ML083380542

SEIS Reference - Peregrine Falcon by NYSDEC

ML083380542
Person / Time
Site:	Indian Point
Issue date:	12/03/2008
From:	State of NY, Dept of Environmental Conservation
To:	Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
Download: ML083380542 (2)

Text

Photo credit Mike FellerPhoto credit Dave Gardner Peregrine falcons are listed as an endan gered species in New York State. They were eliminat ed as a nesting species in the state by the early 1960's, due mainly to pesticide (DDE) residues in their bird prey. The release of young captive bred birds from 1974-1988 helped lead to their return as a nesting species. Peregrines first returned to nest on two bridges in New York City in 1983. Tw o years later, in 1985, they were again nesting in the Adirondacks.

The population has grown steadily since that time. By 2003 there were close to 50 pairs present statewide. New York City now has probably the largest urban population of pe regrine falcons anywhere, and peregrines nest on every Hudson River bridge south of Albany. Peregrines currently ne st on buildings or bridges in Albany, Syracuse, Rochester, Binghamton and Buffalo, with about twenty pairs pr esent in the Adir ondacks on cliffs.

Many of these sites need annua l management to protect the birds during the nesting season. For example, necessary bridge maintenance work must be conduc ted in a manner that does not prevent the falcon s from nesting succe ssfully. Falcons do not build stick nests like most hawks and the eggs can roll off bridge girders or get broken on window ledges. Wooden nest boxes filled with gravel are plac ed at many of the sites to increase productivity. These boxes need periodic replacement. Some Adirondack cliff climbing routes have to be closed for several months in the summer when they are too close to an active peregrine nest, both for t he sake of the birds' nesting success and the safety of the climbers who may be dived on by the aggressive adults.

Due to all these human impac ts, peregrine falcons wi ll have to be prot ected for many years to come if we Peregrine Falcon Pa ge 1of 2 Pere g rine Falcon - NYS De p t. of Environmental Conservation 12/03/2008 htt p://www.dec.n y.g ov/animals/7059.html?show p rintst y les are to continue to enjoy their presence in New York.

On June 11, 2004 a 20 gram solar satellite transmitter was placed on one offive young falcons from the nest on the tower of the Kodak headquarters in Rochester, NY. The month old young male, banded just a week earlier, had the transmitter attached as a backpack via a n eoprene harness. This shou ld last for a few years and then fall off.

Mark Nash of the Canadian Peregrine Foundation attached the transmitter which was donated by DEC. Funds were raised by The Genesee Valley Audubon Society and The Migration Research Foundation to support this work and the data analysis. Kodak was also a key partner in this project.You can find maps and det ails on the movement s of this young falcon on the Migration Resear ch Foundation website. For interesting information on the movements of other transmi tted falcons you ca n also check the Canadian Peregrin e Foundation website Peregrine Falcon Fact Sheet - New York State's Endangered, Threatened and S pecial Concern Species Fact Sheets - Peregrine Falcon Why Band Young Pe regrine Falcons - Why do we band youn g Peregrine Falcons?

Growth and Development of Peregrine Falcon Chicks - Albany, New York State' s capital, is fortunate to have a pair of endangered peregrine falcons nesting on the Dunn Memorial Bridge.

Rochester Peregrine Falcon Fitt ed With Satellite Transmitter More about Peregrine Falcon:

Pa ge 2of 2 Pere g rine Falcon - NYS De p t. of Environmental Conservation 12/03/2008 htt p://www.dec.n y.g ov/animals/7059.html?show p rintst y les