Since 1991, peregrine falcons have nested on the cliffs of Champlain Mountain. To observe these magnificent birds, join a park ranger or volunteer for Peregrine Watch, offered most days from mid-May through mid-August, weather permitting, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Precipice Trail parking area. Use viewing scopes to check out activity on the cliff, learn about field-identifying marks and behavior, and hear how you can promote the conservation of peregrine falcons.

Please note that the end date of Peregrine Watch varies each year. Please contact us for more information. To protect nesting peregrines, annual trail closures are in place during the time chicks are present in the nest.

June 2011. This is the twenty-first season that peregrine falcons have nested at Acadia National Park since the reintroduction efforts of the mid-1980s. It looks to be another good year at the Precipice, our most monitored site, and other cliffs around Acadia, as pairs of peregrines have settled into their nesting territories after wandering for the winter. At the Precipice, both adults are new individuals to the area, since they do not have the leg bands or coloration that last year's pair did.  With peregrine falcons making a national comeback, competition is becoming fierce, and this season should be exciting.  You can track the Precipice pair's progress by reading the weekly update, View from the Aerie.  Be sure that if you visit Acadia you stop by the Precipice parking lot to experience the excitement and wonder of the world's fastest bird.  Ranger staff and volunteers are at the lot daily, weather permitting, nine to noon, starting mid-May.  Hope to see you there!

The last peregrine data available for the entire state of Maine is for the 2009 season, during which there were a total of about 24 active peregrine territories. Fifteen of those were successful; including Acadia, 37 new young peregrine falcons fledged state-wide. In addition, park biologists and falcon enthusiasts were delightfully surprised when a new peregrine territory was discovered on an island in Frenchman Bay, which fledged three young that year.

For more information about the 2011 nesting season, check out the weekly update.