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Start The Conservation Bloggers

Kristel Guimara Hello everyone and welcome! My name is Kristel Guimara and I currently live in the beautiful northern Adirondacks. I have my Bachelor's degree in Biology with a concentration in Environmental Science from Paul Smith's College located in Paul Smith's NY. Currently, I am in my second year of graduate school pursuing my Master's Degree in Conservation Biology from Green Mountain College in Poultney VT. I am currently researching the effects of black carbon concentration in the Adirondack snowpack which will be compared to samples taken in the Arctic Regions. This I hope will continue beyond my thesis requirement.

I have been blessed to have wonderful opportunities at such places as; Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Wildlife Conservation Society and much more. Yet, my love of the outdoors goes beyond literature, research and endless days spent on top of a mountain; it's a sense of place. I am not here to stand on top of my soapbox and sway you on your own personal opinions and views in topics that I post. I am here merely to open some topics up that will get a conversation going about the on-goings happening in the Adirondacks. So kindly pull up a chair, get your coffee ready and join me in a lively conversation.

Falco peregrinus: The fastest animal on Earth

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By on July 22, 2012 6:38 PM

If I were to ask you what species is the fastest on Earth, what would you say?

If you said the Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) than you are quite correct. This species can reach speeds of up to 185 mph when diving for prey, has a wingspan of 40 inches long and has a height of 15-20 inches tall.

Peregrine Falcons are the largest falcon over most of the continent with long, pointed wings and tail. Adults are blue-gray above with barred underparts and thick black sideburns on their dark head.

These beautiful creatures were once an endangered species due to the use of DDT and chemical pesticides. Their population has now rebounded with the aid of captive breeding programs however during the 20th century their population exhibited a steep decline.  Now Peregrine Falcons can be found on all continents except Antarctica.

Peregrine Falcons can be seen perching or nesting on cliffs, tall structures and even skyscrapers. One place in the Adirondacks that has been officially confirmed with a definitive sighting is Poke-O-Moonshine Mountain in the Town of Chesterfield in Essex County New York. A nest has been confirmed on the nose on the main face of Poke-O-Moonshine Mountain.

With beautiful weather ahead, I think I just might migrate over to good 'ole Poke-O Moonshine Mountain to see a great view on top of this mountain. And possibly get a glimpse of a Peregrine Falcon from a respectable distance.

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