April 30, 2012 - International, National and Local News
Frank Butson Reports:
Taken from :New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Division of Fish and Wildlife
Dave Chanda, Director
C. David Jenkins, Chief
Endangered and Nongame Species Program
Peregrine Falcon
Research and Management Program in New Jersey, 2011
“We plan to continue the investigation of contaminants in unhatched, salvaged eggs, as well as the close monitoring of nesting pairs to detect problems. New research suggests the high levels of brominated fire-retardant chemicals (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) found in peregrines may affect adult peregrine nesting behavior and nest success, which certainly bears watching in NJ.”
The entire report is here: http://www.conservewildlifenj.org/downloads/cwnj_124.pdf
Of particular interest to CPF was the number of nest failures and eggs that failed to hatch. Last season Peregrine nests suffered a similar fate with many addled or unhatched eggs in southern Ontario, as well as complete nest failures. This season we are observing the same thing already. Its very important to continue monitoring incase this becomes a trend. To that end we thought the above passage from the report was very significant.
Posted on April 30, 2012 9:16 pm
April 30, 2012 - International, National and Local News
Frank Butson Reports:
From the April 2012 New York State Conservationist. An article on the importance of banding by DEC biologist Barbara Allen Loucks
On the Edge
The perils and rewards of banding peregrine falcons
By Barbara Allen Loucks
I wasn’t expecting the blow to the back of my head. The adult female peregrine falcon took advantage of my back being turned and hit me hard in my helmet with her feet. I was entering the doorway going inside the top of the Kodak Tower in downtown Rochester, and had to stop for an instant, momentarily dizzy. We had just finished putting her young back in the nest box after banding, and she was demonstrating her displeasure at our intrusion.
The author climbing to reach a nest on a
Hudson River bridge. (Photo: Joe Bridges)
Peregrine falcons are notoriously aggressive around their eyries (or nest sites) during the breeding season, and the longtime resident female here had a reputation for being particularly unfriendly at our annual visits. As “wing man” for my colleague Mike Allen, I protected his shoulders and back with a broom and served as a target while he grabbed the young out of the nest box. We both wore eye protection. As an added precaution, another person stood behind me, trying to defend me from the swiftly diving adult female which would suddenly disappear and reappear, “kakking” loudly at times. We worked quickly to bring the young inside the building, and returned them to the waiting adults about a half hour later. Fortunately, adult males rarely attack, so we didn’t have to ward him off as well.
Not too long ago, there wasn’t a single peregrine pair nesting in New York State. The thinning of eggshells caused by DDT residues in their largely avian prey had eliminated this amazing raptor as a breeding bird from the entire east coast by the early 1960s. But through the release of captive-bred birds from The Peregrine Fund, active restoration programs were successful in reestablishing breeding populations (see “Back from the Brink” in the April 2005 Conservationist). In fact, in 2010, of 76 territorial peregrine pairs in New York, 54 successfully raised 144 young-the largest population in the eastern U.S.! Biologists banded 75 of these young. Since the species started nesting in the state again in 1983, hundreds of peregrine falcon chicks have been banded.
I am fortunate to be part of a small group of DEC biologists who bands peregrines from NYC to Buffalo. The banding enables us to gather information-such as mortality (how, when and where they die), movements, dispersal and longevity-about the population. The vast majority of young peregrines are banded in the southeastern part of the state, particularly the New York City area. Christopher Nadareski of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection is a key cooperator with DEC. Sometimes, we get lucky and an adult female will refuse to leave the nest box. When this happens, we take the opportunity to capture and band her as well.
For safety and other reasons, we focus our banding efforts on the more easily reached peregrine nests on urban bridges and buildings, rather than nests located on cliff sites which are difficult to access. The perfect time to band the young is when they are about three weeks old. Their legs are then large enough to determine if the smaller male band (size 6) or larger female band (size 7a) is appropriate. Also, the birds are half-feathered and can’t fly, which makes them less likely to try to evade capture.
Unlike most hawks and eagles, peregrines do not build large stick nests, but instead lay their brown eggs in shallow depressions (called scrapes) that the birds form in whatever substrate is available. On a cliff it could be dirt and small pebbles. On a bridge girder or building ledge, it could have rough debris or be quite bare. At the urban sites, biologists often place nest boxes that generally consist of a shallow tray about three feet square, a roof, three sides, and several inches of pea-sized gravel. These artificial nests help increase productivity by protecting the eggs from damage, such as rolling off the ledge.
