Peregrine Falcons return to South Dakota

Dakota Digest - 06/21/2011

By Jim Kent
Seeing eagles, hawks and even the occasional osprey soaring across South Dakota skies has become fairly common. But a different type of raptor is being returned to the state of Great Faces, Great Places.

In the first of a two part Dakota Digest, we visit a Rapid City rooftop where the re-introduction of peregrine falcons may add "Great Raptors" to South Dakota's slogan.

As 40,000 people attended an air show at nearby Ellsworth Air Force Base, I observed preparations for another form of aerial ballet that begins atop the Assurant building in downtown Rapid City.

"First four birds are going to be assessed for release," explains Janie Fink. "Now we're not sure if little SoDak and Rush's feathers are developed enough for release."

Speaking above the noise of a generator in the rooftop maintenance room, wildlife biologist Janie Fink reviews what's required before peregrine falcons can be released to the skies above Rapid.

"We'll weigh the birds, we'll paint their wings, I'll take them out and get them into the blind," offers Fink.

Assisting Janie are interns Blake Schioberg and Ashley Hrabe. Both are ready for the challenge of being up-close-and-personal with four large birds of prey. The peregrines, just 5 weeks old, have never flown before.

The falcons release in South Dakota are under the guidance of the state's Game, Fish and Parks wildlife division. Once a common resident, peregrines are an endangered species in the state. Their numbers plummeted as a result of DDT pesticide usage. The last time a pair of peregrines nested in South Dakota was in the 1920s. Janie starts the falcon examination process with Weaver, the largest female.

"Just checking for feather development," explains Fink, lifting the bird's wing. "Feathers completely down...so, Weaver gets her flight papers today. Can't handle her anymore...she's a very vigorous bird."

Weaver and her siblings - Calamity Jane, Rush and SoDak, - are each carefully checked for flight capability before being returned to the blind they occupy on the roof.

Calamity Jane isn't happy about the process, and begins squawking. Jane and Blake try to clam her down.

Rush also voices objections when it's his turn.

During the weighing and painting process, Blake gets a souvenir from Calamity Jane.

"She bit me through my gloves," says Blake. "Not bad. No blood yet, so we know that's not a bad bite."

Ashley says she's doing well and enjoying the new experience.

There's one more new experience around the bend as SoDak, the last of the peregrines to be weighed, gets loose inside the maintenance room. Janie calls for a net and gently regains control of SoDak, who has just flown around the room. The biologist's prediction now is that the feisty male will be the first to spread his wings over Rapid City.

Janie sets out water and 2 dozen frozen quail for the falcons. It's hoped that once released, the birds will consider the Assurant roof their home until they migrate in the Fall. They should, since they've spent the last week here getting imprinted to the area. Though the falcons may travel as far away as South America before returning in 2 years, they'll need help with their meals now while they learn to hunt. Bugs are first on their menu, then bats and small songbirds and, finally, larger prey such as pigeons. Another concern is mortality rates.

"We have mortality factors from mirrored glass windows that reflect the sky back perfectly," Janie explains. "We have mortalities from electrocution. Unfortunately, power poles are attractive perches to young birds. And, thirdly, they'll fall into traffic and possibly get injured with car collision."

Because mortality rates are so high, it takes about 20 released falcons to establish one nesting pair in an urban area. Fifteen more peregrines are set to arrive shortly to join these first four in the skies over Rapid.

But Janie Fink says it'll be a while before a falcon leaves the roof, so I'm breaking for lunch.

On tomorrow's Dakota Digest, we learn which peregrine falcon flies first and go in search of a missing raptor.

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