Falcon numbers growing but there's still concern

[Donna]

(Aug 18, 2010)

Hamilton's falcon watchers are playing an integral role in assisting a provincewide resurgence of the peregrine falcon.

That is according to the Ministry of Natural Resources which says that falcon numbers in Ontario may have grown from 78 pairs in 2005 to 100 this year with the help of the Hamilton Community Peregrine Project.

A recently launched survey, which ends in September, will provide firm numbers.

Lisa Nyman, the biologist in charge of the survey for MNR, said much of the success is due to groups that work so hard to support the peregrine falcon.

She said: "They do fantastic work. We are encouraging people to become more familiar with the falcon so they can spot them for us."

The survey relies on members of the public notifying MNR about Ontario's occupied territories -- areas where at least one falcon is known to live.

Experts believe the population decline began in the 1960s with the chemical DDT, which worked its way up the food chain to animals and insects.

The pesticide, now banned, is also said to have weakened eggshells which many believe had a devastating affect on the falcon during incubation.

The recent increase in numbers comes after extensive effort by MNR to revive the species in Ontario. It has released 600 young falcons into the wild since 1977.

Local groups, too, have been working hard to ensure city birds survive.

The HCPP has a base across the street from the Sheraton, where falcons have nested on the window ledge for 16 years.

During this nesting time, group members are stationed for about three weeks in June to ensure the safety of the six-week-old chicks.

Forty-eight chicks have been fledged at the site.

The other pair live atop the Burlington lift bridge.

Despite all the good news, some people are cautious.

Mike Street, one of the original members of the HCPP, said he doesn't want people getting carried away.

"I am a bit worried we are getting ahead of ourselves," he said. "It would not be good for the falcon if everyone thought the species was fine. We are not out of the woods yet.

"We know of some in the south and in Thunder Bay but in between the two sites we have little knowledge and we need the full picture.

"Last year, for example, some of our chicks caught a disease and didn't make it.

"It would only take a few years of disease to wipe out urban portions of the species again."

He added the bird, which is one of the fastest creatures on the planet, was downgraded from endangered to threatened in 2005.

Some of the other areas that have pairs include Toronto, Niagara, London, Port Colborne, Ottawa and Windsor.