PEREGRINE FALCON

RECOVERY PLAN

September, 1982

RECOVERY PLAN FOR THE

PEREGRINE FALCON-ALASKA POPULATION

Prepared by

Region 7 U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service

in Cooperation with the Alaska Peregrine Falcon Recovery Team

August 1982

Team Members

Donald N. Frickie, Former Team Leader .......... U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Jerry D. McGowan ....................... Alaska Department of Fish and Game David G. Roseneau ..................... LGL. Alaska Research Associates, Inc. Clayton M. White .................................. Brigham Young University Laun Buoy ................................. U. S. Bureau of Land Management James W. Larson, Former Team Member ................. National Park Service Steven Leskosky, Former Team Member ...... U. S. Bureau of Land Management Louis D. Jurs, Former Team Member ......... U. S. Bureau of Land Management

This recovery plan for the Peregrine Falcon-Alaska Population has been approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It does not necessarily represent official positions or approvals of cooperating agencies and it does not necessarily represent the views of all recovery team members/individuals who participated in its preparation. This plan is subject to modification as dictated by new findings and changes in species status and completion of tasks described in the plan. Goals and objectives will be attained and funds expended contingent upon appropriations, priorities, and other budgetary constraints.

Additional copies may be obtained from:

Fish and Wildlife Reference Service Unit i Denver, Colorado 80205 Telephone: 303/571-4656

Cover drawing by - GARY LYON

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wishes to express appreciation to all individuals and organiza­tions who contributed to this recovery plan.

Bill Martin Dan Benfield

Henry Hansen Jerry Craig

Rene Bollengier Robert Mallette Wayne Dawson Ray Trembley James Bartonek Robert Ambrose Bob Ritchie Jim Curatolo Harry Reynolds John Haugh Alan Springer

Michael Amaral Dennis Money Jay Sheppard

Special Thanks to:

- Federal Aid, Alaska Regional Office, USFWS - Former Endangered Species Coordinator, Alaska Regional Office,

USFWS - Supervisor, Pacific Area, USFWS - Leader, Rocky Mt./Southwestern Recovery Team, Colorado, Division

Of Wildlife - Leader, Eastern Recovery Team, USFWS - Leader, West Coast Team, California Division of Wildlife - Bureau of Land Management, Bethel, Alaska - Special Agent-in-Charge, Alaska Region, USFWS - Pacific Flyway Representative, USFWS - Biologist, USFWS, Fairbanks - Biologist, Alaska Biological Research, Fairbanks - Biologist, Alaska Biological Research, Fairbanks - Biologist, Alaska Department of Fish and Game - Biologist, USGS-NPRA, Anchorage -Biologist, Bodega Bay Institute of Pollution Ecology, Berkeley,

California - Endangered Species Office, Alaska Region, USFWS - Endangered Species Coordinator, Alaska Region, USFWS - Office of Endangered Species, Washington, D.C.

Dawnelle Sheaver - Secretary, Typist, USFWS

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ABSTRACT

This recovery plan for the Alaska peregrine falcon was developed by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service in cooperation with the Alaska Peregrine Falcon Recovery Team, a group of biologists appointed by the Fish and Wildlife Service. Other recovery teams concerned with the peregrine falcon in the United States are: 1) Eastern Peregrine Team, 2) Rocky Mountain Team, and 3) West Coast Team.

The objective of this plan is to outline all necessary steps and procedures which, if carried out, will result in an increase of the peregrine falcon population to a nonendangered level in Alaska. The plan addresses: 1) former status, 2) the three peregrine subspecific taxa in Alaska, Falco peregrinus anatum and Falco peregrinus tundrius (both of which are listed as endangered) and Falco peregrinus pealei (not listed as threatened or endangered), 3) current status, 4) reasons for decline, 5) life history and population dynamics, 6) habitat requirements-nesting, feeding, migration and wintering, 7) mortality factors, and 8) recovery strategies.

Data clearly suggest that the effects of chlorinated hydrocarbons are the principal factors influenc­ing the decline of Alaska peregrines, although other minor factors have had a negative impact. These include egg collecting, taking of young, shooting, habitat destruction, and disturbance. The use of chlorinated hydrocarbons has been severely curtailed within the United States, but these compounds are presently being used extensively south of the U.S. border in major migration and wintering areas of Alaska peregrines and their prey species.

Historically there were probably 250 peregrine pairs occupying_ the forested region of interior Alaska (Cade 1960, Haugh 1976, White and Cade 1975) and 150 pairs occupying the tundra regions north of 68 degrees North Latitude. By the mid 1970's, the F. p. anatum population declined to approximately 80 to 100 pairs and the F. p. tundrius population declined to 30 to 40 pairs. A significant increase in occupancy and reproduction at recently active and historical nesting sites and a decrease in pesticide levels in eggs to a point considered not critical to reproduction (as defined in the recovery objectives) will indicate a healthy and productive population and warrant its removal from the endangered species list.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART! INTRODUCTION

FORMER STATUS 1

CURRENT STATUS ..... . 2

REASONS FOR DECLINE 5

LIFE HISTORY AND POPULATION DYNAMICS......................... 6

HABITAT REQUIREMENTS ..... ................ .... .................. ..... 6

REPRODUCTIVE FACTORS ............................................... . 8

PART II RECOVERY

RECOVERY OBJECTIVE AND STEP-DOWN OUTLINE ................ . 9

EXPLANATION OF RECOVERY OBJECTIVE AND STEP-DOWN OUTLINE ..................... . 10

LITERATURE CITED ..................... . 21

PART Ill IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULES ..... . 25

PART IV APPENDICES

APPENDIX A - Recoveries of Peregrine Falcons Banded in Alaska, 1952 - 1981 ...................... . 31

APPENDIX B - Information/Education Proposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

APPENDIX C - Recommended Protection Measures for Peregrine Falcons During the Nesting Period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

APPENDIX D - Definitions of Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

APPENDIX E - Comments on Agency Review Draft .................... . 57

APPENDIX F - List of Reviewers .............................. . 67

INTRODUCTION

The peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) has been intensively studied over the past 30 years both in this country and in Europe (Ratcliffe 1980). Consequently, a considerable amount of general knowledge is available on its life history, behavior, and habitat requirements. White (1968) des­cribed three subspecies in Alaska (Figure 1). One (F. p. pea/ei) inhabits the insular and coastal regions of the Aleutians, Gulf of Alaska and southeastern Alaska and appears to be resident in these areas year round. All available data suggest that this subspecies has not declined in Alaska, and is therefore, not considered to be threatened or endangered. Thus, F. p. pealei is not a subject of this Recovery Plan. Of the two endangered subspecies, which are the subject of this plan, one {F. P. anatum) occurs in the boreal forest region (taiga) and the other (F. p. tundrius) occurs in the tundra region of Alaska. This plan describes the status of endangered peregrines in Alaska, identifies the reasons for their endangerment and recommends specific actions to effect their recovery.

FORMER STATUS

There is essentially no fossil record of peregrines for Alaska but fossil records elsewhere indicate that peregrines were widespread throughout the Northern Hemisphere by the Pleistocene (Brodkorb 1964). Before 1950, little information, other than presence or absence, was documented (Cade 1951, 1953; Kessel and Cade 1958). Since that time, reasonably good records of distribution, abundance, and production have been kept.

Historically, Alaska appears to have had widespread breeding populations dispersed along river valleys (Gabrielson and Lincoln 1959, Cade 1960). Areas of Alaska where they likely were lacking or existed only marginally include the northern regions of the coastal plain north of the Brooks Range, portions of the south slope of the Brooks Range, the west coast including the Seward Peninsula, the Yukon-Kuskokwim delta, most of the Kenai Peninsula, the general regions of the Susitna, Matanuska and Copper River basins, most of the Alaska Peninsula, and, generally all areas with elevations above 2,500-3,000 feet.

Boreal Forest Populations

Bishop (1900) and Osgood (1909) observed peregrines (F. p. anatum) in the interior of Alaska. Every "suitable" cliff along the upper Yukon River reportedly had a pair and a density on the order of one pair for about 10 river miles was suggested (Bishop 1900). Brandt (1943) remarked that on the lower Yukon (Tanana to Mountain Village) "every likely-looking cliff seemed to house a pair." Ola us Murie (field notes) found peregrines on the Tanana River (1920-21), the Saleha River (1922), and the Porcupine River (1926). He found them plentiful in those areas, with an approximate combined total of 12 pairs on the Porcupine and Old Crow rivers. Throughout the 1950's. several investigators worked in various portions of interior Alaska. Cade (1960) summarized these and other historical data. The maj_or areas known to have substantial numbers of peregrines were the valleys of the Yukon, Porcupine, and Tanana rivers and their major tributaries.

The Kuskokwim and Nushagak rivers may have had similar densities in suitable habitat. Based on the 50-65 known eyries on the studied areas of the above rivers, it was estimated that 250 pairs occupied the entire interior forested region (Cade 1960, Haugh 1976, White and Cade 1975) through about 1965.

Tundra Populations

Early references to peregrines (F. p. tundrius) in this region include the collection of a clutch of peregrine eggs in the Romanozof Mountains in 1929 (Bailey 1948). Smith and Mertie (1930) also mention conspicuous raptor numbers along many of the river systems in northwestern Alaska. Further information was provided in the early 1950's as a result of wildlife studies made by John Buckley (University of Alaska). Peregrine data for this region were first reported comprehensively by Kessel and Cade (1958). Most of the work in this region focused on the Colville River and its major tributaries.

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Based on former densities of peregrines along the Colville and Sagavanirktok Rivers, and the physiography of the arctic slope, we estimate the historical nesting population of peregrines in the tundra region of Alaska to be about 150 pairs.

Clearly, the Colville River drainage (with such major tributaries as the Etivluk, Oolamnagavik, Killik, and Chandler Rivers) was and is the principal nesting area on the North Slope. Other significant populations probably occurred on the Sagavanirktok and lkpikpuk Rivers (Koranda and Evans 1975; Koranda, pers. comm.; 0. W. Geist, specimens, University of Alaska Museum) and along the Utukok and Kukpowruk Rivers (T. Cade, pers. comm.). Still other rivers had smaller nesting populations. The Kukpuk, for example, was known to have only one peregrineeyrie (M. Thompson, pers. comm.). Populations on Alaska's eastern North Slope have apparently always been small (Roseneau et. al. 1967a.).

CURRENT STATUS

The recent (after 1970) status of most Alaskan populations has been reviewed in considerable detail (White and Cade 1975, 1976; Fyfe 1976; Temple 1976; Cade 1976). Since 1979, the USFWS and others have conducted or contracted surveys and banding programs on the Yukon River, Porcupine River, Tanana River and Colville River.

Boreal Forest Populations

Population status of peregrines for the entire boreal region is unclear, but considerable data are available for the major nesting areas.

Tanana River: Eighteen nesting sites apparently existed on the Tanana between Teti in and Nenana. In 1970, the first year this river was thoroughly surveyed for peregrines, seven were occupied (Haugh 1976). A rapid decline in occupancy at these sites occurred thereafter. From 1971-73, four sites were occupied, but by 1974, only one site was occupied and no young were produced (Haugh 1976).

In 1975, the same site again had a non producing pair. A single adult was present at another site and a single egg was seen in an unattended nest at a third locality. In 1977, there were at least three pairs present on the Tanana (B. Ritchie, pers. comm.) and a single bird on the Saleha River, a major tributary of the Tanana (White and Boyce 1978). In 1978, four pairs on the Tanana produced nine young; in 1979, three pairs produced four young and three single adults occupied cliffs. In 1980, four pairs produced five young, and in 1981, five pairs produced 12 young (summarized in Ritchie and Curatolo 1981 b).

Porcupine River: Prior to the decline, probably ten to twelve pairs nested along the Porcupine. In 1976, Springer and Roseneau (pers. comm.) found six active eyries and 13 young were observed. In 1979, nine pairs produced 19 young; in 1980, nine pairs produced 13 young; and in 1981, 11 pairs produced 23 young (Ritchie and Curatolo 1981b).

Yukon River: On the upper Yukon (Canadian Boundary to 6 mi. below Circle) 26 localities have been active since 1951, but no more than 20 were used in any one year. From 1970 to 1977, populations remained stable at 10-12 pairs and average production was 1.8 young/site (Cade, et. al. 1976). In 1978, 16 pairs produced 28 young (Curatolo and Ambrose 1978); in 1979, 19 pairs produced 39young; in 1980, 17 pairs produced 44 young; and in 1981, 18 pairs produced 54 young (Ambrose and Riddle 1982).

No data existed forthe middle Yukon (Fort Hamlin to Tanana) prior to 1970. At least seven eyries are known from work done between 1970 and 1978. In 197 4, five active sites were found, but only two were productive. In 1975, only four were active (Ambrose pers. comm.) and six were active in 1976 (Haugh and Halperin 1976). In 1979, 1980, and 1981, occupancy and production were three pairs and one young, six pairs and 11 young, and seven pairs and 14 young respectively (summarized in Mindell and Craighead 1981).

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Figure 1. Geographical distribution of the Peregrine Falcon, by subspecies, in Alaska. Areas of sparse populations or significant breaks in continuous distribution separate the sub­species.

Tt!NllRi\ RF.GJON

<.!.. r· tu11drlu11)

REG I OH (,!.. E.· peal el)

'Some scattered nesting of F. p. anatum may be present. Also, migration and wintering of F. p. tundrius and/or F. p. an a tum may occur.

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In 1977, the locations of seven sites were known for the lower Yukon (Tanana to Mountain Village) (Jim Frazier, pers. comm.). In 1978, at least 28 sites were documented and 16 pairs produced 27 young (Springer et. al. 1979; R. Quimby pers. comm.). In 1979, 1980, and 1981, occupancy and production were 23 pairs and 39 young, 32 pairs and 69 young, and 35 pairs and 68 young respectively (summarized in Mindell and Craighead 1981).

