BC Parks has closed several climbing routes to protect the Peregrine Falcons in the South Gully, Memorial Ledge, and Squamish Buttress areas of the Stawamus Chief Provincial Park.
According to an update by BC Parks, a falcon nest site is suspected near the Memorial Ledge.
To protect the falcons, the following climbing routes are closed: Memorial Crack, Memorial Ledge, Karen’s Math and the top of Long Time No See (pitches 8 and 9 and the top of pitch 7).
The closure will be lifted when the juveniles leave the area, expected by the end of July.
The falcons are roughly the size of a common crow and regularly nest on the rock ledges of the Chief. According to BC Parks, falcons may aggressively protect their nest by dive-bombing those who get too close to them.
With the help of climbers and volunteers, BC Parks has been monitoring the falcon activity between March and July each year at the Chief.
Please contact Joanna Hirner at Joanna.Hirner@gov.bc.ca or at 604-924-2228 to report a falcon activity.
Meanwhile, the popular Backside trail, also known as Three Peaks Trail at the Stawamus Chief, is still closed.
BC Parks also advises that vehicles parked illegally at Stawamus Chief, including the Apron parking lot, will be subject to towing at the owner’s expense.
Visitors must park in designated parking lots and observe the “no parking” signs posted. Vehicles parked illegally in closed day-use areas will be charged a fee for gate unlocking.
Ruth Simons says
The Peregrine Falcon is listed under schedule 1 of the Federal Species at Risk Act as “Special Concern”. It is a good move by BC Parks taking measures to protect the nests of these amazing birds of prey, known to be the fastest birds in the world while ensuring the safety of climbers.