Author: Peter Petainen

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Back to the nest: Falcons return to the International Bridge

  • Post category:Peregrine

Fast facts:

  • Another pair of the endangered falcons successfully nested on the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge, where the birds have been returning for years, hatching four chicks. 
  • A pair of peregrine falcons has returned to nest on the Portage Lake Lift Bridge again this year, successfully hatching three chicks.
  • The DNR recently installed an upgraded nesting box at the Portage Lake Lift Bridge, built by area students.
  • A video news release on falcons and falcon banding at the International Bridge and Portage Lake Lift Bridge are online at https://youtu.be/4DQp0kU4ph4

Another pair of peregrine falcons successfully nested on the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge, hatching four chicks this year.

During banding operations last month, a member of a Michigan DNR team holds one of the four peregrine falcons chicks that successfully hatched at the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge. (IBA photo by Liz Stewart)
During banding operations last month, a member of a Michigan DNR team holds one of the four peregrine falcons chicks that successfully hatched at the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge. (IBA photo by Liz Stewart)

“This site has hatched 24 falcon chicks since 2010, when we put in the nest box and started counting,” said International Bridge Engineer Karl Hansen, “There were more before that but we don’t know the number.” Hansen said a falcon cam for the International Bridge is also planned.

Peregrine falcons have also returned to the Portage Lake Lift Bridge between Houghton and Hancock again this year – the same nesting spot, but this year with a choice between new and familiar nests.

The chicks at the International Bridge were banded by a DNR team on June 19, while the Lift Bridge birds were banded on June 23. They were also named. (more…)

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