Fall peregrine surveys begin in September
Scott Francis (1954-2010) As surely as summer turns to fall, Earthspan biologists gravitate to the East and Gulf Coasts to continue our four decades-plus of research on migrating tundra peregrine falcons. In Texas Gregg Doney will again lead a talented and experienced group of volunteers; in Maryland Bill Seegar and Mike Yates will add to their combined totals of 66 yearly Assateague Island surveys. They will also present a program on Earthspan’s peregrine studies to the Assateague Island Alliance on October 14. The first order of business in fall 2012, however, will be a gathering...
Read MoreUpdate on BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill study
Initial results are available from Earthspan’s collaborative project to monitor polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contaminants in peregrines relative to the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill. See our summary under the Research tab.
Read MoreSpring Peregrine Survey at Padre Island Begins in April
Conducted annually since 1979, our 2012 spring survey of peregrine falcons on northward migration will begin April 10. Padre Island, TX is the only known Western Hemisphere staging area for migrating peregrines in the spring, and these individuals are en route to nesting areas that encompass the entire North American Arctic. We will again be collecting blood samples for ongoing contaminant and genetic...
Read MoreEarthspan speaks at International Festival of Falconry
Mike Yates, Earthspan Research Biologist and Vice President, was an invited speaker at the 3rd International Festival of Falconry (December 12-18, 2011) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. During the Festival’s conference Mike presented a talk entitled “Four Decades of Studies on Migrating Arctic Peregrines” at the session on Raptor Conservation Projects.
Read MoreFall Peregrine Surveys Under Way
Earthspan biologists are again in the field conducting our long-term Peregrine Falcon surveys (see Research). In Maryland Bill Seegar and Mike Yates embarked upon the 42nd annual Assateague Island Peregrine Falcon Survey; In Texas Gregg Doney led a team conducting the 35th annual Padre Island Peregrine Falcon Survey. Over the course of these surveys we have captured almost 14,000 Peregrines. In addition to banding and population monitoring we will be collecting blood samples for archival as well as for contaminant, infectious disease and genetic studies.
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