Peregrine Falcon Nest Ledge, Monarch Place, Springfield Live Cam

This camera looks over a peregrine falcon nest tray on the 21st-floor ledge of Monarch Place in downtown Springfield, Massachusetts. Beyond the gravel-filled tray, the view drops to Main Street and brick blocks to the north.

Completed in 1989, the 26-story Monarch Place is the tallest building in Massachusetts outside Boston. Peregrines have nested on this ledge on and off since then, and it is one of three falcon reintroduction sites on buildings in western Massachusetts. State wildlife biologists band the chicks here in spring.

The view runs northwest along the ledge, and the tower's windows on the left reflect the city. Its framing shifts a little during the day, taking in more tray or more street. Crosswalks mark a downtown corner below on the right, and low hills line the horizon. The falcons lay their eggs in a scrape in this gravel.