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Rock climbing in the Southeastern USA |
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2009
North Carolina Climbing Site Closures for Peregrine Falcons |
Site Name |
Area Closed |
Landowner |
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Whitesides Mountain |
Open |
USFS, Highlands Ranger District (828) 526-3765 |
|
NC Wall (Linville Gorge) |
Open |
USFS, Grandfather Ranger District (828) 652-2144 |
|
Shortoff Mountain (Linville Gorge) |
Open |
USFS, Grandfather Ranger District (828) 652-2144 |
|
Big Lost Cove Cliffs |
Big Lost Cove Cliff in Avery County, will remain closed through August 15th. There are still flightless nestlings on a ledge at Big Lost Cove. At this stage, when they can walk but not fly, they are especially vulnerable to disturbance and may bolt off the ledge if approached. The closure will expire August 15th at this site. |
USFS, Grandfather Ranger District (828) 652-2144 |
|
Looking Glass Rock (North Face) |
Open |
USFS, Pisgah Ranger District (828) 877-3350 |
|
Whiterock Cliff and Eagle Cliff |
Open |
USFS, Appalachian Ranger District (828) 682-6146 |
* As seen from the base of Looking Glass Rock
These closures are in accordance with North Carolina General Statutes GS-113-322 and GS-113-35.
RAPTORS ARE HIGHLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO HUMAN DISTURBANCE. PLEASE ABIDE BY THIS SEASONAL CLOSURE. For more information please call (336) 593-8480.
Climbing route names are taken from: Kelly, Thomas. 1995. The Climber’s Guide to North Carolina 3rd Edition. Earthbound Sports Inc., Chapel Hill, NC 332pp. and from Lambert and Shull. 2002. Selected Climbs in North Carolina. 1st Edition. The Mountaineers Books. Seattle, WA. 326pp.
All sites are closed from January 15 - August 15; except that in the event that falcons are not using the site or nesting terminates at an earlier date than August 15th, the site may be opened to public use, as determined by the appropriate landowners. The specified closed (or open) routes will change if the falcons nest on a part of the cliff outside the existing closed area, or if they do not nest in an existing closed area, as determined by monitoring throughout the breeding season.
Eagle Cliff, Appalachian Ranger District, is closed for protection of rare plants.
This summary of climbing-site closures represents the best available knowledge regarding closure orders issued by the U.S. Forest Service and North Carolina State Parks as compiled by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission works in collaboration with the above landowners to recommend closure areas that protect peregrine falcon nest sites and minimize restrictions on climbers. Changes in the specific closures, and publication of the notices are the responsibility of the respective landowners.
2008 North Carolina Peregrine Falcon nest monitoring results from North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission:
This was a dynamic nesting season for peregrine falcons in western North Carolina, characterized by a number of apparent changes in nesting pairs and nest success. For a change, pairs in the northern counties faired better than pairs in the southern counties. Notably, pairs at Big Lost Cove and Grandfather Mountain had successful nesting attempts for the first time since 2001 and 2003, respectively. Nest success was confirmed at another northern site, Hanging Rock State Park (Moore’s Wall), after some uncertainty last year. Among southern nest sites, only Whiteside Mountain was successful. Looking Glass experienced nest failure for the second year in a row. Failed nesting attempts at sites in the southern mountains significantly impacted what would have otherwise been a productive year for WNC falcons, given the returned success at three northern sites. Also of note this year was the presence of three, mated second year falcons holding down territories: a female at Grandfather Mountain, a female at White Rock Cliff, and a male at Chimney Rock. Of these three, only the second year female and her mate at Grandfather Mountain were successful in raising young. This was a considerable feat given the bird’s age and inexperience combined with the site’s elevation (~5400-5500 feet), west-facing aspect, unprotected ledge, and some of the most severe weather in the mountain region.
Results:
southern mountains:
Whiteside Mountain (Jackson County)- 2 fledglings
Looking Glass Rock (Transylvania County) – nest failure
Devil’s Courthouse (Transylvania County) – nest failure
Chimney Rock (Rutherford County) second year male on territory- nest failure
Transylvania County nest #3 - nest failure
Transylvania County nest #4 - nest failure
northern mountains:
White Rock Cliff (Madison County) second year female on territory- did not nest/nest failed
Haywood County nest #1- 3 nestlings
Shortoff Mountain (Burke County- south end of Linville Gorge, east rim)- 4 nestlings
NC Wall- (Burke County-toward north end of Linville Gorge, east rim) – 2 nestlings- fledged in early July
Grandfather Mtn (Avery County) second year female on territory- 2 nestlings
Big Lost Cove (Avery County)- at least 1 fledgling
Moore’s Wall (Stokes County- Hanging Rock State Park)- at least 1 fledgling
Total # nesting pairs: 13
Total offspring: 15
Nest Success: 53%
Productivity (# offspring/ pair): 1.15
Climbing route names are taken from: Kelly, Thomas. 1995. The Climber’s Guide to North Carolina 3rd Edition. Earthbound Sports Inc., Chapel Hill, NC 332pp. and from Lambert and Shull. 2002. Selected Climbs in North Carolina. 1st Edition. The Mountaineers Books. Seattle, WA. 326pp.
All sites are closed from January 15 - August 15, 2006; except that in the event that falcons are not using the site or nesting terminates at an earlier date than August 15th, the site may be opened to public use, as determined by the appropriate landowners. The specified closed (or open) routes will change if the falcons nest on a part of the cliff outside the existing closed area, or if they do not nest in an existing closed area, as determined by monitoring throughout the breeding season.
Eagle Cliff, Appalachian Ranger District, is closed for protection of rare plants.
Devil’s Courthouse, National Park Service, Blue Ridge Parkway, is closed for protection of rare plants.
Moore’s Wall at Hanging Rock State Park is open until peregrine residency can be established.
This summary of climbing-site closures represents the best available knowledge regarding closure orders issued by the U.S. Forest Service in cooperation with the North Carolina Wildlife Commission – Non-Game Division..
Chris Kelly
Mountain Wildlife Diversity Biologist
NC Wildlife Resources Commission
wk cell: 828-230-1320