Peregrine Falcon Nesting and the Helpful Role of Climbers
A peregrine falcon soaring above Merriam Woods
- Photographer: Lee Hansche
One of the lucky inhabitants of Merriam Woods is the Peregrine Falcon. Since the 1980's, the New Hampshire Audubon has been working hard to restore the falcon population in NH. Part of this effort includes banding Peregrine chicks to track them more efficiently. Due to the nature of the work, the NH Audubon often needs technical assistance getting to remote areas of the cliffs where the birds nest. Without experienced climbers, the banding program would be far more difficult…if even possible at all. Climbers help locate nests, post signage about temporary closures on climbing routes, and check in periodically on the progress of the nesting all while following the expert direction of the NH Audubon so as not to disturb their nesting behavior.
“Falcon management at this Tripoli Road site has also benefited from direct assistance provided by individual rock climbers, who have on several occasions monitored nesting activity, helped post signage to restrict climbing at specific cliffs while the falcons are nesting, and spread the word in the wider climbing community about the status of nesting attempts on site.”
-Chris Martin, Senior Biologist NH Audubon
Photos below are from a nest at Merriam Woods where Peregrine chicks were banded in 2021 by a NH Audubon Biologist.
New Hampshire Audubon Biologist and peregrine chicks.
- Photographer: Lee Hansche
The birds nesting at Merriam Woods were in a unique situation in which the ledge they were nesting on was easily accessible on foot. Due to this accessibility, on the day of the banding in 2021, the biologist made it an educational experience for some of the crew who hadn’t witnessed it before.
A NH Audubon biologist recording data while climbers learn about the process.
- Photographer: Lee Hansche
An interesting note that the NH Audubon has found through their data is that the breeding success of peregrine falcons at Merriam Woods has increased notably in the past 5 years since climbing activity has increased there.
Thank you to the climbers and NH Audubon staff who have helped with this program.
A young peregrine chick.
- Photographer: Lee Hansche