Peregrine Falcon Monitoring Update

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2025 was an exceptionally successful season for peregrine falcons in Western North Carolina. Despite challenges from Hurricane Helene—including inaccessible nest sites and nearby infrastructure repairs—biologists with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission with help from the CCC documented 17 fledglings, the second-highest total ever recorded in western North Carolina.

2025 Nesting Highlights

  • Laurel Knob (Dillard Canyon eyrie): Record-breaking season with 3 fledglings, the highest ever documented at this site

  • Looking Glass Rock: 3 fledglings; continued monitoring supported by CCC-installed nest cameras

  • Big Lost Cove: 3 fledglings, marking only the second successful nesting at this site in the past decade

Overall, 11 territories were occupied, with 7 breeding pairs successfully raising young—a nest success rate of 64%, higher than recent years. This success is directly tied to seasonal closures and strong collaboration between NCWRC, the U.S. Forest Service, the CCC, and the climbing community.

The CCC is grateful for our partnership with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and the U.S. Forest Service. Together—and with the support of climbers who respect seasonal closures—we are protecting peregrines while preserving long-term climbing access.