Berkeley Peregrine Falcons in California — Online Webcam from the Nest
Peregrine Falcons on the Berkeley Campanile — Nest History
At the top of Sather Tower at the University of California, Berkeley, sits one of the most famous urban peregrine falcon nests in North America. The nest is located at a height of 307 feet (about 93.5 meters) on the southeastern side of the tower. This is where the live broadcast originates, allowing thousands of viewers around the world to observe the lives of these swift predators in real time.
The peregrine falcons appeared on the Berkeley Campanile in 2017 after staff from the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory (GGRO) installed a special nest box there to attract a pair. The installation of the nest box on the Campanile became part of a population recovery program that provides birds with a safe place to raise their chicks, protecting them from predators and harsh weather.
Sather Tower — A Landmark in Berkeley
Sather Tower, or as it is often simply called "the Campanile," is the third tallest building in Berkeley and a recognizable symbol of the campus. The tower rises above the urban development and is visible from many points in the eastern part of the San Francisco Bay. It is here, among the brick buildings with vertical narrow windows and ventilation equipment on the roofs, that the famous pair of birds of prey has made its home.
Observing the peregrine falcons from the Campanile observation deck is impossible, as the nest is located too high. Public access is from below, where volunteers from the "Cal Falcons" project and the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory (GGRO) set up telescopes daily. It can be reached on foot from the Downtown Berkeley BART station.
The Famous Pair — Annie and Grinnell
The original famous pair of Berkeley peregrine falcons consisted of the female Annie and the male Grinnell. These names became known to thousands of people who followed their lives through the online camera. In 2022, Grinnell was attacked by a rival who plucked his feathers, leaving him unable to fly, and he was transferred to the Lindsay Wildlife Experience rehabilitation center.
After Grinnell's death in March 2023 (he was found dead, presumably from injuries sustained in a window collision), the female Annie quickly found a new partner, who was named Lou. This story demonstrates the remarkable adaptability of peregrine falcons to urban environments and their ability to recover populations even in challenging conditions.
Observing Birds of Prey in Urban Conditions
Peregrine falcons in the United States were listed as an endangered species due to the pesticide DDT, which caused thinning of their eggshells and reduced chick survival. After the ban on DDT, the population began to recover, and in 1999 the species was removed from the endangered list, although nests in urban environments are still strictly protected.
The cameras at the nest are equipped with infrared (IR) night vision, which allows round-the-clock observation of the birds in complete darkness without using visible light, so as not to disturb the peregrine falcons. This is especially important during the chick-rearing period, when any interference could lead to nest abandonment.
How to Get to the Berkeley Campanile
For those who want to see the peregrine falcon nesting site in person, Sather Tower is located in the very center of the University of California, Berkeley campus. The nearest BART station is Downtown Berkeley. From the station, you need to walk about 10-15 minutes northwest along Shattuck Avenue, then turn onto Bancroft Way and enter the campus grounds.
It should be noted that access to the Campanile itself is restricted, and the nest is located at such a height that it is almost impossible to see the birds with the naked eye. This is why the Berkeley peregrine falcon webcam has become the primary way for ornithologists and wildlife enthusiasts to study the behavior of these amazing predators.
What You Can See on the Camera
The online camera is positioned so that viewers can observe the peregrine falcon nest and the adjacent rooftop area. In the foreground is a flat roof with gravel covering and concrete slab walkways. Brick buildings with vertical narrow windows are visible, one of which is boarded up. Ventilation equipment is present: air conditioning units and fans in metal housings. On the right is a metal ladder with a railing leading to another part of the roof. In the distance, green vegetation on the hill and a clear sky are visible. The urban environment with industrial and commercial development creates a contrast with the wildlife inhabiting the top of the Campanile.
The camera operates around the clock, providing continuous observation of the peregrine falcons at any time of day. Thanks to infrared night vision, viewers can follow the birds even in complete darkness, without disturbing their natural rhythm of life.
