Peregrine Hacking Program Stands Down within Shenandoah National Park

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Published by Center for Conservation Biology at July 8, 2023

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peregrine falcon

Mitchell Byrd holds a captive-reared peregrine falcon in the early 1990s to be released at Hawksbill in Shenandoah National Park. Keith Watson (l) is the park biologist who oversaw early releases into the park. Amanda Beheler (r) was an attendant from William & Mary who managed the hack on Hawksbill. Photo by Tim Wright.

By: Bryan Watts
7/4/2023

Shenandoah National Park has championed the reintroduction of peregrine falcons back into their historic breeding range in the mountains of Virginia. Since 1989, 215 young falcons have been released within the park. During the winter of 2022-2023, park staff decided that the 2022 hacking season would be their last. This decision closes an important chapter in the effort to recover peregrine falcons in Virginia.

Peregrine hack box placed high on Franklin Cliffs overlooks the surrounding landscape. The front of the box is made with open bars mimicking the view of a cliff eyrie and allowing the young to imprint on the landscape. Photo by Bryan Watts.

In 1985 the focus of peregrine falcon reintroductions in Virginia shifted from the barrier islands and outer Coastal Plain to the mountains. Shenandoah National Park took an active role in mountain releases hacking 36 captive-reared falcons on Hawksbill from 1989 through 1993. These early release efforts were spearheaded by park biologist Keith Watson. The release of captive-reared falcons was phased out in Virginia following the 1993 hacking season. However, as the population on the Coastal Plain grew and pairs colonized bridges, buildings and smokestacks, the decision was made to translocate wild-reared falcons from sites with poor fledging success to the historic mountain range. Shenandoah National Park agreed to take the lead role in mountain releases.

A brood of falcons pulled from the Benjamin Harrison Bridge near Hopewell, Virginia that were driven to Shenandoah National Park for release as part of the translocation program. Photo by Bryan Watts.

Rolf Gubler places a falcon in the hack box on Franklin Cliffs — Rolf Gubler (front) places a falcon in the hack box on Franklin Cliffs with help from Alan Williams (back). Shenandoah National Park has been an incredible partner in the re-establishment of peregrine falcons in Virginia. Photo by Bryan Watts.

Brood of young falcons placed in hack box within Shenandoah National Park. The birds have several more days of development before release and food is provided daily before and after release. Photo by Bryan Watts.

In 2000, the first 8 wild-reared falcons were translocated from bridges on the Coastal Plain to the hack box on Hawksbill and released. Falcons were translocated to Shenandoah National Park every spring for 23 years and released from various locations within the park including Hawksbill, Blackrock, Hogback Mountain and Franklin Cliffs. In total, an amazing 179 falcons were moved from the coast to Shenandoah National Park and released. The program has been viewed as a win-win. By moving young falcons from risky nesting sites on the coast and moving them to the mountains we could both improve survival of fledglings and hopefully grow the population within the historic range.

Young falcon just after fledging from Hogback Mountain hack site in Shenandoah National Park. More than 200 falcons were released by the park from 1989 through 2022. Photo by Bryan Watts.

Ashley Lohr monitors fledged peregrine falcons after release on Hogback Mountain. Ashley is one of many undergraduate technicians who managed hacks in Shenandoah National Park. Hack attendants have been critical to consistent successful releases. Photo by Bryan Watts.

Rolf Gubler talks to visitors during a falcon release on Franklin Cliffs. Education about peregrine falcons within the park and throughout the region has been an important part of the reintroduction program within Shenandoah National Park. SNP photo.

Throughout the entire translocation program hacks in Shenandoah National Park have been made possible by the expertise and dedication of park biologist Rolf Gubler. The effort would not have been possible without Rolf’s leadership and commitment. The administration and staff of Shenandoah National Park have been amazing partners in this effort and deserve the heart-felt appreciation of the broader conservation community. Young falcons have dispersed to breed in Virginia and surrounding states.