The peregrine falcon, once a federally listed endangered species, has made a comeback!  

Sightings of peregrine falcons are common along the San Diego coastline, but for the first time ever, peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus anatum) have been documented nesting in the Cleveland National Forest. 

Jeff Brown, Director of Allied Climbers of San Diego, a California Non-Profit, climbs at Corte Madera during months the area can be safely used—fall, winter, and spring. Early spring also means nesting time for prairie falcons at Corte Madera. But this year, he and his wife, Keli Balo, witnessed typical peregrine falcon bullying of prairie falcons result in actual nesting of the peregrines. 

“Prairie falcons nest at Corte Madera regularly, but peregrines nesting, that’s historical!” Brown said. “We work with the Cleveland National Forest to establish advisory buffers for the prairie falcons, so we worked with them on closures for the peregrines—official closures are currently still the norm for peregrine falcons because they were once endangered.” 

According to Brown, “Most local climbers know about the prairie falcons and know where not to climb when the birds are nesting. Published advisory buffer zones for the falcons are a good thing; it helps new and visiting climbers understand where the birds are nesting, that climbing should take place elsewhere on the cliff faces. What’s incredible about this year is that Forest Service biologists have confirmed that peregrine falcons have driven the prairie falcons out and established nesting themselves!” 

Brown has seen peregrines hunt at Corte Madera in the past, but never nest. 

“The prairie falcons show up every year like clockwork,” Brown said. “They set up nesting at a spot we call Paul Bunyon Wall. Then, during the day while climbing, we see peregrines fly in to hunt for a while. They grab swallows right out of the air! After that, they seem to bully the prairie falcons for a while, and then they fly off. The next time we go out we might see them, might not. We’ve always seen the prairie falcons, they stay to nest.” 

Brown and his wife Keli climb at amazing places around the country, but they rate Corte Madera in San Diego County being as good as any they’ve climbed. 

This year, Brown and his wife watched the prairie falcons come in as usual. Brown alerted the Forest Service, and the Allied Climbers worked with the Cleveland National Forest to establish and promote buffer zone advisories to educate the public.  

The Allied Climbers is a local environmentally responsible membership-based climbers advocacy organization that has been working closely with the Cleveland National Forest to establish advisory buffer zones for prairie falcons (a cousin of the peregrine, but never threatened or endangered), and active golden eagle nests. 

Brown feels strongly that, “It’s important to partner with local land managers—local Forest, BLM, City of San Diego, City of Poway, etc.—to help get the word out about nesting raptors, to help with trail projects, clean ups and the like. They need our help, they can’t do it all.” 

Peregrine falcons are pretty acceptant of humans and routinely nest in the San Diego coastal area. A pair nests at Torrey Pines State Park every year. Torrey Pines visitors photograph them often. Park officials even give people directions to the nest 

To find out more about climbing in the San Diego region visit ACSD’s website at  www.alliedclimbers.org  

Posted 5/15/09

Allied Climbers of San Diego, 5/15/2009
 

Source: http://www.alliedclimbers.org

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