AEF Supports the Peregrine Falcon

The Peregrine falcon is a species that has been at the edge of extinction, due to the common use of DDT in the 1950-1960s. By 1975 the Peregrine was virtually extinct in the United States and in nine of Canada's ten provinces.

In 2001 AEF installed a nest box at the top of one of the process vessels, with the help of Dr. Gordon Court of Alberta Fish and Wildlife.

Nothing happened until 2010, when a pair of birds landed in the nest box and laid 2 eggs. Unfortunately the eggs were infertile. This Spring the pair returned and from one of the 4 eggs laid, we have a female baby falcon born in July!

A Peregrine Falcon Survey is held once every 4 years counting the nesting pairs of birds in Canada. In Alberta the Peregrine has been downgraded from "endangered" to "threatened". To be de-listed entirely we need 70 pairs of falcons producing an average of 1.5 young every 5 years. As of 2011, Alberta has 68 pairs. AEF is proud to be home for one of the nesting pair.