Most major tributaries of the Yukon have not been thoroughly surveyed. As a result of a helicopter survey of the Charley River in 1975, Cade (White and Cade 1975) saw peregrines at four sites and indications of their presence at two other sites. No data on productivity was obtained. In 1976, Haugh and Halperin found 5 pairs on the Charley. On that same river in 1980, three pairs produced three young, and in 1981, four pairs produced eight young (Amaral 1981).

Kuskokwim and Nushagak River Systems: In 1976, one pair was known to nest along the Kuskokwim River and a single bird was observed (Ritchie and Ambrose 1978). In 1979 and 1980, two pairs produced five young both years (Mindell and Dotson 1981). In 1981, four pairs produced seven young (Mindell, pers. comm.). In 1981, three additional sites with adults present were found at lakes within the Kuskokwim drainage (Mindell, pers. comm.).

The past trends and current status of boreal peregrines have varied among areas. Population declines were apparently not as severe on the Yukon River, for example, as on the Tanana River and signs of recovery on the Tanana have not been as conspicuous. Although reasons forthe inconsis­tencies among areas are unclear, current trends are generally favorable.

Tundra Populations

Only the central and western portions of the North Slope have been thoroughly investigated although much of the eastern portion was surveyed by aircraft from 1972-76 (Roseneau, et. al. 1976).

Colville River: Forty-four sites are known historically, but only about 35 were occupied in any one year. In 1971, 31 sites were used, but production was only 0.55 young per starting pair, down from an average production of 1.4 young in earlier years. In 1973, only 14 pairs remained and production was 0.64 young per nesting attempt. Production in 1975 was similar to 1973 in number of pairs present and apparent fledging success (Cade and White 1976; Haugh 1976). In recent years occupancy and production has been increasing; 15 pairs and 14 young in 1978; 16 pairs and 15 young in 1979; 21 pairs and 29 young in 1980; and 24 pairs and 31 young in 1981 (summarized in Dittrick and Swem 1981).

Sagavanirktok River: Ten sites show historical or present use but in any one year probably not more than 6-7 were occupied. In 1970, three were active and three others were not checked. Two were active in 1972 and three were active in 1975. Production was very low during all years. In 1979, four pairs produced nine young; in 1980, three pairs produced two young; and in 1981, four pairs produced eight young (summarized in Ritchie and Curatolo 1981b).

Aerial surveys conducted in the mid 1970's indicate that other North Slope rivers also had depressed peregrine populations during this period. The following data are from White and Cade (1975), and Cade and White (1976):

Oolamnagavik River: Of five known sites, none were found active in 1975.

Killik and Okpikruak Rivers: Five sites are known although more probably exist since these rivers contain a great deal of suitable habitat; none of these were found active in 1975.

Kurupa River: No active sites were found in 1975.

Anaktuvuk and Kanayut Rivers: At least four sites have been used; one was active in 1975.

Nunushuk River: Four sites are known; one of these was active in 1975.

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No recent data are available to indicate whether or not peregrines on these rivers are showing signs of recovery.

Population trends in the eastern North Slope are probably similar to those on the Colville and Sagavanirktok Rivers. Roseneau et. al. (1976a) estimated that 8-10pairs nested from the Shaviovik River to the Canadian boundary. Probably no more than 10 pairs nested along the west coast between Cape Lisburne and the Walrus Islands (Roseneau, et. al. 1976b).

There had been more than a 60 percent reduction in the historical peregrine population on the North Slope by 1975. Between 1975 and 1977, numbers remained low but relatively stable. Since 1977, numbers have increased and productivity has improved. Nevertheless, no more than 60 percent of the historical sites have been reoccupied and production has remained low.

REASONS FOR DECLINE

It appears that populations were moderately stable until the mid 1960's, except for local, minor reductions in numbers (Cade 1960, Hickey 1969). Some populations apparently began to decline about that time, evidenced mainly by lower reproduction rates. Some population declines were greater than others but in general there were 10 to 15 percent reductions. Then in 1970, a more general decline began which was particularly evident on the Tanana (Fyfe, et. al. 1976). By 1973 reductions were substantial, particularly in tundra populations.

It appears that several factors contributed to the decline. Egg collecting, general man-caused disturbances, and habitat destruction all caused reductions in breeding populations. However, the combined impact of these factors was probably minor, given 1965 population levels, and could not alone have accounted for the decline. Few eggs have been collected and only three entire clutches are known to have been taken since 1950. Since 1950, at least 38 (and perhaps many more) young were taken into captivity. Killing adults and young may have been important at a few sites, such as near the mouth of the Chen a River, Big Delta, near Eagle, and the upper Chena River. At one site below Eagle, for example, natives killed the nestlings annually over a decade and probably much longer. The nesting location was a low, marginal and accessible site and its abandonment probably resulted from disturbances stemming from increased river traffic rather than outright annual killing of young or adults. Random shooting probably occurred at sites near towns or villages or at eyries readily accessible to people (such as near fish wheels or along heavily traveled portions of the rivers). Haugh (1970) also suggested that general harassment may have been partially responsible for the decline along the Tanana River. Most shooting mortality within Alaska probably occurred prior to 1965, and even when considered along with other forms of disturbance and harassment cannot account for the pattern of decline in nesting peregrines that has been documented over broad geographic areas of Alaska.

Only 69 Alaska-collected specimens are now in museums in this country; 47 were breeding adults. Perhaps a comparable number of specimens are in foreign museums. The earliest record of a bird collected was from the mid-1800's, and the other specimens have been taken at intervals since, most prior to 1960.

About 75 percent of all specimens are from the Brooks Range and north. Such collecting usually has only minor effects on a healthy, producing population. In 1966, for example, four adults were taken for pesticide analysis from various Yukon River sites, one of which had failed that year (Cade, et. al. 1968). In 1968, the next survey year, only one of the sites was unoccupied.

Once a population starts to decline, the above factors, either acting singly or in concert, may become significant. Data suggest, however, that chlorinated hydrocarbons (mainly the DDT metabolites) ar"ethe principal factor influencing the decline of peregrines in Alaska. Body burdens of pesticide residues have been measured in a number of samples from both boreal forest and tundra populations (Cade, et. al. 1968; Enderson, et. al. 1968). The concentrations of DOE (a DDT metabolite) and the degree of eggshell thinning, are alone sufficient to account for the recorded decline in Alaska peregrines. These chemicals probably accumulate from three principal sources: 1) contaminated migratory prey on the breeding grounds, 2) contaminated prey taken during the falcon's migration, and 3) contaminated prey on the wintering grounds. Accumulation of harmful chemicals from prey on the breeding grounds may be of lesser importance than the

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accumulation on the wintering grounds (Peakall, et. al. 1975; Peakall 1976; White and Cade 1976) although this has yet to be documented.

A final factor that is difficult to evaluate has been the rapid change of land use and the resultant mature habitat loss in South America over the past 10-15 years. Large areas of habitat located near the sites of some past band recoveries are now monocultures of soybeans.

LIFE HISTORY AND POPULATION DYNAMICS

Hickey and Anderson (1969) present life history data for peregrines in general, and Alaskan peregrines are not thought to differ markedly. Peregrines normally breed after their second year, although there are a few records of females breeding when 11-12 months old. The average lifespan of breeding adults is unknown but may be 8-10 years. The oldest breeding record is of a female from Quebec that was at least 17 years old. Estimated mortality rates have ranged between 50 and 80 percent for the first year of life and 20 to 25 percent thereafter (Enderson 1969; Hickey and Anderson 1969; White 1975).

The average clutch size for Alaska approaches 3.0 eggs (Cade 1960). Enderson et. al. (1972) reported an average of 3.4 eggs in seven nests on the Yukon. Of those pairs arriving at cliffs to breed, approximately 20 percent either fail in their breeding attempt or do not breed. Cade (1960) found a fledging rate of 1.4 young per nesting attempt for F. p. tundrius on the Colville River and Enderson et. al. (1972) reported a fledging rate of 1.6 young per nesting attempt for F. p. an at um on the upper Yukon River. In 1981, a total of 82 pairs of F. p. anatum were observed and these produced 197 young for an average of 2.4 young per nest attempt (Ambrose 1982).

Peregrines may arrive on the breeding grounds as early as mid-April. Egg laying occurs about the third week of May for the Interior, and the first week of June for the North Slope. Young fledge about the end of July, and mid-August, respectively.

Peregrines from Alaska are migratory and winter at least as far south as central South America. Falcons start leaving Alaska in mid to late August; the majority apparently depart during September. As with Canadian peregrines (R. Fyfe, pers. comm.), boreal forest peregrines may winter further north than tundra peregrines. One of the deficiencies in data on Alaskan falcons is a precise knowledge of migration routes and wintering areas used by each population. Herein lies one of the keys to peregrine recovery and the success of this plan. The use of chlorinated hydrocarbons, which may affect survival of Alaskan peregrines, is an international problem. This problem must be recognized and steps taken to alleviate the situation if full recovery is to be a reality.

HABITAT REQUIREMENTS

Habitat requirements may conveniently be divided into nesting, feeding, migration, and wintering. The first two have been adequately reviewed by Cade (1960), Hickey and Anderson (1969), White and Cade (1971) and need only be briefly mentioned here.

Nesting: In interior Alaska nearly all nests are situated on cliffs although there are at least two records of trees being used (Dall and Bennister 1869, White and Roseneau 1970). On the North Slope, peregrines use cliffs, bluffs (including high, sandy river banks) and low hills for nesting. Ground nesting as occurs in Eurasian bogs is unknown for Alaskan peregrines.

Loss of nesting habitat through physical alteration of nest sites has not been a serious problem. Human disturbance during the nesting season is of much greater significance. A serious current threat is road construction along the tops or bottoms of cliffs. Human activity (both ground and aerial) near eyries may disturb adults enough to cause nesting failure, particularly in the early stages of nesting.

Feeding: Generally open areas with an available avian prey source is needed. In the interior, open river and muskeg habitat are hunted most frequently but aerial hunts, far above the canopy of trees, have been seen. In the tundra region, marshy, boggy, or wet polygon tundra areas seem to be used more than dry tundra. At one site on the Sagavanirktok River the male hunted an area of about 124

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square miles. Eighty percent of his time was spent over about 1/2 of this area (White 1974). In this instance, the principal hunting habitat contained lakes, ponds, and areas of wet tundra.

Currently, hunting areas seem to be little affected by human activities. A significant alteration of large areas of hunting habitat would result in a reduction of prey abundance. Minor habitat alteration such as that associated with road construction, probably does not destroy enough percentage of the habitat to be of consequence.

Migration: The precise migration routes of Alaskan peregrines are unknown. As of January 1982, there have been 15 returns for Alaska-banded falcons (Appendix A); five were banded on the Arctic Slope and ten were banded in the interior. From these limited data, it appears that falcons from the Arctic Slope and eastern interior areas of the state generally follow the central flyway, and falcons from the western interior follow the Pacific flyway. There are no returns from Alaska falcons east of the Mississippi River. However, peregrines banded in the Porcupine River drainage in Canada were later recovered on the east coast of the United States. Although exact habitat requirements are not clear, migrating peregrines need an abundant prey source and places to roost (trees, poles, buildings, or even the ground).

Wintering Grounds: Distribution of North American migrants in Latin America has been reviewed by Albuquerque (1978). Peregrines migrate at least as far south as 40 degrees S. Latitude in Chile and 38 degrees S. Latitude in Argentina (Steullet and Deautier 1935).

Pale colored peregrines similar to those of the high arctic, are seen as far south as Tierra del Fuego but these probably are the pale or intermediate form of the South American peregrines (F. p. cassim) as has recently been discussed by Ellis et. al. (1981 ). Some of these pale falcons from South America move north in Argentina beyond Buenos Aires and there would overlap in range with the North American migrants.

Two banded falcons from the Arctic Slope of Alaska were recovered in eastern Argentina; one near Buenos Aires and the other about 340 miles north of that city. One peregrine banded on the upper Yukon River was recovered in North-central Brazil.

A number of peregrines remain in Latin America during the May-August period rather than returning north to the breeding grounds (Chapman 1926, Housse 1945). Both immatures and adults may remain in Latin America, but most are probably immatures.

Habitat requirements on the wintering grounds are not entirely known but apparently vary widely. During the September-April period when peregrines are in the Caribbean and Central and South America, they can be found from sea level to 10,000 feet elevation. They frequent cliffs, beaches, salt lagoons, mountains, forested areas, the northern pampas, the gran chaco, dry scrub regions, the mato grosso (perhaps not too commonly), and the altiplano. Many birds alsofrequentthe larger cities especially on the east coast of South America. They appear to occur most commonly at middle to low elevations.

From what can be determined at present, wintering habitat must include an undisturbed place to roost and adequate avian prey base. Prey species may vary widely. Wintering peregrines take bats, native doves, and feral pigeons from buildings in the downtown area (Sick 1960; C. White, pers. obser.). In Peru, Koepcke and Koepcke (1966) suggest that large concentrations of coastal shore­birds and gulls are the most important food source.

Some have suggested that other North American species also wintering in Latin America, for example, yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes), black-necked Stilt (Humantopus himantopus), and the blue-winged teal (Anas discors), make up the majority of the food source (Voous 1957, Olivares 1969). While we cannot differentiate Alaskan peregrines from other high arctic peregrines winter­ing in South America, data gathered in 1979-80 (D. Roseneau, S. Temple and C. White, pers. obser.) on the wintering grounds (principally in Columbia, Equador, Peru, Brazil and Argentina) suggest differences in food habits among wintering locations. In northern coastal South America, food was largely resident species of shorebirds and waterfowl while further south along the west coast, many North American migrant species of shorebirds and gulls were taken. In rural areas along the coasts ot southern Brazil and Argentina, North American migrant shorebirds such as the golden plover

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(Pluvia/isdominica) were hunted but in urban areas primarily local resident species were utilized (J. Albuquerque, pers. comm.).

The rapid pace of habitat alteration and destruction in Latin America makes it imperative to further define the winter habitat requirements of peregrines.

