Tower falcons raven mother: Live views at Bonn S Nest via webcam

Webcam transfers the nesting site of a tower falcon family in Wachtberg

An exciting initiative of the Nature Conservation Association of Germany (NABU) NRW enables nature lovers to observe the life of a tower falcon family in Wachtberg near Bonn up close. A specially installed webcam monitors the nesting site and delivers live images around the clock. There are already three eggs in the nesting box, while the female is preparing to breed them.

The transmission takes place via three cameras: a camera shows the clip directly in the nesting box, a second documented the landing site of the birds and the third camera gives insights into a still uninhabited nesting box. This enables the audience to follow various activities of the tower falcons, from brooding to the first flights of the young birds. The entire monitoring of the nesting area is particularly exciting because it illustrates the everyday life of these birds

Monika Hachtel, who heads the project at the NABU, reports that the female started with the egg laying on time at Easter and chose the camera -monitored nesting box. It is typical of tower falcons that the female is waiting with brooding until all eggs are laid to optimize the simultaneous hatching of the chicks. The male remains active during this time and regularly brings food to the female, mainly mice.

The project is also supported by a local fruit grower whose warehouse houses the nesting box. If the brood takes place without any problems, interested observers can watch the chicks slip live in May. The webcam will also be active in the weeks after hatching, so that the first trips of the young falcons, which usually take place in July, can be followed.

Since 2012, over 100 nesting boxes for tower falcons have been set up in the southern Rhineland. Between 20 and 30 couples every year, and around 500 young falcons have been successfully raised. Tower falcons are not considered endangered and are known for their impressive vibrating flight, while they are in the air and look for prey. This webcam initiative helps to strengthen awareness of the way of life and the habitat of these fascinating birds of prey.