February 1, 2010 - QUINTE CONSERVATION SPECIES AT RISK OF THE MONTH: PEREGRINE FALCON
Quinte Conservation is using the Internet to get the word out on species at risk in our area. Each month the Quinte Conservation website will feature a different species at risk. February's featured species is the Peregrine Falcon. These birds of prey are slate blue-gray on top with long tapered wings and a tapered tail.
A Species at Risk is defined by the Ministry of Natural Resources is any naturally-occurring plant or animal in danger of extinction or of disappearing from the province. Stewardship Coordinator Alana Bancroft says, "Species can become at risk due to habitat loss, pollution, changing land use activities, as well as the spread of invasive species." She adds, "Pesticide use has been a big problem for the Peregrine Falcon, they almost completely disappeared from the province in the 1960s."
Between 1977 and 1996 600 captive-raised young were released in Ontario. This has helped increase their populations. Bans on DDT in North America have helped the Peregrine Falcon to recover. However, these birds migrate to parts of Central and South America where the laws on pesticide use are not as strict, and so they continue to pick up pesticide residue.
Bancroft says the purpose of the new Species at Risk Awareness Program is to let the public know about the special and unique wildlife species that are vulnerable in our local area. She adds "Understanding species at risk in our watersheds allows us to assess the direction of our efforts in order to improve our management practices for healthy and diverse ecosystems."
Quinte Conservation is a community based environmental protection agency that serves 18 municipalities in the watersheds of the Moira, Napanee and Salmon Rivers and Prince Edward County. It provides cost effective environmental expertise and leadership that develops and delivers programs to ensure the healthy coexistence between the community, the environment and its economy.
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