Madrone Wall (OR) Peregrine Falcon Update

[elaine]

Hello Climbers,

More info has been posted to our Facebook page, but I thought I would put some of the updates here.

Peregrine falcons have been spotted out at the park on 5 of the 6 weekends we've been observing since Feb 28th. We have observed between 1 and 2 Peregrines at a time either flying above in any direction, in a tree, or on the cliff at the center of the wall (from standing in the parking lot - the former meadow). Most of the observations have been early in the morning when we would expect them to be hunting for food and eventually be bringing food to the nest/scrape if one is present. Myself and another volunteer, Nate, have done all of the observations so far. Keith D will eventually out there, but has had a lot of international work and out of town family commitments. If you have any interest in helping us to monitor, please message me here.

Some helpful facts and tidbits of info:

1) Keith and I have consulted with two US Fish and Wildlife experts on this - one retired and one presently employed out of the main Portland office. The current one, an Eagle Coordinator with the PNW, has been out to the site and responds to all of our emails and phone calls.

2) Keith and I monitored last year from late Feb through May 31st. We suspect that based on our data and in consultation with USF&W that the falcons may have relocated to another area last year. I will also add that Clackamas County Parks have told us that there is monitoring information from when they first showed up in 2009 or 2010, but they have never shown us that data.

3) Current consultation with USF&W supports an earlier opening (June 1st) if we can determine that there is no nesting present at the Madrone. Also, if the same scenario happens next year (2019), and we can determine that they again are not nesting at the Madrone Wall Park for the 3rd year in a row, then they would support another June 1st opening and ending the seasonal February 1st closure completely. If the  peregrines showed back up in future years and began nesting, then the County would implement another closure as long as the Migratory Bird Treaty Act is still in place.

 

4) At the March 20th Parks Advisory Board meeting (mostly all volunteer with key Park staff), Keith and I presented them some basic information and history about peregrine falcons. We also shared our monitoring efforts from last year, our observations so far, and even input from US F&W experts. This presentation was a first step in educating them around Peregrines in general, as well as what we're doing and what we are looking when we monitor out there. We will be meeting with the County this week (April 4th) to talk about a variety of topics, but we will talk about Peregrines. Keith and I want to start the conversation around: 1) A June 1st opening if no nesting (instead of July 15), 2) A "Two weeks after fledging" opening date instead of a blanket July 15 date if they are nesting, and 3) Ending the Feb 1st blanket seasonal closure if there is no nesting again this year and in 2019. This would mean that the Madrone would be open year-round in 2020.

Again, we want to start that above conversation.

5) Given the timeline of typical peregrine falcon nesting, it takes between 7 and 14 days for the female to lay her entire clutch of eggs - the eggs don't all come out at once, every other day seems to be the case. There is an approximate 32 days of incubation where one of the adults are sitting on the eggs, followed by  42 days before the chicks take their first flight. We are getting at the point in spring of where the female should be laying her clutch of eggs. When this happens only one adult will be out hunting for food.

 

Remember from my previous post that the Park is completely closed to all access at this time. The Madrone is too small compared to many other areas ( Smith Rock and Beacon Rock) to have partial closures, and most importantly, the Conditional Use Permit (Zoned Timber land with a Conditional Use for recreation) requires that there is onsite parking. The County would never allow parking along 224 with access to the park. This means that if there was partial access allowed and a 300 ft buffer zone on either side of the eyrie, cars in the parking lot, Park maintenance vehicles, and even service vehicles for the vault toilet would disturb the falcons way too much.

Please stay tuned here, and I will certainly let you know if there will be an earlier opening or not.

 

Thanks!

Kellie Rice

President, MWPC

www.facebook.com/madronewall

Edited June 4, 2018 by elaine
added more info about da birds...and why the Madrone doesn't have partial closures

[elaine]

Update from April 14th:

Only one peregrine was observed at the park yesterday. I arrived at 6:45 am and stayed until 8:10am. One falcon flew to the center of the cliff at 7:10 am, made it's usual kacking sound on and off for about 15 minutes, then flew to its favorite Douglas Fir tree to the left of the parking lot. It stayed there until 7:32 am where it flew south and east (basically flying parallel to HWY 224) towards Barton Park. Sometimes I can hear them kacking in the distance, but this time I could not. No falcon returned to the park during my final 40 minutes there.

