Bell's origin is unknown. She arrived in downtown Seattle in early August 1994 and promptly formed a pair bond with Stewart, our resident male. She still had a few brown juvenile feathers, which allowed us to age her as hatch year 1993. She was twelve at the time of her death in downtown Seattle in July 2005. She died only two blocks from her home "cliff", where she successfully fledged young in 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2004 for a total of 26.

Not all peregrines successfully produce young year after year. Bell was one of the winners. We monitor some of her descendents here in Seattle. Near the U-District, one of her sons can see his natal cliff every day when he flies over his territory; this bird's son, Bell's "grandson", has his own territory and a mate a few miles away and may breed for the first time this spring.

Whether we watched activity on the nest ledge from our project headquarters in a storage room in the Washington Mutual Tower, on the monitor in the bank lobby, or via the Internet, we all remember Bell -- the beautiful provider of warmth, food and protection. Who can forget Bell fluffed out over the eggs just before hatching, or gently feeding tiny young and then tucking them against her warmth? Who can forget her faithfully providing meal after meal to her rapidly growing young on the ledge and, later, to her fledglings on rooftops and ledges in downtown Seattle?

Bell's fierce protection of young and territory was not as visible on the ledge, other than during banding. But those who watched our downtown family during fledging found that Bell was truly a warrior parent, ready to do battle with any and all feathered intruders and/or humans that she perceived as threats to her young.

Through the years of watching her, we had the privilege of observing the intimate details of a female peregrine's breeding season. We had the privilege of learning from her while enjoying her beauty every day. Now there is a new pair downtown, but Bell lives on in our memories. We hope that all of you will remember her with as much affection as we do.