An adult male peregrine falcon was found with an injured wing at the AMTRAK Station, across the street from the Rachel Carson State Office Building in Harrisburg on December 16^th, according to DEP staff. It is likely but still not certain that this is the adult male from the RCSOB nest site.

The good news is the bird will probably survive the injury. The bad news, he will not be rehabilitated and released in time for the 2005 nesting season; and he may not be released into the wild at all if the injury proves to be too debilitating.

There are a number of possible scenarios that could play out from this point. A ranging male could displace the injured male by bonding with the female. The female could leave to seek out a male or the female could remain here and not nest this season.

Typically, a male peregrine selects the nest site and offers it to a female. If the female accepts the site, the pair will bond and subsequently they will nest. In the past, at other peregrine nest sites, male and female peregrines have been displaced. This usually occurs through direct confrontation by the challenging bird and occasionally a fight to the death. The interest in the falcon cam and falcon programs should remain high given the speculation about what might happen at the nest ledge in coming months.

DEP would appreciate any reports of peregrines seen at the ledge via web cam viewing and sightings in the Harrisburg area. The adult female is seen regularly at the nest ledge and on nearby buildings. Her leg band, coded 44, can identify her. Any male seen in the area will be one third smaller in size than the female.

Reports can be submitted on the “Contact the DEP Staff” email link- ra-epfalcon@state.pa.us or at the DEP Education and Information Center- 717 772-1828.

12/31/2004