Month of the Falcon Series Archives - Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ

Month of the Falcon – Bonus shots – Holgate

Posted on January 22, 2014 by Ben Wurst

Our barrier island predators

by Ben Wurst, Habitat Program Manager

New Jersey’s geographic location along the Atlantic Coast helps make it a unique place for wildlife and a globally recognized stopover for migratory birds, bats, and invertebrates. Peregrine falcons are a common sight along our barrier islands during fall and winter months. Peregrines hang out in areas with high prey densities and many of those areas are our coastal and urban areas. Those areas have large flocks of shorebirds, ducks, blackbirds, pigeons, and common backyard birds.

One photographer, Northside Jim, has been documenting peregrines on Long Beach Island. I first started following Jim’s blog, “Readings from the Northside,” after seeing his attraction to capturing the natural ecology of the beach on Long Beach Island, and especially his attraction to taking photos of the ospreys that he saw flying overhead in North Beach. I later contacted Jim and he came out osprey banding with me on Barnegat Bay to “meet” the ospreys that he was seeing fly overhead. Jim’s been hooked ever since!

His compassion for wildlife is apparent as well. Rescuing injured gulls, showing photos of boats that are way too close to marine mammals, etc… In addition, Jim’s clever and witty writing style, photo captions and subject matter make learning about wildlife and the natural environment enjoyable and entertaining. Most importantly, his audience is mostly tourists on LBI, so educating them about our impacts on wildlife and coastal barrier islands is key.

Jim doesn’t like to call himself a photographer, but in fact he is a very talented one, and it’s his photo-journalistic style that captures the eye. This past fall Jim photographed several peregrine falcons in the Holgate Unit of Edwin B. Forsythe NWR, which is at the south end of Long Beach Island. One of his most remarkable discoveries was a juvenile (first photo below) peregrine that I banded in the summer of 2013. “Bridgette” was banded with an auxiliary band reading “59/AN (black/green),” so Jim was able to read the band from his photos. She was from a new nest that we built last spring as a mitigation project for the construction of a bridge over the Garden State Parkway. A pair a had previously nested underneath the bridge but young never fledged the nest. We had no idea if the pair would use the new platform after we installed it, but they did! You can read more about this encounter on Jim’s blog. Enjoy!

Jim has become quite the fan of peregrine falcons and ospreys in NJ. Photo by Northside Jim.

You can tell that he has a lot of experience (and patience) when it comes to getting a good shot. Photo by Northside Jim.

Percy, the juvenile peregrine from the Holgate Unit of Forsythe NWR. Photo by Northside Jim.

Jim's enthusiasm for engaging unwary visitors of the rare (wild) residents of LBI through his popular blog and remarkable photography is a huge benefit to raising awareness for these species. Photo by Northside Jim. — Jim’s enthusiasm for engaging unwary visitors of the rare (wild) residents of LBI through his popular blog and remarkable photography is a huge benefit to raising awareness for these species. Photo by Northside Jim.

This juvenile Jim aptly named "Bridgette" after the nest where it originated, which was installed in 2013 for mitigation for a nest that was once on the GSP bridge over Egg Harbor Bay. Photo by Northside Jim. — This juvenile Jim aptly named “Bridgette” after the nest where it originated (she has a leg band that is readable), which was installed in 2013 for mitigation for a nest that was once on the GSP bridge over Egg Harbor Bay. Photo by Northside Jim.

Thank you, Jim, for all of your efforts to help promote our mission of protecting NJ’s rare wildlife. Make sure to check out his blog to see more spectacular photography: http://exit63.wordpress.com/

Make a donation to keep the Falcon Cam online today!

Month of the Falcon – Part III

Posted on January 15, 2014 by Ben Wurst

History of the Jersey City Falcon nest

by Ben Wurst, Habitat Program Manager

Peregrine nestlings in the nestbox at 101 Hudson St. — Peregrine nestlings as viewed from the nest cam at 101 Hudson St.

We hope you’re enjoying the “Month of the Falcon” series! The summary below was created to tell the story of a peregrine nest (also referred to as an eyrie) at 101 Hudson St. in Jersey City where a live webcam broadcast the live view of the nest during the nesting season. It’s important to remember that we would not know any of this without the use of the camera to monitor the nest. The summary was written using posts to Nestbox News and from banding and re-sighting data from Kathy Clark, Supervisory Zoologist with the Endangered and Nongame Species Program.

