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Assateague Island Peregrine Falcon Survey 2003 Report |
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RECOMMENDATIONS The
tundra peregrine has made a significant recovery and has been removed
from the list of endangered species, yet continued monitoring of populations
is imperative. Because of this survey's long-term continuity and standard
method for data collection it has become an essential tool in that effort.
During the past 34 autumn migrations we have logged more than 17,000 hours
in the field, observing over 15,000 peregrines and capturing almost 4,400
individuals. It is important that this database be perpetuated without
changes in protocol that will unnecessarily compromise its value. As outlined
above, our work with satellite-received telemetry will allow for continued
research to elucidate the hitherto undescribed aspects of the tundra peregrine’s
wintering biology and continental migration and to identify critical habitats.
Given available technologies, Assateague remains the ideal laboratory
in which to study and address certain present and future issues of concern
to peregrines and other Neotropical migrants. In ACKNOWLEDGMENTS We gratefully acknowledge the support of Jim Weaver and the Grasslans Charitable Foundation, the North American Falconers Association, Bob and Carol Berry and the Archie W. and Grace Berry Foundation, Dr. Robert Whitney, Michael and Steffi Colopy, and Dr. William Cole. We wish to also recognize the U.S. Army Soldier Biological and Chemical Command for its support throughout the years. Our thanks are also due to Mike Hill, Carl Zimmerman, Jack Kumer, and Gretchen Knapp of the Assateague Island National Seashore. John Schroer and Tom Roster of the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and Michael Riley of the Assateague State Park have also been instrumental in the continued success of this work. All these stewards of the resource have been long time advocates of our program. Special thanks go to Blake Henke and Jack Cibor of Earthspan, and to Dr. Mark Fuller of USGS-FRESC for their tireless efforts, friendship and support. We are also grateful for the support of Boise State University’s Raptor Research Center. We also wish to thank those who assisted us in the field for long hours and in other significant ways. In addition to some of the above individuals, we are indebted to Jenny Somers, Lou Woyce, Janis, Tom and James Seegar, Karen Yates, Billie Dayton, Donna and Sandy Leonard, Morgan Hill, Pete and Vicki Moore, Cleve and Rosemary Breedlove, John and Estrid Harrell, Marcel Gahbauer, Doug Levin, Kevin Taylor, Pat Bodley, Geoff and Katie Nye, Nancy West, Bill Lent, April Hooper, Ashley Jackson, Twig Pittenger, Scott and Kat Edwards, Debbie Easterling, Megan Willers, Morgan McCook, Amelie Fisher, Chris Parker, John Chaketti, Stephanie, Brooks, and Wyatt Henke, Mike Fitz, Jim Seegar, and Tom Maechtle. |
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addition,
the new race of eastern peregrines introduced from captive stocks is encountered
routinely on the island. Our continued observations on this race and its
interactions with migrating tundra peregrines should be an invaluable
asset when future management decisions are considered. Accordingly, this
research effort is projected to continue into the foreseeable future.