Cliff tops, overlooks closed to protect nesting peregrines

April 9, 2022  |  By Waterbury Roundabout 

Hikers and climbers can help nesting peregrine falcons by avoiding several Vermont cliff areas this spring and early summer. VT Fish & Wildlife photo by Tom Rogers

The nesting season for peregrine falcons has begun and the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department and Audubon Vermont ask hikers to steer clear of sensitive areas where the raptors will be tending to their eggs and chicks soon. 

In addition to the many trails that are currently closed to reduce impacts during mud season, several cliff areas around Vermont including several in Bolton are closed.

“Peregrine falcons are very sensitive to human presence during their breeding season, so we ask climbers and hikers to please maintain a respectful distance from all nests,” said state wildlife biologist Doug Morin.  “The areas closed include the portions of the cliffs where the birds are nesting and the trails leading to cliff tops or overlooks.” 

Biologists and community scientists are just now identifying which cliffs are occupied by peregrines, and not all sites have been visited to date. Once closed, these sites will remain closed until August 1 or until the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department determines the risk to nesting falcons has passed.  

As sites are visited in April and if nesting falcons choose new sites, additional sites may be added to the closed list online at vtfishandwildlife.com. People are asked to respect cliff closures and retreat from any cliff where you see peregrines. Also, report any disturbance of nesting peregrines to your local state game warden.  

The list of closed trail areas currently marks these spots as closed to hikers: 

• Bolton Notch (Bolton) – UUW cliff – cliff access and climbing closed

• Deer Leap (Bristol) – cliff-top and climbing closed

• Eagle Ledge (Vershire) – closed to hiking and climbing

• Fairlee Palisades (Fairlee) – cliff-top closed

• Marshfield Mt (Marshfield) - portions closed to climbing

• Mt Horrid (Rochester) – Great Cliff overlook closed

• Nichols Ledge (Woodbury) – cliff-top and climbing closed

• Prospect Rock (Johnson) – overlook closed

• Red Rocks Park (S. Burlington) – southern cliff access closed

• Rattlesnake Point (Salisbury) – southern overlook closed

• Snake Mt (Addison) – entire western trail closed

• Stimson Mt (Bolton) – climbing closed

Audubon Vermont conservation biologist Margaret Fowle works with volunteers and other conservation professionals to monitor the sites throughout the nesting season.  

“Peregrine falcons were removed from Vermont’s endangered species list in 2005, and the population continues to thrive thanks to the efforts of our many volunteers and partners,” she said.  “In many cases the lower portions of the trails remain open, and we encourage people to enjoy watching peregrine falcons from a distance with binoculars or a scope.” 

Fowle would like to hear of any peregrine sightings in areas not already marked. Email her at margaret.fowle@audubon.org.