REPRODUCTIVE FACTORS

Chemical contamination is the primary cause of the decline in peregrine populations. The mecha­nisms, although not precisely known, appear to be rather diverse and of differential importance. Direct adult mortality caused by chemicals is apparently of little importance although it does occur. Chemical contamination causes a marked decline in production, and upon natural death of the adult there are no replacement birds. In 1968 when DOE residues in eggs were about 39 ppm (wet wt.) there were 32 eyries occupied on the Colville River. This high level of chemical residue was obtained by a slow buildup over perhaps two decades. By 1971, the residue level had risen to about 42 8Pm and 25 eyries were still occupied. By 1979, residue levels in unhatched/adult eggs from the Colville and Sagavanirktok Rivers had declined to about 14 ppm, and eggs collected from interior Alaska in 1979 and 1980contained about 10 ppm (A. Springer, pers. comm.). If high residues had a direct effect on adult mortality, one would expect fewer adults to be present. On the Colville, there was a rapid decline in total adult pairs from 25 in 1971to14 in 1973. This rapid loss, over a two year period, may have been caused by the natural mortality of similar aged adults and a lack of recruitment to the breeding population.

These high residue levels may have resulted in behavioral changes including egg eating by adults (D. Ratcliffe, pers. comm.). Loss of young by adult inattentiveness, abandonment of eggs, failure of eggs to hatch because of embryonic death or failure to lay eggs, accounts for most of the low productivity on the Colville observed between 1968 and 1973 (Peakall, et. al. 1975; White and Cade 1976).

The physical removal of birds from the population is actually similar to natural mortality and creates the same result. Illegal removal of peregrines from the wild could reduce the size of the breeding population but this impact is difficult, if not impossible, to document.

Those birds that are taken into captivity may have survived to breed in the wild, or they may have died in the wild prior to breeding. It is evident, however, that peregrines removed from the wild cannot breed in the wild.

Loss of young or eggs at the nest, because of wanton or inadvertent human disturbance most certainly affects productivity. It is also difficult, if not impossible, to document the extent to which this occurs or its effect on the total population.

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RECOVERY

RECOVERY OBJECTIVE AND STEP-DOWN OUTLINE

Recovery Objective - To restore occupancy and reproduction of peregrine falcons in Alaska up to nonendangered levels, as follows:

A) Falco peregrinus tundrius - 36 nesting attempts and 50 young to near fledging age in the Colville­Sagavanirktok Rivers study area

B) Falco peregrinus anatum - 28 nesting attempts, 50 young to near fledging age in the upper Yukon-Tanana Rivers study area

These levels, representing 70% of the sites considered usable, must be maintained for a five year period. In addition, pesticide contamination and eggshell thinning must decline to levels not detrimental to reproductive success (Refer to Explanation of Recovery Objective).

Step-Down Outline

1. Insure sufficient habitat 11. Insure sufficient habitat of a quality suitable for nesting.

111. Locate and catalog all existing and historic nesting habitat. 1111. Conduct literature search. 1112. Conduct surveys. 1113. Maintain a catalog of nesting locations.

112. Identify hunting habitat needs. 1121. Conduct literature search. 1122. Conduct observations. 1123. Identify prey habitat (through prey identification). 1124. Identify hunting range (using radio telemetry).

113. Develop stipulations for protecting nesting areas. 12. Insure sufficient habitat along migration routes.

121. Determine migration routes. 1211. Assign migration area jurisdiction to appropriate teams. 1212. Conduct ground observations and trapping along possible migration routes. 1213. Initiate banding on nesting grounds in selected areas. 1214. Utilize aircraft and when feasible, satellite telemetry techniques to track

migrants. 12141. Place transmitters on birds in selected populations on breeding

grounds. 12142. Assist in development and improvement of telemetry equipment.

1215. Propose, recommend, and implement cooperative international management and research agreements.

13. Insure sufficient quality habitat on wintering areas. 131. Determine wintering areas.

1311. Conduct observations, trapping and banding. 1312. Utilize aircraft and when feasible, satellite telemetry techniques.

13121. Place transmitters on birds in selected populations on the breeding grounds.

13122. Assist in development and improvement of telemetry equipment. 1313. Propose, recommend, and implement cooperative international management

and research agreements.

2. Insure adequate protection on the nesting areas, migration routes, and wintering areas. 21. Minimize impact of human activities.

211. Inform Federal and State agencies and private organizations of appropriate endan-gered species regulations.

212. Maintain the system to review and regulate all activities affecting peregrine falcons. 213. Develop stipulations to minimize disturbance. 214. Research tolerance to disturbance.

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22. Implement law enforcement efforts. 221. Expand and maintain intelligence network. 222. Educate and maintain cooperation of custom agents, airline personnel and others in

transportation industry. 223. Conduct field patrols and eyrie surveillance.

23. Propose, recommend and implement cooperative international management and research agreements.

3. Monitor population trends. 31. Survey representative habitat areas on breeding grounds.

311. Survey taiga areas to determine breeding density and productivity of F. p. anatum, and

312. Survey tundra areas to determine breeding density and productivity of F. p. tundrius. 32. Monitor pesticide levels in adults from F. p. anatum and F. p. tundrius populations on the

breeding grounds, migration routes, and wintering areas. 33. Investigate adult mortality and replacement rates. 34. Identify and evaluate relative importance of factors influencing survival. 35. Explore feasibility of artificial restocking (to be employed only if natural production is

insufficient to recover populations). 351. Monitor results of ongoing captive breeding and reintroduction programs. 352. Explore use of artificial egg incubation and replacement of young in eyries in limited

geographic areas. 353. Determine effectiveness of artificial nest structures. 354. Place artificial nest structures at selected sites.

4. Initiate field research on prey species on the breeding grounds, migration routes, and wintering areas. 41. Identify prey species. 42. Identify prey habitat. 43. Monitor prey population levels. 44. Determine and monitor pesticide levels in the principle prey species.

5. Continue and expand a public information-education program. 51. Support a cooperative recovery team effort to establish a national/international information­

education program (with emphasis on Latin America). 52. Conduct information-education program within Alaska.

EXPLANATION OF RECOVERY OBJECTIVE AND STEP-DOWN OUTLINE

Explanation of Recovery Objective

Four parameters will be used to assess the recovery status of peregrine falcons. These are: (1) per­cent of historical nesting sites occupied by a pair; (2) average young per nesting attempt; (3) chlor­inated hydrocarbon concentration in eggs; and (4) degree of eggshell thinning. These parameters will be measured on representative study areas.

Few peregrine falcon nesting areas in Alaska have historical data on occupancy and reproduction. Four areas that were the subject of considerable study prior to the decline of the peregrine in Alaska are the Colville River between the Etivluk River and Ocean Point, the Sagavanirktok River between Happy Valley and Prudhoe Bay, the upper Yukon River from the U. S./Canada border to Circle, Alaska, and the Tanana River from Teti in to Nenana. Because ofthe historical data available, these four rivers will be the representative study areas for F. p. anatum (Yukon and Tanana) and F. p. tundrius (Colville and Sagavanirktok).

Historically, not all sites were occupied in any one year. Data indicate that in a healthy population, at least 70% of the usable nesting sites are occupied in any given year (Ratcliffe 1980). Therefore, if 70% of the currently usable sites in the representative study areas are occupied by pairs of peregrine falcons and there is an average productivity of 1.4 young per nesting attempt in the tundra regions

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(value based on 1960data) and 1.8 young per nesting attempt in the boreal regions (value based on 1966 data) these criteria will have been met. Numbers of historical and currently usable nesting sites for the representative study areas are as follows:

Species River Historical Sites Currently Usable Sites

F. p. tundrius Colville 44 44 Sagavanirktok 10 7 -

Total 54 51

F. p. anatum Upper Yukon 25 25 Tanana 18 15

Total 43 40

Computations for targeted nesting attempts and productivity are:

F. p. tundrius: 51 (Currently usable sites) x 70% = 36 nesting attempts 36 nesting attempts x 1.4young per attempt= 50young

F. p. anatum: 40 (Currently usable sites) x 70% = 28 nesting attempts 28 nesting attempts x 1.8young per attempt= 50young

The population declines from which peregrines must recover have resulted primarily from repro­ductive failures induced by chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticides. The principal compound respon­sible has been DDE, which interferes with normal calcium metabolism and has resulted in thin­shelled eggs. Other compounds, such as dieldrin and those in the chlordane family, may contribute to embryonic mortality and/or abnormal behavior by nesting adult falcons. Peakall et. al. (1975) suggested that based on relationships betweeen DDE levels and both productivity and eggshell data the critical level of ODE in egg contents was about 15-20 ppm (wet weight basis). Peale's falcons in the Aleutians have continued to reproduce well with about 5 ppm ODE in their eggs and associated egg thinning of about 8% (White et. a/.1973).

Analysis of unhatched peregrine eggs collected from the Yukon River during 1977 and 1978 have shown that residue levels are still relatively high, about 10to 15 ppm, and shells are in the order of 10 to 20 percent thinner than pre-DDT era eggs (Patuxent WRC unpublished data; Springer, Roseneau, Walker and Bente, unpublished data). It appears that only slight increases in DOE levels could result in a reversal of the current positive trends in productivity.

Two additional criteria, therefore, must be met before either race of Alaskan peregrines should be considered for a status change or removal from the endangered species list. These are:

A) ODE residue levels in peregrine eggs from the Yukon River and Tanana River (for anatum falcons) or the Colville River and Sagavanirktok River (for tundrius falcons) must average less than 5 ppm (wet weight) and that the total concentration of other chlorinated pesticides must average less than 1 ppm (wet weight); and,

B) Eggshells from either population must not be more than 10 percent thinnerthan pre-DDT era eggs.

Afterthe above four criteria have been met for the representative sample of a given subspecies and the parameters remain constant or improve during a five year period, that subspecies will warrant a change to threatened status. If during the ensuing five year period the parameters continue to remain constant or improve, that subspecies should be considered for delisting.

Explanation of Step-Down Outline

1. Insure Sufficient Habitat 11. INSURE SUFFICIENT HABITAT OF A QUALITY SUITABLE FOR NESTING

Protection of breeding habitat is a basic step towards establishment of a self-sustaining population. There is still much to be learned. however. about breeding habitat para-

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meters, hunting habitat, eyrie choice, behavior and dynamics of prey populations. Interim protective measures can be taken for known breeding habitat. As additional data become available, these measures can be refined and applied more specifically. Maintaining suitable breeding habitat is the necessary first step in attempting any population recovery effort.

111. LOCATE AND CATALOG ALL EXISTING AND HISTORICAL NESTING HABITAT While most of existing peregrine habitat has been cataloged, there still exist many small pockets of potential habitat. These sites should be surveyed and a complete catalog of breeding habitat locations maintained. Federal and State land manage­ment agencies, USFWS, ADF&G, and the private sector, should all cooperate in updating peregrine sightings and habitat locations. Historical habitats continue to be important for they may again be utilized as peregrine populations recover. 1111. CONDUCT LITERATURE SEARCH

A complete search of literature should be made to collect information on recorded peregrine nesting areas and potential areas.

1112. CONDUCT SURVEYS Survey taiga and tundra areas to determine existing and historical nesting habitat and survey areas of unknown status.

Several areas have already been surveyed, thus historical data are available for parts of the state.

As time and funding permit, survey efforts should be directed toward areas which have a high potential for use by peregrines but have not been recently surveyed. Of particular importance are those areas which are likely to be the subject of human disturbance in the near future.

1113. MAINTAIN A CATALOG OF NESTING LOCATIONS During the last five years, peregrine surveys have been sponsored by several government agencies, various universities and private citizens.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Land Management all attempt to maintain a current set of maps on which nesting records appear. Because field activi­ties have involved many individuals representing numerous organizations, nest records of the various agencies lack consistency and completeness. To remedy this situation, a data storage and retrieval system should be developed by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service to handle all peregrine nesting information collected in Alaska. This system would include input from all data sources including a thorough search of the literature. The system will be designed to permit addition of new data annually and will have, as a minimum, the capability to store and retrieve the types of information listed below:

- Location of nest site - Dates and years nest site was surveyed - Names and addresses of persons conducting surveys, their funding

source and where findings are recorded - Survey techniques used (aerial survey, ground survey, etc.) - Comments from investigators as to completeness of survey - Physical parameters of nest site (i.e. height of cliff, aspect of cliff face,

position of nest on cliff, etc.) - Biological parameters of nest site (i.e. distance away from other nests of

same species, comments on available prey species, etc.) - Reproductive information (i.e. number of adults present, clutch size,

hatching success, chick survival, etc.) - List of materials collected (i.e. prey remains, eggshells, addled eggs,

dead chicks or adults, etc.) - Summary of the analysis of materials collected (i.e. pesticide levels, egg­

shell thickness, food habits, etc.)

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- Comments on behavior of adults and nestlings - Information regarding the marking of birds (i.e. marking dates and loca-

tions, band numbers or colors etc.)

112. IDENTIFY HUNTING HABITAT NEEDS 1121. CONDUCT LITERATURE SEARCH

A complete search of literature should be made to collect information on prey and hunting ranges of nesting taiga and tundra peregrines.

1122. CONDUCT OBSERVATIONS DURING SURVEYS Record observations of peregrine hunting. Information could include:

- Distance from nest site - Type of habitat - Species of prey

1123. IDENTIFY PREY AND PREY HABITAT When investigators are required to visit the eyrie, prey remains should be collected and later identified to determine the prey species of the pere­grine. Once the prey is identified, habitat types of the principal prey species can be identified and protected.

1124. IDENTIFY HUNTING RANGE Representative hunting ranges should be determined for nesting taiga and tundra peregrines. Radio telemetry techniques are presently the best method to obtain this information. Home range information is essential for protecting hunting areas.

