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Peregrine chicks have hatched on the DNR FalconCam in downtown St. Paul

May 16—ST. PAUL — Four newly hatched peregrine falcon chicks are now visible on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' popular FalconCam , available online at . The DNR Nongame Wildlife Program's camera is in a nesting box in downtown St. Paul and will once again provide an intimate look at peregrine falcons raising their young. The female of the nesting pair laid four eggs between March 31 and April 9, and all four hatched over Mother's Day weekend, the DNR said in a news release. In these initial weeks, the female will be the primary parent, brooding and feeding the chicks, with the male providing support. Online viewers should watch the camera for feedings, which will provide the best looks at the chicks. Birds are the primary prey for peregrines, and they will feed the chicks their catches, which could be as large as ducks. As the chicks grow, they will become more active. "DNR webcams provide a connection to the wildlife all around us," Jessica Ruthenberg, Nongame Wildlife engagement supervisor, said in a statement. "This window into the world of nesting birds is just one way to engage people of all ages in our mission to conserve at-risk wildlife." In related news, Grand Forks once again is contributing to the ongoing peregrine falcon recovery, as well. In an email to subscribers of the Grand Cities Bird Club's email list, Tim Driscoll of the Urban Raptor Research Project said an unbanded male returned March 13 to the nest box on the UND water tower and an unbanded female returned March 20. "There were a couple of other peregrine falcon visitors, but these two held the nest site and are currently incubating eggs," Driscoll said in his email. He estimates the eggs will hatch on or around May 20. The recovery of peregrine falcons is a Minnesota success story, the DNR said in its FalconCam news release. While still a species of special concern in Minnesota, they were once on the brink of extinction. Minnesota populations were restored with the help of falconers, the Midwest Peregrine Society and the DNR Nongame Wildlife Program. Donations — — to the Nongame Wildlife Fund supported the restoration project and continue to benefit Minnesota's rare and vulnerable wildlife. More information about peregrine falcons in Minnesota and the effort to restore them is available on the DNR website at