Restoring Peregrine Falcons to the Park

The preferred method used for peregrine reintroduction and population re-establishment is called "hacking." For this project, it consists of taking 6-8 young falcons from selected nesting sites in Maryland and Virginia, and bringing them to Harpers Ferry where they are placed in protective boxes (hack boxes) for 2-3 weeks. The boxes are constructed so that the young birds can view their environment as they mature, but are protected from predators such as raccoons and great horned owls. While they are in the boxes, park resource management staff will provide for their care and feeding and will monitor their condition.

When the falcons are ready for flight, the boxes will be opened and the falcons allowed to leave. They will continue to be fed at the hack site as they learn to hunt for themselves. Based on last year's experience, we expect the falcons to remain in the local area for several weeks. By mid-July they should be taking extended flights of over 400 miles but returning to Harpers Ferry. By late August, they will probably have left the area by wandering into other states and eventually migrating south as fall approaches. It is hoped that one of the birds will imprint on the Maryland Heights cliffs and return as a breeding adult in 2-3 years.