Together at Last: Earthspan and The Peregrine Fund
In 1970 the peregrine falcon was in serious trouble due to the effects of DDT. The eastern U.S. population had been extirpated in the 1950s; western populations were severely reduced and migratory Arctic-breeding populations had also declined. Diverse efforts were undertaken to study, assist and augment remaining stocks. Earthspan principals began our standardized surveys of migratory peregrines at Assateague Island, MD/VA, while The Peregrine Fund (TPF, www.peregrinefund.org) was formed to breed peregrines in captivity...
Read MoreSpring 2019 Padre Island Peregrine Survey
Our spring survey was conducted April 11 – May 4 by Mike Yates, Bill Seegar and Carl Thelander. We expended 230 man-hours in observing 564 peregrines. We recorded 41 new captures, 10 returns of falcons we’d banded during previous surveys, and six recaptures of falcons newly banded during the survey. Peregrines are notoriously difficult to capture in the spring at Padre because most are adults and all have plenty of available natural prey that is easily caught on the wind tidal flats. This spring demonstrates that in spades, as three highly experienced and proficient field...
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