Bad news! For the past two weeks we have received very few signals from our seven falcons. Since March 7th only 4 readings have transmitted successfully. We've been waiting to post this update, hoping the situation would improve.
What Next? Don't give up hope! Perhaps the technical problems will be resolved. In the meantime, we're busily contacting other peregrine falcon scientists about sharing their research with us. There are several fascinating projects underway and we'll post an update just as soon as possible. Skip Ambrose will also stay in contact with you. He will visit our seven falcons' nesting area later this spring and let us know how many of them made it back. Thank you for your patience!
You Can Help! Find out whether peregrine falcons nest in your state or province and send the results of your investigation to the Falcon Squad at 0535jajh@informns.k12.mn.us. They're conducting research about peregrine falcons that were "reintroduced" to urban areas and will tell us about this recovery effort. Here's a sample report from a New Jersey school:
We are at North Dover Elementary School, Toms River, NJ A teacher reported seeing a Peregrine Falcon over Barnegat Bay on Mar. 6. BCDH26A@prodigy.com
CHALLENGE QUESTION: Why do you think a peregrine would be in New Jersey at the same time that the Alaska peregrines are in the tropics?
After you read the comments below from Skip Ambrose think through the information you have and see if you can answer the CHALLENGE QUESTION about the falcons' batteries. We'll have comments about this in our next report from the scientist who made the transmitters, Dr. Paul Howey.
Update from Skip Ambrose: "Dear Journey North,
"Battery life on our peregrine falcon transmitters seems to be falling fast. All of the battery strength signals are reading in the high 70s, around 5.5 volts, and we usually get a few more good signals even when they are that low, so we don't know why the signals are not good.
"We did program the transmitters to change to a faster transmitter rate on March 1, to give us information on the northward migration, and sometimes this switch in the duty cycle throws off the signal for one or two duty cycles, but we should be getting good signals by now. So I am at a loss to explain the failures. I knew we might lose a few, but I really thought at least half the transmitters would last to early May. We will keep hoping for some good signals, but I haven't seen any good ones lately.
"I am really sorry to see this fail when interest is high and birds should be moving. I will keep looking for something to pass on.
"I will be travelling to Lake Powell in Utah to survey for peregrine falcons as part of this project starting tomorrow. I will be gone for about 12 days, so I wanted to pass this on to you before I left. The falcons, especially the more southern birds, should be moving north now. In case you forgot, peregrine falcons arrive in Alaska about April 20-25.
"Talk to you later."
Skip
Here are the locations: Remember that satellite telemetry gives two readings each time the satellite passes over the falcon. The scientist must decide which data set provides the correct location. Plot both data sets on a map, then decide which you think is accurate.
Falcon # 22654 Date : March 7 Reading #1 21.584 N 78.324 W Reading #2 27.342 N 52.452 W
Falcon #22658 Date : March 17 Reading #1 9.894 S 42.289 W Reading #2 15.472 S 67.101 W
Falcon #22658 Date : March 10 Reading #1 10.067 S 42.169 W Reading #2 13.044 S 55.039 W
Falcon #22660 Date March 7 Reading #1 18.652 N 95.338 W Reading #2 18.200 N 97.337 W
"Falcon" #22657 Remember the transmitter that fell of one of the falcons last summer and is still sitting on the tundra? We have been receiving regular signals from that transmitter. Two sample readings are included below.
CHALLENGE QUESTION
Why do you think the readings from transmitter #22657 remain strong while the readings from all seven other falcons have stopped transmitting properly?
Date Latitude Longitude March 3 64.979 N 141.424 W March 12 64.977 N 141.402 W March 20 64.942 N 141.462 W
Send your answer to: jnorth@informns.k12.mn.us
Journey North 125 North First Street Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401 Phone: (612)339-6959