The Metropolitan Transportation Authority reported the hatching of three peregrine falcon chicks at the Brooklyn Tower of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. The chicks, two females and one male, have been banded for monitoring as part of conservation efforts to support the endangered falcon population in New York. The banding occurs annually during late May and aids in tracking the birds. The MTA has supported falcon nesting since 1983 by providing nesting boxes while allowing the falcons to thrive naturally, as they prefer high locations for their nests to hunt effectively.
Each year, towards the end of May, New York City Department of Environmental Protection research scientist Chris Nadareski climbs to the top of bridges and puts identifying bands on the falcon chicks.
Peregrine falcons were first placed on the endangered species list after they were nearly wiped out in the 1960s due to pesticides in their food supply.
MTA Bridges and Tunnels has been part of the state nesting program since 1983. The agency provides a nesting box for the falcons at each of the bridges.
Banding is part of conservation efforts to protect the peregrine falcon population, which remains on New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's endangered birds list.
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