PENNSYLVANIA GAME COMMISSION BUREAU OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT PROJECT ANNUAL JOB REPORT

PROJECT CODE NO.: 06715

TITLE: Peregrine Falcon Research/Management

JOB CODE NO.: 71501

TITLE: Peregrine Falcon Investigations

PERIOD COVERED: 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012

COOPERATING AGENCIES: The Aark Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center, Chalfont; Academy of Natural Sciences of ; Carbon County Environmental Education Center; Comcast Center, Philadelphia; Dauphin County Wildlife Rescue, Harrisburg; Joint Toll Commission, Phillipsburg, NJ; Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA); Raptor Center, Milford; Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area; Gulf Tower, ; Make a Wish Foundation, Pittsburgh; The National Aviary, Pittsburgh; Division of Fish, Game, and Wildlife; Packer Ave. Marine Terminal, Philadelphia; Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection; Pennsylvania Department of Transportation; Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission; Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission; Philadelphia City Hall; Philadelphia Zoo; Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center, Stroudsburg; PPL Corporation; Red Creek Wildlife Center, Schuylkill Haven; Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Philadelphia; Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education - Wildlife Division, Philadelphia; Three Rivers Avian Center, Brooks, West Virginia; Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research, Newark, Delaware; University of Pittsburgh; US Army Corps of Engineers; US Fish & Wildlife Service; Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Pittsburgh.

WORK LOCATION(S): Statewide

PREPARED BY: F. Arthur McMorris, Patricia Barber and Daniel W. Brauning

DATE: 4 February 2013

ABSTRACT The long-term management goal of this project is to re-establish a self-sustaining peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) population in Pennsylvania (Brauning and Hassinger 2001). Monitoring of peregrine falcon nesting activity was coordinated by Dr. Art McMorris, using agency personnel and over 165 volunteers. Over 55 sites and additional locations across the state were searched for falcon activity. We coordinated with managers at over 15 bridge and building sites undergoing construction and maintenance projects ensured protections for nesting falcons at those sites. Thirty-two sites were occupied by territorial pairs in 2012, the same as 2011 and the highest number since the beginning of the peregrine falcon recovery program. Nesting success 71501 2 decrease slightly to 69% with 22 successful nests and 62 young fledged, but productivity remained high, 1.94 fledglings per territorial pair. Forty-two nestlings were banded. The public was invited to attend peregrine falcon banding events at the Rachel Carson State Office Building in Harrisburg, the University of Pittsburgh’s Cathedral of Learning in Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia City Hall. Activities of Pennsylvania’s peregrine falcons attracted much favorable attention from the public and were well covered in the online, print and broadcast media. There were 16 band encounters of birds banded in Pennsylvania, or banded elsewhere and encountered in Pennsylvania, in 2012.

OBJECTIVES

1. The long-term management goal is to re-establish a self-sustaining peregrine falcon population in Pennsylvania.

2. The peregrine falcon is currently listed as endangered in Pennsylvania. Recovery actions should follow levels proposed for changes in state legal status are outlined in the draft Pennsylvania recovery and management plan for the peregrine falcon (Brauning et. al., 2012).

METHODS

Peregrine falcon coordinator Dr. Art McMorris monitored peregrine falcon nesting activity in eastern Pennsylvania during the 2012 nesting season and coordinated personnel from the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC), cooperating agencies, and over 165 volunteers in monitoring over 55 actual and potential nest sites across the state (Fig. 1). Video cameras, linked to live Internet connections, again monitored the nest site at the Rachel Carson State Office Building (RCSOB) in Harrisburg (Department of Environmental Protection [DEP] 2012), and the Gulf Tower and the University of Pittsburgh’s Cathedral of Learning in Pittsburgh (National Aviary 2012). Nestling falcon banding was overseen by Peregrine Falcon Coordinator Art McMorris.

RESULTS

Peregrine falcons occupied 32 nest sites in Pennsylvania during 2012. Young fledged at 22, for a success rate of 69% (Table 1, Fig. 2). Two new nests were established in 2012; a third nest was either new or a relocation from a cliff to a nearby bridge; and one pair relocated from one building to another in downtown Pittsburgh. One previously-active nest was successful for the first time in 2012. Five nest sites that were occupied in 2011, including the nest at the Montgomery Cliff site. and the Pittsburgh relocation, were unoccupied in 2012; and 1 established nesting pair that frequently moves back and forth between Pennsylvania and New Jersey returned to New Jersey in 2012 (Tables 2). With all of these changes, there was no net change in the number of occupied nests in 2012 as compared with 2011 (Table 2). Sixty-two young fledged from 22 successful nests, and 42 of them were banded (Table 1). Thirty-two nest sites occupied by pairs throughout the nesting season this year tied with 2011 for the highest number since the beginning of the peregrine falcon recovery program (Table 2).

Nest boxes are present at many nest sites providing a secure place for nesting. After 71501 3 Hurricane Sandy passed through the area on 29-30 October, all nest boxes were checked for damage. Only the Benjamin Franklin Bridge nest box was damaged, and it was repaired promptly.

Nests in Philadelphia Area, Southeast (SE) Region Six Delaware River , 2 bridges and several tall buildings in the Philadelphia area were monitored for peregrine falcon activity. Territorial pairs occupied 7 sites and success was confirmed at 5, which fledged total of 15 young. Over 20% of the Commonwealth’s peregrine falcon nests are in the Philadelphia area and 60% are in the SE Region (Tables 1 and 4.)

Benjamin Franklin Bridge, Philadelphia County.--The Ben Franklin Bridge spans the Delaware River between Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (PA) and Camden, New Jersey (NJ). The falcons nest in a nest box placed near the top of the Pennsylvania Tower by local Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) maintenance staff. The nest was again monitored by volunteers Georgia and Barrie Ashby and several others. Four young were produced in this nest and were banded by PGC personnel on 30 May. All 4 fledged and were observed throughout the summer.

The roof blew off the nest box during Hurricane Sandy at the end of October but was promptly repaired by bridge maintenance staff.

Commodore Barry Bridge, Delaware County.--Nesting failed in 2012 for the second year in a row. The full length of the bridge was searched from the catwalk system on 23 May, and 2 abandoned unhatched eggs were found at a location different from the location of the unhatched eggs that were found in 2011, and from the nest site that was used successfully in 2008-2010. One adult peregrine falcon was observed during the search of the bridge, but no evidence of young could be found. During the nesting season, the bridge was undergoing extensive maintenance and repair work along the full length under the deck, where the falcons nest, including the exact location where the falcons nested in 2008-2010.

Exelon Eddystone Generating Station, Delaware County.--Peregrine falcons have been observed at this location and at the adjacent Boeing Aircraft factory since 2009, and a nest was found in 2011 inside an air duct on the exterior wall of a tall building. In late 2011, plant personnel constructed a nest box and mounted it on the top roof above the air duct and installed a video camera for monitoring. However, for reasons of expense, the air duct was not screened off to prevent entry of the falcons. The pair of peregrine falcons continued to be present throughout the year, and showed much interest in the air duct during the 2012 nesting season, but there was no evidence of eggs or young. This pair was only Territorial for 2012 (Tables 1 and 2).

Girard Point Bridge, Philadelphia County.--This bridge carries Route I-95 across the Schuylkill River near the Philadelphia Navy Yard and Philadelphia International Airport. A major bridge maintenance project begun in late 2009 and was not completed as of the end of 2012. Terms recommended by PGC to minimize disturbance to the falcons were not followed in 2011, resulting in nest failure. In 2012, those conditions were better adhered to, and the falcons nested successfully in the south nest box. Three young were banded by PGC personnel on 18 May, and at least 2 fledged. 71501 4

Manayunk, St. John’s Church, Philadelphia County.—Observations by PGC personnel and local volunteers strongly suggested that the pair of peregrine falcons in the Manayunk section of Philadelphia tentatively identified in 2011 were again nesting in the steeple of the Church of St. John the Baptist. On 17 May 2012 two nestlings were found in the steeple and banded by PGC personnel. Both fledged and were enjoyed throughout the summer by local observers.

Pennsylvania-New Jersey Turnpike Delaware River Bridge, Bucks County.--This nest was monitored by several dedicated volunteers led by Linda Rowan. The pair nested in the box beam that they have used continuously since 2001. Four nestlings were banded on 4 May. Three of the 4 fledged, but 1 of them got caught in a razor wire fence about 2 weeks after fledging. It was rescued by local volunteers and Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission personnel and taken to a wildlife rehabilitator, where it was treated for a fractured left tarsus, infected lacerations, and dehydration. It underwent extensive treatment and rehabilitation, but died in December without ever recovering well enough to be released (Tables 1 and 4).

