AmeriCorps Helps New Peregrine Family Feel at Home
Posted: August 12, 2008

DES MOINES - DNR Keepers of the Land AmeriCorps members gathered to keep a watchful eye on the newest feathered addition to Des Moines; a family of peregrine falcons nestled atop the state Capitol.

The brood joins a more established pair of nesting falcons, which has made its home on the American Republic Insurance building for the past 15 years.

The female of the new couple originates from Minnesota, according to her leg tracking band. She has frequented the Capitol in recent summers, and was first spotted there by construction crews three years ago. Not much is known about the origins of her new mate, however, because he has not been banded.

DNR AmeriCorps member, Ann Cannon, works for the DNR Wildlife Diversity Program out of Boone. She has been monitoring the new falcon couple since March, when the female chose her suitor.

"When we saw a male hanging around her, we began plans to put a nesting tray up for her," said Cannon. "There was some paperwork to fill out, because you can only do certain things to a historic building like the Capitol, but they were cooperative and it worked out."

Pat Schlarbaum, a DNR Wildlife Diversity Program technician and Cannon's supervisor, built a tray for the falcons that simulates the birds' natural nesting territory: sheer cliffs with gravel to drain water away from the eggs, and a ledge to keep them from rolling away. Neumann Brothers Construction Company workers placed the tray on a covered ledge on the east side of the Capitol.

"[The female peregrine] tried nesting in other areas of the building at first. That's when I discovered an egg of hers that rolled off the roof and splattered onto the ground," said Cannon. "After that she must have decided our nest tray was a good spot."

With the help of the provided nesting habitat, the falcons' second attempt at fledging young was successful, making them the 13th nesting pair of peregrines in the state. In early June, two chicks hatched from the nesting tray, one of each sex.

"The only thing better than a pair of nesting falcons is two pairs," said Schlarbaum. "As standard-bearers of our Endangered Species Act, peregrine falcons were lost as a nesting species from the Missouri River to the East coast in the 1950s. This is really a great time to celebrate the recovery of these birds."

Cannon and Schlarbaum have been monitoring the chicks since they hatched. After about 40 days, they observed the fledglings making their first attempts at flight. Because of the high risk of mortality at this time, the wildlife team called on other AmeriCorps members in the area to help "bird sit." Members Shelly Codner, Kate Lydon and Brenda Vargas took shifts monitoring the chicks.

"When they're learning to fly, it's important to keep track of them in case they get into trouble," said Brenda Vargas, who works at the DNR central office. "The traffic of Grand Avenue is their biggest threat, and they could have trouble getting back up to the roof, too."

On July 11, a peregrine event was held to celebrate and welcome the new family. Peregrine enthusiasts and the general public gathered at the capitol building to view the raptors and their young. Though the falcons were not active during that time, one perched on a ledge throughout the event and guests were able to view him through telescopes set up by AmeriCorps members.

During a presentation at the event, Kay Neuman, executive director of the non-profit group, Saving Our Avian Resources (S.O.A.R.), provided a chance for the group to experience a peregrine up-close by bringing along a captive-bred falcon.

Schlarbaum presented attendees with falcon facts and background on falcon conservation work around the state. John Nash, Capitol restoration project manager with the Department of Administrative Services, was recognized for the critical partnership DAS has established with DNR in the stewardship of falcons at the Capitol. Also, Marshal Linn III, CEO of Neumann Brothers Construction, was thanked for all their work with the falcon nesting attempt. DNR AmeriCorps members and the Des Moines Animal Control were also recognized.

At the event, the peregrine chicks received names. The female, "Jody," was named after a Neumann Brothers Construction employee. Also, as a memorial of Curt Small's deceased grandson, the young male falcon was named Cody. Small works as co-CEO for Neumann Brothers.

"I really wanted to do this for them, for all the help they've been with the falcons," said Schlarbaum.

Since falcon recovery efforts were ramped up in 1989, 168 falcons were released around the state. More than 150 young have fledged from falcon nests since 1993. Jody and Cody are the first to be named in Iowa.

Cannon and Schlarbaum will continue to monitor the falcons until their migration in the fall.

For more information on peregrine falcons in Iowa, visit http://www.iowadnr.gov/wildlife/files/pfalcon.html