Climbers at Zion must make way for falcon nests

ST. GEORGE — Several popular climbing routes in Zion National Park will be closed this week so that peregrine falcons can set up housekeeping along the sheer cliff walls.

"Zion is considered a core population area for the peregrine falcons," said Jeff Bradybaugh, the park's resource management chief. "This area probably produces more young birds for dispersal outside the park than come into the park."

Ten selected cliffs will close March 1 through mid-July to allow the birds time to breed, nest and raise their offspring, he said.

"They don't all show up at once, but they can be quite aggressive to climbers, so we want to make sure and secure those cliffs before they arrive," Bradybaugh said.

From the mid-1960s through the 1990s, peregrine falcons were listed as an "endangered species" under the Endangered Species Act. The adult birds measure up to 18 inches tall and weigh from three to five pounds. The species was removed from the list in 1999 after population numbers increased throughout North America.

"They prey principally on small birds they catch on the wing, and Zion has a really good food source and good nesting sites for these falcons," said Bradybaugh.

Zion National Park has historically hosted 18 known territories used by breeding peregrine falcons, and each territory could have from one to three nesting sites for each pair of birds. Many of the nests aren't visible to the naked eye and park biologists must locate the small holes in the cliff sides with high-powered scopes.

"We'll probably see somewhere between 14 and 16 nesting pairs, sometimes a few more," he added. "The youngsters usually fledge or fly out of the nest around mid-July."

Visitors to the park can try to locate a peregrine falcon nest with a strong pair of binoculars, although it could prove to be a difficult search.

"You could look for hours at that sheer cliff trying to see a little hole in it," said Bradybaugh. "You're better off watching for the adults on the wing or checking with the visitor's center on nest locations."

Climbers have always been cooperative with park officials over the closures and don't mind moving aside for the nesting birds of prey.

"We've been doing this for 20 to 25 years and climbers know there are many other alternatives," Bradybaugh noted. "We've modified the closures over the years to accommodate the birds. They may use one nest one year and another nest the next year, but it's all in the same territory."

The one or two offspring usually venture out on the wing after spending several months in their cliff-side home. Once in a while one of the babies can't return to its nest and park officials have to give it a ride home.

"The worry we have then is if adults come charging," Bradybaugh said. "No one wants to get a talon in the back of the neck."

For more information about the closures, visit the Zion National Park Web site at nps.gov/zion/Backcountry/Climbing.htm.

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