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Peregrine
Falcons at Younger Lagoon Reserve |
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Little
boy "Red", banded, radio tagged and ready to move to the
the hack box.
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Peregrine
falcons in the United States were once near extinction, and when
the Santa
Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group (SCPBRG) was formed in 1975
just a handful of productive nests were known in California. But
due to the ban on the use of the pesticide DDT in many places and
the efforts of organizations like the SCPBRG the peregrine falcon
has experienced a remarkable resurgence in California and other
parts of the West coast and was removed from the Federal
Endangered Species List in 1999.
As
part of their on-going peregrine recovery and monitoring program
The Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group releases captive-bred
young peregrine falcons into the area around Younger Lagoon each
year.
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The
hack box was opened and the young peregrines emerged for their first
flights. This photo was taken during the April, 2005 release.
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Younger
Lagoon habitat provides an ideal setting for young peregrines to make
the six-week transition from captive birds to wild independence. Here,
peregrines find updrafts along the cliffs to support early attempts
at flight, and a diversity of bird life in the estuary and along the
coastline to practice aerial pursuit maneuvers. Members of the public
who are good observers can watch the falcons in the vicinity of Younger
Lagoon for up to three months following their release, before they
"peregrinate" to other areas and become members of the wild
population. |
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