On some bridges, temporary lane closures are necessary to allow biologists to climb above or below roadways to reach nests. At the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge in NYC, biologists and MTA Bridges and Tunnels employees (outfitted with safety harnesses, helmets and goggles) climb a series of ladders inside one of the two bridge towers, exiting at a point 693 feet above the water. It’s exhilarating and unnerving at the same time, and you are rewarded with a commanding view of Staten Island, Brooklyn, New York Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean that few people are privileged to see.
At some sites, we need special equipment to reach the nest. For instance, in Albany, peregrines nest underneath one of the bridges over the Hudson River, so DEC biologist Nancy Heaslip works with the New York State Department of Transportation to use their snooper (a special truck with a bucket that goes over the side of the bridge) to reach the young peregrines. Across the state, DEC biologist Connie Adams once took advantage of the Darling Construction Company’s offer to use their cherry picker to access a nest underneath the North Grand Island Bridge on the Niagara River. The picker was already on a barge being used for bridge cleaning.
During banding, every effort is made to minimize stress on the falcons (both young and adults), including trying to limit the time it takes to band them to a half hour or less. In most instances, the one to five young can be banded right at the nest box; occasionally, however, they have to be momentarily removed to a nearby location. Biologists check the health of all young, including inspecting their eyes, ears, throats, feathers and general condition. We attach two metal leg bands: a silver-colored U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service band is placed on the right leg, and a two-toned band with alphanumeric codes is placed on the left leg. Recent color bands used on NY-raised peregrines (and others in the northeast) are black and green or black and red. In addition, any unhatched eggs are collected for later analysis, and any desiccated prey remains are quickly checked and collected. If the box needs repairs after the nesting season, that is also noted. Interestingly, one NY study (C. Nadareski, pers. comm.) documented that the remains of more than 120 different species of birds, as well as an occasional bat, have been collected from the various nest sites over the years.
The workers who assist biologists during the banding process often feel a special connection to the project and gain a deeper understanding of the value of their efforts to help protect this species. During maintenance and renovation work, workers avoid unnecessary disturbance of nesting birds. Some facilities have installed webcams so that everyone can be involved. These sites are very popular and generally can be viewed from early spring through midsummer. Viewers can follow the nesting process from egg laying through the young birds leaving (fledging) the nest. Many people contact DEC to say how much they appreciate these armchair opportunities to observe peregrine falcons across the state. (See a listing of webcam sites.)
Through our banding program, we’ve discovered that peregrine falcons hatched in NY have traveled to and successfully raised young in various places scattered between Massachusetts and Wisconsin, and from Ontario to Washington, D.C. as well. Released birds have nested as far west as Nebraska, and been seen as far south as Texas. One female peregrine from NYC was found dead in Atlantic City-it was 13+ years old.
In the years I’ve been banding peregrines, I’ve seen their population make great strides. They are graceful and powerful birds, and I never tire of watching them. It’s amazing to see a peregrine tuck in its wings, go into a steep dive-peregrines can reach speeds of more than 200 mph-and then snatch a bird in midair. It’s something you never forget.
Each time we visit a site, I get a thrill by what we’re doing and am excited at what we see. But I always keep in mind to stay alert; after all, I am the unwanted guest in their home.
Barbara Allen Loucks is DEC’s endangered raptor specialist.
Posted on April 30, 2012 3:28 am
April 27, 2012 - International, National and Local News
Tracy Simpson Reports:
The next stop on the rounds of the west end of the GTA was the office tower at 55 Standish Court where a pair of peregrines have been hanging around and showing great interest in the Wells Fargo signs on the east and south sides of the building. I met with the superintendant of the building and we chatted briefly about the activity on the building. He informed me that this pair were present last year and had made an attempt to nest on the eastern facing sign but he was not completely sure of their success. Currently, the observations made by myself, Toivo and Rob have led us to conclude that the birds are potentially nesting in the area and we will continue to monitor the site for confirmation of breeding activity.
