Date: July 24, 2008
Contact: Dona Rutherford, 307-467-5283 x 221
Effective July 26th, all Devils Tower climbing routes and summit areas, including those temporarily closed to protect prairie falcons (Falco mexicanus), will be open. The nesting prairie falcon pair is no longer nesting on the Tower; for unknown reasons two of the possible three fledglings have been found dead. Since May 5th there were a few violations of climbing closure and hopefully this has not affected the fledglings’ outcome. The monument thanks climbers for observing the closure, implemented on March 15th and redefined on May 5th of this year, which allowed the falcons a nesting location.
The falcon closure is an annual event established under the Devils Tower 1995 Climbing Management Plan with authority from the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The initial closure this season included the west and northeast faces but was later moved to the south face due to the location of falcon activity. Previously, prairie falcons have nested on the Tower during the years 1996, 1998, 1999, 2005, 2006 and 2007.
Prairie falcons are extremely defensive of their nests and are easily driven from the area. The presence of climbers near or above falcon nests is distressing to parent birds. Too much disturbance from climbing activities may force falcons to abandon eggs or chicks. The closure was implemented not only for the protection of the species, but also for the protection of climbers, as falcons are known to defensively dive in order to protect their nests.
Separate from the falcon closure, Devils Tower National Monument has a voluntary climbing closure in effect for the month of June, out of respect for American Indian cultural traditions. For further information on the climbing closures please contact the monument’s Chief Ranger, Dona Rutherford, at (307) 467-5283 ext 221.
