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hope was that natural nesting sites where they were released would encourage them to return to
the same place or nearby as they became old enough to breed. As mandated by the Endangered
Species Act, all federal agencies were to protect endangered species and their habitats. Acadia
responded enthusiastically to participate in reintroduction projects for peregrines, as different
mountain cliffs in the park were historically known to provide successful nesting habitat and
potential Acadia sites were considered the highest priority in Maine. The decision to create a
hack site at Jordan Cliffs, on the east side of Penobscot Mountain, was made based on easier
accessibility, equidistant between the last known nesting sites on the island, low hiker impacts,
the absence of great horned owl activity, and protected jurisdiction of the park. Between 1984
and 1986, 22 captive-hatched chicks were successfully hacked at Jordan Cliffs. More were set
to be released in 1987, but the brief return of a sub-adult from previous hacking, halted further
release. These birds are so protective of their territory, that they will kill other falcons to protect
their home, particularly young birds.
In 1988, a male hacked from Jordan Cliffs in 1986 (named Ganesh) returned to the Precipice
cliff, courted a female, finally succeeded in having young in 1991, and continued successfully
nesting through 1999, when he disappeared that following winter. Other nesting sites
consequently started appearing across the island, including a 1994 Precipice chick nesting at
Beech Cliffs in 1995, Jordan Cliffs establishing in 1996, Valley Cove (Eagle Cliffs) starting in
1998, and the newest pair on Acadia’s easement land on Ironbound Island in 2009. Every year,
the park attempts to band every chick. However, there’s only a three to five day window to
coordinate park and state biologists, law enforcement rock climbers, support staff and the
weather to be successful. About half of the hatched chicks have been banded at the park. Some
of the chicks have been found in Boston, New York City, New Hampshire, Washington, D.C.,
Vermont, New Brunswick, and Cuba (where a bird was shot).
Today, a total of 107 chicks over the last 20 years have been fledged from Acadia National
Park., 58 chicks alone from the Precipice, making the site one of the most successful in Maine.
Many falcons have acclimated to cities with tall buildings and plenty of pigeons to become just
as much a city bird as a country bird. Across the states, reintroduction and recovery were so
successful the peregrine falcon came off the federal Endangered Species List in 1999. However,
east of the Mississippi River, where their population is recovering from ground zero, most
eastern states still have this bird on the state Endangered Species list, including Maine. In 2009,
there were 24 nesting territories in Maine with 15 sites successful with 37 fledglings. Acadia
National Park protected five territories, including three successful sites with nine fledglings.
About 20% of the state’s population is protected in this small park. Originally the trails and
surroundings of the nest sites were closed to protect these crucially endangered species, but
today, because they are so aggressively defensive of their “home” especially with young
present, nesting areas are closed for people’s protection as well as for the protection of this state
endangered bird. Today, whether you are in Acadia or anywhere across the country, you, your
children, and your grandchildren once again have the opportunity to see these magnificent
airborne hunters in action. Be prepared to be awed and amazed! Rangers and volunteers are
present at the Precipice starting mid-May, 9:00 a.m. till noon, weather permitting, until the
chicks have fledged and are independent of the cliff, which is usually mid-August.