Among our many valued residents, 2400 Chestnut can count a pair of Peregrine Falcons that call our roof "home" (or at least a favorite hangout spot). One of the most spectacular of all birds, the Peregrine Falcon was nearly extinct by 1970, on account of pesticides such as DDT disrupting their reproductive activity. Continuing recovery efforts enabled the Peregrine Falcon population to rebound over time, and in 1999 the Peregrine was delisted from the Endangered Species list.

The Peregrine Falcon is often stated to be the fastest animal on the planet in its hunting dive, the stoop, which involves soaring to a great height and then diving steeply at speeds commonly said to be over 200mph.

Peregrine Falcons have adapted to living in cities such as Philadelphia. Cities offer tall buildings with ledges for nesting, water sources, large populations of pigeons and starlings for food, and have few natural predators.

Within the last few years it was discovered that Peregrine Falcons were spending quality time on the roof of 2400 Chestnut, hunting and dining on the local avian population. At that point, 2400 Chestnut management teamed up with some area conservationists to develop plans for a nestbox to be situated on the roof of 2400 Chestnut, to further encourage Peregrine Falcon breeding.

The nest box can be seen at left, overlooking the Schuylkill River.

Falcons typically nest on a shallow, unlined surface called a scrape. In the wild, this may be a cliff's edge, while in the city, any kind of pebbled surface will do. Hence the nest box is filled with properly-sized pea gravel.

Although the nest box was installed in time for the current breeding season which began back in March, we were not fortunate enough to attract and retain a breeding pair of Peregrine Falcons this year. Nevertheless, the birds continue to visit the 2400 roof while hunting and dining, and we hope for better luck next year and beyond.

In anticipation of a nesting attempt by Peregrine Falcons, we have installed a webcam which will document the goings-on for all to see via the web.

Check back with 2400chestnut.com to stay up-to-date with the 2400 Falcons.