Great Fox Island is a low, marshy island group of approximately 160 hectares located 8 kilometers southwest of Crisfield, MD and 8 km NE of Tangier Island, VA in the upper Chesapeake Bay. Owned by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the island is actually comprised of 5 small islets: Big, House, Clump, South, and Stumpy. The 10 meter hack tower was constructed on Big Island with the box facing southeast. The site provided isolation, relative protection from ground predators and owls, and an abundance of prey species.

During its first year of operation in 1981, a sub-adult tiercel appeared in the area and stayed throughout the hack period, but showed no aggression toward the young falcons. However, in 1983 a pair of adult falcons showed up at the site creating serious problems for the release. With only one young falcon successfully fledging that year it became apparent that Great Fox Island would no longer be suitable for releases.

List of Hack Attendants

Richard Browne
Evelyn Gallagher
Frances Hunt
Norman Jaffe
Irene Rusnak
David Stephens