Philadelphia, Downtown (City Hall), Philadelphia County.--Downtown Philadelphia and vicinity were monitored with the assistance of long-term volunteer Ed Mutzer. The downtown Philadelphia pair of peregrine falcons nested in the nest box on City Hall Tower for the second year in a row and produced 4 young, all males. The nestlings were banded on 23 May at an event attended by local volunteers, City Hall officials and the media, who reported the event with much fanfare on the TV evening news and in the newspapers. All 4 young fledged, but 1 was found dead on a downtown street about 3 weeks after fledging.

Walt Whitman Bridge, Philadelphia County and New Jersey.--In 2012 the falcons relocated to the nest box on top of the east tower of the bridge, on the NJ side of the state line, and bred successfully (Table 2), but are not included in the Pennsylvania totals.

Other nests in the SE Region In addition to the Philadelphia area nests described above, there were 12 more in the SE Region in 2012. In total, there were 19 nest territorial pairs in the SE Region, including 1 new site, in 2012. Twelve of 19 nests were successful.

Allentown, Lehigh County.--The Allentown pair nested at the 8th Street Bridge for the fourth year in a row, after having nested previously at the PPL GO Building a short distance away. Once again the falcons moved their nest, they have used two different bridge arches in alternate years. Three nestlings were banded on 25 May with the aid of a crane generously provided by PPL Corporation. All 3 fledged and continued to be seen by local observers through the summer.

The behavior of the adult female present at the time of banding was very different from that of the female from 2007 to 2011. Photographs showed that the new adult female was banded with a black/green color band on the left leg and a silver USFWS band on the right leg, but the bands could not be read from the photographs.

71501 5 Bethlehem, Northampton County, NEW 2012.--Adult peregrine falcons have been observed since early 2011 in the vicinity of the Bank of America Building in downtown Bethlehem, but in spite of extensive searching no nest was found. On 3 July 2012 a recently- fledged peregrine falcon was found, injured, near the Sands Casino on the site of the abandoned Bethlehem Steel plant, 1.8 km south-southeast of the Bank of America Building. The falcon was taken to a wildlife rehabilitator and was still recovering as of the end of 2012.

On 8 July 2012, PGC personnel and local volunteers found 3 more fledglings, 2 adult peregrine falcons, and the likely nest site, an abandoned Bethlehem Steel building locally called the “High House.” The 2 adults were photographed and identified by their leg bands; they had both fledged from Pennsylvania nests within the last 3 years (Tables 5 and 6).

Brunner Island PPL Plant, York County.--Peregrine falcons nested successfully for the third consecutive year at this coal-fired power plant, using the 2011 nest and probably 2010 nest as well, in an inaccessible location behind sheet metal fascia atop a coal silo. Three nestlings were photographed through a chink in an interior wall, and fledged on 13 June. The brooding female was photographed in the nest and identified by her leg bands; she was the same female that had spent the winter of 2009-2010 in downtown York, PA, 16 km to the south (Tables 5 and 6; McMorris and Brauning 2010).

Clark’s Ferry Bridge, Dauphin County.--Peregrine falcons nested for the third year in a row on top of a bridge pier under the deck of this bridge, which carries US Route 322 across the Susquehanna River near Duncannon. In 2012 the falcons moved their nest from a pier near the west end of the bridge to 1 closer to the east end. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) offered the use of a snooper crane to access the nest for banding, but the crane did not become available until after the nestlings were too old to approach safely. The nest was in a recess that was very difficult to see from shore. Only 1 nestling could be seen, aged about 25 days when observed. It is unknown whether there were more nestlings, nor is it known whether it (or they) fledged.

A walkway for Appalachian Trail hikers and other pedestrians passes fairly close to the nest on the pier top (which, however, cannot be seen from the walkway). As pedestrians would approach the nest, the adult falcons would take them by surprise and challenge them aggressively, creating quite a fuss. There were probably far fewer pedestrians on the bridge when the falcons chose their nest site in February and March. It remains to be seen whether the falcons will nest in the same location in 2013.

Columbia, Lancaster County.--This pair is monitored by a group of local volunteers led by Meredith Lombard and Charley Albin. The falcons nested on the Pennsylvania Route 462 Bridge over the Susquehanna River since 2009; previous to that, they had used the US Route 30 Bridge 1.5 km upriver. On the Route 462 Bridge, the falcons nested on several different concrete arches under the bridge deck, moving their nest location each year. Three unhatched eggs were found on the bridge on 8 June, 1 each in 3 different locations. One was warm, but the other 2 appeared to be abandoned. When the bridge was searched again on 10 July, none had hatched, all were cold, and the egg that had previously been warm was surrounded by intact spider webs. 71501 6 Thus, the nest had failed. This nest has succeeded only twice in its 6 years of activity, and both successes appeared to follow a failure earlier in the season.

The adult male was the same one that has nested in Columbia since at least 2009 (Table 5). In May, a new adult female was identified by different plumage characters and behavior (e.g. favorite perches). Whether the replacement of the female played any role in the nest failure, or at just what stage of the nesting cycle the replacement occurred, is not known.

Delaware Water Gap, Northampton County.--Peregrine falcons have been at the Mount Minsi Cliff, a historic nest site, since at least 2003, and nested on several occasions, but not successfully in the post-DDT era (Table 2). Monitoring by local observers Brian Hardiman, Rick Wiltraut, Jim Thomson, Allan Ambler and Tim Kita documented that peregrine falcons were present at the site throughout the calendar year. The cliff was closed to rock climbing in February to protect the birds from disturbance. Behavior strongly suggested incubation began in early April, and continued until mid-May on a high cliff ledge. Nesting behavior ended abruptly in mid-May. The falcons persisted at the site throughout the rest of the year, but no further evidence of nesting was observed. The reason for the continued failure of nesting at this site is unknown.

French Creek State Park, Berks County.--This nest was discovered on a cliff ledge in an abandoned quarry in French Creek State Park in early 2011, by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (DCNR’s) Eric Brown and Rob Neitz. It is monitored by them and local enthusiasts Jim and Deb Doaty. The nest was successful that year. In 2012 the falcons nested on a different ledge and raised 3 nestlings to approximately 20 days old. However, when the nest was visited for banding 6 days later, the nest ledge was empty: there were no young, feathers or other remains. The adults birds were present but not defending the nest as would be expected if young were nearby. The nestlings were much too young to fly, and the ledge appeared inaccessible to mammalian predators. The young most likely succumbed to predation by an avian predator; namely, a Great Horned Owl.

Harrisburg, RCSOB, Dauphin County.--The Harrisburg nest has continued to be productive every year since its first success in 2000. PGC and DEP partner to manage this site. This year 4 eggs were laid and 2 hatched. The nestlings were banded on 9 May at an event attended by an overflow audience of 176 children and teachers from area schools and broadcast on local TV and live webcast (see below). Both young falcons fledged and were seen flying well for 4 weeks before dispersing.

The nesting male was the same male that has nested at this site since 2005 (Table 5). The female was an unbanded adult that arrived in September 2010 and defeated the previous female in a territorial battle, and bred successfully in 2011 and 2012. On 15 May 2012, before her 2 nestlings had fledged, the female appeared to be injured, and was last seen a few days later. The male took over full parental duties and began advertising for a new mate. A new adult female appeared on the nest ledge in late May, and in early June she was identified as a bird that had fledged from the PA/NJ Turnpike Delaware River Bridge in Bristol, PA, in 2009 (Table 6). Local observers reported that the new female “did not welcome” the fledglings, and they 71501 7 dispersed soon thereafter. The new adult female continued to be observed at the site through the rest of the season.

Martin’s Creek PPL Power Plant, Martin’s Creek, Northampton County.--Peregrine falcons again bred successfully at this nest for the eighth year in a row. The nest box, mounted 110 m above the ground on a 180-m smokestack at the Martin’s Creek PPL Power Plant, is monitored by PPL employees John Depalma and Jack Hahn. Four eggs were laid and all hatched. The young were banded on 14 June, and all 4 fledged. One fledgling was found dead near the nest in mid-October, but its fresh un-worn plumage suggested it died soon after fledging in mid- August.

The nesting female was new to the site: she was identified as a bird that fledged from a nest in Amherst, Massachusetts (MA) in 2009 (Tables 5 and 6).

Norman Wood Bridge, Lancaster County.--The Norman Wood Bridge (Pennsylvania Route 372 and the Susquehanna River, Lancaster County) was occupied by territorial pairs in 2009, 2010 and 2011, but was not successful in any of those years. A single peregrine falcon was observed during the 2012 nesting season, there was no evidence of a second falcon, territorial defense or nesting (Table 2). Extensive work related to dam construction was being conducted in the river under the bridge, but it is unknown whether this discouraged nesting.