1999

A pair of peregrines were first spotted by observant building managers at 101 Hudson St. more than 10 years ago. They often caught glimpses of peregrines streaking through the sky, in pursuit of prey, with the NYC skyline in the background. They knew what they were witnessing was rare and wanted to help. They contacted biologists with the Endangered and Nongame Species Program and a plan was made to help establish a nesting pair there. In 1999 there were only 15 known pairs of peregrine falcons in the state. Continue reading “Month of the Falcon – Part III”

Month of the Falcon – Bonus shots – Palisades falcons

Posted on January 13, 2014 by Ben Wurst

Bonus shots from wildlife photographer, Herb Houghton

by Ben Wurst, Habitat Program Manager

Peregrines are by far one of the most majestic birds of prey to observe in their natural habitat. Since 2003 they’ve been streaking through the skies of the New Jersey Palisades along the Hudson River. Thanks to Herb Houghton, we’re able to witness their majesty and their tenacity through his photography.

Peregrines have a streamlined profile. Built for extreme speed and maneuverability. © Herb Houghton

The fierce look of a female peregrine. © Herb Houghton

Herb first began photographing wildlife in his own backyard after some debilitating back surgeries put him out of work and made him pay more attention to the wildlife that was in his own backyard. He started out using simple point and shoot cameras using the “digiscoping” technique but finally he decides to get serious and he upgraded to some professional camera gear, including several super telephoto lenses. Herb’s work has been published in many publications, including The Peregrine Observer by New Jersey Audubon Society. He has photographed a wide variety of wildlife throughout New Jersey and especially near his home in Sussex County. Herb also volunteers at WallKill River NWR.

Here's a portrait of the unbanded male that nests along the cliffs of the Palisades. © Herb Houghton — Here’s a portrait of the unbanded male that nests along the cliffs of the Palisades. © Herb Houghton

Is it lunch time yet...? © Herb Houghton — Is it lunch time yet…? Young peregrines are banded for future tracking. © Herb Houghton

Herb first started photographing peregrines at the Palisades after looking up at the sky and noticing them flying overhead. He explored and found a rock outcrop and set out to find the falcons that he saw overhead. Since 2008 he’s documented each year’s triumphs and failures at the Palisades, and has witnessed the ferocity of these awesome predators. His photos have also helped zoologist Kathy Clark with ENSP to ID the nesting pairs and document nest success.

“What I love the most about these birds is that they are fearless predators which take their habitat very seriously. I’ve heard them scream like crazy, then each of the pair launches off of the cliffs and flies over the river all the way to the other side and then start dive bombing a red-tailed hawk or an eagle in Yonkers.” Herb said.

Peregrine harassing a red tailed hawk. © Herb Houghton

Herb has learned a lot about peregrines over the years. All from going out into the field to observe them in their natural habitat. Truly, it’s the best way to learn natural bird behavior. As Herb points out, it’s not just about taking photos. “To witness interesting behavior or a new behavior is exhilarating for me, even if it’s too far for a picture.” This past year Herb thinks he even witnessed a rare occurrence, where young of the year were feeding on some of the periodic cicadas that emerged in 2013.

Herb’s most memorable experience while watching the peregrines at the Palisades was when a peregrine bombed him while he was eating a snack while near the cliffs. He watched the bird fly way up until it was a speck in the sky and heard a “whoosh” as it dove within 10 feet of him. It “turned its head to look at me and started screaming her head off. The hairs on the back of my neck stood out as I proceeded to pack up and leave the lookout heading for the woods very quickly.” Thanks so much to Herb for allowing CWF to use his wonderful photos on our website and for sharing his stories of photographing the peregrines at the Palisades.

