Making a Comeback: Baby Peregrine Falcons Nest on the Outerbridge Crossing

The next time you take a bridge from New Jersey to New York, look up… you might just see a peregrine falcon.

According to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, peregrine populations in the New York/New Jersey region have been recovering from the use of DDT and other pesticides.

The Port Authority and NYC DEP team monitor peregrine falcons and their chicks that have hatched in human-made “nesting boxes” near the Bayonne, Goethals and George Washington bridges as well as the Outerbridge Crossing.

The birds – which are capable of approaching dive speeds of 200 mph - typically don’t build nests, preferring instead to find cliff ledges, making the tall buildings around the New York region attractive for raising their young.

Ironically, the three nesting chicks seen in the above photo – taken at the Outerbridge Crossing – were killed by a great horned owl soon after the photo was taken.

Photo courtesy of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey via Twitter