August 28, 2006

Columbus, Ohio - A record 60 peregrine falcon chicks fledged this year from 18 nests across the state, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. In 2005, a total of 57 peregrine falcon chicks were produced from 18 nests.

Five falcon pairs in Cleveland, along with individual pairs in Aberdeen (Brown County), Akron, Canton, Cincinnati, the Village of Cleves (Hamilton County), Columbus, Dayton, Eastlake, Ironton, Lakewood, Lima, Toledo, and Youngstown all produced between one and four young per nest. Two territorial falcon pairs were located that did not nest this season - one pair near Lorain and one in southern Cuyahoga County.

“Ohio had a great year for peregrine falcons in 2006 with near-record numbers of nesting adults and record production,” said Dave Scott, peregrine falcon project coordinator for the Division of Wildlife.

“After the nesting season and prior to migration, Ohio’s peregrine falcon population is estimated to be close to 100 birds,” Scott added. Included in that number are individual falcons that have been spotted in other areas of the state, including near The Ohio State University Campus in Columbus, downtown Xenia, and downtown Warren. These birds, as well as the territorial pairs that did not nest this season, could return next year to establish territories and perhaps successful nests.

Anyone interested in following peregrine falcon activity in Ohio can view the latest updates online at ohiodnr.com/wildlife. The peregrine falcon page features information on the bird’s history, nest status, and links to cameras that record activity at several of the nest locations across Ohio.

In 1989, wildlife experts with ODNR began reintroducing peregrine falcons into Ohio. For more than a decade now, peregrines have successfully nested in Akron, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton and Toledo.

Ohio’s peregrine falcon management program is funded by donations to the Endangered Species and Wildlife Diversity Fund and sales of the cardinal Ohio license plate. Donations may be made to the Division of Wildlife, 2045 Morse Road, G-1, Columbus, OH 43229, or by marking the check-off contribution box on the Ohio Income Tax form. Cardinal plates can be purchased at a local deputy registrar or by calling 1-800-PLATES-3. Additional funding is provided, in part, through matching funds from the United States Fish & Wildlife Service state wildlife grants program, that benefits species of greatest conservation need.