Acadia National Park - Peregrine Falcon Update

August 2, 2005. This is the fifteenth season peregrine falcons have been nesting at Acadia National Park since the reintroduction efforts of the mid-1980s. Summer is an exciting time at the park to catch glimpses of these incredible wonders of the air! The 2005 season had two nesting pairs in the park: at the Precipice on Champlain Mountain, and Beech Cliffs. Two other adult pairs were observed at Valley Cove on Somes Sound and at Jordan Cliffs on Penobscot Mountain; however, for unknown reasons, their nests failed this year.

Peregrine falcons are listed as an endangered species in Maine due to their sharp decline in the 1950-1960s from the use of DDT. Peregrines, whose diet mainly consists of birds, ingested the chemicals in the environment, and the accumulation of the DDT caused the egg shells to thin to the point of extinction of the eastern subspecies. In 1984-1986, Acadia National Park participated in the Eastern Peregrine Falcon Reintroduction Program and successful fledged 22 chicks into the wild. In the spring of 1987, a reintroduced falcon returned to the park, and in 1991 the park had its first successful nest in 35 years!

Champlain Mountain, along the historic Precipice Trail, hosts the favored spot of the peregrine falcons. At 1,058 feet, this cliff face is now open, but does stay closed to hikers and climbers during the nesting season to protect the peregrines. Peregrines have been active on this cliff since 1991. This year"s pair is thought to be the same banded female of the past few years and a new male. Park staff believe the four chicks hatched around May 9. The first young began flying on June 16, the next two on June 18, and the last on June 23. All young were rewarded will a bird to eat after their first flight. The total of fledged chicks from this cliff is 47! Rangers over the season have observed the falcons eating herring gulls, guillemots, ducks, and small song birds (including red-winged blackbirds).

The three young at Beech Cliffs hatched around May 27. Two began flying on May 7 and the third on May 9. At this time, the young are still in the area practicing their hunting skills and being fed by mom and dad. For the season"s weekly information about the status of peregrines this year, check the weekly update .

Determining which falcon is which can be extremely difficult. Every year, U.S. Fish and Wildlife and park biologists attempt to band chicks born in the park. Many variables are involved in allowing the researchers to band. The speed at which the chicks develop allows only a three-to-four day window in which the researchers can band. The chicks must be large enough that the band does not fall off and not too large to attempt to fly without the proper flight feathers.

Falcon banding provides valuable information on the activity of the peregrines. It allows scientists to keep track of peregrine migration, movement, breeding activity, and longevity. Peregrines are known to travel very far for the winter including South America, Costa Rica, and the Virgin Islands. Banding also allows park biologists to track where peregrines set up nesting sites. Last year, researchers that were banding chicks in Vermont had a close view of the angry mother falcon. They were able to see her band and determine that she was born here at Acadia National Park on Jordan Cliffs in 2000. Banding has allowed scientists to determine that peregrine falcons have a 25% survival rate in the first year. With such a high mortality rate, the park is proud to host successful nesting areas to help this falcon regain its status.