BC Parks is asking the climbing community to report any sightings of Peregrine Falcon at the Stawamus Chief to BC Parks. Nesting occurs between March and July each year.
“BC Parks appreciates reports of falcon sightings to help locate nest sites to protect both the falcons and climbers. Nesting occurs between March and July each year. With the help of volunteers and the climbing community, BC Parks monitors falcon activity to locate the nests,” the agency said.
Peregrine Falcons regularly nest on rock ledges on the Stawamus Chief. Close human disturbance can cause stress and reduce nesting success. Falcons may aggressively protect their nest by dive-bombing climbers who get too close, which poses a safety risk. 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. Usually silent but a variety of wails and cries can be heard during the breeding season. Alarm call of the adult birds is a grating kree-aak , kree-aak or ki ki ki.
More information can be found here. Report falcon sightings to BC Parks at Kym.Welstead@gov.bc.ca or 604-398-5916.
