Several trails within Maine’s Acadia National Park are presently off-limits to visitors to facilitate an undisturbed nesting environment for peregrine falcons in the region.
As of March 1, temporary closures have been enforced on the Jordan Cliffs Trail, the Precipice Trail, and the Valley Cove Trail. The objective is to safeguard the peregrine falcons from potential human disturbance or disruption during their nesting phase, as stated by the National Park Service (NPS). These annual closures will persist until park officials assess the success of the nesting endeavors.
The NPS emphasized the vulnerability of nesting peregrine falcons to human interference, citing research indicating that such activities may disrupt adult falcons, rendering them less attentive to their eggs or chicks. This disturbance could result in the temporary or permanent abandonment of the nest by the adults, leaving the chicks vulnerable to various risks including hypothermia, starvation, and predation.
“Signs at trailheads and junctions around the affected areas clearly indicate where public entry is prohibited,” the NPS affirmed.
According to NPS, peregrine falcons typically commence nesting from mid-April through May, with one falcon diligently incubating the eggs while the other keeps vigil or hunts nearby. By early June, observers may catch a glimpse of fledgling falcons, resembling “tiny white snowballs.”
Last year, Acadia National Park reported the presence of three breeding pairs of peregrine falcons nesting on the park’s cliffs adjacent to the Valley Cove Trail, the Jordan Cliffs Trail, and the Precipice Trail. Four chicks successfully fledged during that nesting season.
Although April to May constitutes the shoulder season for Acadia National Park, visitors can still relish the experience of witnessing the sunrise from Cadillac Mountain, observing waves crashing against the rugged shoreline, and enjoying the ambiance at Sand Beach.
It’s worth noting that Acadia isn’t the sole national park implementing trail closures to accommodate wildlife. In recent times, Great Smoky Mountains National Park closed a park road due to bear activity, while Yellowstone National Park requested visitors to steer clear of certain areas to facilitate grizzly bear research surveys conducted by biologists.