Reading, Downtown, Berks County.--This pair nested on a balcony of a building in downtown Reading for the fifth year in a row, after nesting once (2007) on a different building just 200 m away. Volunteer Shawn Walb monitored the nest and provided progress updates. Four eggs were laid in late March and early April, and 3 hatched. The nestlings were banded on 25 May, and all 3 fledged in mid-June. One fledgling was re-sighted 520 km away at Hawk Cliff on the north shore of Lake Erie in Ontario, Canada on 13 September, 3 months after fledging (Table 6).

Safe Harbor Railroad Bridge, Lancaster County.--This nest was new, but unsuccessful, in 2010. The site was well monitored by local volunteers in 2012, but only a single peregrine falcon was there during the 2012 nesting season; there was no evidence of a second falcon, territorial defense or nesting (Table 2).

Scudder Falls Bridge, Yardley, Bucks County.--This nest is on the catwalk of the bridge that carries I-95 over the Delaware River in Lower Makefield, Bucks County. It was unsuccessful in 2012, for the first time since it was first established in 2008. The nest is in a location that cannot be seen from shore or from the river, making monitoring difficult. With the aid of a snooper crane generously provided by the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission (DRJTBC), PGC personnel visited the nest on 18 May, a date nestlings should be banding age if the nest was successful. However, no nestlings were found. Instead, the undamaged shells of two recently-hatched eggs and a blood stain were observed in the nest box. The entire bridge was searched from shore to shore, and no nestlings or eggs were found at any other location. The resident adult male was observed further east on the bridge, but was not as aggressive as he normally is when eggs or young are in the nest. The adult female could not be found. The evidence suggests that the adult female and the 2 newly-hatched young succumbed to a nest 71501 8 predator. Both the evidence at the nest and the inaccessibility of the location indicate that it was most likely an avian predator; namely, a Great Horned Owl.

Three Mile Island, Middletown, Dauphin County.--Nesting activity at the Three Mile Island (TMI) nuclear power station continued in 2012. Three young were produced at an inaccessible location near the top of the #1 reactor containment building and fledged on 13 June, the same day as in 2011. In a break with tradition, none of the fledglings became grounded this year; all stayed out of trouble and continued flying well until they dispersed.

Wade Bridge, I-81 and the Susquehanna River, Dauphin County.--No peregrine falcons were observed at the bridge this year. Extensive repair work underway is expected to continue through the 2013 nesting season.

Northeast (NE) Region Nests Three of the 4 peregrine falcon nests in the NE Region were successful. Two of the 4 nests on natural cliffs; in 2012 were in the NE Region and successful.

Luzerne County Cliff, Luzerne County.--This nest is on a cliff in Luzerne County at a location which is undisclosed at the landowner’s request. This and the other 2 Luzerne County nests were monitored by skilled volunteers led by Bob Wasilewski. The falcons used the same nesting ledge in 2012 as they did in 2011, and raised 3 young which fledged in early June and continued to be seen flying strongly before dispersing 1 month later. The young were not banded because when the banding crew arrived on 21 May, the nestlings were too advanced in their development to approach safely without risking premature fledging.

Montour PPL Power Plant, Montour County.--The falcons nest in a nest box mounted on the #2 stack at the Montour PPL Power Plant near Washingtonville. The smokestack was decommissioned and slated for demolition, but demolition has now been put on hold indefinitely. Prior to the 2011 nesting season the nest box was moved from an equipment ring accessible by elevator to a higher catwalk near the top of the stack, where it is now inaccessible for banding, and the equipment ring and elevator were removed.

Although the higher location makes visibility difficult, PPL employees Jon Beam and John Fridman were able to observe 3 nestlings in the nest box in mid-May, and to confirm that they fledged. The fledglings continued to be seen chasing pigeons for at least 3 weeks after fledging.

Pittston/Duryea, Luzerne County.--A pair has nested in this location since 2002, but the nest site shifted back and forth between a bridge in Pittston and the Campbell’s Ledge Cliff in Duryea, 3.5 km to the north. The pair nested at the Campbell’s Ledge Cliff in 2012 for the fourth year in a row. Since returning to Campbell’s Ledge from the bridge in 2009, the falcons have moved to a different ledge each year. The ledge they used in 2012 is the same one used in 2005, 2006 and 2010. Four young were observed in the nest but were not banded. On 21 May, when the banding crew visited the site the nestlings were too active to approach safely without risking premature fledging. At least 3 of the 4 fledged in early June and were seen flying well for the rest of the month. Since the fledglings were not banded and often were not seen together, it could not 71501 9 be determined whether all 4 fledged, or only 3.

Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County.--This nest failed in 2012. The pair nested under the deck of the Market Street Bridge at the same inaccessible location they have used since 2003. Nesting appeared to be progressing normally until late April, but then the birds’ behavior suggested a nest failure followed by a re-nesting and second failure. There was no evidence of young.

Between 1999 and 2009, using 3 different bridges in Wilkes-Barre the territory was successfully. This marks the third year in a row that the nest failed, after 11 straight years of success. The “new” male bred successfully in 2009 his first year at the site. The female is the original. However, the female was 15 years old in 2012 and may no longer be fertile.

North Central (NC) Region Nests There were 4 nest sites in the NC Region: 2 on cliffs and 2 on bridges. Both cliff nests were abandoned in 2012: 1 was unoccupied for the third year in a row, and the other was unoccupied for the first time since it was discovered in 2003. The 2 bridge nests were successful. One of them was new in 2012, and may be a relocation of the pair from the cliff that was newly- abandoned in 2012.

McElhattan Bridge, McElhattan, Clinton County.--This nest has been successful every year since 2008 when the nest was discovered. The nest is on the top of a concrete pier under the deck of the bridge that carries State Route (SR) 1005 (McElhattan Drive) across the Susquehanna River West Branch between Woolrich and McElhattan in Clinton County, and is monitored by a group of local volunteers led by Wayne Laubscher. PennDOT District 2 again provided the use of a snooper crane to access the nest, and 5 young were banded on 25 May. Three of the young fledged, but the fate of the other two is unknown.

The nesting female was a 2005 nestling from the BB&T Building in downtown Richmond, Virginia (VA), hacked at a cliff on Hawksbill Mountain in Shenandoah National Park, VA (Tables 5 and 6). It is unknown if this female nested here in previous years.

Montgomery Cliff, Lycoming County.--This site was the first successful cliff nest in Pennsylvania in 45 years when 1 falcon fledged in 2003. Monitoring is done by Dan Brauning and local volunteers. Falcons nested at the cliff every year from 2003 to 2011, although not always successfully, but the site was abandoned in 2012: although falcons were observed at the cliff during the winter, none could be found after 20 March, despite much searching. The pair may have relocated to the Muncy Bridge, described below.

Muncy, Lycoming County, NEW 2012.--On 25 June, a PA Fish and Boat Commission staff member found a recently-fledged peregrine falcon on the PA Route 405 Bridge over the Susquehanna River West Branch. The young falcon appeared to be food-begging from an adult whose presence was betrayed only by the rain of feathers from the prey it was plucking. No other fledglings were seen or heard. Because of the youthful behavior of the fledgling, it is reasonable to surmise that the nest was on the bridge. No attempt was made to band the fledgling.

71501 10 The bridge is approximately 10 km NE of the abandoned Montgomery Cliff nest site. It is possible that the Montgomery Cliff pair relocated to the bridge, but this will probably remain speculation, it has been several years since any band information was available on the Montgomery Cliff adults.

Shikellamy Cliff, Union County.--Allen Schweinsberg and Cathy Haffner monitored this site but were unable to find any evidence of occupancy. The site was last occupied in 2009, and fledged a single falcon in 2008.

Southwest (SW) Region Nests Seven nest sites were occupied by peregrine falcons in the Southwest Region in 2012. Two were on buildings in Pittsburgh and the other 5 were on nearby bridges. Five of the 7 nests were successful, fledging a total of 12 young; the other 2 were active, but no success was documented. One site that was first occupied in 2010 was successful for the first time in 2012. PGC Regional personnel banded nestlings at 2 of the 5 successful nests, and a grounded fledgling was banded at another site.

Glenfield, I-79 Ohio River Bridge, Allegheny County, NEW 2012.-- crosses the Ohio River near Glenfield via 2 bridges: a low span that crosses from the southern riverbank near Coraopolis to Neville Island, and a longer, arched span that goes from Neville Island to Glenfield on the north bank. Peregrine falcons have been observed near the longer arched span sporadically since 2008, but monitoring was sparse and no evidence of nesting was documented. An adult peregrine was again seen near the bridge in mid-April, 2012, but no followup was done.

