Peregrine fans, Here's an intriguing statement from an observant Moravian missionary, David Zeisberger, speaking of the Muskingum River valley, in his "History of North American Indians" describing eastern Ohio during the American Revolution and after, page 67: "Of other birds of prey, there are to be found here the hawk, the stone-falcon, that remains near the rocks, the pigeon-hawk, that pursues not only the pigeon, but all other birds it can conquer, though it is a small bird and not as large as the pigeon." Tom Bain The Clayey Till Plains Delaware, Ohio -----Original Message----- From: Ohio birds [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Bill Whan Sent: Sunday, July 04, 2010 12:51 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [Ohio-birds] Raptor nest sites? It seems like a good time of year to discuss nesting. I have questions about the nest sites chosen by raptors our wildlife agencies have introduced/re-introduced to Ohio, and would be very grateful for first-hand reports of nests in truly wild situations. First, peregrine falcons. As many bird students know, prior to the introductions there was no evidence this species had ever nested in Ohio. Nevertheless, wildlife managers decided to join a hastily-conceived stampede to introduce hacked birds to many locations in Ohio and other states, in an effort to support a recovery of the regional subspecies (even though they mostly introduced other subspecies), to provide educational opportunities, and also, I suppose, to promote their stewardship of non-game species. I don't want to argue any more about that, but is anyone aware of a truly wild nesting site for a peregrine falcon in the state? Not a building or a bridge, but a real cliff or tree, etc.?? I have the same question about ospreys. While I regard the osprey project undertaken by wildlife managers to be a far more justifiable operation--ospreys have a solid record as Ohio nesters in the past, making the project a legitimate re-introduction effort--I have a similar question. Is anyone aware of a successful osprey nest in Ohio that is placed in a wild nesting site---not a platform, a utility tower, etc., but a real tree, etc.?? I would be glad to hear that falcons and ospreys have returned to natural nest sites, but then I would not be terribly surprised to hear they have not. If the latter is the case, is there anyone else out there who feels uncomfortable about such a situation? Are we approaching a time when kestrels all nest in kestrel boxes, and barn owls in barns?? Bill Whan Columbus ______________________________________________________________________ Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society. Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list. Additional discussions can be found in our forums, at www.ohiobirds.org/forum/. You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask] ______________________________________________________________________ Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society. Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list. Additional discussions can be found in our forums, at www.ohiobirds.org/forum/. You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask]