The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today released a proposed monitoring plan for the American peregrine falcon. The peregrine falcon was removed from Federal Endangered Species Act (Act) protection on August 25, 1999, because of its successful recovery. Once delisted, the Act requires that species be monitored for a minimum of 5 years.
The proposed monitoring plan recommends that approximately 20 percent of the known breeding population be monitored once every 3 years for at least 5 generations. American peregrine falcons mature at about 3 years of age, therefore the monitoring plan proposes to conduct five surveys, once every three years, to detect changes in the population.
"This monitoring program for the peregrine falcon is similar to an annual check-up. We want to make sure that our patients, once released from the intensive care provided by the Endangered Species Act, remain healthy and vital," said Marshall Jones, Acting Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Monitoring for a wide-ranging species such as the peregrine falcon will be a complex undertaking. The proposed plan designates five geographical regions within the United States for surveys. Each territory would be visited twice, once during late courtship, egg laying, or incubation, and once late in the nesting season. The intent of the first visit would be to verify the presence of a nesting pair; the second visit would be to determine the presence or absence of young.
"We hope that the state wildlife agencies, other federal partners, universities, private ornithological groups, and falcon enthusiasts who played a critical role in the recovery of the peregrine will continue their involvement through the monitoring program," said Jones. "The Service will need the help of its partners and the public in monitoring not only the peregrine falcon but also other sensitive species."
Monitoring would include the collection of information on population trends and nesting success. At the end of each monitoring period the Service will review all available information to determine if the status of the peregrine continues to improve. Should any decline be detected, the Service will work closely with the States and other involved partners to determine what measures need to be implemented to reverse the decline. Although not anticipated, if at anytime during the monitoring program information indicates that protective status under the Act should be reinstated, the Service can initiate listing procedures including, if appropriate, an emergency listing.
The notice of availability for the Service
