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Urban Peregrines of Western Washington...
Seattle Peregrines Nesting at the Washington Mutual Tower
The first Peregrine Falcons to nest in Seattle selected the Washington
Mutual Tower as their breeding site in 1994. The adults, Stewart and Bell,
raised a number young falcons over a period of many years. A live
video image from the nest box on the 56thd floor was displayed both in
the bank branch lobby on Third Avenue and live on our website.
Three years ago, both of the Seattle adult falcons passed on and the site
was unoccupied in 2006. Last year, two different females apparently attempted
to breed on the tower and we think that both laid eggs in the nest box. As a
result, a total of eight eggs was laid in the nest box.
This was one of the largest clutches of peregrine eggs on record
(four eggs are normal) and the remaining female was unable to incubate them
successfully. Unfortunately, the site was subsequently abandoned and all
of the eggs failed to hatch.
This spring, there is a new pair of adult peregrines perching at the nest
box. They have made a “scrape” or shallow depression in the gravel which
usually indicates that they are preparing to breed. We have a camera on
the box and once again, the image is being piped to the branch lobby
where people can observe the nesting activities as they happen.
We hope to have a live image online soon so you can watch this pair throughout
the season and follow their activities should they breed successfully.
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