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Monday, December 21. 2009

World's fastest animal loves New York City

We have posted in the past about one of my favorite birds, the Peregrine Falcon. They are "peregrine" because they breed in the north, summer in South America.


They are partial to cliffs and mountains, which is why they are comfortable living in cities with their abundant source of pigeons and sparrows, and nesting on tall buildings and urban bridges. 


The recovery of their populations east of the Mississippi is a wonder to conservationists and a tribute to what man can do to renew wildlife populations.


Photo is from an update on New York City's Peregrine Falcons at Smithsonian.


Walker Percy fans, of whom I am one, recall the protagonist in The Last Gentleman setting up his fancy telescope in Central Park to watch the falcons. (I am also a Dickens fan, a Wallace Stegner fan, a Mark Helprin fan... ok, I am not going to keep going down this track.)

Posted by Bird Dog in Natural History and Conservation, Our Essays at 12:22 | Comments (6) | Trackbacks (0)

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The article also mentions WHY the numbers of these lovely predators have been increasing...outlawing DDT.
Now, I am as fascinated as you are by falcons, eagles, and other species of mighty hunting birds.
But are they worth the millions killed in the 3rd world (esp. Africa) by mosquito-borne diseases?
Surely there must be a balance, somehow, to "save" the hawks, and also save those children?
THESE are the types of questions that "environmentalists" should be concerned with, rather than trying to stop "Climate Change," that they can't even prove is happening!!
#1 cas on 2009-12-21 13:19 (Reply)
It's not a matter of either-or.
Things like DDT can be used responsibly and effectively. You can spray your house with it and get rid of mosquitoes. In the US, it was used indiscriminately.
#1.1 Bird Dog on 2009-12-21 14:07 (Reply)
Speaking of DDT reminds me of one of my favorite fantasies:

- Late at night, sneak into cemetery where Rachel Carson is buried, remove headstone.

- Drive back to shop, carve "Murdered 20 million people" on it.

- Rough it up so it looks authentic and aged.

- Sneak back into cemetery and replace it.

Just for fun. :)
#1.1.1 Dr. Mercury (Link) on 2009-12-21 17:22 (Reply)
I agree, BD, so why is the responsible use of this obviously effective pesticide still prohibited?
And why is it that so many people don't understand, or want to know, the difference between indiscriminate and responsible use of many things, not just DDT.
#1.1.2 cas on 2009-12-22 04:55 (Reply)
We were heading into Corning yesterday for provisions and just as we were within the city limits we saw a Bald Eagle. It was huge. Made the Red Tail Hawks that we usually see look tiny. Rt 17 and the Chemung River run next to each other and it was gliding over the river looking for dinner I suppose. Made our day.
#2 sean on 2009-12-22 09:02 (Reply)
One of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen was a Perigrine perched just outside my 2nd story window in a 100 year old cherry tree. Thing looks at me, spread it's wings showing it's pretty spots, screamed and took off.

My wife got to see one kill a smaller bird in the yard that year too. Screaming bloody f*cking mess.

We had them on a freeway bridge nesting and the bird freaks would tell us not to walk around near the site, mind you 100 feet below, while cars and busses zoomed by 15 feet from the nest. Birders are nutty, nutty folks.
#3 Phil on 2009-12-22 18:42 (Reply)

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