November 11, 2011 - Niagara Falls
Frank Butson Reports:
While poking around the internet,I found this article posted at e! Science News. So all will see it,it is being posted on each of our nestsite pages. This is too important to miss.
The original article can be seen here: http://esciencenews.com/articles/2011/04/18/new.pollutants.detected.peregrine.falcon.eggsÂ
Here is what it says:
New pollutants detected in peregrine falcon eggs
Flame retardants are chemical compounds added to fabrics and plastics to keep them from burning easily, but these can be toxic. Now a team of researchers from Spain and Canada has detected some of these emerging pollutants for the first time in peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) eggs in both countries. “The presence of ‘dechlorane plus’ and other related, chlorinated compounds used as flame retardants have been detected for the first time in the European biota (flora and fauna of the region)”, explains Ethel Eljarrat, co-author of the study and scientist at the Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Studies (IDAEA-CSIC, Spain).
The researchers have found these substances in peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) eggs in both Spain and Canada. The flame retardants are often added to textiles, electronic circuits and other products to inhibit or resist the spread of fire, but can be transferred to the environment.
In nature these compounds are “bioaccumulating and bioconcentrating” all along the food chain, as evidenced by the research published in the Environmental Science & Technology journal. The international research team for this study was led by Begoña Jiménez of the Institute of Organic Chemistry (CSIC, Spain), and Environment Canada researchers, Kim Fernie and Mehran Alaee.
Having received the relevant permits, eggs that had failed to hatch from various active falcon nests in Canada and Spain, were collected. The collection involved 13 eggs from Spain (five in Guadalajara – a territory representative of an inland habitat of the Iberian Peninsula - and eight in Bilbao - representing a coastal environment), and 12 eggs from Canada (Great Lakes Region and Eastern provinces).
The levels of some of the measured contaminants have been found to be somewhat higher in Bilbao than in Guadalajara, and the authors believe this may be due partially to the difference in the falcons’ diet: more aquatic in the former and more terrestrial in the latter. In fact, if fish is highly contaminated, peregrines would accumulate more of the harmful substances. While peregrine falcons do not eat fish, they prey upon other birds, some of which may eat fish.
Selecting the peregrine falcon was no accident. This species was endangered in many areas of the northern hemisphere due to the use of organochlorinated pesticides, particularly DDT, though when this was prohibited in the 1970s the populations recovered. Furthermore, falcons are at the top end of the food chain and accumulate substances carried by their prey.
Highest levels in the Canadian samples
The results reveal that the concentrations of ‘dechlorane plus’ and some of the other chlorinated halogens were “significantly higher” in the Canadian falcons’ eggs than in those of Spain. The reason for this could be that the industry that has manufactured these compounds for decades (although they are now also produced in China) is located in New York State close to the area where samples were collected. In addition, the use of these compounds has generally been higher in North America than Europe.
The researcher acknowledges that the effects that these flame retardants may have on the falcons’ eggs or on their development are still unknown, “but their detection is a first step”. These are emerging pollutants, which comprise both those which have appeared more recently and those that have been used for a long time but are just lately the subject of environmental interest.
Other flame retardants, including some brominated flame retardants, have already been confirmed as toxic endocrine disruptors, and their use has been prohibited in some of the commercial mixes in Europe and America. Furthermore, they are candidates for inclusion on a list of Persistent Organic Pollutants to be eliminated, a list compiled by the Stockholm Convention which includes other pollutants such as DDT or dioxins.
This study forms part of the doctoral thesis submitted this month by the researcher Paula Guerra from IDAEA on “The analysis of emerging halogenated flame retardants and their impact on the environment and on humans”. All of the eggs were analyzed by her during her exchange studies at Environment Canada.
A research group at IDAEA led by Damià Barceló has also confirmed the presence of these compounds in sediment and fish in the rivers of the Ebro basin (Spain). Source:FECYT-Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology
Posted on November 11, 2011 5:59 am
September 17, 2011 - Niagara Falls
CPF Postmaster Reports:
Hello All
We got a report from our volunteer John Shiposki that, as of 9/17, the two juvies are still hanging around Niagara Falls. One is even still trying to beg for food from the parents. He got this great photo of one of them that hopefully he won’t mind me sharing.
Jacquie
Posted on September 23, 2011 11:17 am
August 08, 2011 - Niagara Falls
CPF Postmaster Reports:
Monday Aug 8th -2011
Just wanted to let you know that I visited the Niagara Falls site today and saw both juvies flying around like pros. It was pretty amazing to see them flying so well only a week after fledging! It was fun to watch them soar over the gorge and the park playing “talon tag” with each other and chasing after the male when he flew in with a prey item. I was particularly amazed to see the younger of the two flying just as well as the older one. She was a good 5 days younger than her sister but was flying just as well.
I don’t have a good camera so I wasn’t able to get any photos for you, but if I get any from our volunteers I will pass them along.
- Jacquie
Posted on August 9, 2011 1:15 pm
August 04, 2011 - Niagara Falls
CPF Postmaster Reports:
Aug 4 2011
I managed to get 3 half decent flight pics on Aug.4, 2011
You may use these also.
Tom Kocaj
Posted on August 9, 2011 2:18 am
August 01, 2011 - Niagara Falls
CPF Postmaster Reports:
August 1st - 2011
Hi, my name is Tom Kocaj and I thought you would like to know that today Aug,1 2011 I was down at the Falls around 1:00 pm and saw 1 of the fledglings out on the roof.
I live in the city so I was checking a few times for the last week and today was the first time I saw one out. I’m off work this week so I will be checking more and hopefully get some good pics as they start to fly more.
