DEC: Record-setting year for peregrine falcons

[Donna]

The following is a DEC press release.

Last year proved to be a record-setter year for peregrine falcons in many productivity categories according to a new report released today by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). DEC surveys found that there were 73 territorial pairs of state endangered peregrine falcons present in the state in 2009, with 42 pairs recorded upstate. That’s a slight increase from 2008, when 67 pairs were recorded statewide.

Also in 2009, 61 pairs bred and produced 132 young, also slightly up from 2008.

“The 2009 report shows that it was a successful year for New York State’s efforts to restore our peregrine falcon population,� DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis said. “The record-breaking numbers are a positive sign not only for the environment but also for the work carried out by DEC’s endangered species program.�

New York State has the largest population of peregrines in the eastern United States.

Peregrines raise one to five young in nests located mainly on cliffs, bridges and buildings. They are known for their high speed - over 200 mph - dives on their bird prey.

These birds had disappeared as nesting birds from the eastern United States by the early 1960’s due to pesticide (DDT) residues which caused eggshell thinning. Once DDT use was banned in the United States, an experimental restoration program began involving widespread releases of captive raised birds from the Peregrine Fund, a global non-profit organization focused on conserving birds of prey. Through this program, 169 young peregrines were released in New York State, from the mid -1970’s through the late 1980s.

In 1983, the first new pairs nested at two bridges in New York City, and in 1985 two pairs returned to nest on Adirondack cliffs. The population has grown steadily since then. There are now about 20 pairs in the metro New York area and 27 in the Adirondacks, a pair at every major bridge between New York City and Albany, and about 10 pairs scattered through the rest of the state.

At many of the urban nest locations, wooden nest trays have been placed to increase the falcons’ productivity. Peregrine falcons do not build nests of sticks like most raptors, but instead lay their brownish eggs in whatever substrate is available. Protection and management is necessary to ontinue this species’ success in New York, which means working with building and bridge authorities so that whenever possible their work is done in a way that does not negatively impact nesting peregrine falcons. DEC has had excellent cooperation from many agencies and volunteers in protecting, managing and monitoring this endangered species.

In the Capital Region, a pair of nesting birds can be seen at the Dunn Memorial Bridge during the spring and summer seasons. A webcam operates during the nesting season at this site and several others in New York State. For links to these sites and other information, including a link to view the new 2009 peregrine falcon report in full text, visit the DEC website.