OBJECTIVES:

More than 30 years after the first re-nesting of peregrine falcons in the mid-Atlantic region, we still know very little about the ecology of this emerging population. In particular, we know almost nothing about portions of the annual cycle outside of the breeding season. Our objectives in tracking these birds were to 1) monitor the timing and rate of dispersal from natal sites, 2) investigate the pattern of local and migratory movements, 3) document factors contributing to mortality, and 4) assess the location and site characteristics of winter home ranges.
[easy_image_gallery]

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

FalconTrak was a cooperative project designed to answer questions about the movements and survival of peregrine falcons within the mid-Atlantic region. We tracked 61 falcons between 2001 and 2010 with solar-powered, satellite transmitters to investigate the spatial dynamics of their annual cycle and to identify causes of mortality. Birds included 40 females and 21 males from coastal bridges (20), nesting towers (36), a high-rise building (2), and a captive breeder (3). Birds were either released from mountain hack sites (31) or allowed to fledge in situ (30). We received 66,343 signals of usable quality from transmitters. Movement patterns were used to subdivide the annual cycle into biologically meaningful units. Periods used included 1) Pre-dispersal, 2) post-dispersal, 3) fall migration, 4) winter, 5) spring migration, and 6) summer. More than half of the falcons that survived into the fall period migrated south of the mid-Atlantic region. Individuals did not change their migratory status between years. On average, southbound migration lasted 23 days and birds traveled 3,106 km. Fledging location had a dramatic influence on both migratory route and the location of winter home ranges. Birds that were fledged on the coast were the only birds to migrate to the tropics. Two of these birds crossed over to the Pacific Coast and wintered in Panama and Columbia. Birds from Shenandoah National Park and Harpers Ferry remained in the mid-Atlantic or migrated relatively short distances to the southern Piedmont. Birds fledged from the New River Gorge were the only birds to migrate down the Appalachians and winter along the Gulf Coast. Birds that did not migrate settled within winter home ranges 1.5 months earlier than those that migrated. Birds established winter home ranges over a wide geographic area ranging from western Long Island, NY to Buenaventura Columbia (3 to 41° N. latitude). All of the non-migratory birds moved north and east of their fledging sites, most wintering near water in the northern mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain. Some of these birds established permanent home ranges. Most of the migratory birds moved to southern latitudes and established home ranges near major coastlines. Winter home ranges (50% kernel) varied widely between individuals ranging from 101 to 2,362 km2. Spring migration was more rapid and direct compared to fall migration averaging only 15 days. Arrival within the summer home range was in May following the first spring migration and in March following the second. Summer home ranges were confined to the mid-Atlantic region and were distributed from Virginia to upstate New York. Six individuals were tracked to breeding territories along the eastern shore of Virginia, near Charles Town, WV, Pittsburgh, PA, near Baltimore, MD, and on Long Island, NY. Cause of death was assigned to 24 falcons. Of these 11 were believed to be predated, 7 flew into man-made structures, 3 were killed in storms, 1 was hit by a truck, 1 drowned, and 1 was lost at sea. Predators believed to account for the most mortality included great horned owls and adult peregrine falcons. Birds flew into transmission lines, towers, a high-rise building, and the side of a barn. The bird lost at sea was flying out over the open ocean and was lost near Bermuda.

Years: 2001-2011
Status: Complete
Project Partners: Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, National Park Service, Dominion Power, Virginia Department of Transportation
CCB Staff: Bryan Watts, Shawn Padgett, Libby Mojica, Bart Paxton
Project Contact: Bryan Watts bdwatt@wm.edu (757) 221-2247

Publications: Watts, B. D., S. M. Padgett, E. K. Mojica, and B. J. Paxton. 2011. FALCONTRAK: Final Report. CCBTR-11-07. Center for Conservation Biology Technical Report Series. College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA. 33 pp.