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Raptor Status
Greetings Boise Climbers,
The following is an update of the nesting raptor status at the Black Cliffs area:
1) Nesting prairie falcons have been discovered at the Ironman and Wailing Walls (upriver from Scary Canyon). During this time, these areas are voluntarily closed to climbing.
2) My latest observations indicate that the prairie falcons at the Dead Cow Cliff have abandoned their nesting attempt this season. Therefore, the buffer zone signs will be removed startinf 4/25 and this area will be re-opened to climbing.
3) No nesting raptors have been observed at the Nixon Head (prairie falcons), nor Carbody Canyon (great horned owls and barn owls). However, these raptors may be arriving any day now. Therefore, please use caution when visiting and climbing at these areas and please report any nesting raptor activity that you may observe while using these areas.
Thank you for complying with these closures. As always, I wil update this site with up-to-date information as it becomes available. Have a great time climbing and thank you for reinforcing the good name that Boise Climbers have forged as stewards of our special crags.
Dusty Perkins
BCA Biologist
Science Outreach Coordinator
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Raptor Watch
Hello Boise Climbers,
This season, I hope to establish a more precise raptor monitoring plan that will provide us with a better picture of the time periods that nesting eagles, falcons and hawks utilize the black cliffs. The impetus behind this monitoring is two-fold:
1) The BCA wants to provide better access to climbers by making sure that the buffer zones around nests are implemented for only as long as necessary and lifted once nestlings have fledged.
2) We want to increase public awareness about the importance of these raptors as indicator species of the health of the Black Cliffs ecosystem.
Through better monitoring, I believe that boise climbers will not only gain more time to climb at areas that host nesting raptors, but we will also learn about and protect one of the many wonders of nature that makes the Black Cliffs a special area for the entire community.
As Brian mentioned, it appears that some of the local nesting raptors have begun to return to their breeding areas. At this point the raptors that I have observed are only just getting back and establishing their territories. That means that you'll probably see pairs of falcons and hawks flying around together, chasing each other, and maybe even grappling in mid air. At this time, I encourage you all to climb anywhere you like at the cliffs.
On your outings, if you witness any hawks, falcons or eagles landing on nests or whitewashed ledges at the cliffs, please share what you observed on this forum. This information will help me establish a nesting chronology that will ultimately let us know when nestlings are more hardy and less prone to low level disturbances. With all of our cooperation we can ensure that these nesting birds are protected during the most critical times of the breeding period. Also, by knowing when nesting begins, I will be able to better predict when we can lift buffers (probably much sooner than in the past).
If you have questions about raptors at the cliffs, would like to volunteer or would like more information about the BCA's raptor monitoring program please feel free to contact me:
Dusty Perkins
dperkins405@yahoo.com
Thank you
Nesting Raptors at the Black Cliffs- April 23 2009
Greetings Boise Climbers,
The following is an update of the nesting raptor status at the Black Cliffs area:
1) Nesting prairie falcons have been discovered at the Ironman and Wailing Walls (upriver from Scary Canyon). During this time, these areas are voluntarily closed to climbing.
2) My latest observations indicate that the prairie falcons at the Dead Cow Cliff have abandoned their nesting attempt this season. Therefore, the buffer zone signs will be removed startinf 4/25 and this area will be re-opened to climbing.
3) No nesting raptors have been observed at the Nixon Head (prairie falcons), nor Carbody Canyon (great horned owls and barn owls). However, these raptors may be arriving any day now. Therefore, please use caution when visiting and climbing at these areas and please report any nesting raptor activity that you may observe while using these areas.
Thank you for complying with these closures. As always, I wil update this site with up-to-date information as it becomes available. Have a great time climbing and thank you for reinforcing the good name that Boise Climbers have forged as stewards of our special crags.
Dusty Perkins
BCA Biologist
Science Outreach Coordinator
All Raptor Closures/ Buffer Zones Lifted
Hello Boise Climbers,
As of now, all raptor closures and buffer zones along the Black Cliffs are open to climbing. There are still signs at the Nixon Head and Ironman Wall, but I will take those down in the next few days. This year we had two pairs of nesting prairie falcons, and some resident red-tailed hawks and great-horned owls. Thank you for your compliance this season and have a great time enjoying th cliffs.
Dusty Perkins
BCA Biologist
Science Outreach Coordinator