SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. and Ontario – Peregrine falcons returned to the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge this spring, with the pair of nesting raptors successfully hatching two chicks this year. The Sault Ste. Marie Bridge Authority (SSMBA) heard updates on the falcons, bridge operations, 2025 financial reports, inspections and maintenance activities at its recent quarterly board meeting.
Karl Hansen, bridge engineer for the International Bridge Administration (IBA), gave an update on the pair of peregrines residing in the Canadian side nest box.
Nest boxes for the peregrines have been installed on the bridge since 2010, placed at locations that had evidence of past nesting activity. Last year, the resident pair of peregrine falcons hatched three chicks in the box on the U.S. side of the bridge. Over the years, the site has been a great success, hatching 47 falcon chicks since IBA staff started counting the birds, Hansen said.
Several years ago, the IBA added a video camera trained on the nest box, the “FalCam.” The popular live video stream is available at https://www.saultbridge.com/falcam-canadian-nest-box/, offering bird watchers a close look at the seasonal activities of the endangered raptors. The best time to view the birds is when they’re nesting in the spring.
The peregrine falcon has been removed from the federal endangered species list but is still listed as a threatened species in Michigan, protected by state and federal law. In Canada, peregrine populations have also increased in recent years. Federally, the species is designated “not at risk” in Canada, except for one subspecies listed as of “special concern” on the federal Species at Risk Act.
At its May 21 meeting, the SSMBA board of directors also heard reports on:
- Inspections: The federally mandated regular fracture critical member (FCM) inspection has been scheduled for the second week in August. Preliminary findings will be presented at the August SSMBA meeting, with the final report will be presented to the board for consideration in November.
- Annual bridge walk: Planning for the annual International Bridge Walk, sponsored by the Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and Ontario chambers of commerce, continues with the support of the IBA. The event is scheduled for June 27.
- Finances: The board accepted the final draft of the audited 2025 year-end financial statements. The audit received the best possible independent audit result, an Unqualified Opinion. Total bridge traffic ended 2025 down 23.8 percent compared to 2024. Toll revenues were down 13.7 percent over the same period.
- Maintenance: During the 2026 construction season, IBA maintenance staff will continue working on routine maintenance (RM) list items generated from 2024 and 2025 inspections. In addition to RM work, IBA maintenance staff will be tasked with cleaning and coating the green pedestrian rail and spot painting on the U.S. arch. Application of a healer sealer flood coat to the U.S. approach bridge deck has been tentatively set for mid- to late July.
Fast facts:
- A pair of peregrine falcons successfully nested on the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge, where the birds have been returning for more than two decades, hatching two chicks on the Canadian side of the bridge.
- A live video stream of the Canadian side nest box is available at https://www.saultbridge.com/falcam-canadian-nest-box/.
- The Sault Ste. Marie Bridge Authority (SSMBA) heard updates on the falcons, bridge inspections, finances and maintenance activities at its recent quarterly board meeting.
