DES MOINES – Peregrine falcons have increased their presence in Iowa, with peregrine partners and volunteers now reporting 20 peregrine falcon territories in the state.
One of Iowa’s newest nest sites, or eyries, is at the Dubuque County courthouse. This falcon pair can be observed via web cam provided by the Dubuque County conservation board at www.mystar106.com/dubuque-peregrine-falcon-camera/. Dubuque also has a wild nesting pair at a rock quarry at Eagle Point Park.
In Des Moines, visitors to the Iowa state capitol can view falcons on the east side of the building.
Elsewhere, this is the 25th year for falcons at US Bank in Cedar Rapids. There is a pair along Des Moines River at the Chillicothe Alliant Energy plant near Ottumwa.
Remaining falcon pairs are all located along the Mississippi River at Agees Bluff and Alliant Energy Bluff in Lansing, Leo’s Bluff in Waukon Junction, the MacGregor Elevator, Clayton Pattison Mines, Bellevue, Clinton, Davenport, Muscatine, Louisa, and Burlington. It is hoped a pair at Keokuk will successfully nest this year.
Iowa Department of Natural Resources has benefitted from all the good stewardship with Raptor Resource Project staff, which has a camera at a wild site in southern Minnesota at explore.org/live-cams/player/peregrine-falcon-cam
