Learn About The Return of Peregrine Falcon at Montclair Bird Club

The Peregrine Falcon is one of nature’s most magnificent birds of prey, and has been called the fastest animal in the world, clocked by radar at over 100 miles per hour when hunting prey. This majestic bird was at risk for local extinction, almost disappearing east of the Mississippi River due to the use of the pesticide DDT. The good news — peregrine falcons are making a comeback and these amazing birds, including a local pair in Jersey City, are the subject of a free program presented by the Montclair Bird Club at the Union Congregational Church this Wednesday, January 9, at 7:30 p.m.

Peregrine Falcons are now doing remarkably well in New Jersey, with over 20 pairs calling the Garden State home. The story of one of these pairs that nests on top of an office building on the Jersey City waterfront can be seen at the New Jersey Department of Environmental protection website which offers a peregrine cam.

Montclair Bird Club’s peregrine falcon program will be presented by Maria Grace, the Education and Outreach Manager for the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ. Since 2004, Ms. Grace has been teaching adults and children about New Jersey’s rare and endangered wildlife. She received her BS in Environmental Science from Stockton College, and in 2002 her Master’s degree in environmental education from Montclair State University, while serving as a graduate teaching assistant at the NJ School of Conservation, in Stokes State Forest, Sussex County, NJ. Since 2000, she has been connecting people to the natural world through hands-on field based programs, interactive classrooms programs, and informative professional development workshops in subjects ranging from water and stream ecology, volunteer monitoring, and New Jersey’s incredible biodiversity.

The Montclair Bird Club holds regular meetings at 7:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month, except December, July and August, at the Union Congregational Church, 176 Cooper Avenue, Upper Montclair. The meetings are open to the public. There is no admission fee. For further information, contact Wayne Greenstone at 908-276-4605.