COLUMBUS, OH - Biologists with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife estimate 56 young peregrine falcons fledged from 19 successful nests across the state this year. In 2006, a record 60 peregrine falcon chicks fledged from 18 nests.

“We had a record-high number of successful nests this year,” said Dave Scott, peregrine falcon project coordinator for the ODNR Division of Wildlife. “However, eggs at some nests did not hatch and this reduced our total production compared to last year.”

In all, 23 territorial pairs of peregrine falcons were monitored around Ohio in 2007. Eggs were produced at 22 sites during 24 nesting attempts, with two pairs “recycling” and producing a second nest after initial failures.

Six falcon pairs in Cleveland, along with two pairs in Toledo and individual pairs in Aberdeen (Brown County), Akron, Canton, Cincinnati, the village of Cleves (Hamilton County), Dayton, Eastlake, Ironton, Lima, and Youngstown produced between one and four young per nest. Nests located in Columbus, Lakewood and Springfield failed this season. A pair reported in Lorain did not nest this year.

A new nest was identified late in the 2007 season near Oregon in Lucas County, bringing the total of known territorial pairs of falcons in Ohio to 23.

“After the nesting season and prior to migration, Ohio’s peregrine falcon population is estimated to reach 100 to 120 birds,” Scott added. Included in that number are individual falcons that have been spotted in other areas of the state. These birds, as well as the territorial pairs that did not nest this season, could return next year to establish territories and perhaps successful nests. Migratory movements will start in late summer and early fall. Ohio’s birds probably spend their winters in the southern United States and Central America.

Anyone interested in following peregrine falcon activity in Ohio can view the latest updates online at ohiodnr.com/wildlife. The peregrine falcon page features information on the bird’s history, nest status, and links to cameras that record activity at several of the nest locations across Ohio.

In 1989, wildlife experts with ODNR began reintroducing peregrine falcons into Ohio. For more than a decade, peregrines have successfully nested in Akron, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton and Toledo.

Ohio’s peregrine falcon management program is funded by donations to the Endangered Species and Wildlife Diversity Fund and sales of the cardinal license plate. Donations may be made to the Division of Wildlife, 2045 Morse Road, G-1, Columbus, OH 43229-6693, or by marking the check-off contribution box on the Ohio Income Tax form. Cardinal plates can be purchased at a local deputy registrar or by calling 1-800-PLATES-3. Additional funding is provided, in part, through matching funds from the United States Fish & Wildlife Service State Wildlife Grants Program that benefits species of greatest conservation need.