A partnership between MassDOT and the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife's Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program to preserve a rare species is taking new steps at the site of a MassDOT construction project early in 2013.
The Endangered Species Program staff working with MassDOT in 2011 installed a peregrine falcon nest box on the I-90 bridge over the Connecticut River in Chicopee/West Springfield.
As MassDOT contractors move forward with rehabilitation of the bridge in 2013, Endangered Species Biologist David Paulson and staff plan to work with contractors to gain access to check the new nest- and clear away an old nest under the bridge.
The former nest site consists of pigeon droppings and loose debris. Paulson says that by removing the old nest site early this winter, the falcons will be directed away from the old nest during construction and to the new box- a safe place for new falcon chicks later this year.
The nesting work is expected to be done next month.
The falcon nest box was installed in April 2011, as a team effort of MassDOT and NHESP staff. MassDOT and NHESP joined forces again in 2012 to inspect the falcon nest box and look for falcon activity. That inspection led to the team finding & saving a stranded but lucky eyas (falcon chick) from the bank of the Connecticut River.
Posted by: Robert Natario | December 27, 2012 at 03:50 PM