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This Field Note section is something new to the Minnesota Zoo’s Web site, so I am going to start with the Who, What, Where, When and Why to bring you up to speed.
Who
My name is Jackie Fallon, a Northern Trail zookeeper at the Minnesota Zoo. I have worked at the Zoo since spring 1987, and have worked a variety of trails over the years. I have also been heavily involved with other wildlife organizations since joining the Zoo staff, including The Raptor Center (TRC) at the University of Minnesota. During the early years of my volunteer career at the TRC, I became fascinated with peregrine falcons. I took every opportunity I could find in order to participate in the care, release, and monitoring of the species under the leadership of Dr. Pat Redig and Harrison “Bud” Tordoff.
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Jackie Fallon and Bud Tordoff banding a perergrine chick. |
In 2006, I was asked to take over the responsibility for monitoring the majority of the nesting sites in Minnesota, and I was off! Last year was very exciting, nerve wracking, and challenging for me, but also so very rewarding. |
What
The project I am working on involves monitoring peregrine falcons in the Midwestern U.S.—from their eradication in the 1950-60’s to their de-listing in 1999 and the post-de-listing recovery stage. I am involved with identification of all breeding adults, determining nesting success, determine banding dates, banding and collecting biological samples from any chicks produced, and working very closely with the building managers and the general public. For more information on the entire Midwestern population, please go to: midwestperegrine.org.
Where
I monitor over 40 of the nesting sites in Minnesota. Bob Anderson, a falconer and falcon breeder in Iowa, monitors the other sites in the state. These sites range from natural cliffs on Lake Superior and the Mississippi River to many buildings and bridges in urban areas.
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Peregrine falcons prefer to nest high.
Pictured left: Palisade Head along the North Shore. Right: the Colannade building in Golden Valley. |
When
I am usually busiest from mid-February through early September. This is when I spend time identifying breeding birds at any known nesting site, trying to determine nesting success, schedule any banding of the young chicks, and monitoring their success once they fledge from the site. However, during the remainder of the year, I am also looking at nesting sites, writing reports, answering questions, ordering equipment or working on something regarding the peregrine field season. It seems when you are finished with one nesting season, another season is going to start very soon.
Why: Why not? Even though the species is not listed on the Endangered Species List anymore, it still needs to go through a period of monitoring to ensure that there is continued survival. Also, this “sub-population” of peregrine falcons in the lower 48 states has been recognized as one of the most heavily studied and monitored population in the world. Nearly 85% of our population is banded, which tells us many things about the individual, but also about the regional population. This information is valuable, not only to peregrine falcons, but other raptor populations and wildlife recovery programs. This project is truly a community effort of success!
Read more Field Notes. |