| 2008 Peregrine Closures lifted for all USFS and non-FS climbing areas |
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| Wednesday, 30 July 2008 | |
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2008 North Carolina Peregrine Falcon
nest monitoring results from North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission:
This was a dynamic nesting season for peregrine falcons in western North Carolina, characterized by a number of apparent changes in nesting pairs and nest success. For a change, pairs in the northern counties faired better than pairs in the southern counties. Notably, pairs at Big Lost Cove and Grandfather Mountain had successful nesting attempts for the first time since 2001 and 2003, respectively. Nest success was confirmed at another northern site, Hanging Rock State Park (Moore’s Wall), after some uncertainty last year. Among southern nest sites, only Whiteside Mountain was successful. Looking Glass experienced nest failure for the second year in a row. Failed nesting attempts at sites in the southern mountains significantly impacted what would have otherwise been a productive year for WNC falcons, given the returned success at three northern sites. Also of note this year was the presence of three, mated second year falcons holding down territories: a female at Grandfather Mountain, a female at White Rock Cliff, and a male at Chimney Rock. Of these three, only the second year female and her mate at Grandfather Mountain were successful in raising young. This was a considerable feat given the bird’s age and inexperience combined with the site’s elevation (~5400-5500 feet), west-facing aspect, unprotected ledge, and some of the most severe weather in the mountain region. Results: southern mountains: Whiteside Mountain (Jackson County)- 2 fledglings Looking Glass Rock (Transylvania County) – nest failure Devil’s Courthouse (Transylvania County) – nest failure Chimney Rock (Rutherford County) second year male on territory- nest failure Transylvania County nest #3 - nest failure Transylvania County nest #4 - nest failure northern mountains: White Rock Cliff (Madison County) second year female on territory- did not nest/nest failed Haywood County nest #1- 3 nestlings Shortoff Mountain (Burke County- south end of Linville Gorge, east rim)- 4 nestlings NC Wall- (Burke County-toward north end of Linville Gorge, east rim) – 2 nestlings- fledged in early July Grandfather Mtn (Avery County) second year female on territory- 2 nestlings Big Lost Cove (Avery County)- at least 1 fledgling Moore’s Wall (Stokes County- Hanging Rock State Park)- at least 1 fledgling Total # nesting pairs: 13 Total offspring: 15 Nest Success: 53% Productivity (# offspring/ pair): 1.15 Chris Kelly Mountain Wildlife Diversity Biologist NC Wildlife Resources Commission |
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