Peregrine Falcon Project

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Peregrine Falcon Project Fundraising Successful!

Left to right: American Avocet, Peregrine Falcon, and Virginia Rail

We have reached our goal of raising enough money to protect one of ten Peregrine Falcon nesting sites in the Province! With a successful Climb-a-thon event behind us, we'd like to thank everyone and thank donors for the great prizes. As a result, we successfully raised enough money for the stewardship of one nesting site in New Brunswick.
Thank you everyone for helping us give this everlasting gift to Peregrine Falcons in our Province!

The Nature Trust's Peregrine Falcon
Project

With only 10 known nesting sites in our province, the Peregrine Falcon is considered a threatened species in New Brunswick (as well as nationally).  Fortunately, the Peregrine Falcon is slowly recovering – 10 years ago only five nesting sites were known in our province.

The Nature Trust is contacting people who own land
either with or in the vicinity of Peregrine nest sites to provide
them with information about the Peregrine and ways to help ensure
the species continues its recovery. We are working to try to conserve
the properties with interested landowners, and have successfully
protected one nesting site with our Long
Island Conservation Project.

The Peregrine Falcon

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Peregrine Falcons have captivated people as a bird of beauty and speed for centuries. One of the fastest animals on earth, Peregrines can accelerate to approximately 300 km/h, diving to strike prey with their fisted talons. Their in-flight hunting
maneuvers are spectacular, matched only, perhaps, by their high-altitude
courtship display.  It is not surprising that Peregrines have
been a symbol of speed and prowess since the days of medieval falconry.

A Brush with Extinction

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Hunting by humans and collection of eggs for falconry caused the Peregrine Falcon’s initial decline.  Then, the introduction of synthetic pesticides, namely DDT, saw the falcon eliminated from much of Canada and the eastern seaboard by the 1950s.  Although a Peregrine Falcon population has been re-established in eastern Canada through a re-introduction program, their future survival is not certain.  We must continue to provide habitat and avoid disturbing nesting falcons for them to thrive.

Current Threats to Peregrine Falcons

Peregrine Falcons nest on cliff ledges or tall structures where they are safe from predators.  Cliff nesting falcons also require a nest site sheltered from human activity, as they are generally sensitive to human disturbance.  Threats to the recovery of the Peregrine Falcon include the following:

• Disturbance from hikers, rock climbers and photographers
• Forest cutting
• Construction (buildings, residential development, roads)

Even before eggs are laid, falcons may abandon their nest if disturbed by people – they may not re-nest until the following season.   If the parents are scared off the nest by human activity the eggs may become cold and fail to hatch.  After the chicks have hatched, they may fall to their deaths if frightened by human visitors.

For More Information on Peregrine Falcons

Canadian Wildlife Service – Peregrine Falcon Page

Photo Credits: 1 - Photo Donor | 2 - Alex Bond | 3 - ©Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, Hélène Gaullin | 4 - Photo Donor

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