Spring is almost upon us and I would like to wish you all an enjoyable peregrine breeding season. In the past few years funding and personnel cuts have been made at the DEC, due to budget cuts. Hence, the DEC will not have as much time in the future to find injured and dead falcons as they have in the past.

GVAS volunteers are only allowed to search, rescue and recover injured or dead peregrines only on the ground. We then work with the DEC to get the peregrine to a veterinarian or rehabilitator. We will have to give them all the time they need to get the task completed.

Please remember we will do our best to take care of situations when they arise but, these are wild animals that naturally have conflicts with territorial intruders. Sometimes these conflicts end in injury or death. Please try to remain calm during these times or remove yourself from the situation for the day. Emotional responses from a few people make these events even more unpleasant for the rest of us. Let us observe and help each other learn the life cycle and behavior of peregrine falcons.

Thank you.

June Summers, President, Genesee Valley Audubon Society