Australians Tune in to ‘Nestflix’ as Peregrine Falcon Chicks Prepare for First Flight   

• A livestream of peregrine falcons nesting atop a Melbourne skyscraper has become one of Australia’s most-watched wildlife dramas. Since late August, tens of thousands have tuned in to “Nestflix,” a 24-hour webcam that surged in popularity during the COVID pandemic. Viewers are now waiting for this year’s trio of chicks, which hatched in late September, to attempt their first flight from a 34th-floor ledge. The young birds have been flapping their wings along the edge while their mother swoops by with pigeons in her talons, a tactic meant to coax them into the air. Dr. Victor Hurley, founder of the Victorian Peregrine Project, says the parents also intentionally reduce food to help the chicks shed weight before the big day. Hurley discovered the nesting site in 1991 and later advised installing a nest box after early eggs failed to survive. A camera added in 1993 eventually led to the 2017 YouTube stream, now supported by more than 50,000 Facebook fans. The site has seen fierce battles and high drama as peregrine falcons compete for the prized territory. The first chick is expected to fledge within days, sparking excitement among fans planning to watch from the streets below. Yesel Kang Copy Editor junior/1764139498/1613367813