In December 2000, we visited Kingston's Calvin Park Public School in , with our two-year-old male peregrine falcon "Scotty". Below are some comments from the school, followed by an article prepared by the students after our visit:
I am writing to extend my thanks, on behalf of our grade seven students and their teachers, for your organization's interesting and informative presentation on the Peregrine Falcon. Although I was not able to attend a session, the teachers made a point of telling me how motivated the students were during the workshop. Holding the attention of a large number of adolescents is no small feat.
Our recent newsletter featured a student article about the presentation (see below). Please extend my appreciation to the Friends of the Environment Foundation for their funding of such a worthwhile experience for our students. Thank you for including our school in your tour.
Yours truly,
Barbara
A. Wells
Principal
"The Canadian Peregrine Foundation sent visitors to many schools across Canada to inform kids about peregrine falcons. We at Calvin were lucky to be part of these presentations. A man who was very informed about peregrine falcons named Marcel came to our school, along with "Scotty" the peregrine falcon. We watched a movie about peregrines and then Marcel took Scotty out of his cage and took questions. I'm sure that many of the students were very surprised about the history of the peregrine falcon and have become very well educated on them.
There birds are endangered because of an agricultural chemical called DDT. DDT controls unwanted pests (e.g. plants, animals, insects, etc). What happens is insects start to eat the crop with DDT. Then some small bird eats that bug and a bigger bird (like a peregrine) eats the one that ate the bug with the DDT in its system. The DDT is stored in the falcon's system. When the female goes to lay eggs the shells are VERY thin so when she would go to lie on them for incubation they would crack. Here are some facts about the peregrines:
In Canada and the US there are laws to protect the peregrine. It is illegal to kill peregrines or disturb them at their nests
In mid-April to early May, female peregrines usually lay a clutch of four eggs about the size of a medium sized chicken egg.
Both adults help to incubate the eggs for about 33 to 35 days. The eggs hatch in late May or early June.
Peregrines might develop frounce, which is an infection in the throat and mouth caused by eating diseased pigeons. This disease can be fatal.
Falcons have a system of baffles in their nostrils to enable them to breathe while diving at high speeds
By Rebekah T. and Victoria S. (7F)
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