Research Accomplishment Reports 2007

Restoration of the American Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus anatum) to Cliff Habitats in Kentucky

M.J. Lacki
Department of Forestry

 

Project Description

Severe declines in populations of peregrine falcons occurred between the 1930s and late-1940s throughout North America, due to habitat loss and mortality and reproductive failure from exposure to chlorinated pesticides. Populations of peregrine falcons in Kentucky largely disappeared, with the last confirmed nesting site in Kentucky reported in 1939. Listed as federally endangered in 1975, recovery efforts for the peregrine falcon across North America have met with success, and increasing population numbers have led to the species being de-listed in 1994. Regardless, population numbers of peregrine falcons in southeastern U.S. remain below recovery team goals, with limited effort spent to restore these birds in their natal cliff habitats, especially along cliffs in forests of eastern Kentucky where falcons were once common. This project filled the above void by hacking (i.e., careful release of young raptors hatched and brooded in captivity) young falcons over a period of three years along cliffs in Daniel Boone national forest in eastern Kentucky. In the process of attempting to establish populations of falcons in eastern Kentucky forests, this project also evaluated the hacking process by examining how choice of release site, surrounding landscape configuration, and release methods affected fledging success of young falcons. Included in this analysis was a comparison of cliff habitats in Kentucky with those in North Carolina where falcons have shown signs of recovery.

This project has led to one dissertation, one master's thesis, and eight peer-reviewed papers (there is a final manuscript still in review) addressing biology, management and/or habitat requirements of peregrine falcons. Articles covering the project and its success have appeared in the Lexington and Louisville newspapers, and magazines published by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and the College of Agriculture at the University of Kentucky. The project has also appeared in TV segments produced by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources broadcast statewide by KET and their affiliates. Lastly, five presentations have been given by graduate students on the project at regional and national meetings of the Wildlife Society.

Impact

The outcomes from this project are numerous. Kentucky now supports eight known mated pairs of peregrine falcons, of which five have successfully reared young. Additionally, several males have established territories in other localities across the state, including downtown Lexington and along cliffs on the Daniel Boone National Forest. Three other peregrine falcons hacked in Kentucky have formed mated pairs in other states. The species is now considered to have successfully recovered in Kentucky, contributing to population goals established by the recovery team for falcons in both the Midwest and Southeast regions of the U.S.

This project included an evaluation of hacking protocols typically used with release of peregrine falcons, with an emphasis on dispersal success of birds released at cliffs in forested landscapes. Results confirmed differences between the sexes in fledging success rate associated with age at release. Males were more successful when released at a younger age, whereas females were more successful when released older in age (ca. 47 days old). Fledging success of males was negatively affected by peregrine falcons occupying territories in the vicinity of the hack site; females were unaffected by territorial birds. Characterization of 32 potential release sites of peregrine falcons in forests supporting cliff habitats, demonstrated that selection of a release site represents a trade off between prey abundance and vulnerability to predators. Release sites that supported higher levels of prey, primarily slow flying birds such as doves, grackles, starlings and woodpeckers, also supported higher levels of great horned owls, the primary predator of young falcons in Southeastern forests. Data also demonstrated that young falcons preferentially used perch trees that afforded good visibility and unobstructed flight paths, permitting birds to respond rapidly to stimuli. Thus, cliffs possessing these habitat attributes likely will enhance success of young peregrine falcons released into the wild. Aerial tracking of 33 young falcons post-dispersal demonstrated the importance of corridors in enhancing dispersal in peregrine falcons. Falcons released in landscapes comprised of intact forest traveled longer flight distances, covered a larger flight area, and dispersed sooner than did falcons released in fragmented landscapes. Collectively, these findings are important contributions to peregrine falcon management and recovery efforts, and provide insights that are applicable to reintroduction efforts of other species of raptors.

Publications

Dodd, L.E., and Lacki, M.J. 2007. Prey consumed by Corynorhinus townsendii ingens in the Ozark mountain region. Acta Chiropterologica, 9:451-461.

Lacki, M.J., and Baker, M.D. 2007. Day roosts of female fringed myotis, Myotis thysanodes, in xeric forests of the Pacific Northwest. Journal of Mammalogy, 88:967-973.

Johnson, J.S., Lacki, M.J., and Baker, M.D. 2007. Foraging ecology of long-legged myotis, Myotis volans, in north-central Idaho. Journal of Mammalogy, 88:1261-1270.

Lacki, M.J., Johnson, J.S., Dodd, L.E., and Baker, M.D. 2007. Prey consumption of insectivorous bats in coniferous forests of north-central Idaho. Northwest Science, 81: 199-205.

Dzialak, M.R., Carter, K.M., and Lacki, M.J. 2007. Perch site selection by reintroduced peregrine falcons Falco peregrinus. Wildlife Biology, 13:225-230.

Dzialak, M.R., Lacki, M.J., Larkin, J.L., Carter, K.M., and Vorisek, S. 2005. Corridors affect dispersal initiation in reintroduced peregrine falcons. Animal Conservation, 8:421-430.

Dzialak, M.R., Lacki, M.J., and Carter, K.M. 2005. Characterization of potential release sites for peregrine falcon reintroduction. Natural Areas Journal, 25:188-196.

Lacki, M.J., Hummer, J.W., and Fitzgerald, J.L. 2005. Population patterns of copperbelly water snakes (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta) in a riparian corridor impacted by mining and reclamation. American Midland Naturalist, 153:357-369.

