COLUMBUS — Young peregrine falcons across Ohio have fledged, marking the end of the 2011 nesting season. There were 39 sites with territorial pairs, of which 34 nests produced eggs.
There were an additional five sites with single peregrines present. This year there were 34 nest sites where an estimated 111 eggs were produced; 26 of those nests hatched young falcons and 24 sites fledged 67 juveniles successfully.
The 2011 hatch rate was 70 percent, up slightly from 2010 (67 percent). Additionally, there were two new sites with territorial pairs across the state this year from the 37 pairs in 2010.
Initial site
The first pair of peregrines nested in Ohio in 1988 at the Commodore Perry Hotel in Toledo. From 1989-1993, along with several other Midwestern states, the Ohio Division of Wildlife hacked 46 birds throughout the state. Peregrine falcons were delisted as a federal endangered species in 1999, and down-listed in Ohio to state threatened in 2008.
Peregrines remain on the state threatened list and the Division of Wildlife continues to monitor the population. Ohio’s peregrine falcon program is supported by the state income tax check-off program, donations to the Wildlife Diversity and Endangered Species Fund and sales of the Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp, and the cardinal license plate.
