Cliffs Closed to Protect Peregrine Falcon Nests

The Fish & Wildlife Department has announced that eight cliff areas have been closed to protect nesting peregine falcons.

The areas include the following:

• Nichols Ledge in Woodbury - access to any part of the cliff is closed.


• Fairlee Palisades in Fairlee - access to any part of the cliff is closed.


• Deer Leap in Bristol - access to any part of the cliff is closed.


• Bolton Notch in Bolton - trail below cliff is open, but cliff access is closed.


• Rattlesnake Point in Salisbury - southern overlook is closed, western overlook is open.


• Mt. Horrid in Goshen/Rochester - access to any part of the cliff is closed, but Great Cliff lookout is open.


• Snake Mountain in Addison - cliff top south of pond is closed, all trails are open.


• Smuggler's Notch in Cambridge - Elephant's Head area is closed.

Doug Blodgett, Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department biologist, said the areas will be closed until Aug. 1, but if a falcon pair doesn't nest or if the nesting is not successful, the areas will be reopened.

Area updates will be posted on the Fish & Wildlife's Web site at: www.vtfishandwildlife.com or by calling (802) 241-3700.

Steven D. Faccio

Peregrine Falcons

"The areas closed include the portions of the cliffs where the birds are nesting and the trails leading to the cliff tops or overlooks," Blodgett said. "In many cases the lower portions of the trails are still open. Signs are posted at the trailhead or along the trail indicating which areas are off limits."

If you see peregrines, report it to the Fish & Wildlife by e-mailing: doug.blodgett@state.vt.us.