Based on consultation with US Fish and Wildlife, I plan to walk to the wall next weekend to see if I can possibly hear of another falcon that might be sitting on the eggs. Or, maybe I might see evidence of recent feedings on the ground. Given the late scenario in the photo in this thread, there is a slim chance that the female might have just finished laying the rest of her clutch of eggs. US F&W say that things tend to get quiet when the female is laying her eggs.

The last time I saw two peregrines at the same time in the park was March 25th.

Also, please know that the County Parks Staff and Parks Advisory Board do support US F&W recommendations to open the park early if we can document that the peregrines are not nesting. US F&W is comfortable with a June 1st opening, but the County and our group did not confirm a date yet. Keith and I are certain that the falcons did not nest there last year (2017), but that is the first year we've gathered data since they showed up in 2010. The County has told us that there is monitoring data, but we have never seen it. Peregrine falcons can relocate where they nest from time to time, but what we don't know is where that could be if it's not Madrone Wall Park.

Thanks for reading!

Kellie

[elaine]

April 22nd Observation:

Below is information that I had already sent to the County this morning. I will add it to our FB page later on today.

I was out at the Madrone today from 6:35 until 8:10. I never once saw or hear a Peregrine kack/cack?, fly above, or sit on the cliff or usual tree.
I walked both access trails as well as the entire base of the wall. I did not hear anything, such as a Peregrine on the scrape, nor did I see any evidence on the ground (feathers or carcass) of recent feedings.

Today was the first day since late February that a Peregrine was not observed by me this year. It was around this time last year that we also started observe Peregrines were no longer in the park.

While we didn't see or hear any Peregrine's today that does not mean that the closure has been lifted. Please continue to respect the closure until further notice here or on the County's website. The County is in favor of an earlier opening (supporting current USF&W recommendations) that could likely mean early to mid June.

 

Edit: Another volunteer, Nate, made an observation in the late afternoon on 4/22: Saw both peregrines as we approached the wall along the "north trail", and one of them circled around above us as we came past the "perching tree". They never stooped, and never really got close, but one did cack continuously for a few minutes, while the other sat perched in the tree. Once we had walked to the far end of the wall, they had both disappeared. We walked back along the wall to the other end and then back to the parking lot and didn't hear or see them again.

USF&W consult responded:

It is getting a little late for them to be initiating nestling, but its still possible they have not layed eggs yet.  If they have already initiated, they would likely be on eggs.  That means you'd be unlikely to see a pair together at this time, unless their nest failed or they have not nested yet (or do not plan to). Hard to tell what Nate saw.  I suspect it is a territorial male escorting another bird out of his territory.  But really could be anything.  Given your recent LACK of observations of adults, I suspect this pair, if nestling, has nested elsewhere.  BUT... as I said above there may still be some time for them to initiate nestling.  So I wouldn't count them out quite yet.

If you have any interest in helping to monitor please contact me here.

Thanks!

Kellie

President, MWPC

 

 

Edited May 6, 2018 by elaine
adding in new observation

[elaine]

May 4th and 5th Observations at Madrone

(no observations were made the weekend of April 27th, as I was in California, and our crew of volunteers is made up of 3 people....we can always use more.)

May 4th: Keith D was out Friday morning for one hour before work between 6:30 and 7:38am. He observed at one point two peregrines  at the historic nesting site/eyrie (see photo with oval below). A peregrine was also observed (and typically is) in an old growth Doug Fir away from the wall, left side that is close to the North Trail. A peregrine was spotted coming out from behind a large block at the historic site, too.

