Rock formations subject to advisory closures to rock climbing
and off-trail hiking for protecting nesting falcons and eagles are
now reopened at Pinnacles National Monument.
Rock formations subject to advisory closures to rock climbing and off-trail hiking for protecting nesting falcons and eagles are now reopened at Pinnacles National Monument.
“All sensitive areas have been reopened and will remain so until next January when the raptors return and being to select nest areas,” said Eric Brunnemann, the superintendent of Pinnacles National Monument.
A total of seven prairie falcon nests successfully produced nestlings and fledged a total of 27 young, representing an average year for Pinnacles productivity, according to a press release. In addition American kestrels, red-shouldered, red-tailed sharp-shinned and Cooper’s hawks produced young this year, as well as one Peregrine falcon.
Monument staff members have been monitoring raptors for 24 years.
“We thank the climbers and hikers for their patience and support of our efforts to protect these spectacular birds of prey at Pinnacles,” Brunnemann wrote. “Without your cooperation in avoiding the advisory areas, this program could not be the success that it is.”
For more information regarding raptor activity at Pinnacles National Monument, or the park’s raptor monitoring program, call the Office of Research and Resource Management, call 389-4486, ext. 270.
