Something special hatched at Pinnacles National Monument this
year. For the first time in nearly half a century, a breeding pair
of peregrine falcons produced young on one of the high cliffs in
the park. Three of the birds of prey hatched and then fledged
– grew their flying feathers – in a nest near Hawkins Peak. “It
was pretty incredible to see the eggs had actually hatched,” said
Gavin Emmons, a raptor biologist at the park. “It was fantastic.”
To protect the nesting peregrines and other birds of prey at the
Pinnacles, climbing areas
in the park were closed in February. Climbing areas were
reopened last month, after the last of the fledgling birds flew
away.
Something special hatched at Pinnacles National Monument this year. For the first time in nearly half a century, a breeding pair of peregrine falcons produced young on one of the high cliffs in the park. Three of the birds of prey hatched and then fledged – grew their flying feathers – in a nest near Hawkins Peak.
“It was pretty incredible to see the eggs had actually hatched,” said Gavin Emmons, a raptor biologist at the park. “It was fantastic.”
To protect the nesting peregrines and other birds of prey at the Pinnacles, climbing areas in the park were closed in February. Climbing areas were reopened last month, after the last of the fledgling birds flew away.
Climbers generally respect the climbing restrictions, Emmons said.
“They think it’s pretty neat to have the birds around,” he said.
The Pinnacles are a popular spot for area climbers because of the abundance of challenging climbs and wildlife.
Peregrine falcons, species of which live throughout the United States, were on the verge of extinction until the 1990s.
The chemical pesticide DDT, which the birds ingested through water and eating contaminated prey, caused the shells of the falcons’ eggs to become thin and break easily, according to Brian Latta, a lead field biologist for the Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group. The use of DDT was banned in 1972.
Today there are between 200 and 250 peregrine falcon breeding pairs in the United States – up from two about 30 years ago – and one of those pairs choose the Pinnacles as a place to raise their young, Latta said.
“Their increasing, not declining,” he said. “It’s very good news.”
A pair of peregrine falcons were at the park last year, but didn’t produce any young, according to Emmons. The birds hatched this year may stay at the park or they may migrate in search of new territory, he said.
While the peregrine falcons might be the most unique predatory birds to mate at the Pinnacles this year, a variety of other raptor species also laid their eggs at the park.
There were 27 prairie falcons hatched in the park this year. Also American kestrels, red-tailed hawks, red-shouldered hawks, sharp-shinned hawks and cooper’s hawks – all more common raptors – produced young this year.
Also, there was one successful golden eagle nest this year at the Pinnacles.
“Golden eagles are much bigger, much more long-lived and much more intolerant to humans. You have to go far afield to find them,” Latta said. “They are top-of-the-line avian predators. It’s pretty significant when you have a pair at your park.”
Raptor populations can say a lot about the health of an ecosystem. “Most raptors are at the top of the food chain,” Emmons said.
Because of that, a well-fed raptor population is an indicator that the smaller species they feed on are healthy. If those animals are abundant and well-fed, it is an indicator that their food sources – plants and insects – are fairing well, according to Emmons.
“They give indications of the health of the ecosystem,” he said. “A lot of people think they’re just beautiful.”
Luke Roney covers politics and the environment for the Free Lance. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 335 or at lr****@***********ws.com
