Bird Cams Around the World

The James River Bridge nest box was installed in 1991. (VA-PEFA-22)

A banded male falcon, later named James, was first observed at the nest box in 1992. He was born in 1990 on the Leg-Mason Building in Baltimore Maryland. His long time mate, Virginia, appeared in 1993 and they nested in the box that year for the first time. Virginia was hatched and banded on 1989 from the Leg Mason building too. James and Virginia continued to use this nest box until she died in 2005.

James lived well beyond the average 10 year life span of a peregrine. He was 20 when he disappeared. James was a prolific breeder. In his 18 breeding seasons, he produced 54 chicks that survived to banding age. Previous lifetime reproductive success across North America for both males and females range between 22 and 25 chicks. James more than doubled these numbers.

In 2006 Elizabeth became James' new mate. Here is the nest history for James from 2004:
2004: 3 eggs, 1 hatched
2005: No eggs
2006: 4 eggs, all hatched
2007: 5 eggs, all hatched
2008: 4 eggs, 3 hatched
2009: 4 eggs, 4 hatched but one died a week later in a heat wave
2010: 4 eggs, 3 hatched

In 2011, a new male appeared at the James River Bridge nest box. His band information is:
Federal: 220643454 State: *7/*C

He was born at the James River Bridge box in 2002, his parents were James and Virginia. He was previously nesting at a nearby sunken ship nest and once James was gone he replaced him as the breeding male. His name is JJ (James jr).

Elizabeth’s age is unknown since she is not banded, but she is at least 15 and JJ is will be 16 this. These falcons are reaching the end of their egg laying productivity, but are still laying an average size clutch and all hatched last year. They usually lay eggs March 7th or 8th.

2011: 4 eggs, 3 hatched
2012: 4 eggs, 4 hatched
2014: 4 eggs, 2 hatched
2016: 4 eggs, 3 hatched
2017: 3 eggs, 3 hatched

2018 began with both of our old falcons in the box, but a new young sub adult cam in and took over the box with JJ. There were many mating attempts, but no eggs were ever laid.

In the fall of 2018 a new young second year female with a federal band has appeared with JJ. Hopefully one of these young females will become the new mistress of JRB.