<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4Kf0bq_1Gp70XwJ00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4Kf0bq_1Gp70XwJ00" width="768" height="329" ><figcaption>Andrew Kuhn / National Park Service</figcaption></figure>Henderson County birders, climbers and other mountain visitors have until November 12th to comment on a proposed conservation plan for North Carolina’s breeding peregrine falcons. The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s draft brings together the birds’ biology, causes of nest failure and proposed actions to protect the state’s endangered breeding population.The plan focuses on breeding falcons, most of whose nesting pairs occupy the mountains, where peregrines occur year-round. Since 2016, the annual breeding population has ranged from 10 to 18 pairs, with unpaired birds defending territories at two additional cliffs, according to the draft.Human disturbance is a central concern for people who use mountain cliffs. Hiking, climbing, drones, aircraft, wildlife photography and ridgeline development can disrupt nesting, and the plan identifies recreation above, below or in front of cliffs, particularly within sight of nests, as the most common source of disturbance in North Carolina.Those interruptions can draw adult falcons away from eggs or chicks, exposing the young to predators and weather and interfering with feeding. The plan also identifies limited sheltered nesting ledges and inexperienced breeding birds as natural obstacles to successful reproduction.The proposed conservation objectives include maintaining an average of 14 breeding pairs on western North Carolina cliffs over 10 years. Biologists also want to reduce threats around nests and improve results at territories where breeding success varies or nests repeatedly fail.To reduce disturbance, the draft recommends working with land managers on legal or voluntary closures and other protections tailored to individual nesting sites. It calls for collaboration with climbing groups, whose members can help identify popular routes, seasonal use patterns and problems with compliance, and for clear communication about closure boundaries and timing.Monitoring would help guide those decisions and track the breeding population’s progress. Proposed actions include developing a long-term nest survey schedule, adding cameras where suitable and considering audio recording devices that could supplement observations of adult pairs and their young.Residents can read the draft conservation plan and submit feedback through the commission’s online comment form through November 12th. After considering public comments, agency staff plan to bring the draft to commissioners for approval at their December 10th business meeting.</div></body>

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Henderson County birders, climbers and other mountain visitors have until November 12th to comment on a proposed conservation plan for North Carolina’s breeding peregrine falcons. The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s draft brings together the birds’ biology, causes of nest failure and proposed actions to protect the state’s endangered breeding population.

Peregrine Falcon Conservation Plan Comments Due November 12th

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Henderson County birders, climbers and other mountain visitors have until November 12th to comment on a proposed conservation plan for North Carolina’s bre