Ohio’s Peregrine Nesting Season Concludes
COLUMBUS, OH –-(AmmoLand.com)- Biologists with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife estimate 64 young peregrine falcons fledged from 19 successful nests across the state this year. In 2008, 65 peregrine falcon chicks fledged from 21 nests. Biologists were able to band 59 of these young falcons from 18 successful nest sites during 2009; limited access at some nest sites prevented all young from being banded.
“While not a record-setting year for falcons, 2009 was still a very good year for peregrines around the Buckeye State,” said Dave Scott, peregrine falcon project coordinator for the ODNR Division of Wildlife. “We continue to see pairs show up at new sites, which will help the population grow in future years.”
In all, 28 territorial pairs of peregrine falcons were monitored around Ohio in 2009. Eggs were produced at a minimum of 24 sites. Eggs were not seen at two sites, but were confirmed by the extended incubation behavior of the adults.
Five of the six falcon pairs in Cleveland, along with two pairs in Toledo and individual pairs in Aberdeen, Akron, Boston (northern Summit County), Canton, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Eastlake, Ironton, Lima, Oregon (Lucas County) and Youngstown produced between two and five young per nest. Nests located in Cleveland, the village of Cleves (Hamilton County), Lakewood, Shaker Heights (Cuyahoga County) and Wrightsville (Adams County) failed this season. Two new pairs were monitored briefly this year but did not nest; one pair was at the Ohio Stadium area of The Ohio State University (Franklin County) and the other was on a water tower in Warren (Trumbull County).
“After the nesting season and prior to migration, Ohio’s peregrine falcon population is estimated to reach 110 to 130 birds,” Scott added.
Included in that number are individual falcons that have been spotted in other areas of the state. These birds, as well as the territorial pairs that did not nest this season, could return next year to establish territories and perhaps successful nests. Migratory movements will start in late summer and early fall. While some Ohio falcons stick around all year, other falcons from Ohio probably spend their winters in the southern United States and Central America.
Anyone interested in following peregrine falcon activity in Ohio can view the latest updates online at wildohio.com. The peregrine falcon page features information on the bird’s history, nest status, and links to cameras that record activity at several of the nest locations across Ohio each spring.
In 1989, wildlife experts with ODNR initiated a program to establish peregrine falcons in Ohio. For more than a decade, peregrines have successfully nested in Akron, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton and Toledo.
Ohio’s peregrine falcon management program is funded by donations to the Endangered Species and Wildlife Diversity Fund and sales of the cardinal license plate. Donations may be made to the ODNR Division of Wildlife, 2045 Morse Road, G-1, Columbus, OH 43229-6693, or by marking the check-off contribution box on the Ohio Income Tax form. Cardinal plates can be purchased at a local deputy registrar or by calling 1-800-PLATES-3. Additional funding is provided, in part, through matching funds from the United States Fish & Wildlife Service State Wildlife Grants Program that benefits species of greatest conservation need.
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The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR web site at www.ohiodnr.com.