May 5th: (Notes from Google Spreadsheet) Began observation at 6:40am. First sighting of peregrine was in old growth doug fir off to left near North Trail & away form wall. Perched there until 6:51, but also quiet the entire time. Flew south and west (hunting?). Appeared on tree above wall and above historic eyrie at 7:05. Stayed perched for 15+ minutes and then flew west. At 7:27 - noticed a peregrine perched on block at historic eyrie (photo with oval) and made occasional single cack noise on/off for 15 minutes and was facing east. (Same location as Keith's observation above). At 7:40 peregrine on cliff faced south and appeared ready for take off. At this moment another peregrine flew in for a small scuffle/fight lasting 15 seconds at most. One peregrine at the cliff flew to nearby doug fir and the other peregrine who flew into the cliff took off. At 7:45 the peregrine from the cliff made a different cacking sound - high pitched chirp (see video link below 3 photos), and then by 8:00 am the peregrine in the tree had left. Observation ended at 8:15 without seeing or hearing any other peregrine in the trees or along the cliff.

Thank you for respecting the closure out at the Madrone. There is no public access at this time for any kind of recreation.

Kellie Rice

President, MWPC

www.facebook.com/madronewall
 

 

 

7.45AM After Scuffle at Cliff.MOV

Edited May 6, 2018 by elaine

[elaine]

May 12th Update:

After consultation with USF&W (Dave Peterson, USF&W - Retired) on the phone late this morning, we believe that there is a nesting pair and that they are incubating eggs at this time. This belief is also supported by  the observations last weekend that happened at the historic nesting site. During our observations last year, we stopped seeing them at the site or flying above in mid-late April, and we stopped seeing them all-together in May. This led us to believe that the pair did not nest out at the Madrone

Arrived at 6:35am. One adult (Adult #1) was perched in Old Growth Snag (OGS) near North Trail and maybe 100-150 ft from wall. Kept eye on historic eyrie through binoculars for majority of observation. Adult #1 in tree flew at 6:51 and headed south. No observed activity in historic eyrie, but kept eye on it through binoculars.  At 7:27, heard loud chirping above and found two peregrines in OGS. One on east side of tree (Adult #2) and one on west side of tree (Adult #1). Saw one on east side of tree poop through binoculars. At 7:28. One continued loud chirping while other made familiar cacking call. Adult #2 (pooping one) left tree and flew into eyrie and behind block - continued to chirp. The other flew in behind block momentarily and then returned to tree. At 7:39, Adult #1 in tree left and flew east. Kept eye on eyrie through binoculars. Saw ruffle of feathers and movement behind left side of block at 7:56am.  I continued to monitor until 8:40. Checking eyrie, OGS, and surrounding area for adult returning or other activity at eyrie.

USF&W say that the female will leave the nest/eyrie when weather is good, and may fly to a nearby location to defacate and to also complete a food exchange. The adults will not leave the nest when the weather is bad though. Weather was just fine today.

We may not have an earlier opening date after all. It's possible that the female laid her clutch of eggs on the later side. Peterson has said that falcon activity quiets down when the female is laying her clutch of eggs, which can take 7-10 days. It should be noted that Peterson is a Master Falconer with a captive pair breeding on his property in Roseburg. He has cameras on them and say the eggs are two weeks away from hatching.

We will have to keep our eye on the historic nesting site, but the difficulty for us is that it's behind the block.

Thanks for continuing to respect the closure.

Kellie

Edited May 13, 2018 by elaine
added info about Dave Peterson, USF&W

[elaine]

5/19/18 Observation

 

Plug in some extra speakers to your computer if you have them since sound files don't transfer very well.

 

I arrived at 6:35am. I looked at the historic nesting site/eyrie and favorite Doug Fir tree first and saw no peregrines at that moment. I also didn't hear anything. I quickly scanned the area, including trees and cliff and did not see anything. I went back to watch the eyrie though binoculars again and within a minute a peregrine (female?) popped out from behind the  block and sat at the back of the block at 6:42am. It made it's familiar cacking call on and off. (See "6:45" photo)
 

At 6:55am she(?) continued this call on and off (watch "6.55" video). About 38 seconds into this video you can hear another peregrine off in the distance. I am speaking in the video and mention something about "waiting for food," which is when you can hear another in the distance. So cool! I believe it was her mate calling back to her.
 

