Peregrine Falcons bred in the Shawangunks until 1955, when their population died out in this area. They returned to nest here in 1998. Productivity has been low since then, with an average of about 1 fledgling a year.
Fast and Endangered
The peregrine falcon is one of the fastest animals in the world. In a dive, or "stoop", a peregrine falcon may reach speeds of 160 mph or more. Peregrines were extirpated from Eastern North America due to the widespread use of persistent pesticides that impacted their reproduction. Reintroduced into the wild after the banning of DDT in 1972, the peregrine population has largely recovered. It was removed from the Federal Endangered Species List in 1999, but is still considered endangered in New York State. Today, the Mohonk Preserve cooperates with the NY State Dept of Environmental Conservation and the US Fish & Wildlife Service in monitoring peregrines to ensure the continued recovery of the species.
Hunting
The peregrine feeds almost exclusively on birds taken on the wing. They will perch on a high vantage point on the cliff overlooking a wide area to observe birds flying below. Then they soar out to "stoop" down on a bird, folding its wings against its body and hurtling downward at great speed to strike its prey from above with its talons, then circling down and catching the bird out of the air before it hits the ground. In the Shawangunks, peregrines hunt largely medium-sized birds such as European starlings and doves.
Nesting
On a cliff, a pair will choose a ledge that generally has an overhang, and they lay their eggs on gravel on the nesting ledge, instead of building a nest. The pair will aggressively defend the nesting ledge against all potential predators - including humans. In recent times, they have chosen to nest on a different ledge nearly every year in the Shawangunks. If disturbed, they may step on or kick eggs off the ledge, expend precious energy fending off threats instead of using the energy to hunt and feed their young, and nestlings may jump off before they can fly, with fatal consequences.
Climbers and Falcons
The Mohonk Preserve gets between 500 and 800 climbers per day! In some years, the Preserve may temporarily close some rock climbs or trails in order to balance the needs of cliff-nesting species with those of recreationists. Climbers are asked to respect any temporary closures of rock climbing routes during the breeding season, and need to stay clear of peregrine nests to avoid attacks from peregrines with their sharp talons.
The cache
I hope that this cache gave you an opportunity to learn something about the peregrine falcon. This cache is hidden at the start of an approach trail that goes to an area of the cliff frequently closed to climbers because of nesting Peregrine Falcons. I placed it in honor of the return of the Peregrine Falcons to the area, and to remind everyone about the occasional closures and how humans can share the cliffs with other species. Don't forget to look up and see if you spot any falcons!
Parking
There are two places to park for this section of cliff. Most park in the West Trapps Parking Lot off of Rt. 44/55 after the Trapps Bridge overpass going westbound. An easy trail takes you from the end of the parking lot up the stairs and towards the front of the cliffs facing the valley. Alternate parking is at the Warwarsing Parking lot after the Mohonk Preserve Visitor's Center on Rt. 44/55 just below the hairpin turn. A very steep trail (nicknamed "The Stairmaster") will bring you up to the Undercliff Road Carriage road which runs parallel and under the cliff. For a longer hike, this area can also be approached from the Mohonk Mountain House resort on numerous trails. On busy weekends, especially in the autumn, finding parking will be very difficult. Best bet is to arrive before 9am or late in the afternoon.
The Mohonk Preserve
The Mohonk Preserve is a private land conservation organization established to protect the Shawangunk Ridge, it is not public land funded by the government. Therefore, there is a day use fee to use the preserve which funds its maintenance and programs. For the current day pass fees, check the Mohonk Preserve website. The Mohonk Preserve does allow geocaching on its land, as long as it is along established trails and carriage roads. Note that dogs must be leashed at all times.
The information about the Peregrine Falcon in this description was provided in a brochure by the Mohonk Preserve, "Sharing the Cliff: Peregrine Falcons and the Mohonk Preserve Rock Climber" and was used here with their permission.
Pamphlets about Peregrine Falcons are provided in the cache. If they run out, please mention it when you log comments.