Bridge Dwellers
Wildlife officials
conduct
joint effort to protect falcons
Peregrine
falcon nesting box
to be returned to bridge for spring season
By
Tess Worrell
Contributing Writer
(January 2013) – From traffic flow to impact
on local businesses to design, experts planning the Milton-Madison Bridge
wrestled with balancing the variety of interests involved to achieve
solutions that worked for everyone – including the peregrine
falcons nesting below the road deck.
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Photo
courtesy of the Ky. Dept. of Fish & Wildlife A
peregrine falcon and her chicks |
About 10 years ago, a pair of these protected birds chose
the bridge for their nesting site, raising a brood of chicks each year
since. Numerous federal and state laws protect not only the birds but
their nests. So how were engineers supposed to construct a bridge near
the nesting site then destroy the bridge containing the current nesting
site, all without disturbing the birds?
Kate Heyden, avian biologist with the Kentucky Department of Fish and
Wildlife, credits the cooperation between agencies and construction
companies with accomplishing most of these goals, with an effort that
has drawn attention nationwide.
“Throughout this project, work has gone into keeping the pair safe.
The falcons are doing incredibly well all because of the generous folks
who care enough to care for them,” says Heyden.
She notes that the once endangered peregrine falcons now live primarily
in urban areas, particularly seeking high places along rivers because
this mimics the traditional cliff dwellings of the birds. Thus, bridges
have become a favored nesting spot.
“As other communities anticipate bridge construction, they are
looking to this project as an example of how bridge building can include
the required protection for the birds,” says Heyden.
Throughout the summer’s construction, Heyden and other wildlife
experts monitored the well-being of the pair and their chicks from the
shore via a spotting scope. Constant communication between all those
involved kept wildlife officials informed as to the progress of the
construction with plenty of opportunity for input on protecting the
birds. Timing and placement of blasting, movement of crews, and other
details were all coordinated, with Heyden monitoring the impact on the
birds at each stage. The extra effort seems to have paid off.
“The birds have continued to thrive throughout the process,”
says Heyden.
They were able to successfully raise three chicks this summer in the
midst of heavy construction. The pair seems content to stay in the area
as they are still frequently spotted.
To ensure more chicks in the coming year, Heyden built a nesting box
identical to the box the pair has used for the past several years. She
recently dropped it by Walsh Construction Co, which is building the
new bridge.
“They have graciously offered to install it on the new bridge,”
says Heyden. “We hope to install it soon so that the pair get used
to it before they nest in the spring.”
Even the placement of the new box had to be carefully considered. “We
wanted to make sure the box would appeal to the falcons. They like protected
areas and to be out of the way of traffic or any kind of disturbance.”
Avoiding activity thus became a prime consideration. Further, experts
had to place the nest out of the way of blasting charges, which will
be used when demolishing the old bridge. Likewise, everyone agreed placement
should avoid the pier caps since crews will continue to work on those
for the foreseeable future. Once the box is placed, everyone will wait
to see whether the pair accepts the choice.
All those involved fervently hope the pair does choose to stay and nest
in the area both for the protection of this pair and for the protection
of the species. In the early 1960s, experts discovered that DDT, a widely
used pesticide ingested by meat and fish eating falcons, caused falcon
eggs to have such thin shells the chicks were crushed in the nest by
the incubating adults. According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources,
by 1968 falcons were completely eradicated east of the Mississippi River.
Reintroduction of captive bred falcons began in Kentucky in 1997. By
2001 there were four nesting pairs. Now there are 13, all from natural
reproduction.
“Interestingly, the male of this pair is the last captive-bred
bird released. He’s still going strong at age 15, which is the
maximum life expectancy for these birds. He’s the oldest falcon
in Kentucky,” says Heyden.
Heyden said she looks forward to seeing whether the pair accepts the
new box and then watching them raise the next generation of falcons.
Though still heavily protected, falcons have been removed from the Endangered
Species list. Heyden credits this outcome with cooperation of groups
such as those that have come together for the bridge project.
“This project, and this pair in particular with the work that has
gone into keeping them safe, demonstrates how falcons have succeeded
in doing so well. There are many new falcons in this world because of
this kind of cooperation,” says Heyden. Heyden encourages those
interested to follow the progress of the birds in the spring. “They
are easy to spot from the bank of the river with binoculars and are
very entertaining to watch.”
The bridge project’s official website, www.MiltonMadisonBridge.com,
also offers frequent updates on the progress of the birds.