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March 14, 2006
 PEREGRINE FALCONS BEGIN NESTING SEASON IN OHIO
Columbus Falcon Cam
COLUMBUS, OH - Two separate pairs of peregrine falcons have produced eggs, kicking off the 2006 nesting season. The pairs are located at the Miami Fort Power Plant nest near the Village of Cleves in Hamilton County and at the Terminal Tower nest in Cleveland, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
State wildlife biologists say early reports indicate that there are at least 17 pairs of peregrine falcons across Ohio and another five unpaired birds. Ohioans can follow the progress of these and other various peregrine nests at the Division of Wildlife’s peregrine falcon web page found at ohiodnr.com/wildlife
By April, most peregrine falcons will have chosen or rebonded with a mate and selected a nesting site. As the nesting season progresses, key events such as egg laying, hatching, and fledging will be summarized on the Internet for each Ohio nest.
Ohio communities with one reported pair of peregrine falcons include: Aberdeen in Brown County, Akron, Canton, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Lakewood, Lima, Lorain, Toledo, and Youngstown. Cleveland has four additional pairs. Nests are expected at most of these sites within the next month.
Although removed from the federal endangered species list in 1999, peregrine falcons remain on the state’s endangered species list. Along with several other midwestern states, Ohio began introducing the birds in 1989, with several pairs released in cities between that year and 1992. Last year in Ohio, 18 nesting pairs of peregrine falcons resulted in the successful hatching and fledging of a record 57 young falcons.
The division’s peregrine falcon management program is funded by the sale of cardinal license plates and by contributions to the state Wildlife Diversity & Endangered Species Fund. Taxpayers may donate directly or designate all or part of their state income tax refunds to the effort by checking the box on line 29 of the 2005 Ohio Income Tax form or line 20 on the Ohio 1040 EZ form. Donations can also be made online at ohiodnr.com/wildlife Click on the red “donate” button on the left side of the page.
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