Etobicoke's beloved peregrine likely will no longer be monitored by foundation

InsideToronto.ca TAMARA SHEPHARD Jun. 8, 2003

Four peregrine falcon chicks recently hatched atop a tower of The Clarica Centre are the last to be banded locally as part of a five-year program to track the endangered birds' migratory patterns.

The Ontario population of the birds -- presently fewer than 100 -- is considered in recovery, reflecting a "steady, but small" increase since the program's inception in 1998, according to The Canadian Peregrine Foundation.

In Etobicoke alone, the initial pair of peregrines produced 23 offspring, four of which are reported to have nested in other provinces and propagated. The Etobicoke-based banding takes place Monday at 1 p.m.

Falcon population recovery has encouraged provincial officials to consider de-listing the bird to a threatened species in its next survey year, 2004-2005.

But foundation officials' charge the move is premature, especially given several suspected and probable cases of West Nile Virus detected last year in dead peregrines. The foundation is lobbying to continue the banding and accompanying satellite monitoring program beyond its initial five-year mandate.

"We'd like nothing better than to have the (Anatum) species of peregrines removed from the endangered species list. But we want to ensure it's a biological decision, not a political one," said Mark Nash, foundation founder and executive director.

While peregrine falcon recovery is occurring, Nash said many threats remain: the birds' own natural mortality (90 per cent die in their first year of life); encroachment and destruction of habitat by hikers, photographers, lumber, timber and mining operations, as well as urban sprawl.

However, West Nile threatens to decimate the Ontario population, 40 per cent of which are concentrated north of Lake Superior, Nash said.

Guarding against that possibility, last year the foundation partnered with Dr. Bruce Hunter, an avian specialist with the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph in a West Nile research program.

Hunter obtains blood samples from peregrines at a number of foundation hacks and urban nest sites across southern Ontario to determine if the fledglings have blood antibodies against the deadly virus. He also inoculates the birds against the virus, using a serum first introduced for use in horses.

Preliminary program findings indicate the serum appears to have no adverse effects on the falcons, Nash said.

Meanwhile, the foundation's satellite telemetry peregrine falcon tracking program indicates birds' migration to central and south America, as well as Mexico with many also nesting in the northern United States. In its fourth year, the charitable foundation has funded the five-year PhD research program to the tune of $500,000.

"The great news is that through tracking of Ontario birds, we've seen their migration to Colombia, Venezuela and Argentina in the birds' first year of life. Some returned to Ontario the following spring," Nash said.

"The not-great news is the vast majority of countries in Central America, Mexico and South America still have widespread use of DDT. The peregrine falcon could have been found on every continent, except Antarctica, prior to the use of DDT."

The Canadian Peregrine Foundation, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and the University of Guelph launched the banding program in 1998 to assist Canadian and American researchers and biologists in tracking the birds' movement.

Introduced as a pilot project in 1999, the satellite tracking/banding followed four juvenile falcons from the foundation's Richmond Hill hack site. Three of the four migrated to Colombia in their first year, returning to Ontario that spring, Nash said.

Other foundation hack sites are found in Hamilton, Kitchener and Brockville. Hack releases involve the deposit of fledgling peregrines in large boxes placed atop buildings or cliffs. Chicks are fed until their release at 40 days, and up to 120 days after to supplement their diet located in the wild.

Urban breeding sites are also located in downtown Toronto at King and Victoria streets, St. Lawrence Cement and the Mississauga Executive Centre in Mississauga, Hamilton and Ottawa. Video cameras capture the nest activity at the Etobicoke, Toronto and Hamilton sites.

Later this year, the foundation is expanding its mandate to include protection of bald eagles and barn owls and will be renamed North American Birds of Prey Foundation.

"The peregrine falcon is the only bird where positive human intervention is responsible for literally saving the bird from extinction," Nash said.