On 9 June, a local resident found a young bird floating in the river near the bridge and took it to a wildlife rehabilitator, where it was identified as a fledgling peregrine falcon. The falcon, a male, was found to be uninjured and in good health, and was released back near the bridge several days later after being banded by Regional personnel. During the release, a second fledgling was observed on the ground near the bridge, and flew away when approached. Following these observations, PGC Wildlife Diversity personnel searched the bridge from the ground on 2 occasions and found 2 adult falcons, one of which was banded (Table 5). The diagonal trusses supporting the floor beams are box beams with solid sides and open ends, and offer many possible nesting and hiding places that would be difficult to reach, even with a snooper crane. One of the adults was seen walking into and later emerging from one of these beams.

McKees Rocks Bridge, Allegheny County.--The McKees Rocks bridge crosses the Ohio River near the borough of McKees Rocks in Allegheny County, about 6 km northwest of Pittsburgh. The bridge was inspected by Regional personnel on 4 June with the aid of a snooper crane provided by PennDOT, and 1 nestling was found that was too old to approach for banding.

Monaca, East Rochester Bridge, Beaver County.--The nest at the East Rochester Bridge in Monaca, Beaver County, was monitored by a group of local enthusiasts led by Scott Gregg. Four nestlings were found in the nest and banded on 22 May, and all 4 fledged.

Pittsburgh, Gulf Tower, Allegheny County.--Until 2012, the Gulf Tower nest in 71501 11 downtown Pittsburgh was the longest continually-successful peregrine falcon nest in Pennsylvania: it was successful for 21 straight years, from 1991 to 2011, fledging 73 young falcons. That string was broken in 2012, the falcons relocated to another site due to disturbance at the Gulf Tower. Kate St. John and her network of local volunteers became alarmed in early March because the adult falcons were largely absent from the 37th-floor nest box. Instead, falcons were wailing at other downtown locations. Decorative lighting was installed on the roof of the Gulf Tower only a short distance above the nest box. In late March, a pair falcons was found nesting on a ledge at 322 Fourth Ave., about 0.6 km. from the Gulf Tower. The location of the ledge made observation difficult, and prevented access for banding. Although the adults were never identified, they were believed to be the Gulf Tower pair. Two nestlings and 2 unhatched eggs were observed on the nest ledge in late April, and 1 of the young later fledged. The fate of the second nestling is unknown.

In January 2013, building management confirmed all work on the roof was completed and no more was planned.

Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh’s Cathedral of Learning, Allegheny County.--The pair at the University of Pittsburgh’s Cathedral of Learning in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh nested again in the nest tray on the 40th floor. This pair was monitored by a crew of local enthusiasts led by Kate St. John. Four eggs were laid and 3 hatched. The three nestlings, all males, were banded by PGC personnel on 23 May and all 3 fledged during the first week of June. On 28 June, one of the fledglings was killed when it struck a window near the nest site (Table 4).

Tarentum Bridge, Allegheny and Westmoreland Counties.--The Tarentum Bridge carries Pennsylvania Route 366 across the Allegheny River between Tarentum, Allegheny County and New Kensington, Westmoreland County. This site was a new, but unsuccessful, nest site in 2010, but only a single falcon, the same female as 2010, was present during the 2011 nesting season. In 2012 a male joined the female and the pair was successful at this site. A large group of local enthusiasts documented the activities of the adults throughout the nesting season, and reported behaviors indicative of nesting. When the bridge was inspected by Regional personnel on 1 June, 1 nestling was found, but it was too old to approach for banding. Local observers confirmed that there were in fact 2 nestlings, a male and a female, when the two fledged on 10 and 11 June. The fledglings continued to be seen near the nest, flying well, until late July, to the delight of local enthusiasts.

Westinghouse Bridge, Allegheny County.--The George Westinghouse Memorial Bridge carries US Route 30 across Turtle Creek from East Pittsburgh to North Versailles in Allegheny County. Nesting was first documented in 2010, when 3 young were found and banded, but nesting is suspected to have taken place at least 3 years previously. Tim Johnson and John English monitored the falcons’ activities. Four eggs were found on 11 June, but the eggs were still unhatched when the bridge was inspected again on 5 July and 6 August. Two additional unhatched eggs were found, at 2 other locations, during the 5 July inspection by Wildlife Diversity personnel, but the layers of dust suggested they were from a previous season.

A new adult female, a 3-year-old from Ironton, Ohio (OH) was identified (Table 5).

71501 12 Northwest (NW) Region Nests Erie, Penelec Stack, Erie County.--The only post-DDT era nest in the NW Region, was on the smokestack of the former Penelec Power Plant near the shore of Lake Erie in 2011. However, that nest was unsuccessful. A pair of peregrine falcons was observed on occasion at the Penelec stack and vicinity during the winter of 2011-2012, but they were last seen before the beginning of the 2012 nesting season.

Other sites Peregrine falcons were observed with some regularity at a number of additional sites, but without confirmed evidence of nesting. In some cases the site is most likely used only for wintering or foraging; in other cases, the regularity or timing of the falcons’ presence suggests nesting may occur, either undetected at the present or in the future. All areas are being monitored by local volunteers and PGC personnel, and most have been thoroughly searched on one or more occasions. The following is a list of such sites:

Bath, Keystone Cement Quarry, Northampton County, SE Region; Delaware River Route 202 Bridge, north of New Hope, Bucks County, SE Region; Etna, 62nd Street Bridge, Allegheny County, SW Region. Nesting was confirmed at this location once in the past: eggs were laid in 2007 but were washed out in a storm. A nest box has subsequently been installed; Lancaster, downtown, Lancaster County, SE Region. Griest Building (8 North Queen Street), Marriott Hotel (25 South Queen Street) and vicinity; Norristown, Montgomery County, SE Region. Vicinity of Montgomery County Court House; Peach Bottom, Lancaster and York counties, SE Region. Vicinity of the Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station on the Susquehanna River in Peach Bottom Township, York County; Philadelphia, 2400 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia County, SE Region. Tall building overlooking the Schuylkill River, with nest box installed on the roof; Philadelphia, Temple Medical School, Philadelphia County, SE Region. Vicinity of 2400 North Broad Street; Pittsburgh, 40th St. Bridge; Rankin Bridge (George Rankin Jr. Memorial Bridge), Allegheny County, SW Region. Steel bridge crossing the Monongahela River from Braddock Ave. in Rankin to Kennywood Blvd. on the opposite bank; Raymondskill Cliff, Pike County, NE Region. Cliff overlooking the Delaware River, 2-3 km south of Milford; Scranton, Lackawanna County, NE Region. Downtown; Sewickley Bridge, Allegheny County, SW Region. Steel truss bridge carrying River Street (SR4025) across the Ohio River at Sewickley; Shippingport, Beaver County, SW Region. Three nearby sites: Bruce Mansfield coal-fired electric generating station, Shippingport Atomic Power Plant, and Montgomery Dam.

Productivity A total of 32 nest sites were occupied by peregrine falcons during 2012. Thirty of those pairs (94% of total) laid eggs; and 22 pairs (69%) were successful, producing a fledgling (Tables 1 and 2). Two nests were new in 2012, and both were successful; and a third nest was either new or was a relocation from a cliff to a nearby bridge. One long-established nesting pair relocated to 71501 13 a new site in downtown Pittsburgh and succeeded at the new site, and one nest was successful for the first time.

A total of 62 young fledged or 1.94 fledglings per pair (Tables 1 and 2). The distribution of nests and young produced by nest type (bridge, building, smokestack and cliff) is too small to allow statistical comparison of productivity by nest type (Table 3).

Young were lost as nestlings (5), pre-dispersal fledglings (4) and post-dispersal fledglings (0) and are discussed above. Losses are rarely detected and estimates are minimums; losses are expected at all stages without being detected.

Eighteen unhatched eggs were found at 9 nests in 2012 (Table 2), and collected for contaminant analysis (see below). Eggs suspected to be from previous seasons are not included in these totals. As with undetected losses of nestlings, it is most likely that there were additional unhatched eggs that went undetected because they were lost before the nest was visited for banding, or were never observed at failed nests that were not visited for banding.

Banding Forty-two nestlings were banded at 13 of the 22 productive nest sites (Table 4). Nestlings were not banded because the nest was inaccessible (4 nests), the nestlings were too old to approach safely when the nest was visited (4 nests), or the nest was not discovered until after fledging (2 nests), as described above.

Egg Contaminant Analysis Whenever possible, unhatched eggs found during the banding visit (i.e. 20-30 days after expected hatch) were collected, stored at -20C, and shipped to a collaborating laboratory for contaminant analysis. The analyses have not been completed.

