BY ROBERT SANCHEZ
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Two peregrine falcons that nested atop a downtown building will not see fledglings spread their wings in Cincinnati.
The falcons built a nest on the 26th-floor balcony of the Chemed Center, 255 Fifth St., and laid three eggs. But biologists said the birds cracked open two of the eggs -- an indication the eggs failed to develop fully. The final egg was missing Saturday and is presumed destroyed.
"It's nature, but you hate to see this happen now," said David Scott, falcon coordinator for the Ohio Division of Wildlife. "This definitely is a setback for all of us."
May's rainy weather influenced other peregrine hatchings and is responsible for the modest number of new falcons in Ohio, Mr. Scott said.
Of 27 eggs laid in the state, 17 survived, which might not increase the number of falcon pairs. Fewer than half of the hatchlings are expected to live past the first year.
The Chemed Building birds, named Falcor and Falcar, began their lives in the Tristate seven years ago as part of a program to boost sagging peregrine numbers. "The program has been a superb success all around the country," said Dr. Pat Redig, director of the Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota. "Over the years, there have been some ups and downs. It looks like a down year for Ohio." The state did not have any peregrine falcons in 1990, but this year, 11 pairs nested.
"This is up to Mother Nature, I guess," said Mr. Scott. "All we can do is try to provide the most safe and secure places for them to live. The rest is left to them."
Peregrines are the fastest birds known, capable of reaching diving speeds of 200 mph.
Dr. Redig, who coordinates the peregrine relocation effort in the Midwest, said national efforts are under way to take the bird off the endangered species list. Because of federal and state laws, though, it will continue to be protected.
