WASHINGTON – Three Peregrine falcon chicks are nesting along the eastbound span of the Bay Bridge.
The Maryland Department of Transportation, who maintains the bridge, says that crews have known about the falcon nest for years.
“Our Bay Bridge crews have worked with both Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service to create a nesting box for the mother falcon. She’d previously nest anywhere she saw fit — tending towards under the westbound span roadway,” says Kelly Melhem, spokeswoman for the MDTA.
Redacking and preservation work on the bridge started around eight years ago, Melhem says and that’s when the falcon nest was discovered.
“Thats when we consulted with DNR and U.S. Fish and Wildlife to try and encourage her to nest on the eastbound span. So we could still do the work on the westbound span and shed still have a place to nest,” Melhem says.
Recently, when DNR crews went to check on the nesting box, they discovered the baby chicks.
Melhem says they don’t check often so as not to disturb the birds, but want to make sure they are in good health.
There is ongoing work on both spans of the bridge but currently, MDTA is scheduling work around the nesting location so as not to disturb the mother and babies, Melhem says.
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