MONCTON (GNB) – An endangered bird species is using a new nest box in Moncton as a result of collaboration involving the provincial government, Assumption Life and local naturalists.

Two adult peregrine falcons are nesting and have four eggs in the nest box, which a local naturalist provided to the Department of Natural Resources and Assumption Life for installation atop the company's office building in downtown Moncton. The birds, listed as a species at risk in Canada, are protected by the Species at Risk Act.

"I commend and thank Assumption Life for its role in helping to foster the propagation of the peregrine falcon in New Brunswick," said Natural Resources Minister Bruce Northrup.

Pascal Giasson, the department’s manager of species at risk, urged the public to be mindful of the importance of not disturbing the nesting birds. Disturbances during the nesting season can result in the adult birds crushing their eggs or abandoning the nest.

For this reason, the department has advised that a request to install a camera near the nest be done between Sept. 1 and April 1, during which time the birds will be away from the nest. The camera can then be used for future breeding seasons.

Mark Nash, president of the Canadian Peregrine Foundation, concurred this is a critical time for the peregrine falcons' success.

"The Canadian Peregrine Foundation never risks installing cameras during the nesting activities,'' he said.


07-05-12