Devils Tower, WY -
All climbing routes and summit areas at Devils Tower National Monument are reopened after peregrine falcons successfully fledged from the west face of the Tower. "Two young peregrine falcons were observed flying well and are no longer dependent on the eyrie (nest) site." said Rene Ohms, chief of resource management. Earlier this year climbing routes were temporarily closed to protect the young falcons, allowing them an undisturbed nesting location and protecting climbers from parent birds who defensively dive in order to protect their nests. The annual temporary closure was established under the 1995 Devils Tower Climbing Management Plan, with authority from the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Although prairie falcons have nested on the Tower in the past, this is the first documented peregrine falcon nest.
To learn more about Devils Tower National Monument, contact 307-467-5283, visit us online at www.nps.gov/deto or www.facebook.com/Devils-Tower-National-Monument-Official-NPS-Site.
~NPS~
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
