Peregrine Falcons, Hawksbill, Shenandoah National Park, June 5, 2008. Photo: Katie Esbenshade

As part of a repopulation program, Rolf Gubler, Biologist at Shenandoah National Park tells us that six young falcons were released from a site at Hawksbill on June 5. Four had been collected, in late May at age 28 days, from a nest in the Benjamin Harrison Bridge near Hopewell, Virginia, and two from Elkins Shack on the Eastern Shore. They were kept at Hawksbill two weeks and were then judged ready for release. Since then they have been observed regularly in the area.

Most of them are expected to remain near the site into early July. The park may get an additional three young falcons around the 30th of June and if that happens, there will be birds easily seen in the area through early August. There are also falcon nest webcams you can view, set up in the park.