A second-year female captured at Assateague with a pure white secondary feather. This was a first for us among almost 15,000 captures.
Earthspan’s Assateague Island (MD) Peregrine Falcon Survey completed its 45th annual autumn migration survey on 18 October, and its Padre Island (TX) Peregrine Falcon Survey completed its 37th annual survey on 26 October. The Assateague effort, conducted by Directors Mike Yates and Bill Seegar, experienced a series of productive fronts that generated some big days on the beach. Just one 2 ½ -day period in mid-October produced 47 captures. At Padre, Director Tom Maechtle and his volunteer biologists had a more challenging season. A major storm on 27 September dumped 8 inches of rain in about 24 hours. The wind tidal flats were flooded and each time they dried out, more rain soon followed. Padre never experienced any significant frontal systems that serve to push birds into migrating, so usual peaks in early and mid-October never materialized. Instead a few new birds arrived each day, allowing for a steady capture of several new falcons daily.
We were able to add many samples (133 from Assateague and 108 from Padre) to our blood archive that spans decades. These are available as we address emerging chemical and biological threats to the environment, wildlife and mankind. Photographer Allen Sklar took some photos of falcons we were processing at Assateague. He posted them, along with a summary of our studies on his website, which you can visit here.
Many thanks to our dedicated supporters and volunteers, without whom these important studies could not continue!