113. DEVELOP STIPULATIONS FOR PROTECTING NESTING AREAS Each possible habitat site or area must be reviewed to provide information relating to the degree of importance of that particular area or site. Protection of all compo­nents of the breeding habitat is essential. Responsible agencies should develop and adopt protective stipulations to address all potential impact to the various components of peregrine nesting habitat, including peregrine hunting areas and prey species.

12. INSURE SUFFICIENT HABITAT ALONG MIGRATION ROUTES 121. DETERMINE MIGRATION ROUTES

In order to develop measures for the protection of peregrines during migration, migration routes must be defined.

1211. ASSIGN MIGRATION AREA JURISDICTION TO APPROPRIATE TEAMS This task is now in the working stages. The eastern recovery team has jurisdiction over the eastern seaboard, Great Lakes and part of the eastern Gulf Coast routes. Their consultants are banding and have an ongoing program in those regions. The Rocky Mountains/Southwest team has jurisdiction over the remainder of the Gulf Coast (Texas) migration route. Here, also, an extensive marking and banding program is being conducted by consultants to the Rocky Mountain/Southwest team. The West Coast team has jurisdiction over the Pacific Coast routes.

1212. CONDUCT GROUND OBSERVATIONS These are made in conjunction with ongoing trapping, banding and mark­ing programs.

1213. INITIATE BANDING ON NESTING GROUNDS IN SELECTED AREAS The FWS has initiated a ten year banding program on representative study areas in Alaska. Numbered U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service leg bands are used. Techniques of trapping and handling that produce the minimum disturbance are employed. Records of banded birds will be forwarded to the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Banding Laboratory at Patuxent, Maryland. During subsequent surveys on the study areas, observers will make a special effort to record pertinent data regarding all banded pere­grines utilizing the areas. These data will be entered in the breeding habitat catalog (Section 154), and made available to appropriate agencies.

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1214. UTILIZE AIRCRAFT AND WHEN FEASIBLE SATELLITE TELEMETRY TECHNIQUES TO TRACK MIGRANTS Dr. Wm. Cochran, Illinois Natural History Survey, has followed falcons trapped and radio tagged in both the Great Lakes and eastern seaboard areas during three autumn migration seasons (1977-1979). Success was limited and such efforts are deemed important, but perhaps only of tem­porary use pending the development of the satellite system. Aircraft tele­metry will be recommended for Alaska if satellite telemetry proves unworkable. Perhaps one of the shortcomings of the previous work accomplishment, as mentioned above, is the placement of transmitters on peregrines from unknown origins. Investigators have only been able to track falcons over a small portion of the migratory route. Falcons need to be instrumented at eyries in Alaska and monitored as they traverse the contig­uous 48 states. This information is needed for both the tundra and taiga populations.

The locations of migration routes and wintering areas can best be learned through tracking by satellite telemetry. This, at present, may not be techni­cally feasible. At best it would be an expensive and complex task. To design a miniaturized and appropriate transmitter with a life of six months which can be received by the satellite may require the involvement of NASA (or private organizations) at the request of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. We recommend that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service request and assist in funding the development of the transmitter. 12141. PLACE TRANSMITTERS ON BIRDS IN SELECTED POPULA­

TIONS ON THE BREEDING GROUNDS Transmitters must be placed on falcons on the breeding grounds to separate the Alaskan from Greeenland and Canadian migrants which presumably mix during migration and possibly in wintering areas.

12142. ASSIST IN DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF TELEMETRY EQUIP­MENT Transmitter design with the needed specifications is an engineer­ing problem. Transmitters to be used on young falcons, must be carried either on the body or leg. Attachment to tail feathers would be desirable because spent transmitters would be discarded during the annual molt. An alternative would be to attach the transmitter to the leg or by a body sling by means of a fabric that would begin to disintegrate after six-ten months and obviate the need of retrapping the individual falcon for removal of the transmitter.

The critical criteria are 1) that the transmitter be placed on the falcon on the breeding grounds, 2) that the life expectancy of the transmitter be at least six months, and 3) that the transmitter must be lost from the falcon automatically.

1215. PROPOSE, RECOMMEND, AND IMPLEMENT COOPERATIVE INTER­NATIONAL MANAGEMENT AND RESEARCH AGREEMENTS Propose, recommend and implement cooperative international manage­ment and research agreements within the Convention on Nature Protec­tion and Wildlife Preservation in the Western Hemisphere or other authori­ties as appropriate. Implementation should originate from the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Washington, D. C.

13. INSURE SUFFICIENT HABITAT ON WINTERING AREAS 131. DETERMINE WINTERING AREAS

This task is at least partially dependent upon the completion of 1214. Without delineation of the wintering areas, major mortality factors relating to contamina­tion and utilization of prey species cannot be fully understood and resolved.

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1311. CONDUCT GROUND OBSERVATIONS, TRAPPING AND BANDING Jorge Albuquerque, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, has made observations on wintering North American peregrines in that nation. Chile, Peru, Ecuador and northern Argentina are other likely localities for convenient ground observation, trapping and banding. These observations would help identify the prey species taken and localities of greatest concern in terms of chemi­cal contamination. Private investigators should be contracted to make such observations on a short term basis. We recommend that a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service research biologist be specifically assigned to work in Central and South America on such problems or that sufficient funds be allocated to contract competent investigators.

1312. UTILIZE AIRCRAFT AND WHEN FEASIBLE SATELLITE TELEMETRY TECHNIQUES Same as task 1214. 13121. Place transmitters on birds in selected populations on the breed­

ing grounds. Same as task 12141. 13122. Assist in development and improvement of telemetry equipment.

Same as task 12142. 1313. PROPOSE, RECOMMEND, AND IMPLEMENT COOPERATIVE INTER­

NATIONAL MANAGEMENT AND RESEARCH AGREEMENTS Same as task 1215.

2. INSURE ADEQUATE PROTECTION ON THE NESTING AREAS, MIGRATION ROUTES AND WINTERING AREAS 21. MINIMIZE IMPACT OF HUMAN ACTIVITIES

Certain human activities, including recreation or industrial and exploratory development, have the potential to disturb peregrines. Protective stipulations, developed by the land management agencies in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Alaska Department of Fish and Game, should address all types of disturbance, and should be designed to protect all essential peregrine habitat, and breeding and migrating pere­grines. 211. INFORM AGENCIES OF APPROPRIATE ENDANGERED SPECIES REGULA­

TIONS The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered Species Coordinator, Alaska Region, should initiate and carry out an information program for all agencies and private companies. All Federal agencies should fully understand their responsibili­ties under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act. Private landowners, develop­ers, etc., should also be made aware of Section 9 and of the importance of maintain­ing endangered species habitat on private lands.

212. MAINTAIN THE SYSTEM TO REVIEW AND REGULATE ACTIVITIES AFFECTING PEREGRINE FALCONS The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will incorporate the protective measures out­lined in this recovery plan in their review of permits dealing with Alaska peregrine falcons. Each permit should be reviewed for need, potential impact, and duplica­tion of effort. Any permit request for capturing or handling peregrines should be carefully investigated.

213. DEVELOP STIPULATIONS TO MINIMIZE DISTURBANCE Standard stipulations, designed to protect all historical and occupied breeding habitat, should be developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game in line with the protection measures described in Appendix C. These minimum stipulations should be applied Alaska-wide. Addi­tional protective stipulations may be necessary when developing site specific recommendations for a proposed activity which may affect peregrines or their habitat.

214. RESEARCH IMPACT OF DISTURBANCE Initiate studies to determine the tolerance of peregrines to different types of disturbance.

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22. IMPLEMENT LAW ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS The law enforcement departments of the various state and federal agencies, under the leadership of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, should develop and initiate an endan­gered species law enforcement plan for Alaska designed to monitor human activity with regard to peregrines and their habitat. 221. EXPAND AND MAINTAIN AN INTELLIGENCE NET

Law enforcement agents should maintain contacts throughout the state, utilizing field offices of various agencies, and their employees. Private citizens should also be contacted in areas of peregrine activity so that a "peregrine watch" can be set up for those areas susceptible to harassment and/or illegal take.

222. EDUCATE AND MAINTAIN COOPERATION OF CUSTOM AGENTS, AIRLINE PERSONNEL AND OTHERS IN TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service law enforcement personnel should contact employees of the transportation industry and conduct an "awareness session" designed to help them recognize illegal transportation of peregrines when seen.

223. CONDUCT FIELD PATROLS AND EYRIE SURVEILLANCE While leadership in conducting systematic field patrols of sensitive habitat areas should lie with the Law Enforcement Division of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, all other agencies should coordinate field activities to take advantage of their field personnel's "eyes and ears". A patrol schedule should be worked out each year with the concerned agencies. Procedures outlining appropriate steps to be taken by non-enforcement field personnel when encountering a possible endangered species infraction should be initiated and distributed by U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Law Enforcement personnel.

23. PROPOSE, RECOMMEND, AND IMPLEMENT COOPERATIVE INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT AND RESEARCH AGREEMENTS Same as task 1215.

3. MONITOR POPULATIONS To determine whether or not progress toward achievement of the recovery objective of this plan is being made, nesting distributions, densities and population trends must be known. Therefore, the objective of this section is to provide a means to evaluate the overall effective­ness of the plan. This will entail: 1) continuing to collect information on F. p. anatum and F. p. tundrius nesting distributions on a statewide basis, 2) providing a system of data storage and retrieval, 3) surveying selected areas to determine population trends, and 4) gaining an understanding of juvenile and adult turnover rates and fidelity of individuals to specific nest sites.

31. SURVEY REPRESENTATIVE HABITAT AREAS ON BREEDING GROUNDS To remain abreast of trends in population density and reproductive success of F. p. anatum and F. p. tundrius surveys will be conducted along the Yukon and Tanana Rivers (taiga study areas) and the Colville and Sagavanirktok Rivers (tundra study areas) respectively. The Yukon study area shall consist of nesting habitat along the Yukon River between the Canadian boundary and Circle City. The Tanana area shall consist of the river course between Tetlin and Nenana. The Colville study area shall consist of nesting habitat along the Colville River between the mouth of the Etivluk River and Ocean Point. The Sagavanirktok area shall consist of the river course between Happy Valley Camp and the downriver extension of Franklin Bluff. These study areas were selected because: 1) they represent important nesting habitat for the two subspecies, and 2) population trends have been monitored intermittently in these areas since the late 1950's.

The objective of surveys in the study areas shall be to obtain the necessary information on nesting density and production trends in a manner that will produce the least amount of disturbance to the birds. All surveyors will be subpermittees to the USFWS Endangered Species Permit. 311. SURVEY TAIGA AREAS TO DETERMINE BREEDING DENSITY AND PRODUC­

TIVITY OFF. P. ANATUM The purpose of surveys in thetaiga study areas will be to determine nesting density and productivity of F. p. anatum. Two trips through the area will be required to

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complete each survey. The first, in late May or June, will reveal the number of birds attempting to nest. In early July a second trip will reveal the number of young produced and provide an opportunity for banding. During either trip, nest sites should be visited only on foot. Travel between sites may involve the use of automo­biles, boats, fixed wing aircraft, or helicopters. Investigators should collect mate­rials such as addled eggs or dead chicks that may be useful in determining pesticide levels in the peregrine population. Such materials will be analyzed according to arrangements as stated in the permit.

As with other field activities directly involving the birds, efforts will be made to minimize disturbance. Acceptable techniques will be clearly and specifically defined in the permit. All data collected from the taiga study area surveys will be reported in a timely manner allowing entry into the data storage system as des­cribed in 1113.

312. SURVEY TUNDRA AREA TO DETERMINE BREEDING DENSITY AND PRO­DUCTIVITY OF F. P. TUNDR/US The purpose of surveys in the tundra study areas will be to determine nesting density and productivity of F. p. tundrius. Two river trips through the areas will be required to complete each survey. The first, in late May-early June, will be aimed at obtaining the numbers and locations of pairs attempting to nest. A second trip in late July, will be aimed at obtaining productivity data and will provide an opportun­ity for banding. During either trip, nest sites should be visited only on foot. Travel between sites may utilize automobiles, boats, fixed wing aircraft or helicopters. Investigators should collect materials such as addled eggs or dead chicks that may be useful in determining pesticide levels in the peregrine population. Such materials will be analyzed according to arrangements as stated in the permit.

As with other field activities directly involving the birds, efforts will be made to minimize disturbance. Acceptable techniques will be clearly and specifically defined in the permit. All data collected from thetundrastudy area surveys will be reported in a timely manner allowing entry into the data storage system as des­cribed in 1113.

32. MONITOR PESTICIDE LEVELS INF. P. ANATUM AND F. P. TUNDR/US POPULA­TIONS ON THE BREEDING GROUNDS, MIGRATION ROUTES, AND WINTERING AREAS Residue levels are typically monitored through chemical analysis of collected eggs. An alternative procedure involves chemical analysis of blood samples. This technique has been used on migrating peregrines since about 1979. In 1981, blood was taken from nine F. p. anatum adults in Alaska. The blood is collected, stored and analyzed as described by Henny (1981), and will be useful in determining when pesticide levels have declined to the point at which the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service can consider reclassification and delisting.

33. INVESTIGATE ADULT MORTALITY AND REPLACEMENT RATES Accurate extrapolation of population trend data from the representative study areas to larger geographical areas within Alaska requires more thorough knowledge of population dynamics than will be obtained from broad surveys. Hence, efforts should be directed toward obtaining information regarding replacement rates among nesting adults and the fidelity of breeding pairs to specific nest sites. This information is essential if a statewide picture of population trends is to be based on the study area data.

34. IDENTIFY AND EVALUATE RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF FACTORS INFLUENCING SURVIVAL Basic knowledge can be gained from a review of the literature but most data are expected to be acquired by direct communication with individuals of appropriate countries or direct observations during field studies. Field studies would focus on areas of falcon concentrations or in areas where falcons are known to undergo direct mortality (areas of concentrated band returns). The United States should be prepared to assist both techno­logically and economically to influence and reduce the use of harmful, persistent pollutants.