Parental Birds Adults at Pennsylvania nests were identified wherever possible (Table 5). Almost half, 30 of the 64 territorial falcons, were identified by their bands. The remainder are split about equally between unbanded birds (11), birds where partial band information is known (10) and birds where no band information has been obtained (12). One bird arrived as an unbanded adult and was banded in its nesting territory.

There were 3 new nesting pairs in 2012, including 1 that may have been a relocation rather than a new pair (Table 2). Of the 6 adults, 2 were identified, partial information was obtained for 1, and no band information is available for the other 3 (Table 5).

There was little turnover of nesting adults in 2012. Of the 56 adults nesting at the 28 sites that were occupied in both 2011 and 2012, 77% appear to be the same birds that nested in 2011: 16 (29%) were identified by their bands, and another 27 (48%) are believed to be the same individuals, based on plumage and behavioral characteristics (e.g. favorite perches). Only 5 birds, 9% of the total nesting adults at previously-occupied nest sites, were confirmed to be new (Table 5).

71501 14 Interestingly, all of the new adults found this year at previously-occupied nest sites were female. As described above, new females were found nesting at the Allentown, Columbia, Martin’s Creek and Westinghouse nests. The adult female at the Scudder Falls Bridge nest was apparently killed by a predator during the nesting season; it is unknown whether she has been replaced yet. Additionally, the female at the Rachel Carson building disappeared when her nestlings were nearly grown, and was quickly replaced by a new female who bonded with the male (See nest site descriptions above, Tables 5 and 6). The new female may have been responsible for the previous female’s demise.

In addition, 5 nesting adults were identified for the first time in 2012 (Tables 5 and 6). The nesting females at the Manayunk, Brunner Island and McElhattan nests were identified for the first time in 2012, but were probably already established at those sites. Both adults nesting at the Bethlehem were identified; they were a 2-year-old male and a 3-year-old female, both from Pennsylvania nests. The age of the adults suggests that this was indeed a new nest, and not simply one that was newly discovered, in 2012.

The 18 adult females breeding in Pennsylvania with known origins fledged from nests in 10 U.S. states or Canadian provinces; 3 each from Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey and Virginia, and 1 each from New York, , Massachusetts, Vermont, Wisconsin and Ontario. In contrast, the 13 breeding males with known origins came from closer locations: 11 from Pennsylvania and one each from Ohio and Maryland (see Table 5). These findings are consistent with the pattern, observed in many avian species, that females disperse greater distances than males.

Band Encounters There were 16 encounters of birds banded in Pennsylvania, or banded elsewhere and identified in Pennsylvania, in 2012, 4 males and 12 females (Table 6).

One of the birds died of unknown causes, another was found injured, taken to a wildlife rehabilitator and euthanized. The remaining 14 encounters were of live birds. One bird was captured and released at a hawk-banding station, and 1 was an injured bird that was rehabilitated but is not releasable; it will become an education bird. Eight encounters, 7 females and 1 male were birds that were found nesting successfully, and 2 more (1 male and 1 female) were on territory, having replaced the resident nesting adult after the 2012 nesting season. The remaining 2 band encounters were of live birds that were not associated with a known nesting territory.

Five birds dispersing from Pennsylvania nests and were found in 2012; New Jersey (2 males), New York (1 female), Ohio (1 male) and Ontario (1 female). Birds encountered in Pennsylvania included 4 birds from Pennsylvania nests (1 male and 3 females), 2 females from New York, and 1 bird each (all females) from Ohio, New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts and Virginia (see Table 6).

Two birds were found only a short distance from their natal nest: a male from the PA-NJ Turnpike Delaware River Bridge in Bristol, PA was found dead 25 km away at the Betsy Ross Bridge in Pennsauken, NJ; and a male from the Ben Franklin Bridge in Philadelphia, PA was found on territory 15 km away in Paulsboro, NJ. In contrast, 5 of the 16 birds found were 300 or 71501 15 more km from their natal nests. The longest movement was 520 km, a female from the Reading, PA nest that was found at a hawk banding site in Port Stanley, Ontario, 3 months after fledging (Table 6).

Construction and Maintenance Activities at Nest Sites Since 28 of the 32 nests are on man-made structures, human activities are the most likely source of disturbance. Some human activity is routinely present and unavoidable (e.g. vibration and traffic noise on bridges); falcons have shown their acceptance of those activities by nesting at those sites. In other cases, specific projects or activities such as construction or maintenance present the possibility of disturbance. Such activities may harm both falcons and people. Harm to the falcons may include injury, nest failure or abandonment. Harm to people may include harassment or injury of workmen by aggressive falcons. PGC maintains a dialog with personnel at all sites used by falcons so that activities can be designed or scheduled to minimize human- avian conflicts.

Projects and activities posing the potential for conflicts, and actions being taken by PGC, include the following, several of which are discussed more fully in the narrative for that nest site.

Allentown, 8th Street Bridge rehabilitation.--This aging concrete bridge is scheduled for major rehabilitation work. PGC is in contact with PennDOT District 5 to coordinate the work to minimize disturbance of falcons and inconvenience to the project work. Preliminary assessments were completed. Rehabilitation work is scheduled to begin in 2013 at the earliest.

Girard Point Bridge repainting and maintenance.--A major repainting and maintenance project began in the fall of 2009 and was originally scheduled for completion in October 2012. Completion has been extended to June 20, 2013. The Pennsylvania Game Commission has negotiated with PennDOT to include protections for the falcons in the contract. The nest was successful in 2012, after contract provisions were adhered to.

Harrisburg, Rachel Carson State Office Building.--Re-roofing was postponed until after the peregrine falcon nesting season to avoid disturbing the falcons nesting directly below.

Pennsylvania-New Jersey Turnpike Delaware River Bridge.--There will be another work project on this bridge starting in 2013. In consultation with PGC, restrictions for the protection of the falcons, including a dedicated monitor to report to PGC were added to the contract.

Tarentum Bridge.--Re-paving of the bridge in 2013 was re-scheduled to avoid disturbance during the peregrine falcon nesting season.

Wade Bridge, I-81, Harrisburg.--The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation District 8 is coordinating this multi-year maintenance project with PGC to reduce disturbance to the peregrine falcons PennDOT placed a nest box on a pier of an exit ramp outside the area undergoing maintenance work. However, falcons were not observed at the bridge in 2011 or 2012, either at the nest box or elsewhere. Work will continue in 2013.

Other locations.--The Pennsylvania Game Commission provided coordination with 71501 16 various agencies regarding numerous other projects in 2012, including:

Clark’s Ferry Bridge, expansion joint replacement and various maintenance activities.

Columbia, Route 462 Bridge, lighting project.

Delaware River bridges (Benjamin Franklin, Walt Whitman and Commodore Barry), installation of monitoring equipment.

Philadelphia City Hall, demolition and reconstruction at Dilworth Plaza.

Reading, Court Street overlay project.

Scudder Falls Bridge, long-range planning for bridge replacement.

Walt Whitman Bridge, redecking.

Wilkes-Barre, bridge rehabilitation projects.

Outreach Web casts.--Video coverage of nesting activities continued at RCSOB and the University of Pittsburgh Cathedral of Learning (UPCL) and the Gulf Tower in Pittsburgh.

RCSOB.--The peregrine falcon nest site was monitored with live video Web streaming at the RCSOB in Harrisburg (DEP 2012). The Web site, with its Web cam, supporting information, email account, falcon story submission and related links, continues to be one of the most popular wildlife watching websites in the world.

Pittsburgh Nest Sites.--Web cameras at the nest sites at the University of Pittsburgh Cathedral of Learning and the Gulf Tower in Pittsburgh were again provided by the National Aviary (National Aviary 2012). The relocation of the Gulf Tower pair resulted in loss of live web coverage of this nest; the Gulf Tower website showed snapshots from previous years. The Cathedral nest allows the public to watch live video Web streaming of nesting activity.

Banding Events.--Groups were invited to attend banding events where logistically possible, most notably at Philadelphia City Hall, the RCSOB (see below) and the University of Pittsburgh Cathedral of Learning. These are popular events, drawing capacity crowds.

In 2012, 167 students and educators from area schools attended the banding of the nestlings at the RCSOB. The event was also broadcast live locally on TV and world-wide by Webcast.

The National Aviary partnered with the PGC to invite members of the public and the local media to attend the banding at the UPCL.

71501 17 Philadelphia city officials and members of the public attended the banding event at Philadelphia City Hall. The event was covered by local newspapers and featured on the TV evening news.

Teacher In-Service Workshop.--The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the PGC again partnered to facilitate a spring endangered species education teacher in-service workshop at the RCSOB. On 3 April, 28 Pennsylvania teachers and environmental educators were instructed on peregrine falcon reintroduction efforts, endangered species curriculum activities, and teaching techniques to address urban habitat.

