Tag Archives: falcons

General, Programs

Fun With Falcons – at the library!

Peregrine Falcon in Sundarban

There are a lot of interesting webcams out there, with a lot of little animals you can watch in safety (to you and for them). And of course, libraries are getting in on the action of animal webcams!

The Evanston Public Library has had a pair of falcons nesting there for several years. This year the new female laid four eggs, and they have all hatched!

“Peregrine falcons have been nesting at the library since 2004. They occupy the nest (scrape) from March until June each year. There is an Evanston Peregrine Falcon Watch group for posting and sharing news and observations of the Evanston Peregrine Falcons.  Scientists from the Field Museum’s Chicago Peregrine Program band the young falcons each year.”

While it may not be a program all libraries can have, you can certainly enjoy watching the baby library falcons on their live cam!

Services

Spotlight Program: Library Falcon Cam

Peregrine falcon (Australia)

This week we have a library program I just love, though it’s not one most of us can do.

The Evanston Public Library has had a few pairs of peregrine falcons nesting at the library! And, because they are extra cool, you can watch a livecam of the falcons right here!

This is the second year with the long-time male (Squawker) and his newest companion, F.A.Y.  Fay is a very young mom, and last year they did not end up with any babies. But this year she’s more experienced, and she has laid three eggs (so far!). Many baby falcons have come from the nesting pairs at the library, and it’s just an excellent way to connect with a different group of people to show off the coolness possible in libraries!!

There is a group of falcon fans in the community: the Evanston Peregrine Falcon Watch group. They pay close attention to the falcons, and help them out when they are in their dangerous time learning to fly. You can follow all their good stuff on a Yahoo discussion board.

The Chicago Tribune recently published a very nice article about the falcons, including an update on the former library fledgling, Gigi, named after an EPL employee. He turned out to be a male, and is happily sitting on a nest of his own now, helping to raise the next generation of falcons!

You may not be able to have falcons at your library, but a library is a great place for small animals, fish, insects. It can be a fun way to connect your patrons, who may not be able to have animals at home, with the fun of having pets!! (And know that we would love to come visit assorted pets in your libraries!)