C-21 



ARCTIC PEREGRINE FALCON Falco peregrinus tundrius 

 Order : FALCONIFORMES 

 Family : PANDIONIDAE 



Estimated Numbers: known as fall (and spring to a lesser degree) 

 migrants only, passing Atlantic oceanside. No known breeding birds 

 now reported anywhere in eastern United States (Cade, 1973); up to 

 2000 individuals (Mattox, 1973); about 1000 first year migrants 

 (Ruos, 1972), 500+ individuals (Ward, 1973). 



Present Distribution : Usually sighted at Assateague Island in 

 Maryland and Virginia (36 mi. x 1+ mi . ) along the Atlantic Coastal 

 migration route. Largest concentrations found within two-mile swath 

 of ocean. This is probably the largest and most significant resting 

 and feeding site for Arctic Peregrines anywhere in continental United 

 States (Ward, 1973). (Lies outside Chesapeake Bay area). 



The major area at Assateague Island is on the north edge of Fox Hill 

 Levels. Other sites given in table below. 



PEREGRINE SIGHTINGS ON ASSATEAGUE ISLAND 

 (taken from Table 4, Ward & Berry, 1972) 



1970 Observation Time 1971 Observation Time 

 in % in % 



Maryland, North 



of State Park 1 3 12 11 



Md., State Park - NT 2 1 



Md. beach south 



State Park 18 52 53 54 



Md., Fox Hills 



Levels 41 36 40 27 



Md. , Little Fox 



Levels - NT 2 1 



Virginia Sector 8 9 11 6 



