This year in southern Ontario,6 of 15 urban nestsites have failed. This comes at a time when the MNR is saying that they are expecting cutbacks in both staff and funding for the coming year. As a result they will not,at this stage be banding Peregrines in Canada next year. Now I realize some of U may rejoice at this BUT,consider this. The US is on the verge of delisting the Peregrine Falcon,and allowing harvesting by falconers of Peregrines from the wild. Now naturally they dont want them taking American Peregrine Falcons,so any Peregrine with a Fish and Wildlife band,must be let go. Only migrating or unbanded birds may be kept. Currently in Canada,by agreement with the US,a colour band and a Fish and Wildlife band are put on "our" falcons. Without the protection of these bands,due to next years expected cutbacks,thus lack of banding,by MNR our migrating juveniles of next year,can be captured and kept for falconry purposes.
Pressure to continue banding is being put on the MNR,through channels,additionally the possibility of qualified banders being "liscensed" to extract Peregrines from "nests"(an MNR staff member is involved becuz an endangered species is removed from its "nest" when banding) is also being looked into/persued.
Thought this mite get a little discussion going.
