Falcon on Library Ledge, Snow Creek Wall.
Photo by Lisa Doubet
Mr. Falcon, to you!
Crop of Photo by Lisa Doubet
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Summary:
In the Spring of 2009 the Forest Service imposed a formal closure to protect falcons that were nesting on Library Ledge, on Outer Space, the most
famous climb in Leavenworth. The closure remained in place through the nesting season and was lifted mid-July.
Background:
There are three known pairs of Peregrine Falcons nesting in the Wenatchee River District (the combined former Levenworth and Lake Wenatchee
Districts). Two of these pairs have been nesting on two of
the District's more popular crags, Midnight Rock and Snow Creek Wall. A Spring closure of Midnight Rock has been imposed for over ten years, while the pair on
Snow Creek Wall formerly nested on an out of the way part of the cliff so a climbing closure was not necessary. This year they have set up shop on the cliff's
most popular climb. Climbers observed the birds and eggs over the weekend of April 18 - 19, 2009, and reported them to the Rangers on Monday April 20. Local
Wenatchee River District biologists relayed that information on up the chain of command for a formal ruling on a temporary closure that will last through
the nesting season, and the closure was closed through mid-July 2009.
Area Reopened July 2009:
Afater a successful nesting season, the chicks fledged and the entire cliff was re-opened in July.
See this PDF for official closure information including topo.
Why Close the Crag?
Wildlife biologists tell us that every pair of birds and every nesting situation is different. Some falcons do just fine with a nest in a location where people
routinely pass nearby, but Peregrines are generally very territorial and birds nesting on cliffs have selected those locations for their remoteness and protection
from predators. These birds will likely neglect their nesting duties in order to defend their turf if climbers approach. Even if they don't engage in dive bombing and
other direct attack, they become agitated and this threatens the viability of their nest. Eggs can be dislodged from the nest, left in the cold or heat to fail,
or crushed during defensive displays. Newly hatched raptors can not regulate their own body temperature and frightened juvenile birds may attempt to fly before
they are ready.
In the past, some climbers have argued that the birds did not need this kind of protection, observing that they are no longer listed as an endangered species and many
seem to do just fine in downtown Seattle. This is true and there has in the past been a pair nesting on a highway bridge in downtown Portland, but although they are
adaptable and can successfully raise their chicks in these urban environments, they get used to "background" conditions but are not able to adapt to change or intermittent
intrusion into their nesting area. Further, their "boundaries" are not always obvious: on that Portland bridge, for example, the birds were fine with tens of
thousands of cars going by every day but when a film crew set up on the bridge, actually out of sight of their nest but close to it, the birds went berserk and
biologists, fearful for the nest, were forced to ask the State to require the film crew to move.
Cooperation Requested
We hope climbers will cooperate with this closure and these magnificant birds can have a successful season.
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