BAR HARBOR — Some Peregrine Falcons in Acadia National Park are now in their incubation period.

The park closed a selection of trails earlier this year to protect the falcons while they nest in the park’s rocky cliffsides.

Each year, a team of wildlife biologists monitors the progress of the birds to make sure they are safely managed and to track which ones are born in Acadia.

“Our wildlife biologist team, they also come out and they monitor the progress of the birds from their courtship phase, all the way through hatching and fledging,” said Amanda Pollock, public affairs officer for Acadia National Park. “So, we work really hard to make sure we can monitor that progress and try and adjust our management style — if needed — to make sure they’re safe and make sure they have the resources they need.” 

This year, there are at least two nests in the park — including a mated pair along the park’s Precipice Trail.

“They’ve had their courtship phase,” said Pollock. “We know that eggs are laid, and they are in their incubation period and getting ready to hatch probably in the next couple of weeks here. The male and female, they take turns incubating the eggs.”

Pollock said Peregrine Falcons were close to becoming extinct in the 1980s but have since bounced back in Maine.

Precipice Trail, along with several others, remains closed until further notice to protect the falcons. (Spectrum News/David Ledford)

“In the 1980s, these birds were on the brink of extinction, and thanks to efforts led by Acadia National Park, it’s now a thriving species in Maine,” said Pollock. “We’re really proud of the work that we’ve done in partnership with the state and a lot of other conservation associations to make sure these animals can thrive in their native habitat.”

Pollock said the adult falcons are sensitive to the presence of humans as the chicks hatch, and the trails with nesting Peregrines will remain closed until further notice.

Penobscot East Trail, Jordan Cliffs Trail, Precipice Trail and Valley Cove Trail are the trails that have closed. 

“The birds determine the length of the closure,” said Pollock.” These next few weeks are an absolutely critical piece of their development. When the birds do first hatch out of their eggs the adults are incredibly sensitive to what they sense as predators and to human disturbance. And if they sense they are in danger, they will abandon the nest. So, it’s absolutely critical that people watch out for this wildlife closure until we say that it is no longer necessary.”

According to the National Park Service, young falcons may be seen as “tiny white snowballs” in early June and will take their first flights in late June or early July.

Once they’re ready, Pollock said the Peregrines will leave Maine for the winter.

In 2024, three breeding pairs of Peregrine Falcons made their homes on Acadia’s cliffs. 

“The reason that we’re here is to protect the natural and cultural resources of Acadia National Park,” said Pollock. “And we really need people’s help to do that. We’re all on the same team.”