Raptor Breeding Season Report for Pinnacles National Monument - 2008

Pinnacles National Monument ("Pinnacles") provides a diverse habitat for numerous cliff-nesting raptors, including prairie falcons (Falco mexicanus), peregrine falcons (F. peregrinus) and golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos), as well as a spectacular array of summits and cliff-wall routes for rock-climbers. This monitoring effort was established to determine long-term trends in the number of occupied territories and productivity of nesting prairie falcons. Data on presence and diversity of other nesting raptors are also collected. The effort grew out of a need to reduce potential disturbance that climbers and off-trail hikers may have on cliff-nesting raptors. This report summarizes the results from the 2008 breeding season and represents the 22nd year of monitoring at the monument.