FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 25, 2010

Dayton Peregrines Incubating Three Eggs

 Boonshoft Falcon Cam Captures Nesting Activity

DAYTON – Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife biologists have confirmed the incubation start at the peregrine falcon nest located atop the Liberty Bank Tower on Second Street in Downtown Dayton.  “The pair started incubating three eggs on March 23 and if successful they should hatch around April 24th,” said Diana Malas, wildlife biologist for the ODNR Division of Wildlife.  Peregrines typically lay between 3-5 eggs, so there is the potential for one or more to be laid by this pair after incubation has begun.

 This marks the third year for the pair.  The male, Daniel, hatched in Cincinnati in 2005 and the female, unbanded, are under close observation via a video camera.  The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery has posted the falcon cam on its Web site:  http://www.boonshoftmuseum.org/falconcam.html. The falcons can be observed live, with images refreshing every 15 seconds.  The Falcon Cam is made possible through a partnership between the ODNR Division of Wildlife, Glen Helen Raptor Center of the Glen Helen Ecology Institute, Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, and the Liberty Bank Tower building staff.

Since the first peregrine nest in Ohio in 1988, other nests have been initiated in the cities of Akron, Canton, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Lima, Toledo and Youngstown. During the 2009 nesting season, 19 successful nests fledged 63 young falcons. Volunteers and Division of Wildlife personnel monitor individuals and pairs regularly throughout the breeding season in these urban environments. Adult peregrines are identified by their leg bands. When possible, young are banded and blood samples are taken at three weeks of age for genetic evaluation and analysis of the level of toxic substances. Banding data and blood samples are sent to the University of Minnesota’s Raptor Center.

For more information on peregrine falcons, to download peregrine screensavers, or watch other nest cams in Ohio visit the Division of Wildlife at www.wildohio.com .