Dear Jim and fellow tweeters,

We were waiting for this one. Good spot, Jim!

The pole and box are a collaborative project between the Falcon Research Group (FRG, Bud Anderson et al.), Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), and Port of Seattle Authority.

Last spring (2005) peregrines showed interest in the First Avenue South Bridge. FRG members monitored their activity and, as is customary, contacted the agency who owns the structure the birds were on (WSDOT in this case). Placement of a nest box (with proper drainage and substrate to increase the likelihood of eggs hatching successfully) was considered, but this is becoming somewhat of a problem for WSDOT. Every time a box/nest occurs on a structure, maintenance work (barring emergency work) has to be postponed till the birds are done nesting (young have fledged). A couple of bridges in the State that have time restrictions placed upon them is doable, but with increasing number of birds nesting on bridges, the time limitations are starting to make it hard to schedule all necessary maintenance during the dry season. We started thinking about an alternative.

The tall power towers near the bridge appeared a logical alternative location for a nest box. SPU got involved, but their misgivings about a box on a high-voltage tower are even stronger than WSDOTs concerns. Every time the box needs maintenance power would have to be switched off. These particular towers provide juice to customers like Boeing. Switching off power should be reduced to an absolute minimum.

Gradually the plan to plant a tall pole (140 feet) with a box started taking form. By the time the plan was executed the peregrines had lost interest in the bridge for unknown reasons. One theory is that after a dry winter, the rains started and inundated the ledge the female was showing interest in. She may have "recognized" that the ledges available on the bridge were not very good. Or perhaps she was only wintering in the area and left for her traditional breeding location.

In April 2005 SPU placed the pole Jim spotted and attached three sets of cross arms. We figured we would place a platform below the top (peregrines are different from Ospreys who readily take platforms at the very top of poles), with a covered box with gravel (peregrines don't carry sticks for nests, they lay eggs in depressions they "scrape" on "cliff" ledges). Cross arms below the box and near the top are for perching, just like peregrines would perch on nearby cliff ledges and in trees where they naturally nest. Within weeks of placement of the pole/box peregrines showed up and started perching on the cross arms and box.

The pole is situated on the very edge of a property that, in the future, will, be returned to wetland (it will be dug out and re-connected to the Duwamish). The legal departments of WSDOT and SPU (who jointly own the land) have already "grandfathered" the pole in as compatible with wetland use. The wildlife biologists working for both departments, Mike MacDonald (WSDOT) and Mychele Lynn (SPU) deserve credit for their hard work in making this possible.

As I said, peregrines don't usually nest on poles. They readily take to large artificial structures (bridges, skyscrapers, etc.), but a free-standing pole with a box is not usual, although not unheard off (and peregrines have been known to nest in old nests in trees). The bottom line is that peregrines are extremely adaptable and given a chance, this project can show that placement of a pole can be a management tool in the arsenal at our disposal to increase peregrine populations, without increasing conflicts with safety and management needs.

We (FRG) have been monitoring the birds using the box and we have a pair showing interest. Right now is the most sensitive time for the birds. A single disturbance can lead to desertion of the box. So any of you who go out there to watch the birds, keep in mind that your actions can determine the success of this experiment.

If you wish to observe the birds, keep a couple of peregrine etiquette things in mind:

- Staring is rude. Continuous looking through binoculars and/or scope and/or camera at birds at close range can make them uncomfortable. If they keep looking at you, or move away from you, you have disturbed the birds. Breeding requires lots of energy (from both male and female). Every time they waste energy moving away from a disturbance is less energy they can invest in rearing young.

- Even though there is a company that builds fences located practically below the nest box, the birds can be disturbed by a change in activity below the box. They seem tolerant of normal everyday activity, including lots of traffic on the bridge, bridge opening ad closure, people walking and talking below, but a change in usage pattern may disturb them. Once they leave it's too late.

- Observe from a safe/comfortable distance. Consider standing on the bridge to the east (try and remember this is a public walkway and bicycle thoroughfare, don't block it), where many lanes of traffic and other structures obscure you from the birds' view. Additionally, from this vantage point you have a better view of what goes on inside the box, than from anywhere else.


Thank you for your cooperation.
Martin Muller, Seattle
member Falcon Research Group.
martinmuller at msn.com<about:blank>

----- Original Message -----
From: Jim Elder<about:blank>
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu<about:blank>
Sent: Friday, March 31, 2006 2:48 PM
Subject: [Tweeters] First Avenue South Bridge - falcon


There is a pole visible from the southbound (i.e. west side) First Avenue South Bridge in Seattle. I had not noticed it until the this week but it appears to have a nest box mounted on it. At first I assumed it was intended for an Osprey but the box opens to the side (like a cave) rather than to the top (like a basket or an Osprey nest). Yesterday morning and this morning there was a falcon sitting on a crossbar of the pole. I believe Peregrine - but you don't really get much of a chance to stare on the bridge and lighting was poor when I went by. It could be a Merlin or possibly even two different birds. Has anyone out there seen this bird or know anything about the box? Keep your eye out for it.



Jim Elder

At work in Kent, WA