Minnesota's skies and their natural habitat, including the state's bluffs,
cliffs and buildings, the Department of Natural Resources said.
Live video from a nesting pair of peregrine falcons in downtown St. Paul is now
featured on the DNR website.

See it at: http://webcams.dnr.state.mn.us/falcon/
The female has already laid four eggs and will incubate them for the next 30 or
so days. Last year, the pair laid and incubated three eggs, but none of the
eggs hatched.

Hopefully this year will be different.

"This is a wonderful opportunity to watch peregrines raise their young in an
urban setting," said Carrol Henderson, nongame wildlife program supervisor. "It
is exciting to watch the birds first-hand, in their normal habitat, without
disturbing them."

A video camera was placed in a nesting box at the top of the Bremer building
several years ago. Peregrines have been using the box and raising their young
there since 1988, a year after the box was installed.

The peregrine camera was paid for by DNR's nongame wildlife program, which is
largely funded by donations, especially those made when Minnesotans file their
state income and property taxes. The lines on the Minnesota income tax form and
property tax form, marked with a drawing of a loon, give taxpayers the option
to donate to the program, a feature often referred to as the "chickadee
check-off."

The nongame wildlife program works to protect and preserve more than 800
species of animals in the state that are not traditionally hunted or harvested.
In addition to peregrine falcons, populations of species such as bald eagles,
trumpeter swans, loons, and American white pelicans are directly benefited by
contributions to the nongame wildlife check-off. People can help Minnesota
wildlife by donating on their tax forms, or donate directly online.