Dzialak, M.R., Burford, L.S., Vorisek, S., Lacki, M.J., and Palmer-Ball, Jr., B.L. 2005. The peregrine falcon and its recovery in Kentucky. The Kentucky Warbler, 81:39-46.

Lacki, M. J., Fitzgerald, J.L., and Hummer, J.W. 2004. Changes in avian species composition following surface mining and reclamation along a riparian forest corridor in southern Indiana. Wetlands Ecology and Management, 12:447-457.

Baker, M.D., and Lacki, M.J. 2004. Forest bat communities in the east Cascade Range, Washington. Northwest Science, 78:234-241.

Lacki, M.J., Yacek, Jr., H.F., and Baker, M.D. 2004. Nesting success of forest songbirds in mixed mesophytic forests in eastern Kentucky. Journal of the Kentucky Academy of Science, 65:21-26.

Secrist, D.E., Maehr, D.S., Larkin, J.L., and Lacki, M.J. 2004. Potential impacts of reintroduced elk on amphibian distribution and abundance in eastern Kentucky, U.S.A. Natural Areas Journal, 24:65-68.

LaDeur, K.M., Lacki, M.J., Dzialak, M.R., Burford, L.S., and Bethany, R.E. 2003. Food habits of peregrine falcons in Kentucky. Journal of Raptor Research, 37:344-349.

Lacki, M.J., and Baker, M.D. 2003. A prospective power analysis and review of habitat characteristics used in studies of tree-roosting bats. Acta Chiropterologica, 5:199-208.

Miller, D.A., Arnett, E.B., and Lacki, M.J. 2003. Habitat management for forest-roosting bats of North America: a critical review of habitat studies. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 31:30-44.

Dzialak, M.R., Lacki, M.J., Maehr, D.S., and LaDeur, K.M. 2003. Demographic influences on peregrine falcon reintroduction in Kentucky. Journal of the Kentucky Academy of Science, 64:21-28.

Krupa, J.J., and Lacki, M.J. 2002. Mammals of Robinson Forest: species composition of an isolated, mixed-mesophytic forest on the Cumberland Plateau in southeastern Kentucky. Special Publications, Museum of Texas Tech University, 45:1-44.

Cox, D.R., Lacki, M.J., Baker, M.D., and Johnson, J.S. 2006. Effects of sample size on habitat modeling for forest-roosting bats. Bat Research News, 47:97.

Baker, M.D., and Lacki, M.J. 2006. day-roosting habits of female fringed myotis, Myotis thysanodes, in xeric forests of the Pacific Northwest. Bat Research News, 47:85.

Dodd, L.E., and Lacki, M.J. 2006. Occurrence of prey and diet of the Ozark big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii ingens). Bat Research News, 47:98.

Johnson, J.S., Lacki, M.J., and Baker, M.D. 2006. Foraging ecology of long-legged myotis (Myotis volans) in north-central Idaho. Bat Research News, 47:114.

Baker, M.D., Lacki, M.J., and Johnson, J.S. 2005. Day-roosting behavior of female Myotis volans in xeric and mesic forests of the intermountain northwestern United States. Bat Research News, 46:154.

Lacki, M.J., and Baker, M.D. 2004. Variation in choice of day roosts by reproductively-active female long-legged myotis, Myotis volans, in ponderosa pine forests. Bat Research News, 45:129-130.

Lacki, M.J., and Amelon, S.K. 2004. Foraging ecology of forest bats - a synthesis. Bat Research News, 45:60-61.
Baker, M.D., and Lacki, M.J. 2004. Habitat use by day-roosting female long-legged myotis (Myotis volans) in Ponderosa Pine Forests. Bat Research News, 45:49.

Lacki, M.J. 2003. The need for scientific rigor in habitat studies of forest bats. Bat Research News, 44:17-18.

Baker, M.D., and Lacki, M.J. 2002. Importance of slope position and type of bark in selection of day roosts by Myotis volans. Bat Research News, 43:134.

Baker, M.D., and Lacki, M.J. 2006. Survey of forest bat communities and day-roosting ecology of Myotis volans in North-central Idaho, 2004-2005 comprehensive report. Final report to the Idaho Fish and Game, State Wildlife Project No. T-1-5 0410. 48 pp.

Lacki, M.J. 2004. Searching for the long-legged myotis in southern Oregon. Bats, 22:8-9.

Lacki, M.J., Hummer, J.W., and Fitzgerald, J.L. 2002. Population status, size class distribution, reproductive behavior, and habitat use of the copperbelly water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta Conant) in Pigeon Creek flood plain, southern Indiana (1992-2000). Final report to Peabody Coal Company. 70 pp.

Lacki, M.J., Hayes, J.P., and Kurta, A. 2007. Bats in forests: conservation and management. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD, 329 pp.

Lacki, M.J., Amelon, S.K., and Baker, M.D. 2007. Foraging ecology of bats in forests. In Lacki, M.J., Hayes, J.P., and Kurta, A. (eds.), Bats in forests: conservation and management. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD, p. 83-127.

Lacki, M.J. 2002. Conference summary. In Kurta, A., and Kennedy, J. (eds.), The Indiana bat: biology and management of an endangered species. Bat Conservation International, Inc., Austin, TX, p. xi-xii.