Peregrine falcons that appear to be starting a nest on the western span of the Bay Bridge will be allowed to incubate their eggs before the chicks are taken from them by researchers working to save them from possible drowning, under a new plan. Last year, Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group scientists took three eggs from a peregrine falcon nest on the western span of the bridge, but only one egg hatched, research group biologist Glenn Stewart said. He said the chick was released in Santa Cruz as a 42-day-old fledgling.

A pair of eggs laid last year by a separate pair of peregrines on the eastern span of the bridge was left to hatch before the chicks were taken, said Stewart, who described the bridge as a lethal fledgling environment.