See also:

Monitoring Coastal Birds
 
Waterfowl on the Old Crow Flats

Arctic Borderlands Ecological Knowledge Co-op

What is happening?

• The number of peregrine falcons in the northern Yukon continues to recover as surveys in 2000 and 2005 show. Peregrines were found at six new nest sites within the study area in 2005 and this contributed to a new population high.
• Peregrine populations declined drastically throughout the Yukon in the 1970s. In the North Yukon coastal plain, tundra peregrine falcons declined to the point where no breeding birds were found in this area from 1982-1987. Young captive-bred falcons were re-introduced on the north slope in 1983-85 to help numbers recover.
• Biologists of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge have been monitoring peregrine falcons nesting along the Porcupine River in Alaska since 1979. You can view their site at: http://arctic.fws.gov/wtperfal.htm

Why is it happening?

• The decline in peregrine falcons has been linked to use of the pesticide, DDT, which has now been banned from use in Canada and the United States. A national recovery plan has aided in the re-establishment of peregrine falcon populations, including the North Slope population.

Why is it important?

• Peregrine falcons are very sensitive to environmental contaminants like DDT, and their population status can be an important indicator of environmental health.
• In the 1970s, peregrine falcons were judged to be in danger of extinction, and their recovery is a success story for endangered species during the late twentieth century.

Technical Notes

• The 1995 survey results do not include birds from the area of Ivvavik National Park.
• The North Yukon population represents a subspecies of peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus tundrius or tundra peregrine falcon.