Wildlife Protection

Keeping It Simple: Easy Ways to Help Wildlife Along Roads

Bridge nest boxes replace lost peregrine-falcon habitat

Conservation students from the College of William and Mary worked with the Virginia Department of Transportation to place peregrine-falcon boxes on eight bridges throughout the state: Norris Bridge (Whitestone); Coleman Bridge (Yorktown); Benjamin Harrison Bridge (Prince George); Varina-Enon Bridge (Henrico County); Godwin Bridge (Suffolk); James River Bridge (Newport News); and Berkley and West Norfolk Bridges (Norfolk/Portsmouth). The lucky birds that have lost homes elsewhere now have safe havens in which to raise their chicks. The boxes have been highly successful. In the spring of 2003, 11 chicks hatched from mated falcons in four bridge nests, and the trend continues. The chicks have also been successfully relocated to their natural habitat.

--Apr 25, 2003

Laura Southard, (804) 786-6458 or Laura.Southard@VDOT.Virginia.gov

Photo by Jack Bielhart, Virginia Department of Transportation

Adult peregrine falcon on the James River Bridge

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On or Near Bridges - Virginia