Prairie & Peregrine Falcons Quick Reads

Both prairie falcons and peregrine falcons nest on the cliffs at Pinnacles and eat small mammals, birds and reptiles from surrounding habitats. The National Park Service began monitoring prairie falcons in cliff-nesting areas near rock climbing routes in 1987 to protect the birds from disturbances while still allowing climbers to scale as many routes as possible. By 2003, the NPS had expanded monitoring to all suitable cliff-nesting sites in the park.

What’s it like to make a living by monitoring birds of prey as they nest, raise their young, and live their lives among the cliffs of Pinnacles National Park? Read Gavin’s story to find out!