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Being an outdoor sports columnist, I frequently write about ducks, geese, woodcock, pheasants, grouse, turkeys, etc. But last week, a MassWildlife Media Advisory was received entitled: “State Officials Band Rare Peregrine Falcons in Newburyport.” The public was invited to view the banding, but unfortunately, the advisory came in too late for me to include in last week’s column. It was scheduled to take place on May 29. So, why not write about these beautiful raptors anyway?
Information regarding these birds on the MassWildlife web site revealed the following information:
The peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) is the fastest bird on earth, capable of diving from great heights at speeds of up to 240 miles per hour. Males are 15–18 inches in length with a 35–42-inch wingspan; females 18–20 inches in length with a 42–48-inch wingspan.
Before 2017, peregrine falcons were listed as endangered in Massachusetts. In 2019, their status in the state was improved to Special Concern, a status they still have today. Peregrine falcons were removed from the Federal Endangered Species List in 1999.
Peregrine falcons have long, pointed wings and long, slightly rounded tails. Adults have a bluish-gray to slate-gray backside and a buffy white underside that is speckled with black. Adults also have a black crown and black mustache-like markings that look like sideburns. The throat is white. The bill is dark except for a prominent yellow fleshy base called a cere. The legs and feet are yellow. Immature peregrines have a brown backside and a heavily streaked underside.
Adults generally live about 10 years. The longest known lifespan of a peregrine falcon was 17 years. Most peregrine falcons nest at 2 to 3 years old. Once they are established, adults remain in their territory throughout the year. By March 1, adult pairs choose their nest site for the season. By the beginning of April, 4 or 5 eggs are laid. The chicks hatch in early May and fledge (leave the nest) in mid-June. By the beginning of August, chicks become independent of their parents. During their first fall and winter, young peregrine falcons disperse around New England finding territories of their own.
Peregrine falcons are specially adapted to capture birds in flight. In Massachusetts, they almost exclusively hunt for other birds. The most frequent prey species include pigeons, blue jays, and European starlings. Their best known hunting strategy is to soar high over their territory and wait for a bird to fly past far below. They then dive straight down in a controlled dive called a stoop, where they can reach speeds over 240 miles per hour. The small bird flying below does not even know that it was targeted.
Historically, peregrine falcons nesting sites, (called eyries), within Massachusetts were located on rocky cliffs but today they also nest on tall man-made structures like buildings and bridges. Buildings that have consistent peregrine falcon nests can be found in Boston, Chelsea, Cambridge, Watertown, Lawrence, Lowell, Worcester, Amherst, and New Bedford. They nest on bridges in Charlestown, Fall River, West Springfield, and Northampton.
To boost nesting success, MassWildlife and MassDOT have installed several nest boxes across the state. Leg banding provides MassWildlife biologists with useful information about the birds’ movements, lifespan, and injury recovery.
In the late 1940s, the effects of the pesticide DDT began taking their toll on peregrine falcons. Accumulation of DDT caused falcons and other birds to lay thin-shelled eggs that broke under the weight of incubation. By 1955, due to the widespread use of harmful pesticides like DDT, there were no nesting peregrine pairs left in Massachusetts.
Restoration efforts began in 1972, coinciding with the ban of DDT and attempts to release captive-bred chicks occurred in 1975–1979 with no success.
In 1984 and 1985, MassWildlife and partners released young falcons in downtown Boston, successfully leading to the first modern Massachusetts nest in 1987 on the Customs House Tower in Boston. There are now nearly 50 territorial pairs of peregrine falcons in Massachusetts. This is more than triple the 14 pairs that nested in Massachusetts in the pre-DDT era of the 1930s.
This year marks the 38th year of peregrine falcon restoration efforts in Massachusetts, and over 1,077 wild-hatched chicks have fledged from nests in the state since restoration efforts began.
Do we have to travel to eastern Massachusetts to see these amazing birds? Absolutely not. If you are patient, lucky, and know where to look, you will see them on Monument Mountain.
Berkshire National Fish Hatchery youth fishing derby
Bring your children aged 13 and under next Saturday, June 8 to the monthly Friends of the Berkshire National Fish Hatchery Youth Fishing Derby at the Hatchery’s Derby Pond at 240 Hatchery Road, New Marlborough.
It runs from 9:00 to 10:30 am. Watch them learn to fish and compete for prizes. No child goes away empty handed.
Pittsfield Sportsmen’s Club youth fishing event
The Pittsfield Sportsmen’s Clubs (PSC) is sponsoring a free, kids fishing day at Reynolds Pond in Cheshire off Fred Mason Road on Saturday June 8 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. It is for kids 12 and under and their parents don’t have to be PSC members.
There will be three tagged fish, poles and bait available, also snacks and juice boxes for the kids.
For more information, contact Sandra and Ed Bushey at (413) 443-9371.
Housatonic River Cleanup
Volunteers are invited to help clean up the west branch of the Housatonic River with Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) and Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) at one of their annual river cleanups on Sunday, June 9, from 9:00 am to Noon. After the cleanup, volunteers will be provided a free lunch from a local restaurant. Volunteers must RSVP in advance to reserve a free lunch.
Participants should meet at Wahconah Park, 105 Wahconah Street, Pittsfield, at 9:00 am. Cleanup teams will disperse to nearby locations, gathering miscellaneous trash from the river banks and bottom. Canoes will be used to transport the trash. Old clothes, a hat, sunscreen, old sneakers or waterproof boots/waders, a full water bottle, and sunglasses are recommended. In the event of pouring rain or lightning, the cleanup will be postponed to Saturday, June 29.
Cleanups make a considerable difference in the health of the Housatonic River. Over the years, BEAT and HVA have collected a startling array of debris — including mattresses, shopping carts, inflatable pools, bicycles, televisions, tires, construction materials, metal barrels, and all kinds of everyday trash. Once, they even found an empty ATM. Since beginning annual cleanups, their efforts have made a noticeable difference, with the piles of trash getting smaller. BEAT feels that this wouldn’t be possible without the help of their volunteers.
You are invited to join BEAT and HVA at a cleanup this summer to see what else may be in the River and make a difference for the environment. Register at www.tinyurl.com/Housatonic-River-Cleanups-2024. For more information, visit thebeatnews.org or call (413) 464-9402.
West Branch Housatonic River Cleanups are organized by Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) and Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) and co-sponsored by Blue Q, Panera Bread, and the City of Pittsfield.