Quick Answer
Yes, peregrine falcons can be found in New Jersey. The peregrine falcon is a medium-sized raptor that is found across much of North America. New Jersey provides good habitat for peregrine falcons along its coastal areas and near wetlands. Peregrine falcons were once endangered in New Jersey due to the use of DDT, but their numbers have rebounded thanks to conservation efforts. Today, they can be spotted in natural areas throughout the state.
Peregrine Falcon Overview
The peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) is a powerful predator that can reach speeds of over 200 mph when diving for prey, making it the fastest animal in the world. Some key facts about peregrine falcons:
- Length: 15-20 inches
- Wingspan: 39-43 inches
- Weight: 1.5-2.5 pounds
- Lifespan: Up to 15 years in the wild
- Habitat: Cliffs, urban centers, wetland areas
- Prey: Other birds like pigeons, songbirds, waterfowl
Adult peregrine falcons have blue-gray upperparts and white underparts with horizontal barring. They have a black hood and distinctive black sideburns on the face. Juveniles are brown overall with streaking on the underparts.
Peregrine falcons create nests called eyries on tall cliffs or human structures like bridges and skyscrapers. The female typically lays 3-4 eggs that incubate for 29-33 days. The young fledge from the nest 5-6 weeks after hatching.
Population Status
Historically, peregrine falcons were widespread across North America. But their populations declined severely in the mid-20th century due to the use of organochloride pesticides like DDT. These chemicals caused peregrine eggshells to thin and break prematurely.
By the 1960s, there were no breeding peregrine falcons left in the eastern United States. Only around 150 individual falcons remained in the American West. This dramatic decline led the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to declare peregrine falcons endangered in 1970.
Thanks to captive breeding programs and the banning of DDT, peregrine populations have rebounded significantly since then. They were removed from the federal Endangered Species List in 1999. Today the total North American population is estimated at around 3,500 breeding pairs.
Peregrine Falcons in New Jersey
New Jersey provides good habitat for peregrine falcons in certain areas of the state. Here are some key facts about the peregrine falcon’s history and current status in New Jersey:
- Were completely extirpated as a breeding species in NJ by the 1960s
- Reintroduction efforts began in the 1980s through hacking programs
- First successful nesting pair documented in NJ in 1991 on the Garden State Parkway
- Taken off NJ’s endangered species list in 2005
- Current population estimated at around 35 breeding pairs
Reintroduction and Recovery
In the 1980s, wildlife officials in New Jersey began concerted efforts to bring peregrine falcons back to the state through hacking programs. This involved releasing young falcons to acclimate them to an area and encourage them to return to breed.
The first successful nesting pair was documented at a site on the Garden State Parkway in Cape May County in 1991. Over the following decades, the falcon’s recovery continued through ongoing hacking initiatives and protections for nest sites.
Their population grew to around 20 breeding pairs in the state by the early 2000s. This recovery led the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to remove peregrine falcons from the state’s threatened and endangered species list in 2005.
Today, biologists estimate there are around 35 breeding pairs across New Jersey. While still below historic levels, this represents a major comeback for a bird that had been completely wiped out in the state.
Current Range and Distribution
Peregrine falcons now breed in various coastal and wetland habitats across New Jersey. Here is an overview of where they are most likely to be found:
- Northern New Jersey – Breeding sites located on cliffs along the Palisades and marshes of the Meadowlands area.
- Central New Jersey – Nesting sites found near wetland areas like Barnegat Bay and Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge.
- Southern New Jersey – Presides along the Atlantic Coast and Delaware Bay areas, including at Cape May.
- Urban centers – Bridges, towers, and skyscrapers in cities provide artificial cliff habitat.
Outside of the breeding season, peregrine falcons can turn up anywhere in the state on their migrations. They often stop over in New Jersey’s coastal marshes and shorelines when traveling to and from their wintering grounds further south.
Best Places to See Peregrine Falcons in New Jersey
Here are some top spots across New Jersey to potentially catch sight of peregrine falcons throughout the year:
Cape May Point State Park
Located at the southern tip of New Jersey, Cape May Point State Park provides excellent overlooks for viewing migrating and wintering peregrine falcons hunting along the shoreline. The park’s 188-foot lighthouse also serves as a nesting site for a resident pair.
Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge
Stretching across more than 47,000 acres in southern New Jersey, this refuge contains extensive saltmarshes and coastal habitats where peregrine falcons forage and nest. The best viewing areas are Lily Lake, the wildlife drive, and observation tower.
Palisades Interstate Park
The dramatic cliffs along the Hudson River north of NYC are home to several peregrine falcon eyries. Try spots like the State Line Lookout, Ross Dock Picnic Area, and Alpine Boat Basin for possible sightings.
Newark Bridgeworks
A pair of peregrine falcons has nested on this railroad bridge in downtown Newark since 2006. Viewing areas near the bridge provide easy opportunities to watch the falcons and their offspring during breeding season.
Atlantic City Expressway
Rest areas and roadside pull-offs on this highway allow you to spot peregrine falcons nesting on nearby casinos and bridges, including at the Frank S. Farley Service Area milepost 31 eastbound.
Peregrine Falcon Viewing Tips
Here are some useful tips for locating and observing peregrine falcons in New Jersey:
- Scan cliffs, towers, and other tall structures for possible nest sites or perched adults.
- Listen for loud, repeated falcon calls which often signal territory or announce a nest site.
- Look for pointed wing silhouettes and rapid flight when falcons are hunting.
- Pay attention to aggressive diving displays meant to drive off intruders.
- Search around favorite perches like communication towers, light poles, and high ledges.
- Aim binoculars or a spotting scope at building ledges and bridges to help detect falcons.
- Don’t use playback calls to attract falcons during breeding season as this can disturb nesting.
Patience is key, as peregrine falcons can be tough to find. But with practice, you’ll improve your skills at detecting their presence in both natural settings and urban environments.
Threats and Conservation
While peregrine falcon populations have rebounded significantly, they still face a variety of threats and conservation challenges:
- Disturbance of nest sites by rock climbers, photographers, drones etc.
- Habitat loss due to development of coastal areas and wetlands
- Collision hazards posed by buildings, towers, and wind turbines
- Environmental contaminants like mercury that affect reproduction
- Competition for nest sites with other raptors
- Illegal shooting, trapping, or egg collecting by humans
Ongoing monitoring and management is needed to ensure New Jersey’s peregrine falcons remain sustainable for the long term. Protection of nests and foraging areas will be key. Artificial nest boxes and hacking programs may also help establish new breeding sites.
With appropriate conservation measures, New Jersey’s iconic peregrine falcons will hopefully continue their remarkable recovery in the state. This swift, powerful raptor remains a fascinating wildlife highlight for birders across the Garden State.
Conclusion
In summary, peregrine falcons are now well-established nesting residents across New Jersey after being completely wiped out as recent as the 1960s. Thanks to dedicated reintroduction programs and protections, an estimated 35 breeding pairs now reside in the state, primarily around coastal and wetland habitats. The best locations to spot peregrine falcons include Cape May, Edwin B. Forsythe Refuge, Palisades Interstate Park, Newark, and the Atlantic City Expressway. With proper monitoring and conservation, these remarkable raptors will hopefully remain a feature of New Jersey’s diverse ecosystems for years to come.