Posted on April 28, 2012 8:08 am
April 20, 2012 - International, National and Local News
Tracy Simpson Reports:
Frank, Toivo, Winston and I have all been tracking this new pair of peregrines that have settled themselves at Hurontario and Brittania Rd. directly between the Brampton Courthouse pair to the north and the MEC pair to the south. They have been very cautious and elusive in their activites related to the setting down of eggs and so we have been watching closely to see if the pair have decided whether they will be nesting and where. Frank, Toivo and I were on site monitoring today and found the female on the camera arm at the Purolator building getting ready for take off. She flew over to a building to the south where she stayed for about ten minutes; the male was nowhere to be seen. The female then took off and headed over towards the Wells Fargo building where she disappeared from our sightlines. A few minutes later, the male appeared on the same building the female had just left.
We believe that we witnessed a possible adult changeover commonly associated with incubation. We will be out this weekend to determine which site their interest is focussed on and whether incubation is underway. Check back soon!!
Posted on April 21, 2012 9:58 am
April 13, 2012 - International, National and Local News
Tracy Simpson Reports:
I went down to the Nanticoke Generating Station on Friday to check in on the resident female Marla and the unidentified male that she has spent the winter with. Upon check in I met up with Jill, my chaperone, and we headed out to the old nest cavity to determine whether there was any activity this year. We looked carefully with the scope in all of the cavities that lined the area but were unable to see any falcons or fresh activity here. Jill and I then headed over to an adjacent building to chat with some of the staff to see if they could provide any insight. According to the workers onsite, there was quite a bit of activity up until a few weeks ago when everything with the peregrines seemed to go quiet. This could definately mean that a new nesting site on the property had been chosen and incubation was underway. As we were setting out to investigate further, a female flew in from lakeside and landed low on one of the stacks. I was able to snap a few, albeit blurry, pictures of the female before she flew off around the plant and disappeared from our sights. I will be visiting the site again soon to determine where the nest is located and update you on the peregrine activities. A very big thank you to the OPG staff, and especially Jill, who took the time with me to support their local peregrines. Check back in soon for further updates on the progress of this year’s nest.
Posted on April 17, 2012 9:16 am
April 06, 2012 - International, National and Local News
Tracy Simpson Reports:
Just when we thought the dance card was full, along comes another couple to shake things up!! Out of all of the observations gathered by Toivo and Winston over the past few weeks, we knew that there was more than one pair hanging about in the Brampton / Mississauga area. Over the long weekend, after a check of the courthouse and confirming the identity of the pair there, we made our way down to Hurontario and Brittania, the area that our Brampton watchers have identified as a hot spot of activity. For the first 40 minutes there was no sign of peregrines when all of a sudden, out of the east, a pair showed up and landed on 5800 Hurontario St. just south of the intersection. There the female sat on the south side while the male couldn’t seem to decide on a spot. He sat on the same face of the building but would alter ledges every few minutes. We pulled out the scopes and cameras and were able to determine that this indeed was someone new. The female is a full adult and we could clearly make out the Black over Green recovery band on the left leg and the purple USFW band on the other telling us she is an American girl. We then turned our attention to the male and were able to clearly see the solid Black recovery band used here on his left leg and a silver USFW band on the right; a Canadian boy. We continued to watch but the winds were not in our favour for getting the alpha numerics off of either male or female as our scopes were vibrating in the brisk winds. One thing we are certain of, these birds are not the pair from Brampton and as the MEC birds are both unbanded, it couldn’t be either of them!!
They continued to sit on the south face of 5800 Hurontario for a while and then the pair quickly launched into the air and headed northwest; but not far. We followed them up the road to 55 Standish Court where we found the female on the southern Wells Fargo sign and the male on the eastern sign. The female was restless and would wander along the length of the sign, turn, dip, scrape and then settle. She did this several times indicating her interest in Canadian real estate for raising the kids!! There they stayed well into dusk when we finally left.
The following day, the pair was absent for much of the time until after 5:30pm when once again, out of the east, the pair arrived and landed on the south side of 5800 Hurontario St. Toivo spent some time driving out to the east to look for a potential hunting area for the birds and may have found a few likely spots. The male arrived first and landed on the south side followed shortly by the female who ended up on a small ledge on the very southwestern corner of the building. The male flew over to the next building, waited for his cue and then flew in for breeding. As we left that Saturday evening, both adults were on 5800 Hurontario St. on opposite corners of the western face.
