Mayo Clinic's Peregrine Falcon Cam Captures Nesting Season

The annual return of Hattie and Orton, the resident peregrine falcon pair, marks the start of another breeding season in downtown Rochester.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 8:45pm

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A bold, abstract painting in earthy tones of green, brown, and blue, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circular forms, and precise avian spirals, conceptually representing the complex nesting behaviors and life cycle of peregrine falcons.The annual return of peregrine falcons to the Mayo Clinic campus in downtown Rochester marks the start of another breeding season for these magnificent birds of prey.Rochester Today

The peregrine falcon pair that nests on the Mayo Clinic campus in downtown Rochester, Minnesota has laid four eggs this spring, marking the start of another breeding season for the iconic birds. Hattie and Orton, who have claimed the downtown area as their territory since 2016, are being monitored via a live webcam operated by Mayo Clinic.

Why it matters

Peregrine falcons were once an endangered species, but conservation efforts have helped their populations rebound. The Mayo Clinic's falcon cam allows the public to observe and learn about these magnificent birds of prey up close, fostering appreciation for urban wildlife and the importance of protecting natural habitats.

The details

Hattie laid her first egg of the 2026 season on March 23, and the fourth and final egg of the clutch was laid on April 1. The pair have successfully raised multiple broods in the nest box mounted on the east side of the Mayo Building since 2016. In 2025, two of Hattie and Orton's chicks, named Riya and Aria, fledged the nest, but tragically Aria was later found ill with highly pathogenic avian influenza and had to be euthanized.

  • Hattie laid her first egg of the 2026 season on March 23.
  • Hattie laid her fourth and final egg of the clutch on April 1.

The players

Hattie

The female peregrine falcon that nests on the Mayo Clinic campus in downtown Rochester, Minnesota.

Orton

The male peregrine falcon that nests on the Mayo Clinic campus in downtown Rochester, Minnesota, and mates with Hattie.

Mayo Clinic Peregrine Falcon Program

The program operated by Mayo Clinic that monitors and provides information about the peregrine falcon pair nesting on their campus, including hosting a live webcam of the nest.

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What’s next

Mayo Clinic will continue to monitor the falcon nest via their live webcam as the eggs hatch and the chicks grow. The public can follow along with the falcon family's progress on the Mayo Clinic Peregrine Falcon Program's Facebook page.

The takeaway

The annual return of the peregrine falcon pair to the Mayo Clinic campus is a testament to the success of conservation efforts for this once-endangered species. The live webcam allows the public to connect with and learn about these magnificent birds of prey, fostering appreciation for urban wildlife and the importance of protecting natural habitats.