Mass Wildlife employees band a Peregrine falcon chick at Sugarloaf. Photo by Shayne Burke.
Each year, the WMCC manages closures at Farley Ledge and Hanging Mountain for nesting Peregrine Falcons. Closure length and location may change depending on where the birds decide to nest that year and how long the chicks take to fledge. For example, if the chicks fledge the nest early, the falcon closures can be lifted earlier than the planned date.
Typically, the falcon closures for Farley & Hanging Mountain are as follows (check the relevant crag page for the most recent updates).
Farley Ledge, February 15th – June 15th
Routes on the right side of Pot Ledge Buttress (starting from “All Your Base”) to the K2 Buttress are closed. No boulders are included in the closure.
Hanging Mountain, February 15th – June 27th
The second and third pitch of the Squirrel wall are closed. The first pitch, the Acorn Face, remains open.
Female Peregrine falcon. Photo by Shayne Burke.
Why are falcon closures important? Peregrine falcons are listed as a species of concern in Massachusetts. In 1955, there were NO nesting Peregrines left in Massachusetts. Now, thanks to the efforts of Mass Fish & Wildlife, there are more than 44! Peregrine falcons are sensitive to human activity in proximity to their nest. Human disturbance could cause stress for the birds and even failure of the chicks to survive.
Volunteer Falcon Monitors
We rely on volunteers to update us on the nesting location and approximate chick age. If you have information for us or are interested in working alongside us to monitor the falcons at Farley and/or Hanging Mountain, please email us at wmcc@climbgneiss.org.
Photo by Shayne Burke.