Prairie and peregrine falcon occupancy and productivity monitoring at Pinnacles National Park: 2018 annual report
Emmons G. 2019. Prairie and peregrine falcon occupancy and productivity monitoring at Pinnacles National Park: 2018 annual report. Natural Resource Report. NPS/SFAN/NRR—2019/1861. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado
Pinnacles National Park (“Pinnacles”) provides a diverse habitat for numerous cliff-nesting raptors, including prairie falcons (Falco mexicanus) and peregrine falcons (F. peregrinus), as well as a spectacular array of summits and cliff-wall routes for rock-climbers. This monitoring program was established to determine long-term trends in the number of occupied territories and productivity of nesting prairie and peregrine falcons. The monitoring program grew out of a need to reduce potential disturbance that climbers and off-trail hikers may have on cliff-nesting raptors. This report summarizes the results from the 2018 breeding season and represents the 33rd year of monitoring at the park, consistent with the standardized methods and procedures detailed in the Prairie Falcon Monitoring Protocol for Pinnacles National Monument (Emmons et al. 2011). To monitor falcons, field technicians surveyed all potential nest sites three times per breeding season, with visits spaced 21–28 days apart. Nests determined to be active were revisited to confirm rearing of nestlings and fledging of young. In 2018, monitoring was conducted from 1 January 2018 until 17 July 2018, with a total of over 150 possible and active nest sites monitored during 710 observation hours. Twelve territorial pairs of prairie and peregrine falcons were documented this year with 12 pairs actively nesting. Eight nests successfully fledged 26 young; four nests failed.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Emmons, Gavin
- Date of Issue
- 2019-01
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- NRSS , PINN , SFAN
- Keywords
- accipiters, advisories, Annual Report, California, climbing, Closures, Conservation, Eagles, Falcon, Kites, Management, Monitoring, monument, National, Nesting, occupancy, Owls, peregrine, pinnacles, Prairie, prairie falcons, productiivty, Protection, Raptor, Rock, Wildlife
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Birds