As of this date, July 5, 2011 we have 20 Peregrines launched from the site at Grandview Park. If you should be in the area, please visit the project by finding your way to the North Overlook from which you will have an excellent vantage point to observe these amazing birds as they fly free above the New River Gorge. We will be feeding them through July until the Fall migration begins in August the the falcons disperse.

Below are photos taken illustrating 4 of the perilous locations from which some of  this year's chicks were taken.

(above and below) Peregrine chicks being removed from the remains of 2 fishing shacks on the Virginia coast line. Photos courtesy of the Center for Conservation Biology

Photos courtesy of the Center for Conservation Biology

Above: Chicks were taken from the Norris Bridge using a boom truck. Below: Peregrine chicks are removed from the Godwin Bridge Photos courtesy of the Center for Conservation Biology

Meanwhile, back in West Virginia . . .

Above: The hack box is assembled on the cliff. Photo by Wendy Perrone

When the Peregrines arrive at TRAC, they are examined for nutritional problems, disease, and parasites. They are then transferred to the 2 boxs at Grandview.

Above and below: TRAC Executive Director Wendy Perrone, Hack Site Attendant Andrew Woodruff, and TRAC Intern Rebecca Pollard attach color bands to the chicks. Photos by Ron Perrone

Above: NPS Intern Elaine Barr assists TRAC's Wendy Perrone as they hydrate the chicks as they are transferred to the release box. Photo by Ron Perrone

Above: The view of the hack box from North Overlook through a spotting scope some 400 yards away as the door was opened. The blind is located just out of sight to the left of the box. The North Overlook location is crucial because an observer there can relay information to people in the blind concerning activity around the hack site which would otherwise be impossible to see from inside the blind. Photo by Ron Perrone

Above: On June 23, 2011 the first 10 Peregrines were released at Grandview Park. Here is a photo taken from observation inside the Blind at the hack box. Photo by Wendy Perrone

7 more were released on June 26th, and 3 more on the 29th. A 21st Peregrine  originally slated for release appears to be suffering from developmental problems and  returns to Tri-State Bird Rescue on 7/7/2011 to become an educational bird.

Above: Upon returning to the hack box to be fed, 2 youngsters briefly squabble over who gets to sit at the edge of the rock. This dramatic photo was captured by one of  TRAC's security cameras monitoring the hack boxes.

This night shot documented an encounter between 2 sleeping peregrines and a rodent. One of a 6 shot sequence taken 1 minute apart, the falcons awoke to the sounds of the rodent but were apparently unable to capture it after a brief  chase in the dark. Peregrines have large eyes and can see to some degree in low light. Photo by TRAC

So if 2 is company, 7 is a banquet. Photo by TRAC