PEREGRINE FALCONS

ON TOP OF THE FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO, THIS SUMMER A SINGLE PEREGRINE FALCON WAS SIGHTED.

THE PEREGRINE FALCON WHICH IS ON THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT'S ENDANGERED SPECIES LIST IS RARELY SEEN. THE FOXWOOD HOTEL MAY BE THE PERFECT ARTIFICIAL HABITAT FOR THESE BIRDS. THEY LIKE HIGH LEDGES WHERE THEY CAN DIVE OFF AT UP TO ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY FIVE (175) MILES PER HOUR TO CAPTURE THEIR PREY.

PEREGRINE FALCONS WERE COMMON IN CONNECTICUT IN 1920S THROUGH THE 1930'S. BY THE 1930'S BECAUSE OF OVER COLLECTING THE PEREGRINE FALCONS AND THEIR EGGS. THE BIRD WAS ALMOST TOTALLY VANISHED IN CONNECTICUT. THE LAST KNOW PAIR OF PEREGRINE FALCONS WERE SEEN NESTING ON THE TRAVELER'S TOWER IN HARTFORD AROUND THE 1940'S. . BY 1975, THE PEREGRINE FALCON WAS CONSIDERED EXTINCT IN THE EASTERN UNITED STATES. THE PRIMARY REASON WAS THOUGHT TO BE DDT AND OTHER PESTICIDES.

EXTENSIVE DOMESTIC BREEDING BEGAN IN 1972. BY THE YEAR 1997 THE PEREGRINE FALCON WAS AGAIN OBSERVED NESTING ON THE TRAVELER'S TOWER IN HARTFORD. IN 1997 THERE WAS AN ESTIMATED 193 BREEDING PAIRS OF PEREGRINE FALCONS IN THE UNITED STATES. THE UNITED STATES TOOK THE PEREGRINE FALCON OFF IT'S ENDANGERED SPECIES LIST. IT STILL REMAINS ON CONNECTICUTS ENDANGERED LIST.

THE PEREGRINE FALCONS FLY SOUTH TO SOUTH AMERICA FOR THE WINTER. THE BIRDS RETURN TO THE NORTH FROM SOUTH AMERICA AROUND SOMETIME IN FEBRUARY. THEY NEST FROM FEBRUARY UNTIL MAY. HOPEFULLY THIS SINGLE BIRD WILL FIND A MATE AND MAKE THE FOXWOODS RESORT HOTEL THEIR SUMMER HOME. IT IS GREAT TO SEE THAT THINGS CAN SURVIVE WITH MANKIND'S HELP. MAYBE SOME DAY THE MOHEGAN SUN WILL GET A PAIR. IT WOULD BE WONDERFUL.