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35. EXPLORE FEASIBILITY OF ARTIFICIAL RESTOCKING (To be employed only if natural production is insufficient to recover populations). Placement of captive-reared birds in the wild to augment natural populations is being attempted in other locations of North America. While Alaska populations do not presently need such a drastic step to prevent their decline, we should still monitor results achieved and methodology used in other areas. It is possible that restocking may be the only way to insure the perpetuation of birds in the wild. 351. MONITOR RESULTS OF ONGOING CAPTIVE BREEDING AND REINTRODUC­

TION PROGRAMS The Alaska team and the responsible agencies must keep in close contact with ongoing research on this subject. When a viable breeding and restocking pro­gram is established for various localities in North America, we should all be well aware of the merits and deficiencies of the program and be able to judge its applicability to the Alaska situation.

352. EXPLORE USE OF ARTIFICIAL EGG INCUBATION AND REPLACEMENT OF YOUNG IN EYRIES IN LIMITED GEOGRAPHIC AREAS The technique of removing eggs from nests, providing the adults with artificial eggs, hatching the eggs in an incubator andthen replacing the young in their nests has proven to be a most useful tool by the Rocky Mountain Recovery Team. Failure to hatch eggs, seemingly because they broke in nests, was perhaps the single most important cause of poor production on the Colville River in 1977. For the technique of removing eggs to be hatched artificially to work, adult falcons must maintain normal incubation behavior while their eggs are artificially incubated and hatched. This is accomplished by providing the adults with a clutch of 3-4 artificial eggs. It has been shown that adults will accept tiny young placed in their nests.

353. DETERMINE EFFECTIVENESS OF ARTIFICIAL NEST STRUCTURES After nest structures have been installed in selected field locations, a systematic monitoring of the sites will be necessary to determine reaction to the structures and possible use. This should be the responsibility of the habitat-managing agency in cooperation with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

354. PLACE ARTIFICIAL NEST STRUCTURES AT SELECTED SITES If use of artifical nest structures proves to be feasible they should be placed in selected field locations where nesting habitat is being threatened by erosion or other outside influences.

4. INITIATE RESEARCH ON PREY SPECIES 41. IDENTIFY PREY SPECIES

Determine the prey species of the peregrine falcon on the breeding grounds, migration routes and wintering areas. These are partially known from earlier work.

42. IDENTIFY PREY HABITAT Determine the habitat of the prey species on the breeding grounds, migration routes and wintering areas, and insure protection of those areas.

43. MONITOR PREY POPULATION LEVELS As the occasion permits and in conjunction with other studies, standard transect methods should be used to determine prey densities near nesting sites and in hunting areas.

44. MONITOR PESTICIDE LEVELS Once the principal prey species are identified in each of the concerned locations (breed­ing, migration, and wintering), monitor the pesticide levels in these species. This is especially important in Latin America due to the continued use of pesticides containing chlorinated hydrocarbons.

5. CONTINUE AND EXPAND A PUBLIC INFORMATION-EDUCATION PROGRAM A well-designed and executed public education program will shape agency and public opinion to assist efforts to restore the peregrine to a non-endangered status.

Information-education needs are of such broad scope that the program should be organized on a national or even international basis and supported by all peregrine recovery teams. The Alaska team endorses the program described in the recovery plan proposed by the Rocky Mountain/Southwestern Peregrine Falcon Recovery Team (Appendix B).

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51. SUPPORT A COOPERATIVE RECOVERY TEAM EFFORT TO ESTABLISH A NATIONAL/ INTERNATIONAL (WITH EMPHASIS ON LATIN AMERICA) INFORMATION­EDUCATION PROGRAM (As described and outlined by the Rocky Mountain/Southwestern Peregrine Falcon Recovery Team-Appendix B).

52. CONDUCT AN INFORMATION-EDUCATION PROGRAM WITHIN ALASKA In addition to a national/international program, a local Alaskan information and educa­tion program is needed. Such a program would involve planned presentations to schools, clubs and other organizations; disemination of information to governmental agencies, private organizations and the public; and response to media inquiries.

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LITERATURE CITED

Albuquerque, J. L.B. 1978. Contribuicao a conhecimento de Fa/co peregrinus Tunstall, 1771. Na America do sul (Falconidae, Aves). Rev. Brasil. Biol. 38:727-737.

Amaral, M. J. 1981. The occurrence of peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus anatum) and other raptors on the Charley River, Alaska, 1981. Unpbl. report, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Anchorage, Alaska. 22 pp.

Ambrose, R. E. and K. E. Riddle. 1982. The status of peregrine falcons along the upper Yukon River, Alaska, and blood sampling of peregrine falcons in interior Alaska for toxicological analysis, 1981. Unpbl. report, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fairbanks, Alaska. 22 pp.

Bishop, L.B. 1900. Annotated list of birds. in W. H. Osgood. Results of a biological reconnaissance of the Yukon River region. North Amer. Fauna no. 19.

Brandt, H. 1943. Alaska bird trails. Bird Research Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio. 464 pp.

Brodkorb, P. 1964. Catalogue of fossil birds. Part 2: Anseriformes through Galliformes. Florida State Mus. Biol. Sci. Bull. 8:165-335.

Cade, T. J. 1951. Food of the peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus, in interior Alaska. Auk 68:373-374.

Cade, T. J. 1953. The peregrine falcon in the Yukon Valley. Proc. Second Alaska Sci. Conf. 1951: pp 330-334.

Cade, T. J. 1960. Ecology of peregrine and gyrfalcon populations in Alaska. Univ. Calif. Pub I. Zoo I. 63(3):151-290.

Cade, T. J., J. L. Lincer, C. M. White, D. G. Roseneau, and L. G. Swartz. 1971. DOE residues and eggshell changes in Alaskan falcons and hawks. Science 172:955-957.

Cade, T. J., C. M. White, and J. R. Haugh. 1968. Peregrines and pesticides in Alaska. Condor 70(2):170-178.

Cade, T. J., and R. Fyfe. 1970. The North American peregrine survey, 1970. Can. Field-Nat. 84:231-245.

Cade, T. J., and C. M. White. 1976. Colville River Watershed, Alaska. In: R. W. Fyfe, S. A. Temple, T. J. Cade (eds.). The 1975 North American peregrine falcon survey. Can. Field-Nat. 90:228-273.

Cade, T. J., C. M. White, R. E. Ambrose, and R. Ritchie. 1976. The central Yukon River, Alaska pp. 251-254. /n: R. W. Fyfe, S. A. Temple, and T. J. Cade (eds.). The North American peregrine falcon survey. Can. Field-Nat. 90:228-273.

Curatolo, J., and R. E. Ambrose. 1978. A final report of the peregrine falcon surveillance program between Circle, Alaska - Yukon border, 1978. Unpbl. report for USFWS, Fairbanks, Alaska. 40 pp.

Chapman, F. M. 1926. The distribution of bird-life in Ecuador. Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. Vol. 55.

Dall, W. H., and H. M. Bannister. 1869. List of the birds of Alaska, with biographical notes. Trans. Chicago Acad. Sci. 1 :267-325.

Dittrick, B., and T. Swem. 1981. Productivity and status of cliff nesting raptors along the Colville River and selected areas within the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. Unpbl. report, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Anchorage, Alaska. 45 pp.

Ellis, D. H., C. M. Anderson, and T. B. Roundy. 1981. Falco kreyenborgi; more pieces for the puzzle. Raptor Research. 15:42-45.

Enderson, J. H. 1969. Peregrine and prairie falcon life tables based on band-recovery data. pp. 505-509. /n: J. J. Hickey, ed. Peregrine falcon populations: Their Biology and Decline. Univ. Wisconsin Press, Madison.

Enderson, J. H., D. G. Roseneau, and L. G. Swartz. 1968. Nesting performance and pesticide residues in Alaskan and Yukon peregrines in 1967. Auk 85:683.

22

Enderson, J. H., S. A. Temple, and L. G. Swartz. 1972. Time-lapse photographic records of nesting peregrine falcons. Living Bird 11 :113-128.

Fyfe, R., S. A. Temple, and T. J. Cade. 1976. The North American peregrine survey, 1975. Can. Field-Nat. 90:228-273.

Gabrielson, I. N., and F. C. Lincoln. 1959. The birds of Alaska. Wildlife Management Institute, Washington, D. C. 922 pp.

Haugh, J. R. 1979. The Tanana Valley, Alaska. /n: T. J. Cade and R. Fyfe. The North American peregrine survey, 1970. Can. Field-Nat. 84:239-241.

Haugh, J. R. 1976. The Tanana River of Alaska, pp. 254-256. /n: R. W. Fyfe, S. A. Temple, and T. J. Cade (eds.), The North American peregrine falcon survey, 1975. Can. Field-Nat. 90:228-273.

Haugh, J. R. 1976. Populations and reproductive changes in Alaskan arctic peregrines. Can. Field-Nat. 90:359-361.

Haugh, J. R., and K. C. Halperin. 1976. Evaluation of raptor populations. Unpbl. report for BLM, USFS, NPS, USFWS, and Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Anchorage, Alaska. 58 pp.

Henny, C. J., and D. L. Meeker. 1981. An evaluation of blood plasma for monitoring ODE in birds of prey. Environmental Pollution 25 (1981):291-304.

Hickey, J. J., and D. W. Anderson. 1969. The peregrine falcon: life history and population literature, pp. 3-42. In: J. J. Hickey ed., Peregrine Falcon Populations: Their Biology and Decline. Univ. Wisconsin Press, Madison.

Housse, E. 1945. Las aves de Chile: su vida y costumbres. Ediciones de la Univer. de Chile, Santiago.

Kessel, B., and T. J. Cade. 1958. Birds of the Colville River, northern Alaska. Biological Papers of the Univ. of Alaska no. 2.

Koepcke, H. W., and M. Koepcke. 1966. Las aves silvestres de importancia economica del Peru. no. 12. Ministerio del Agriculturia, Servicio Foresta! y de Cazas, Lima, Peru.

Koranda, J. J., and C. D. Evans. 1975. A discussion of sites recommended potential natural landmarks in the Arctic lowland, northern Alaska. Contract Number W-7405-Eng-48, U. S. Energy Research and Development Administration.

Lincer, J. L., T. J. Cade, and J. M. Devine. 1970. Organochlorine residues in Alaskan peregrine falcons (Fa/co peregrinus Tunstall), rough-legged hawks (Buteo /agopus Pontoppidan) and their prey. Can. Field-Nat. 84:255-263.

Mindell, D. P., and F. L. Craighead. 1981. Peregrine falcon status and prey, and observations of other raptors on the middle and lower Yukon River, Alaska, 1981. Unpbl. report, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Anchorage, Alaska. 34 pp.

Mindell, D. P., and R. A. Datsun. 1981. Distribution and abundance of nesting raptors in southwest­ern Alaska, 1979 and 1980. Alaska Raptor Symposium, Anchorage, Alaska, 1981.

Olivares, A. 1969. Aves de Cundinarmarca. Publ. Direcion de Divulgaccon Cultural, Universidad Nacional de Columbia.

Osgood, W. H. 1909. Biological investigations in Alaska and Yukon Territory. North American Fauna no. 30.

Peakall, D. B., T. J. Cade, C. M. White, and J. R. Haugh. 1975. Organochlorine residues in Alaskan peregrines. Pesticide Monitoring J. 8:255-260.

Peakall, D. B. 1976. The peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) and pesticides. Can. Field-Nat. 90:301-307.

Ratcliffe, D. 1980. The peregrine falcon. Buteo Books, Vermillion, South Dakota.

Ritchie, R. J. 1981. Results of a preliminary survey of museum collections to determine the occurrence of Falco peregrinus anatum in southeastern Alaska and adjacent coastal areas. Report for the USFWS, Office of Endangered Species, Anchorage, Alaska. 42 pp.

23

Ritchie, R. J., and R. E. Ambrose. 1978. Status of the peregrine falcon, Falcon peregrinus, in the central Kuskokwim River region, Alaska. Can. Field-Nat. 92:293.

Ritchie, R. J., and J. A. Curatolo. 1981 a. The status of peregrine falcons and other rapt ors along the Porcupine River, Alaska, 1981. Unpbl. report, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Anchorage, Alaska. 36 pp.

Ritchie, R. J., and J. A. Curatolo, 1981 b. Peregrine falcon surveys along the Northwest Alaska Pipeline route, Alaska, 1981. Northwest Pipeline Company. 25 pp.

Roseneau, D. G., H. Reynolds Ill, and C. M. White. 1976a. Northeastern Alaska. pp. 243-245. In: R. W. Fyfe, S. A. Temple, and T. J. Cade (eds.). The North American peregrine falcon survey, 1975. Can. Field-Nat. 90:228-273.

Roseneau, D. G., A. M. Springer, and L. G. Swartz. 1976b. The western coast of Alaska, pp. 257-295. In: R. W. Fyfe, S. A. Temple, and T. J. Cade (eds.), The North American peregrine falcon survey, 1975. Can. Field-Nat. 90:228-273.

Sick, H. 1960. Notas sobreFalco peregrinus anatum Bonaparte no Brasil (Falconidae, Aves). Museu Natl. Univ. do Brasil Pub!. Avulsas No. 34. 22 p.

Sick, H. 1961. Peregrine falcon hunting bats while wintering in Brazil. Auk 78:646-648.

Smith, P. S., and J.B. Mertie, Jr. 1930. Geology and mineral resources of northwestern Alaska. U.S. Geo!. Surv. Bull. 815.

Springer, A. M., D. G. Roseneau and P. J. Bente. 1979. Numbers and status of peregrine falcons on portions of the Colville River and Yukon River, Alaska. Unpbl. report to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Anchorage, Alaska. 16 pp. maps.

Steullet, A. B., and E. A. Deautier. 1935. Catalogo sistematico de las aves de la RepublicaArgentina. In: Obra de! cincuentenario de! Museo de la Plata, Buenos Aires.

Voous, K. H. 1957. The birds of Aurba, Curacao and Bonaire. In: P. N. Hummelinck (ed.). Marti nus Najhoff, The Hague. Studies on the Fauna of Curacao and other Caribbean Islands: no. 29.

