painted walls closed for falcons

[forestgnome]

A heads-up for climbers and bushwackers: Painted Walls, those beautiful cliffs seen from the Kancamagus, just upstream from Lower Falls, has been closed by NH F&G. Perigrine Falcons are nesting up there.

Birders with optical aid could get a good view from the cliff on the side of the road, just up from Lower Falls. It's an easy walk to the top.

 

[Rob S]

Thanks for this timely post. We'll be staying just outside of Lincoln next week ......... will bring the binoculars. Thanks again, and BTW, nice new avatar!

 

[TCD]

forestnome,

It's interesting that they're closing a cliff at this time of year.

We have falcon closures on NY cliffs every year during the mating and fledging season, usually about March - August 15th. After the chicks fledge in August, the cliffs are re opened, and there's no issue.

Did the Fish and Game people cite their rationale? I'm curious why it would be different than in NY.

TCD

 

[AMF]

Nesting this time of year??? Most places with cliff closures typically have them closed for nesting & fledging.

 

[Puck]

Forestnome
Could you post a link? All falcons are migrating this time of year the young have fledged. In CT we have had kestrals coming through, the peregrines and Merlins should start to pick up.

Craig

 

[Mark Schaefer]

In CT we have had kestrels coming through, the peregrines and Merlins should start to pick up.

This is a good time of the year for viewing the migratory raptors. In the Catskills I saw a migrating kestrel near Burnt Knob (10/1/04), and this year one near Stoppel Point (9/11/05).

Perhaps some peregrines in NH got a late start in nesting. I suspect the cliff has been closed for some time if that is the case.

 

[gaiagirl]

Thanks for the heads up on this! I can't imagine why they would close the area now, but maybe F&W felt they had reason to reiterate the matter. Almost all the raptors are indeed migrating or have at least begun to do so. I've been seeing many broadwing hawks, kestrels, and an unknown falcon species just yesterday from the summit of Garfield. Now is definitely the time to have your eyes open for them and a small pair of binos handy if you're interested in IDing them.

 

[forestgnome]

Intersting point, everyone, about the timing. I walked the Nanomocomuck from Passaconaway Bridge to Rocky Gorge. I saw the notice poster along the trail, near the base of the cliffs, at a point where an old logging road leads off toward the cliffs. I assumed it was the common route for climbers.

This is the first time I've seen the sign, which is hard to miss. I'd guess the last time I walked this trail was no more than 6 or 7 weeks ago. Hmmmm...