It’s in your nature: The falcons

You may remember that hawks are classified into three main groups: the buteos, the accipiters and the falcons. The falcons include the peregrine falcon, (the fastest flying bird) the kestrel and the merlin.

The peregrine falcon may be the fastest of the three, but the latter two aren’t too far behind. Falcons, with streamlined bodies and short, powerful pointed wings, are the speedsters of the hawk groups.

The American kestrel (formerly sparrow hawk), underutilizing its speed, prefers to feed on meadow mice (voles) and large insects. They commonly perch on utility wires or saplings, using their keen eyesight to find their rodent prey.

Kestrels also hover almost motionless sometimes 50 or more feet above a field and then suddenly drop down on the unsuspecting prey. Summer does offer them cicadas, grasshoppers and other large insects, and they are one of few hawks preying on invertebrate prey.

Hawk migration records from Bake Oven Knob indicate that the number of migrating kestrels has dropped over the past 30 years. Could they have changed migration patterns? Possibly, but I have noticed a decrease here in the Times News area.

One January 1983 birding trip around the Beltzville area resulted in seven kestrel sightings. This year I have yet to record a single kestrel in our region. I’m not sure if less-suitable habitat, nesting areas or other factors are to blame. They nest in cavities excavated by woodpeckers, other tree cavities, or in barns or under building eaves.

Merlins (formerly, pigeon hawks), unlike the kestrel, do not nest in this region. However, in fall, and in particular over the next four to six weeks, will be migrating back to their northern breeding grounds. This route will take them through our area. Merlins in flight will appear much darker than the kestrel and about 10 inches in size, compared to the 9-inch kestrel. (About an inch larger than the robin)

Merlins seldom perch on utility wires but prefer a dead branch or leafless treetop to scan for their prey. They do eat birds, and I’ve watched them chase down even speedy mourning doves.

If you venture to Bake Oven Knob in October, look for this falcon often flying just above the treetops, zipping by so fast it is often hard to follow them with your binoculars. Merlin numbers appear to be increasing, unlike the kestrels. I do encounter more merlins now than 20 years ago.

The largest falcon seen locally is the peregrine falcon. Once called the duck hawk, they are the most efficient bird predators. Once endangered due to DDT residues in their prey, peregrines are now increasing in numbers and nesting in cities along the mid-Atlantic region.

They find skyscraper ledges and bridge superstructures to their liking, often choosing them over cliffs on which they historically nested. They do eat waterfowl, but cities offer large pigeon populations.

Records indicate that in 1900 peregrines nested on Devil’s Pulpit in the Lehigh Gap, and I’m hoping one pair will find that area again.

Test Your Outdoor Knowledge: _____ have one young each year. A. Black bears, B. Raccoons, C. Weasels, D. Porcupines, E. Barn owls

Last Week’s trivia answer: The American chestnut was the dominant tree in our local forests in 1900.

Contact Barry Reed at breed71@gmail.com.