White, C. M. 1974. Hunting range of a breeding peregrine falcon on Franklin Bluff, Sagavanirktok River. Interim report for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Anchorage, Alaska. 5 pp.

White, C. M., and T. J. Cade. 1971. Cliff-nesting raptors and ravens along the Colville River in arctic Alaska. Living Bird 10:107-150.

White, C. M., and T. J. Cade. 1975. Raptorstudies along the proposed Susitna powerline corridors, oil pipeline and in the Yukon and Colville River regions of Alaska. Combined Report to USFWS, BLM, NPS and Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., mimeo. 28 pp.

White, C. M., and T. J. Cade. 1976. Long term trends of peregrine populations in Alaska. First World Conf. on Birds of Prey, Proc., ICBP, Vienna, Austria. 1975:63-72.

White, C. M., and D. G. Roseneau. 1970. Observations on food, nesting, and winter populations of large North American falcons. Condor 71 :113-115.

White, C. M., and D. A. Boyce. 1978. A profile of various rivers and their raptor populations in western Alaska, 1977. Bureau of Land Mang!., Anchorage, Alaska. Tech. Report 01. 77 pp.

White, C. M., W. B. Emison, and F. S. L. Williamson. 1973. DOE in a resident Aleutian Island peregrine population. Condor 75:306-311.

25

IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULES

PHASE:

GENERAL PLAN TASK TASK II PRIORITY TASK CATEGORY # DURATION

( l) ( 2) (3) (4) ( 5) I

M-7 Control impact of 113, 211, 1 :::ontinuou~ human disturbance 212, 213 !

I-6 Locate and cata- lll 2 ::ontinuou log all existing )ngoing and historic nesting habitat

I-3 Identify hunting ll2 2 Pngoing habitat needs

I-8 Observation and 1212 2 )ngoing trapping on 13ll migration routes and wintering areas.

I 8 Survey and banding 1213 2 10 Years in selected nesting. 3ll areas 312

I-8 Utilize aircraft 1214 2 5 Years and satellite tele- 1312 metry to determine migration and wintering areas

IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE

RESPONSIBLE AGENCY FWS OTHER

REGION PROGRAM ( 6) (6a) ( 7)

7 SE ADF&G

I 7 ! SE BLM

' NPS

I ADF&G

i 7 I SE -

'

All SE ADF&G Research

7 SE BLM MB ADF&G

All SE -Research

FISCAL YEAR COSTS (EST.)(8)

FY-83 FY-84 FY-85

75,000 75 ,000 75,000

5,000 5,000 5,000

6,000 6,000 10,000

8,000 8,000 8,000

25 ,000 25,000 25, 000

10,000 10,000 10,000

COMMENTS/NOTES

( 9)

Section 7, E.S.A. 60,000 - Anchorage 15,000 - Fairbanks

Requires literature search, field observations, identi-fication of prey habitat and identification of hunting range using telemetry.

Each FY, 5,000 for migration and 3,000 for wintering areas.

For years 1979-1988 Task 311 (taiga) 15,000 per FY and Task 312 (tundra) 10,000 per FY.

Employ satellite telemetry when feasible ($5,000 for migration, 5,000 for wintering each FY).

"' ...,

PHASE:

GENERAL PLAN TASK TASK if PRIORITY CATEGORY II

( 1) ( 2) ( 3) (4)

0-3 Propose, rec om- 1215 2 mend, and implement 1313 cooperative, inter- 23 national manage-ment and research agreements

I-14 Research tolerance 214 2 to disturbance

0-2 Expand and main- 221 2 tain intelligence net

0-2 Maintain coopera- 222 2 tion of custom, airlines and transport personnel

0-2 Conduct field 223 2 patrol and eyrie surveillance

I-12 Monitor pesticide 32 2 levels in adults from !:. .P_!.

~and[:_~ tundrius on the breeding grounds, migration routes and wintering areas

IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE

TASK RESPONSIBLE AGENCY DURATION FWS 01MicR

REGION PROGRAM ( 5) ( 6) (6a) ( 7)

Unknown All SE State Dept.

2 Years 7 I SE ' I '

Continuots 7 LE ADF&G

Continuots 7 LE ADF&G

Continua s 7 LE ADF&G

Continua s All SE -Research

FISCAL YEAR COSTS (EST. )(8)

FY-83 FY-84 FY-85

0 0 0

0 0 0

10,000 10,000 10,000

3,000 3,000 3,000

15,000 15,000 15,000

5,000 5,000 5,000

COMMENTS/NOTES

( 9)

Washington Office functions.

To be done when the population is healthy enough to be subjected to disturbance research. Cost approximately $5,000/FY when performed.

Per approved Strategy Plan.

$2,000 each year for breeding grounds, $3,000 for migration and wintering.

"' co

I

PHASE;

GENERAL PLAN TASK TASK :ft- PRIORITY TASK CATEGORY II DURATION

(!) ( 2) ( 3) (4) (5)

I-1 Investigate adult 33 2 10 Years mortality and re-placement rates

I-1 Identify and 34 2 10 Years evaluate factors influencing survival

0-1 Establish national/ 51 2 Continuou international information/educa-tion program

0-1 Conduct informa- 52 2 Continuou~ tion/education program in Alaska

I-3 Identify prey 41 2 5 Years species and prey 42 habitat

I-3 Monitor prey popula- 43 2 5 Years tion levels

I-12 Monitor pesticide 44 2 5 Years levels in the principle prey speciE s

I-7 Monitor captive 351 3 Continue s breeding programs

IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE

RESPONSIBLE AGENCY FWS o~=R

REGION PROGRAM ( 6) (6a) ( 7)

7 SE -

I 7 I SE -

I 7 I SE -

I

7 PA ADF&G

7 SE

7 SE

7 SE

7 SE

FISCAL YEAR COSTS (EST.)(8)

FY-83 FY-84 FY-85

2,000 2,000 2,000

1,000 1,000 1,000

- -

2,000 2,000 2,000

2,000 2,000 2,000

2,000 2,000 2,000

2,000 2,000 2,000

0 0 0

COMMENTS/NOTES

( 9)

In conjunction with Tasks 1213, 311 and 312.

In conjunction with Tasks 1213, 311, 312, and 32.

Washington Office function.

Compliments Task 112

In conjunction with Tasks 112, 41, 42, and 44

In conjunction with Tasks 112, 41, 42, and 43

"' <D

PHASE:

GENERAL PLAN TASK TASK if PRIORITY TASK CATEGORY ii DURATION

( 1) ( 2) ( 3) (4) ( 5)

I-7 Explore use of 352 3 Only as artificial egg required incubation and replacement of young in eyrie

I-7 Determine effec- 353 3 Only as tiveness of arti- required ficial nest structures

I-7 Place artificial 354 3 Only as nest structures required at selected sites

IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE

RESPONSIBLE AGENCY FWS OTHER

REGION PROGRAM (6) (6a) ( 7)

7 SE

I 7 SE

I

7 SE

FISCAL YEAR COSTS (EST.)(8)

FY-83 FY-84 FY-85

0 0 0

0 0 0

0 0 0

COMMENTS/NOTES

( 9)

Tasks 352, 353, and 354 are to be employed only if natural production is insufficient to recover population

"' 0

APPENDIX - A

Recoveries of Peregrine Falcons Banded in Alaska, 1952-1981

31

33

Recoveries of peregrine falcons banded in Alaska, 1952-1981:

Date Location Date Location Number Banded Banded Recovered Recovered

047709970 08/01/52 Colville River 12/13/55 Near Buenos Aires, Argentina

052799606 08/01/59 Colville River 10/15/59 Grays Harbor, Washington

057687953 07 /14/67 Porcupine River 11/22/67 North-central Argentina

087700862 08/01/67 Colville River 09/27/67 Southwest Saskatchewan

087700847 07 /31/68 Colville River 08/29/72 Southwest Alberta

061702449 07/29/69 Colville River 10/09/69 Southwest Louisianna

072701617 07 /13/77 U. Yukon River 10/23/77 El Salvador

987-39767 07/14/79 U. Yukon River 10/06/79 Padre Island, Texas

987-39759 07/10/79 U. Yukon River 10/07/79 Padre Island, Texas

987-39759 07/10/79 U. Yukon River 10/10/79 East Gulf Coast, Mexico

987-47120 07/11/80 L. Yukon River 09/25/80 Mt. Vernon, Washington

987-39734 07/11/80 U. Yukon River 11/ ? 180 Central Mexico

987-39772 07 /12/80 U. Yukon River 01/? /81 North-central Brazil

987-51006 07 /12/81 Tanana River 10/12/81 Padre Island, Texas

987-47140 07/16/80 L. Yukon River 12/10/81 Delta, British Columbia

APPENDIX- B

Information/Education Proposal

35

36

The Alaskan Peregrine Recovery Team endorses, in concept, the following Education/Information Proposal which is included in the approved Rocky Mountain - Southwest Peregrine Falcon Recovery Plan. Cost estimates and possibly other aspects of the plan may not be appropriate for Alaska.

37

This has been submitted to the Recovery Team as an example of an extensive Information­Education program.

Peregrine Recovery

A Plan for Implementation and Management of Public Information

Jim and Stellanie Ure Salt Lake City, Utah

38

Introduction

This outline proposes the formation of a public information unit to prepare and implement a national program to create agency, legislative and public support of Peregrine Recovery Team efforts. We propose to call this unit "PRSC"-Peregrine Recovery Staff Consultants, since the program calls for our function in a staff position.

PRSC would operate on a non-aligned basis, presumably responsible to an advisory or directors' board. PRSC would make recommendations based on media/marketing/communications tech­niques that have proved effective in creating awareness and generating support.

We present here the options for consideration by Peregrine Recovery Teams.

An information and education program can be planned and executed for any amount; what we propose will be a simple but effective first-year program considering time deadlines.

Goals

People management has become one of the most important elements of peregrine recovery efforts. People management should be fully 50 percent of your thrust.

Using marketing/media/communications techniques, we propose a tightly coordinated program to shape agency and public opinion favorable to the efforts of the Peregrine Recovery Teams.

The prime goal for all is to reestablish anatum* populations. But to achieve this requires subgoals, including:

1. Generation of more dollars for peregrine recovery efforts. 2. Generation of public demand and support for peregrine recovery efforts.

There are other problems that a communications program can help solve, including elimination and discouragement of use of DDT and Dieldrin; it can increase prey availability by influencing farmers and others to plant suitable cover crops; it can educate in the schools, reaching children before negative opinions are developed toward hawks in general; it can reduce human activities in areas of nesting and feeding; it can create a degree of protection against thoughtless shooting or destruction of nests.

Properly planned and executed, it will leave an indelible mark on the public.

Treatment/Theme

Thematic treatment for the entire program must be developed.

-It must create interest and excitement. -It must instruct and inform. -It can move people to take action.

The delicate problem that must be addressed in the creation of this theme is to avoid creating a demand by the public to possess or fly birds of prey.

And because the public seems to be largely ignorant of life histories of birds of prey and the differences that distinguish them, raptor preservation in general must be part of the theme.

We will create a theme, a graphics approach, a logotype that offers an easily identifiable and meaningful expression. Both copy and art will be adaptable for all media, from skywriting to television.

This will be done after extensive interviews with Recovery Team members.

*In Alaska, anatum and tundrius.

39

Special Media Events

News can be made. You do not have to wait until it happens. One good suggestion is the endan­gered species week declaration by the President. The Peregrine Teams should develop a complete, detailed package for such a program. It stands a chance of good success if we answer all questions in advance, then run it through political channels. The program would be designed to use the peregrine as the symbol of all endangered species.

All public agencies would use this symbol when dealing in programs or publications on endan­gered species. That way, even wolf programs display the peregrine symbol-and peregrine recov­ery is an indirect beneficiary.

The peregrine lends itself beautifully to becoming the symbol of America's endangered species; unlike some of the other endangered species, it is-thanks to that wonderful moustache and falcon's beak-unmistakable.

We should also consider using a public personality as a spokesman or a woman for TV or radio public service spots.

A media event with considerable national and international reach can be arranged whereby the President becomes a witness to the release of a captive-bred peregrine, with suitable sidebar statements coming from the team. And if Canada shares in this program, the Prime Minister's presence would give the event truly international scope.

Special media events also include arranging for TV and radio specials, motion picture assistance, creation of concepts the media will use.

Agency Program

Public agencies, in many cases, are unaware of the peregrine recovery effort. In some cases they operate in gray areas where an agency role is not clearly defined vis a vis the peregrine.

PRSC's job wil be to pull these disparate elements together and present definitive programs that agencies can use for guidance. We also propose to supply materials to support the peregrine recovery effort.

The immediate goal is to simply inform the public agencies of the goals and activities for peregrine recovery and urge they clarify their own roles in the project.

The steps for informing and involving all government, academic and private institutions with an interest:

1. Determine who needs to be involved. 2. Sponsor and host either one central meeting, to which representatives are invited, or a series of

regular regional meetings (making attendance and involvement easier for more persons). 3. Printed materials to be prepared for agency use include:

a. A definitive, handsome, four-color folder on the peregrine, including a guide to identifica­tion of the three North American subspecies and information on how the recovery effort is proceeding. Also included should be information and identification pages on all North American raptors.

b. An audio/visual presentation showing various aspects of the program. c. A big, full-color poster showing all raptors. This will be hung in agency offices everywhere. d. Press releases that can be localized. e. TV and radio scripts, public service ad copy, with directions for use. f. Photos and slides of peregrines and team activities. g. A press kit cover, in which all of the above items are placed. These are passed out to those in

attendance. They double as kits to give the working press.

40

The workshops should also include:

1. Simple, inexpensive, one-color signs that agencies can use to post in hunting areas urging that hunters do not shoot at any hawks. Hunters, like wildfowl, have become more concentrated. Small signs posted regularly are read and are effective. A leaflet should also be available to hunters at checking stations. The two will be combined-poster on one side, information on the other.

