Rare falcons move into Sudbury mine sites

Peregrine falcons are nesting in open pit mines and an abandoned ore plantnearSudbury, Ont.

The nesting sites are located on property owned by mining giant Vale, which has been forced to alter some of its plans to accommodate the birds, listed as a threatened species under Ontario's Endangered Species Act.

"Interestingly enough, they've picked this beauty of a building," said Alison Merla, a senior environmental analyst with Vale, as she pointed out the crumbling structure of brick, rusty metal and broken windows wherea pair of peregrine falcons has nested each year since 2008.

The company wants to demolish the building, a former ore recovery plant, saying it poses a health and safety hazard to both humans and the birds.

The demolition ison hold because of requirements under Ontario endangered species legislation to protect the birds.

The company has put up two nest boxes on a nearby smokestack, which will continue to be used for nickel refining, in the hopes that the birds will move.

"They've started perching in the area of those nesting boxes this year, which is fantastic news," Merla said.

"We haven't been able to confirm that they are inside and nesting, but that their showing interest is definitely positive."

Vale is also planning to discourage the birds from nesting in the building by covering the windows and ledges with snow fencing.

Provincial endangered species legislation bars the company from harming or killing the birds, said Eric Cobb, a species at risk biologist with the Sudbury district of Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources.

"If the birds do try to nest despite the harassment, then they have to be left alone," he said.

Once the birds have finished nesting, Vale is free to demolish the building.

Merla said the company is also monitoring falcons nesting in some of the company's open pit mines, with help from a Laurentian University biologist. Currently, no mining is being done at those particular sites. If work does begin, the company will need a special permit from the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Urban nests

Cobb said it's not surprising the birds have chosen the mines, as they resemble the natural cliffs where the falcons traditionally nested.

He added that the species has shown some tolerance to human activity. They have nested successfully in highrises in cities like Toronto and Ottawa, and there is a pair nesting this year under Windsor's Ambassador Bridge.

Merla noted that the species has now been downgraded from endangered to threatened status.

"One of the reasons that they've managed to make such a big comeback," she said, "is largely due to their adaptability."

In the Sudbury area, she also credited Vale's efforts to restore local habitat, creating attractive hunting grounds for the birds.