Peregrines and climbing trails

[Grey-Jay]

I am looking to photograph Peregrine falcons in flight this early summer, at one of several places in the Adirondacks. I will be totally respectful of these birds and do not plan on approaching nests, tresspassing on trails closed by the DEC, or anything else that is not wise. My game plan would be to just visit cliffs wherever Peregrines are around, sitting down with my flight lens, and just hoping that a few fly over and I get flight shots.
I am thinking that Rogers Rock might be good. Not sure if the trail to the lookout from the campground is closed during the bird nesting season, but is an option if open.

Can anyone comment on Rogers Rock or possibly a better spot?

It would be best to PM me versus posting here due to the sensitivity of these birds and not posting info here.

[JClimbs]

I don't think it's a good option. The cliff face is closed if they're nesting there, and access to anywhere near them from above is both difficult - you are likely to miss the main cliff entirely - and extremely dangerous. It would almost certainly also draw the attention and ire of the rangers thereabouts.
You might try the trail that goes up above the Washbowl cliffs, cutting over to the top of them when you reach that locale, and hoping for the best.
The DEC used to close portions of cliffs, but in the recent past, they've shifted to an ever-more engulfing policy of just closing entire cliffs. I'm not happy with this policy, but knowing both the stupidity of bureaucratic thinking, and having once shared a belay with angry prairie falcons, I can understand the cause. Until we get people who actually know climbing who not only do the research but make policy, I expect this trend to continue.
Your best bet might be finding a cliff that peregrine falcons have claimed but the DEC doesn't know about, taking your shots, then (Scum!) reporting it to the uniforms. That would neatly assuage any guilt you might feel about invading the birds' territory AND prevent anyone else from getting similar pictures.
Good luck in that regard. There will be plenty enough of those birds around to close every major cliff in the Adks for two months every year within a decade or so. That would be an easy way for the DEC to begin working on a total climbing ban project, and probably right on their timeline, too. Right after paid tickets for entry, trail licenses, and assorted other schemes. (</sarcasm>).

[colden46]

I know this thread is old, but I just came across it now...

While photographing a wild peregrine in the Adirondacks sounds a lot more attractive, if all you're looking for is peregrine shots you might just try some of the urban birds. There are peregrines nesting in Toronto, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, several in NYC, and a pair on pretty much every bridge over the Hudson between NYC and Albany.

Here are a few from Rochester, all juveniles -- the other advantage of shooting in an urban environment is the nice man-made objects you sometimes get in the picture, like in the first shot . The juvies get banded, which obviously detracts from the picture. As far as I know though, the DEC bands all the juveniles they can get to, including some of the Adirondack birds. The adults aren't banded but are harder to get close pictures of.

[kayakrski]

Great photo's!

[Hobbitling]

I wonder if you could photoshop out the bands?

[pico23]

I am looking to photograph Peregrine falcons in flight this early summer, at one of several places in the Adirondacks. I will be totally respectful of these birds and do not plan on approaching nests, tresspassing on trails closed by the DEC, or anything else that is not wise. My game plan would be to just visit cliffs wherever Peregrines are around, sitting down with my flight lens, and just hoping that a few fly over and I get flight shots.
I am thinking that Rogers Rock might be good. Not sure if the trail to the lookout from the campground is closed during the bird nesting season, but is an option if open.

Can anyone comment on Rogers Rock or possibly a better spot?

It would be best to PM me versus posting here due to the sensitivity of these birds and not posting info here.

The reason the cliffs are closed is to keep people away from the birds.

So hanging out on their cliffs is a bad idea.

As far as where they nest, I know some have nested on Washbowl cliffs in years past.

As climbers it's definitely a small inconvenience but there is plenty of rock that is still open.

Any way, there is definitely a reason for the cliff closures!!

[Anita]

saw at lease one peregrine this past saturday at pitchoff left.
first time seeing one in the wild - what a sight!

[Grey-Jay]

I've abandoned the idea.

[C4C]

Does anybody have any idea what the current peregrine closer status is at poko? I am interested in Catharsis slab area in particular.

[HappyCamper]

those photos are amazing.

[Dave B]

This is my first post here...

Great News! Upper Washbowl is OPEN! Poko slab is OPEN! Right of positive thinking is open, and left of (#25 new book) Bathtub virgin, is open.

http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7870.html

[Dave B]

Does anybody know whether the peregrine closures on the lower washbowls includes routes on the Creature Wall, Swamp Rock, and the False Arrow?

Thanks in advance for any help.

[Anita]

we were on False Arrow in late April and it was ok.
not sure if Creature Wall is closed - we've passed it a couple times in May and there were always a few people climbing

[JClimbs]

Closures

The False Arrow is considered part of the Lower Washbowl Cliffs, so it is closed. Swamp Rock is also included in the Lower Washbowl descriptions, but it falls into a grey area, being quite a bit lower than the rest of the LWC... i.e., not sure about that one. Creature Wall has historically been considered separate from the LWC, partly because it is lower down and located on the southeast end of the Washbowl ridge. I think it is probably safe to assume they would be separately mentioned on the DEC site if closed.

[Connie Bear Orion]

If you want a picture of a Peregrine Falcon go to Downtown Albany or Downtown Utica.
Both places have them flying around, living very well off of pigeons.