2. Present a media short course at the workshop. This will explain how to get the most publicity on the recovery effort. It will present updated information on use of media by the private sector and will provide a local tie-in in every state and town. Tricks of the trade, if you will. This will be useful to agencies in areas other than the peregrine effort.

3. "How to Develop a Raptor Short Course for Public Schools." This should be part of the program. Those in attendance can adapt the programs for local use. We can offer script and slides or film strip to them at cost.

4. Present national communications/information plans. Urge tie-in programs to coincide. 5. Distribution of order forms so local agencies can purchase additional materials at cost. All

materials can be designed for overprinting or tagging by the agency distributing them.

The materials developed for these workshops should also be sent to: ornithological societies, conservation organizations, local and national bird and falconry clubs, and hunting and fishing organizations.

A newsletter format will be designed and mailing lists compiled. The newsletter should go out at least nine times a year, more frequently as activity, reporting, and involvement become apparent. It should contain news of the Peregrine effort; it also must contain human interest features, high­lights, sidebars and personalities. This insures broader readership. An inexpensive format is suggested. Newsletters should be self-mailing.

Public Communication/Public Service Messages

Ideally, a program of this scope should include a pre-campaign attitude survey of the public relative to peregrines and raptors in general. (Is the old adage still true? Big chicken hawks and little chicken hawks.) We should then design the theme and, after the program has been operable for a year, do a post-campaign study to determine what influence we've had on attitudes.

This is the only means of measuring true effectiveness.

A public program can still be done without the survey, although the survey is an essential tool in shaping public opinion.

Here are the steps for taking the program to the public. They should be instituted only after governmental agencies are well-informed and ready to answer and serve the public knowledge­ably:

1. 2.

3.

Develop a theme as outlined. Keep constantly abreast of developments in the field and assign spot features to suitable media. Begin with natural history publication exposure. Develop mass exposure through daily press, wire services, news magazines and broadcast. Prepare and mail press releases as new developments occur or as they are created for publicity purposes.

4. Form a citizen's lobby expressly for peregrine recovery. This should include some significant public names.

5. Field all press questions and either provide answers or direct the press to one of the team members with expertise in the area of request.

6. Form a speakers bureau. Provide transportation and a small honorarium to team members on the bureau. Be selective. Encourage other agencies to form local speakers bureaus on the peregrine recovery effort.

7. When dealing with the press, use the press kit. Tailor each kit to a particular medium when possible (tapes for radio stations, slides or film for TV, glossies for print).

41

8. Prepare public service television spots for the 660 TV stations in the United States. Get Canadian Film Board approval for use of the same in Canada. See if Canada will cooperate on paying for production and distribution.

9. Prepare public service ads for magazines. These must be done in a variety of sizes, as they are placed in the magazine at the last minute when advertisers cancel ads or articles run short.

10. Prepare public service radio scripts and/or tapes, depending on budget. 11. Prepare a mailer for TV and film producers indicating that we can provide technical expertise

for any vehicles they may be doing on peregrines or raptors. 12. Establish a photo file for press and publications use. 13. A 16mm movie with enough prints for distribution (in rotation) to TV stations, organizations,

government agencies, should be produced as budgets permit. It should follow the theme we develop and reflect the philosophy of the peregrine effort. It can be of high artistic merit and of award-winning calibre to insure wide exposure. It will get considerable air time.

Time and Costs

Timing is essential to the peregrine recovery effort. The recommendations that follow provide a simple but high-impact program that will give the effort an increase in public awareness of what is now probably less than 1 percent to 25 percent in six months. It will grow as time passes and as the program can be expanded.

The costs incurred on behalf of the Peregrine Recovery Team will be billed at net, or wholesale, through an arrangement with an affiliated advertising agency.

The costs estimated on the following pages are somewhat high in order to facilitate the possibility of cost increases prior to actually beginning production.

Experience indicates we will come in at about 10 percent less on most of the jobs outlined.

In the second and continuing years of such a program (and you will definitely need a continuing program), some of the initial start-up costs will no longer be necessary (the film costs, brochures, posters and other materials can be reprinted at great savings).

A service fee is covered in the section following the media/collateral material stepdown.

MEDIA/COLLATERAL MATERIALS Budget Fiscal Year 1976

PRCS Production Estimates-(All jobs bid and billed at wholesale)

LOGOTYPE

Concept and development of Logotype, logotype sheets for use on all public service magazines, ads, press kits, brochures, TV spots, literature, research and printing of letterheads and envelopes.

Art direction, expediting, meeting and research on above.

TOTAL LOGO

BROCHURES & POSTERS

Photography, design, layout and printing of 100,000 four-color brochures.•

Art direction, concept, copywriting, research, print bidding & control, supervi­sion of distribution.

Typography, layout, photography, art design and printing of 10,000 four-color approx. 1 O" x 30" posters.•

Concept, art direction, copywriting, research, bidding, printing supervision, proofing, distribution, planning and directing.

TOT AL BROCHURES & POSTERS

AUDIO VISUAL PRESENTATION

This can be very simple or very elaborate. It can be duplicated for distribution to public agencies-if they will use it. Cost for basic 14 minute slide or filmstrip presentation (50 slides)-(Quantity needed will determine whether to go 35mm slide or filmstrip)-including photos, voice talent, taping or studio costs. (Dupli­cates can be offered for sale at very low cost per duplicate A/V set.)

Concept, art direction, photo direction/selection, copywriting, script coordina­tion, voice talent search, supervision of studio production, mastering of tapes, selection of A/V system.

TOTAL AUDIO/VISUAL

PRESS KITS

Press releases for press kits.

TV scripts for press kits.

Photos and slides for press kit-2 5x7 glossies, 2 slides per kit, (40¢ ea. glossies, 60<!: ea. slides), 2,000 kits for initial program (can drop slides if too costly).

Bid mass production, stuff kits, select and review photos, research.

·can be offered for sale to the public to defray costs.

43

$ 1,000.00

covered by service fee

$ 1,000.00

$ 5,000.00

covered by service fee

$ 2,500.00

covered by service fee

$ 7,500.00

$ 1,000.00

covered by service fee

$ 1,000.00

covered by service fee

covered by service fee

$ 4,000.00

covered by service fee

44

Artwork, design, layout, photography and printing of kit covers-four-colors, 2,000 initial print run (unit costs drop if more are run).

Kit envelope-print 2,000 in one color.

Concept, art direction, copywriting, research, bidding, technical coordination, printing supervision, proofing, plan and direct distribution.

TOTAL PRESS KITS

COMBINATION HUNTER POSTER/LEAFLET

For hunter postings 100,000 quantity, including art design, layout, photography and printing.

Concept, art direction, copywriting, research, bidding, technical coordination, printing supervision, proofing, plan and direct distribution.

TOT AL POSTER/LEAFLET

MEDIA SHORT COURSE FOR WORKSHOPS

ORDER FORMS

Printing of order forms for public service materials purchased (at cost) by public and private agencies.

Art direction, copy, layout, proofing and distribution.

TOTAL ORDER FORMS

NEWSLETTER

Photography and printing of 5,000-9 issues@ $500.00 per issue.

Copywriting, editing, layout, assignments, proofing, supervising of printing, handling, collecting mailing lists and updating, delivery to post office.

Address labels/plates-5,000 per newsletter, initial set-up fee.

9 mailings @ $183.00-$183.00 per total 5,000 mailing ($18.70 per 1,000 to address, $18.00 per 1,000 postage-non-profit rate).

TOTAL NEWSLETTER

PRE-PUBLIC SERVICE CAMPAIGN

ATTITUDE SURVEY

Supervision, structuring of survey, interpretation, report of recom­mendations.

TOTAL SURVEY

CITIZENS LOBBY

Conceive group structure, contact individuals as necessary, call meetings, coor­dinate, handle correspondence, board meetings, seek additional funding.

PRESS/INFORMATION

Preparation of press releases. Write, research, edit, distribute. Includes coordi­nating meetings, interviewing, interviews, press conferences. Includes creating

$ 2,500.00

$ 500.00

covered by service fee

$ 7,000.00

$ 1,000.00

covered by service fee

$ 1,000.00

$ 250.00

covered by service fee

$ 250.00

$ 4,500.00

covered by service fee

500.00

$ 1,651.50

$ 6,651.50

$ 4,000.00

covered by service fee

$ 4,000.00

covered by service fee

concepts and ideas for motion pictures, television, newspaper, radio. Includes contacting all media, planning and execution of special media events.

PUBLIC APPEARANCES

Would include public speaking engagements if desired, with transportation and per diem being only additional costs.

SPEAKERS BUREAU

If individual does not handle speaking: PR team personnel with time and interest in speaking before nation groups, conventions. Organize, accept invitations, assign team members by rotation.

PUBLIC SERVICE TELEVISION

Develop concept, direct art, photography, talent, studio sound and film editing work; do script writing. Serve as producer/director on 2 :30 second public ser­vice spots.

Production costs of TV-2 :30 second spots Camera man Sound man Studio costs/film rushes/AB rolls and rough cut

Prints for 650 TV stations, PBS, Nets, CBC (This is trimmed list-regularly 650 stations in U. S. alone) @ $5.00 per print (both commercials on print).

Postage and packaging.

Accompanying letter, phone calls to network public service directors, PBS pub­lic service directors.

Monitoring as possible by postcard, query enclosure to public service pro­grammers. Correlate, assemble exposures, prepare report.

TOTAL PUBLIC SERVICE TV*'

PUBLIC SERVICE MAGAZINE ADS

Art direction, copywriting, layout, research, photography review, cover letters, personal contact to place ads designed in multiple size for 25 selected maga­zines.

Engraving and elements on PS ads.

TOTAL PUBLIC SERVICE MAGAZINE

PUBLIC SERVICE RADIO•

Conceive, write, direct studio work, edit, arrange for talent on three radio spots.

Option A: Produce discs for 5,500 radio stations @ $2.00 ea. = $11,000.00

*Can this and other costs be shared with Canada? h The Peregrine Recovery Program ts visually interesting and radio should nut be used at the expense of TV.

45

covered by service fee

covered by service fee

covered by service fee

covered by service fee

$ 2,000.00 1,000.00 1,000.00

$ 2,500.00

$ 500.00

covered by service fee

covered by service fee

$ 7,000.00

covered by service fee

$ 5,000.00

$ 5,000.00

covered by service fee

46

Option B: Send written copy with announcer instructions

RECOMMENDED TOTAL RADIO

TV AND FILM PRODUCER BROCHURE*

Conceptualize, write copy, art direction, layout, supervise production, supervise printing, research; review photos on medium priced, high impact folder for visual media producers, directors and writers, both network and independent.

Printing of 2,000.

TOTAL FILM PRODUCER BROCHURE

PHOTO FILE

Beg, borrow, steal photos from team members, falconers, ornithologists, maga­zines, clubs and organizations, individuals. Make files for quick reference and retrieval.

Fund for duplicating film and photos at press request or to illustrate concepts.

TOTAL PHOTO FILE

FILM***

Conceptualize, write script, assign production details, schedule shooting, pro­duce, direct, edit a 14 minute film. Handle distribution on rotating basis, asking Nets and stations to make VTRs and return film.

Camera, sound, and studio @ $1,500.00 minute running time.

TOTAL FILM

MISCELLANEOUS

Telephone, postage, xerox.

Miscellaneous travel.

TOTAL MISCELLANEOUS

TOTAL PEREGRINE RECOVERY I & E

$ 1,000.00

$ 1,000.00

covered by service fee

$ 1,500.00

$ 1,500.00

covered by service fee

$ 2,000.00

$ 2,000.00

covered by service fee

$21,000.00

$21,000.00

$ 2,000.00

$ 3,000.00

$ 5,000.00

$70,000.00

*This piece might also be used to send to public agencies doing film work. Additional quantities would be inexpensive.

** Several areas to save costs. Presented is optimum. Morlan Nelson might work with us on this.

47

Service Costs

The Peregrine Recovery Staff Consultants Proposal is quite unique.

Because of timely circumstances, we would bring the following resources as part of PRSC:

-A writer/advertising/public relations/marketing specialist, chairman of the board of a 29 year-old advertising agency billing approximately 1 million dollars a year; it is a firm with an outstanding record in placement of public service and public information (for the Utah Travel Council, the National YMCA, New York; Federal Employees Credit Union). Author, former copy supervisor for Proctor and Gamble Co., former daily newspaper writer and editor; director and producer of several films; information representative for a special opinion-making program for Utah State University's Ecology Center. He would be co-director.

-A Raptor Rehabilitation Specialist (Federal Special Purpose Permit 6-SP-179. See her report dated 31 December 1975 to special agent in charge, USFWS, Denver, Colorado, 80225), with membership in Raptor Research Foundation. She has a professional interest and knowledge of the natural history of birds of prey. Volunteer agent for state fish and game division, research, photographer, naturalist, press representative. She would be co-director.

-An art director with national awards to his credit. -A media buyer placing paid advertising for the firm who would also request the media run free

advertising for the peregrine recovery effort. -A broadcast specialist with outstanding production capabilities. -A marketing and advertising specialist with governmental and political credentials-former

press secretary to a governor; director of state tourism; corporate advertising manager handling national corporate accounts in excess of $20 million per year.

- CPA services.

Staff consultants would be covered by a monthly service fee of $2,400, or $28,800 per year.

This covers attendance at all meetings, all planning, all creative work, copywriting, research, coordination, press meetings, concepts created on behalf of the effort as outlined. It does not cover travel or per diem.

Overhead such as office space, telephones, typewriters and business machines, files, desks, furnishings, autos and local transportation are all covered in the service fee.

-Salt Lake City-base of operation-offers centralized proximity to all parts of North America. It is a maximum four hour flight from anywhere in the lower forty-eight states and slightly more to Alaska.

-Salt Lake City offers network feeds to NBC, CBS, ABC, PBS, as well as AP and UPI "A" Bureaus. - Salt Lake City has two daily newspapers.