Public Presentations.--Dan Brauning and Art McMorris presented talks on peregrine falcon biology and population dynamics and the Pennsylvania Peregrine Falcon Recovery and Management Plan to numerous public groups during the year.

Media Coverage.--Peregrine falcons continue to capture the public’s interest and are frequently featured in many media outlets throughout the year. The Pennsylvania Game Commission’s work with peregrine falcons is publicized on the Web via live webcasts, on the websites of numerous cooperating agencies (e.g. Aark Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center, Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission, The National Aviary, DEP, PPL Corporation, Red Creek Wildlife Center), and in blogs and online discussion groups that are too numerous to keep track of.

Peregrine falcon Web pages on the PGC website (PGC 2012) received over 2,000 hits between May 1 and December 30, 2012. The target audience is educators, school children and adults interested in wildlife and conservation.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission’s work with peregrine falcons also receives much attention in the print and broadcast media. A partial list of appearances during the 2012 calendar year follows.

Newspapers and Magazines: Allentown Morning Call Daily Local News (West Chester) Express-Times (Easton; 2 stories) Grid Magazine (2 stories) Lancaster Intelligencer-Journal Lancaster New Era Philadelphia Inquirer (2 stories) Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (3 stories) Reading Eagle Sunbury Daily Item Tribune-Review (Greensburg) Valley News Dispatch (Tarentum; 4 stories)

TV Stations: KDKA (CBS Channel 2, Pittsburgh) 71501 18 WPVI (ABC Channel 6, Philadelphia) WGAL

Radio Stations: WESA FM (Pittsburgh)

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Nest boxes or trays should be placed on any building or bridge where peregrine falcons are nesting and the nest site is judged to be insecure for nesting birds. Nestlings in bridge girders should be transferred to a suitable nest box or tray to increase prospects of fledging. Placing of nest boxes on man-made structures where falcons are not already nesting, in an attempt to attract birds there, is not recommended; it is preferable to let the birds seek out natural sites.

2. Maintenance and construction on bridges, buildings and other manmade structures supporting nesting peregrines must be coordinated with the PGC to assure minimized disturbance of nesting birds.

3. Nestlings should be banded when feasible.

4. Inspections of historic cliff and potential urban nest sites should be completed at regular intervals, in accordance with federal monitoring protocols.

LITERATURE CITED

Brauning, D. W., F. A. McMorris and P. M. Barber 2012. Management and Biology of the Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) in Pennsylvania. Ten Year Plan (2012-2021). Pennsylvania Game Commission. Harrisburg, USA.

Brauning, D. W., and J. D. Hassinger. 2001. Peregrine falcon recovery and management plan. Pennsylvania Game Commission. Harrisburg, USA.

Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). 2012. Peregrine Falcon Web page. www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/falcon. Accessed 4 February 2013.

McMorris, F. A., and D. W. Brauning. 2010. Peregrine Falcon Research/Management Annual Report. Pennsylvania Game Commission. Harrisburg, USA.

National Aviary. 2012. http://www.aviary.org/cons/falconcam_gt.php and http://www.aviary.org/cons/falconcam_cl.php. Accessed 12 September 2012.

Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC). 2012. Threatened and Endangered Species: Peregrine Falcon. http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=621014&mode=2. Accessed 4 February 2013. 71501 19 Table 1. Nesting results at occupied nests in Pennsylvania, 2012a. Known lostd Nest Unhatched Nest- Nest site Typeb Statusc Eggsd lings Banded Fledged e Nestlings Fledged Dispersed Allentown, 8th St. Bridge Br - SP 0 3 3 3 Ben Franklin Bridge Br + SP 0 4 4 4 Bethlehem New Bl - SP 4 0 4 Brunner Island PPL plant, York Co. Bl - SP 1 3 0 3 Clark’s Ferry Bridge Br - AP 1f 0 0f Columbia, Rte. 462 Bridge Br - AP 3 0 0 0 Br - AP 2 0 0 0 Delaware Water Gap Cl - AP ? 0 0 Exelon Eddystone Power Station Bl - TP ? 0 0 French Creek State Park Cl - AP 3 0 0 3 Girard Point Bridge Br + g SP 2 3 3 2 Glenfield, I-79 Bridge New Br- SP 2f 1 2f Harrisburg, RCSOB Bl + SP 2 2 2 2 Luzerne County cliff Cl - SP 3 0 3 Manayunk, St. John Church Bl - SP 2 2 2 2 Martin’s Creek PPL plant Sm + SP 0 4 4 4 1 McElhattan Bridge Br - SP 0 5 5 3f McKees Rocks Bridge Br - AP 1f 0 0f Monaca, E. Rochester Bridge Br - SP 0 4 4 4 Montour PPL Plant Sm + SP 3 0 3 Muncy New or relocation Br- SP 1f 0 1f PA/NJ Turnpike Bridge Br # SP 0 4 4 3 1 Philadelphia City Hall Bl + SP 0 4 4 4 1 Pittsburgh, downtown Relocation Bl - SP 2f 0 1f Pittsburgh, Pitt Cathedral Bl + SP 1 3 3 3 1 Pittson/Duryea: Campbell’s Ledge Cl - SP 4 0 3 Reading, downtown Bl - SP 1 3 3 3 Scudder Falls Bridge Br + AP 0 2 0 0 2 Tarentum Bridge First success Br- SP 2 0 2 Three Mile Island, Middletown Bl - SP 3 0 3 Westinghouse Bridge Br - AP 4 0 0 0 Wilkes-Barre, Market St. Bridge Br - TP 0 0 0 71501 20 Totals 18 75 42 62 5 4 0 32 occupied nests (Territorial Pairs); 30 Active; 22 Successful Table 1. cont. a Occupied Nests are nests that are occupied during the nesting season by pairs that are designated as Territorial, Active or Successful. See footnote c for definitions. b Bl = building, Br = bridge, Cl = cliff, Sm = smokestack. + = nest box or tray, # = other enhancement (e.g., gravel), - = no nest site enhancement. c Status shown is highest breeding evidence documented. SP = Successful Pair (produced fledged young or young of fledging age); AP = Active Pair (produced nestlings or eggs, or showed evidence of incubating); TP = Territorial Pair (pair defended territory during nesting season). All Successful Pairs were also Active, and all Active Pairs were also Territorial. d Observed numbers of unhatched eggs or of lost young; actual numbers may be higher. Where no number is shown, eggs or young may have been lost without being detected. Young known to be lost are further categorized as Nestlings (prior to fledging), Fledged (post-fledging but prior to dispersal from nest site) or Dispersed (young of the year after dispersal from nest site). e Number fledged or raised to fledging age. f Observed number of nestlings or fledglings. Actual number may be higher, but insufficient data was obtained. g Two nest boxes are present.

71501 21 Table 2. Number of young peregrine falcons produced in Pennsylvania by nest site, 2002-2012 a. Number of young produced per year b Locations 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Allentown TP 4 4 3 4 3 Ben Franklin Bridge AP S S ? 4 1 3 3 2 4 4 Bethlehem New 2012 4 Brunner Island PPL plant 2 2 3 Clark’s Ferry Bridge 3 4 AP Columbia Bridge AP AP AP 2 2 AP Commodore Barry Bridge ? ? ? [AP]c TP TP 2 1 3 AP AP Delaware Water Gap TP AP AP AP AP AP Erie, Penelec stack TP Etna, 62nd St. Bridge AP Exelon Eddystone Power Station AP TP French Creek State Park 3 AP Girard Point Bridge 4 3 3 1 4 3 2 4 2 AP 2 Glenfield I-79 Bridge New 2012 2 Harrisburg, Rachel Carson 4 4 3 3 5 4 4 5 2 1 2 Luzerne County cliff AP 2 3 2 3 3 Manayunk, St. John Church 2 2 Martin’s Creek PPL plant 2 3 3 4 3 2 4 4 McElhattan Bridge 2 4 4 4 3 McKees Rocks Bridge AP 3 2 AP AP Monaca, E. Rochester Bridge 2 4 3 AP 4 4 Montgomery Cliff 1 AP 1 1 AP 2 4 1 AP Montour PPL plant 1 4 3 2 1 3 Muncy New or relocation 2012 1 Norman Wood Bridge TP TP AP S PA/NJ Turnpike Bridge 2 3 4 2 3 3 4 4 3 3 3 Philadelphia: City Hall S S S 4 4 4 Wachovia Bldg. 2 Schuylkill Exp. 3 AP TP Pittsburgh, Gulf Tower 4 4 4 3 5 4 2 2 5 5 Downtown Relocation 2012 1 Pittsburgh, U. Pitt. Cathedral 4 4 4 3 3 4 3 4 5 4 3 Pittston/Duryea: Bridge 4 3 3 4 3 71501 22 Table 2. Cont. Number of young produced per year b Locations 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Campbell’s Ledge 2 3 2 3 1 3 Reading, downtown 1 3 4 3 2 3 Safe Harbor RR Bridge AP S Scudder Falls Bridge 1 3 3 2 AP Shikellamy cliff AP 1 AP Tarentum Bridge First success 2012 TP S 2 TMI, Middletown 1 3 2 3 3 2 2 1 2 3 3 Wade Bridge, I-81 Harrisburg AP Walt Whitman Bridge [3]c 4 3 [4]c [1]c [4]c 4d [2]c [3]c 3 [1]c Westinghouse Bridge S 3 3 AP Wilkes-Barre 4 2 2 3 2 3 4 4 AP AP TP

