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Description
The University of California, Berkeley Campanile clock tower (Sather Tower) is well known for hosting nesting Peregrine Falcons, which are really the main reason to visit this birding place. The falcons were first observed nesting on a high ledge of the tower in 2016, with one of two fledglings surviving (the other, unfortunately, struck a window and died). In 2018 a permanent nest box was installed to replace the temporary box installed in 2017. In January of 2019, following a successful crowd-sourcing campaign, 2 webcams were installed at the nest.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, watching the Cal Falcons webcam became an incredibly popular online pastimes for many people in California and around the world. Events like changes in the female falcon's mate choice, reported sightings of previously fledged chicks, loss of birds to disease or mishap, and egg hatchings have become sources of communal joy, sorrow or anticipation amongst those who view the webcam or visit the nest site.
For the April 2023 hatching, as many as 800 people watched on a giant outdoor screen while raptor experts answered questions from the public. On hatch day that year, 2,200 people attended the Cal Falcons online Q&A, and another 6,500 people remotely viewed the hatching later in the day.
Aside from falcons, the University of California at Berkeley campus also offers good general birding, with a wide array of bird species possible in it's wooded areas, along Strawberry Creek, and in the greenery amongst the buildings. Species such as Nuttall's Woodpecker, Oak Titmouse, Pygmy Nuthatch, Red-shouldered Hawk, Townsend's Warbler, Western Flycatcher, Wilson's Warbler, White-throated Swift, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, California Scrub-Jay and more can be seen around campus in the appropriate season.
Details
Access
The Campanile is best reached by foot / wheelchair or by bicycle (such as from the Downtown Berkeley BART station), or by parking and navigating by foot / wheelchair / bicycle through campus. Google Maps directions are provided in the Links section further below.
Terrain and Habitat
City/village , ParkConditions
FlatCircular trail
NoIs a telescope useful?
Can be usefulGood birding season
SpringBest time to visit
SpringRoute
Paved road , Wide pathDifficulty walking trail
EasyAccessible by
Foot , Bicycle , WheelchairBirdwatching hide / platform
NoLinks
- Google maps walking directions from the Downtown Berkeley BART station
- UC Berkeley ebird hotspot (for all of campus)
- eBird bar chart for the UC Berkeley campus
- Cal Falcons website - with webcam links and announcements on nest activity and expected hatching dates