Peregrine Falcon Field Notes-August 1, 2007

August 1, 2007

Truly a Team Effort…

People will often ask me why I spend so much of my free time from March to July doing the peregrine field work.  I have scheduled three weeks out of my life in June to solely band young chicks throughout the state and missed firework displays on the 4th of July to rescue a chick in the middle of downtown Minneapolis.  Luckily, my friends are very understanding to last minute changes in plans due to “something with the birds”. 

The thing that most people don’t realize though, is that I am certainly not alone doing this work.  There is no way I could monitor 40 territories throughout the state, band over 70 chicks, or keep track of the bird’s activities all by myself.  I am very lucky to have many people who have helped me these past two years of coordination, and those who have done the work before me.  I would like to recognize some of the people who have helped me this season to do my job: 

Grant Anderson- Minnesota Falconer’s Association
Karla Anderson-Minnesota Zoo
Michelle Anderson- Minnesota Falconer’s Association
John Arent-Minnesota Falconer’s Association
Lori Arent-The Raptor Center
Melissa Babich-Minnesota Zoo
Drew Bickford-The Raptor Center
Larry Cooper-MN DOT
Dr. Luiz Cruz-The Raptor Center
Dave Evans-Hawk Ridge
Merril Frydendall -Mankato professor
Mike Gabrial- Minnesota Falconer’s Association
Jane Goggin-The Raptor Center
Dave Graf-Wolf Ridge
Todd Haarstick ---Hastings, MN
Greg Hanson-The Raptor Cente
Brad Johnson-Minnesota DNR
Mark Martell-Audubon of Minnesota
Jim Mussel-Climber
James Nelson-The Minnesota Zoo
Jen Pollard- The Minnesota Zoo
Dr. Juli Ponder-The Raptor Center
Mark Pribula-MN DOT
Dr. Pat Redig-The Raptor Center
Peter Smerud-Wolf Ridge
Joel Sniejowski -Climber
Grant Spickelmeyer- The Minnesota Zoo
Dr. Harrison “Bud” Tordoff-Bell Museum, University of Minnesota
Dr. Tiffany Wolf- The Minnesota Zoo
Joe Walewski-Wolf Ridge
All of the building owners, management teams, and private property owners where peregrines have chosen to nest.

This group has helped me in observing the bird’s behavior, determining nesting success, and identifying the adults; climbed the cliffs to get chicks from the Mississippi River and the North Shore of Lake Superior; helped with the banding of the chicks; donated equipment to access bridge ledges; or allowed our team access to the nest site at any time.   

Some on the list have been involved for over 30 years and some are new to the project this year.  One thing that we all have in common is an appreciation for peregrines.  Another thing is that we like the feeling of being involved with the recovery of an endangered species---some may call it “making a difference”.   Dr. Tom Cade of the Peregrine Fund mentioned this fact at the delisting celebration for peregrines in August 1999.  He gave credit to the thousands of people in attendance that joined together for the three day event, when he could have easily taken credit for getting the ball rolling in the early 1970’s.  Like I said in the beginning, this project is “truly a team effort”, and I feel privileged to play a small role in it.