This week, we observed a wonderful peregrine falcon on one of the piles of the Honoré Mercier Bridge:
 

To learn about JCCBI sustainable development and environmental protection, click here.
 

Did you know ?
 

The falcons generally nest on cliffs, and the piers of the Honoré Mercier Bridge are very similar to their natural habitat. That’s why we installed nests almost 30 metres high up to help them feel at home in our environment. 
 

We’ve had nesting boxes on our structures for over eleven years.
 

For some years now, a camera has been installed on the nest box located on the Honoré Mercier Bridge.
 

The camera also provides important data on the falcons’ nesting periods. Falcon Environmental Services (FES) then interprets this data to better understand the birds’ behaviour. FES has observed that the egg-laying period starts at the end of March. Baby falcons stay in the nest for about 35 to 42 days. After the fledglings’ first flight, they remain dependent on the nest for at least 30 days. Young falcons only leave the nest for good at the end of August. 
 

Based on these observations, we have set up work restriction zones of between 100 and 200 metres away from the nests, depending on the month, so that we don’t disturb the baby falcons’ development. 
 

Since 2011, 34 perfectly healthy baby falcons have hatched on our structures. 
 

Keep watch for these majestic birds above our structures, especially near the Champlain Bridge Ice Control Structure Bridge, the Jacques Cartier Bridge and the Honoré Mercier Bridge. If you see one, don’t forget to take a photo and share it with us! 
 

To learn more, watch the video above of the installation of the nest in 2019.