Article about the Flint peregrines - Barry, Majesty & Maize
Flint, Michigan -- The under-construction former Durant Hotel may not seem like the most romantic rendezvous spot -- but that's where peregrine falcons Barry and Majestic were found nesting a few weeks ago. nd their chick, who was born on the downtown landmark's ledge, has kind of become a University of Michigan-Flint mascot. She was aptly named Maize.
"The name peregrine means wanderer and these birds by their nature move around a lot," said Tim Payne, Southeast Michigan wildlife supervisor with the state's Department of Natural Resources. "Why they picked this particular area in Flint is anybody's guess."
The bands on the adult birds show that 8-year-old Barry comes from Ohio and Majestic is seven years old and was born in Toronto, Canada. Peregrine pairs are true lovebirds -- they mate for life.
Barb Baldinger Maize, who was named by a UM-Flint employee who spotted the birds, was moved today about 300 feet away to a ledge on the Northbank Center to protect her from construction. Payne was downtown today observing the birds to make sure 24-day-old Maize's parents know where she is.
In Michigan, the crow-sized peregrines known for their slate gray backs are rare and remain listed as an endangered species. The state has at least 10 known nesting pairs. This isn't the first time the migratory birds have been spotted here. In 2004, another pair or peregrines was also found nesting on a ledge of the onetime Durant Hotel. Payne said peregrines seem to like cliff-like dwellings and the Durant ledge may also be desirable because it faces to the east, protecting it from winds.
The state started a program in the 1960s to reestablish the peregrine falcon population here. Nesting pairs seem to be most active in southeast Michigan.
Maize has also been banded to trace her travels. "We've got very very few of these so it's of high interest to track their success and monitor them to make sure we do have a recovering population," Payne said.
