Peregrine falcon numbers across Pennsylvania are higher than they've been in decades, with birds nesting on traditional cliff faces, as well as on buildings and bridges in urban centers. Northern goshawk populations, meanwhile, are in decline and could soon be designated as endangered. Raptors headed in different directions Northern goshawks struggle while peregrine falcons continue rebound. Pennsylvania's Board of Game Commissioners was scheduled to vote on changes to the status of two raptors - one struggling, one doing well - at its Sept. 11 meeting. The board was considering adding the northern goshawk to the state's endangered species list and removing the peregrine falcon from the state's threatened list. The board preliminarily approved the status changes at its July meeting, and accepted public comment on both proposals through Sept. 5. All indications are that northern goshawks are struggling. A large secreOCTOBER 2021 tive raptor of mature, mixed forests, the goshawk can be found in the northern tier and high elevations across Pennsylvania. Several recent agency-supported efforts to better understand the birds documented a dramatic decrease in the state's population. Goshawks have experienced both range contraction and breeding population decline over the past 20 years. What's behind that downturn is not definitively known. The Game Commission is looking for answers, but wants to further protect remaining populations by designating the species as endangered. 45 Joe Kosack