[va-bird] VA Mountains Peregrine Falcon survey

On Saturday 16 April and Sunday 17 April, Bryan Watts and Shawn Padgett of 
the Center for Conservation Biology conducted helicopter surveys in western 
Virginia and West Virginia for cliff-nesting birds.  On Saturday a 
systematic survey of exposed cliff surfaces in Shenandoah National Park and 
the Massanuttens was conducted.  On Sunday the New River was surveyed from 
Gauley Bridge, West Virginia to Radford, Virginia.  Approximately 80 cliff 
surfaces were mapped, characterized, and surveyed for nesting birds.  These 
initial surveys were the beginning of a multi-year evaluation of the 
cliff-nesting bird community in the southern Appalachians.

Sheer, exposed cliffs represent unique habitats required by several species 
of birds in eastern North America.  The most notable member of this 
community is the Peregrine Falcon.  The Peregrine population in the southern 
Appalachians was believed to be extinct by the mid-1960s.  After elevation 
to the federal endangered species list a national effort was undertaken to 
restore historic populations.  Due primarily to the recovery of western 
populations, Peregrines were removed from the federal list in 1999.  There 
has never been a systematic survey of Peregrines in the southern 
Appalachians so their status remains almost entirely unknown.  Despite 
releasing more than 300 birds in Virginia and a coastal population 
approaching 20 pairs, the population in the mountains of Virginia also 
remains unknown.  North Carolina currently supports 12 known mountain pairs 
so it seems highly likely that Virginia has an unknown mountain population.

Other than the single known pair that has formed in 2005 in Shenandoah 
National Park, no breeding sites were detected for Peregrines over the 
weekend.  Several sites supported incubating Common Ravens and Turkey 
Vultures (that appeared to be in breeding condition) were observed on many 
cliffs.  While observers were in transit to Shenandoah an adult male 
Peregrine was observed stooping on a flock of vultures near the Three 
Sisters Knob area in the George Washington National Forest.  Preliminary 
surveys were supported by the National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service.

Based on the distribution of appropriate cliff surfaces, extreme 
southwestern Virginia and Highland County appear to contain the best 
substrates for nesting Peregrines.  Additional flights are scheduled to 
cover a portion of these areas in June.  CCB is interested in any sightings 
of adult Peregrines in the mountains from March through July and 
young-of-the-year during June and July.  To learn more about Peregrines in 
Virginia visit the VAFALCONS page at http://www.ccb-wm.org

Bryan Watts

______________________________________________________________________________________
posted for Bryan by:
Mike Wilson
Center for Conservation Biology
College of William and Mary
PO Box 8795
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
phone: 757-221-1649
fax: 757-221-1650
www.ccb-wm.org 

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