What makes this potential new site so interesting is the choice of location. The Brampton courthouse pair is 5km straight north on Hurontario St.; can’t go that way! The MEC pair is 5 km straight south on Hurontario St.; can’t go that way either! That leaves this pair a hunting corridor along the west - east axis where they won’t encroach on another territory and that is exactly where we see them coming from; due east. While they haven’t indicated which ledge they are interested in as of yet, it would appear that 5800 Hurontario St. is the place to be and we will continue to update you on this new pair as the details emerge.
Posted on April 10, 2012 7:25 pm
April 09, 2012 - International, National and Local News
CPF Postmaster Reports:
April 2012
A big thank you to Jacquie and Mike for getting an ID on their newest peregrine family,, as we have been able to confrim after checking our database that their new resident adult female is non other than “Gleig”, a young peregrine produced in 2009 at the Hamilton Sheraton Hotel nest site. Gleig was banded on June 2nd in 2009 at approx. 28 days old, weighing in at 1049 grams.
Jacquie writes:
It seems our non-banded Peregrine pair at the Buffalo Central Terminal has been replaced with a banded pair this year. Yesterday Mike and I went up to the nest box to check for eggs. There were no eggs in the scrape yet (our only nest without any eggs), but we were able to get a clear view of the female’s leg bands when she landed on the ledge of the box. (I am assuming it is the female, because she was rather large.) She had a silver USFWS band on the right leg and Black/Black 33/X on the left. She is an adult bird, without any lingering brown plumage that we could see.
Happy Peregrine season!
Jacquie
Posted on April 10, 2012 3:36 pm
February 26, 2012 - International, National and Local News
Tracy Simpson Reports:
Sorry for the delay in posting this sighting from Feb 26 as we have been exceptionally busy here at CPF With the Sportsmans Show upon us this week, we look forward to seeing many familiar faces and meet some new friends at the Convention Centre this year.
I received this email sighting from Arvo Poolar who spotted Centennial still hanging around in the east end of Toronto.
While watching and Photographing ducks and geese in the lagoons of the Scarborough Bluffs noted the falcon sitting and watching. When a fisherman passed underneath the bird and he she did not fly away I and 2 others who had also noted the birds presence moved to the other side of the lagoon and were able to get some quality photographs and get the information off of the leg tags which have since been atttributed to “Centennial” Black 79 over red H
Thank you Arvo for sharing this sighting with us. Its nice to know that Centennial is still doing well here in Ontario and we will be watching to see where she ends up this spring. It would seem that she is following the example set by our own juveniles as Courtney still hangs around the Brampton Courthouse and now Chester has been spotted hanging out with Quest.
Posted on March 12, 2012 9:51 am
February 13, 2012 - International, National and Local News
Frank Butson Reports:
Nooo this isnt the latest show at the ACC,but my friend Mike Zondino sent along these shots of a pair of Peregrine Falcons at Toronto’s Tommy Thompson Park(Leslie Street Spit). This pair is being seen at the park frequently this winter. Thanks Mike for these shots!
Posted on February 13, 2012 4:56 pm
February 03, 2012 - International, National and Local News
Frank Butson Reports:
From the RSBP
Police swoop to investigate alleged peregrine persecution
Last modified: 02 February 2012
The peregrine falcon is the UK’s largest nesting falcon
A multiagency operation investigating alleged crimes against peregrine falcons has been launched across four police areas in England and Wales.
Police officers issued with search warrants, supported by staff from the RSPB, RSPCA, Natural England and the Countryside Council for Wales, raided the homes of four pigeon fanciers earlier today. The raids took place within the following constabulary areas: Avon and Somerset Police; South Wales Police; Northumbria Police and West Midlands Police.
A 47-year old man has been arrested by officers at one of the addresses in connection with evidence which has been seized during the operation.
Mark Thomas, an RSPB investigations officer, said: “The peregrine falcon is one of the UK’s most heavily persecuted birds of prey, and we hope that today’s operation will help further our investigations.”
Posted on February 3, 2012 9:47 am