I’ve included 2 pics, one you can clearly see a tag with X45 on it, you may use them any way you wish.
I waited around to see if it would fly, but the rain came in and I headed for cover as I already lost 1 camera this vacation due to rain. My stay cations seem to cost more than going away.
Anyways hopefully I can send more pics and updates.
Tom
Posted on August 5, 2011 12:25 am
July 30, 2011 - Niagara Falls
CPF Postmaster Reports:
July 30th - Aug 1st 2011 - Fledge shots
A huge thank you to the great folks in NY state for sending us some of their photos of the fledge down at Niagara falls.
Attached are some shots of the Niagara Gorge Peregrine nest site from July 30 - Aug 1.
Some wing-flapping at the edge 7/30 at approx. 9:40am
On Aug 1, we saw only one pefa in the box
Photo 5 - And then the box was empty but there’s a fledge on a nearby vent!
Photos by Roger Johnson and Vicki (~Sage~) Kadow
Posted on August 4, 2011 2:02 pm
July 06, 2011 - Niagara Falls
Mark Nash Reports:
July 6th - 2011
A huge thank you to Jacquie Walters from the New York DEC for sending in these amazing shots from across the gorge in Niagara Falls New York that helped us both locate the nest and plan the banding and relocation of the hatchlings to a much safer nest site.
Our apologies for not being able to get these great photos posted much earlier, as we have been so stressed with so many ongoing fledge watches and overlapping banding events, that we are way behind in our postings. We will catch up.
Our first priority is always the birds in the streets and the fledge watches.
She writes:
July 6th - 2011
Hi Anne and Mark,
I went to the Falls today to scope out the PEFA nest and saw two eyases. Got a couple of shots of the whole family. The male flew in with a prey item and fed the kids while the female sat perched in a window next to the nest. One of the eyases (the one on the left in the photo) looked a bit smaller than the other.
Jacquie Walters
Posted on July 15, 2011 2:33 pm
July 08, 2011 - Niagara Falls
CPF Postmaster Reports:
July 8th - 2011
I attached some pictures from banding day for you! We had a great view from Terrapin Point and visibility was nice and clear. I was watching with John Shiposki.
I took these with a little point-and-shoot through a spotting scope so they are not the best quality but I picked some to send to you that I thought were pretty decent..
Jacquie Walters
Posted on July 13, 2011 2:58 am
July 08, 2011 - Niagara Falls
Mark Nash Reports:
All photos by Mark Nash of the Canadian Peregrine Foundation.
Photos showing that there is a new resident female, banded with a Black 42 over a Red H, indicating that the resident adult female is still “Diamond“,,,, a 2009 bird, produced in Canton Ohio.
Posted on July 10, 2011 3:56 pm
July 08, 2011 - Niagara Falls
Mark Nash Reports:
A huge success today with two healthy hatchlings banded, a new nest tray installed with lots of nest substrate, hatchlings moved from the window ledge to the new nest (old nest cavity), and both parents attending the chicks!!
A big thank you to ALL involved today, as Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Ontario Power Generation, Canadian Peregrine Foundation, Niagara Parks Commission Police staff, and with John Millar and support rock climbers assembled at 9am this morning at the old Ontario Power Generation station down in the Niagara Gorge, we were all poised for a full day of activities and jobs to complete.
Like a well choreographed play and a solid game plan, 11 people organized and set into motion the days activities. Rock climbers setting up lines and ropes, banding table and banding equipment was being set up, safety instructions delivered and reviewed, over all game plan reviewed, nest tray fabrication underway and 210 pounds of pea-gravel being mixed and poured into the buckets, the days events were all completed with a overwhelming sense of accomplishment.
With the rock climbers down over the wall into the gorge, the two very healthy and very feisty hatchlings were extracted from the window ledge on the side of the OPG station wall, raised in the carrier to the upper roof elevation and were weighed, sexed and banded successfully by Anne Yagi and support staff of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.
Both hatchlings were identified as females, and they were named Lady Millar and Lady Phinney, and were examined and deemed healthy and cleared to be returned back to their parents and the new nest cavity.
While the hatchlings were being banded, the rock climbers re-positioned themselves to the old nest cavity to await the nest tray and pea-gravel substrate that would be lowered back down to them.
Measurements of the nest cavity were relayed back to the Mark Nash of the CPF via two way radio communications so that a nest tray could be prefabricated and assembled, then lowered via rope back to the climber down the wall face where they were holding their position awaiting to install it.
MNR support staff were preparing the buckets of pea-gravel and OPG staff were providing the necessary distractions to keep the resident adult peregrines away from banding team and the climbers.
By the end of day, and without incident, and thanks to the incredible efforts by all on both sides of the border, a new nest tray and nest substrate had been installed, the two hatchlings had been sexed, banded, examined, named, and returned to the new nest cavity, the banded resident adult has been identify. By Saturday morning, both resident adults were attending and feeding both of their offspring in the new nest.
A huge thank you to the Rochester group - (now nick-named the RFW,, - (the Regional Falcon watchers) who travelled from Rochester New York to Niagara Falls, Buffalo New York to provide the valuable observations from the Niagara Falls New York side of the falls,,,, that were able to visually confirm that both parents were in attendance and were already involved in feeding the hatchlings in the new nest cavity.
Another huge thank you to the Buffalo New York Department of Conservation - (NYDEC) staff, and to both Jackie and Connie of the DEC for providing all of the critical information and logistics on the birds activities, and to John for all of his photographic work that both confirmed the nesting activities of the peregrines and pinpointed the original nest site.
A great collaboration and incredible support by all those involved that has made this day such an incredible success!!
An outstanding group of people!!!!
Posted on July 10, 2011 3:03 pm
