoologist, Kathy Clark used the Falcon Cam to identify signs of a parasitic fly infestation in the nest.
Clark, with the assistance of other State and County personnel, climbed onto the roof of the County Courthouse while observing precautions against spreading COVID-19. The team treated both the four-day-old chicks and the nest for fly infestation. The chicks were also fed bits of medicated chicken to guard against trichomonas, a common pigeon-borne disease.
2019
As 2019 unspooled a new female took over the nest, referred to as Frida in honor of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.
Both bird and artist share a distinctive brow line and a fierce outlook on life.
Frida arrived over the winter and did battle with female BD/91. The loser sustained a wing injury and went to ground by the County Administration Building, where alert staff spotted her. They kept watch until professional rescuers arrived. BD/91 was taken to the Raptor Trust in Millington for rehabilitation, and released a few months later in July.
With spring approaching, Frida bonded and mated with current male occupant of the nest, known as Mango for his bright orange legs, feet and cere (cere is a fleshy spot at the top of the beak).
Frida laid four eggs between March 29 and April 5. Three of the eggs — one female and two males — hatched between May 7 and May 9.
All three eyases (an eyas is an unfledged nestling) were banded on May 31 and fledged (learned to fly) by June 14.
In August, one of the juveniles was spotted at Liberty State Park in Jersey City.
2018
March 29: At approximately 7:46 a.m., our female falcon, 91/BA lays her first egg. Incubation begins after the last egg is laid. The next egg is expected late on March 30th/31st.
March 31: Right on schedule, a second egg arrives at 4:57 p.m. on Saturday, March 31.
April 3: The third egg is hatched on the morning of April 3 and a fourth egg is hatched a few days later.
May 29: The four chicks are in good health and they are beginning to venture a few steps out of the nest. On May 29 they received leg bands from personnel with NJ DEP and Conserve Wildlife.
2017
February 2017: The male falcon and the unbanded female continue to bond at the nest site. Video 1 | Video 2
Late February: A second female is spotted on the falcon cam. This female has a leg band identifying her as 91/BA, who came to Union County all the way from Rochester, New York. Drama ensues as she attempts to claim the nest site. This distraction could possibly cause a delay in mating and breeding. Video
March 22: The unbanded female lays her first egg.
March 25: The unbanded female lays her second egg
March-April: After a protracted battle 91/BA establishes claim over the nest.
Earth Day — April 22: At approximately 1:59 p.m. 91/BA lays an egg of her own, making a total of three in the nest.
April 24 and April 27: 91/BA lays two more eggs, for a total of five. The male and 91/BA are sharing incubation duties for all five eggs together.
May 8: All five eggs are still being incubated together but the two older eggs were expected to hatch over the weekend. They are now considered nonviable, most likely due to inconsistent incubation during the territorial battle between the unbanded female and 91/BA.
May 30 and 31: The first (video) and second eggs successfully hatch. The parents are busy feeding the two young “eyas” (video) while continuing to incubate the three remaining eggs.
2016
February 2016: Two webcams are installed at the nest by Union County with guidance from the New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife and Conserve Wildlife Foundation. One is located inside the nest box and the other is fixed on an outside railing to capture nesting, hatching and fledgling behaviors. The outer camera can be moved by remote control, and the inner camera includes an infrared feature for night viewing.
At some point during 2016 the Jersey City female is replaced by a banded six- year-old female. She was born at Throg’s Neck Bridge in New York City.
Spring 2016: The pair raise three hatchlings from four eggs.
Summer 2016: A banded chick from Union County’s 2016 clutch is found dead in Key West, Florida. The probable cause of death is electrocution due to contact with power lines, a common source of bird mortality.
September 2016: Union County signs a Memorandum of Understanding with Conserve Wildlife Foundation for the purpose of “educating the public about peregrine falcons, their habitats and the importance of protecting rare species of wildlife.
Fall 2016: A third camera is installed on the Courthouse roof to track activity on the east side of the courthouse roof.
December 25, 2016: The Throg’s Neck female is seen on camera for the last time.
December 28, 2016: An unbanded female replaces the Throg’s Neck female.
2006
Acting on the guidance of wildlife experts with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, County and State workers install a repurposed igloo-style dog house on the west side of the Courthouse roof to protects eggs and chicks from the elements.
Falcons have successfully raised chicks in the same nest every year from 2006 to 2016.
Sometime during this period an unbanded male replaced the banded male from Connecticut.
2005
Two falcons, a male and a female, try to establish a nest on the 14th floor ledge of the 17-story County Courthouse in midtown Elizabeth.
Leg bands reveals that the female was born in Jersey City and the male was born in Connecticut.
The choice of location in the center of a bustling mid-sized city may seem odd, but they are likely attracted by the height of the ledge and the ample supply of prey nearby.
Unfortunately, windy conditions are an obstacle and the attempt is unsuccessful.
