MassWildLife: View Peregrine Falcon Cameras

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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. 

 


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Hinsdale OKs Police Department Audit After Fatal Shooting

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

HINSDALE, Mass. — The town has approved $25,000 for an administrative review of the police department, more than two months after police fatally shot 27-year-old Biagio Kauvil during a mental health crisis. 

Town Administrator Robert Graves said the shooting on Jan. 7 is not the only focus of the audit, and it will be several months before the Select Board receives a final report. 

During a special town meeting on March 11, an article appropriating $25,000 from free cash for an independent consultant to conduct a professional evaluation and audit of the Town's Police Department was approved. The audit includes a review of the department's policies, protocols, operations, and procedures, and concludes with a written report. 

"The Berkshire County District Attorney's Office and Massachusetts State Police are investigating the shooting, and we await their conclusions.  As we look to move forward, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, our insurance company (MIIA/Cabot Risk), and our legal counsel have recommended that the town hire an independent law enforcement consultant or firm to conduct a comprehensive administrative review of our police operation," Graves wrote in an email to iBerkshires on Friday. 

"This event is not their focus; they will assess the overall operation. We want a written assessment of our police operation's strengths and weaknesses to help Hinsdale make future changes and improvements." 

He said after completing the procurement process and signing a contract with a reputable consultant or business, it will most likely be several months before the Select Board receives the final report. 

"Still, it will help the town and police department move forward," Graves wrote. 

Last weekend, family and friends of Kauvil stood in Park Square asking for justice. A flier for the standout reads "Biagio was killed by police while experiencing a mental health crisis. Now, over seven weeks later, authorities have not yet provided any updates.

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