In order to provide peregrine falcons adequate space for nesting, Acadia National Park temporarily closes multiple areas and trails including Penobscot East Trail, Jordan Cliffs Trail, Precipice Trail, and Valley Cove Trail on March 1 until further notice. Over the last six weeks, five citations have been issued to hikers caught trying to climb the Precipice Trail.
According to Mount Desert Islander, several other investigations are pending in addition to the five issued citations. The punishments for these violations, considered a federal offense, can include up to six months in prison or a $5,000 fine.
“Please help us take care of these beautiful birds and their babies by respecting the closures of Penobscot East Trail, Jordan Cliffs Trail, Precipice Trail, and Valley Cove Trail until further notice.” – Acadia National Park
Nest robbing, trapping, and shooting, followed by ingestion of chemical pesticides and industrial pollutants in the 1950s led researchers to determine that peregrine falcons were no longer a breeding species in the eastern United States by the mid-1960s. Acadia National Park began working to restore a self-sustaining population of peregrines to the eastern United States following the passing of the Endangered Species Act in 1973.
These incredible birds are still listed by the State of Maine as an endangered species. They’re particularly vulnerable to human disturbance, and human activity near a nesting site can lead to temporary or permanent abandonment of the nest by adults. When that occurs, chicks are left vulnerable to hypothermia, starvation, and predation.
There are plenty of incredible open trails spread throughout Acadia National Park, including the famous Beehive Trail. For more information on what’s currently open and closed throughout the park, have a look at the current conditions page.
