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Released: 6/12/2023 

Baby Falcons Hatch in Anchorage of Historic Ben Franklin Bridge

 

A cast of baby falcons recently hatched in a nesting box in an anchorage of the historic Ben Franklin Bridge.

It is believed the eyas – three males and one female – were born during the second week of May.

Shortly after the babies hatched, Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) staffers assisted representatives from the Pennsylvania Game Commission to the nest area. They were weighed, examined and a band was placed on the leg of the new arrivals. The leg bands allow the Pennsylvania game commission, as well as commissions of other states, to keep track of falcon activity across the entire eastern United States and Canada. By checking band IDs, game commission monitors know that falcons born in Pennsylvania are now living as far away as southeastern Canada.

The fledgling period, the time when the eyas attempt their first flight, is expected to occur between around the week of June 21.

All four DRPA bridges have nesting boxes. The boxes provide shelter from the elements and the gravel floor mimics the ground where falcons naturally scratch out spots to lay their eggs. DRPA workers keep an eye on falcon activity frequently.

 

 

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