Efforts under way to keep falcons from nesting on Ashland oredock

[Donna]

Efforts are under way to prevent a pair of peregrine falcons from nesting again at the abandoned oredock in Ashland, which is set to undergo demolition.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources reports that a pair of falcons - assumed to be the same pair that nested on the structure last year - has been seen in the vicinity of the dock. Peregrine falcons are an endangered species in Wisconsin.

According to a DNR news release, the dock's owner "will be applying multiple conservation measures to deter the falcons from nesting on the dock, including the installation of plastic spikes specifically designed to deter birds, the use of spider-like structures with steel 'arms' that sway and bounce in the breeze, and netting in efforts to keep the pair from nesting on the oredock this summer."

The DNR is also proposing an "incidental take permit," should the falcons manage to nest on the dock. It would cover "the unintentional loss of a falcon or eggs that may result from the demolition of the oredock."

If the falcons do nest on the dock, demolition work would stop, and upon authorization of the permit, any eggs would be removed and taken to a wildlife rehabilitation center to be incubated and hatched.

The DNR says keeping the pair from nesting "will not jeopardize the continued existence or recovery of the species in Wisconsin. Peregrine falcons have been at or above the state's recovery goal of 20 nesting pairs for seven years, with 32 pairs nesting in the state in 2009."

Furthermore, the DNR reports the arrival of the falcons last summer hurt the local population of common terns, which are considered critically endangered in Wisconsin. All offspring of the tern colony were lost last year, in part due to predation by the falcons.

Public comments are being taken on the proposed incidental take permit. They can be sent to Rori Paloski, Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Endangered Resources, PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921; phone (608) 264-6040.