City Peregrines: A Ten-Year Saga of New York City Falcon

by Saul Frank

Overview

City Peregrines is Saul Frank's narrative of his work with the endangered peregrine falcon, as it lives and breeds in New York City. A ten-year Saga of New York City Falcons. His story is unique as it documents the only continuous ten-year study of this unique bird. The peregrine falcon ranges naturally over more of the land surface of planet earth than any other species of bird. Its migratory peregrinations carry it from eyries on cliffs in Greenland's icy mountains to winter quarters in Brazil. Its spectacular dives in pursuit of prey have made it the preeminent favorite of both falconers and bird watchers. In the New York metropolitan area, the peregrine had nested since time immemorial on cliff ledges along the Hudson River Palisades, despite attrition in modern times by egg collectors, falconers, and irresponsible gunners who shot every bird of prey that came within range.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780888393302
Publisher:	Hancock House Publishers
Publication date:	01/01/1994
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Saul Frank came to his passion for peregrines by accident though his wife Dolores. She had learned, from a brief announcement on the radio, that there were peregrines in their neighborhood - and it all began. The author is president of NYCAERIES (New York City and Environs Raptor Involved and Enthusiasts Society); he is also a member of Mensa, the Raptor Research Foundation, and the Hawk Migration Association of North America. He has written articles which have appeared in the Peregrine Fund Newsletter and the Alley Pond Environmental Center Journal. He has been featured in the New York Times, Newsday the Post, the New York Observer, and the Whitestone Times Ledger. He appeared on the TV program Good Morning America. He is a staff lecturer at Queensborough Community College, St. John's University, and Palm Beach Community College. Mr. Frank has also made presentations at the Linnaean Society, the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory, Audubon Society Chapter, and environmental centers.

Table of Contents

Foreword	6
Preface	8
Acknowledgments	13
Introduction	15
1 Beginnings	24
2 Transition	35
3 In Full Swing	42
4 Bridge Rescues	47
5 Bridge Disasters	55
6 Expansion	63
7 Hands On	102
8 Riverside Church	124
9 The Queenies	147
10 Migrations and Movements	158
11 Trouble	164
12 Roundup	181
13 Oops!	191
14 Limited Success	197
15 Bikes and Films	207
16 Training and Instincts	217
17 Marine Parkway	226
18 Queen's Reign Ends	251
20 Most Productive Season	259
21 Our First Decade	285
Epilogue	288
Appendix	291
Glossary	309