Summaries e Hacking summary -3 Number of Territorial Pairs f 9 11 11 11 13 21 23 25 30 32 32 Number of Active Pairs f 9 10 11 11 12 18 23 24 28 31 30 Percent of pairs active f 100 91 100 100 92 86 100 96 93 97 94 Number of Successful Pairs f 8 10 9 11 11 13 21 21 23 23 22 Percent of pairs successful f 89 91 82 100 85 62 91 84 79 72 69 Young produced b 27 31 29 26 36 35 60 68 61 68 62 Productivity: Young/Territorial Pair g 3.00 2.82 2.64 2.36 2.77 1.67 2.61 2.72 2.10 2.13 1.94 Productivity: Young/Active Pair g 3.00 3.10 2.64 2.36 3.00 1.94 2.61 2.83 2.18 2.19 2.07 Nestlings known lost h 2 0 1 5 1 2 3 2 5 Known fledgling mortality, pre-dispersal 2 1 2 4 1 3 5 6 7 5 4 Known fledgling mortality, post-dispersal 1 3 1 0 2 3 0 3 0 0 0 mortality a Includes nesting pairs on Delaware River bridges that occasionally move nest site to the New Jersey side. When nesting occurs on the NJ side of the state line, data are placed in square brackets and noted with footnote “c”. NJ data are not included in the summaries at the bottom of the table. b “Young produced” is defined as the number of young that fledged or reached fledging age. Where no young were produced, AP = Active Pair (pair produced nestlings or eggs, or showed evidence of incubating); TP = Territorial Pair (pair present defending territory during nesting season, but no evidence of eggs or young). All Active Pairs were also Territorial. "S" represents a single adult bird observed through the breeding season, and a “?” reflects uncertainty of activity. c Nest was on the New Jersey side of the bridge. Results are not included in the Pennsylvania totals. 71501 23 Table 2. Cont. d Three of the 4 young were transferred to West Virginia cliff hacking site by PGC. e Summaries exclude data from nests on the NJ side of the state line. f Successful pairs are defined as those that fledged young or raised young to fledging age. See footnote b for definitions of Active Pairs and Territorial Pairs. All Successful Pairs were also active, and all Active Pairs were also territorial. g Productivity is defined as the mean number of young produced per Territorial or Active Pair, as indicated. h Data for nestlings known lost begin in 2007.

Table 3. Number of nests and young peregrine falcons produced in Pennsylvania by nest type, 2012. Nest type Occupied nests Successful nests Fledglings Man-made structures: Bridge 16 9 24 Building 10 9 25 Smokestack 2 2 7 (Total man-made) (28) (20) (56) Natural sites: Cliff 4 2 6

Totals 32 22 62

71501 24 Table 4. Listing of peregrine falcon band numbers used in Pennsylvania, 2012: Nestlings banded at nest. Banding USFWS Color Wght County Location Date Sex Band Band a g. Tape b Allegheny Glenfield, I-79 Bridge 13 June M 2206-79738 69/AC -

Allegheny U. Pitt. Cathedral 23 May Mc 2206-79729 66/AC 690 blue M 2206-79730 67/AC 660 yellow M 2206-79731 68/AC 660 red

Beaver Monaca bridge 22 May M 2206-79726 63/AC 520 red M 2206-79727 64/AC 720 blue M 2206-79728 65/AC 620 yellow F 1687-00527 04/AR 920 none

Berks Reading, downtown 25 May Md 2206-79775 49/AP 650 red M 2206-79776 50/AP 675 white Fe 1687-00587 66/AR 970 blue

Bucks PA/NJ Turnpike Brdg. 4 May M 2206-79760 41/AP 420 blue F 1687-00577 56/AR 610 red Ff 1687-00578 57/ARg 560 yellow Unch 1687-00579 58/AR 360 white

Clinton McElhattan Bridge 25 May M 2206-79779 01/AP 680 - F 1687-00592 15/AR 940 - F 1687-00593 16/AR 1020 - F 1687-00594 17/AR 1040 - F 1687-00595 18/AR 920 -

Dauphin Harrisburg, RCSOB 9 May M 2206-79768 42/AP 560 red M 2206-79769 43/AP 590 blue

Lehigh Allentown, 8th St. br. 25 May Unc 1687-00584 63/AR 620 red Unc 1687-00585 64/AR 650 white Unc 1687-00586 65/AR 610 blue

Northampton Martin’s Creek PPL 14 June Mi 1156-12513 65/AP 660 blue F 1947-07012 77/AR 940 red F 1947-07013 78/AR >1000 white F 1947-07014 79/AR 980 yellow

Philadelphia Girard Point Bridge 18 May M 2206-79770 44/AP 675 blue F 1687-00582 61/AR 865 red F 1687-00583 62/AR 900 white

71501 25 Table 4. Cont.

Bandin USFWS Color Wght Tape County Location g Date Sex Band Band a g. b Philadelphia Ben Franklin Bridge 30 May M 2206-79777 51/AP 700 red M 2206-79778 52/AP 730 white M 1156-12511 63/AP 730 blue M 1156-12512 64/AP 755 yellow

Philadelphia Manayunk, St. John Ch 17 May M 1687-00580 59/AR 700 red F 1687-00581 60/AR 890 yellow

Philadelphia Philadelphia City Hall 23 May M 2206-79771 45/AP 665 red Mj 2206-79772 46/AP 675 white M 2206-79773 47/AP 680 yellow M 2206-79774 48/AP 690 blue a All color bands are Black/Green. “*” indicates that characters are in a horizontal position, top to left. b Color of marker tape placed on USFWS band. “-“ indicates no tape was used. c Found dead near nest 28 June 2012: window strike. d Found dead at Philadelphia International Airport 28 August 2012: hit by plane. e Observed on north shore of Lake Erie, Ontario, Canada, 13 Sept. 2012: alive, captured and released. f Died 27 December 2012 while undergoing rehabilitation from injuries sustained 15 June. g Alphanumeric color band removed 17 June 2012 to allow splinting of fractured tarsus. h Unc = sex uncertain. i Found dead near nest 11 October 2012. j Found dead near nest 18 June 2012.

71501 26 Table 5. Identities of adult peregrine falcons at occupied nests, 2012. Aux. Band a,b Banding USFWS (hatch) Age at Nest Site Parent Band a Number Color datec Banding Banding Site Allentown, 8th St. Bridge M none none  2005 F d,f present ? Bl/Gr  2010 Ben Franklin Bridge M d none none  2004 F d 1807-62116 25/E Bl/Gr 6/26/2003 e Nestling LTV Steel Bldg, Cleveland, OH Bethlehem M d,f 2206-80689 28/S Bl/Gr 5/7/2010 Nestling PA-NJ Turnpike Bridge, Bristol, PA F d,f 1687-10883 51/AE Bl/Gr 5/27/2009 Nestling RCSOB, Harrisburg, PA Brunner Island PPL Plant M present present Bl/Gr F d 1687-00509 84/Y Bl/Gr 5/28/2008 Nestling US11 Bridge, Pittston, PA Clark’s Ferry Bridge M present present Bl/Gr F d present present Bl/Gr Southmarsh I. WMA, MD; hacked at Columbia, Rte. 462 Bridge M d 816-69321 *1/*3 Bl/Gr 5/27/2004 Nestling Harper’s Ferry, MD F d,f present present Bl/Gr  2010 Commodore Barry Bridge M ? ? F 1807-02711 04/V Bl/Gr 6/13/2005 Nestling Mockhorn Island, VA Delaware Water Gap M ? ? F ? ? Exelon Eddystone Power Sta. M present? present? F ? ? French Creek State Park M present present Bl/Gr F none none Girard Point Bridge M d present none 2004 Philadelphia or Bristol PA? g F d 1807-37492 *K/*V Bl/Rd 5/22/2003 Nestling Ocean Gate, NJ Glenfield, I-79 Bridge M d ? ? F d present present Bl/Rd Harrisburg, RCSOB M d 2206-24690 *W/*V Bl/Rd 5/19/2003 Nestling Walt Whitman Bridge, Phila., PA F d,f none none  2009

