Peregrine Watch

Seasonal change is about to occur in the next few weeks. The temperature is going to (hopefully) get warmer, plants will begin to sprout leaves and flowers, mammals will be emerging out of their burrows, and birds will be migrating back and starting to breed. Many of these phenological events that spring has to offer are scientifically studied by the Mohonk Preserve. We have our Phenology Project that observes specific plants throughout the year, we monitory lake profile health daily, we count breeding birds and vernal pool breeding, and monitor raptors during fall migration and breeding on the cliff. Most of these projects are led by me, but we rely on a handful of volunteers for each project. Today, we hosted our Peregrine Watch citizen science program where we have three eyrie (nest) locations along the Shawangunk cliffs where Peregrine Falcon pairs breed. This orientation that we had today was introducing volunteers to the project of Peregrine Breeding Observation, showing them where the eyrie locations are (the general regions), and identifying the types of breeding practices that the raptors go through during the season. We have three known locations on the Ridge where Peregrine pairs have been known to make home for their eyrie: one on the Near Trapps, one on the West Trapps (where most of our climbing happens), and one on Bonticou Crag. Volunteers are asked to come out daily or a couple times during the week and observe the peregrines. They record what they are seeing on the day of their observation, like: copulation, nesting or incubating (there is a lack of bird presence, but some solo bird flying to and from the eyrie), prey exchanges, sightings of chicks, fledging, and young in flight. Our goal is to monitor these birds closely and gather an estimate date throughout the breeding season of when these stages will usually occur. The Peregrine Falcon was pretty much brought to extinction in the Gunks due to DDT useage. They were introduced back int he 1970s and have been closely monitored. We monitor our Falcons to make sure their population is thriving and how we can manage our land and recreational protocols (cliff closures, trail closures, etc) to encourage population growth and stability. Feel free to check out more about Peregrine Watch here (along with many of our other birds programs).

Cheers to a great Peregrine Season!

TheChristyBel

Ted & Sami Viewing Peregrine Activity on the West Trapps

Viewing the West Trapps

See that White Dot - that is a Peregrine!

A Little White Dot - A Peregrine!

A Side Profile of Bonticou Crag for another Eyrie