The Center for Conservation Biology at the College of William and Mary
has compiled annual monitoring results for the Virginia peregrine falcon
population. The number of known adult pairs increased in 2006 to a
modern-day high of 22. The population has increased from 2 pairs in 1980, 9
pairs in 1990, and 16 pairs in 2000. In 2006 a new pair was discovered on
the James River Ghost Fleet. Pairs were located on towers (12), bridges
(7), a ship (1), a building (1), and a natural cliff site (1). Nineteen of
the 22 pairs made breeding attempts producing 52 chicks that were documented
to survive to fledging age (reproductive rate 2.36 chicks/occupied
territory). Twenty of 73 eggs monitored did not hatch in 2006 raising
concerns about the influence of environmental contaminants on reproductive
rates. In a continuing effort to re-establish a breeding population in the
mountains, birds were taken from coastal structures and released in the
mountains. Birds were released in the New River Gorge (15 chicks) and
Shenandoah National Park (5 chicks).
The peregrine falcon was believed to be extinct in Virginia as a
breeding species by the early 1960's. The original population of peregrine
falcons in the eastern United States was estimated to contain approximately
350 breeding pairs. The historic status and distribution of peregrine
falcons in Virginia is not completely known because no systematic survey of
the species was completed prior to the loss of the population. From
published records and accounts, there have been 24 historical peregrine
eyries documented in the Appalachians of Virginia.
With other partners, the College of William and Mary initiated a
peregrine hacking program for Virginia in 1978. Between 1978 and 2006, more
than 300 young falcons have been released in Virginia. The first successful
nesting of peregrines falcons in Virginia after the DDT era occurred in 1982
on Assateague Island. Since that time, the breeding population has
continued a slow but steady increase. However, the population within the
historic breeding range has yet to show signs of recovery. In 2006, only 1
breeding pair was known on a natural cliff site in the mountains.
We request information on all observations of Peregrine Falcons in
Virginia between March and July. Funds for ongoing Peregrine monitoring and
management are provided by the Virginia Department of Game & Inland
Fisheries, the National Park Service, and the Center for Conservation
Biology at William and Mary.
Bryan Watts
Center for Conservation Biology
submitted 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
email:mdwils@xxxxxx
www.ccb-wm.org
You are subscribed to VA-BIRD. To post to this mailing list, simply send email
to va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx. To unsubscribe, send email to
va-bird-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field.
