Here's an article from the Olympian:

http://www.theolympian.com/home/news/20050406/topstories/120148.shtml

Peregrine falcons return to perch at Olympia port
JOHN DODGE
THE OLYMPIAN

OLYMPIA -- It's mating season at the Port of Olympia marine terminal.

For the third year in a row, two peregrine falcons are nesting in one of
the two tall cranes perched on the port docks.
The first year was ill-fated as three eggs were on a steel beam that moved
around during crane maintenance, jostling the eggs. Last year, state
Department of Fish and Wildlife district wildlife biologist Kelly McAllister
installed, with the port's blessing, a nest box 175 feet high on the
southernmost crane's stationary frame. The birds used it, producing one
chick.

In recent days, the female has been spotted on the front lip of the nest
box, McAllister said.

"She's associating with the box and may be close to laying eggs," he said.

Port dockworkers have seen the two falcons in the vicinity all through the
winter, Port spokeswoman Patti Grant said.

She said the peregrines are welcome to nest on the crane again. Last year,
the crane was pressed into use during the nesting and rearing season and
could be this year as well.

The birds don't seem to mind.

Last year's chick was hatched the first week of May. Based on an incubation
period of 28 to 32 days for peregrine falcon eggs, the egg probably was laid
the first week of April, McAllister said.

That suggests the pair is on about the same schedule as last year, the
biologist said.

Peregrine falcons fly at speeds of 30 to 60 mph. They can reach 200 mph in a
dive.

Peregrine falcons teetered on the brink of extinction from pesticide
poisoning more than 30 years ago. But, like many raptors, the species
started to recover when DDT was banned. The falcon was removed from the
federal endangered species list in 1999, and the state list in 2002.

There are more than 70 peregrine pairs statewide, compared with five in
1980, according to Fish and Wildlife's 2001 status report.

The birds typically nest on rock ledges, but about 7 percent have chosen to
use human structures such as bridges, buildings and cranes in urban
settings.

John Dodge covers the environment and energy for The Olympian. He can be
reached at 360-754-5444 or jdodge at olympia.gannett.com.