Check out more of Herb’s photography on his website

Copulation of a pair at the Palisades. © Herb Houghton

Prey delivery strengthens the pair bond. © Herb Houghton

Herb watches the peregrines dive bomb red tailed hawks and eagles along the Hudson River. © Herb Houghton

Young that are produced along the Hudson River will hopefully survive to adulthood and return to nest in the future. © Herb Houghton

Juvenile peregrine falcon. © Herb Houghton

Month of the Falcon – Part II

Posted on January 8, 2014 by Ben Wurst

PEREGRINE FALCONS…BUILT FOR SPEED

by Ben Wurst, Habitat Program Manager

Peregrines are now common residents of NJ's coast. Photo by Northside Jim. — Peregrines are now common residents of NJ’s coast. Photo by Northside Jim.

It’s hard to believe now, but peregrine falcons were once extirpated from their nesting grounds in the Eastern United States. They were federally listed as endangered in 1969 (prior to the passage of the Endangered Species Act of 1973) under the Endangered Species Conservation Act of 1969.

Shortly thereafter a reintroduction project began. New Jersey was one of the first places were wild nesting occurred.

Today more than 25 pairs of peregrines nest in New Jersey and their reproduction here remains strong. However, biologists remain concerned of their long term recovery since they have some of the highest loads of DDE and mercury (Clark et al. 2009). Continue reading “Month of the Falcon – Part II”

Month of the Falcon – Bonus shots

Posted on January 3, 2014 by Ben Wurst

A male peregrine perched at the NJ Palisades. © Kristen Nicolas — 2003 was the first year peregrines reclaimed their historic nesting grounds of the NJ Palisades. © Kristen Nicolas

Juvenile peregrine at Forsythe NWR. © Brian Kushner — Getting some rest after a morning hunt. © Brian Kushner

Portrait of a juvenile. © Howie Williams — A great place to see peregrine up close is at Edwin B. Forsythe NWR in Oceanville, NJ. © Howie Williams

Month of the Falcon – Part I

Posted on January 1, 2014 by Ben Wurst

What makes peregrine falcons so unique?

by Ben Wurst, Habitat Program Manager

Even military aircraft, like the "F-22 Raptor," were engineered to be more like a peregrine falcon! — Even military aircraft, like the “F-22 Raptor,” were engineered to be more like a peregrine falcon!

Peregrine falcons are top tier, aerial predators that are capable of reaching speeds faster than any other animal in the world. In a stoop (a rapid dive) to catch prey, they can reach speeds over 200 mph (top recorded speed of 242 mph)! Even military aircraft, like the F-22 Raptor and SR-71 Blackbird, have been designed to mimic the special traits that falcons have to fly faster and be more maneuverable at top speeds.

Both falcons and F-22s are light weight, have extreme maneuverability, fly at high speeds, and have stealth-like flight to avoid detection from prey (or enemies).

Peregrines are also unique because they are only one of two species of birds (do you know the other one?) that are found worldwide and nest on every continent (besides Antarctica).

They mate for life and (Jersey birds) do not make long distance migrations.

Lastly, peregrine falcons are top tier predators and are an indicator species. The health of their population can tell us a lot about the health of our environment, which is one of the most important reasons for protecting them.

They have made a remarkable recovery in New Jersey. Forty years ago these aerial predators were missing from our skies… they were extirpated from all native nesting territories that were east of the Mississippi River by 1964.

After the NJ Endangered Species Conservation Act was passed in 1973, a plan to re-establish them was made. Young birds were “hacked” at artificial nest sites throughout the state from 1975 to 1980.

The innovative program was a success! Wild nesting of peregrines first occurred in 1980 at Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge. Since that time the population has steadily increased and in 2003, peregrines nested on the natural cliffs of the New Jersey Palisades.

New Jersey is the most densely populated state, but peregrines don’t mind. Cities and urban areas actually provide suitable habitat for peregrines. Since they’re top tier predators and nest near areas with large numbers of prey, like pigeons, they provide a service by controlling their population.

Urban areas have two components necessary for peregrines: abundance of prey and ledges to nest on. One city is Jersey City. Since 2000 peregrines have nested on the roof of 101 Hudson St. The Jersey City nesting pair has been very productive over the years.

Their annual life cycle has been streamed online for the public to view and learn about their natural history. With your support we can keep the Falcon Cam streaming in homes, offices and classrooms to educate viewers about endangered species conservation in New Jersey. Donate to the project and be entered into a drawing to attend the banding of young falcons in 2014!

Stay tuned for Part II next week to learn about the recovery of peregrine falcons in New Jersey.