The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s banded the four peregrine falcon nestlings that live on the Rachel Carson State Office. Patti Barber, Endangered Bird Specialist with PGC led the team in bringing the nestlingsin from the 15th floor ledge. The birds that were banded also got a health checkup and had their vital measurements like weight recorded.
Falcon banding helps wildlife biologists to track the birds and allows birdwatchers from
all over the world an opportunity to learn more about the peregrine’s flight patterns and
where they establish new nesting sites. Falcons born on the ledge at the Rachel Carson
State Office Building have been identified up and down the Atlantic coast, from Florida
to Canada. Birdwatchers can report bands they see to ReportBand.gov.
The peregrine falcon was removed from the federal Endangered Species List in 1999
and the Pennsylvania Threatened List in 2021, but remains federally protected under
the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Pennsylvania Game and Wildlife Code.
In the coming weeks, the young falcons will begin learning to fly. Volunteers with the
Falcon Watch and Rescue monitor the falcons and recover them as they land near the
Rachel Carson State Office Building. Anyone interested in joining the Falcon Watch and
Rescue volunteers should contact Sue Hannon at hbgfalconwatch@gmail.com.
Since 2000, a total of 100 eggs have hatched, making the Rachel Carson State Office
Building nest site the longest, continuously successful nest site in the Commonwealth.
