Fargo Peregrine Falcons

Once again a pair of peregrine falcons has returned to the nest box on the Bank of the West building in downtown Fargo.  However, it is not the same pair that successfully nested at this site from 2003 through 2007.

The male is the same.  Dakota Ace returned on or about March 15, right on schedule.  This marks the beginning of his ninth season inFargo, and he will soon be 11 years old.  Dakota Ace is proving to be a very competent and prolific bird.  He has fathered every peregrinefalcon raised in Fargo, starting with the first nesting in 2001.  He has also attracted a succession of mates.  His mate from 2002 through last season was named Frieda.

Frieda did not return this spring, and is now long overdue.  Most likely she did not survive the winter.  Peregrines are highly territorial, and almost always return to a site where they have successfully nested. 

On March 25 a different female peregrine did arrive.  Her name is Miracle.  She hatched in 2004 in a nest box maintained by Xcel Energy at a plant it operates in central Minnesota.  Miracle seems to be well established, and she and Dakota Ace have been displaying the typical courtship behavior.  In recent days, Miracle has been spending much time in or around the nest box.

In general, new pairs are not as predictable as established pairs.  However, we have a very experienced male.  His new mate is no kid.  They seem to be doing all the right things.  Therefore, the prospects for another nesting are good.

Due to program changes, Prairie Public Broadcasting will no longer be hosting this website.  Arrangements are underway to move the site to a new location.  It will be updated and expanded as part of this process.  Towards that end, the web camera has been taken down for upgrading.  Unfortunately, it can not be reinstalled now as that would involve disturbing the adult peregrines at a time when such disturbance could cause abandonment of the nest box or damage to any eggs it may contain.  Assuming the peregrines do nest this year (see update above), we will reinstall the camera as part of the banding activities (probably in mid June).  We are sorry for this temporary interruption, but trust all viewers agree the welfare of the peregrines must come first.

The FalconCam is temporarily down while we change the type of connection it has to the internet. This new broadband connection should make it more reliable, with less freeze ups. 

This will also allow us to have faster refresh rates for the images.

Thanks for you patience. 

Fargo’s Peregrine Falcons

Since 1990, a succession of peregrines have visited the Bank of the West building in downtown Fargo.In recent years, the Bank of the West building has served as the home-base for several territorial pairs. 

Prairie Public Broadcasting, Audubon Dakota, Bank of the West and Conmy Feste Ltd. have partnered to provide this interesting and sometimes amusing look into the world of falcons.

Click on the FalconCam page to the right to see the nest.