Protect the Peregrine Falcons

DO NOT FLY DRONES NEAR SOUTH FALLS

Update 6/1/2023:

The peregrine falcon nestling has spread its wings and become a fledgling! The fledgling was spotted at the South Falls Viewpoint before flying off to explore the canyon.

Thank you to Richard and Debbie Niemeyer sending updates and videos!

Videos & Update 5/22/2023:

At 7:13, observed both nestlings. Smaller nestling sitting outside cave. Larger nestling mostly moving around inside cave but did walk outside the cave once. Larger nestling continues to remain about twice the size of the smaller nestling. At 7:27, one adult flew into cave with small prey while a second adult followed. The one adult flew off while the second adult took the prey and flew off. At 7:35, an adult flew in and dropped the remaining prey inside the back of the cave, for the nestlings to feed themselves. Same adult took a small piece of the prey to eat outside of the cave. Larger nestling seen carrying prey in bill and walking around cave. Self-feeding was brief. Both nestlings seen stretching and flapping wings outside of cave. Stopped observation at 8:00. - Observations & video by Richard and Deb Niemeyer

Video & Update 5/15/2023:

Larger nestling continues to be much larger than smaller nestling. Both nestlings have more dark feathers on the margins of the wings and larger nestling has more dark feathers on the margins of the tail and faintly around eyes. No adult brooding of nestlings today. Adult only seen when bringing in prey and feeding nestlings. Nestlings feeding/attempting feeding of self today. Both young moving around in the cave. Larger nestling walked just outside of opening of cave. No vocalizations heard today. - Observations & video by Richard and Deb Niemeyer.

Video of nestlings feeding 5/3/2023:

UPDATE 4/27/23: Feeding of nestlings. At 3:19 pm, observed 2 adults and 2 downy chicks in cave/nesting site. At 3:00 pm, larger chick moving around in nest and stretching more today compared to yesterday. At 3:23, adult began feeding both chicks. Feeding continued for 25 minutes At 3:51, adult flew from nest and returned within 2 minutes. Adult began feeding again, continued for 4 minutes. - Observations by Richard and Deb Niemeyer.

UPDATE 4/24/23: Two Nestlings Confirmed. At 11:25 am, after 10 minutes of feeding by adult, confirmed 2 white downy chicks. Chicks fed for total of 15 minutes. At 11:31 am, second adult flew onto cliff briefly, to left of falls. Then flew into tree across from the falls, perched for 10 minutes, before flying down canyon at 11:41 am. At 11:50 am adult on nest, appeared to be eating while brooding chicks. - Observations by Richard and Deb Niemeyer.

UPDATE 4/21/23: Confirmed Nesting. Able to confirm 1 Peregrine Falcon nestling brooded by parent. Nestling was able to raise head and was fed by adult at 12:39 pm. Second feeding at 1:03 pm and third feeding at 1:52 pm. One adult observed flying in front of and behind South Falls, 3 consecutive times. - Observations by Richard and Deb Niemeyer.

Two peregrine falcons have been spotted near South Falls and are nesting. These birds of prey were on the endangered species list from 1973-1999. Peregrines were nearly extinct due to egg-shell thinning caused by organic pollutants like DDT.

Though the population of peregrine falcons has risen with the decline in DDT use, new threats to wildlife habitats are a current cause of concern. This includes drone use near the nesting areas of these birds. Drones are not permitted near South Falls.

The peregrine falcon is the fastest bird and animal in existence. When they hunt, they dive at great speeds to kill or stun their prey on impact. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, a peregrine falcon was clocked at 242 mph in 1999.

Park staff and FOSF will continue to monitor the falcons at South Falls. Below are the most recent images taken by Richard Niemeyer in April 2023. Check back here for updates!