Wings for My Flight: The Peregrine Falcons of Chimney Rock, Updated Edition

by Marcy Cottrell Houle

"Blends adventure, romance, humor and pathos. . . . Offers vivid descriptions of her sky-diving subjects and the seductive beauty of the wilderness."-- Chicago Sun-Times "Well crafted and compelling, a dramatization of the classic conflict between the legitimate interests of conservationists and developers. This is a fine book on several levels, as science, sociology, or a story. Highly recommended."-- Library Journal Forty years ago, the peregrine falcon was on the U.S. endangered species list and many doubted that it would survive. Marcy Houle was a young wildlife biologist observing one of the last remaining pairs--located at a site in southwest Colorado slated for development as a major tourist site. First published in 1991 and winner of several national awards, this book chronicles her work at Chimney Rock along with the recovery of the species. A new preface examines the last thirty years of the peregrine population and its remarkable comeback and culminates with President Barack Obama's designation of Chimney Rock as a national monument.

Genres: Birds, Nonfiction, Conservation

216 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1991

Reviews

[Justine · Rating 5 out of 5]

“It was not a question of a simple value judgement that animals are to be held in higher esteem than people. It was so vastly different than that. It was that we as human beings would somehow be made less each time a species was taken away.”

Wings for My Flight chronicles the story of wildlife biologist Marcy Cottrell Houle as she studies the fledging of the peregrine falcons on Chimney Rock in Southern Colorado in the summer of 1975. Highlighting the ever growing rift between wild places and human development, Cottrell Houle often finds herself acting as the last line of defense against townspeople who are angered at the thought of economic disruption due to the protected peregrine falcons needing their habitat to reproduce and raise fledglings. As the peregrine falcon used to be an endangered species due to the use of pesticides such as DDT, much care has to be taken to make sure that these beautiful birds have a successful nesting season and that observations of the fledglings can be taken so that further work can be done to protect the species. This book keenly describes the wonders, as well as inevitable failures, that come with the territory of being a conservation biologist.

[Emily Kestrel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short book, but crammed with adventure, beauty, sadness, danger and descriptions of a very engaging family of peregrine falcons. Sometimes books of this type are a bit dry, the Marcy Cottrell Houle is quite a talented writer. This read like a suspense novel; I couldn't put it down.

[Treyton Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very frustrating firsthand account of what wildlife biology field work looked like half a century ago, but with a surprising amount of hope offered as well. With many personal connections to this story, I thought it would resonate with me. What I didn’t expect was the horrific levels of mistreatment, sexism, and near-assault on the young field technicians. I’d like to believe that both the sexism within the STEM field and carelessness over natural ecosystems and native wildlife have improved, but we’ve got a long way to go.

Hoyle wraps up her whole experience, however awful, more hopeful and optimistic than I would expect someone in her position to be capable of.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inside look at a research scientist's work monitoring peregrine falcons in the 70s. The study of an endangered species interwoven with story, intrigue, and scientific fact. What it's like to hold to personal conviction, scientific study, and love of birds in a community of people who have been living in an area for decades. The community was given the promise of what tourism development might bring. Why would they listen to a young "bird-girl" outsider?

[Shirley Power · Rating 5 out of 5]

This great book was found at a library book sale, and what a treasure it is! Not only is it very well-written, but it changed my perspective on the value and importance of studying endangered species - be they plants or animals. If you value nature above "progress", or better yet, if you DON'T, this is a great book to read.

[Vjera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slightly dated but very enjoyable. Great descriptions, fast-paced, with lots of basics woven in.

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful awakening story of a wonderful species. Environmentalists would be proud.