Trade Unions are weak in Utah and as a result wages are low. Printing costs average 12 percent less than in Los Angeles, for instance. The cost of technical support services are lower, too. TV production, and motion pictures are shot at considerable savings in Salt Lake by Hollywood and New York production companies.

Staff consultant offices would be: 400 Continental Bank Building 200 Main Street Salt Lake City, Utah 84101

We have two telephone numbers: 801-355-1766 Office 801-278-3466 Home

48

A Consideration

The PRSC proposal covers a significant portion of the management services necessary to conduct the business of the Peregrine Recovery Team activities throughout North America.

Since the peregrine program is spread coast-to-coast, consider a consolidated staff management system with accountability.

With the co-directors concept, it would be possible to use the PRSC structure to provide full management services at little additional cost. This would include the establishment of master file" for the program; data bank and information sharing/clearing house; official correspondence would be handled. Meetings would be scheduled, agendas established, recommendations offered for advice, consent, approval and action. All secretarial services would be provided. Staff consultants would also attend necessary meetings with agencies both public and private.

The PRSC management proposal includes meeting and screening persons seeking to conduct business or complain.

The PRSC management proposal gives the Peregrine Recovery Teams an independent vehicle with which to deal with legislative matters.

The management proposal would mean a single operations center with clear-cut goals, constant contact with the program at all levels. This means more effective, less costly administration.

The Peregrine Recovery Team will ha veto definethe parameters and responsibilities of the staff in relation to whatever governing/policy-making structure you establish.

The Peregrine Recovery Teams would make policy; staff consultants would advise and implement that policy in business matters and in broad terms, areas where public contact is necessary.

PRSC can administer budgets, take in and disburse funds, write proposals, seek grants.

PRSC would structure a simple but effective office system designed for fast, flexible response and advance planning.

We offer our services in structuring and conducting a one-day workshop, at which time priorities would be established and timetables would be set. The workshop would be conducted at no cost. After completion the depth of further management service would be known and costs could be assigned them.

All costs will be estimated in advance and bid when possible.

APPENDIX - C

RECOMMENDED PROTECTION MEASURES FOR PEREGRINE FALCON DURING

THE NESTING PERIOD

49

Recommended Protection Measures for Peregrine Falcons During The Nesting Period

51

The following protection measures are intended as general guidelines and may not be appropriate in all situations. The level of protection needed may vary with topography, vegetation and the sensitivity of individual birds to human activity. When feasible, proposed activities should be examined on a case by case basis by a biologist knowledgeable of the habits and behavior of peregrine falcons.

A. Within 1 mile of nest sites: 1. Require aircraft to maintain minimum altitudes of 1,500 feet above nest level from April 15

through August 31. 2. Prohibit all ground level activity from April 15 through August 31 except on existing

thoroughfares. 3. Prohibit habitat alterations or the construction of permanent facilities.

B. Within 2 miles of nest sites: 1. Prohibit activities having high noise levels from April 15 through August 31. 2. Prohibit permanent facilities having high noise levels, sustained human activity, or altering

limited, high quality habitat (e.g., ponds, lakes, wetlands and riparian habitats).

C. Within 15 miles of nest sites: 1. Prohibit alteration of limited, high quality habitat which could detrimentally and signifi­

cantly reduce prey availability. Of particular concern are ponds, lakes, wetlands and riparian habitats.

2. Prohibit use of pesticides-The only exception may be limited non-aerial application of approved non-persistent insecticides at supply bases.

APPENDIX - D

DEFINITIONS OF TERMS

53

55

Definitions

HISTORICAL SITE-Any cliff, bluff, tree or other structure which could reasonably be used by peregrines and for which a pair or single bird has demonstrated an affinity through territorial behavior at any time during any breeding season in the past. This definition is satisfied whether or not young were produced or eggs were laid. Several ledges that could be alternately used as eyries may occur at one site.

ACTIVE SITE-Any cliff, bluff, tree or other structure which could reasonably be used by peregrine falcons and for which one or a pair of falcons demonstrates an affinity through territorial behavior at any time during the current breeding season. This definition is satisfied whether or not young are produced or eggs are laid. Several ledges that would be alternately used as an eyrie may occur at one site.

CURRENTLY USABLE SITE-Historical sites which through the absence of human or other disturbances remain viable.

EYRIE-The ledge on the cliff at which nesting is currently occurring.

NESTING AREA-All habitat necessary for successful nesting, hatching and rearing including the actual nest site and hunting (food source) areas.

NESTING ATTEMPT -Whenever a pair of peregrines occupies a nest site and demonstrates an affinity for the site. Eggs need not be laid nor young fledged in order to satisfy this definition.

PRODUCING PAIR-A pair of nesting peregrines at a nest site that can reasonably be expected to have produced one or more young to the age of fledging in a given breeding season. This definition may be satisfied if large young are observed at the nest site during the last one-half of the nestling period (i.e., when little mortality can be expected to occur).

57

APPENDIX - E

COMMENTS ON THE AGENCY REVIEW DRAFT

---~ .------, : ·-. '

\.~-... " : l : )!_ '

-. ' t - ' _ _, ; )

DEPART'.ttE~TOI<' FISH A~D GA~E

OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER

JAYS. HAMMOND, GOVERNOR

SUBPORT BUILDING JUNEAU, ALASKA 99801

59

June 2, 1980 l' .S. Fish Gn:! \~'HdHfc Sc::-·:'.:;3 rlL:CE!VEO

Keith M. Schreiner Area Director U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1011 East Tudor Road Anchorage, AK 99503

Dear Keith:

JUN 11 132J

t'.'.:'.:'.:~:::Jt Are:y_ Dirzc:~,. ·· r· >. :::-~::/ i-:3d:raf hr:::.::: .. ,,.,;

This is in response to your April 30, 1980 correspondence concerning the draft recovery plan for peregrine falcon in Alaska.

The Alaska Peregrine Falcon Recovery Team has done a commendable job in assimilating the available biological information and in establishing appropriate priority tasks to facilitate a recovery effort. As you might expect, we have no major comments concerning the text of the draft plan. We do have a suggestion as to how the plan is presented, however, and the assignment of task responsibilities.

Our recent comments concerning the Brant Management Plan reflected what we would propose to be a standard format for migratory waterfowl and endangered species planning efforts. Contrary to the philosophy that acceptance and endorsement of this plan does not obligate the agency to manpower and funds, it should at least commit them to attempt to complete their portion of the plan on schedule if at all possible. There is little doubt that the overall responsibility for these species lies with the Federal Government, particularly the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The State and other agencies can only assume responsibility on a task basis or in areas that are by statute confined to their jurisdiction. A case in point would be the State's concerns and interests over State and private lands. Thus, we have proposed that the plan have assignment breakdowns into two categories.. We would propose categories of "responsible agency" and uparticipating agency. 11

For those agencies who choose to be "responsible11 or accountable for specific tasks, they may select to have their agency listed in that appropriate column. For those who are uncertain of funding priorities and agency commitments, they may choose to have their agency listed under the "participating agency" column. Although this redesign may take a little more effort, we are convinced the final product will reflect a more appropriate commitment to peregrine falcon recovery in

11·K11LH

60

Keith M. Schreiner -2- June 2, 1980

Alaska. For the benefit of the Alaska Peregrine Falcon Recovery Team, I am listing those tasks which the Alaska Department of Fish and Game will be identified as a cooperator. We are also listing whether or not we intend to be identified as a "responsible11 or "participating" agency.

Task 1 Responsible agency Task 13 Responsible agency Task 132 Participating agency Task 1321 Participating agency Task 1323 Participating agency Task 133 Participating agency Task 1331 Participating agency Task 13311 Participating agency Task 14 Responsible agency Task 141 Responsible agenc~l Task 1411 Responsible agency Task 142 Responsible agency Task 1421 Responsible agency Task 14211 Responsible agency Task 1422 Participating agency Task 154 Participating agency Task 2 Responsible agency Task 21 Responsible agency Task 22 Responsible agency Task 232 Responsible agency Task 42 Participating agency

We sincerely hope the above changes can be incorporated into the final draft of the plan before it is published. We certainly appreciate the opportunity to participate in the development of the "recovery plan."

Sincerely

"'""" ~""' Commissioner (907) 465-4100

cc: Alaska Peregrine Falcon Recovery Team Ronald Somerville

_)

.-.. 61

File Copy SUl'llalle

In Reply Refer To: ~-JUL ·; · 1nan FWS/OES 310.6

- - 10Qff

Memorandum

To; Alaska Area Director .Aotiog D0:·~:ty Associate

From: Director

Subject: Alaska Peregrine Falcon Recovery Plan - Agency Review Draft

We have reviewed the Agency Review Draft of the recovery plan as requested by your memo of April 30, 1980, and have the following comments:

1 • The following statement regp,rding funding should be added to the disclaimer page: "Goals and objectives will be attained and funds expended contingent upon appropriations, priorities and other budgetary constraints."

2. On page 20, first sentence of the second paragraph should be the first sentence of the third paragraph.

3. On psge 29-30 and in the step-down outline - If pesticides are thought to be an important factor in the species decline, why not include studies to determine their source and possible methods for alleviating the problen. If South or Central America are the primary areas of concern then treaties, agreements, etc. , might be suggested. Possibly the Envi­ronmental Protection AgfJncy, the AEfJncy for International Development, and the Department of Agriculture should be included at some point.

4. Part II step-down outline (Page 22) - We are returning the outline with suggested changes in the numbering sequence and headings. An attempt has been made to group tasks according to similar activities. For example Task 3 includes all protection measures, combining those actions at nesting areas (task 31 ) , migration routes (tasks 32), and wintering grounds (task 33). Please review and consider these suggfJsted alternatives to the present outline.

5, Prior to the final review of the Plan, you should assign priorities to the Implementation Schedule to coincide with the following criteria:

Priority 1 - actions necessary to prevent extinction Priority 2 - actions necessary to retain current population levels Priority 3 - all other actions necessary for recovery

We hope these comments will be helpful in preparation of the final draft.

cc: Directorate Reading File DD Chron {SgdI io£_t: :::.:·::::::s, -rr? APA File FWS/OES:PPoulos:mc:235-2760 7-1-80 Revised:mc:7-15-8J

United States Department of the Interior NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

Alaska Area Office

IN REPLY REFER TO: 540 West Fifth Avenue, Room 202

Anchorage, Alaska 99501

N-22

Mr. Keith M. Schreiner Fish and Wildlife Service 1011 E. Tudor Road Anchorage, AK 99503

Dear Keith:

May 29, 1980

Thank you for the opportunity to review the draft of the Alaska Peregrine Falcon Recovery Plan. We agree that the team has done an excellent job of assimilating available biological information and preparing this draft.

63

We reviewed the Step-Down Budget Estimate tables (pages 60-64), and accept the role identified for the National Park Service, subject of course to available manpower and funds. We recognize the National Park Service's responsibility to Peregrine Falcon management, especially in the Yukon­Charley National Monument, and are seeking manpower and funds to accomplish the tasks outlined in the plan.

We have no specific suggestions for improving the plan and look forward to seeing and using the final approved plan.

cc: YUCH files w/copy of plan Larson

Sincerely,

'\ -~~GLJ~

~~~~~~s G. Warnock Acting Director, Alaska Area Office

64

United States Department of the Interior BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

Alaska State Office

IN REPLY REFER TO

6840 (930)

701 C Street, Box 13 Anchorage, Alaska 99513 JUN 2 3 1980

Memorandum

To: Area Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Anchorage, Alaska

From: State Director, Bureau of Land Management, Anchorage, Alas.ka

Subject: Review of the Draft Peregrine Falcon Recovery Plan

Our State and District office wildlife staffs have reviewed the above draft. The plan reflects a well thought out approach to the recovery of the peregrine falcon. It is encouraging that past efforts and hopefully future endeavors in protection and monitoring Alaska populations of peregrine falcons will eventually result in removing these species from the endangered list.

We are submitting inventory information to include under current status as designated in the plan. The addition is:

During the 1979 field season three active peregrine nests were located in the Kuskokwim River Drainage, McGrath Resource area. One nest was found on the Tatlawiksuk River which contained three eggs and one chick. Two nests were located along the Kuskokwim River, one with three young and the other with two young. These two nests on the Kuskokwim River were the same two sites located by Ritchie and Ambrose, 1978.

We appreciate the opportunity to review this plan.

65

Disposition of Cooperators Comments

1. Commissioner, Alaska Department of Fish and Game

Not incorporated. The implementation schedule format identifies cooperating agencies as the "responsible agency" for specific tasks. This does not, however, obligate the cooperator to complete those tasks. (See disclaimer statement on first page following front cover).

2. Deputy Associate Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Incorporated.

3. Director, Alaska Area Office, National Park Service

No changes suggested.

4. Associate State Director, Alaska State Office, Bureau of Land Mangement

Incorporated.

APPENDIX - F

LIST OF REVIEWERS

67

Name

Ronald 0. Skoog

Robert W. Arndorfer

Douglas G. Warnock

John L. Spinks, Jr.

James Curatolo

Richard Fyfe

Robert Ritchie

Alan Springer

List of Reviewers

Affiliation

Alaska Department of Fish and Game 230 S. Franklin Juneau, Alaska 99801

Bureau of Land Management 701 C Street, Box 13 Anchorage, Alaska 99513

National Park Service Alaska Area Office 540 West Fifth Avenue Anchorage, Alaska 99501

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Endangered Species Washington, D.C. 20240

Alaska Biological Research P.O. Box 81929 Fairbanks, Alaska 99701

Canadian Wildlife Service #1000, 9942 - 108 Street Edmonton, Alberta T5k-225

Alaska Biological Research P. 0. Box 82929 Fairbanks, Alaska 99701

Bodega Bay Institute of Pollution Ecology 2711 Piedmont Avenue Berkeley, California 94705

69

Draft Reviewed

Agency

Agency

Agency & Technical

Agency & Technical

Technical

Technical

Technical

Technical