The tree-nesting part of the population of peregrine falcons in the forest regions of East Germany (Central Germany or former GDR) once had a worldwide unique main range. The highest level was around 1930 at approximately 400-600 nesting pairs. Only in Brandenburg there were more than 160 nesting pairs according to calculations. The strongest decrease took place in the years 1950-1975. From 1976 on, the tree-nesting population has been totally extinct. The reasons for the decrease have anthropogenic influences. At this time it was mostly the creeping poisoning of the birds caused by the frequent use of plant-protection substances (especially DDT) in agriculture and forestry.

 

After the systemic transformation in 1990, the Association for the Protection of Peregrine Falcons e.V. was founded in Freiberg/Saxony with the goal to achieve a resettlement of the peregrine falcon in the eastern low-mountains and in the northern and eastern forested lowland of Germany on the basis of scientifically founded specialized projects. The release and the settlement of the rock-nesting peregrine falcons have been successfully finished since 1996. Now the most important specific goal is the reestablishment of the tree-nesting population of the peregrine falcon. The project is set for 15 years.

 

The CIC Commission Falconry has clearly realized the importance of this project. It has set as a goal to support the Association for the Protection of Peregrine Falcons both in principle and in a material way. Until now the Commission has been able to provide 20 000 EUR for the project from CIC contributions and other donations. With this, CIC supports a research and conservation project to protect game, even if it is not for hunting. Thus the CIC contributes to the sustainability of populations for future generations, as demanded by the Rio Convention.

 

At the moment, the project is in the decisive phase of first success. 1996 was the first year, where a tree-brood has been discovered, after long years of disappearance. It was in the north of Brandenburg in a milan eyrie on a pine tree. Both birds have been released in 1994 with the artificial eyrie method. In the meantime more broods have been discovered, so now there are again five tree-broods of the peregrine falcon in the forests of eastern Germany.

 

Since 2001 a total of more than 200 falcons coming from breedings of the Deutscher Falkenorden, a member of CIC, have been released for this project. For the coming 7-8 years more falcons are scheduled for release. The declared goal of the project is to have 25 used tree-nesting territories as a minimum level of a population, which can live on on its own and as a minimum criteria for stopping the project. The present successes lead to the conclusion, that the goal of the reestablishment of a tree-nesting tradition of the peregrine falcon will soon be reached.

 

Read about the activities of the Commission Falconry