2026 PEREGRINE WATCH SEASON
Based on our experience, current scientific research and raptor protection strategies of conservation partners, the Preserve will continue applying a responsive management approach during the peregrine falcon breeding season to optimize successful eyrie (cliff nest) site selection.
Peregrine Watch Update:
Our Peregrine Watch team has unfortunately confirmed that the recent Trapps eyrie (nest) was not successful due to egg loss. This can happen for many reasons, including weather, predation, or natural disturbance. Fortunately, because this happened in early spring, the falcons have an opportunity to try again and are already initiating a second breeding cycle in a new eyrie location.
As a result, and to give these peregrines the best chance to succeed, we are changing our temporary climbing and bouldering closure boundaries as follows effective Wednesday, April 15th:
- Trapps Climbing – No climbing from and including Overhanging Layback (5.7+) to and including Monumantel (5.13d).
- Trapps Bouldering – No bouldering from and including Asphodel Boulder to the Wanderlust Boulder.
Our previous adjusted closure that was implemented on April 3rd is now lifted. Climbing and bouldering can resume from and including Thin Slabs (5.7) to and including Lakatakissima (5.10b).
Thank you to all our climbing partners and community for your support of the peregrines! We look forward to working together to enable another successful breeding season and help ensure the continued protection of these remarkable raptors.
Based on our experience, current scientific research and raptor protection strategies of conservation partners, the Preserve will continue applying a responsive management approach each year during the early breeding season to optimize successful eyrie (cliff nest) site selection. Click here to learn more about peregrines on the Shawangunk Ridge.
Peregrine Watch Observations
4.14.26 – Peregrine Watch
Our Peregrine Watch team have confirmed through observations that the falcon pair are already initiating a second breeding cycle in a new eyrie location. Copulation has been reported in a new location and adjusted temporary climbing and bouldering closure boundaries will be in place effective Wednesday, April 15th.
4.11.26 – Peregrine Watch
During a Peregrine Watch observation, our team has unfortunately confirmed that the recent Trapps eyrie (nest) was not successful due to egg loss. This can happen for many reasons, including weather, predation, or natural disturbance.
4.2.26 – Peregrine Watch
Spring love is in the air! Thanks to our amazing Peregrine Watch volunteers and conservation science staff, we now have confirmed peregrine falcon breeding activity in the Trapps. The broad closure has been lifted and a reduced, temporary closure will be in place starting Friday, April 3rd.
3.26.26 – Peregrine Watch
Good news from the Gunks! Peregrine Watch volunteers have confirmed peregrine falcon activity, highlighting the power of community science and ongoing conservation efforts.
6.12.25 – Preserve Peregrine Cam
Two growing peregrine falcon chicks and a watchful parent are seen in their rocky eyrie.
The chicks are developing quickly, with their juvenile feathers coming in and their appearance darkening each day. As they continue to shed their soft down feathers, they’re getting closer to a major milestone: their very first flight—known as fledging.
5.21.25 – Preserve Peregrine Cam
We’re thrilled to announce that baby peregrine falcons have hatched in the Gunks! Our Peregrine Watch program has confirmed the presence of eyases, peregrine falcon chicks, at Mohonk Preserve. In this video, two chicks have been observed and are estimated to be between 19-23 days old.
4.29.25 – Preserve Peregrine Cam
Tune in to see some peregrine falcon action on the Shawangunk Ridge!
4.22.25 – Preserve Peregrine Cam
Blink and you might miss it! The peregrine falcon is renowned for its incredible speed, particularly during its hunting stoop, which is a controlled dive where the bird plunges from great heights to capture prey in the air, reaching speeds of over 200 mph.
4.8.25 – Preserve Peregrine Cam
Tune in to hear from some locals on the Shawangunk Ridge! Peregrine falcons vocalize for various reasons to communicate and coordinate behaviors like defense of territory, breeding and hunting food.
5.14.24 – Preserve Peregrine Cam: Footage shows a peregrine falcon vocalizing in the Shawangunk Ridge.
This peregrine is “ee-chupping.” Ee-chup is a peregrine-to-peregrine vocalization. Because this sounds like a “whisper call” or a softly vocalized call, it’s likely these peregrines are communicating in a friendly way to each other. Perhaps the peregrine staying in the eyrie is communicating to their partner something along the lines of, “have a nice flight” or “bring me back a tasty morsel!”
4.8.24 – Preserve Peregrine Cam: Two peregrine falcons are seen feeding on a northern flicker in the Shawangunk Ridge.
3.14.24 – Preserve Peregrine Cam: Tune in with your sound on for some peregrine falcon calls! This footage shows a pair of peregrine falcons on an eyrie in the Shawangunk Ridge talking to one another. Falcons will use various different calls to signal their presence to potential mates, communicate needs to their partners or to establish territory.
2.5.24 – Preserve Peregrine Cam: A peregrine falcon takes flight off an eyrie on the Shawangunk Ridge. Did you know the peregrine falcon is considered the fastest member of the animal kingdom? Peregrine falcons are very fast fliers, reaching speeds up to 69 mph in direct pursuit of prey and 200 mph when hunting from high above! These amazing high-speed dives are called hunting stoops.
1.16.24 – Preserve Peregrine Cam: A peregrine falcon preening their feathers to keep them clean.