Peregrine falcons could be nesting at library Erie Pa

[Donna]

Let's keep our fingers crossed, hoping that a pair of peregrine falcons will be nesting here in Erie. If they do, it would be a first for this endangered species in northwestern Pennsylvania.

So far, everything looks promising. Since early February, a pair of peregrines has been seen hanging out near the Blasco Library. Even better news is that they have been seen mating three times.

And there's another plus: One of the peregrines has been seen carrying a duck into the smokestack on the south side of the library. Yes, that's the tower that has had so many concerned people thinking of ways it could be used, so it would not be torn down.

Who could think of anything better? A mating pair of peregrine falcons, listed by the state and federal governments as an endangered species, hanging around an endangered local historic landmark, possibly even nesting in it. That's the makings of a dramatic documentary that would touch the hearts and lives of most everyone, especially naturalists and industrialists, as well as historians.

In 1940, when the authoritative classic "Birds of Western Pennsylvania" was printed, the peregrine falcon was called a "duck hawk." Its author, W.E. Clyde Todd, said, "It is perhaps unfortunate that throughout all its range the Duck Hawk is a rather scarce bird, for its appearance and habits are such as to command the admiration and respect of the most prejudiced observer."

The earliest record of a sighting here, according to Todd, was June 1931 at Presque Isle. Although peregrines now are seen almost yearly, with most observations made near the Lake Erie shoreline during migration, they are still considered very rare in winter and in summer, according to Jean Stull Cunningham and Jerry McWilliams, authors of "Birds of Erie County."

In 1983, thanks to Pennsylvania Game Protector Andy Martin, I reported on a malnourished peregrine that was treated like royalty. After it was fattened up on pheasant, grouse and pigeon, and given beef kidney with vitamin supplements and crushed chicken necks to supply it with much-needed calcium, it was put on an airplane and flown along the Atlantic Flyway from Erie to Bombay Hook, a national wildlife refuge in Delaware.

Soon after it landed along the mouth of the Delaware River, it went off after ducks -- a sign that it was strong enough to fly under its own strength the rest of its migration route to Central America.

The peregrine had been found two weeks earlier along Station Road. It was believed that it had migrated across Lake Erie and had not been able to catch small game along the way.

Normally, a peregrine would not attack a goose, but it saw some geese and went after them. When found, its weight was down to 18 ounces. The peregrine was rehabilitated by Rod and Ellen Gehrlein with the help of Dr. Ken Felix.

The peregrine's trip south was courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which is entrusted with deciding the fate of endangered species.

Yes, peregrines gain a lot of attention. So, let's hope that the peregrines that are down by Blasco Library will stay and raise a family. It would be a first and bring good publicity. Erie is an important birding area. We know that it is. But we need to spread the news.

EVELYN ANDERSON is a freelance writer and photographer who writes about nature each week in the Erie Times-News.

[MAK]

  These are powerful birds for sure, but a goose!? Man, I'd like to see Beauty flying with a goose in her talons!  The couple of times that I saw her with a gull she was losing altitude as she went along