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Population status and factors affecting the productivity of peregrine falcon <em>Falco peregrinus</em> in County Wicklow, Ireland, 2008–2012

2015; Royal Irish Academy; Volume: 115B; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.3318/bioe.2015.11

2009-003X

Burke, Clarke, Fitzpatrick, Carnus, Barry J. McMahon,

Wildlife Ecology and Conservation

A total of 41 sites used by breeding peregrines Falco peregrinus in Wicklow were monitored from 2008 to 2012. Details of reproductive activity and productivity were recorded to investigate whether performance was influenced by nest-site characteristics, raven Corvus corax presence and weather. On average, 26 territorial pairs were recorded each year, with mean productivity of 1.4 young fledged/territorial pair. Annual breeding success ranged from 47.4% to 95.7% (mean 70.0%). Mean annual density of territory-holding pairs was 1.47 pairs per 100km2 within a 1800km2 area in Wicklow. Most breeding attempts were on traditional upland and coastal cliffs, but quarries and lowland cliffs were important (41% of sites used). April rainfall adversely affected hatching success and, consequently, breeding success. The population was both stable and self-sustaining during this study. High levels of site occupancy and breeding success suggest limited availability of nest sites in Wicklow. Densities and productivity here compare favourably with studied populations elsewhere and suggest that the study area may be a net exporter of dispersing young peregrines to neighbouring areas. We discuss the likely importance of Wicklow for the peregrine population of Ireland. The negative interactions between ravens and peregrines, and the role of human disturbance in these interactions, warrant further investigation.