The falcon nesting season is officially over at Acadia National Park in Maine. Superintendent Sheridan Steele says that the Precipice, Valley Cove, and Jordan Cliffs trails in the park have all reopened to hikers.
Adult peregrine falcons that occupied these nesting territories since April have successfully raised chicks, which fledged approximately five weeks ago and are now mostly independent of both the cliff areas and their adult parents. These areas were closed in April to support ongoing recovery efforts for the peregrine falcon in Maine, which is listed as an Endangered Species under the Maine Endangered Species Act.
The fledglings have become less dependent on the cliff and their parents over the last few weeks.
Research has shown that nesting falcons are particularly vulnerable to human disturbance originating immediately above the nesting area or directed at the nest site. The closure of cliff areas and trails during the nesting season has proven to be successful, with almost 130 chicks fledging from all cliffs within Acadia National Park over the last 24 years.
Although the falcons, both adults and juveniles, are expected to stay in the vicinity of these cliffs and surrounding areas for the remainder of the summer and early fall, they are not expected to be affected or harmed by activities of visitors and park staff. Additional information about the peregrine recovery program and cliff or trail closures is available at the park’s visitor center and headquarters.
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The comeback of peregrine falcons in Acadia National Park is quite an environmental success story. This year there were 7 peregrine falcon chicks that fledged. Park biologist Bruce Connery told us in an interview that he was particularly excited this year because he saw peregrine falcons over the winter, and an adult banded falcon at the Precipice, all strong signs of the health of the population. Here's the blog post with the full interview: http://www.acadiaonmymind.com/2015/07/7-peregrine-falcon-chicks-fledge-a...