71501 27 Table 5. cont. Banding Aux. Band a,b USFWS (hatch) Age at Nest Site Parent Band a Number Color datec Banding Banding Site Luzerne County cliff M 2206-80632 3/Z Bl/Gr 6/15/2006 Nestling Martin’s Creek PPL plant, PA F d ? present ? Manayunk, St. John Church M ? ? F d 1687-02809 Y/44 Bl/Gr 5/30/2008 Nestling Union Co. Courthouse, Elizabeth, NJ Martin’s Creek PPL plant M d none none  2003 F d,f 1807-76470 23/Z Bl/Gr 5/27/2009 Nestling DuBois Lib., U. Mass., Amherst, MA McElhattan Bridge M ? ?  2006 BB&T Building, Richmond, VA; hacked F d 0987-51296 8/W Bl/Gr 5/19/2005 Nestling 6/3 at Hawksbill Mt., Shenandoah NP,VA McKees Rocks Bridge M 2206-35777 V/H Bl/Gr 6/28/1999 Nestling Terminal Tower, Cleveland, OH F none none  2006 Monaca, E. Rochester Br. M d none none  2005 F d 1687-10824 75/Y Bl/Gr 5/24/2006 Nestling RCSOB, Harrisburg, PA Montour PPL plant M 2206-80627 64/X Bl/Gr 5/25/2006 Nestling Campbell’s Ledge, PA F none none  2005 Muncy M ? ? F ? ? PA/NJ Turnpike Bridge M d 2206-24692 *4/*R Bl/Gr 5/19/2003 Nestling Girard Point bridge, Philadelphia, PA F d 1807-63442 *S/2 Bl/Rd 5/30/2002 Nestling Castleton-on-Hudson, NY Philadelphia, City Hall M d 2206-80665 40/AC Bl/Gr 4/17/2009 Adult Comcast Center, Philadelphia, PA F d 987-95673 60/Y Bl/Gr 6/13/2006 Nestling Tuckahoe River tower, NJ Pittsburgh, downtown M 2206-24689 *4/*E Bl/Gr 6/11/2002 Nestling Pitt. Cathedral, Pittsburgh, PA F 1687-01853 M/93 Bl/Gr 5/24/07 Nestling Landmark Building, Akron, OH Pittsburgh, U. Pbgh. Cathedral M d 2206-80608 *5/*4 Bl/Gr 5/17/2005 Nestling Gulf Tower, Pittsburgh, PA F d 1807-77607 5/*A Bl/Gr 6/15/1999e Nestling Firstar Bldg., Milwaukee, WI Pittston: Campbell’s Ledge M d 2206-24673 *X/L Bl/Rd 6/02/2000 Nestling Wilkes-Barre, PA F d 1687-17684 V/21 Bl/Gr 6/7/2007 Nestling West Rock cliff, Hamden, CT Reading, downtown M d 2206-80617 3/T Bl/Gr 5/26/2005 Nestling RCSOB, Harrisburg, PA F d none none  2005 71501 28 Table 5. cont. Banding Aux. Band a,b USFWS (hatch) Age at Nest Site Parent Band a Number Color datec Banding Banding Site Scudder Falls Bridge M d 2206-80618 3/U Bl/Gr 5/31/2005 Nestling Schuylkill Expy. br., Philadelphia, PA F 1807-99741 32/W Black 6/2/2006 Nestling Sheraton Hotel, Hamilton, Ontario Tarentum Bridge M ? ? Benjamin Harrison Bridge, Hopewell, F d 1807-02774 69/Z Bl/Gr 5/22/08 Nestling VA; hacked in Shenandoah NP, VA Three Mile Island, Middletown M none none F ? ? Westinghouse Bridge M ? ? F d,f 1687-30246 68/H Bl/Gr 5/22/2009 Nestling Ironton-Russel Bridge, Ironton, OH Wilkes-Barre, Market St. Br. M d none none 2008 F d 0987-63774 8/Y Bl/Rd 5/28/1997 Nestling Fairlee Palisades Cliff, VT a Present = band present but band number unknown; none = no band present; ? = not known whether a band is present. b Characters marked with an “*” are in a horizontal position, top to left. c Full date indicates banding date. When only the year is shown and no band numbers are known, it is the hatch year, based on plumage when first observed.  : on or before the year indicated. d Band information reconfirmed 2012. e Fledge date. f New nesting adult 2012. g Possibly from Walt Whitman bridge (Philadelphia, PA), Girard Point bridge (Philadelphia, PA) or PA/NJ Turnpike connector bridge (Bristol, PA). Birds banded at those nests in 2004 (this bird’s hatch year), received USFWS band but no auxiliary band.

71501 29 Table 6. Post dispersal peregrine falcons identified in 2012. Banding USFWS Aux. Band Encounter Banding Site Date Band Number Color Sex Date Encounter Site Status Nested successfully at Girard Point Bridge, NY Presbyterian Met Life Bldg, NY, NY, 5/19/2003 1807-44183 *H/*3 Bl/Gr F 10/25/2012 Philadelphia, PA Hosp., NY, NY 2008&2010; and at NY Presby Hosp., 2011&2012 BB&T Bldg, Richmond, McElhattan Bridge, VA; hacked at Hawksbill 5/19/2005 0987-51296 8/W Bl/Gr F 1/28/2012 Nesting successfully PA Mt., Shenandoah NP, VA PA-NJ Turnpike Del. Betsy Ross Bridge, Found dead, cause 5/24/2005 2206-80614 3/P Bl/Gr M 3/1/2012 River Bridge, Bristol, PA Pennsauken, NJ unknown US11 Bridge, Pittston, Brunner Island, York 5/28/2008 1687-00509 84/Y Bl/Gr F 6/15/2012 Nesting successfully PA Haven, PAa Union County Court Manayunk, St. John 5/30/2008 1687-02809 Y/44 Bl/Gr F 6/21/2012 Nesting successfully House, Elizabeth, NJ Church, Phila., PA PA-NJ Turnpike Del. RCSOB, Harrisburg, On territory: replaced 5/21/2009 1687-10880 48/AE Bl/Gr F 6/7/2012 River Bridge, Bristol, PA PA nesting female Westinghouse Ironton-Russell Bridge, 5/22/2009 1687-30246 68/H Bl/Rd F 6/11/2012 Bridge, Pittsburgh, Nesting successfully Ironton, OH PA RCSOB, Harrisburg, PA 5/27/2009 1687-10883 51/AE Bl/Gr F 7/12/2012 Bethlehem, PA Nesting successfully DuBois Library, U.Mass, 5/27/2009 1807-76470 23/Z Bl/Gr F 5/3/2012 Martin’s Creek, PA Nesting successfully Amherst, MA Times Sq., Rochester,NY 2010 1687-01353 96/W Bl/Gr F 1/20/2012 Monessen, PA Injured; euthanized PA-NJ Turnpike Del. 5/7/2010 2206-80689 28/S Bl/Gr M 7/12/2012 Bethlehem, PA Nesting successfully River Bridge, Bristol, PA Range Lighthouse, SE of 5/3/2011 1907-03525 79/AD Bl/Gr F 1/4/2012 S. of Harrisburg, PA Alive, free (sight record) Baltimore, MD U. Pitt. Cathedral, 5/19/2011 2206-80668 00/AR Bl/Gr M 4/30/2012 Shaker Heights, OH Alive, free (sight record) Pittsburgh, PA Ben Franklin Bridge, On territory; replaced 5/31/2011 2206-79755 36/AP Bl/Gr M 11/16/2012 Paulsboro, NJ Philadelphia, PA nesting male 71501 30 Table 6. cont. Banding USFWS Aux. Band Se Encounter Banding Site Date Band Number Color x Date Encounter Site Status Central Terminal, In captivity (injured, 6/2/2011 1947-03244 48/AD Bl/Gr F 3/12/2012 Northampton, PA Buffalo, NY rehabbed; not releasable) Hawk Cliff, Port Alive, free (captured and Downtown Reading, PA 5/25/2012 1687-00587 66/AR Bl/Gr F 9/13/2012 Stanley, ON, Canada released) (N. Shore Lake Erie) a Second encounter. First encountered in downtown York, PA, winter of 2009-2010 (McMorris and Brauning 2010).

71501 31

Figure 1. Locations of peregrine falcon nests in Pennsylvania, 2012.

Peregrine Falcon nests in Pennsylvania, 1985-

Cliffs 2012 35 Smokestacks Buildings 30 Bridges 25 20 15 10 5

0

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 1985 Figure 2. Number of occupied Peregrine Falcon nests in Pennsylvania, 1985-2012.