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Current Status:

Rangewide threats to the species include human disturbance of nesting sites, habitat modification, and occasional incidence of poor productivity due to high levels of DDE (a breakdown product of the pesticide DDT) in eggshells.

Achievements:

Pennsylvania currently has seven nesting pairs of peregrines, with all nests located on either buildings or bridges. Reproductive success appears to be improving gradually; an average of 1.5 young per active nest is higher than past rates of less than 1.0 young per nest. Most young were banded in 1992 using a new color scheme developed to track the reestablished population.

Current Recovery Needs:

Necessary recovery actions include continued surveys for new eyries, habitat protection, contaminant analysis, and public outreach.

Section 6 Funding and Activities:

In both FY 1991 and FY 1992, the Pennsylvania Game Commission received $3,000 for population monitoring, nest manipulation (FY 1992 only), eyrie searches, and banding.

Partnerships

Pennsylvania Game Commission: During 1992, the Commission worked with a peregrine pair that had a history of losing young to trichomoniasis, a disease carried by pigeons that can be fatal to young peregrines. The pair was double clutched. Four eggs were artificially incubated from the first clutch, three hatched, and two were successfully hacked. From the second clutch, two young fledged from the eyrie.

Recovery Plan Status:

Original plan approved 8/20/79; revised 9/27/91.