The Shadow
RICHMOND, Va. (VR) — The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources’ (DWR) popular Richmond Falcon Cam has returned for another season. The live stream offers viewers around the world a unique opportunity to observe peregrine falcons nesting in downtown Richmond, Virginia. The camera itself is focused on a nest box atop the 21st floor of the Riverfront Plaza’s West Tower and follows the activities of a peregrine falcon pair that nest downtown each spring. 2025 marks the eighth year that Comcast Business has partnered with DWR to provide the powerful Internet connection that allows hundreds of thousands of wildlife lovers to follow the falcons at dwr.virginia.gov/falcon-cam/.
The return of the live stream coincides with the falcons breeding season which means those tuning in could expect to see falcons at any moment.
“We’ve been monitoring the activity on camera throughout the course of the last month and have seen the same birds from the past several years on camera, daily,” said DWR Watchable Wildlife Biologist Meagan Thomas. “If all goes well, this will be the sixth year that we’ve had our familiar female nest here, and the fifth year for the male who shares in parental duties such as incubation and hunting for food. Together they have hatched and raised four chicks each year since 2021, so I‘m very excited to see if that pattern will continue for yet another year.”
Although the birds could theoretically nest at any point in the upcoming weeks, Thomas suspects the first egg could be laid as early as this weekend just based on her observations of the pair from previous years.
Peregrine falcons are listed as state-threatened in Virginia with more than 30 pairs, including the Richmond birds, nesting across the Commonwealth each spring. The camera gives viewers the opportunity to follow along with the pair as they nest and raise their offspring. And, like any TV nature show, past years have documented quite a bit of drama—including territorial disputes, chicks taking their first nail-biting flights, and even the failure of the nest. It is impossible to predict exactly what 2025 has in store for the birds, but there is no doubt that falcon fans across the country will be rooting for their success.
“Keeping people connected to the moments that matter most is a core part of our mission, and we know how many wildlife fans look forward to tracking the Richmond Falcon Cam each year,” said Dan Carr, Vice President, Comcast Business Beltway Region. “We are proud to continue our partnership with DWR for an eighth year by providing fast, reliable Internet so fans can follow along for another exciting year with these amazing falcons.”
The Richmond Falcon Cam will remain active through egg laying, incubation and hatching, and follows the growth of the chicks until they fledge (take their first flight) or it is determined that the nest has failed for the season.