Around 6:57 - within 2 minutes after shooting the video- another peregrine flew in and delivered food. I saw this through binoculars and had already stopped my phone for recording. I don't think it would have picked it up well anyways. The male(?) stood atop the left side of the block while the female dropped back behind. The male(?) then flew off to the tree (see photo - "6.59") and sat quietly for the remainder of my observation until 7:40am.
 

7.06 video provides additional call by peregrine behind the block, which I think is helpful to others who monitor or hear peregrines. The female(?) behind the block made this weird wailing/chirping sound (not cacking) on and off for about 15 or so minutes, and she(?) did not come out again for the rest of my observation.
 

We do believe that they are incubating eggs right now. It's really hard to tell, but based on the timing of what's happening at active eyries west of the Cascades the hatching of the chicks might be now or in the next week or so. That means 6 weeks after hatching is fledging time, which could mean fledging in early July. We just can't see them behind the block. We'll have to wait until they are 4 or 5 weeks old, as they might be moving around the scrape more and we can catch a glimpse of them at if they move from behind the block.

I stayed only for about an hour. There was no need to stay any longer since I saw what I needed to see. Thanks for reading!

Kellie

President, MWPC

www.facebook.com/madronewall

 

 

6.55am & Before Food Delivery.MOV

7.06am and After Food Delivery.MOV

Edited May 20, 2018 by elaine

[elaine]

Hello Climbers,

 

Below is my exact email to the County, Keith D, our USF&W contacts, and a member of the Parks Advisory Board

 

6:45am-8:10am was my time observing today.
 

I parked along the highway at 6:40am. I could hear a peregrine calling as I walked up the access road from HWY 224. I didn't see anything at the nesting site, but found one atop the favorite tree at 6:45 am. He(?) made the familiar cacking call on and off.
 

I kept looking at the nesting site and didn't see anything until 6:55 when one popped out from behind the block and sat atop. That's when she(?) began to cack. The one in the tree sat quietly until 7:13 when it flew off and headed south.
 

The female continued cacking on and off at the cliff until 7:53 when she left the cliff and flew low and east. I never heard anything in the distance from another peregrine while she was alone at the nesting site. At 7:56 I could see her return from the east to where she sat atop of the block (nesting site) again.

I mentioned this last week, but USF&W say that the female may leave the nest for a break, to defecate, or for a food exchange. The latter happened at 8am.
 

As she sat atop the block at around 8am, I could hear another peregrine cacking and approaching from behind me from the south & west. He(?) landed in the tree, but a little lower than before (another normal spot). Upon his landing in the tree the female left the block and flew to the tree. She(?) returned to the cliff and I could see something dark in her talons. She landed above the eyrie/nesting area about 15 feet above and right. She was visibly feeding on something as she tore away with what was at her feet. The male(?) stayed in the tree, and moved up to the top again.
 

My assumption is that we still have eggs, but no chicks yet. I anticipate that we might be having chicks at any time. It is also my assumption, but hoping those with more experience will chime in, that maybe around the chicks being 4-5 weeks old is where we might see more movement at the nest. I anticipate them moving about and coming into view from behind the block and maybe at week 5 them standing atop the block. Thoughts?

Thank you for continuing the respect the closure.

Kellie

 

 

6.55AM - Eyrie.MOV

[elaine]

We have chicks!!

At 7:01 an adult flew in with food and dropped behind the block where they are nesting. There is no mistaking the sound that I heard - a chorus of chicks chirping! Dave Peterson, USF&W - Retired, said that they could be likely 2 weeks old. Peterson also said that we would likely hear them crying - almost a cacking sound - at 3-4 weeks old, but continue chirping while being fed. He also said that at 3-4 weeks old we would start to see movement behind the block, and movement on top of the block at 5 weeks old. Ian Caldwell, past President and current Ranger at Smith Rock, had told me back during our trail building days in 2016 that we would definitely be able to hear chicks.

