Subject: [Tweeters] Peregrines in Canada - link between rain and population
Date: Dec 5 12:01:13 2013
From: Barbara Deihl - barbdeihl at comcast.net


Hi, a friend/environmental researcher just sent me this - I've requested a link to the research report, in case any of you would like to see it. Contact me and I'll forward you either a link or a contact # or address.

Sigh...

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Heavy rainfall is putting one of the Canadian Arctic's most productive predators at risk, new research has found.

Warmer weather is bringing more rain to the Arctic, which threatens peregrine falcon populations, according to a study by researchers at the University of Alberta and the Universite de Quebec.

The researchers monitored peregrine nests near Rankin Inlet in Nunavut and along Hudson Bay, areas with dense populations of the bird. They found rain caused one-third of chick deaths.

"The nestlings died from hypothermia and in some cases from drowning in their flooded nests. Without constant parental care, they are most vulnerable to cold and wet conditions in the first three weeks of life," Alastair Franke said in a U of A press release.

They confirmed the link between rain and population decline by comparing historical weather data dating back to 1980 with peregrine breeding success levels.



Howard C. Bailey, Ph.D., RP.Bio.
Senior Scientist
Nautilus Environmental

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Barb Deihl

North Matthews Beach - NE Seattle

barbdeihl at comcast.net
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