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JesseM
Social climber
Yosemite
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Topic Author's Original Post - Mar 1, 2010 - 01:39pm PT
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Continuing the mandated, under the Endangered Species Act, 15 year monitoring period for the delisting of Peregrine Falcons in 1999, the following areas will be closed from March 1st, 2010 until August 1st, 2010, or until further notice:
Arch Rock Area - Lower Merced Canyon. Closure includes all routes above Arch Rock, from "GRE" east to but not including "Juliette's Flake," including "Cross Country," "Kindergarten Crack," "Quickie Quizzes," and Arch Rock Pinnacle. The routes from "Anticipation" east to "Grokin" remain open.
The Rostrum - Lower Merced Canyon. Closure includes "Super Nova" and extends west to all climbing routes on all sides of the Rostrum. The "Jungle Gym" area remains open. Slack-lining is prohibited at the summit and the top of the adjacent cliff.
Fifi Buttress - Immediately west of Leaning Tower. Closure includes all routes on Fifi Buttress. Foraging territory includes El Capitan and Cathedral Rocks, which remain open. Peregrines have not nested on EI Capitan since 1994, when natural rockfall destroyed their historic nest site.
Rhombus Wall- Above Ahwahnee Meadow. Closure includes all routes west of "Super Slide" to the Ahwahnee Ramps, including all routes on the Rhombus Wall.
Glacier Point, east side - East of Glacier Point Apron. Closure includes all routes above 200 feet from the base of the cliff east of Glacier Point Apron including "A Mother's Lament" to the Illilouette Gorge.
Half Dome, South Face - Overlooking Little Yosemite Valley. Closure includes all routes from "Autobahn" east to and including "South Face Route."
Hetch Hetchy - Closed area includes Kolana Rock and Wapama Cliff, immediately west of Wapama Falls.
Notices of climbing closures will be posted and nest sites will be monitored to provide current information on nesting status and to ensure prompt re-opening of these areas. Closures are subject to change based on current nesting status. Any necessary changes to these closures will be posted. Helicopter and other aircraft should avoid operating within 1/2 mile of these areas, unless aircraft use is necessary to protect human life. Your cooperation in complying with these temporary restrictions is greatly appreciated.
Thanks for helping the recovery of this amazing bird! I will follow up with any questions climbers may have about the specifics. Today I will be posting signs at the Rostrum.
Jesse McGahey
Yosemite Climbing Ranger
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scuffy b
climber
Where only the cracks are dry
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I saw a pair yesterday, above the Owl. They were heading toward Reed's.
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Jingy
Social climber
Nowhere
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thanks for the update Jess!!!
You got no worries from me... I ain't going up any of that anytime soon!!
Cheers
BTW - Peregrines are my favorite birds.. and I avoid them like the herpies!
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dipper
climber
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From the top of Crest Jewel.......
not.
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JesseM
Social climber
Yosemite
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 2, 2010 - 02:17am PT
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Not from Crest Jewel, but where? The dirt and plants don't look like they come form Yosemite...California?
Great Shot!
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The Larry
climber
Moab, UT
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I think they've recovered. I see them all over, but I ain't tellin' where.
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dipper
climber
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Tomales Point - Point Reyes National Seashore
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dipper
climber
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A tighter crop of same image above.
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Jay Wood
Trad climber
Fairfax, CA
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That bird really gets around!
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JesseM
Social climber
Yosemite
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 2, 2010 - 12:33pm PT
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The Larry,
I see them all over as well, when you can travel 100 miles per hour its easy to get from one side of the Valley to the other. From Arch Rock to Half Dome there are about 8 territories; Arch Rock, The Rostrum, Fifi Buttress (seen on El Capitan often), Taft Point (also seen on El Capitan), Middle Brother, Rohombus Wall, Glacier Point, and the S. Face of H. Dome. That's pretty cool that you are so priveleged to know where secret pairs are nesting. I'm so impressed.
Last Year's park stats:
Number of peregrine sites (occupied cliff habitat) in the park: 16
Number of pairs in the park: 12
Number of breeding pairs in the park: 8
Number of pairs in the Merced River corridor (Parkline to Bunnell Point): 10
Number of breeding pairs in the Merced River corridor: 7
Number of young produced in the Merced River corridor: 16
Number of pairs in Yosemite Valley (Pohono to Happy Isles): 6
Number of breeding pairs in Yosemite Valley (Pohono to Happy Isles/Hidden Falls): 3
Number of young produced in Yosemite Valley (Pohono to Happy Isles): 5
This is indeed a remarkable recovery from the historic lows (I'm pretty sure it was down to two pairs in the Merced River Cooridor). That said, Yosemite NP can be seen as a breeding ground for California's Peregrine population. Just like this is a worldclass climbing area, its worldclass Peregrine habitat. We are inspired by the speed, grace, and power of these birds. The relationship is mutually beneficial, they wouldn't have experienced this recovery without climbers respecting there rights to nesting privacy, and avoiding their eyries during breeding season.
Thanks Chris, for tweeting this for me--I really should use that tool myself.
Jesse
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HighTraverse
Trad climber
Bay Area
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Have had 2 intimate Peregrine encounters in the Valley
About 15 years ago, base of Monday Morning Slab, my wife and I saw one take a swallow out of the air just over our heads. There were 4 swallows then there were three, a couple of feathers and a Peregrine climbing back towards the North Side with #4 in his claws.
Late October about 5 years ago I was hiking under the East Face, just left of E. Butt route and one took a furry critter from a ledge about 50 ft over my head. I had my good binoculars and watched him circle in front of NA Wall. As he went out over the meadow he sank, as he came back to the face he rose. Around and Around, 100 ft higher every turn. (I've also seen Ospreys do the same climb with prey in their claws).
After about 15 turns (yes, I tried to count them) she finally alighted on a spire on NA Wall. I watched quite a while and didn't see her take flight again.
Awesome birds.
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kev
climber
A pile of dirt.
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Scuffy,
They usually head to Reeds around 3pm.
kev
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| Messages 1 - 13 of total 13 in this topic |
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