The eyrie position in the rocks creates an amphitheater effect with the sounds the falcons (adults and chicks) make, so if an adult brings them food we can definitely hear it while standing on the ground.

It's hard to really say how old they are or how many there are, but a normal clutch size is between 3 and 5 chicks.

Thank you for respecting the closure. It should also be noted that both falcons seemed very agitated by my presence today even though I was observing from the same location.

After feeding chicks - 7.09am.MOV

[elaine]

Observation today from 6:30-8am. At 6:30 I watched through the trees just before entering the parking lot and I could see the female (I assume) climbing up the left side of the block and sitting momentarily on top.

She quickly left the cliff and flew to the Doug Fir tree. She sat 15-20 feet below the top and on the right. The male (I assume) was out hunting. At 6:42 there was definitely cacking/crying at the eyrie. My guess is based on Dave Peterson's information is that they might be between 2 and 3 weeks old. At 6:48 am a male flew into the top of the tree from the south. The female went up and circled near him, but there was no food exchange. The female then immediately flew to above and right of the eyrie - about 15 feet. She continued to make noise.

At 7am, the male left the tree and flew south to likely hunt more. At 7:25 she left that upper position at the cliff, flew into the eyrie, and dropped behind the block. The chicks were loud with mama there! At around 7:29 she came up and was perched at the back of the block calling/cacking again.

At 7:40 the male flew into the eyrie with food and delivered it to the block, but the female took it and went to the tree. She sat on a short east-facing branch while she fed. The male went to the top of the tree and sat quietly.

There is no doubt that we have chicks, but it's possible that the chicks were fed before or after my observation time.

I already mentioned this in my last post, but based on my conversation with Dave Peterson (USF&W- Retired) this last Saturday, we should start to see chicks moving behind the block between 3 and 4 weeks old, so Father's Day weekend, give or take a few days?

Thank you for respecting the closure during this time.
We have a meeting with Clackamas County next Wednesday afternoon. Hopefully we'll have more of an idea of the age of the chicks and when we might be able to estimate an approximate opening date.

Thank you,

Kellie

 

Edited June 7, 2018 by elaine

[elaine]

Hi Everyone,

On Wednesday, June 13th,  I was able to spot one chick (lots of white feathers) on the right hand side of the scrape. USF&W consult say that the chicks start moving around the nest at around 3-4 weeks old. Mama bird was definitely agitated that I was there, too, and more so with previous observations as she circled above me and went back to the cliff.

In other news, Keith and I had a productive meeting with the County Wednesday afternoon. We discussed them having more of a role with monitoring in future years (they haven't helped at all this year or last year), new drafted trailhead kiosk sign & map completed by Sarah Bradham at the Mazamas (thanking her for her time and expertise!), as well as future improvements that will happen before opening this summer. The County will not open the park before July 15 this year.

The County also is not interested in building a trail from the cliff to the top this year, but is more supportive for a project in 2019.

 

Thank you for respecting the closure during this time.

Kellie

President, MWPC

 

[elaine]

June 22nd Update:

We have two juveniles for sure! I am guessing based on their lack of white feathers as well as their movement abilities around and away from the scrape that they are at about 5 weeks old - 35 days. One was more adventurous and was about 5 feet off the eyrie/scrape/nest to the left. (Maybe above the route Paleontologist?)  Another was atop the block on the right side. See photo below. It's impossible to see the birds in the picture, but you can see their location.
Mama bird was screaming at me while perched in the Doug Fir tree.  I anticipate fledging in the next week by both if they follow the typical development of 42-45 days old before fledging.

Keith was also able to see two juveniles with an adult feeding atop the block earlier this week. Remember that their actual nest/scrape location where they hatched is behind the block.

Once again, the County has told us that they will not open the park before July 15. We actually don't have a firm opening date yet. They do have plans to do some improvements before opening, including an electronic fee cache. They will definitely allow the two weeks disbursement period so that the juveniles can develop their wings, and they will only do their improvements after the disbursement period is complete. I wish we could get them to commit to a "2 weeks after fledging opening," but we can't just yet. They're going to open it when they're ready.

Thank you!

Kellie