Peregrine falcons return to downtown S.L.

Salt Lake City's pair of peregrine falcons has returned.

And those interested can watch the birds' antics by logging onto the Division of Wildlife Resources Web site. The falcons are currently caring for three eggs that the female laid in a nest box on the northeast corner of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building.

Or, if interested, travel downtown and watch the falcons in person. The Joseph Smith Memorial Building is just west of State Street, between South Temple and North Temple streets.

Follow the falcons' activity on your computer screen by logging onto www.wildlife.utah.gov. Once you're on the home page, click on the "Peregrine falcon cam link" on the right side of the page.

"Officials with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have placed two cameras in the nest box," says Bob Walters, Watchable Wildlife coordinator for the DWR.

"One camera gives you a 'long view' of the interior of the box. The second camera focuses on the nest scrape where the eggs are laid. If all goes well, you'll be able to watch the falcons from the time they hatch until they learn to fly."

Church officials have also placed a microphone in the nest area to allow the public to listen to the falcons.

Walters says peregrine falcons have nested in downtown Salt Lake City for many years. With the help of his Salt Lake City Peregrine Falcon Watchpost Rescue Team, a total of 11 falcons learned to fly in the downtown area from 1986 through 1990 and in 1995.

After learning to fly, they dispersed into the wild.

From 2004-08, eight of 11 young were raised successfully at the site. Then they departed into the wild.

From 1991 through 1993, falcons didn't nest in the downtown area. But five of six young falcons were raised successfully at an alternate nest site just north of Salt Lake City.

For more information, call the DWR's Salt Lake City office at 801-538-4700.