Ridgelines #212

Protecting Peregrines in the Gunks

The history of monitoring and protecting peregrine falcons on the Shawangunk Ridge dates to the 1920s when brothers Dan and Keith Smiley began recording peregrine sightings on Mohonk Mountain House and what are now Mohonk Preserve lands.

From this early monitoring began a rich legacy of peregrine falcon research and an environmental success story in wildlife conservation. Dan Smiley continued to observe peregrines throughout his lifetime and noticed a slow decline in peregrines over the decades, particularly in the 1940s and 1950s when DDT and other pesticides wreaked havoc on bird populations, interfering with egg production and shell strength.

By 1968, there were no known peregrines breeding east of the Mississippi River, where previously 400 pairs had been recorded. In 1974, Dr. Heinz Meng, a SUNY New Paltz professor, began raising peregrines in captivity and reintroducing them into the Gunks.

Finally in 1998, after an absence of over 40 years, peregrines returned to the Gunks and have been nesting almost every year since then. Preserve staff and volunteers have recorded the peregrines’ favorite perches and their eyrie (cliff nest) locations. As a New York State Endangered Species, peregrine falcons are protected, and the Preserve cooperates with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to ensure the continued recovery of the species.

Each year, peregrines are monitored by Preserve staff and community science volunteers as part of the Preserve’s Peregrine Watch program. This program runs from early February through August. Participants monitor and observe peregrine behavior and breeding activity to identify eyrie sites and record observations of their activities – egg laying, incubation, prey exchanges, presence of chicks, chick feeding, chick fledging, and young in flight. Participants also contribute to public outreach and interpretation of the importance of peregrine conservation.

In 2022, after extensive research into peregrine conservation efforts nationwide, the Preserve introduced a responsive management approach to our temporary cliff closures at the beginning of the breeding season to provide the best chance for successful eyrie selection. Once an eyrie is established, the closures are adjusted based on its location.

Peregrines are exceptional parents who typically mate for life and tend to return to the same territory each year to raise their young. Female peregrines lay one to four eggs annually and incubate them for about a month before they hatch. The young stay in the eyrie for over 40 days and continue to be dependent on their parents over the next two or more months as they learn to hunt and survive in the wild. As a result, the loss of even one young peregrine can have substantial effects on the population.

Last year, the Preserve was excited to announce the first successful peregrine fledgling in the Trapps since 2018, which took to the skies in August. This year, thanks to the Preserve’s Patrol Rangers team, we launched our first Preserve Peregrine Cam, which captures videos of peregrines in action. Click here to follow Peregrine Watch updates and view videos.

The Preserve has worked collaboratively with the climbing community for decades to help protect peregrine falcons and we appreciate their support of our conservation mission and patience as they wait for their favorite climbs and boulders to re-open once the peregrines successfully fledge. We also thank the dozens of Peregrine Watch volunteers, many of whom are climbers, who have generously donated their time and energy to help this magnificent bird.

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Racing To Support Mohonk Preserve

With spring on the horizon, Mohonk Preserve is excited to present a great lineup of on-land races for trail runners and hikers. Whether you’re up for a 5-mile run or a 50-mile challenge, the Preserve has something for everyone. The Preserve’s 70-plus miles of carriage roads and trails provide a great surface for runners as they travel through magnificent mountain cliffs, forests, fields and other beautiful places. Best of all, you’ll be running for a great cause – these events are both fundraisers that help support the Preserve’s conservation mission, including protecting and maintaining the carriage roads and trails network.

First on Mohonk Preserve’s race calendar is the Rock and Snow Bridge 2 Bridge 5-mile Run on Saturday, April 13, 2024. This popular race attracts a dedicated group of 300 or more runners to the Preserve’s Spring Farm Trailhead in High Falls. While it may be the shortest in distance of all our races, it offers a variety of terrains and landscapes. With race day support from the Shawangunk Runners Club and sponsorship support from outdoor gear experts Rock and Snow and featuring the famous Bruderhof Community pies and annual Preserve memberships as prizes for top finishers, this race is a favorite of local and regional runners.

“We would like to thank Rock and Snow for their sponsorship of Bridge 2 Bridge and the Shawangunk Runners for their help in producing this event,” said Mohonk Preserve Special Events Manager and Race Director Tom Leader. “Their assistance with planning and on race day is invaluable.”

Registration for Bridge 2 Bridge is open now, so sign up today!

For runners up for an epic challenge, registration is also open for Rock The Ridge 50-mile Challenge on Saturday, May 4, 2024. Participants choose between completing the full 50-mile course or participating as part of a relay team of 2, 3 or 4 people. The course winds along well-maintained carriage roads, through lush forests and over ridgelines with magnificent vistas along the way. The event’s 18-hour time limit and relay option accommodate people with a wide range of abilities – from elite Ultra-athletes to first-time 50 milers and relay teams.

“If 50 miles seems daunting, there’s always the relay option,” Tom noted. “Grab three friends and create a team with each person running or hiking between 10–13 miles of the course. It’s a fantastic day on the ridge whether you’re doing the full 50 or a shorter distance.”

With over 500 registrants for last year’s event, Rock The Ridge is one of the largest ultras in the country. Sign up today to reserve your spot! Now in its 11th year, Rock The Ridge attracts participants from across the country and around the world who come to test their mettle and support Mohonk Preserve’s conservation mission through individual fundraising. Participants love this high energy event because of its well-marked course, fantastic volunteers, well-stocked aid stations and an enthusiastic group of spectators at the finish line. One participant in 2023 called it “the best race on planet Earth!” and another said, “Rock The Ridge changed my life!” Since 2013, Ridge Rockers have helped raise more than $2 million to support the Preserve’s Conservation & Community Education, Stewardship and Visitor Experience programs. Click here to watch a video about Rock The Ridge.

Make 2024 the year you get into nature by participating in one of our amazing races. For more information on running at Mohonk Preserve, click here.

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In Appreciation

Click here to go to our listing of Preserver and Premium Memberships, Donations, Business Memberships, Sponsorships and Funders, and Memorial and Honorary Gifts received October 1 through December 31, 2023, and a listing of current Legacy Society Members.