Popular peregrines move into new pad in Chesapeake

CHESAPEAKE

In search of more peace and quiet, the Norfolk falcons have moved to Chesapeake.

The famous pair of peregrine falcons, which lived for years under the Berkley Bridge and became popular fixtures atop downtown skyscrapers where they often perched, have settled about two miles south in Chesapeake in a small, wooden box on the Jordan Bridge.

On Friday, scientists got a glimpse of the couple's new digs, climbing about 160 feet to the top of the aging span on the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River.

They peeked inside the box, which had been vacant for a decade, and discovered fresh pigeon meat on the floor, some gravel, a few feathers, and a little surprise - a baby.

"He looks great, and seems very healthy," said Libby Mojica, a research biologist with the Center for Conservation Biology at the College of William and Mary.

As the two anxious parents squawked and hovered overhead, Mojica measured the young falcon - about 9.5 centimeters long, covered in snowy down - and attached ID tags to his big, yellow feet.

Shawn Padgett, who has monitored falcons in Virginia for years and helped to nurture their recovery from near extinction, said the Jordan Bridge pair is special for at least two reasons.

For one, scientists rarely see falcons take up a new residence like this, Padgett said. They might jump to the other side of a bridge or cliff and make a new nest, he said, but hardly ever do they pack up and seek shelter elsewhere the way these did.

Second, Padgett said, the couple already gave birth to two other babies earlier this spring, while still living at the Berkley Bridge.

He called the two-broods-in-one-year phenomenon "recycling."

"I don't think we've ever seen that," he said.

Peregrines are the fastest-flying species on Earth, reaching speeds of 200 mph as they dive or attack prey. They were nearly wiped out, along with other raptors such as bald eagles and ospreys, because of DDT, a highly toxic insecticide that eventually was banned in the United States.

The falcon was one of the first animals protected under the Endangered Species Act. Since then, it has slowly and unevenly clawed its way back on the East Coast but remains a threatened species under state wildlife law.

With intense eyes, stabbing talons and a handsome spotted breast, the peregrine can be found on the Eastern Shore, on the James River Bridge, in Richmond, in man-made nesting sites in the western mountains of Virginia, and now on the Jordan Bridge. About 22 pairs exist in the state today.

To foster their comeback, Padgett constructed the wooden box on the top of the Jordan Bridge more than 10 years ago. No falcon ever lived there - until now.

Mike Boron, acting administrator of the Jordan Bridge, said crews first spotted the falcon pair in late May. The birds grew increasingly aggressive toward maintenance staffers when they worked near the top of the span.

Not wanting to hurt the birds but needing some help, they contacted Padgett.

This week, he instructed bridge staff on how to deal with the raptors and remain safe on the job. Then, during a nest visit, they discovered the baby falcon, and the birds' newfound aggressiveness made sense.

"Hey, we love having them," Boron said. "It makes our day a little extra special, knowing they're up there."

The bridge has had raccoons living in it before, and even a snake once, but never a falcon, eagle or osprey, Boron said.

As part of recovery efforts, the state has been shipping most baby falcons to nesting sites in the mountains, their natural habitat. But Padgett said the Jordan Bridge youngster will stay put.

"He's by himself, just one. And after all his parents have been through, it seems right to leave him here," Padgett said.

The young male is expected to fledge, or take his first flight, in about a week, Padgett estimated. Sometimes young falcons succeed, sometimes they crash and survive, and sometimes they die.

"He's got a better chance here than at the Berkley Bridge," Padgett said. "More open space, an easier flight path. Hopefully he'll be OK."

Scott Harper, (757) 446-2340, scott.harper@pilotonline.com