Joined: Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am Posts: 12695
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This is sticking in my craw somehow, so best to wait before commenting. Newest post on the "Falcon Wire" with information source being "US Fish and Wildlife Service" as noted following article:
022 7/26/2022 :: Peregrine falcons and shorebirds With the recovery of the peregrine falcon in the northeastern United States, sometimes there are unanticipated impacts. One such example has emerged from Delaware and New Jersey coastal areas where there is concern that the higher numbers of peregrine falcons are impacting shorebirds, such as the red knot. The diet of peregrine falcons is almost exclusively smaller birds, including shorebirds, land birds, and occasionally small ducks. The recovery of the peregrine falcon population means there are more falcons in the coastal habitats overlapping with shorebird habitats. Falcons hunting over large flocks of shorebirds can result in direct predation of shorebirds, and cause shorebirds to flush as an avoidance strategy. As with other disturbances, repeated flushing of shorebird flocks may be energetically demanding, and have a detrimental effect by reducing the time shorebirds can feed and rest. Persistent predator activity may also displace shorebirds from feeding areas, potentially forcing them into areas with less food or other unfavorable conditions. A recent study in Virginia barrier islands found that red knots, a federally threatened and state endangered shorebird, avoided beaches within 6 km of active peregrine falcon nests. The effect was most noticeable within 3 km of a falcon nest. There is presently no data on the long-term effects of nesting or transient falcons on populations of red knots, but this is a topic that is the subject of current research. The state wildlife agencies in Delaware and New Jersey have taken steps to address the potential conflicts between peregrines and shorebirds: -- Peregrine falcon nest structures that were within 3 km of Delaware Bay beaches in NJ and DE have been removed. The effects of specific nest structure removals are also being monitored to assess peregrine response, and to document intended and/or unintended outcomes. -- Surveys are conducted to locate and document peregrine falcon nesting activity on any man-made structures on Delaware Bay and Atlantic coastal marshes. -- When and where appropriate, initiation of new nesting activity may be precluded through management intervention, in consultation with state and federal agencies. -- Where possible, peregrine falcons are banded to facilitate better understanding of species dispersal, range, habitat use, and specific patterns of behavior. -- Surveys are also being conducted to document peregrine falcon presence on Atlantic Coast and Delaware Bay beaches during shorebird surveys. Determining the locations, frequency, and patterns of peregrine falcon use of coastal habitats, as well as documenting the nature and characteristics of individual incidents of peregrine harassment of shorebirds, will help direct future management actions. -- Where peregrine falcons currently nest in the coastal zone, biologists are collecting data on diet and nesting success to document the prey that falcons take. In the coastal habitats that host several endangered and threatened bird species, it is important to understand the extent of potential and direct conflicts. -- Where conflicts are identified and incidents of harassment are sufficiently documented to inform resource managers as to the age, pattern of behavior, and status as either a territorial or non-territorial peregrine, mitigative actions can be investigated to determine if they might reduce or eliminate the conflict. -- Management actions must also assess the effectiveness of shorebird recovery, predation mitigation, and habitat restoration efforts. With the dramatically successful recovery of peregrine falcon, it is unrealistic to expect that the range overlap between peregrine falcons and shorebirds could be eliminated. Unassisted peregrine nesting activity in local metropolitan areas alone, such as the cities of Wilmington, Philadelphia, and New York (the latter having as many as 46 urban peregrine nests), will continue to recruit transient juveniles into the adjacent coastal regions.
While some conflict may be possible to mitigate by managing peregrines, it will continue to be necessary to take all measures possible to maintain, protect, and restore widespread, highly suitable shorebird habitats and populations.
Information source: US Fish and Wildlife Service
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